Someone has put forward a dream home which is so advanced that its kitchen can suggest what to make with certain things. Also, a Microsoft home doesn't just warn you when you're out of milk—it can send you a fresh gallon.

    But are these innovations just magic, or are they really coming soon to a neighborhood near you? To find out, US News asked some experts to get their opinions about the home of the not-so-distant future. Here's a look at the innovations.

    The housing boom was marked by mass-produced buildings filled with units which look the same. The coming years, however, will give way to a personalized approach to home construction, with houses as more of an instrument of self-expression. "The successful builders will be the ones that figure out how to change their production model enough to make the buyers feel like they are really getting something that is designed for them, not just a model," says Kermit Baker, the chief economist at the American Institute of Architects.

    Future homes will probably shrink. "We will be building smaller but smarter houses," says Ed McMahon, a senior resident fellow at the Urban Land Institute. "Instead of having a room for just one use, consumers will demand homes that make better use of space," says Susanka, whose best-selling book, The Not So Big House, has become increasingly influential in home design. Seldom-used quarters, such as dining and living rooms, will be replaced with space that can serve both functions. "The goal of his 'right-size' home is to fit its owners like a specially cut suit rather than a jacket you buy in a store," says Susanka.

    Businesses are finding more uses for Virtual Reality (VR) as the technology develops. VR is no longer only for gaming or enjoyment. An American company called Blue Goji is using VR to improve one's health by making exercise more fun.

    Blue Goji has offices in Austin, the capital of Texas. The company showed its cardiovascular (心血管的) workout machine, called the Infinity treadmill (跑步机), at the recent South by Southwest festival, an event held every year in Austin.

    A person using the treadmill wears a virtual reality headset when exercising. Before starting, the user tightens a belt to prevent falls. Then, the user plays a VR game while running on the machine. The game can transport the user into the virtual world, where he or she can be racing against virtual people.

    Recently, Leonardo Mattiazzi tested the Infinity treadmill. Mattiazzi said he had a strong feeling to actually get running and do something that pushed his limits. He said the experience was more interesting than running inside the gym without actually going anywhere.

    Constam said the active use of virtual reality helps solve a common problem while wearing a VR headset. She noted that a lot of VR experiences cause motion sickness because people are in motion during the game, but not moving in real life. But when the user is moving on the treadmill and in the game, the chances of motion sickness are reduced.

    However, users who tested the treadmill while wearing the VR headset each had a different experience. Constam said there generally is a learning curve for VR. The first time users feel lost, but "the more you do it, the more you get used to it," she said. Mark Sackler was a first time user. He said he felt a little sick at one point during the game. But he thought the experience was surprisingly realistic.

    After carefully studying the users' experiences, Blue Goji plans to make the treadmill available to the public in 2019.

    Meeting people from another culture can be difficult. From the beginning, people may send the wrong signal. Or they may pay no attention to signals from another person who is trying to develop a relationship.

    Different cultures emphasize (强调) the importance of relationship building to a greater or lesser degree. For example, business in some countries is not possible until there is a relationship of trust. Even with people at work, it is necessary to spend a lot of time in "small talk", usually over a glass of tea, before they do any job. In many European countries -- like the UK or France -- people find it easier to build up a lasting working relationship at restaurants or cafes rather than at the office.

    Talk and silence may also be different in some cultures. I once made a speech in Thailand. I had expected my speech to be a success and start a lively discussion; instead there was an uncomfortable silence. The people present just stared at me and smiled. After getting to know their ways better, I realized that they thought I was talking too much. In my own culture, we express meaning mainly through words, but people there sometimes feel too many words are unnecessary.

    Even within Northern Europe, cultural differences can cause serious problems. Certainly, English and German cultures share similar values; however, Germans prefer to get down to business more quickly. We think that they are rude. In fact, this is just because one culture starts discussions and makes decisions more quickly.

