【推荐1】Since I was a little girl growing up in Safranbolu, Turkey, I’ve dreamed of exploring the world- from the sandy beaches of Califormia to the northern lights in Iceland. Until a couple of years ago, I couldn’t have even imagined this happening, but a few months ago my dreams finally became a reality.

I’m more than 7ft (2.15 metres) tall, so travelling is difficult for me. I am the tallest woman in the world, due to a rare genetic condition called Weaver Syndrome (韦弗综合症), which affects only 50 people.

My childhood was not easy. I was home schooled because of my physical condition and from as early as I can remember, I knew I looked different from other people. I felt like a child trapped inside an adult’s body. When I was six, I was already 5ft in tall. As a social norm (标准), people expect men to be bigger and taller than women; this makes things very difficult for tall women, and I find it upsetting.

I often need to adjust things due to my height. Everything has to be altered to suit me, which can be very hard, but there are positives, too. I usually buy clothes from brands specializing in plus-size clothing, then alter them. I’ll find a dress that I like and then get it turned into a top. Bottoms always have to be tailored. It gives me a chance to be creative.

I’ve always been a very ambitious person. In 2014, when I was 17, I received the title for the tallest living teenager. I actually applied for it myself, as I saw the record holder at the time was shorter than me.

In 2021 I was named the tallest living woman, and last year I received the titles for the largest hands, longest fingers and longest back, too. I use these titles as a platform to raise awareness about my condition and also to empower people to be themselves. I hope to inspire and encourage other people with similar conditions to know they’re not alone and that anything is possible for them.

【推荐2】It began the moment I sat down: An immediate sense of strong kinship(亲切感)with the people who chose to spend one week of their summer vacation in the Creative Writing Workshop at the University of Mississippi. I had been looking forward to bonding with some like-minded people. I wasn’t disappointed. I immediately hit it off with two other students, and we spent the rest of our week focusing on what had brought us together: a love of writing.

Our instructors were two graduate students in the university, and the writing camp was strongly aimed at seeing what we could create from locating ourselves in new places. On the first day of the camp, we each were asked to choose a spot in the town square where we could write about our surroundings. We were told to focus on all of the senses but to prioritize hearing, taste, smell, and touch over sight. Throughout the week, we did similar exercises, finding inspiration in nature and in our own direct experiences.

In the writing camp, I received encouragement from our instructors to publish and to get involved in the writing community. Learning about our instructors’ writing processes with their current projects and about their experiences of publishing helped us catch sight of what our writing lives might look like in the future. In fact, because they encouraged us to start publishing something I started sending my work out. My first short story will go to press early next month.

My experience with the writing workshop was a big success, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. You will make lasting friendships there, be inspired by a green southern town with a literary history, and gain valuable writing experience. I hope this review will be helpful to those who are looking for a great writing workshop.

【推荐3】Alejandro Buxton’s candle business started with a headache. The 12-year-old’s mom suffers from allergies, and something in their house was causing her head to hurt. After going to the hospital, they discovered the cause of the headache: the candles. His mom had no choice but to get rid of the scented (有香味的) items.

However, he knew his mother really loved candles. To lift her spirits, he set up a lab in the family’s kitchen in the fall of 2019 and made a candle using only natural ingredients, such as soy and coconut waxes (蜡) and essential oils. Chemicals in her old candles were causing the headaches. He named his first product Jurassic Orange, which is similar to the fruit in color and smell. Jurassic Orange was a hit with his mom, whose headaches disappeared. But Alejandro wasn’t done experimenting. Within a few months, he had about six scents, including Chunky Sweaters and Cozy Socks, which smells like a fruit drink mixed with a pine forest.

In September 2020, he put his first collection of candles on Etsy, the online marketplace that specializes in handmade goods. He also sold candles at seasonal markets, such as the one in downtown D. C. where the vice president was shopping for holiday gifts last year. He recommended two candles to the vice president. She took some of his advice.

Jesse Benites, general manager of a big shopping mall, said the vice president’s visit “skyrocketed” Alejandro’s fame. A senior manager contacted Alejandro and invited him to rent one of the 12 retail carts at the mall. On September 1,2022, Smell of Love Candles opened on the second level of the shopping center. Alejandro is the mall’s youngest business owner. Inside the mall, Alejandro turned a large room into his production facility, where he and his staff make 600 to 700 candles a week. There were altogether 25 scents on the shelf. He continued to make new scents and wanted to see all his candles in every single household and love and joy come into the houses.

Alejandro’s candle business makes a good profit, but for him, the money he earned is not just for his own college fund but for local charities.

【推荐1】Rama was the only breadwinner in the family. Living along with his father and mum, he had three children, two sons and a daughter. He worked over 16 hours a day.

The kids were too curious about Sunday because their father was with them all day. Unfortunately, Rama worked on weekends even on Sundays to meet increasing household and education expenditures(开支). The children were very sad, even Rama’s wife and parents!

Typical routines(日常工作) lasted weeks and years. Rama got a lot of benefits from all his efforts, and he got an attractive raise. The family moved to their new home, put on better clothes and ate healthy food. However, as usual, Rama continued to earn more money. Once, his wife asked him, “What are you asking for... so hard work? We can be happy now.” Rama answered, “I want to give you all the best things in the world.”

Two years later, Rama hardly stayed with his family. The children longed for their dad to be at home. At the same time, Rama’s sincere efforts earned him a fortune. He was offered partnership and profit-sharing. Then Rama’s family had all the facilities and luxury(奢侈的) goods. Nevertheless, Rama’s children tried to meet their father because he seldom showed up at home.

Rama’s family went to their beachfront villa(别墅) for a holiday. His daughter asked, “Dad, would you stay at home for a day and stay with us?” Rama replied, “Yes, honey, I will have lunch with you tomorrow and will be with you for the next few days. I’m tired of working and need refreshments!” The whole family was very happy.

However, the next day, Rama’s family were washed away in the tsunami(海啸)! When he tried to reach his beach villa, he saw the sea and water everywhere and screamed for his family. Fortunately his daughter was saved by the local people. Rama found a new job and spent all the spare time with his daughter.