【推荐1】Introduction of Holi

Holi is an ancient festival of colours and love. It is celebrated in India and many parts of South Asia. There are lots of Holi celebrations. It is becoming more and more popular.

Holi means the beginning of spring. It is a time to give thanks for the good harvest. The dates change each year according to the full moon, but it is usually in March and sometimes in late February. People go outside and throw coloured paint powder(粉) at each other. It does not matter whether you are rich or poor, old or young---everyone can throw colours. It is a time to forgive people and repair broken relationships, as well as meet other people, play and have fun.

Traditional Holi celebrations start the night before the throwing of colours. People meet around a bonfire(篝火) and hope that the bad will be destroyed. The next day is the festival of colours. There is music playing, and people run and laugh in the streets and parks. Holi is celebrated outside.

Holi celebrations began as early as the fourth century. It is thousands of years old! But recently, Holi-themed events have become popular with a new generation in Europe and North America. Every year, many people go to Holi events in London and all over the UK. They dress in white T-shirts and return covered in bright colours. There are paint-throwing parties at music festivals and races like the five-kilometre ‘Colour Run’. In the UK, restaurants and cultural organizations also offer their own Holi celebrations, with special dishes, Indian music and dance.

【推荐1】“I feel unlikable, lonely and hopeless,” said Lisa, a bright teenager from a loving home. “It seems that nobody wants to become my friend. What’s wrong with me? ”

Like Lisa, many of us experience loneliness. The truth is that all people, no matter what their age or character — even the most outgoing, wealthy and popular — experience loneliness at least sometimes. It’s healthy and natural to want to be around people who care. After all, we’ve all heard “No man is an island.” That’s true. We all need others in our lives.

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, explains that if we want friends, we must be friendly and reach out to others. But it has risk. Because we are often afraid of rejection (拒绝), many of us are unwilling to reach out to others. We take a safer way and wait for others to make friends with us. But if we want friends, we’ve got to get beyond this.

If making friends is your goal as well, you need to consider taking some measures (措施).

Be willing to take the initiative (主动权). If you see someone whom you would like to know, don’t wait for her to make the first move. Get close to her and begin a conversation. Let her know in a non aggressive (无攻击性的) way that you are interested in being friends with her.

Reach out to those who are lonely. When you see someone at school sitting alone, go over and talk to her. And don’t let popularity decide whom you reach out to. You’ll often be surprised at the beautiful qualities behind a shy appearance.

Ask questions. Start your first conversation by asking this possible friend what she likes to do or asking about her family. Be sure to ask questions that cannot be replied with “yes” or “no”. For example, don’t ask “Do you have a dog?” Instead, say “So, tell me about your pets.” Avoiding asking “yes” or “no” questions makes your possible friend not end your communication with a one word answer.

【推荐2】Literature reflects life. So in aging Japan, there are a large number of hit books by aged authors.   “Age 90: what's so great about it? ” is a humorous essay on the difficulties of the elderly, by Aiko Sato, who is 95. It sold one million copies in 2017, making it Japan's best-selling book that year.

In 2018 the Akutagawa Prize (芥川龙之介奖) went to Hisako Wakatake, 63 at the time, for her first novel I'll Live by Myself. The book talks about how to live in old age. Going to Die Soon, by Ms. Uchidate, features 78-year-old Hana, a former alcohol-shop owner trying to make the most of her remaining years. The novel has been called a book for shukatsu (为死亡做准备), or preparing for death, making readers think more deeply about what it means to age.

Japan's population has the world’s highest percentage of over-65s. People are living longer, so many have at least 20-30 years of retirement for much of which they are energetic.

And although the Japanese have been spending less on books, that is least true for the over-60s.

Lawson, a convenience-store chain, recently decided to stock books with the older generation in mind.

But the elderly writers' books are attracting younger readers, too. Some are preparing for their own old age or want to understand the increasing number of old people they see around them. Others find link in the themes explored, such as loneliness, a problem that goes well beyond the silver-haired.

The most notable feature of the new trend is that the vast majority of authors, and main characters, are women. Especially popular, are the ara-hun (“around-hundred”-years-old) writers like Ms. Sato, whose book, readers say, helps them be more positive. Their popularity also reflect support for strong women who are enthusiastic about their work, which is all too rare in Japan today.

China is famous for its various hot pots, but the Japanese also love this delicious cuisine, where hot pots are known as nabemono. Here’re four tasty versions worth eating.

Shabu- Shabu

Many types of hot pots exist, but one of the most popular in Japan is called Shabu-Shabu. Featuring thinly sliced cuts of meats, fish and vegetables, the dish, whose name imitates the sound “swish swish” as the food is cooked in the boiling pot, is said to have been created in Osaka in the 1950s.The food is typically dipped in a sauce with a citrus(柑橘)flavor.

Chankonabe

Since the late 1800s, Chankonabe has been served to sumo(相扑)wrestlers looking to gain weight. Interestingly, there is no fixed recipe fr this style of hot pot. In other words, any type of meat and vegetables can be thrown in. It’s served in large portions, often with other food such as fried chicken so that sumo wrestlers can keep their significant body weight.

Mille-Feuille Nabe

A less fattening Japanese hot pot that has an attractive visual element is Mille-Feuille Nabe. Made with mostly pork and cabbage, it’s easy to prepare since this hot pot requires fewer ingredients(原料)than other kinds of nabemono. The remaining soup can also be enjoyed with steamed rice or noodles.

Yaminabe

Yaminabe is a dining experience like no other. Everyone brings their own ingredients to add to the pot,but with their eyes covered, they don't know what else is being added. Therefore,no one knows exactly what they’re picking out of the pot. Sounds like the ultimate surprise,doesn’t it.

That’s only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to nabemono. These hot pots are just the start of a wonderfully delicious nabemono journey!