Virak Mao moved from Cambodia six and a half years ago. He was an exciting and 1 12-year-old boy，looking forward to his new life in Canada but fearful he wouldn't make friends, 2 since he didn't speak English. What great progress he has 3 since then.

    First of all, he got over those early difficulties and 4 friends. Mao not only mastered 5 but won the Grade 9 French award. At school, he 6 to organize school events. Mao also 7 at school, such as cleaning the library and helping others . Mao had wanted to be an engineer 8 after struggling with chemistry, he discovered a new passion for 9. At his Buddhist temple, Mao is a leader and 10 those who came to Canada for the first time to work hard. He also 11 in cultural dancing with other temple members, donating any 12 they raise back to the temple to buy supplies for the poor. Since the summer of 2011, he has held a job at a clothing store to help 13 his family. In June, Mao 14 from C.W. Jefferys and is now in the business management program at Ryerson University.

    He is also the first winner of a new scholarship 15 by the Graduate Business Council with the purpose of helping a student, 16 wants to improve his community and in 17 of money. Awarded the scholarship in June, Mao spoke about the 18 of the award. “I was so excited. It was a huge relief for me,” he said, adding he would buy textbooks and school supplies with the award. “I am really 19 they raised this money to award me the scholarship. I just have no words. Anyone who works hard gets well 20.”

    I have always considered myself a positive optimist,trying to find the best in every situation.I've recently become aware of how two little1have had a great impact on people.

    My son2to tell me about a house he was interested in.I said,"Honey,I am glad that you've found something you like,3…"There,I continued,"Don't you think,with the gas prices,you might want to buy one4to your work?"As he told me all about the possible house,I could hear the5in his voice.The moment I spoke the word, BUT,it was6I pricked a balloon with a needle（针）.I could hear him slowly deflate（泄气）.I7that if I had used the word AND—"Honey,I'm glad you found a house in your8range,AND I'm happy for you."—he wouldn't have been9,and we'd have both hung up feel better.

    My daughter10at my door dressed like a princess on her way to the prom.I told her how graceful looked and I was11of the young lady she has become,and I said,"Sweetheart,you12having a great time,but please don't drink tonight."I know she doesn't engage in13behavior;she's responsible and sensible.She looked as though I'd snatched her crown."Mom!"The tone of her voice indicated how I'd14her feel.How I wish I'd said,"I want you to have a great time,AND I15you."

    My husband helps around the house.I was16he had lightened my work load.I told him how wonderful he is, and I used that naughty word again."BUT,why did you17crumbs（面包屑）all over the counter?"Why?Why?Why didn't I say,"Thank you,ANDI am18or all you do around the house."

    I've been doing some19.I am going to remove that naughty little word from my20and replace it with the word AND.This is a decision I intend to keep!

The Gift at the Parking Lot

    I never thought I would be writing about a trip to the convenience store. It was just a month after my grandmother had 1 and I did useless things hoping to fill the hole in my heart and make me forget the pain.

    In the store, I was upset because I couldn't even remember 2 I went there to buy so I ended up buying something 3. As I walked out of the store to get my car, I was 4 angry at everything that was going on around me, which was a very 5feeling at that time. Feeling 6, my belief in God was beginning to fade.

    Suddenly, a woman driving right by my side rolled down her 7."Excuse me, excuse me." she said loudly.8 she was going to ask for my parking spot, I 9 pointed to my car. "No, excuse me," she said again.

    At this point, I felt I had no 10 but to see what this 11 lady wanted. As I got closer, I realized that she was 12 something in her bag. Surprisingly, I was overcome with a sense of relief while others would be 13 in this situation. Finally, she 14 me a booklet (小册子), which read "What Hope for Dead Loved Ones?" "Maybe you need this," she said calmly 15 a warm smile on her face. However, 16 I could thank her, she was gone.

    I felt a sense of 17 as I opened the first page. It 18 how people pass on, but their spirit 19 with us. This was the first time since my grandma had died that I had felt her with me and I began to feel hope again. It was a unique 20. And, I'll remember it for the rest of my life.

