I was driving home from the gym with my children. It was approaching bed time.

    “My legs hurt, I can't walk to the car.” said my son, William. Then be sat on the ground regardless of whatever we said.

    “Maybe you just need a banana? They're good for tired bones.” his sister, Meredith, persuaded him in a wise way.

This was the first time I had heard of the banana's miracle(神奇的) cure for achy bones. It distracted(使分心) William and we were able to make it to the car. His wish for bone relief brought him energy and he persisted(坚持) the entire ride home. Upon arrival, he struggled out of the car and slowly went up 3 steps into the house. While he took his ”medicine”, we arrived on a suitable diagnosis (诊断) for his “illness” —a serious case of Banana Bone. He was probably just over—tired. He had a long day and played hard in the Adventure Room at the gym. Thankfully we kept some bananas in the fridge, and hugs and kisses were given as a booster (辅助药剂) , which gave him the courage to walk upstairs to sleep.

    Banana Bone sounds like something I've had before. The aching hasn't been in my bones so much as in my head and my heart. I think it's a condition related to stress, lack of rest and stretching of one's abilities. Perhaps you're experienced it too. It is about long days facing challenges or pressing against the edges of your own ability without any hope.

    That's when you realize Banana Bone doesn't have to be a physical illness. It can be mental. It can drive emotion. It means you can choose it or you can choose against it. It's not real. It' s your reaction to what's real. I know, it' s still not easy. But it' s part of “growing up”. We must have the courage to overcome it and I believe we can make it﹗

    My advice to you? Eat a banana and go to bed. You'll feel a lot better and be your fresh self in the morning.

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    Traveling abroad is a great way for young adults to explore,learn about global citizenship,service learning and gain a better insight into the world and different cultures.Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?Visit our website for further details.

Global Vision International

    Experience everything a Latin American adventure should be,and more,when you join us in Costa Rica with a team of international under 18 volunteers.Assist with construction projects that will benefit poor children's development and education.Discover the area's amazing beaches,explore beautiful tropical jungles and immerse（沉浸）yourself in the friendly local culture.

    Cost: 2 weeks from $2,990

    Tel: 1-888-653-6028

    Email: info@gviworld.com

    Website: www.volunteerandadventureexperienceincostarica.com
Broadreach Summer Adventures

    Since 1993,Broadreach has taken over 12,000 students on their worldwide summer adventure volunteer programs for middle school and high school students.Their 75+ program offerings include sailing,medicine,culture, arts,community service and leadership adventures.Programs are located in 40+ countries including the Caribbean, Central and south America,Canada,Australia,China,India,South Africa,France,Thailand,the Solomon Islands and Fiji.

    Cost: Starting at $3,880

    Tel: 919-256-8200

    Email: info@gobroadreach.com

    Website: www.gobroadreach.com

    Cross-Cultural Solutions

    CCS teen summer service trips are for high school students ages 15-17.The High School Volunteer Abroad program offers you an awesome opportunity to volunteer side by side with local people and new friends on a teens—only group volunteering project in our Costa Rica,India,Peru,Ghana, and Guatemala High School Volunteer Abroad Home—Bases.You'll participate in tons of cultural activities and guided tours during the week and on weekends.

    Cost: Contact us for pricing and availability

    Tel: US toll flee: 1-800-380-4777

    Email: info@crossculturalsolutions.org

    Website: www.crossculturalsolutions.org

United Planet

    United Planet offers tailored volunteer abroad programs in five destinations for those under 18.Volunteers may work in orphanages,after-school centers,building homes or at environmental conservation projects.Destinations for 1-12 week Teen Quests include Romania,Peru,Ecuador and Chile.Candidates 16 years and older can apply,or travel with their family.

    Cost: Varies with duration of your stay

    Tel: 617-267-7763

    Email: quest@unitedptanet.org

    Website: www.unitedplanet.org

    Ever since it was created 30 years ago, The Simpsons, the longest running prime-time (黄金时段) TV show in the country, has become part of US life. So when TV critics Alan Sepinwall and Matt Zoller Seitz ranked the 100 greatest comedies and dramas broadcast in the US, it came as no surprise that The Simpsons was their top choice.

