Some people remember the things by writing notes to themselves. Then they leave the notes in obvious(明显的) places, such as on the table or on the floor in the middle of the living room. I don't think I like to write notes to myself. Most of the time I lose them or forget to look at them until it's too late. I prefer to use an alarm clock to tell me what I should do. I have ten alarm clocks in my house. They could tell me about things. For example, if I have to make a telephone call at a certain time, I'll set an alarm clock to go off a few minutes early and put the clock by the telephone. Or if I want to watch a certain television program, I'll set an alarm clock at the right time and put the clock on top of the TV set. I can remember almost anything if I use my clocks. However, sometimes an alarm clock goes off and I don't know what it means. I always remember setting it, but I do not know why I set it. If the clock is by the telephone, I know I may have set it to tell me to call someone, but I can't be sure. I might have set it to tell myself that somebody was to call me at a certain time.

D

    Fifteen hours is a long time to be on a plane, but you know, Africa is a long way from America. Finally, we're in Namibia, a country in southwest Africa. Namibia is about one size of California. However, it is home to just over two million people. And the country's main airport is 45 kilometers east of its capital, Windhoek.

    Now we are in a wildlife park. We will spend five days finding ways to protect this area's wildlife. At the moment, my wife and our two kids are enjoying some local dishes. I'm talking with workers in this park. I'm so much looking forward to the following days!

—Thomas

    Yesterday morning, I had nothing to do. So I went to visit the Eiffel Tower, a symbol of Paris. It was my first time there, so I took a lot of photos.

    Finally, the big moment came! A lot of artists came to watch my show. It was a great success. After the show, I attended a big party. It was great, but I felt so sleepy after it.

    When I got back to my hotel, it was already1:15 am. I went to bed without washing. I just needed a good rest before my two—hour journey home by plane.

—Jessica

    One day, I walked into a stranger as he walked by me. "Oh, excuse me." I said. He replied with a smile and said, "Please excuse me, too. I wasn't watching out for you." We apologized(道歉) and went our own ways.

    Later that day, when I was cooking, my daughter was standing too close to me. When I turned to reach for some milk, I nearly knocked her over. "Move out of the way." I shouted. She walked away sadly. But I didn't feel like I had to apologize to her.

    While I was in bed that evening, my husband said to me, "Dealing with a stranger, you were polite, but with a daughter you love, you were unkind. Your daughter brought you some flowers that she picked herself this afternoon. You'll find them in the kitchen by the door. Have you seen the tears in her eyes?"

    I quietly went and knelt down by my daughter's bed. "Honey, I am so sorry." I said, "Are these the flowers you picked for me?" She said, "I found them by the tree. I picked them because they're pretty like you. I knew you'd like them especially the blue ones." I tearfully replied, "Sweetie, I'm really sorry for the way I acted today. I shouldn't have shouted at you." "It's okay. I love you anyway." she said as she kissed me on my cheek.

    If we can be polite to strangers, why can't we be kind to the ones we love?