Retirement (退休) should be time of joy and freedom. However, for some people retirement comes with feelings of depression (沮丧), which makes life difficult for them.

    Retirement is a major life change. Even good changes usually involve some kinds of loss. When you retire, you find yourself lacking whatever working used to provide. That could include, for example, 1. knowing you're working for society, 2. getting admiration from your skills, 3. having “aha” moments when you solve problems, 4. having people to socialize with, and 5. simply having a place to go and a reason to get out of bed every day. For most people, there's a financial loss, too. Also, retirement age is a time when a lot of people have to deal with losing their parents or having serious health problems of their own.

    Because of all these, retirees are more likely to get depressed.

    Depression is very harmful. First, depression can make physical health problems worse. Second, it takes a toll on relationships, because it can make people angry. Third, it's hard to get  much done when you're depressed.

    What can we do to overcome (克服) the feelings of depression? First, do all the things that help depression in general: drink enough water, exercise, talk to friends, have a hobby, laugh, and spend time in nature. If you feel depressed more often than not, it's probably time to talk to a doctor about your feelings. Second, it's important to keep busy and get out of the house when you can. Make specific plans with friends. Take a class Volunteer. Or just make sure you start each day with some kind of goal. Third, try to focus on what you've gained by retiring. Think about what you may have now that you wished you had before you were able to retire. For example, days that are less stressful, a chance to rest and take better care of your body, more time for your family and yourself. To write, to start a hobby and to learn something new are all new possibilities. Finally, tell your story. You've lived a long time and you become an oral historian each time you talk with someone about your experiences. You can also write in a journal or make a video recording of your memories. Telling your stories can help you look back on your life and career with a sense of wholeness and achievements.

    Long Beach, a 28-mile area of beach, lies in southwestern Washington, and is generally called Long Beach Peninsula. Communities there take you back to old days of a simple life. Here, visitors can relax and enjoy the good of a total rest.

    Bird watching

    There are different kinds of birds on Long Beach. It's best if you watch them from a distance and don't try to frighten them. The Southwest Loop Route Map can be got through the Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Office by calling 1-800-451-2542.

    Horses

    A popular activity on Long Beach is horseback riding. Two businesses in the city of Long Beach offer guided horseback tours along the beach: Black Country Wilderness Outfitters and Skipper's Equestrian Center. You may also bring your own horse. Among the adventures offered with horses is a wagon（四轮马车）ride along the beach, a carriage ride through Seaview or Long Beach, a back country pack trip, or a sunset ride by horseback on the beach.

    Camping

    RV（活动房屋式旅游车）and tent camping aren't allowed on the beach. Camp fires are allowed within 100 feet off the beach, but must be away from the dry grass.

    Swimming and other activities

    Swimming is allowed, but you must be careful. The waters are very cold and dangerous. Surfing（冲浪）is advised only for experienced surfers. Beach driving is allowed at certain areas on the beach. The speed limit is 25 mph. Building sand castles, digging sand to find something, riding bicycles and flying kites are also popular activities in the area.

    Enjoy your trip to Long Beach, Washington!

Teen Art Show

    Do you want to see your artwork displayed alongside other teens' artwork? Don't miss your opportunity! Showcase(在玻璃橱窗陈列) your paintings, sculptures, photographs and other artworks at the Environmental Educational Center. The show will provide an opportunity for artists to network, provide feedback and become a resource for others.

    Location: Environmental Educational Center

    Activity fee: $25

    Night Fishing

    Escape the night and join us as we fish at Desert Breeze Park. No experience needed. We will provide the fishing poles, transportation, the bait(鱼饵), to help you catch a fish and best of all, teens of 14 years and under do not require a license to fish.

    Location: Desert Breeze Park

    Activity fee: $ 22

    Overnight Snow Trip

    Join the City of Chandler in an exciting new trip! We will travel up to Camp Tontozona and enjoy great food and a campfire in the early evening. Snow play will be the highlight as we explore the snow-filled meadows(草地)of Woods Canyon Lake and sled down small hills in the area. You will be responsible for your own ski/ snowboard equipment.

