【推荐1】There are many traditions around the holidays. “Holiday traditions” are things that people do every year during a holiday such as Christmas or Thanksgiving. At Christmas, for example, many people put up a Christmas tree or Christmas lights. These are Christmas traditions that have been going on for many years. But there is a “new” Christmas tradition that has become very popular: the TV firelog, a TV channel that shows nothing but a large log fire, blazing in a fireplace.

People put it on their TV and it makes them feel like they are watching and listening to a crackling fire. It makes them feel calm and comfortable. The origin(起源) dates back to 1986 in Canada. At that time, not very many people knew about it or watched the channel. Today, more than three million people watch the firelog channel during the winter holiday season. That year, the firelog channel was created(创造) to give the workers in the company that is now called Shaw Cable, a break at Christmas. By running the firelog during the holidays, everyone could go home for a few days and enjoy a bit of time off.

At that time, it was only broadcast to people in Edmonton but today it reaches people across Canada and beyond. This year, the Shaw firelog was updated. It is pretty high tech. Although it’s still really just a fire log that has been filmed, it has its own Twitter account (@ShawFireLog), its own Facebook page and it even has a computer App so you can see the burning log on a smartphone or a tablet. The Shaw firelog will burn until Jan. 5 on Shaw Cable, channel 222.

【推荐3】If you have no difficulty in understanding what native English speakers say in daily life, there is a whole new world of brilliant podcast (播客) series to explore. If you aren’t sure where to start, have a look at these:

	The Joe Rogan Experience★★★★★ The Joe Rogan Experience is a great learning device because of its interesting English conversations between Rogan and his guests. At the time of writing there have been over 1,660 episodes (集) with subjects ranging from comedy and science to politics and sports. Rogan is also a famous stand-up comedian (喜剧演员), so the show is full of cultural references and idioms.
	This American Life★★★★★ This American Life is a great choice for English learners who want an insight (洞悉) into the culture of the USA. It is a mixture of journalism and storytelling, focusing on real-life tales from citizens of all regions of the country. The stories are new and varied. One episode was taped for 24 hours in an all-night restaurant; another is about interviewing workers on strike.
	The Writer’s Voice★★★★☆ The New Yorker is a famous American magazine, and every week it prints a new short story. In this podcast, the week’s story is read aloud by its writer. The published work covers a wide range of life experiences across the United States and beyond. It’s a great way to enjoy some of the best new fiction in the country.
	Overheard at National Geographic★★★★★ National Geographic is a much-loved American magazine (and TV channel) famous for incredible stories and photography related to science and the environment. Overheard is about the discussions Nat Geo employees have had while taking breaks. Expect crazy stories from explorers, photographers, and scientists from around the world.

【推荐2】The Theragun mini is your pocket-sized partner, giving you quality muscle treatment with unparalleled portability. Small-sized but powerful, the mini is the most suitable massage device that goes wherever you do. Tension can strike at the most inconvenient times, and the mini is right there with you.

3 Scientifically Adjusted Speeds

When it comes to speed, faster isn’t always better. The mini lets you choose between three speeds, each scientifically adjusted to deliver greater benefits for the body.

Ergonomic (人体工程学的) Grip

We adapted our patented Threagun Triangle ergonomic design to Mini’s unique shape, resulting in a smooth, ergonomic grip that is easy to hold while reducing stress on your hands and wrists.

150-Minute Total Battery Life

On-the-go relief means that your device needs to be ready for you right when you need it. With up to 150 minutes of sustained run time, Mini sets the standard for true portability.

QuietForce Technology

We were able to reduce its size while maintaining our treatment quality. Experience distinct, near-silent operation while you melt away your tension at a moment’s notice, whether you’re working or in the comfort of home. That’s the power of QuietForce Technology.

Using the mini

1. To turn on the Theragun mini, firmly press and hold for 2 seconds the multi-functional power/speed button on the right side of the device.

2. Float the device across areas in need of treatment, gradually applying light to moderate pressure as needed.

3. Press the power/speed button again to switch between 3 speeds.

4. To turn off the Theragun mini, firmly press and hold the power/speed button until the device shuts off.

Battery level on the mini is indicated with the following colors:

Flashing red: Low charge

Flashing blue: Half-way charged

Flashing green: High charge

Solid green: Fully charged

Warranty (保修)

To have the Theragun device or a part repaired or replaced under warranty, it must be returned to Therabody. This warranty does not cover damage caused by misuse or abuse, accident, liquids, including but not limited to, water or lotions, improper use, or unauthorized repairs. For any warranty issues, please emailinfo@therabody.com.

