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    University graduates Mallorie Brodie and Lauren Hasegawa, who invented a smartphone app that tracks construction defects for commercial builders, had a tiger by the tail.

    Bridgit, which they founded in 2012, launched a cloud-based communications platform that helped manage defects on construction sites, which can delay projects and result in costly repairs if left unchecked. The smartphone application lets site supervisors take photos of cracks or damaged paint, share them with employees and track the problems to solution.

    More than 600 subcontractors used the pilot version in many building sites before the commercial version, called Closeout, officially launched.

    Feedback(反馈)was so good that they began to wonder: Why limit their invention to a specific industry? Why not turn it into some kind of a handy tool for consumers too? This became their dilemma. In other words, should they stay the course or look for wider applications of their app?

    The experts polled all agreed Bridgit should stay focused on its original goal. Ms. Hasegawa and Ms. Brodie took that advice.

    As more business customers signed on, it became clear that they made the right decision. Since then, the company's growth has been rapid.

    Earlier this year, Bridgit launched Closeout ,which is designed so that even the least tech-savvy can use it easily. Today, the app is being used on sites across Canada and the United States and even by top general contractors.

    In October, Bridgit was named to the Canadian Innovation Exchange's top 20 list of Canada's most innovative (创新的) companies working in digital media and information and communication technology .

    But Ms. Hasegawa and Ms. Brodie are not resting on their glories. They have also been collecting feedback on Closeout from customers, and they'll launch a new version in the spring. It will target not only general contractors but developers and building owners, too.

    You might think that “global warming” means nothing more than a rise in the world's temperature. But rising sea levels caused by it have resulted in the first evacuation (撤离) of an island nation, the citizens of Tuvalu will have to leave their homeland.

    During the 20th century, sea level rose 8~12 inches. As a result, Tuvalu has experienced lowland flooding of salt water that has polluted the country's drinking water.

    Paani Laupepa, a Tuvaluan government official, reported to the Earth Policy Institute that the nation suffered an unusually high number of fierce storms in the past ten years. Many scientists connect higher surface water temperatures resulting from global warming to greater and more damaging storms.

    Laupepa expressed dissatisfaction with the United States for refusing to sign the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement calling for industrialized nations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions (排放), which are a main cause of global warming. “By refusing to sign the agreement, the US has effectively taken away the freedom of future generations of Tuvaluans to live where their forefathers have lived for thousands of years.” Laupepa told the BBC.

    Tuvalu has asked Australia and New Zealand to allow the gradual move of its people to both countries.

    Tuvalu is not the only country that is vulnerable (易受影响的) to rising sea levels. Maumoon Gayoon, president of the Maldives, told the United Nations that global warming has made his country of 311,000 an “endangered nation”.

    If you're traveling with kids in London, many London hotels have special services and features to help the family holiday, offering services to kids as well as games, bike hire and free ice cream!

Athenaeum

    The five­star Athenaeum is a fantastic family hotel，particularly with the addition of its kids' services. Even before you arrive, they'll be in touch to make sure your kids have their favorite DVDs, treats and anything else to keep them happy. And they can arrange your perfect family activities, from bike hire to theater tickets.

Novotel

    Novotel's family rooms are designed to accommodate two adults and two children. Accommodation and breakfast are free for under­16s(up to two staying in their parents' room)．You can also enjoy a late check­out at 5 p. m. on a Sunday, and while you lie in, the kids can entertain themselves with the Cartoon Network.

Chessington Safari Hotel

    At Chessington Safari Hotel, kids will love staying in an African adventure­themed room, having breakfast, overlooking the animals of the Wanyama Reserve, watching family­friendly movies and getting into the theme park before it opens.

The Ritz

    Kids at The Ritz are treated just as well as their parents, if not better! Children can enjoy computer games and DVDs, free ice cream and their own bathrobes and slippers. Under­16s can stay for free in their parents' bedroom, depending on the room type.

Marlin Apartments

    Marlin Apartments operate more than 700 serviced apartments in London. Apartments are all within five minutes' walk of the Tube(Good for tired little legs！) with flat screen TVs, fully equipped kitchens and free Wi­Fi. One or two bedroom family apartments have extra room for folding beds in the living area.

    On Saturday my Catalan friend invited me to come along to a Calotada. Being from the UK, I had no idea what this would need, but he promised me it was a fun Catalan(卡塔兰)tradition, and so I agreed to go. I wasn't disappointed!

First, we took a train out to a small town near Tarragona, about an hour away from Barcelona centre. I was already amazed by how different everything looked from the city as the train rushed through small towns, all sitting on the coastline.

When we arrived, we were greeted by the sight of a small wind instrument band and about a dozen people dancing in a circle. While my friend later told me that it is a traditional Catalan dance called La Sardana, at the time I was totally confused at what I was seeing! It seemed so strange but yet so lovely that they were doing this dance completely for themselves.

Once we had been fully entertained by the dancers, we finally went inside for the Calotada and it was soon revealed to me what it actually was. We sat down at the table and a huge plate of leeks(大葱)was placed in front of us. It was explained to us that you have to peel the leeks with your fingers, dip them in a (delicious!) sauce and eat them. This sounds easier than it was.

    My friend had been right in the end, it had been an extremely fun day and it felt great to get involved in a local tradition of a place I am temporarily calling home. It really inspired me to learn more about the Catalan culture, although hopefully next time it will be something less messy!

    There are many international organizations which work to save and protect endangered species (物种) and natural environment. If you would like more information about any of the organizations listed below, you can write to the addresses given.

    Yinqixing Indoor Skiing Site, formerly known as Hokkaido Indoor Ski Resort, is the first indoor skiing site in Asia, which covers an area of 100.8 thousand square meters and the ski track is 380 meters in length and 80 meters in width, with the maximum drop of 42 meters. There are three sections of snow runs and a huge platform for practicing, which are suitable for skiing enthusiasts of various skiing degrees. The temperature in the skiing site maintains below -2℃ all the year round. Snow thickness ranges from 30 cm to 50 cm.

    Solo Adventure Tips:

    Location: No, 1835, Qishen Road, Qibao Town, Shanghai

    How to Get There?

    Public Bus: 91,92,803,953

    Free Scheduled Bus:

    Location: North Square, Xinzhuang Station, Subway Line I

    Departure time: from 9:00 to 21:00, operating every half an hour

    Ticket Price:

    Adults: ¥138; Children: ¥80 (Ordinary time)

    Adults: ¥158; Children: ¥100 (On weekends)

    Opening Hours:

    9: 30 to 22: 30 from Monday to Thursday and Sunday; 9:30 to 24:00 on Friday and Saturday;

    It will stop selling tickets after 21:00.

    More Tips:

    Bathing fees: ¥6 per person

    Stay overnight: ¥20 per person

    Private room of 2 people: ¥58 per person

    Private room of 3 people: ¥68 per person

    Meal: ¥50 per person

    For more information, you can click here Yinqixing Indoor Skiing Site or directly call 021-64788666/021-63816698.