    This was the show that changed the very concept (概念) of cartoons in Western society. Before it appeared, cartoons were considered a way to learn and have fun, not serious adult entertainment. The Simpsons changed this. The genius (过人之处) of the show is that it has something to offer both adults and children.

    It's a hugely entertaining program that's also full of satire (讽刺) and clever humor. A remark by Chitra Ramaswamy in The Guardian gave a sense of the esteem (敬重) in which The Simpsons is held: “Nothing before or since has matched its capacity to be at once so profoundly (深刻地) clever and so unbelievably stupid.”

    The show's creator Matt Groening, and the brilliant team that work with him, make fun of the US government, social customs, and of course, the idea of family life. But unlike classic US prime-time TV characters, the Simpsons are a dysfunctional (功能失调的) family.

    Bart, the boy, is always in trouble – both at home and at school. That may be in part because of his paternal (父亲的) example. Homer Simpson, perhaps the most iconic character, is a beer-swilling (喝着啤酒的), overweight slob (懒汉) who is normally found in front of the TV. And Marge, Homer's wife and the mother of the family, spends most of her time cooking, cleaning or trying to fix the messes that Bart and Homer make.

    The smartest member of the family is daughter Lisa, who excels (表现卓越) at school but is no goody-goody (讨好卖乖的人): Lisa never misses an opportunity to challenge authority. The youngest member of the family is baby Maggie, who will likely be as much a trouble as her brother and sister when she grows up – if she ever grows up, that is.

    But although the Simpsons are a problem family, viewers are always on their side. One of the reasons the show has remained so popular all these years is that the characters are so likeable. Millions of us identify with (同情) them. They are a working class family struggling to make ends meet. They aren't perfect, but then, who is? And after 30 years, this is still what strikes a chord (引起共鸣) with millions of viewers worldwide.

    The United States is full of cars. There are still many families without cars, but some families have two or more. However, cars are used for more than pleasure. They are a necessary part of life.

    Cars are used for business. They are driven to offices and factories by workers who have no other way to get to their jobs. When salesmen are sent to different parts of the city, they have to drive in order to carry their products. Farmers have to drive into the city in order to get supplies.

    Sometimes small children must be driven to school. In some cities school buses are used only when children live more than a mile away from the school. When the children are too young to walk too far, their mothers take turns driving them to school. One mother drives on Mondays taking her own children and the neighbors' as well. Another mother drives on Tuesdays, another on Wednesday, and so on. This is called forming a car pool. Men also form car pools, with three or four men taking turns driving to the place where they all work.

    More car pools should be formed in order to put fewer cars on the road and use less gas. Too many cars are being driven. Something will have to be done about the use of cars.

    Courses & Curriculum of the College of Arts & Sciences in Cornell

    A man going abroad to work leaves his young lady crying. "Don't worry, I will write to you every day," he said. For years he did write to her. But since he was happy with his job, he had no immediate plans of going home. One day, he received a wedding invitation. His girlfriend was scheduled to be married. To whom? To the mailman bringing regularly the letters of her boyfriend! Indeed, distance does make hearts struggle.

    While presents are important, love demands what is basic: presence of the beloved.

    Martha was busy with her job. She believed she had to work harder because she loved her father who had serious disease. She had to provide for his expensive medicine. Her brothers and sisters meanwhile stayed with their father most of the time. They bathed him, sang for him, spoon­fed him or simply kept him company.

    One day Martha was hurt. She overheard her father telling her mother, "All our children love me except Martha." "How can this be?" Martha thought. "Am I not the one killing myself in my work to earn money to buy for his medicine? My brothers and sisters do not even provide their share in the expenses as much as I do."

    One night, as Martha was as usual late in going home, she peeped for the first time in the room where her father was lying. She noticed that her father was still awake. She decided to come close at his bedside. Her father held her hands and said, "I miss you. I don't have much time. Stay with me." And she stayed with her father holding his hand the whole night.

    The next morning Martha said to everyone, "I have taken a leave of absence. I would like to be with my father. I will bathe him and sing for him from now on." Her father had a beautiful smile. He knew this time Martha loved him.

    As children, we need the assuring presence of our loved ones. Adult people need no less.