【推荐1】In 1999, 36-year-old Tori Murden McClure became the first woman to row solo (单独地) across the Atlantic Ocean, from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean. The journey of just over 5,300 kilometers took the American 81 days. Her boat, The American Pearl, was only 7 meters long.

McClure is a real adventurer. She has been on many mountaineering expeditions, including climbs in Alaska, Kenya and Antarctica. She was also the youngest person in a team that skied 1, 200 kilometers across Antarctica to the South Pole in 1989, and became one of only two women ever to travel to the Pole by land.

The journey across the Atlantic was her third attempt. The first time she failed because of illness, and during her second attempt, in 1998, she nearly died. She had rowed nearly 5,000 kilometers when her boat was hit by Hurricane Danielle. McClure was suddenly in the middle of 80 kph wind, and surrounded by waves that were 20 meters high. Her little boat turned over five times. McClure was sure that she was going to die—she took the video recorder that she had brought with her and recorded a farewell message to her family and friends. The hurricane continued into night, and The American Pearl turned over five more times. McClure was determined not to send a signal asking to be rescued—she didn’t want other people to risk their lives, too. But after the eleventh turning over of her boat, she finally sent it and a large ship came and found her. However, they couldn’t get her boat out of the rough sea-it was found months later near the coast of Portugal.

Tori McClure had concussion (脑震荡) and a dislocated shoulder when she got home. Many people might have given up after an experience such as this, but one year later, McClure was back in her repaired boat and trying again. This time she was successful-and although she again met a hurricane on the journey, which stopped her from breaking the record for the fastest transatlantic (横渡大西洋的) rowing crossing, she only overturned once!

Most of us probably dreamed about becoming an astronaut when we were little. But how many of us actually became one, or are at least working toward it?

The advice "Always follow your dreams" is something that is typically easier said than done.

But still, this is the one piece of advice that Alyssa Carson wants to share with her peers. This 17-year-old girl from the US has become one of the candidates for NASA's 2033 project to go to Mars. If everything goes well, Carson will be one of the first human beings to ever set foot on the red planet.

Carson has dreamed of going to Mars since she was only three years old when watching an astronaut-themed cartoon. Learning humans have only been to the moon but not Mars contributed to her decision to be the first one to do so.

Since then, she has worked hard toward this goal. At the age of 12, Carson became the first person to attend all three NASA space camps, sitting with real astronauts in a NASA panel（座谈会）to discuss the future of Mars missions.

Now 17, Carson is continuing with her space training while still taking on her high school work like a "normal" teenager, except that she studies all her subjects in four languages—English, French, Spanish and Chinese.

“I don't think there's anything specific that makes it easier for me or makes it something that others can't do,” Carson said in an interview with Uproxx News. "I've just really focused myself on what I want to accomplish.”

And Carson is willing to make sacrifices for her dream. She's fully aware of the danger of the mission and the possibility that she might never be able to come back. She also accepts the fact that she can't get married and start a family because any loved ones left on Earth may be a distraction for her and for the mission. But Carson believes that it's all worth it, summarizing her view with this ancient Greek proverb she once quoted, “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they'll never sit in.”

So after all the hard work that Carson has done and all the sacrifices she's made, everything still boils down to the simple phrase, "follow your dreams". And while some people's dreams may sound out of this world, in Carson's case, they literally（毫不夸张地）are.

【推荐3】In 1931, Francis Chichester tried to fly round the world but failed. Then he gave up flying and began sailing. Chichester was already 58 years old when he won the first solo（单人的）transatlantic sailing race.

After that, his old dream of going round the world came back, but this time he would sail. His friends and doctors did not think he could do it, as he had lung cancer. But Chichester was determined to carry out his plan, In August, 1966, at the age of nearly sixty-five, he began the greatest voyage of his life. Soon, he was away in his new 16-metre boat, Gipsy Moth.

After resting in Sydney for a few weeks, Chichester set off once more in spite of his friends' attempts to discourage him. The second half of his voyage was by far the more dangerous part. On 30 January, he experienced the blackest night he had ever known. The sea became so rough that the boat almost turned over. Food, clothes, and broken glass were all mixed together. Fortunately, the damage to the boat was not too serious, Chichester calmly got bed and went to sleep. When he woke up, the sea had become calm again.

Just before 9 o'clock on Sunday evening 28 May, 1967, he arrived back in England, where more than 250,000 people were waiting to welcome him. He was knighted（授爵）by Queen Elizabeth II. The whole voyage had taken him nine months, of which the sailing time was 226 days. He had done what he wanted to achieve.

Like many other adventurers, Chichester had experienced fear and conquered（克服）it. In doing so, he had undoubtedly learnt something about himself. Moreover, in the modern age when human beings depend so much on machines, he had given men throughout the world new pride.