Americans like to travel on their yearly holiday. Today, more and more travelers in the United States are spending nights at small houses or inns(客栈) instead of hotels. They get a room with breakfast the next morning.

    Rooms for the night in private(私人的) homes with breakfast have been popular with travelers in Europe for many years. In the past five or ten years, these bed and breakfast places have become popular in the United States. Many of these American's bed-and-breakfast inns are old historic buildings. Some bed-and-breakfast inns have only a few rooms, while others are much larger. Some inns do not provide telephones or televisions in the rooms, but others do.

    Staying at a bed-and-breakfast inn is much different from staying at a hotel. Usually the cost is much less. Staying at an inn is almost like visiting someone's home. The owners are glad to tell about the areas and the interesting places to visit. Many vacationers say that they enjoy the chance to meet local families.

    People say that one man can't make a difference, but Abdul Samad Sheikh, a 60-year-old rickshaw(人力车)driver from Bangladesh, has proved that doing a small thing over a long period of time can mean very much. He has planted at least one tree every day since he was 12 years old, which means that he has so far planted a small forest of over 17,500 trees. Imagine if everyone followed his example.

    Abdul has worked as a rickshaw driver for most of his life. He makes a little money from his job, which is only enough to put food on the table for his family, but he somehow tries to also buy at least one tree everyday. He considers it his duty to the world. Mostly he plants them on government land so nobody can cut them down later. He also them, and if he sees anyone cutting a tree, he blames them.

    Abdul, this wife Jorna, and four of their children live in two old houses, on a piece of land that is owned by the Faridpur deputy commissioner's office. They have no land of their own.

    Sometimes, she commands him not to plant trees but he doesn't listen. Abdul's 30-year-old son, Kutub Uddin, has never told his father not to plant trees, because he thinks his father does a good thing for society.

     Abdul's neighbors all know about his daily habit, and praise his work. Whoever can ask of him anything, he will do his best to help. Therefore, Abdul is loved by neighbors.

    For his efforts, Abdul Samad Sheikh was recently honored by The Daily Star, and given $1, 253 to help him build a better home for his family. The Daily Star hoped everyone to follow his example, and protect the environment.

“I can't do it alone. I need the help of you all,” Abdul said in his speech.

    Years ago, students applying to colleges and universities had to have their applications and personal essays printed out and then “snail-mailed”. Flash forward to today's world of Facebook, Instagram and WeChat, where photos, videos and mobile phones rule. Fortunately, several new tools are making it easier for college applicants to use technology to show off their personalities, skills and creativity.

    ZEEMEE

    One of the more popular innovations in college applications is ZeeMee, a free mobile app that allows students to upload personal profiles and videos to create visual resumes. More than 220 colleges and universities offer a ZeeMee option as part of the application process. The video can show the unique creative aspects of the applicants.

THE COALITION LOCKER

    Another relatively new tool comes from the Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success, now used by more than 110 member colleges and universities. Among the group's stated goals are getting students engaged in college prep early and using technology to create a supportive application process that encourages reflection and self-discovery.

    Students who sign up for the free platform get access to a digital “locker”, which they can use all through high school to save class papers, artwork, newspaper stories, videos and photos to share with colleges when they eventually apply.

    VIDEO — CHAT INTERVIEWS

    At some schools, an interview with an admission officer is an important part of the application process. To make it easier, several virtual interviewing tools have popped up, such as a video-based platform from Kira. More than 140 universities worldwide use Kira's video assessment tool to conduct real-time interviews with prospective students. During the interview, candidates are shown the questions prerecorded by the particular school and must respond in real time by talking into the camera on their laptop or phone. In addition to showing their ability, to speak fluently in English and think on their feet, it helps admission officers determine the “motivation, commitment and drive” of applicants.

    UNIQUE SCHOOL TOOLS

    Some universities have come up with their own ways to allow students to show their skills and personalities. For example, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, encourages applicants to display their technical abilities and creativity by submitting a “Maker Portfolio” —a written or videotaped description of a project that shows creative and problem-solving skills. While a new app would fit the bill, the project could be anything from an origami design to a potato cannon.

