One fine afternoon, I was walking along Fifth Street when I remembered that it was necessary to buy a pair of socks. Why I wished to buy only one pair was unimportant. I turned into the first sock shop that caught my eye. A boy clerk, who could not have been more than seventeen years old came forward. “What can I do for you, sir?” he said. “I wish to buy a pair of socks.” I replied.

    His eyes shone. There was a note of excitement in his voice. “Did you know that you had come into the finest place in the world to buy socks?” I had no idea of that, as my entrance had been accidental. “Come with me,” said the boy, eagerly. I followed him to the back of the shop, and he began to pull down box after box from the shelves, showing their contents（内装物）for my choice.

    “Hold on, lad,” I said, “I am going to buy only one pair!” “I know that,” said he, “but I want you to see how beautiful these are. Aren't they wonderful!” There was on his face an expression of seriousness and pride and delight as if he were showing me the secrets of his religion（宗教信仰）. I became far more interested in him than in the socks. I looked at him in surprise. “My friend,” said I, “if you can keep this up, if this is not merely from having a new job, if you can keep up this high spirit and excitement day after day, in ten years you will own every sock in the United States.”

    The Golden Week holiday is extended to eight days this year, as China is ushering in two celebrations from Oct. 1-8: the National Day holiday and the Mid-Autumn Festival. For anyone who is looking forward to a rich，refreshing break, here is a list of some of the best exhibitions, shows and things to do around town.

    Qin and Han dynasties relics

    The Civilizations of Qin and Han celebrates the glory of those two dynasties (221BC-AD2 20) in terms of politics，economics, arts and culture. More than 300 artifacts from 30 museums and institutions across the country are on show through Nov. 30.

    If you go: 9am-5pm till Nov. 30. Closed on Mondays. National Museum of China, 16 East Chang'an Avenue，Dongcheng District. 010-6611-6188.

    Ticket: Free

    Artist's solo show

    Chen jialing is a famous artist who seeks a connection between Chinese and Western art, and demonstrates and excellence for industrial design. He will show dozens of ink paintings. Also on display are his designs on decorative works for daily use, such as bowls, furniture pieces and silk scarves.

    If you go: 9am-5pm till Oct. 8. National Museum of China, Dongcheng District.

    Walk into a time machine at Beijing Design week

    This year's Beijing Design Week is allowing visitors to explore exhibitions and events in the city's Dashilar area with interactive experiences that apply advanced technology, such as virtual reality.

    By simply scanning a QR code, information about exhibitions and events linked to the Beijing Design Week being held in the Dashilar Design Community pop up. Push the button on your screen, and you can use the “time machine” to wander through the alleys of Dashilar area.

    If you go: till Oct. 5.3 Cha'er Hutong, Xicheng District.

    Ticket: Free

    German designer Weingart's works at Beijing Design Week

    Another highlight of this year's Beijing Design Week is an exhibition from German - born designer Wolfgang Weingart. His style has been influencing designers and his students in Europe and North America over the years.

    If you go: 9:30 -5:30 pm till Oct 8. Art Museum of Central Academy of Fine Arts, 8 Huajiadi South Street, Chaoyang District 010-6577-1018.

    Ticket: 120 yuan per person.

    China is a country of many resources. Among its resources are many great rivers, which provide useful transport routes. Water transport is an efficient way to carry heavy loads, such as grain. In ancient times, a waterway was needed between China's rich farmlands and the capital city. This need inspired engineers to build a canal. According to writings by the ancient thinker Confucius, work on a canal linking the Yangtze River with the city of Huai-in began about 486 B.C. For many centuries afterward, Chinese emperors worked on extending this ancient canal.

    This canal is now known as China's Grand Canal. One thousand years after the original canal was begun, it was in extreme need of repair. This was in the year 607, during the Sui Dynasty. By 610 the emperor had had the canal extended. The Grand Canal formed a northeast-southwest link between the Yellow River in the north and the Huai River in the south. The canal remained the main waterway in this part of China for the next five hundred years.

    In the thirteenth century, the Mongols had conquered China. The Yuan Dynasty established Beijing as the capital. The city's growing population needed food, so a new canal was built to extend shipping. Building this part of the Grand Canal required enormous effort and cost. Neither the first attempt nor the second one was successful, so the builders chose another route. Finally this link in the Grand Canal was finished.

