Do you want to take time to get in touch with yourself, your feelings, your dreams, and a good, healthy life? Here are some tips:

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Sometimes it seems as if our culture has begun to view the need for sleep as a sign of weakness. But your body was genetically(基因地) programmed to spend a third of its life on sleep, and this affects thinking, memory, growth, your immune(免疫的) system and even your weight.

    Begin the day in thankfulness. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Name each person and hold them in your thoughts. The sense of thankfulness you experience will set a peaceful tone for the entire day, and reduce a day's stress that can lead to sleeplessness that night.

    Strike a balance. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Think about tai chi, prayer, yoga(瑜伽)—any daily activity that allows you to develop a peaceful center and a sense of balance.

    Play with friends. The "tend and be friend studies", as they are called, conducted by UCLA researcher, Shelly Taylor, Ph.D. indicate that when women are stressed, they tend to their children and play with other women. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Use guided imagination. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} The tone of your voice, pacing, music, and pictures will persuade your nervous system that it's time to calm down.

    Among the teachers in my life，there is one person I called“Old Uncle”．I first met with him a decade ago when I was in primary school．{#blank#}1{#/blank#} During those rides，Old Uncle told me about his life．

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} He made a living by riding tricycles(三轮车)and raised the children on his own．His daughter gave up the chance to go to college so that the younger brother would have money to go after his future．Later on，she became a nurse at a hospital through her hard work．

    For each ride，Old Uncle should charge me five yuan．However，he insisted on accepting only four from me．In our conversations，he told me to always have a good heart，to be a good student，child and person．{#blank#}3{#/blank#} More movingly，every time he took me to school，he asked whether I had eaten breakfast and would try to offer me biscuits．

    Old Uncle was one of the early people who led me to explore pain and suffering，  unintentionally and naturally，through stories and giving．He didn't complain(抱怨)about the hardships he had suffered in life．{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Ten years later as I thought back to the scene，I came to realize that Old Uncle and I shared space，and connected through our spirit．{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A．I knew that Old Uncle lived a difficult life．

B．Old Uncle would pay the price for his behavior．

C．He took me to school in his tricycle every morning．

D．Old Uncle guided me to see the beauty of human nature．

E．Instead，he shared peacefully as if they weren't happening on him．

F．His wife had passed away when their two children were still young．

G．He said this with so much caring that I listened with my whole heart．

The Lost Rules of Etiquette

    Etiquette, or good manners, used to be the glue that held society together. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Sadly, these days it has mostly gone by the wayside. This list is several best rules of etiquette that have now disappeared.

    Opening the Door

    In days gone by, a gentleman would always open doors for ladies. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} This has now almost entirely disappeared-and it is not entirely the fault of the men. I have seen women laugh at men for opening a door for them. They seem to be confusing manners with chauvinism（大男子主义）.

    Writing Thank-You Notes

    In days gone by, whenever a person received a gift, they would write a thank-you note as soon as possible. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Parents would sit children down after a birthday or Christmas and coach them in their first thank-you note. It is a shame that gift giving has now become a virtual obligation and the idea of a thank-you note would be laughed at.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    We seem to have completely lost the concept of correct timing when it comes to parties these days. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} After all, a party normally has a guest of honor-this is usually the oldest woman present. It was considered extremely rude in the past to leave a party before the guest of honor-and once the guest of honor left, it was a signal to all that they should begin their on preparations to leave.

    The art of growing dwarf(矮小的)trees, or "bonsai"(盆栽)as their Japanese planters call them, is increasing in popularity in the United States. Growing bonsai can make a fascinating hobby for anyone who enjoys plants and creating beautiful effects with them.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    In growing bonsai, in fact, one must be careful in choosing the type of tree, as the growing conditions are unusual.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Varieties of pines with small needles and hardwood trunks are especially suitable.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}This is necessary because the major growth of bonsai is kept confined(被限制) to the tree's trunk and leaves, not its root system-a process quite unlike what is done with other plants.

    Another thing the bonsai-grower must do is to trim(修整)the roots and branches of the tree periodically (定期地). Unless this is done, the plants will not have the proper proportions(比例) and will look unnatural.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    The last thing one must do is to be careful to keep the tree well-watered. Because bonsai are grown in smaller-than-usual containers, they often need more water than ordinary houseplants do.

