Grandma celebrated her fifty-third birthday just weeks before grandpa died of cancer in 1965. Although his passing was very difficult for her, I think their shared struggle to make his life longer taught grandma that good health was not to be taken for granted, and she made up her mind to live her rest of her own life as fully and as long as she could. One day, when she announced to attend lessons at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Portland, Oregon, where she lived, we rolled-our eyes in embarrassment and helplessly wished she would just stay home and bake cookies as normal grandmothers did. Many years filled with countless dance lessons passed before we learned to appreciate the wonder of having a dancing grandma.

I suppose grandma's primary motivation for wanting to learn to dance was social. She had been a shy girl, always very tall and heavy, and had married into grandpa's quiet lifestyle before developing any elegance or confidence in her personal appearance. Dancing, on the other hand, filled her life with flash lights，wonderful parties, beautiful dresses, handsome young dance instructors, and the challenge of learning. Although the weekly dance lessons did not change her ample, two-hundred-pound figure, grandma surprised everyone with energetic performances on the dance floor, which soon gave her as much elegance and confidence as any Miss American competitor.

    Having taken weekly dance lessons for years, my grandma learned various dances easily and was soon participating in dancing matches all over the Northwest. When I was fourteen, grandma proudly invited me to watch her compete in one of these matches to be held in the grand ballroom of the Red Lion Inn. My attitude was still unenthusiastic at that point, but to make her happy, my mother and I attended the match. As if to prove me wrong, grandma made a wonderful showing in every event she entered. I thought she was truly the queen of the ball during the dance, and my thoughts were shared by the judges a short time later when she was awarded a gold cup for her outstanding performance.

    Parents in Spain are being urged to go on a weekend homework strike this month in protest against the unacceptable amount of after-school tasks their children are given.The homework load of Spanish children has long been a sore point with some parents,who argue that the burden is too great,places too much pressure on pupils and eats into family time.

    According to a study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD),Spanish 15-year-olds have 6.5 hours of homework a Week compared with an average of 4.9 across the 38 OECD countries. The Spanish Confederation of Associations of Mothers and Fathers of Students (Ceapa) is calling on parents whose children attend Spanish state schools to boycott weekend homework in November.

    "We've lost a bit of common sense in this country when it comes to talking about education and we've got a system in which boys' and girls' free time has disappeared",said Jos Luis Pazos,president of Ceapa."Schools are passing on tasks to families that they shouldn't be.It starts with children from the ages of three to six doing half an hour's homework every day.For us,that's an unacceptable situation".

    Pazos said Ceapa disagreed with the belief that children should endure huge amounts of homework in the hope that it would ensure them a better future.They should be.happy when they're little and that life isn't just about someone telling you that you have to suffer inexplicably（难以理解地）.The model needs to change because society has changed.

    Schoolchildren have to fit their homework around the school day,which varies from region to region and school to school,but starts early from around 8 am or 9 am and finishes anywhere between 2 pm and 5 pm.However,schools are increasingly using an 8 am-2 pm timetable to save money and in the face of evidence that suggests the longer hours do not yield better results.

    A spokesman for the education department of Madrid said homework was a matter for individual schools rather than regional governments.They're the ones who know best what the need is in each case.

    My daughter had a bullying(欺凌) problem a couple of years ago. She kept receiving rude text messages from kids at school. Dealing with school bullying wasn't easy, but I finally ended it. When you realize things are serious, it is no time to be silent.

    If your kids are also receiving such text messages, take them directly to the headmaster and show him. Describe to him how it is affecting your kids. Tell him you will not tolerate it and that you want him to put an end to it now.

    School bullying is a dangerous and serious issue these days, and any good headmaster will take your charges seriously. He will probably address the issues with the parents. If they are crappy(糟糕的) parents, then they may do nothing to their child. You may have to repeat this process several times, but you need to keep a check on those text messages and don't allow your child to delete them.

    Now it is time to draw your child close and take care of him/her, because he/she needs it. My daughter did not like me being involved either, but you are the only person your kid can depend on to solve this problem, so do it and mean business. Always be polite, but straightforward. The headmaster and parents must know you mean business.

    If repeated meetings with the headmaster (and parents, if he allows it) do not work, then I would consider hiring a lawyer. That will send the message loud and clear. When you are talking about financial loss, most parents will stand up and take notice and act to keep their kids under control!

    I know a lawyer is a big expense and not something you do lightly, but when bad things like school bullying are happening to your children, you must act and act quickly.

Best Smartphone Games To Put Your Brain To Test

    I am a fan of blood shedding MMORPGs. But sometimes I play brain games. Here are four games for you that will surely put your brain to test.

