Dear Malia and Sasha,

    I know that you've both had a lot of fun these two years. You have been to many picnics and had all kinds of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn't have let you eat. But I also know that it hasn't always been easy for you and Mom. So now I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey.

    When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me—about how I'd make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with those smiles and suddenly, all my big plans didn't seem so important any more. I soon found that the greatest happiness in my life was that you were so happy. And I realized that my own life wouldn't mean much if I couldn't make you two happy. In the end, girls, I ran for(竞选)President: Because of what I want for you and for every child in the US.

    I want all our children to go to school so that they can learn and grow. I want them to have the chance to go to college—even though their parents don't have enough money. And I want them to get good jobs.

    I want us to see new technologies and inventions that improve our lives and make our earth cleaner and safer. And I want us to see no difference of different colors and areas because we are all equal.

    I hope both of you will start to give others the chances you've had. You know, this country has given our family so much, so you have to, and really should, give something back. When you are doing something larger than yourself, you will realize how helpful you are.

    These are the things I want for you—to grow up in a world in which you can make your dreams come true. And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and get what you girls have. That's why I've taken our family on this great adventure.

    I am so proud of you. I love you more than you can ever know. And I am thankful every day because you behave so well when we get ready to start our new life together in the White House.

Love，

Dad

    Hundreds of years ago, news was carried from place to place by people on foot or by horse. It took days, weeks and sometimes months for people to receive news. Now it is possible to send words and pictures around the world in seconds(秒). Billions of people learn about news stories of their own country and all over the world every day, either by watching TV or reading newspapers. Newspapers have been an important part of everyday life since the 18th century. Many countries have hundreds of different newspapers. How do newspaper editors(编辑) decide which news stories to print (印刷)? Why do they print some stories and not others? What makes a good newspaper story?

    Firstly, it is important to report new stories. TV stations can report news much faster than newspapers. Yet, newspapers give more about the same story. They may also look at the story in another way, or they may print completely (完全地) different stories to those on TV.

    Secondly, a news story has to be interesting and unusual. People don't want to read stories about everyday life As a result, many stories are about some kind of danger and seem to be "bad" news. For example, newspapers never print stories about planes landing safely, instead they print stories about plane accidents.

    Another factor(因素) is also very important in many news stories. Many people are interested in news in foreign countries, but more prefer to read stories about people, places and events (事件) in their own country. So the stories on the front page in Chinese newspapers are usually very different from the ones in British, French and American newspapers.

    Travelling around the world is many people's dream. It is a great way for people to see new places, meet new people and learn new cultures. However, you may have some trouble during the trip if you don't know the local customs(习俗)or the language. Some people would like to try using gestures to "talk with" the local people. That is to say, they tell others their thoughts by moving their hands or body parts.

    Gestures are useful but every country is different in the way their people communicate with each other. So a gesture may be OK in one country but not OK in another.

    Recently, a company has created a series of useful pictures of gestures around the world, hoping to help people understand different meanings of the gestures in different cultures and avoid making silly mistakes. Just take the "OK" sign for example. In China, we use it when we want to say everything is all right. However, in other countries such as Greece, Spain or Brazil, people see me "OK" sign as very rude. What's more, in some Middle East countries such as Kuwait, me sign stands for the evil(邪恶的) eye.

    Americans usually eat three meals a day. Breakfast usually comes before eight o'clock in the morning. They usually have eggs, some meat, bread, fruit juice and coffee. Lunch is between twelve and one o'clock. It is like a light meal and working people must take lunch with them or get it near workplace.

    Children in school take sandwiches, fruit, and cookies with them or eat in school. Supper. The main meal, is between six and eight in the evening. People cook it carefully. They may have meat or chicken, turkey and duck. They may all have potatoes or rice, vegetables or salad. The drink is coffee, tea or milk.