Last spring, I was fortunate to be chosen to participate in an exchange study program. In my application letter, I was careful to 1 how much I wanted to see France; obviously, my excitement really came through in my words. Once I 2 that I was going, all I could think about was the fun of foreign travel and making all sorts of new and 3 friends. While traveling was inspiring and meeting people was4 ， nothing about my term in France was what I 5.

    The moment I arrived in Paris, I was 6 by a nice French couple who would become my host parents. My entire experience was joyous and exciting 7 I received some shocking news from my program coordinator (协调人)：there had been a death in my host parents' extended family. They had to travel outside France for several weeks. That afternoon, I had to 8 out of one family's house and into another. The exchange coordinator told me I'd have a 9 this time and asked whether I could share a bedroom with an English speaker. To avoid the temptation (诱惑) to 10 my native language, I asked not to be 11 with an English­speaking roommate. When I got to my new room, I 12 myself to my new roommate Paolo, a Brazilian(巴西人) the same age as I, whom I was surprised to find playing one of my favorite CDs! In just a few hours, we knew we'd be good friends for the rest of the 13.

    I left France with many 14, so when people ask me what my favorite part of the trip was, they are always 15 to hear me talk about my Brazilian friend Paolo and the scores of weekdays in class, weeknights on the town, and weekends 16 France we enjoyed together. I love how people 17 seem so different, but end up being so 18. The most valuable lesson I gained from studying in France wasn't just to respect the French people 19 to respect all people, for your next best friend could be just a continent away. I would recommend an exchange program to anyone who wants to experience foreign cultures and gain meaningful 20.

    My parents always made extra Christmas specials for my sisters and me. Of course the big 1 was that my sisters and I would run down the stairs to see our Christmas tree surrounded by mountains of 2. We got bikes, microscopes, cameras, and 3 else a kid might want. They were great, though I didn't 4 appreciate all that my parents did. It was quite common for me to be trapped in 5 the endless gifts. As a result, I'm unable to remember everything I 6.

    As my husband Joe and I were ready to welcome our first child 7 the world, we thought about how to give Christmas gifts in advance. Finally we 8 the decision to set the three-gift 9 for our holiday celebrations. I had ever 10 about the idea in a few magazine articles. And I really liked how it made the 11 decide the things they truly wanted. Mostly, I loved the idea of 12 our holiday. I would see my kids get the same 13 of gifts. I expected a Christmas day when we could actually 14 each other's company, as well as the gifts and the spirit that our children were given.

    15 those ideas that Joe and I came up with before they were born, such as never letting them eat junk food, or 16 TV time to only one hour a day, the three-gift rule is one thing that 17 the test of time. We've done it each year since Tom was born 18 years ago, 18 it's actually done in the way that we had hoped. Joe and I are less 19 because we just need to focus on giving each child the top three things that they desire. And we find the kids do 20and enjoy the gifts.

    My husband and I changed our front yard with something eatable, adding apples, bananas, oranges, and pomegranates(石榴).

    Every crop brought us1 to neighbors and strangers. The food was a(an) 2to communicate. Kids in the neighborhood (including our son) learned 3and gentle timing. When we had extra, we would 4it. Then, we received a powerful lesson: a gift hidden as a 5. Our first-ever crop of pomegranates had ripened(成熟).6at harvest, they all disappeared in the middle of the night. We were 7 sad and angry. Friends had fun suggesting deterrents(为摄物). One 8 suggested we post a sign to curse (诅咒) those who 9 our fruits.

   And suddenly, the 10 was clear. We did need a sign. But our sign would encourage sharing and community. Last autumn, we had a larger crop of pomegranates. We put11 a sign that read, "If you'd like one, please knock and 12 yourself, and we would be  13 to cut one off the bush for you. Cutting saves the branches and is good for future growth, so we can 14 to share pomegranates with15friends like you. Thanks, the Green Family. "

    Out of eight fruits, one pomegranate was taken, and most of others were16to new friends. This year, we won the Kindness Contest award, 17we planted three trees-a peach, a pear, and a plum. Before they fruit, I'll 18 a big sign to the yard to encourage sharing. Today. I'm happy to be a role model of 19 for my young sons and to have the opportunity to20an eatable front yard for others.

    A 35-year-old Australian mother makes around $58,000 a year by hugging total strangers. Jessica O'Neill started her 1 job six months ago. "As human beings, one thing we often 2 in our daily lives is physical touch. Without it, we can fall into depression and other mental health problems. To satisfy this 3, I've become a professional worker in hugging treatment," said Jessica.

    Jessica claims that her hugs can 4 those who are suffering from loneliness, depression, or low self-confidence. Originally, Jessica was a masseuse (女按摩师), a quite 5 profession. She notices that when she 6 her customers during treatments, they dropped their guards and 7 her more. "I could see their 8 melt away. Then I could get to their heart and do what I can to 9 them," Jessica said. "Everyone has a totally different story. But the most common 10 are loneliness, depression and anxiety. They all just have that desire to 11 with someone. I believe my hug helps me and my 12 connect on a spiritual level."

    Jessica says the majority of her customers are 13, but she has a surprising number of female customers14Despite many people thinking she must be 15 for doing such work, Jessica is confident that she's made the right 16 "It's so much more rewarding than just working as a masseuse. I feel like it's what I was put on this Earth 17," said Jessica. In today's digital age, many people are lonelier than ever before. For people whose lives 18 physical interaction, hugging therapy can have an apparent effect on their mental health."

    "Interestingly, although the hugging 19 has been around for a short while, we've actually covered several 20 businesses in the last few years."