Hilversum is a medium-sized city between the major cities of Amsterdam and Utrecht in the Gooi area of North Holland, the Netherlands. Unlike most of the Netherlands, Hilversum is actually in a hilly area with the soil mostly consisting of sand. Once called the Garden of Amsterdam, it still attracts travelers to come over to cycle and walk through the surrounding forests. They visit it for a relaxing day off from the urban madness. For Dutch people, Hilversum is all about textile (纺织) and media industries, and modern architecture.

    In history, Hilversum was largely an agricultural area. Daily life was marked by farming, sheep raising and wool production. A railway link to Amsterdam in 1874 attracted rich traders from Amsterdam to Hilversum. They build themselves large villas (别墅) in the wooded surroundings of the town. One of the families moving in was the Brenninkmeijers, currently the wealthiest family of the Netherlands. They moved in after big success in the textile industry and aided a substantial textile industry in Hilversum. But the textile boom lasted only several decades. The last factory closed in the 1960s.

    The change to a media economy started in 1920, when the Nederlandse Seintoestedllen Fabriek (NSF) established a radio factory in Hiversum. Most radio stations called in the large villas in the leafy areas of the town. Television gave another push to the local economy. Hilversum became the media capital of the Netherlands, and Dutch televison stars moved into the leafy neighborhoods surrounding the town.

    In the early 1900s, modern architcts W.M. Dudok and J. Duiker placed hundreds of remarkable buildings in Hilversum. These modern architectural masterpieces (杰作) are so many that Hilversum almost feels like an open air museum. Dudok alone shaped most 20th century Hilversum and approximately 75 buildings in 1928-1931. It has wide international fame and is included in many architecture textbooks. The building has a remarkable shape and looks like a combination of “blocks”. Actually, one may start his journey of modern architecture by walking or biking the W.M. Dudok Architectural Route in Hilversum.

    King's College Summer School is an annual (年度的) training program for high school students at all levels who want to improve their English. Courses are given by the teachers of King's College and other colleges in New York. Trips to museums and culture centers are also organized. This year's summer school will be from July 25 to August 15. More information is as follows：

    "Mom, what is that?" asked my son. "The Bride of Chucky?"

    The old doll I was holding was pretty scary. Her glass eyes were especially horrible, closing when she stood upright and flying open when she lay flat. Once she had been loved, but she had been stored in an attic (阁楼) for decades, where the extremes of heat and cold can be hard on a girl's looks. Throw her in the waste bin? Maybe. But first, let's check eBay.

    I clicked, supplied the required information about condition, including defects (i.e., "Only a miracle could save this doll"), and uploaded its photos. I sold it for $5.

    The buyer was happy: "As described!" he wrote on my feedback page. "Super seller!" The doll found a home and, I hope, a new life. Maybe she was used to repair other dolls. Perhaps those strange eyes got fixed and once again can inspire a child's love. It's a win-win, if you ask me.

    I also sold lots of other stuff. None of them brought in a lot of money, though I have been surprised at the occasional bidding war, like, for example, the one over an old swimsuit that would have made Brigitte Bardot look bad. And some customers, let's face it, are strange. Recently I had a hard time convincing an Australian would-be buyer of an Irish souvenir bell that I don't shop internationally; it's just too much trouble. He could have flown to Ireland and bought his own bell for the price he was willing to pay. Another time, a buyer complained that the electric wire on an old radio was dirty. Really? Dirty? The wire was black. But I aim to please, so I offered a refund.

    So why bother with the dealing and small profits? Because I don't like abandoning the past. All these treasures once had stories. They meant something. But the people who gave them that meaning are gone, and I simply cannot rescue everything. I can't even sew. So I find it satisfying that a new owner, discovered via eBay, will continue the story in his or her own way.

    Theme parks are magical places where adults can act like children and kids have the time of their lives. Here are the top four theme parks across the world.

