Andy doesn't like cleaning his room. This morning, when Andy is lying in bed, Mum walks into his room. She finds there are many clothes on the floor. Mum gets angry and says, "Look at your room, Andy! I don't want to come into your room at all. Today your brother Ryan wants to go to the zoo. Get up and put your clothes on quickly if you would like to go with us. "

Andy gets out of his bed and finds his coat, jeans and scarf on the floor, but he only finds one of his shoes. "Can you help me find the other one, Mum? "Andy asks. His mum says, "No, Andy. I don't know where it is. It's your fault(错误)to put your things everywhere. Now,  ▲  . l will check it after we come back. And you can't ask your grandpa for help. "

Then Mum leaves for the zoo with Dad and Ryan. Andy has to clean his room at home and it takes him a morning to do the cleaning. Finally, he finds his shoe on the bed! When Mum comes back, she sees Andy's room is very tidy. She says, "Good job, Andy! Here is some ice cream for you. "

As many as 110 middle and high school students from more than 90 countries and regions(地区) took part in the 16th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for ForeignSecondary School Students. The competition ran from Oct 16th to Oct 30th in Beijing and Yunnan last year. In it, they took cultural trips and answered questions about Chinese characters(汉字) and Chinese culture.

Attracted by Chinese dramas

Folke Borgstorm is an 18-year-old from Sweden. When he visited Beijing for the competition, he bought a jade necklace(玉石项链). Borgstorm said he knew about jade from a Chinese TV show. "A main character in the TV show wears jade and it makes him look cool. Jade can have many colors like green, red and white," said Borgstrom. He became interested in it and started to learn more about it.

Botgstorm also enjoyed watching popular short dramas. "Most Sweden TV shows tell of boring everyday life," he said. "But Chinese shows have interesting stories."

Amazed by a Chinese host

Many of the students hoped to learn more about Chinese culture on the trip, but Ai Akasaki, from Japan, wanted to meet her idol, Sa Beining. Sa is a well-known host in China. The 16-year-old girl watches the Spring Festival Gala(春晚) every year and likes the funny Sa. "I also watched other shows Sa hosts, like Everlasting Classics(《经典咏流传》). In those beautiful songs, I found Chinese poetry is as beautiful as Japanese haiku(俳句)," said Ai.

Unluckily, she didn't meet Sa this time. But she wants to be a journalist(记者) in China and work with Sa one day.

Life Is Not Always Fair

My father was short and disabled(残疾的). When we walked together, he would hold my arm for balance(平衡). People would stare. 

He liked his work and almost never missed a day, even if he was sick or the weather was bad. When there was snow or ice on the ground, it was impossible for him to walk, even with help. My sister or I would then pull him through the streets on a sleigh to the subway. 

He was a baseball fan and often cheered for our local team. He liked to go to dances and parties, where he could have a good time just sitting and watching. 

Although(虽然) he couldn't do many things that others could do, he never pitied himself. He has been dead for many years, but I think of him often when I envy(嫉妒) others, or when I complain(抱怨) about something that is unfair. 

A few good friends are talking about their last vacations.