【推荐3】A new documentary, Pot of Fire, went online on Tencent Video on Feb 14, allowing netizens to “enjoy” hotpot together on the Internet. No food other than hotpot is so welcomed by Chinese people.    1     .

As one of the famous meals in China, hotpot has been popular for ages, for it’s “free-for-all and healthy way”, according to National Public Radio. From vegetables to meat, from noodles to seafood, diners can add different ingredients to the soup to cook. Unlike frying or other cooking methods, boiling food only releases their nutrients into the soup.    2     Besides , hotpot can bring warmth to our body and improve blood circulation in winter, and increase sweat to help cool the body in summer, according to China Highlights.

But eating hotpot is much more than an enjoyment for our taste buds and health.    3    For most Chinese people, eating hotpot is usually a social event. A survey by Chenzhi Catering Database showed that 40. 2 percent of Chinese usually eat hotpot with friends, while 17. 6 percent use the occasion for a family reunion. When a group of people sit around a table to eat, chat and drink, it’s a good time.“As the food continues to boil in the soup, we keep drinking and chatting with each other.    4     ” said Yu Jiaqing, a 28- year -old luxury brand marketing staffer from Beijing.

    5     Or, at least you can watch Pot of Fire. As a popular saying goes, “There’s nothing to worry about after having a hotpot. If you are still worried, then go for it twice.”

【推荐1】Social networking isn’t only for the under 40s. More than 25 percent of Americans 50 years and older stay connected using sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, according to new research.

“The latest data tells us that more and more social networking is becoming a part of everyday life for Americans 50 plus,” said Kevin Donnellan, the chief communications officer at AARP, which released the report.

Nearly a quarter of older Americans are on Facebook and 73 percent said they use it to stay in touch with relatives, but not just their children and grandchildren. “They are using the Internet to keep up with the world and the people who are important to them,” said Jean Koppen, the author of the report. She added that older adults are also on Facebook to stay connected, not only with their family, but with their friends and those in the same age group. Almost 50 percent of older adults were introduced to the social networking sites by a family member, mainly a child or grandchild. “Just under one-fifth of adults aged 50 and older say they do not use the Internet,” according to the report.

The findings are based on a telephone survey of 1,863 adults. In addition to keeping up on Facebook and Twitter older adults are aware of the latest technology. Eighty-three percent had heard about the Apple iPad and 11 percent intended to buy one.

Despite the popularity of the Internet among the over 50s, they still mostly go to print newspapers and magazines for news. Only one percent said they followed blogs.

【推荐2】Some events have been added to the 2024 Olympics, with surfing, break dancing and sport climbing among the recent additions. With them come a group of terms that are foreign to the French language. For some French-language purists, it’s too much to bear to rely on English to praise surfers on their “nose riding”—standing on the front of the board. They’ve decided they need a French solution.

The French government has created a team of language experts devoted to promoting the national language. They will meet periodically over the next couple of years to identify and define new sports terms. The French battle against the influence of other languages isn’t new. In 1994, the Toubon law was passed, forcing the use of French in all government publications, contracts and advertisements. Yet it contained several loopholes(漏洞), which allow brands and companies to extensively use English. As a result, anglicisms(从英语中借用的词) are becoming more obvious.

Julie Neveux, linguistics(语言学) professor at Sorbonne University in Paris, said anglicisms are “sometimes estimated at just under 5% of the present vocabulary, but they are disturbing because they show that we follow an economic and cultural model other than our own.” They are particularly present in sports competitions and events, during which athletes from around the world are used to communicating in English. “Sport was one of the first areas to be globalized,” said sports historian Michael Attali. “This phenomenon has strengthened English as the official language.”

Despite their best efforts, no committee has successfully prevented English from infiltrating(渗透) everyday language. By the time French officials agreed on a translation and its definition, the English version has already spread throughout the nation. “Similar committees have been put in place in the past, but nothing has changed so far,” said Attali.

“There are far fewer anglicisms in French than there are French words in English,” said Neveux, adding these exchanges should not be seen as a threat. “All living languages exist by borrowing from each other. Languages only exist thanks to their impurity.”

【推荐1】Sitting on the edge of the world, Sydney is considered as one of the world’s greatest cities for a reason. Want to relax yourself in Sydney? This shortlist of things to do and see in Sydney should point you in the right direction.

Everyone knows about Bondi Beach and its Icebergs pool, restaurants and the crashing waves are the postcard image of Sydney. Bondi is a great place to start. But after you’ve caught some sun or taken a surf lesson with Let’s Go Surfing, we’d suggest taking the Coogee Coastal Walk. Beginning at the Bondi Icebergs swim club, the 3.7-mile walk affords amazing cliffside views of rock pools and bays.

Sydney is full of events and performances every night of the week. The first place that jumps to mind is the iconic Sydney Opera House, designed by Jorn Utzon. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this incredible piece of architecture doesn’t just do opera. You’ll also find stand-up comedy. ballets, and more. But it’s not the only place in Sydney putting on a show. The 1920s State Theatre, in the central business district, is known to host international ballets, concerts and world-class orchestras.

Go to the zoo

From the skyline views to the charming grounds, there’s a reason why Sydney’s Taronga Zoo attracts more than I million visitors every year. The expansive space plays host to more than 4,000 animals, including tigers, giraffes, kangaroos, platypus, koalas, Komodo dragons, elephants, lions, chimps and more. Love it so much that you never want to leave? Stay the night in one of its luxury safari (狩猎) tents.

Nicknamed “the coat hanger”, the Sydney Harbour Bridge opened in 1932. Like the Sydney Opera Houses it was an engineering-masterpiece than was way ahead of its time. Sure, you can walk or cycle across the bridge, but the best way to appreciate the architectural wonder is up close and personal.

【推荐3】Not getting enough sleep is bad for health. Depending on the research from the scientists, people who don’t get enough sleep are less willing to socialize (社交) with others. They are simply too tired to go out.

The researchers did a small study. They tested 18 young people who had good sleep after a sleepless night. The participants watched videos of people with neutral (无倾向性的) expressions walking towards them. When the person or the video got too “close” to them, they pushed a button to stop the video.

The participants kept the person at a distance of 60% further if they hadn’t got enough sleep. They felt that their personal space was being invaded (侵占). But when the participants got a good night’s sleep, they allowed the person to get much closer to them.

The result shows that the less sleep you get, the less you want to socialize with others. In turn, other people may think you are strange and stay away from you. So if you want to be a more sociable (喜欢与人交往的) and popular person, sleeping well might help.