Too many of us are waiting too long to live our best lives. We keep putting everything off until tomorrow. Then, before we know it, we find ourselves asking, "How did it get so late so soon?"

    So we'd better make today the beginning of our new life. Take time to realize what we want and need. Take time to love, laugh, cry, and learn. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are five things we should start doing today:

    Accept ourselves. The secret to happiness and success is the acceptance of ourselves. We will never become who we want to be if we rely on everyone else to qualify us.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} So always go with ourselves, never against ourselves. Be who we were created to be and we will set the world on fire.

    Make ourselves a priority. To tell the truth, there are only a few people in this world who will stay 100% true to us, so we should stay true to ourselves. Put our own needs into the list of things to do.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Don't sit back and let things happen to us. Go out and make things happen. We are what we do, not what we say we'll do. Stop saying "I wish" and start saying "I will". Turn our dreams into plans.

    Do the work. We can't underestimate(低估) a person who always works hard. Be that person.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Always remember that the task ahead of us is never greater than the strength within us. Do what's right, not what's easy. Our dreams are worth it.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} We can't force things to happen; we can only drive ourselves trying crazily. There's a time and place for everything. So don't force what's not yet supposed to fit into our life. When it's meant to be, it will be. Work hard, and be patient.

A. Take positive action.

B. Enjoy every moment of life.

C. Life is shorter than it often seems.

D. Everyone has a different way of life.

E. Accept ourselves just the way we are.

F. Allow life to happen like it's supposed to.

G. In life, we don't get what we wish for; we get what we work for.

    What is a fair wage? {#blank#}1{#/blank#} These are some of the questions the United Nations International Labour Organisation(ILO) has recently investigated.

    With a global population of over seven billion, is it actually possible to measure an average amount? {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Using the total wage bill from over seventy countries, they have multiplied the amounts by the number of earners in each country. The economists then tallied up the results and divided them by the total number across the world The result was a world average wage equivalent to $1,490 a month. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} 

    This figure might seem very high because they calculated the amount using purchasing power parity dollars, which takes into account the fact that it is cheaper to live in some countries than others. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} 

    Calculating an average sum like this might not be a completely fair representation, but these figures do help us to understand how the world is developing, both economically, in the quality of life people are experiencing and their standard of living.

    But the result shows that the average wage is still relatively low and there remains a huge difference in levels of affluence around the world. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Is this fair? For many, pay equality still seems very far out of reach.

A. The ILO has now tried to work out the sums.

B. The ILO used statistics from over 70 different countries

C. Why aren't more people in the world offered pay equality?

D. That is approximately $75 a day for a 20-day working month.

E. Some people live on just two dollars a day, while others are earning more than a million dollars a year.

F. When someone works for themselves, what are they called?

G. The data also did not include the huge number of people who appear in poverty statistics or who are self-employed.

    Snowblind—it's a frightening word. Thankfully, it's a condition that is totally preventable.

    Snow blindness is a painful, temporary loss of vision due to overexposure to the sun's UV rays. Essentially, snow blindness is caused by a sunburned eye.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Though it is commonly called snow blindness, the condition can (and often does) occur in the absence of snow.

    The terms “snowblind” and “snow blindness” have become popular because snow is highly reflective of ultraviolet radiation.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Also, skiing, mountain climbing and snowboarding usually take place at relatively high altitudes, where the sun's UV rays are stronger. Combined, these factors can double your risk of getting sunburned eyes, compared with being outdoors at lower altitudes in the summertime.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Television journalist Anderson Cooper experienced snow-free snow blindness first-hand a few years ago when he spent a couple hours on a boat in Portugal without sunglasses and ended up “blind for 36 hours,” according to his report of the incident.

    Not only can you become snowblind without snow—it can happen without sunlight, too!{#blank#}4{#/blank#} For example, sun lamps can cause temporary “snow” blindness if proper eye protection is not used.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} To relieve pain or discomfort from snow blindness, stay indoors and wear sunglasses. Keep your eyes well-moistened with artificial tears. For additional relief, use over-the-counter pain relievers. Be sure to use only pain relievers you know you can take without worry of an allergic reaction. You also may find that placing a cool, dampened washcloth over your closed eyelids is comforting.

