Reading can be a social activity. Think of the people who belong to book groups. They choose books to read and then meet to discuss them. Now the website BookCrossing.com turns the page on the traditional idea of a book group.

    Members go on the site and register the books they own and would like to share. BookCrossing provides an identification number to stick inside the book. Then the person leaves it in a public place, hoping that the book will have an adventure, traveling far and wide with each new reader who finds it.

    Bruce Pederson, the managing director of BookCrossing, says, “The two things that change your life are the people you meet and books you read. BookCrossing combines both.”

    Members leave books on park benches and buses, in train stations and coffee shops. Whoever finds their book will go to the site and record where they found it.

    People who find a book can also leave a journal entry describing what they thought of it. E-mails are then sent to the BookCrossers to keep them updated about where their books have been found. Bruce Peterson says the idea is for people not to be selfish by keeping a book to gather dust on a shelf at home.

    BookCrossing is part of a trend among people who want to get back to the “real” and not the virtual(虚拟). The site now has more than one million members in more than one hundred thirty-five countries.

    When I was a boy there were no smart phones, and our television only got one channel clearly. Still, I never felt bored. The fields, hills and woodlands around my home were the perfect playground whose adventures were only limited by my imagination. I can remember once hiking to nearby lake and walking slowly around it. At the back of it I was amazed to find an old dirt road that I had never seen before. It was full of muddy tyre tracks and deep woods bordered it on both sides, but exploring it still seemed like a fine adventure.

    I walked on and on for what seemed like hours. I was sure my guardian angel was whispering in my ears “turn around and head back home”, but I was stubborn and walked on. There was still neither a car nor a house in sight. I noticed that the sun was starting to go and down I grew scared. I didn't want to end up trapped on this road, and I was worried that it would be dark before I could make my way back to the lake again.

    I continued to walk on with something growing inside of me. My heart was pounding and my legs were aching. I was almost in tears when I saw something in the distance. It was a house that I recognized. I jumped up and down and laughed out loud. It was still over a mile away, but my legs felt like feathers and I hurried back to my house in no time. I walked in with a big smile on my face just in time for dinner. Then I ended my adventure with a good night's sleep.

    I often thought of that experience recently. Actually, in our life, all roads, no matter how they twist and turn, can lead us home again. They can lead us to hey can lead us to our homes in our hearts. May you always walk your path with love! May you always help your fellow travelers along the way! And may your roads always lead you home again!

    When I was ten years old I went to the USA to visit some family friends. I noticed something funny about the way everyone spoke English.

    One moment! I remember very clearly was at the beginning of the holiday, when my friend asked me if I wanted to order “French fries”. I couldn't imagine what they were. She was amazed that I had never tried them and she ordered a portion for us to share. When the waiter brought us some chips, I asked her where the French fries were. She pointed at the plate of chips! Later that week she said she was going to buy some “chips” from the supermarket. She came out with a packet of crisps（薯片）! How come?

    During that holiday we were also offered “biscuits” with our lunch. This was a very strange idea to me, because in England biscuits are sweet. I later realized that “biscuits” in America are salty snacks. What we call “biscuits', they call “cookies”.

    I was also embarrassed when a stranger told me she liked my “pants”. I wondered how she could see them! My mum then told me that they call “pants” what we call “trousers”, the outer clothing that you wear on your legs instead of inside clothing!

    I was disgusted when I saw an “eggplant” pizza on the menu in a restaurant. But I was puzzled how eggs can grow on plants. My dad ordered this pizza and it was covered in aubergines（茄子）. “They call aubergines 'eggplant' in America!” he told me.

    I think part of the excitement of learning a language is learning about the differences that exist in how it is spoken in different places.

    Teens naturally ask parents for money for material things and entertainment. But as the need becomes more frequent, why not get a job so you can earn your own money? Working for your own money will give you a sense of accomplishment and the satisfaction of a job well done.

