If anyone had told me three years ago that I would be spending most of my weekends camping. I would have laughed heartily. Campers, in my eyes, were people who enjoyed insects bites, ill-cooked meals, and uncomfortable sleeping bags. They had nothing in common with me. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

The friends who introduced me to camping thought that it meant to be a pioneer. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} We sleep in a tent, cooked over an open fire, and walked a long distance to take the shower and use the bathroom. This brief visit with Mother Nature cost me two days off from work, recovering from a bad case of sunburn and the doctor's bill for my son's food poisoning.

    I was, nevertheless, talked into going on another fun-filled holiday in the wilderness.   {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Instead, we had a pop-up camper with comfortable beds and an air conditioner. My nature-loving friends had remembered to bring all the necessities of life.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} We have done a lot of it since. Recently, we bought a twenty-eight-foot travel trailer complete with a bathroom and a built-in TV set. There is a separate bedroom, a modern kitchen with a refrigerator. The trailer even has matching carpet and curtains.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} It must be true that sooner or later, everyone finds his or her way back to nature. I recommend that you find your way in style.

                                  5 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About High School

    As a teenager,you get a lot of things shouted at you from all different directions and it's often overwhelming.

⒈High school is never like it is in the movies.

    As a freshman,everything is so new and you're dealing with the constant feeling of apathy all while caring way too much.It's a delicate balance that I think only teenagers alone ever understand fully.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Expect change,but don't try so hard to fantasize it.

⒉Make friends with your teachers.

    Not all of the teachers will be fair,or even tolerable,and while that may inspire you to want to take your first dignified stand against today's education system,it won't prevent you from failing.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Pay attention in class because no,you're not "too cool for school."

⒊{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    You're going to meet people who are dealing with all kinds of problems.Maybe you'll be the one experiencing these things,and in that case,what would you want your friend to do for you?Sometimes you won't feel like being there,maybe you'll be too tired to listen,but it'll be worth it in the end if you really just make yourself reliable.

⒋Do not sink in self-pity

    Of course,feeling sorry for yourself is okay,it's even healthy!But when you're the person who's always complaining about yourself and your life and questioning all the bad things that happen to you,no one is going to want to talk to you.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

⒌You are beautiful,intelligent,and worth it.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}You're surrounded by hundreds of other people who are even better at the things you thought you were best at.Stop comparing yourself.You're not stupid because you failed a history test.You are yourself and that's all you ever will be.

A.Respect your teachers.

B.Lower your expectations.

C.Have a pity on your friends.

D.Nobody is going to feel sorry for you.

E.Most teenagers experience low self-esteem.

F.Many teens often show emotional moods.

G Be the kind of friend you would want.

    Make sure your estate(财产) plan keeps up with life changes

    Few things are as important as estate planning. If you don't handle your business while you're alive, the ramifications(影响) can run deep and wide long after you're gone.

    Estate planning may seem discouraging because it deals with issues of aging. Or maybe you think estate planning is only something folks like Bill Gates do. It's for everybody. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Here's how.

    What's an estate plan? Think of estate planning as a set of legal documents that spell out who gets your possession when you die, who you want to make medical decisions, who should make financial decisions on your behalf, and more. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    This is not a one-shot deal. It's great that you finally got your will done, have your medical directives in place, and gave someone power of attorney. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Life is changing. Your documents should keep pace with change.

    “Remember to update beneficiaries on life insurance policies after the first spouse(配偶) dies,” says Martin Levine, chief financial officer for 4Thought Financial Group in Syosset.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

Get help. This is one time when DIY probably isn't a good idea. Talk to a financial adviser, preferably one with expertise in estate planning.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Don't assume that establishing joint tenancy (sharing ownership in personal property, such as a home) or joint ownership over financial accounts is enough to protect your assets.

A. Make no assumptions.

B. But, you're hardly finished.

C. Decide to do it, and to avoid unexpected consequences.

D. It is difficult to choose a right heir before your death unless they are your closest ones.

E. Ideally, it will make things easier for your heirs(后继人) at a time when they most need it.

F. Finding a reliable agency to deal with your possessions is a wise choice when planning estate.

G. The birth of a child and divorce are other life events that will require updating estate planning documents.

    One of the biggest reasons people drop an exercise program is lack of interest. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} The good news is there are tons of different sports and activities to try to see which one inspires you.