    DESIGN-A-LOGO CONTEST

    We need a logo that will be the perfect sign of our great new Wellsville Skate Park. We would like those of you who are counting the days until the grand opening to design a perfect logo that can be used on stationery, business cards, fliers, brochures, posters and T-shirts. A well-designed logo will provide an opportunity for young artists to receive recognition as well as great prizes. If you are interested, here are the things you need to know:

    Logo Requirements

    Your design mustn't have copied anyone else's.

    Your design must include no more than two colors.

    The words “Wellsville Skate Park” must appear in the logo.

    The logo should be presented on 8×11 paper in every shape.

    Submission(提交) Details

    Your name and address must appear on the back of the logo design.

    You need to include a one-page written explanation of the design.

    Deadline

    Mails will be accepted between July 10 and August 15.

    Winning designs will be posted on our website at www. wellsville. skatepark. com on August 20.

    Prizes

    First Prize: a digital camera

    Second Prize: a one-year pass to Wellsville Skate Park

    Honorable Mention: a T-shirt with the prize-winning logo

    MAIL DESIGNS TO:

    Wellsville Skate Park Logo Contest

    Riverside Recreation Center

    1295 New Rockford Hwy, Riverside, VA 23226

    Believe it or not, we all have an inner-child living inside of us. One of the greatest problems is people's desire to silence the inner-child. Instead, welcoming this voice to the conversation can be very beneficial and help you in many areas of your life.

    Why is it so important to listen to your inner child?

    Do you remember you wanted to be an adult more than anything else when you were young? But now you're an adult, and do you ever find yourself thinking, "I wish I were a kid again?" That's where your inner-child comes in. That's the voice inside of you telling you to have fun, be silly and let loose. Adult life is full of important responsibilities, but once in a while you just have to let go and have fun like a child. It's healthy and good for the soul to not take things so seriously all the time.

    We can tell bad choices and mistakes of the past, but unless you help your inner-child heal and recover, planning for the future will always be difficult. The inner-child will relive these painful experiences until you learn to accept them, forgive and let go. We must show love and acceptance to our inner-child, as this is the only way to heal, move on and not continue to suffer from the pain of these unpleasant times. This is the opportunity to go back in time and let you know just how wonderful, beautiful and special you truly are.

    One of the most common times your inner-child is likely to appear is when you're facing a decision you are unsure about. Naturally, when we were children, doubt and uncertainty scared many of us. So, it's no surprise that when faced with these moments as adults, the inner-child decides to show up. Don't let this scare you; instead, listen to that voice as it is trying to guide you in the decision-making process. Ask it questions, speak with it.

    When you can start to see your inner-child as your partner who helps guide you through this crazy life, it's amazing what can happen. Don't fight it. Go with it and see how it changes your life for the better.

    It's school time again! You're probably feeling excited and maybe a little sad for the vacation is over. Some kids feel nervous on the first day of school because of all the new things: new teachers, new friends, and maybe even a new school. Luckily, these "new" worries only stick around for a little while. Let's find out more about going back to school.

    Most teachers kick off the school year by introducing themselves and talking about what you'll be doing that year. Some teachers give students a chance to tell something about themselves to the rest of the class.

    When teachers do the talking on the first day, they often go over classroom rules so you'll know what's allowed and what's not. Pay close attention so you'll know if you need to raise your hand to ask a question and what the rules are about visiting the restroom.

    You might already know a lot of people in your class on the first day. But it's a great day to make new friends, so try to say "hello" to the kids you know and new ones that you don't. Make the first move and you'll be glad about what you did and so will your new friends!

    Most teachers let you pick your own seat on the first day, but by the second or third morning, they'll have mapped out a seating plan. It's a good idea to write down where your seat is in your notebook so you don't forget.

    Here are a few final tips for a fantastic(奇异的) first day: Get enough sleep. Have a healthy breakfast. Try your best. Develop good work habits, like writing down your assignments(作业) and handing in your homework on time. Take your time with schoolwork. If you don't understand something, ask the teacher.