Millions of people along the US mid-Atlantic region should be preparing for severe snow, the National Weather Service has said. Forecasters say two feet of snow could fall over the weekend in some areas. A light dusting of snow on Wednesday night caused a traffic jam in Washington, but it is what lies ahead that is occupying the thoughts of millions of people living on the US east coast.

    Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser tweeted an apology to her constituents(选民), saying that the city government had “failed to use the necessary resources effectively in response to the snow-for that I am sorry.” Among those affected was President Barack Obama, whose motorcade spent an hour and 12 minutes trying to get him from an airport back to the White House-a trip that typically takes about a half hour.

    Routine commutes lasted up to three hours and some people abandoned their cars, after an inch fell-a small amount compared to what is expected on Friday and Saturday. Long queues have formed at supermarkets, as people expect shop closures over the weekend. “Heavy snow and blowing snow will cause dangerous conditions and will be threat to life and property,” the National Weather Service warned.

    Across the US east coast at a glance:

    Classes were cancelled at schools in Kentucky and Tennessee, the first states being affected by the storm.

    Washington has requested Humvees from the National Guard so that emergency responders can reach isolated(孤立的) people and places. Besides, its underground train system will close throughout the weekend.

    West Virginia Govemor Earl Ray Tomblin has activated the National Guard to assist.

    In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania officials are calling on people to keep large salt stockpiles and plough vehicles in good repair.

    When you see someone you know, the easiest way to recognize them is by their face—but not everyone can do this. Many people have prosopagnosia, or face blindness, which is a neurological（神经病学的）condition where the part of the brain that recognizes faces fails to develop. It can stop people recognizing partners, family members, friends or even their own reflection. It was once thought to be caused by brain injury (acquired prosopagnosia) but now a genetic link has been proved (development prosopagnosia).

    Acquired prosopagnosia is a very rare but as many as one in 50 people may have developmental prosopagnosia. There's no specific treatment, but training programmes are being developed to help improve facial recognition.

    For many, the situation can be dangerous. I've heard stories of people being robbed by strangers claiming to be family members, or of children wandering off strange men.

    It was only is this century that researchers began to realize exactly how many people in this world were quietly living with the condition.

    Like a blind person who can recognize family members by their footsteps, prosopagnosics are forced to develop unusual ways of discovering who it is they're meeting or talking to. From the obvious markers like hair and voice, to the way one sits, stands or walks, they rely on dozens of means to get through ordinary life.

    Faces are an important part of identity. Not to be recognized feels terrible—it's as if you've been overlooked, like someone's saying you don't matter. But it's nothing to the pain of knowing that you're hurting people's feelings constantly, and yet being completely unaware that you're doing it in the moment. To be alienated（隔离的）from the world of faces is a strange position to be in, but I'm comforted by the thought that articles like this will do a little to help people forgive me and others like me.

    One of India's top engineering schools has restricted Internet access in its boarding houses, saying addiction to surfing, gaming and blogging was affecting students' performance, making them lonely and even suicidal.

    Authorities at the best Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Mumbai said students had stopped socializing and many were late for morning classes or slept through them. "Now, a student doesn't even know who lives two doors away from him because he is so busy on the Internet," said Prakash Gopalan, dean of Student Affairs. "The old dormitory culture of companionship and socializing among students is gone. This is not healthy in our opinion."

    IIT-Mumbai, with about 5,000 students, is one of the seven IITs across India which are considered to be among the finest engineering schools in the world. They are also a talent pool for global technology giants. But their hard courses, tough competition and lonely campus lifestyle have taken an effect on students. Depressive and dysfunctional lifestyles are known to be common among IIT students, and at least nine have committed suicide in the past five years. Students have unlimited free Internet access in their boarding houses to help them in their studies, but many also use it to surf, chat, download movies and music, blog and for gaming.

    "Starting Monday, Internet access will be banned between 11 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. at IIT-Mumbai's 13 boarding buildings to encourage students to sleep early and to try and force them out of their shells." Gopalan said. But the move has not gone down well with students who say they hate their lives being regulated. "Now they will say we need to listen to a lullaby (摇篮曲) to go to sleep." said Rajiv, an electronics student.

