I got laid off at 53 from a senior management position in a restaurant. And I knew it was going to be hard to find another job in the {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (competition) working market. My age put me at {#blank#}2{#/blank#} disadvantage. But I also knew it was time for me{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(realize) my lifelong dream of owning a restaurant.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} was most difficult was that in order to make this happen, I needed to find an{#blank#}5{#/blank#} (exist) café that wasn't doing well. It couldn't be better if its owner was ready to quit his business. With great{#blank#}6{#/blank#} (lucky) I found just what I wanted eight blocks from home. Since I had never financially planned for this day, I had to borrow money from friends as well as {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (relative). I, together with my wife,{#blank#}8{#/blank#} (be) ready to start off. We changed the name to Black Dog Coffee, the menu, the recipes and the look of the cafe, and my wife did great job of designing. Eighteen years later, we're still here and doing{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (well) than ever. I'm grateful{#blank#}10{#/blank#}the layoff and the opportunity to pursue my dream.

    In many countries, {#blank#}1{#/blank#} is not unusual for families of different backgrounds to live together in the shared space. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}, in the United States, this idea may still be considered strange.

    But this type of housing, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (call) co-housing, is getting its {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (popular) in the United States, too. Co-housing complexes (综合设施) appear across the country. For many people, this way of life is a good {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (choose) in the busy modern society. A co-housing community has {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (private) owned houses and shared land. There is often a “common house" with a kitchen and dining room, meeting room, and maybe a workshop of library or music room. About 25 co-housing communities {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (build) in recent years, and 150 more are planned.

    A co-housing complex is a place {#blank#}8{#/blank#} citizens shop, cook, and eat together. Citizens of a co-housing complex like its sense of shared community. Children have other kids to play {#blank#}9{#/blank#}, which many families like. Other citizens like the feeling of living in a “village”. Citizens also say that they can live in co-housing for {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (little) money than they would pay for nearby apartments.

    Our trip was fantastic. Every driver and every tour guide{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(be) knowledgeable, and tried to meet our interests and wishes. As Erich practiced his Chinese with them, they responded in English. The locations{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(select) by us were most interesting. Although I am not used{#blank#}3{#/blank#}sub-zero weather,{#blank#}4{#/blank#}was Harbin that I would recommend to any travel lover because it was so unique. All of the sights were unique with so much to offer. If we hadn't gone on the trip to Harbin, we would {#blank#}5{#/blank#}  (have) no chance to enjoy all the sights there then.

    The hotel accommodation was comfortable. We had one experience when the power went off in a block that contained our hotel, but{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(fortunate), the power was restored within a few hours. The restaurants were as unique as the areas{#blank#}7{#/blank#}we went and a Chinese cuisine was enjoyed by all four. Our guides made certain that our meal was ready and to our{#blank#}8{#/blank#} (tasty).

    If our son and daughter-in-law stay another year, we will discuss a repeat visit next year around the same time. As Erich and Caitlin are students at an in ternational university in Tianjin, the trip revolves around their academic schedules. We are quite pleased with the nice{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (serve) provided by the relevant people {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(show) our friends and family we have taken lots of photos and videos.

    NASA has a new job listing, and it's no joke. The US space agency is looking for a "joker" to join their {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (plan) mission to Mars.

A mission to Mars is no laughing matter. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} is known that Mars is 225 million kilometers away from Earth. A trip there would take around eight months in a small spacecraft. "When you're living with others in a confined (封闭的) space for a long period of time, such as on a mission to Mars, problems are likely {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (happen)" Jeffrey Johnson, a scientist at the University of Florida, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (say) to the Guardian. This is probably {#blank#}5{#/blank#} NASA wants an astronaut with a sense of humor. "These are people that have the {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (able) to pull everyone together." Johnson said.

    In {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (stress) situations, perhaps humor is a way to know we aren't alone. We can share our stress by {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (laugh) together. Then we can focus on our jobs instead of just worrying.

But if you're hoping that your favorite TV comedian will fly to Mars, that {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (possible) won't happen. "Being funny won't be enough to land somebody the job," Johnson said, "They also need to be an excellent scientist and engineer." Besides, it's required that they {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (be) in top physical condition.