Do you have a hobby? Something you look forward to spending your time with? Something you love to do?{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Or making model airplanes. Sketching. Or making useful things out of waste material. It could be a musical instrument that you love playing. Or singing and dancing.

    There are many things that a hobby can give you, apart from an enjoyable time. Sashay was a shy boy but through his interest in model airplanes he learned the value of sticking to a task until it was finished. His model airplane club brought him to get into touch with similar souls.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Having a hobby helps you relax and get away from the routines of school.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} You really need this well deserved one, too! It gives you focus, self dependence, confidence and builds your personality. This is an opportunity to lose yourself in an enjoyable activity, away from the pressure of school, so at the end of it, you feel relaxed and yet, mentally charged.

    Your hobby defines you.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}And it also shows you what you are good at, and how far you can go, when you apply yourself.

    So go ahead.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}.For a hobby is: Happiness: something which you look forward to doing. Opportunity: to nurture and develop your special and unique skills and celebrate them. Believe in yourself: makes you understand your strong advantages and improves your confidence. Best in you: brings out your best—for in each one of us there is a best that is only ours. YOU gives you a unique character, and makes you YOU!

A. Develop a hobby.

B. It gives you a break.

C. It proves your ability.

D. Hobbies show your character.

E. It showcases your special skills.

F. It could be collecting something.

G. He learned to make friends for the first time.

    Ways to Create Calm in Your Daily Life

    Most of us need some space for calm in our lives. A few simple minutes can create much needed moments of calm.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} You can use these skills to create calm in your busy schedule.

Go walking. Walking is perfect and you can do it well anywhere. Simply walking and taking in the view is stress reducing. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It makes room for new ideas to take root. Appreciate nature. When we think of nature we think of getting out into the open air, and that's great if you can. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Actually , nature is everywhere. Find a park or a small patch (小块地) of great green, or just stick your head out of the window! You have many ways to appreciate nature.

    Listen to music. Many people listen to music to calm themselves down. Music actually lifts us out of ourselves. Discover what music works for you. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}.

    Do some activities. Certain activities like yoga and tai chi need quiet focus. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} They are good for the body, mind and spirit. Classes are a good place to begin, but once you learn the skills, you can practice anywhere: home, school or even on the road.

    Try out some of these ways and you'll soon be practicing “moments of calm”.

A. But what if you are in the city?

B. Notice the animals around you.

C. They are perfect for active calming.

D. Music is a way to express the way that they are feeling.

E. It's a time to get stressful thoughts out of your head.

F. With enjoyable music even work can be “music to your ears”.

G. You don't have to find a mountain to sit on, or empty your mind of all thoughts for hours.

—Hello, Xiao Li, come in.

—Hello! {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

—I'm just writing a letter to Wang Ling in London.

—Oh. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

—I haven't seen you for a long time.

—No, I've been very busy because I'm doing a course in Business English. I had my first exam yesterday.

— {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

—I think I've done all right. Listen, I've got some good news.

— {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

—My company has just told me that they're sending me to England for a year.

— {#blank#}5{#/blank#} And Wang Ling will be able to show you around London.

A. Oh, what's that?

B. How are you?

C. Give him my best wishes.

D. Who told you?

E. Are you busy?

F. How did it go?

G. That's wonderful.

    While it is important to maintain good habits, it is equally important to learn how to break bad habits if you want to achieve success in life. Here are some tips to get you started.

    The first step in breaking bad habits is to identify them. Only after identifying them can you decide to do something about them. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} For example, you may ask yourself: Is the habit holding me back from achieving my goal? Does the habit make me feel good or bad?

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Then you may listen to the things that people say about you. Are people saying the same negative things about you? It's easy to become defensive when someone says something about us we don't like, and let's face it. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Once you have identified your bad habits, it's time to break them. First, you should introduce something new and meaningful in your life to replace the bad habit. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you hung around at the bars after work, replace it by going to the gym instead. Or if you sat and watched TV for hours, you may work on a task that needs to be done.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Write down the efforts you make to change them, and also the results of your actions. And write down how you feel when you successfully change one of your bad habits. If you can read and reflect on how you feel about the progress you've made, it may motivate you to continue to work on changing other things.

    Caregivers care for someone with an illness, injury or disability. Caregiving can be rewarding, but it can also be challenging. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Women especially are at risk for the harmful health effects of caregiver stress. These health problems may include stress and anxiety. There are ways to manage caregiver stress.

    The first thing to do is learn ways to better help your loved one. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} To find these classes, ask your doctor or call your local Area Agency on Aging.

    Take time out to meditate（冥想）or reflect. Spending 10 to 20 minutes twice a day to "clear your head" can work wonders when you're feeling overburdened. Some caregivers learn meditation techniques from classes or books on the subject, while others simply take time out to quietly reflect. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Exercising is another good way to help mind and body recover. It's one of the best-known techniques for reducing stress and keeping healthy. A quick walk several times each week gives you significant health benefits. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Your library may offer exercise DVDs. Invite a friend over to join you. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Nursing a garden, watching a favorite TV show, or reading an article that interests you. Your favorite hobby can help "center" you and remind you that you still have a life outside of caregiving. You must make some time－even for 10－to take care of yourself.

A. Stress from caregiving is common.

B. Try to do something you enjoy every day.

C. You'd better keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings.

D. Find caregiving resources in your community to help you.

E. Whichever way you choose, it's important that you focus on clearing your mind.

F. There are many good indoor choices, too, from walking in place to yoga or tai chi.

G. Some hospitals offer classes that can teach you how to care for someone with an injury or illness.

Developing and maintaining healthy friendships involves give-and-take. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Expressing your feelings of affection and gratitude towards your friends is a powerful way to reinforce the connections you share with them. It is equally crucial for you to embody the qualities of a supportive and considerate friend as it is to be surrounded by individuals who embody these traits. By acknowledging and valuing the presence and contributions of your friends in your life, you not only nurture your relationships but also create an environment of mutual respect and understanding. This reciprocal appreciation can lead to deeper, more meaningful friendships that stand the test of time.

To nurture your friendships:

Be kind. This most-basic behavior remains the core of successful relationships.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Every act of kindness and every expression of gratitude are deposits into this account, while criticism and negativity draw down the account.

Be a good listener.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Let the other person know you are paying close attention through eye contact, body language and occasional brief comments such as, "That sounds fun." When friends share details of hard times or difficult experiences, be empathetic, but don't give advice unless your friends ask for it.

Open up. Build intimacy with your friends by opening up about yourself. Being willing to disclose personal experiences and concerns shows that your friend holds a special place in your life, and it may deepen your connection.

 {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Being responsible, reliable and dependable is key to forming strong friendships. You're your engagements and arrive on time. Follow through on commitments you've made to your friends. When your friends share confidential information, keep it private.

Make yourself available. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Make an effort to see new friends regularly, and to check in with them in between meet ups. You may feel awkward the first few times you talk on the phone or get together, but this feeling is likely to pass as you get more comfortable with each other.