Food serves as a form of communication in two basic ways. Sharing bread or other foods is a common human tradition that can promote unity and trust. Food can also have a special meaning, and play an important role in a family or culture's celebrations or traditions. The foods we eat—and when and how we eat them—are often unique to a particular culture or may even differ between rural(郊区的) and urban(市区的) areas within one country.

    Sharing bread, whether during a special occasion(时刻) or at the family dinner table, is a common symbol of togetherness. Many cultures also celebrate birthdays and marriages with cakes that are cut and shared among the guests. Early forms of cake were simply a kind of bread, so this tradition has its roots in the custom of sharing bread.

    Food also plays an important role in many New Year celebrations. In the southern United States, pieces of corn bread stand for blocks of gold for prosperity(兴旺) in the New Year. In Greece, people share a special cake called vasilopita. A coin is put into the cake, which signifies(预示) success in the New Year for the person who receives it.

    Many cultures have ceremonies to celebrate the birth of a child, and food can play a significant role. In China, when a baby is one month old, families name and welcome their child in a celebration that includes giving red-colored eggs to guests. In many cultures, round foods such as grapes, bread, and moon cakes are eaten at welcome celebrations to represent family unity.

    Nutrition(营养) is necessary for life, so it is not surprising that food is such an important part of different cultures around the world.

    There are many dangerous sea creatures in the world. The following are some examples.

    The needlefish are commonly seen living near the surface of tropical (热带的) waters. But they can also break cover the water，and once in the air they can become dangerous flying swords. Though it is rare，people have been seriously hurt and even killed by the fish．Night fishermen in small boats are at particular risk because their lights may attract the fish.

    Saltwater crocodiles are the world's largest crocodiles，sometimes reaching 23 feet in length and topping 2，200 pounds. Yet these crocodiles hunt quietly，lying in wait below shoreline waters to attack turtles and thirsty animals that have come to drink. Saltwater crocodiles kill a number of people each year.

    There is no doubt that the great white shark sits atop the ocean food chain. The world's largest fish can weigh at over 5，000 pounds and reach lengths of more than 20 feet. Great white sharks have about 3，000 teeth，which they typically sink into sea lions，seals，and sea turtles. These sharks are responsible for a third to a half of the 100 shark attacks on humans every year.

    The sea anemone (海葵) may look like the beautiful flower for which it's named，but fish that swim too close may regret it. The sea anemone，which lives on the sea floor，uses its poisonous tentacles (触须) to stab passing creatures with a kind of poison—making them helpless and fit to be eaten.

    The surgeonfish (刺尾鱼) is an attractive reef fish that is poisonous. Scientists believe that the world's seas hold some 1, 200 different surgeonfish species and think that they injure about

    50，000 people per year. But the surgeonfish poison can also bring great benefit—they are useful in the development of new drugs.

    More and more comment(评论) sections are being shut down online.

    Autumn Phillips had had enough. On August 19, the executive editor of the Quad-City Times in Iowa, and Illinois, US visited her website, qutimes. com, and saw a story about a man who had been shot to death. When she got to the readers' comments section at the end, she was shocked by what she saw. Below the story was a growing string of comments—a racist remark about democratic( 民主的) voters, a negative comment about police...So Phillips decided to do something she had been thinking about for a long time: she shut down the comment section.

    Phillips was not alone in making such a move. Last week, NPR announced it too was closing its online comments section. The decisions don't mean that the news outlets are no longer interested in what their audiences are thinking. Both stressed their eagerness to hear from readers and listeners on social networks. But both agreed that comments had deviated from their original intention. And so they had.

    In the early days of digital journalism, comments were seen as a key part of the new media, a wonderful opportunity for strengthening the dialogue between news producers and their audiences. It was a welcome change, given that for long many news organizations were far too separated from their readers. Much more back and forth conversation seemed like healthy and welcome evolutions. Sadly, that's not the way things turned out. Rather than a place for exchanging ideas, comments sections became the home of ugly name-calling, racism and anti-women language. Besides their poisonous quality, comments seem out of place today.