    One night, when I was eight, my mother gently asked me a question I would never forget. “Sweetie, my company wants to 1 me but needs me to work in Brazil. This is like your teacher telling you that you've done 2 and allowing you to skip a grade(跳级), but you'll have to 3your friends. Would you say yes to your teacher？”She gave me a hug and asked me to think about it. I was puzzled. The question kept me 4 for the rest of the night. I had said “yes” but for the first time, I realized the5 decisions adults had to make.

    For almost four years, my mother would call us from Brazil every day. Every evening I'd 6 wait for the phone to ring and then tell her every detail of my day. A phone call, however, could never replace her 7 and it was difficult not to feel lonely at times.

    During my fourth grade Christmas break, we flew to Rio to visit her. Looking at her large 8 apartment, I became 9 how lonely my mother must have been in Brazil herself. It was then 10 I started to appreciate the tough choices she had to make on 11 family and work. 12 difficult decisions, she used to tell me, you wouldn't know whether you made the right choice, but you could always make the best out of the situation, with passion(热情) and a 13 attitude.

    Back home, I 14 myself that what my mother could do, I could, too. If she 15 to live in Rio all by herself, I, too, could learn to be 16. I learnt how to take care of myself and set high but achievable17.

    My mother is now back with us. But I will never forget what the 18 has really taught me. Sacrifices(牺牲) 19 in the end. The separation(分离) between us has proved to be a 20 for me.

He Had a Go

    It was a cool spring evening in Melbourne, Australia. I drove to my boxing gym for a Friday night training session. After1up, I started training. Then I noticed a tall and slim young man walking through the doors. There was something about him that caught my2.

    Before long, I realized that he might have a mental illness. Having volunteered for mental illness support groups, I really3his problems when I looked at him.

    He paid for the session, put on a pair of gloves and then started hitting the punching bags. I watched him from a4 and wanted to help him to punch straighter and better. Then I felt it was best to leave that up to the trainer who was 5watching him.

    After a few seconds of punching the bag, he stopped and started staring at the   6.The trainer went up to him and 7to help him. It was almost like he woke up from a dream. He8 eye contact with the ceiling at once.

    Then the bell rang and it was the end of the round.9 rounds we are required to do five push-ups(俯卧撑),10all the boys that were training that night did five push-ups. He11to complete his five push-ups. The bell sounded again and the next round began. He punched the bags for a few seconds and then he12. This time he was taring at the walls which were decorated with boxing posters.

    It was clear to me that he could not 13for long.

    When I finished training, I decided to go to him and offer him my help. I held the bag for him and asked him to punch. He14 the bag a few times and then stopped again.

    I smiled at him and asked, "Do you like boxing?"

    He replied with a very shy 15on his face, "Yes, boxing is alright."

    What else could I do than16 this man and his willingness to give it a go? Most people put self-imposed(自我强加的)17on their lives and stop themselves from having a go. I kept thinking about this man while admiring him for even turning up to a boxing gym, let alone training at what appeared to be his18

    There are many lessons to learn from this man. What I19admired about this man was that he had a go! That is what20ordinariness from greatness.

So what will you have a go at?

It was 1:30 at night in an Alaskan village. Ida Nelson was staying in bed with her sister when she heard the sound of a small airplane 1 the nearby airport. Nelson and her sister jumped to their feet, ran to the window, and saw the 2 : The airport's runway lights were out.

Nelson3 some clothes, jumped into her ATV, and4 it to the airport, where she found a local pilot 5 to turn on the lights, but in vain. Meanwhile she and the pilot learned of the plane's6 : It was a medevac (救伤直升机)，there to 7a seriously ill local girl to the nearest hospital, 280 miles away in Anchorage.

Nelson had a 8. Diving her ATV to the end of the runway. she shone her headlights on the tarmac (飞机跑道) for the plane to 9 . Great idea, but it wasn't enough. More light was needed, so a 10 neighbor called nearly every home in the village—32 of them.

Within 20 minutes, 20 vehicles 11on one side of the runway. The medevac,12 by the headlights landed safely. The young patient was loaded onto the aircraft, and the plane 13took off again. Her illness was never publicly14 but she has been released from the hospital.

In a world filled with uncertainty, as Nelson told CNN, coming together is kind of15