At times my mom has been uncomfortable seeing these qualities in me. For example, when I was 12, I went to Puerto Rico all by myself to stay with my grandmother for the summer. My mom was extremely nervous about it. She kept telling me how things were different in Puerto Rico, to always put on sunscreen, not to wander away from my grandmother, and other warnings. She helped me pack and did not leave the airport until she saw my plane take off.

    But despite her worries, she let me go on my own. As I moved into my teens, she continued to give me space to grow and learn even when it might have been difficult for her. When I reached my senior year, I decided to move away for college. Once again I found that I differed from my peers: while many of them wanted to stay close to home, I couldn't wait to be out in the world on my own. While my mom may not have been happy at the thought of me going away, she was supportive and excited for me.

    One big thing I realized during my senior year, as my mom granted me more freedom, was that she actually believes in me and trusts me. That means a lot. Most of my life, and especially when I was little, the main person I tried to impress in my schoolwork or other things was my mother. I knew she expected nothing but the best from me. Sometimes it was hard to live up to her standards; getting a single B on my report card would make me feel bad because I knew she wanted me to have all A's.

    I know that her high standards have helped me stay focused on what's important, like education, and made me who I am. I am thankful for her support and involvement in my life. Most of all I respect her. She is the strongest woman I know and that's why I have turned out so strong and independent.

    Many people don't realize the importance of music education in the schools today. A new study showed, however, music education is extremely important.

    In college, music education is one of the largest programs. Teachers have to learn general education materials and techniques. They must learn to play every instrument; they must learn music history and music theory; they must learn instrument repair and teaching methods; they must learn conducting and so much more. At the same time, much of our culture and tradition is absorbed in music.

    Music plays a very important role in our education.

    Music helps with math and science. Students learn to count, and how to multiply and divide. Students also use science to help them discover what sounds good together and what doesn't. Students also need science to understand something called the “overtone series", which is about how music is produced by vibration（颤动）and why.

    Students learn a lot about languages through music．Many songs are written in other languages, including ancient ones. Students must learn to translate these works to understand what they are singing about. A song is likely to be a famous short work set to music; so students are exposed to that very often while singing.

    Students learn a huge amount of cooperation （协作）of body parts through music, so parts of the body can work better together. Students must use motor（肌肉运动的）skills in order to play an instrument. Singers and wind（管乐器）players must learn breath control and be in good shape to play.

    Students learn about art. Some famous pieces were written about important pieces of art, and students learn about the artists and styles as they're playing the music.

    Music education also brings higher thinking to our children. It allows them to think about complex patterns. Students have to be aware of what every other musician does at every time. In that way, it develops cooperation, as well. They tend to develop more ability for learning.

    As one can see, music is very important to education.

    Ibuprofen

    Ibuprofen is used to reduce fever and treat pain in adults and children who are at least 6 months old.

    Important information

    Ibuprofen can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it in the long term or take high doses(剂量), or if you have heart disease. Do not use this medicine just before or after heart surgery. Ibuprofen may also cause stomach bleeding, which can give birth to death. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using it, especially in older adults.

    Do not take more than your recommended dose. An ibuprofen overdose can damage your stomach. Use only the smallest amount medication needed to get relief from your pain or fever.

    A child's dose of ibuprofen is based on the age and weight of the child. Carefully follow the dosing instructions. Ask a doctor if you have questions.

    Take ibuprofen with food or milk to reduce the likelihood of a stomach upset.

    Shake the liquid before you measure a dose.

    Measure liquid medicine with a special medicine cup.

    Store at room temperature away from heat. Do not allow the liquid medicine to freeze.

    Kerala, India, has placed a tax on hamburgers, pizza and other fast food. The 14.5 percent tax will be added to foods at restaurants such as McDonald's, Pizza Hut and Burger King.

    The tax is being called a "fat tax" because it adds cost to foods considered high in fat and calories. It is the first fast food tax enacted in India, where obesity levels are rising in the growing middle class.

    Kerala's Finance Minister Thomas Isaac suggested the tax after learning of similar measures in other countries. He hopes it will get people to choose to eat healthy food, which he said is "going out of fashion."