A. You don't need snow to become snowblind.

B. It will likely affect those traveling in snowy conditions.

C. To prevent snow blindness on the slopes, wear sunglasses.

D. Sometimes it occurs from mail-made sources of ultraviolet radiation

E. In fact, snow can reflect over 80 percent of the UV rays that fall upon it.

F. Snow blindness is scary, but usually it's temporary, and there are ways to relieve the discomfort.

G. But water and white sand also are highly reflective of the sun's UV rays, thus increasing the risk.

    The correct way to brush your teeth is to use short, gentle strokes on the teeth, You should pay special attention to the gum (牙龈) line. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Pick the right toothbrush.

    Most dentists say that a soft-upraised toothbrush with a small head is best for removing dirt and rubbish while getting into those hard-to-reach places. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} They have limited skills in their hands and thus they can do a better job at cleaning teeth.

    Pick the right toothpaste.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#} And some are tailored (特定需要) specifically for dental issues such as sensitivity, dirt, holes or gingivitis (齿龈炎). Each person's mouth is different, and it is advisable to talk to your dentist about what toothpaste is best for you.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Hold your brush at a 45 degree angle, and use short, circular cleans or back and forth movements on your teeth. Brush the gum line in a pattern that pushes rubbish away from it. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Make sure that all chewing surfaces are clean, and brush the surface of the tongue too.

A. Clean the teeth.

B. Pick a double-duty toothpaste.

C. There are many types of toothpaste.

D. However, this step often gets ignored.

E. An electric toothbrush is best for those.

F. Here are some basic ideas to help you clean your teeth well.

G. Gently brush the inside and outside of each tooth using this motion (动作).

    Children start out as natural scientists, eager to look into the world around them. Helping them enjoy science can be easy, as there's no need for a lot of scientific terms or expensive lab equipment. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    Give them time to think. Studies over the past 30 years have shown that, after asking a question, adults typically wait only one second or less for an answer, no time for a child to think. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}, children can give more logical, complete and creative answers.

    Watch your language. Once you have a child involved in a science discussion, don t jump in with "That's right" or "Very good". {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. But in talking about science, quick praise can signal that discussion is over. Instead, keep things going by saying "That's interesting or "I have never thought of it that way before", or coming up with more questions or ideas. Never force a child to think. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}, as children are always thinking, without your telling them to.

    What's more, giving them freedom to think can turn a conversation into a performance. The child will try to find the answer you want, in as few words as possible, so that he will be a smaller target for your disagreement.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Real-life impressions of nature are far more impressive than any lesson children can learn from a book or a television program. Let children look at their fingertips through a magnifying glass (放大镜) and they'll understand why you want them to wash before dinner. Rather than saying that water evaporates (蒸发), set a pot of water to boil and let them watch the water level drop.

Five Types of Friends to Make in High School

●The overachiever

One of the greatest types of friends you can make in high school is an overachiever. Overachiever friends can motivate you to be better every day!{#blank#}1{#/blank#}He makes the school sports team, gets elected class president, and does very well in all of the exams! With a friend like that influencing you, you'll never stop working hard!

●The wild one

A wild friend sees life as one big party! He's the socialite (社交名流) who makes sure you don't forget to tend to your social life in high school.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

●The good listener

The good listener is the one you call after an impossible midterm! He'll listen to everything you have to say, and only offer advice when it's absolutely necessary.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}The conversation with such friends will actually help you get to know yourself better!

●The bookworm

With your friend the bookworm, you'll never have a boring con conversation.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}A bookworm is most definitely going places (有望成功), because he's always exercising his brain! Read every book they lend you. This will bring you to a deeper level and d give you great conversation topics!

●The wise one

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Somehow, this friend has great understanding, and he can deal with nearly all of life's questions! If he wants to, he can help you out of almost any difficult situation you find yourself in.

A. In choosing a friend, one should be very careful.

B. He is the one who never settles for the second place.

C. He'll always have something to say about his latest reading.

D. This kind of friend is the one you can turn to in any life crisis.

E. Talking to this friend will remind you that everything you say is valuable.

F. He'll teach you how to really have fun and make the most of your youth!

G. Friends are warm, warm enough to encourage you to walk out of your little dark shell.