    Location: Camp Tontozona

    Activity fee: $ 30

    Paintballing

    Come out and play paintball with all your friends! Join the City of Chandler as we go to Temp Indoor Paintball. This is a great way to join in the fun of paintballing for a low cost All equipment is included. Please wear old clothes because clothes can get dirty easily!

    Location: Tempe Paintball

    Activity fee: $ 28

It's almost camp season!

    Summer is wonderful. Summer at one of the following awesome camps? Even more wonderful.

Tahosa High Adventure Base

    Location: Ward, Colorado

    People puzzle: Tahosa's ropes courses are some of the nation's best. Use your hands, feet and brains to take up high-flying challenges and overcome your fears. Fly fishing at 9,000 feet? Yes. Fishing licenses or experience needed? No, sir!

    Choose your adventure: Go all-inclusive, where the staff prepares meals and runs the program, or take control and plan your perfect week. The choice is yours.

Camp Raymond

    Location: Parks, Arizona

    Don't look down: When looking up at the stars, light pollution is your enemy. But Camp Raymond's location and elevation (海拔) of 6,700 feet offer perfect conditions for seeing otherwise invisible stars.

    That's cool: Don't forget your camera and a jacket. During the day, you could spot bears and deer. At night, temperatures can fall sharply. Hot cocoa at summer camp? Cool.

Pamlico Sea Base

    Location: Blounts Creek, North Carolina.

    Go coastal: Explore the Carolina coast by boat. You choose the route, and Pamlico provides the equipment. Keep an eye out for wild horses, lighthouses and boatloads of fish.

    Set sail: Even if you don't know the difference between starboard and star-lord, Pamlico's sailing journey will make you a first-rate sailor in no time. You'll even practice finding your way using the stars.

Base Camp

    Location: St. Paul, Minnesota

    Big upgrade: What happens when you change a 1907 cavalry drill hall (骑兵训练场) into an adventure destination in the heart of the city? You get Base Camp for overnight lock-ins, weekend retreats (隐居处) and summer camp.

    Inside out: Most of Base Camp is indoors, meaning the activities like climbing walls can be undertaken on winter's coldest days.

    The European Parliament has approved a law banning a wide-range of single-use plastic items, such as straws and cotton buds by 2021. "Europe is setting new standards, paving the way(铺路) for the rest of the world," the European Commission's vice-president Frans Timmermans, who is responsible for sustainable development, said in a statement.

    The new plans come after the EC found that plastics make up more than 80% of marine litter, which has disastrous effects on wildlife and habitats. The EU parliament notes that because of its slow rate of breaking down, plastic residue(残余) has been found in marine species as well as fish and shellfish - and therefore also makes its way into the human food chain.

    Under the new European law, tobacco companies will be required to cover the costs for the collection of cigarette butts. Manufacturers of fishing tools will also have to pay for the retrieval(找回) of any plastic nets that have been left at sea. There's also a new focus on further raising public awareness, where producers of items such as tobacco filters(滤嘴), plastic cups, and wet wipes will be required to clearly explain to users how to appropriately dispose of them.

    The European Commission first suggested the ban in May, which was approved by member states in October. China last year banned the import of 24 varieties of solid waste, including types of plastic and unsorted paper, putting pressure on Europe to deal with its own waste.

    The World Economic Forum estimates that there are about 150 million tons of plastic in the world's seas. A study published in Science in 2015 suggested that between 5 and 13 million tons more are flowing into them every year. Research shows there will be more plastic than fish by weight in the world's oceans by 2050, which has encouraged policymakers, individuals and companies into action.

    Big Ben is not the name of a man. It is the name of a huge(庞大的)clock in London. London is the capital of England. This clock has four faces. So，no matter where you stand, you can read the time on the face of Big Ben. Each face is the size of a double decker(层)bus. The hands are about four metres long. It is about the size of two people standing on top of each other. If you go to London, you may want to visit the Houses of Parliament(国会大厦). There you will find Big Ben sits at the top of the clock tower(塔)in the Houses of Parliament. Maybe you will hear it as well as see it. The huge clock makes such a loud noise. "Ding dong, ding dong, "it goes every quarter of an hour.

    The clock was named after a big man. He was Sir Benjamin Hall. This man did much building work in London many years ago.