    Real Chess

    Chess has been bursting brains for over 14 centuries, and this virtual variant of chess really brings a new taste. It's a 3D virtual chess that lets you play with users from all around the world.

You can chat with opponents, play with AI, get newbie tips and much more. The animations and 3D structures are really cool as well.

    Juice Cubes

    Juice Cubes is a light and colorful game full of fruity juice cubes that you need to connect to pop and clear levels. There are multiple types of challenges, powerups, and over 550+ levels to keep you addicted.

    It might seem easy at the start, but it will burst your brain when you reach higher levels.

    WordBrain 2

    A really fun word game where you need to guess words based on the number of letters provided. Each word puzzle has a theme category, such as food, human body, color, or even space.

    And you can also use hints to solve the level when you get stuck. Your vocabulary is sure to be challenged in it.

    Puzzlerama

    Puzzlerama basically joins some of the top puzzles in one single app, making it a perfect app for puzzle lovers. It lets you play popular puzzle games such as flow, jigsaw, unblock, pipes, tangram, and more. There are hundreds of levels available for each puzzle type and things get really tough as you advance.

    The game interface is also very colorful, and smooth animations make the game fun to play.

    You'll be re-directed to our Irish Fest Ticketing Store, which will feature all of 2018's ticketing options. Buying online will save you the time of waiting in line at the ticket window .Your admission to the festival includes all of the musical acts, cultural exhibits, children's activities and more! Questions? Contact us at info@irishfest.com.

    Daily Ways to Save

    Any and all active (现役) military members will receive free admission to the festival, any day, with valid ID, plus one guest, at any gate ticket window where you will receive your free ticket].Thank you for your service to our country. Failte Club VIP Experience NEW

    Experience Irish Fest in an exclusive setting! Invite your friends and be a part of the Failte Club VIP Experience! Your Failte Club ticket includes 2 complimentary beverages (beer, wine, soda, water), an incredible view of the Miller Lite stage from the Upper Deck, a private bar for additional beverages, including Jameson Whiskey and private restrooms!

    Wheel chair accessible Thursday: $15 (Hours 5-10 pm) Friday: $30 (Hours 5-12 am)

    Saturday: $35 (Hours 2-12 am) - SOLD OUT Sunday: $30 (Hours 12-8:30 pm)

    4-Day VIP Pass: $79

    Group Ticket Sales Information

    Save some green with group ticket sales available through July 31, 2018.26-99 tickets are $15 each; 100+ tickets are $13 each. Call the CelticMKE [Irish Fest] Center at 414-476-3378 for more information.

    Notice on Counterfeit Tickets

    Milwaukee Irish Fest strongly urges all customers to avoid purchasing tickets on the street from unauthorized sources, as the tickets may be counterfeit. For your own protection, tickets should only be purchased at Milwaukee Irish Fest ticket booths, irishfest.com or the Milwaukee Irish Fest Center in Wauwatosa. Counterfeit tickets and tickets purchased from unauthorized sources will not be honored.

Notice for Tourists to Beijing Expo 2019

    The 2019 Beijing Horticultural Expo (园博会) from April 29 to October 7 is an opportunity for international discovery, where cultural elements of different places in China are on display, as well as gardens and buildings about each country's wonderful culture and history. Here is a notice for whoever plans to come.

    Quick Entry by Showing ID Cards.

    To make sure your quick and orderly entry into the Expo Site, please wait in lines and get your ID card ready for pre-check, ticket check and security inspection before entering. During the ticket check, those who hold discounted tickets must provide the materials about discount.

    Safe Tour to the Expo.

    Considering your personal safety, please don't take anything that may disturb other visitors or the order of the Expo Site, such as pets, kites, and speakers. Except for wheelchairs for the elderly and the disabled and strollers (婴儿推车)for children, no vehicles(机动车辆)are allowed to enter the Expo Site.

    Taking Action to Protect the Environment.

    To create a green, beautiful environment for yourself and others, please follow the travel rules, protect public buildings, keep environment clean and care plants growing in the Expo Site. Behaviors such as climbing or destroying structures and exhibits are not permitted.

    Orderly Travel by Limiting the Number.

    For the safety of visitors, sometimes staff members may limit the number of tourists into some gardens and buildings in the event of overcrowding Thank you for your understanding.

    Enjoying Service and Having Fun.

    Tourist service centers in the Expo Site provide services including information inquiry (查询) storage of personal belongings, wheelchair and stroller renting, lost found service, and search for missing persons. We hope you have a good time at the Expo.

    You can call the service hotline at 86-10-86484017 for inquiry, suggestion or complaint. Thanks for your attention.