    As can be seen from the above, the art of bonsai-growing is one which requires a certain amount of time and effort.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Imagine having such a tree in your living room and passing it down through several generations of your family. That is exactly what bonsai-growing is all about: establishing a tradition of beauty which lasts for years and years and is a symbol of the beauties of the natural world.

A. Then one must be careful in choosing the size of the container.

B. How can we meet the goal of making such a kind of art?

C. Why do so many people take a fancy to the art of bonsai-growing.

D. But one must get well prepared before starting bonsai-growing.

E. The satisfactions that growing bonsai brings can be great, however.

F. The ideal for bonsai plants are trees just like normal trees in everything but size.

G. Not all species of trees can be made into bonsai.

    Tipping is part of everyday life in many parts of the world. It's usually an informal charge that's paid on top of the bill to show appreciation to the person who has provided you a service.

    Tipping culture can vary from place to place. In the Middle East, people who serve usually try to be more helpful. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. An example is the tour guides of Egypt. When a tourist goes around a famous site in Egypt like the pyramids, they^'11 often be accompanied by a very qualified tour guide. Thanks to the guide, a tourist will certainly know more about the pyramids than he or she did at the start. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    In some places, tipping doesn't exist at all. Tips aren't part of life in China, South Korea or Japan. But in other places in Asia, not leaving a tip can lead to trouble. An American travel agent told Conde Nast Traveler that in India, for example, a person who doesn't leave a tip after a meal in a restaurant will often be chased down the street. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}, he said.

    Many people only give tips on a subjective （主观的）basis. But it's this subjective aspect to tipping that can cause problems. On the one hand, they don't want to be mean; on the other hand, they don't want to pay too much and feel that they've been cheated. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}.

A common solution for this problem is to offer a guideline on the check. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

This can prevent the awkwardness when it's time to pay up.

A. Tips are then given to appreciate the expertise of the guide

B. If you tip badly, people think less of you

C. They'll run after you and scream for money

D. It will suggest that a certain percentage of the bill should be paid on top as a tip

E. Very often people who travel to the United States forget to tip

F. After all, a tip isn't part of the bill

G. But they may expect a little extra in return

Does a Dog Help a Teen with Low Self-esteem?

    A dog is known as man's best friend for good reason. Loyal and affectionate, a dog companion can enrich its owner's life in many ways, {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Many teenagers suffer from periods of low self-esteem (自尊) as they try to navigate the wavy waters of adolescence and deal with all of its associated highs and lows. A teenager who lacks self-esteem may feel isolated from his peers and unable to tell his parents about personal issues. The company of a dog can be a huge comfort and ease feelings of loneliness and awkwardness. A dog offers genuine unconditional love. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}All dogs need exercise, so taking his clog for a walk is the perfect opportunity for a teenager to get outdoors and benefit from fresh air and physical activity. Exercise allows people to take control of their bodies, which is often the first step toward regaining control of other aspects of their life, says mental health specialist Dr. Alan Cohen. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Exercise releases chemicals called endorphins (内排肽）into the brain, which create positive responses in the body, including improved self-esteem. Dogs can help teenagers be more sociable and make new friends, suggests HELPGUIDE. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} A dog is a great ice-breaker, avoiding awkward social situations and putting the teenager at ease with people he meets. The more confident the teen becomes when out and about with his clog, the more his self-esteem will improve. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} If a teenager is suffering from depression or developing dangerous habits such as alcohol and drug abuse, more extreme action may be required. In these cases, professional help should be sought and all treatment plans considered. Parents who suspect that their teen's low self­esteem is a sign of a far more serious problem should ask a suitably qualified health professional for advice.

A. In some cases, having a dog will not help with a teenager's low self-esteem.

B. It simply accepts its owner for who he is and doesn't judge, question or criticize.

C. Pets offer an unconditional love that can be very helpful to people with depression.

D. You don't have to worry about hurting your pet's feelings or getting advice you don't want.

E. In particular, someone with low self-esteem may find a pet dog to be extremely beneficial.

F. A teen may meet his peers while walking his dog in the park or taking part in a dog training class.

G. Many forms of exercise besides walking can be enjoyed with a dog, such as cycling, jogging and throwing a ball.