Technology is everywhere. We see it any place we go and, in fact, almost all of us carry some piece of technology with us every time we leave the house. What I always forget, though, is just how useful and powerful technology can be when we want to help others.

    There is not a single room in my house that does not have some electronic devices （设备）lying around in it. Whenever I am at home, I am almost always using at least one electronic device. If you walked into my living room on any given day, you would find that, first, I have the television on. At the same time, I usually have my laptop resting on my knee, or I will be using my mobile phone. Even when I'm not at home I am always using my phone, and at work or in cafés, I sit down and connect to the local wireless network on my laptop.

    I must say that I waste a lot of time on the computer and the time I spend on it could be much better spent if I were to take up a little online volunteering.

    The technology we carry about everywhere can have a great power to do good for the world and to help others and recently I discovered just how much online volunteering there is to do in the world. From using your language skills to do translations, to developing and managing projects and helping with IT work, there is so much that so many people can do to help people in their own countries and across the world. The United Nations, in fact, has a huge page with "Volunteers Recruited" on its website.

    This work can support the poor and help charities who cannot pay for staff members. Many organizations only require you to work an hour a week﹣some even less. And the support provided by online volunteers can really help make a difference to those in need.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN NEW YORK CITY {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

Come to visit the city! Take the underground or a famous yellow taxi. Take a helicopter tour - see the city from the air!

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Eat a famous New York hot dog or try a delicious sandwich. Drink lemonade or fresh juice.

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Visit the Metropolitan Museum to see the famous paintings, or the Museum of Natural History to see the dinosaurs!

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Visit Central Park and go skating. Watch a baseball game -support the Mets or the Yankees.

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Visit Fifth Avenue for New Yorks famous shopping mall or shop in Greenwich Village.

Which is the most special hotel you have ever been to? There is a very different hotel in Mississippi, the US. It can give guests （客人） a different experience. 

In October, 2018, the hotel Home 2 Suites started a program. They bring dogs from an animal shelter（收容所）to hang out in the hotel. The guests can take these dogs to their hotel rooms during their stay. By doing so, it is more likely（可能） for the dogs to find a new home. At the same time, it can leave more space for other animals at the shelter. During their stay at the hotel, the guests can keep the dogs overnight, feed them and take them for a walk. If the guests want to take the dog home, they just have to pay $50.

So far, the guests have successfully taken over 60 dogs home. "It's wonderful to find new homes for all these animals. Though it is not an easy job, we'll continue doing what we're doing. "

The manager of the hotel said. 

Many sports stars believe something can bring them good luck. Some of them like to wear their lucky clothes, some like special numbers and some do special things for good luck on the day of an important game. Next I'll give you some examples.

Serena Williams, a tennis player, ties her shoelaces(鞋带) in the same way before every game. She usually wears the same socks in all games. She also has lucky shoes and likes having a dress with her. Another tennis star, Rafael Nadal, puts two water bottles in the same place next to the tennis field before every game. When he wins a competition, he always bites the trophy(咬奖杯).

The Spanish football player, Fernando Torres, always has three shirts, three pairs of shorts and three pairs of shoes in his sports bag. Kolo Touré is always the last player going onto the football field before games. He believes that numbers like 11,22 or 33 on a player's shirt can bring the player good luck. He also thinks it is unlucky to change the numbers when he goes to another team.

One racing driver. Sebastian Vettel, doesn't have a special thing to do but he has lucky things. He has a necklace (项链) and a little toy pigl They are surely special to him.

Helping Hands—Lectures for students