    People from different parts of the world have different values, and sometimes these values are quite against each other. However, if we can understand them better, a multicultural environment will offer a wonderful chance for us to learn from each other.

    Full House was an American television show from the 1980s to the 1990s. It was among the most popular TV shows of its time. The show followed a single father who asks his friends to help him raise his three young girls. The last episode (集）of Full House aired in May 1995.

    But on Friday, the No 1 trending topic on Twitter in the U.S. was Fuller House. The new show is the long-awaited sequel (续集）series that follows the now-adult characters from Full House. The streaming service Netflix released 13 episodes of the new series at midnight Friday.

    Fuller House trended throughout the night and into Friday morning on Twitter and Facebook. The actors on the show were among :he :op 10 U.S. Google searches, as well Longtime fans of Full House admitted that they stayed up all night to watch the entire season.

    Excited fans tweeted about having waited more than 20 years for the sequel. But some viewers were not impressed with Fuller House. And television critic Hank Steuver of The Washington Post called the show, “a retread' He says the show is not some golden treasure* of family-friendly programming.

    Although most of the main characters from the original Full House have returned for Fuller House, the show's youngest character, Michelle Tanner, refused. Michelle was played by twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. The Olsens are now active in the fashion world. One episode of Fuller House even joked about their absence. One of her sisters on the show asks where Michelle is. Her father, Danny Tanner, responds: “Oh, she's busy in New York running her fashion empire.”

    Sports can help you keep fit and get in touch with nature. However, whether you are on the mountains, in the waves, or on the grassland, you should be aware that your sport of choice might have great influence on the environment.

    Some sports are resource-hungry. Golf, as you may know, eats up not only large areas of countryside, but also tons of water. Besides, all sorts of chemicals and huge amounts of energy are used to keep its courses (球场) in good condition. This causes major environmental effects. For example, in the dry regions of Portugal and Spain, golf is often held responsible for serious water shortage in some local areas.

    There are many environment-friendly sports. Power walking is one of them that you could take up today. You don't need any special equipment except a good pair of shoes; and you don't have to worry about resources and your purse. Simple and free, power walking can also keep you fit. If you walk regularly, it will be good for your heart and bones. Experts say that 20 minutes of power walking daily can make you feel less anxious, .sleep well and have better weight control.

    Whatever sport you take up, you can make it greener by using environment-friendly equipment and buying products made from recycled materials. But the final goal should be "green gyms". They are better replacements for traditional health clubs and modem sports centers. Members of green gyms play sports outdoors, in the countryside or other open spaces. There is no special requirement for you to start your membership. And best of all, it's free.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Volunteer Program

Building a Community of Park Stewards

    Position Title: Wildlife Volunteer — Butterfly Monitors (2 positions)

    Dates: Mid May to September, 2020

    Hours: 8-16 hours/ week

    Location: Cuyahoga Valley National Park

    Duties: Park staff will train volunteers in butterfly identification and data recording for one week before volunteers work in team of two to help track butterfly monitoring areas. The three butterfly monitoring areas in the park are I to 2 miles in length and are walked one time per week. Butterflies are identified by using binoculars (望远镜) or by netting and releasing. Data is recorded on data sheets.

    Skills required: Applicants must have self motivation and desire to work with others. Volunteers will work during days when temperature is 70 degrees or more, between 10:30 am and 5 pm. Ability to walk a long distance in hot and humid conditions is needed. Skills with basic butterfly identification are not a must but helpful.

    Requirements: Applicants must be current Kent Stale University (KSU) students and a National Park Service Agreement must be completed. U. S citizenship is also required.

    How to Apply: Please request an application from Mike Johnson at gkovach@ kent.edu and send it back to Mike Johnson at gkovach@ kent.edu, by February 15, 2020. If offered an interview, please come to Cuyahoga Valley National Park with your personal resume introducing your education and previous work experience.

    For further information, please call Jamie Walters at (330) 657-2142 or email jwalters@ forcvng.org.