    Ferrari World－Yas Island. Abu Dhabi

    Abu Dhabi in the Middle East is home to the world's largest indoor theme park. The main attraction is the Ferrari Rossa-officially the fastest roller coaster in the world. The ride goes from 0 to 240 kilometres per hour in less than five seconds. The force is so strong that those daring enough to go on it have to wear safety glasses.

    Tickets:￡ 40 per adult and half price for children under 1.2 metres tall.

    Alton Towers-Staffordshire, England

    Alton Towers is the most visited theme park in the UK. The park offers thrilling rides such as the popular 800-metre long horror roller coaster. Or if you're interested in experiencing the sense of flying, head for the famous Airflying, where you'll need to avoid objects and trees as you fly. The park also has many other attractions, including live shows.

    Tickets:￡ 43 per adult and ￡21 per child. Children under the age of 3 get in for free.

    Disneyland Paris－Paris, France

    Disneyland Paris' two theme parks create a fantasy world that both children and adults can enjoy. Disneyland Park gives girls the chance to meet their favourite Disney Princesses and to explore Sleeping Beauty's castle. Exciting roller coasters will keep the whole family entertained for hours on end.

    Tickets: ￡34 per adult and ￡27 per child. Children under the age of 3 get in for free.

    Oakwood Theme Park－Pembrokeshire, Wales

    For those who are eager to experience speedy(高速的)turns and drops, this is the park for you. Be daring and go on the Megaphobia roller coaster, a wooden coaster making you scream.

    Tickets:￡ 38 for adults, ￡ 20 per child. Children under 3 years get in for free.

"I'm going to play basketball, Daddy." Lauren flew into my arms when I came in from work. "That's 1 , honey," I replied naturally. I thought she meant outside the house—on the driveway. Into the kitchen, my wife Helen's silence indicated I had 2 something. After a while, she spoke slowly, "Lauren is joining the girls' high-school basketball team."

I 3 my girl's sportsmanlike courage, but 4 was still in my stomach. Lauren was only just 1.55m tall. 5 legs and a heavy body were surely a(n) 6 for her in playing basketball.

Finally, the game day arrived. Lauren and her teammates moved out. Their game faces seemed 7 to win. At first, though not playing, Lauren followed the movement on the court and 8 every play. I could even 9 her shout "No way!" when a referee made an unfair call against a teammate. Sitting on the sidelines, Lauren still enjoyed the game very much.

Suddenly, the announcer's voice boomed, "Number thirty-three, Lauren Wray, in." My heart 10 wildly. What if she got injured or other girls on the team made fun of her? But what I saw was that Lauren made every effort to keep pace with the others. Just before the end of the game, they 11 the ball to Lauren. She caught it. She shot. 12 she scored!

The audience began clapping and 13 . Lauren's brown eyes shone as she wiped her sweaty forehead. Lauren's uplifting spirits and impressive performance, wrapped in a small 14 , struck everyone greatly. I felt enormously 15 to have Lauren as my daughter.

The summer after my freshman year college, I had to get my first job. This was probably one of the1 tasks I have ever had to do. I had never held a job when I was in high school because my parents wanted me to put all my 2 into my studies. 

At first, it was very hard. I filled out dozens of 3 but got no calls back in the first two weeks. It made sense because I had 4 no job experience. All I could 5 was that being a high school graduate and a year of college. 

However, halfway through the third week, I finally got a call back from one of the places I 6 . We had set up a meeting time, and after my 7 , I was more than ready to start working the following Monday. I was 8 at the chance of working for my wages. 

When I started, it was very clear that I was not 9 . I made mistakes with orders and often 10 sales promotions（推销）. My parents made a bet I would not 11 the first two weeks, and I would be back looking for more 12 . However, I stuck with it. 

After working a while, I got better at orders, and always 13 the cheaper options for customers. A couple of weeks later, I had been told by the manager that I had 14 the award of the best employee of the month. It taught me a lot about responsibility and gave me the 15 of working.