The Scar of Love

    Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house.In a hurry to dive into the cool water,he ran out of the back door,leaving behind shoes,socks and shirt as he went.He flew into the water,not realizing that as he swam toward the middle or the lake,an alligator（短嘴鳄）was getting close.The mother in the house was looking out of the window and saw the two as they got closer and closer together.In great fear,she ran toward the water,yelling to her son as loudly as she could.Hearing her voice,the little boy became alarmed and made a U—turn to swim to his mother.It was too late.Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him.From the dock,the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched（抓住）his legs.That began an unbelievable tug-of-war（拔河比赛）between the two.The alligator was much stronger than the mother,but the mother was much too passionate to let go.A farmer happened to drive by,heard their screams;rushed from his truck,took aim and shot the alligator.

    Remarkably,after weeks and weeks in the hospital,the little boy survived.His legs were extremely scarred by the terrible attack of the animal.And on his arms,were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.

    The newspaper reporter,who interviewed the boy after the trauma（外伤）,asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted the pant legs.And then,with obvious pride,he said to the reporter,"Look at my arms.I have great scars on my arms,too.I have them because my mum wouldn't let go."

    You and I can identify with（认同）that little boy.We have scars,too.Not from an alligator,but the scars of a painful past.Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret.But,some wounds,my friends,are because we have refused to let go.

    Tired of Working in Your Country?

With over 500 instructors and 20 years of experience, we are the leader in the field of teaching foreign languages. We now have positions open in Osaka starting September/October 2015 for instructions of English, German, Spanish and French.

    Teach many different kinds of classes using the latest technology in small classes of up to 30 students.

    Accommodation (住宿), and other necessary documents (文件) will be ready before you leave.

    Applicants will teach their first language only.

    Excellent teacher training programs.

    If you are young with a university degree and are willing to experience different cultures, apply now. Experience in teaching is an advantage but not specially required. Knowledge of the Japanese language is not necessary but good English skills and practical computer knowledge are basic requirements.

Apply with C.V. and send letter to:

NOVA France, Mr. Swampy (IHT 3/2)

34, Bd. Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France

Fax: 33148014804

    Or visit our website: www.teachjp.com

    The manager expects to meet and talk with successful applicants in Paris in June and July.

    A Chinese consortium（联盟）led by China Railway Corp will participate in bidding for a high-speed railroad linking Singapore and Malaysia in 2018, marking another step in China's ambitious strategy to export its high-speed railway technologies to Southeast Asia.

    The consortium, consisting of eight companies including CRRC, China Railway Construction Corporation Ltd, China Railway Signal and Communication Co and Export-Import Bank of China, covers the design, construction, telecommunication, financing, operating and maintenance（维护）sectors for the high-speed rail network.

    A joint tender（招标）for the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail project was issued by the Malaysian and Singaporean government-owned utilities（公用事业）—MyHSR Corp and SG HSR，on Dec 20.According to a joint statement released by the two companies, the potential bidder would be responsible for the design, construction, financing, operating and maintenance of rolling stock and railway systems for the double-track line with a designed speed of 350 kilometers per hour.

    The tender is open to all companies, regardless of their location. A tender briefing will be held in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 23, and proposals need to be submitted by June 29. Submissions will be evaluated based on technical merit（优点）, commercial robustness, financial sustainability and price. The preferred bidder will be selected by the end of next year. The governments of both countries signed a bilateral（双边的）agreement late in 2016 to begin the project. According to the agreement, the high-speed rail link is expected to become operational by Dec 31, 2026, and will cut travel time between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to just 90 minutes.

    “The move indicates that China's State-owned enterprises have stopped cruel competition to hurt each other,” said Du Chunbu, a professor of rail transportation at Beijing Jiaotong University. “Instead, they have started to form a consortium to better compete with companies from Japan, South Korea, Germany and Canada by bringing their specialties into play.”

    About aspirin (阿司匹林):

    Aspirin is a commonly used drug which can be taken to relieve discomfort caused by numerous medical problems including headaches, toothache, inflammation(发炎) and infections. It is also suitable to treat colds and flu-like symptoms(症状), and to reduce a high temperature.

    Who can take aspirin? Adults and children over 16 years of age.

    Who should not take aspirin? Women who are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. Aspirin may harm your unborn baby.

    Women who are breast-feeding. Aspirin can pass into your breast milk and may harm your baby. People who have any problems with the way the liver works or with the way the kidneys work.

    How to take aspirin: Take aspirin after meals, with a full glass of water or milk.

    The recommended dose (剂量) ranges from two to three tablets at a time. Never take more than 4g 12 tablets) in any 24 -hour period. You must not take these tablets with any other medicine which contains any aspirin or painkiller.

    How to store aspirin: Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

    Store aspirin in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

    Do not put aspirin in the bathroom because the dampness there can cause it to lose its effectiveness. Throw away aspirin that smells strongly of vinegar.

    Possible side effects: Feeling sick, increased risk of bleeding, stomach pain, indigestion and heartburn are common. If these effects continue, contact your doctor. Ringing in the ears, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and mental confusion are rare. If these occur, stop taking the drug and contact your doctor for further advice.

    The best bikes for the beginners

    When it comes to purchasing your first bike, the choice is endless, making it tough to know what to go for. Here are the best buys on the market right now.

    Boardman CX Comp

    This is a cross-country bike, and it's so versatile（多用途的）that you can handle any terrain（地势）on it, making it a great choice for those wanting to try various cycling subjects. If you leave on the thick tires it comes with, it can ride on various paths and can even handle some less demanding mountain bike routes. Alternatively, put on thin, slick tires and treat it as a road bike. It has basket and comes with Shimano Sora gears, which are outstanding for its price.

    &650, Halfords

    Planet X RT-58 v2

    Planet C is based in Yorkshire, which means you'd probably have to buy this bike without seeing it. But it's worth it, because this is an excellent machine at a lower price. Planet X is a highly rated manufacture and this model comes with Shimano Sora gears.

    &439, Planet X

    Specialized Allez ES

    Specialized is one of the biggest and most popular brands in cycling, and this is its hugely popular primary road bike. It comes with solid components from front to back and you'll look great out on the road.

    &575, Evans Cycles

    Boardman Road Team Carbon

    If you can push budget further still, this bike is worth the extra investment. The frame is made entirely from carbon, which is lighter, faster and more comfortable than the composition metal models above and gives you an all-round more enjoyable ride. It also means that if you get really serious about cycling, you don't have to upgrade as quickly as you would with a cheaper bike.

&800, Halfords

    When Boris left school, he could not find a job. He tried hard and he wrote letters to many companies until he could not afford to buy any more stamps. Boris began to lose his confidence, then depressed. Still he went on trying and still he failed. He began to think that he had no future at all.

    "Why don't you start your own business?" one of his uncles told him. "The world is a money­locker. You'd better find a way of opening it."

    "But what can I do?"

    "Get out and have a look round." advised his uncle. "See what people want; then give it to them, and they will pay for it."

    Boris began to cycle around the town and found a suitable piece of waste ground in the end. Then he set up his business as a cycle repairer. He worked hard, made friends with his customers and gradually managed to win his good fame. A few months later, he found that he had more work than he could deal with by himself. He found a number of empty shops but they were all no good: in the wrong position, too expensive or with some other problems. But at long last, he managed to find an empty shop in a new place where there were plenty of customers but no competition.

    Boris and his assistant taught themselves how to repair motor­cycles. Slowly but surely the profits increased and the business developed. At last, Boris had managed to open the money­locker and found bank notes and gold coins inside.