    When picking the right type of exercise, it can help to consider your workout personality. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} If so, solo sports like running, biking, or snowboarding could be for you. Or do you like the shared motivation and companionship that comes from being part of a team? School sports, intramural leagues, club teams, and pick-up games are great ways to stay active with others.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} For example, whether your chosen activity is affordable and available to you (Activities like horseback riding may be harder for people who live in cities, for example.) You'll also want to think about how much time you can set aside for your sport.

    It's a good idea to talk to someone who understands the exercise, like a coach or fitness expert at a gym. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Doctors know that most people benefit from regular exercise, even those with disabilities. If you have a health problem or other concern (like being overweight or very out of shape), talk to your doctor before beginning an exercise plan.

    Considering the benefits to the heart, muscles, joints, and mind, it's easy to see why exercise is wise. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Even small things can count as exercise when you're starting out -like taking a short bike ride, walking the dog, or raking leaves.

A. Without fun, it is hard to keep it up.

B. You also need to plan around practical considerations.

C. You have to make a list of your favorite exercises, too.

D. He or she can get you started on a program that's right for you.

E. Different types of exercise can strengthen different muscle groups.

F. And the great thing about exercise is that it's never too late to start.

G. For example, you may like to work out alone and on your own schedule.

How to make Quick Decisions For Your Life

    We make decisions every day. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}When it comes to making decisions, choosing the right one can at times be stressful, especially if the decision must be made quickly. Indecision often weighs us down, but there are some useful tips for making quick decisions more easily.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Sometimes the key to making a quick decision comes down to planning ahead of time for just such an occasion. We all know we're going to come to an important decision-making point sooner or later, so having a plan already in hand can put our mind at ease when that time comes.

    Overcome fear. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}While it may seem difficult to overcome the fear of making the wrong choice, many experts agree that we shouldn't be afraid to make the wrong decision, even if it seems important. The vast majority of wrong decisions can be corrected, while delaying decisions can often lead to more problems.

    Write down all the advantages and disadvantages of your decision. Even if you don't have all the information, writing down all the pros and cons（优缺点） is a good starting point for figuring out what to do. In cases where there simply isn't enough time to write things down, make a mental list in your mind. Thinking of the pros and cons can help you organize your thoughts. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Determine criteria. Remember that every decision you make should come with a certain list of criteria. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}But once you know the requirements you're looking for, making a decision will become easier. Look for the choice that satisfies the list you've made, and once that choice is found, you should move ahead with it.

A. Have a plan.

B. The list may be short or quite long.

C. Communicate your decision with others.

D. And this can always lead to a clear answer.

E. So cut out any options that you know you will not choose.

F. Often, one thing that keeps us from making decisions is fear.

G. Some can be very important while others are not serious in the long run.

    There are always a lot of pressures in life: appointments you are late for, health and financial worries and so on. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Under such pressure, your child came in: He'd lost his sneakers, and suddenly remembered that he needed a new notebook for school, or he was teasing his little sister.

    In your peaceful moments, you could probably have handled any parenting challenge much better from a state of calm. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. How could this kid be so irresponsible, inconsiderate, ungrateful or even mean? So you scolded your child angrily. The whole process only took a few seconds.

    If your young child does not seem afraid of your anger, it shows that your child has seen too much of it and has developed defenses against it. The more often you get angry, the more prepared for it your child will be. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. In the end, your child is more likely to be open to the influences of his peer group. That means you have some repair work to do.

    Sometimes your child gets angry too, so it's a double gift for you to find constructive ways to deal with your anger: Not only do you not hurt your child, but you also offer your child a role model. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. So the best way is not to yell out. Stop and calm yourself down. Take a deep breath. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. If you really need to scream, go into your car with the windows rolled up and scream where no one can hear, but don't use words.

A. The list is endless

B. Anger is scary enough

C. That deep breath is your pause button

D. How you handle your anger teaches your child a lot

E. There are some parents who never get angry at their children

F. And the less likely your child will want to behave to please you

G. But in the storm of your anger  you might feel it was your right as parents to be angry