Travel Light

    Getting away for a short time always seems like a great idea—until you have to pack. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}The rule is: pack light. Here are some tips to help you pack.

    Make a list. Think of what you need from your head to your toes.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} When you've done this once, it'll be easier next time.

    2). Consider buying small-size samples of shampoo, toothpaste, and other items at your local drugstore. You can reuse the plastic containers next time you go away too.

    3). Choosing which clothes to bring is probably the hardest packing decision to make. Think once again from head to toe — hat, shirts, jeans, sneakers, etc. Once you've picked out what you want to bring, think carefully. Do you really need that extra pair of jeans? If so, fine.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Don't try to fool yourself. You are the one who will be left holding the bag.

    4). Weather is an important factor in your packing. If it's cold, you could wear a jacket, a sweater, a regular shirt, and a T-shirt. Putting them on will keep you warm. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Remember how much easier it will be to carry your bag! As for shoes, you may want to call ahead to see if dress shoes are necessary. If so, one pair will be enough, along with one pair of comfortable shoes. Remember that it is you who have been invited somewhere, not your things. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} So, do it right—pack light.

    History of Broadway

    When people think of Broadway, they may think of that part of the world-famous road in New York City that runs between 42^nd and 53^rd Streets.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} It is a billion-dollar industry that includes theatrical shows in New York and live theater entertainment throughout the world.

    New York's Theatre District has only 39 official Broadway houses. A play house must have 500 or more seats to be considered a Broadway theater.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Not all Broadway theatres arc located on Broadway. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, buildings on Wall Street and places such as City Hall may have served as smaller theaters, and other locations in downtown New York City also did.

    development of larger theaters away from the downtown area. Some people may have doubted these theaters would be successful, but they turned out to be.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} With the rise of the new theater district, downtown changed forever as people happily traveled to the outskirts (郊区) of the city to see the best in live entertainment.

    When these theaters began, many actors came from European countries. In 1857 actor Edwin Booth helped transform the Broadway theatre by popularizing a type of acting realism. Unlike actors before him, Booth did not stand still on the stage and simply deliver his lines.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Booth's style had a notable effect on the theater, and many considered him to be the greatest actor of his time.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Specifically, comedies and dramas often centred on then-current events such as women's right to vote, the Labor Movement, and war. Broadway developed again in 1866, and the Broadway musical was created. From then on actors entertained their audiences by singing and dancing accompanied by an orchestra.

    Now, Broadway is famous for various theatre productions and moving performances.

A. In fact, the shows have brought it fame throughout the world.

B. However, Broadway is much more than a geographical location.

C. Theatres, holding 100 to 499 people, are called Off-Broadway theatres.

D. Instead, he liked moving around and showing great emotion while acting.

E. Plays followed a popular style that encouraged typical characters and plots.

F. As this new style grew in popularity, the content of the shows began to change.

G. Madison Square Theater, built by the Mallory family in 1880, was one of them.

Things to do when you are feeling down

    Let's start with a fact. We all have days when we feel down and discouraged.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here is a list to help you get back on track.

    Take care of yourself

    This may seem like an obvious thing, but try your best to get a good night s sleep and eat healthy food when you're hungry{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Consider setting an earlier bedtime than usual and stick to it. Make some nourishing snacks that you can easily grab instead of sugary junk food. Fresh fruit, a piece of cheese, some cut-up vegetables, homemade soup, they are all quick and easy options to consider.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    If you are going through a tough time, think about some healthy comforts that will make you feel better. Take a bike or go for a walk in nature. Treat yourself to a lunch at your favorite restaurant. Listen to some good music. Call a friend. Watch a funny movie. Take a nap. Read a good book. The release from stress will add to your level of happiness.

Make an action plan

    Can you identify what's making you unhappy? If so, you have a good chance of changing it{#blank#}4{#/blank#} You don't have to figure out a whole plan to solve your conflicts; simply taking some steps in the right direction will boost your good feeling.

    This, too, shall pass

    What do you say to yourself when you are going through a tough time? Beating yourself up is not helpful!{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Examples are, “It is what it is; let me just accept it and move on.” “All I can do is put one foot in front of the other and keep moving.” “And finally, this, shall pass.”