    By the time of the Ming Dynasty, the Grand Canal had six sections. These were busy with goods until the nineteenth century. Then a series of severe floods struck China. Parts of the Grand Canal were badly damaged. By 1868 it had been largely abandoned as a means of northern route.

    The Grand Canal was mostly restored in the twentieth century. It was widened and deepened, and a new section was constructed. Today the canal, which is about 1,200 miles in length, has new locks(运河的水闸). It is busy with ships and barges(驳船) carrying goods to and from cities along its banks.

    After 21 years of marriage, my wife woman out to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. The other woman was my mother, who has been a widow(寡妇)for 19 years. However, the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.

    That Friday after work, when I arrived at her house, my mother was waiting in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary.

    We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and comfortable. My mother took my arm as if she were! The First Lady. During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation about nothing extraordinary but just caught up on recent events. We talked so much that we missed the movie.

    As we arrived at her house later, she said: "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you." I agreed. A few days later, my mother died of a serious heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her.

    Sometime later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt (收据）from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; still, I paid for two plates—one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you. Son."

    At mat moment, I understood the importance of saying: UI love you" and of giving our loved ones the time they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than family. Give family members the attention they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till some "other' time.

    Four books that will change your life

    If you're already working 9-5, you might not have much time to read. With the Blinkist app, you can get the key information from the best nonfiction books in minutes, not hours or days. Start with the four most-read titles on self-improvement.

    Thirteen Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do by Amy Morin

    You can't escape misfortune in life. But you can change how you respond to it. Do you struggle to get over your failures? Or live with things out of your control? Getting over these troubles can have a great influence on your everyday life, Morin shares how her most successful therapy（治疗）patients overcame these difficulties.

    How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie

    Ever wondered why you can't stop worrying about something? No matter how hard you try, do you focus on the same issue? By defining the source of your stress, you can get over it once and for all. Camegie came up with an effective way that helps you deal with any over-thinking situation.

    Finding Your Element by Ken Rotoinson

    Society often encourages us to follow a certain linear plan. Everyone has a passion. If you don't know what yours is, it just means you haven't discovered it yet. Or perhaps you have, buth disappeared early in life. Find out how you can break free of society's strict rules and find your calling in life.

    Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman

    Did you know if your pulse rate rises above 100 bpm, you're considered too emotional to think rationally（理智地）? You probably let feelings cloud your judgment more often than you know. Goleman explains how you can avoid letting your emotions rule you and make better decisions in life.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day events around Tampa Bay

    Plant City Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend

    Plant City celebrates the holiday for three days with opening ceremonies, a photo display, a street festival, a parade and a battle of the bands competition on Saturday; and a leadership breakfast and gospel festival on Sunday. Food and drinks are free Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center (Plant City), 1601 E Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. , Plant City. (813) 757-9195. 10 a. m.-10 p. m. Saturday, 7:30 a. m. -4 p. m. Sunday.

    Martin Luther King Jr. Day Tarpon Springs

    A community parade lines up at the corner of Levis Avenue and Tarpon Avenue and ends in Dorsett Park with a festival featuring performances by church choirs, mime teams and dance groups. Free. Dorsett Park, 500 E Harrison St. , Tarpon Springs (727) 798-5718 11 a. m. Saturday.

    Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Day Unity Breakfast

    Enjoy breakfast, entertainment and readings of the winning student essays about social development. A march to a festival in Pioneer Park follows. Free. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 550 Laura Lane, Dunedin. (727) 738-2920. 8:30 a. m.-10 a. m. Saturday.

    Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

    Meet at the park for opening ceremonies and a breakfast snack before departing to participate in various community service projects. Then, return to the park for an appreciation lunch. Free. Tomlinson Park, 1820 55th St S, Gulfport. (727) 893-1118. 8 a. m.-12: 30 p. m. Saturday.

    Great Ex Martin Luther King Jr. Day

    Children can make necklaces that represent Martin Luther King Jr. 's ideas and design a paper doll for an "I Have A Dream" doll chain throughout the museum. Included with admission: $10, $ 9 seniors, 1 and younger free Great Explorations Children's Museum, 1925 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 821-8992. 10 a. m.-3 p. m. Monday.