Weddings are important in every country, and there are different wedding customs in different countries. In western countries the bride's (新娘的) dress—her wedding dress—is very important. Some brides wear a new dress. Some brides wear the dress their mothers or even their grandmothers wore at their weddings.

       Some people believe the bride should wear something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. She may wear an old ring and will usually have new shoes. She may borrow something to wear from a friend, and the ring on her finger may have a blue jewel in it or some of her clothes may be blue.

       Many married people in western countries wear a ring to show that they are married. They wear the ring on the fourth finger of their left hands.

       At the wedding, as soon as the man and the woman are married, their friends often throw rice or very small pieces of paper over the couple. They believe this will bring them good luck and that they will have many children. The bride often carries flowers, and after the wedding she throws them up in the air. People believe that the woman who catches the flowers is lucky enough. The bride and the groom (新郎), their friends and family then have a party. After that the bride and the groom go on holiday together. This holiday is called "the honeymoon".

    Keep in Touch

    You can keep in touch with your friends in many ways. You can call them. You can send letters or e-mails to them. You can even use a website like Facebook to keep in touch with them.

    Touch Luck

    "Touch Luck" is used when you feel sympathy(同情) about something bad that has happened to someone. But it is also used when you don't have any sympathy for someone's problems.

    Touch Screen

    You can find touch screens everywhere now, many mobile phones and music players have touch screens. Many ATMs have them, too. They are fun and easy to use! You can use them to buy tickets or shop online.

    Touchdown

    When you watch an American football game, you will hear the word "touchdown". A touchdown happens when a player carries the ball across the other team's goal (球门) line. When a player makes a touchdown, he scores (得分) six points for his team!

    The Midas Touch

    Midas was a king(国王) in an old Greek story. He loved money very much! He wished that everything he touched would turn to gold (金子). His wish came true. Everything he touched –his furniture(家具), his food, and even his daughter-turned to gold.

    Aron Ralston is an American man. He is interested in mountain climbing. He is used to taking risks, and there were many times when Aron almost lost his life because of accidents. On April 26, 2003, when he climbed in Utah, he found himself a very dangerous situation. He struggled (抗争) and fought for five days. At last, he saved his own life but lost his right arm. Even after this experience, he kept on climbing mountains. He also wrote a famous book with a single arm.

    Aron's story tells us never to give up. Every person has a dream. It makes us do what we are doing, because it's what we believe in. And everyone has moments when life seems too hard, but never stop going like Aron. Our biggest enemies are hiding in us-laziness (懒惰) and doubt. We should be warriors (勇士) of our dreams and goals and we should keep on fighting for them.

    China and Westen countries may have different ideas about certain animals, but when it comes to pigs, we have somehow reached an agreement﹣that pigs are ugly, lazy, stupid and shameless.

    But the truth is that pigs do have some finer qualities(品质). Science long ago proved that pigs aren′t stupid at all. A research shows pigs are" mentally and socially similar to dogs". They like to play. They have good long﹣term memories. And they know the difference between those who treat them well and those who don't.

    There are lovable pig characters in cartoons too. Peppa Pig(小猪佩奇), for example, a UK television series (连续剧)that began in 2004, has now become one of the most popular cartoons in 180 countries and regions. The four members in the cartoons pig family teach children from all around the world about love, friendship, and the value of family, And in China, McDull, a young pig who works hard toward his dreams even though he keeps failing, have been a popular cartoon character since 2001.

    Perhaps these are the qualities of pigs to keep in mind﹣intelligence, cuteness and patience.