    “Since we made the announcement, I've received an outpouring of responses from our readers,”she says. “I've heard from parents whose children were hurt by our online comments. I've heard from people who said they wouldn't send in letters to the editor because they were attacked so fiercely by comments, and it wasn't worth it.”

    Beginning life at college naturally develops both excitement and anxiety for many reasons. Fors ome, this feeling is quickly overcome as they adapt to a new environment; for others the change takes longer and sometimes appears as homesickness.

    If you are homesick, you might notice an increase in:

    Low energy or motivation.

    Trouble sleeping.

    Increases/decreases in appetite.

    Having difficulty with school.

    Increased use of drugs or alcohol.

    Lack of interest or involvement in new surroundings.

    CAUSES

    The distance from home—the farther you go, the worse it may be.

    Unhappiness when things are different from your expectations of student life.

    You have finally arrived at college after working toward it for so long.

    A heavy workload.

    Students who are homesick often feel they have no control over their environment.

    WHAT MIGHT HELP?

    Keep in good contact with the people you have left behind, but also give yourself time within the university to begin to get involved here.

    Be realistic about what to expect from student life and from yourself. Set up a balance between work and leisure.

    If work is proving too difficult, you may need to improve your study skills or your organization of time.

    Remember to get enough food and sleep! These affect you emotionally as well as physically.

    Make contacts and friends through shared activities such as sports or other interests.

    If you stop being able to do normal social and academic things, seek professional help either from your advisor or dean or the counseling service.

    Have you ever realized that the smallest countries in the world have so much to offer? Whether it's historic and cultural heritage or unspoiled nature, these microstates are worth a visit.

    Grenada

    Grenada is a small country in the world. It is located on island of Caribbean, which is also known as The Island of Spice for several spices like cinnamon, ginger and rare nutmeg. Grenada relies on tourism. Its pristine beaches, warm turquoise water and unspoiled nature make it a wonderful holiday destination. Recently ecotourism has been growing as well.

    San Marino

    Located within Italy and surrounded by the Apennine Mountains. San Marino is visited by approximately 2 million tourists annually. It's a beautiful country, which also claims to be the oldest surviving state in the world! Therefore its cultural and historic heritage is undoubtedly fascinating. Although very small, the microstate has a lot of architectural attractions as well as the Romagna, which is loved by Italians, who are among the main guests here.

    Maldives

    Maldives is located on the bank of Indian Ocean. Maldives has a range of different habitats including deep sea, shallow coast, and reef ecosystems, fringing mangroves, wetlands and dry lands. Visitors to the Maldives do not need to apply for a pre-arrival visa, regardless of their country of origin, provided they have a valid passport, proof of onward travel, and the money to be self-sufficient while in the country.

    Andorra

    It's a picturesque microstate found in the Pyrenees Mountains, bordering Spain and France. Over 10 million tourists visit Andorra every year! Unlike the neighboring countries' high prices, the country has a duty-free policy, allowing shoppers to enjoy lower costs. Also there are winter and summer resorts, so you can visit anytime.

The Amazon Clipper

    Join the Amazon Clipper for an exciting journey through the world's most plentiful river and largest typical jungle. The river is surely an excellent way to get to know the complex secrets of the Amazon rainforest.

    Day 01 Wednesday: Departure

    The boat departs from the Tropical Experience Hotel at 11:30 am. Once on board, you'll be introduced to the staff and to your room. The hotel will be ready to serve some delicious food for lunch. You'll then navigate towards the Pagodao River.

    Day 02 Thursday: Amazon

    In the morning you'll have a hike in the forest with a specialist guide. You'll have the chance to know the local vegetation(植物) ,as well as spend some time with a native family. You'll see how they prepare manioc (树薯) flour, very typical of the Amazon dietary culture. You'll then sail through Anavilhanas, the largest fresh water archipelago (群岛)in the world.

    Day 03 Friday: Amazon

    Today you'll sail to Praia Grande or another white sand beach. Hopefully there will be some time to swim! Then, you'll take a canoe trip on Lake Acajatuba, to observe the typical vegetation. Then, you'll stop at Paricatuba to see some abandoned buildings from the rubber growing age.