    Dr. Anoop Misra at New Delhi's Fortis Hospital strongly supports the" fat tax" as a way to reduce the number of diabetes cases in young people.

    A government finance official in central Gujarat says that the state is considering a similar 14.5 percent tax." This idea can also be adopted in the state, as we also have high consumption of junk and unhealthy food," the official said.

    Critics of the tax say it probably will not stop people from buying fast food. IT engineer Gaurav Singh wants the government to focus on education and awareness instead of taxing fast food.

    "The one food that is eaten widely in Kerala is the 'paratha', which is basically high in fat, high in refined(精制的)flour, and it is cheap. It can't be taxed because it is highly unorganized."

    Some doctors and health experts say the tax should also include other snack foods and sugary drinks sold across the country.

    One fast food customer In New Dehli, Vijay Deoli believes the government should deal with more important issues. "First you have to clear up the air, the water, etc. This is a small thing."

    Others say the government should do more to bring attention to fast food and obesity rather than changing people's choices.

    Many health experts agree that bringing attention to the issue is important. But Dr. Misra thinks education alone does not work.

    He compared the tax to a law passed several years ago that got people to wear seat belts to avoid paying a fine. "Laws can change people's habits."

    Skiing has always been a big part of Kamikaze shiffrin's life. Her dad ski raced all through college and her mom raced and coached skiing. The Siffrins taught Mikaela and her brother, Taylor. To ski at a very young age. At two and a half years old, Mikaela made her first ski run down her driveway on plastic skis.

    Mikaela loved skiing. From ages 8 to11, she did hundreds of training runs on small hills to learn the skills of slalom skiing (障碍滑雪). When Mikaela was 11, she began to learn at the Burke Mountain Academy, a Vermont boarding school for skiers. She took classes, studied, and practiced her skiing. According to Burke Mountain Academy headmaster Kirk Dwyer, "What separated Mikaela from others was the degree of her commitment (投入) to be the best. Mikacla practiced more than anyone and believed in herself then and now." At age 14, Mikaela began her international career when she raced in the world championship for13 and 14 -year-olds. And she won!

    By the time she was17, she had already won her first World Cup race. "Living away from home four and five months at a time can be difficult" Mikaela says. "But it can also be exciting. I'm getting to see the world." When Mikaela began ski racing in Europe, her mother, Eileen, stayed with her. She worked as her high school teacher while they were on the road. "She has always been a super-hard worker," says Eileen.

    For Mikaela, working hard is a full-time job. Even her off-season is work time. "If you want something, just try your best," she says. At the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, 18-year-old Mikaela Siffrin became the youngest slalom skier ever to win an Olympic gold medal.

The last few days before Christmas passed quickly and it was soon Christmas Eve. That night when everyone went to bed, Bunny couldn't sleep. He still couldn't think of what he wanted his Christmas gift to be. He wondered how Father Christmas would know what to bring him if he didn't know himself.

As he was sitting up in bed, Bunny heard a big noise on the roof (屋顶) and a sound downstairs. It was Father Christmas, he realized. Bunny jumped out of bed and raced down the hall to the stairs hoping to have a look at the old man with his own eyes.

By the time Bunny reached the bottom of the stairs, though, everything was again silent. Beautiful gifts were piled (堆积) under the Christmas tree, but Father Christmas was gone. He looked for him for a few minutes, but it was already too late. Bunny turned to climb back upstairs when he heard a cry.

"Hello," said Bunny. "Is anybody there? "

He was answered by another cry. Bunny looked around the big pile of gifts to see what was making the noise. Right under the tree was a funny looking brown animal with big feet and sad eyes. Bunny might have mistaken it for a dog, if it hadn't been for the antlers (鹿角) on its head.

"Are you a reindeer (驯鹿)?" asked Bunny.

"Yes," replied the animal. "My name is Ralph."

"And you were pulling Father Christmas's sled (雪橇)?"

"I was until I got airsick (晕机), " replied Ralph. "I'm afraid I wasn't cut out for the job. Now I'm stuck here and I don't know how to get back to the North Pole."

"Well, if you like, yon can stay with us as a friend," said Bunny. As he made the offer, Bunny suddenly realized the gift he wanted from Father Christmas was a new friend!