【推荐3】My grandma, Elena, pulled me on stage for our routine to entertain the crowd. At five years old, I needed no encouragement to perform. Like my grandma, formerly a professional dancer, I loved the spotlight, and soon became addicted to the applause (鼓掌).

I was Grandma’s willing partner, always ready to kick off a show with her on stage. Each week, Grandma came to my parents’ home so that we could practice our performances. “Choose whatever you like,” Grandma said. “You can wear whatever you want.”

Grandma didn’t mind at all if I chose to wear high-heeled shoes on stage. To her, I was a natural performer. Wearing them was simply considered as artistic expression. On my first night on stage, I dressed up as Madonna in a white skirt, singing a song of her and I won many praises.

One year, after being attracted by the movie 101 Dalmatians, I decided to act Cruella de Vil, a role in it. Performing on the stage with my black frock (连衣裙), a handbag and a cigarette holder, I enjoyed the audience’s laughter, and it was like music to my ears. “You’re a natural actor,” Grandma said after the show.

Today, I always perform at the hugely popular theatre. Going up on stage feels like being at home. That’s how I make a living and I find the place where I belong. In July this year, I headed to the Gold Coast, where Grandma lives. Now 95 and still my biggest fan, she saw me perform my new act for the first time and loved it.

She has been my lifelong inspiration and support, but I can never repay her. She always loved me for who I was and now, I’m finally the person who I was always meant to be.

【推荐1】While being in a foreign country may be fun, there is always danger abroad. All visitors from any country should learn what the dangers are in foreign countries and how to protect themselves no matter how sure they are that they are safe. There is always the possibility that something can go wrong, so, as they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry.     1    

Research the country you are going to before you go.     2     View travel advisories from reputable（声誉好的) sources such as the US and UK, and take note of any potential issues you may encounter. A streetwise traveler should also know emergency numbers, and at least a bit of the language(like the word for “help” ). Your government may have resources available to travelers that will outline what you need to be prepared for.

Make three copies of everything before you leave. Make copies of your passport, travel itinerary and tickets, credit cards, driver’s license, and any other important documents.     3     This can make it easier for you to recover if any of your documents are stolen, but keep the copies in separate locations, and keep them safe. You can also consider making scans of your documents and e-mailing them as attachments（附件) to yourself to be printed when and if needed. You may be able to store your important documents in an online “ safe” for more security.

    4     Remember that the tap water may be treated with different chemicals from those in your home country and could still make you ill if you drink it, especially for children and the elderly. Also, when buying water from a vendor in the streets, make sure that the ca p is still attached to its ring.

Keep your personal information secret. No one but you needs to know where you are staying, where you are going, and when you are doing it. No matter how trustworthy a person seems, it’s not important they know your personal information. If somebody asks where you are staying, then lie. When checking in a hotel, don’t say your room number out loud at any time. Ideally, the hotel clerk should be cautious about it.     5    

【推荐2】Located in the southeast of Canada and with a population of approximately 6 million, Toronto is a big and beautiful city, which has developed from a relatively unknown place over the past half century to the center of culture, trade and communication in Canada.

With its colorful ethnic mix, rich history and breathtaking buildings. Toronto offers non-stop adventures to the tourists. To get a sense of how big, various and magical Toronto is, the best place to start is the CN Tower. From this point, visitors can get a bird's-eye view of the city's amazing scenery and unique geography.

In addition to being an important center of culture, trade and communication in Canada, Toronto is also a major muti-ethnic city. It is the most populous city in Canada and its citizens come from countries around the world and from different kinds of ethnic backgrounds. Every day, in most places of the city, a hundred different languages can be heard on the streets, from Hindi to Greek to French. This, perhaps, explains why former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau once said that Canada is a mosaic（嵌合体）of cultures and languages rather than a melting pot.

Street signs in Toronto are mostly in English. Weekly and daily newspapers are published in various languages, and the city hosts the successful international film festival each September. It is also home to a popular baseball team the Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto has something for everyone.

Moreover, Toronto has been rated one of the most livable cities in the world by United Nations Human Settlements Programme for many years. At the same time, Toronto is one of the safest, richest cities in the world with the highest standard of living.