Sally Ride was born in California in 1951. She was the first American woman to travel into space. She loved to play tennis and wanted to be a tennis player when she was young. But after three months' professional（专业的）training, she changed her mind. She went to Stanford University and started to study science. She studied stars and planets. She did researches at the university and got her PhD in astrophysics（天体物理学博士学位）after several years' hard work.

    In 1977, she took a test to become an astronaut. And then she was picked up from over 8, 000 people. In order to realize her dream of going into space, she had to get different kinds of special and difficult training. She learned how to fly a plane, how to jump out of a plane as well as how to operate（操作）special machines.

    Sally and four other astronauts flew a spaceship called Challenger on Jun. 18, 1983. She became the first American woman to travel into space. Later, she taught at the University of California. Then she wrote seven books on space for children, encouraging children to study science. Unfortunately, she died in 2012.

    My dad works from Monday to Friday in a bank. He uses the computer to count money. His job is very important in the bank. Dad is also busy at home. At weekends he cooks dinner. Usually he cooks Italian food. On Sundays he makes five pieces of pizza. Sometimes he cooks chicken and makes Chinese food. My mum watches and helps him. I help my dad, too. I wash the dishes.  Many people think it is strange for a man to cook. But my dad enjoys his hobby. Cooking relaxes him. He is a weekend cook.

Parents support plays an important role in a child's growth and development . When parents provide and support, children grow well and teach their full potential(潜力). The story of Lily is a great example. 

When Lily was little, she liked to study everything around her. Her parents decided to support her in every possible way. 

Her father Mr. Smith is a skilled carpenter(木匠). He built a workshop in their yard for Lily to do hands- on activities. He taught her simple woodworking skills and encouraged her to create her own projects, whether it was a birdhouse or a toy. Meanwhile, Mrs. Smith, an artist, used her paints and brushes to help Lily make her creations more beautiful. 

As Lily grew older, her parents continued to support her interest. They sent her to take art classes every week. They would proudly display her works around their house. 

Supported by her parents, Lily went to study in a famous art college later. There she studied hard and learned from excellent teachers. Finally she became a great artist like her mother. 

"I can't be successful without my parents' great love and support, " Lily expressed during one of her art exhibitions( 展览). 

Friends are a part of our lives. In my life，I have a best friend named Lucy. She means a lot to me. My life would be less colorful without her. Although we sometimes argue，we still treat each other as best friends. 

We met each other four years ago. She said hello to me with a sweet smile. I guessed that she was a gentle girl. And she really was. When I was in trouble，she always stood by me and made me feel better. 

This winter holiday，we went to the amusement park Happy Valley together. We had fun together on the roller coaster （过山车）. We held each other's hands and shouted loudly when we were riding the roller coaster. It was so exciting. The ride made me feel a little sick, so she bought a bottle of water for me. This experience left me with a lot of good memories（回忆） and made our friendship stronger.

There is a line in the movie Soulmate that says， "If you step on someone's shadow，you will never leave each other. " So I will try my best to "step on her shadow". Many adults think that children can't be friends forever. But I don't believe this. 

Maybe we won't always spend all of our time together. But I will enjoy the time I spend with her and the good memories she has given me.