A. Science shows that both of these things can have a huge positive impact on both your mood and your blood sugar.

B. A lot of researches show that when we intend to be happy, our thoughts and actions follow suit.

C. What action can you take today that will make you feel better and change the pattern?

D. What can you do to pull yourself back from despair?

E. Try saying things that are comforting your heart and mind.

F. Other times, the blues just seem to hit for no reason at all.

G. Find things to comfort yourself.

    If you are hungry, what do you do? Grab a piece of your favorite meal and stay quiet after that?{#blank#}1{#/blank#}But it never lets you know, because you keep it busy thinking about your dream lover or favorite star. So it silently serves your needs and never lets itself grow. When mind loses its freedom to grow, creativity gets a full stop.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}  Now why reading and not watching TV? Because reading has been the most educative tool used by us right from the childhood. Just like that to develop other aspects of our life, we have to get help from reading.

    Once you read a book, you just don't run your eyes through the lines, but even your mind decodes it and explains it to you. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Now this seed is unknowingly used by you in your future to develop new ideas. The same seed if used many times, can help you link and relate a lot of things, of which you would have never thought in your wildest dreams!

    This is nothing but creativity. More the number of books you read, your mind will open up like never before. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Within no time you start speaking English or any language fluently with your friends or other people and you never seem to run out of the right words at the right time.

    So guys do join me and give food for your thoughts by reading, reading and more reading. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Go, grab a book, and let me know!

A. Just like your stomach, even your mind is hungry.

B. Why not do some reading while you are hungry?

C. The interesting part of the book is stored in your mind as a seed.

D. Now what are you waiting for?

E. Also this makes a significant contribution to your vocabulary.

F. Reading can help you make more friends, too.

G. Hunger of the mind can be actually satisfied through wide reading.

    We all have to make decisions all the time, and we have an abundance of choices, ranging from tiny issues to vital ones. Unfortunately, people often find it hard to make decisions. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} If you would like to improve your skill of decision making, here are four suggestions for you.

    Don't expect to have it all.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} You can't order every delicious dish on the menu. And there will be paths not taken, careers not chosen, to name a few. You can imagine some "what if" situations if you must, but do not let them take up too much space in your brain.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}    

    It's often good to think through your decisions. But don't overdo it. Research can reach a point where returns begin to reduce, which makes it confusing more than clarifying. Many good decisions can be made based as much on intuition (直觉) as on careful assessment of endless data.

    Don't delay making decisions.

    Yes, there is a time to put off making a decision. Perhaps you need more information. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} 

    Or it's likely that you wait for a less stressful time. Just don't wait so long that the decision is made by your own indecisiveness.

    Don't be hard on yourself.

    You decide to go on a voyage. You choose an expensive liner. Everything should work out just right. Only you didn't expect a bug that ran around on the ship, making you and your family sick for five days. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} But please remember it is unavoidable sometimes.

A. Don't spend too much time thinking.

B. It is an important source of information.

C. You may regret making such a stupid decision.

D. Don't count on emotion to make decisions.

E. Maybe you wish to consult with your advisor.

F. Decisions force us to close the door on other possibilities.

G. That means the skill of good decision-making counts a lot.

    Studies have shown that drinking water on empty stomach can help increase metabolic (新陈代谢的)rate up by 30%.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. You know what that means right? -- Quicker weight loss!{#blank#}2{#/blank#}, then you will be able to digest food faster and maintain a slim figure despite eating those extra calories. However, this doesn't guarantee you to bite down on all that junk food. Furthermore, you will need to add in around four litres of water into your daily routine for best results.

    Constipation(便秘)is one of the most painful conditions which also results in remains of poisonous substances inside the body. But did you know that one of the other benefits of drinking water is that it helps to clear out your bowels? The colon(结肠),which is in part responsible for bowel movements, require water to function properly.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    Drinking water on empty stomach especially if it's hot, can improve the health of our nervous system. Early morning, the stomach is most receptive. At this moment, if you love coffee, which makes central nervous system excited, your nervous system will be affected from the get-go. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}, it can properly supply water to your nervous system, which will help it function properly.

    Again, if you are likely to suffer migraine attacks, then water can help fight it off.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} So just by increasing your water intake, you are basically preventing your chances from suffering another headache attack. This is especially so when you are drinking water on empty stomach, as your body didn't get any liquid when you were asleep.

A. If your metabolic rate is higher

B.H you just have a glass of warm water instead

C. When your skin is properly containing combined water inside

D. This means that the rate at which calories are burned increases by nearly one third

E. So just drink down a glass of water and sit on your toilet for a clean colon

F. Your doctor might have already told you that headaches happen due to lack of water

G. Besides, we all know that having a healthy appetite is good for overall health