    Babysitting is a suitable job for teens. They are best suited as a mother's helper while the mother is working in another part of the house. Babysitting is not a job for girls alone. Boy babysitters are popular with families of boys. Parents rely on friends and neighbors' recommendations. Word of mouth is your best form of advertising.

    Pet-sitting involves caring for people's pets while the owners are on vacation or away for the day. A pet-sitter will be responsible for giving fresh food and water, walking dogs and cleaning out cat litter boxes. Although the pet-sitter does not spend the night, he is there often enough to bring in the mail, water plants and take the garbage out. Create a flyer with your name, prices and references, and pass it out to the families in your neighborhood.

    Yard work can be a seasonal job. Spring cleanup is needed for flower beds and preparing the yard for summer. Summer is the busiest time for yard work with lawn mowing (割草坪),edging and trimming(修剪) bushes. Fall is the time for sweeping leaves and planting seeds for spring. If you live in a northern climate, there may be snow that needs shoveling.

    Odd jobs can mean a variety of things, including painting, washing the pet, weeding the garden, cleaning out the basement, or helping to serve dinner at a party. Doing odd jobs may be a good match for someone with a busy schedule. Most odd jobs only take a few hours to complete.

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    From American Express, wedding guests will, on average, spend $673 on each wedding they attend this year. It includes airfare （$225）, hotel （$170）, dining out （$116）and dressing up （$95）and the gift. If you have weddings to attend this year, here are some tips for you to avoid breaking the bank.

    ⒈Book flights in advance

    The moment you decide to attend a wedding is the time to check flight prices at the best time. Plane fares are higher in the summer, especially in July and August. Booking in advance will save you money, as will watch for sales on lower﹣cost carriers like JetBlue and Frontier. You can check Google Flights for a calendar of prices showing the cheapest days to fly from apps like Hopper to get real﹣time alerts when a fare is at its lowest price point.

    ⒉Don't blow your budget on the gift

    If you've got the money, an expensive gift is lovely. But there's no need to take out loans to prove your love for the happy couple. Skip an expensive necklace by giving （an appropriate amount of） cash instead. To save on the gift, consider making one： A photo album or scrapbook of memories with the bride and groom shows how much you care. You could also share the gift with other guest(s) or even make gifts with DIY ideas by yourself to save money.

    ⒊Use old dresses and suits

    You don't always have to be on a new dress for a wedding. While men have the option of repeating their suits, women are more likely to spend money on new clothes for the special occasion. But before you take out your wallet, consider reinventing something already in your closet. Belts, colorful scarves, shoes can bring life to any outfit.

    Camper Lunch Program

    We are pleased to offer the Camper Lunch Program for full-day campers or campers participating in both morning and afternoon half-day camps.

    Lunch at the Overlake School

    At the Overlake School in Redmond, you can sign up for lunch at the time of registration. Lunch is provided by the school cafeteria including a hot main dish and a salad bar option. Limited diet restrictions can be accommodated in advance. All orders or cancellations must be made by 4:00 pm on Wednesday.

    $ 40 for 5-day camp week

    $ 32 for 4-day camp week

    Lunch at View Seattle

    Two weeks before your camp start date, you will receive a link in your confirmation email to choose your preference between the regular and vegetarian(素的)lunch menus. Besides, camper with allergies or sensitivities are encouraged to bring their own lunch.

    $ 40 for 5-day camp week

    $ 38 for 4-day camp week

    Lunch at St. Thomas School

    At St. Thomas School, lunch and snacks are provided by SAGE Dining. Lunch includes a hot main dish, a salad bar and sandwich options. Campers also receive two snacks per day.

    $ 50 for 5-day camp week

    $45 for 4-day camp week

    Lunch at Pacific Science Center

    At Pacific Science Center, you can sign up at the time of registration. Lunch is provided by our very own Pacific Science Center Cafe. Every day, standard and vegetarian lunch menus are available and come with a water bottle and two snacks. All orders or cancellations must be made by 4:00 pm on Wednesday.

    $ 45 for 5-day camp week

    $ 36 for 4-day camp week