    The New York Vegas Hotel has some of the most beautiful and luxurious (豪华的) rooms. Here are four kinds of them.

    Park Avenue

    This kind of room has about 350 square feet of space. It comes with either a king-size or queen-size bed. The room has the following: a 40-inch television and a good bathroom. The Park Avenue room costs about $65 to $85 per night during weekdays and has a weekend rate of $100 to $110 per night.

    Marquis

    This Marquis room is up-grade. It provides guests with 700 square feet of space. This up-grade room has a good bathroom, two separate dining areas, and Internet access. There is also a small refrigerator in the room. Guests can stay in this kind of room for about $125 per night.

    Players

    The Players room comes with two queen-size beds. This room is almost 800 square feet and has a sitting area. The Player room has the following: two 40-inch televisions, a good bathroom, dining and entertainment areas and Internet access. One can stay in the Players room for $155 per night.

    Penthouses

    This kind of room has about 1,100 square feet of space with a DVD and CD player, coffee pots, and a separate master bedroom. Penthouses rooms have more up-grade amenities (设施). Guests can stay in this room comfortably for $415 per night, and it has a different price in the busy season.

    Las Vegas travelers have their choice of one of these hotel rooms. It doesn't matter which room one chooses because all of them are wonderful!

    Amsterdam is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, famous for its beautiful canals, top art museum and cycling culture. It is the capital and most populous (人口稠密) city in the Netherlands and often referred to as the "Venice of the North" due to its convenient system of bridges and canals. Here are some of the key points to remember as you plan your trip to Amsterdam.

    Must-See Attractions

    Most visitors begin their Amsterdam adventure in the Old Centre, which is full of traditional architecture, shopping centers and coffee shops. Don't miss the Dam Square and the areas around Spui and Nieuwmarkt. You'll also want to check out Amsterdam's Museum Quarter in the South District, which is great for shopping at the Albert Cuyp Market and having a picnic in the Vondelpark.

    Transportation

    Travelers should be aware that Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the busiest airports in the world. You can catch a train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Central Station, which has many connecting routes. Cycling is very popular here, and it's easy to find cheap bike rentals around town.

    Recommended Restaurants

    Amsterdam is a top destination for foodies (美食家), so it is difficult to narrow down your dining choices. Here are a couple of our favorites.

Money Saving Tips

    • Unless you really want to see the tulips (郁金香) blooming, avoid booking between mid-March and mid-May. This is when hotel and flight prices rise sharply.

    • Look for accommodations in Amsterdam's South District, where rates are generally cheaper than in the city center.

    • Buy train tickets at the machine instead of the counter to save a bit of money.

    • Check out our homepage to view price comparisons for flights, hotels, and rental cars before you book.

 "Mommy!"I called over my shoulder. "Grace is here!" Our neighbor, Grace, stood on our front door holding a cardboard box. 

It took Mom a few minutes to get to the front door. At forty-two, her health wasn't good. She smiled at our next-door neighbor. "Come in and have a cup of coffee." "I can't stay, Nancy," Grace answered. "I just thought you all might be able to use some of this food. We get more at those giveaways than we can use." I felt relieved that Grace couldn't stay. She was friendly enough, but she and her husband drank a lot and they were given to loud arguments late at night. Sometimes, the police had to come and break up the fights. I was a little frightened of them. Grace placed the box on the kitchen table. Mom, who was not the sentimental type, got tears in her eyes."Grace! We can't take this."

Dad wandered in from the bedroom where he had been napping. He wasn't dealing very well with the unemployment at the processing plant. "We don't accept charity," he said. "Now, Jim," said Grace, "this is no time for your pride. You have two little girls and a sick wife to think of. This isn't charity. It's one neighbor helping another." I stood a little distance from the grownups, looking into each of their faces, wondering what was going to happen next. "I thank you kindly," Dad said at last.

When she was gone, we examined the contents of the box. It wasn't what we were used to. Mom smiled and said, "This will get us through for a couple of weeks." The gesture from Grace confused me because she wasn't family, or close friends with us. Even though I didn't like most of the food in that box, I knew there was something significant about this woman's generosity. She didn't have much to give, but she gave what she had at a time when our family needed help.