I used to be shy. I never put up my hand in class ________ the teacher called my name. And I always chose to sit at the back of the classroom.

All this ________ after I joined a sports team. It began when a teacher suggested I ________ for the basketball team. At first I thought it was a ________ idea because I didn’t have a good sense of balance (平衡). But the teacher thought I should have a ________. Then I agreed.

When I first started preparing the practice, I didn’t know what I should do. Even worse I knew ________ about the rules of the game. Sometimes I shot ________ the wrong direction, and it made me feel really stupid! However, I didn’t want to give up.

I practiced and practiced. Soon I knew the rules and the “moves”. Being part of the basketball team was exciting. I ________ made friends in the process. They respected my hard work and encouraged me ________ a better player. I never had so much ________.

More importantly, I have gone from hiding at the back of the classroom to being active in class. Now I have more self-confidence in myself and I’m glad I have changed.

Halloween is a strange holiday. It started several centuries ago in Europe. It began as “Hallow Evening” which means “holy night”. At that time November 1st was called “All Saints’ Day” （万圣日）and people honored all the saints（圣徒）who did not have their own special day. People believed that all the spirits of dead people were active on the night of October 31st. So people would play all sorts of tricks on each other.

Black is one of the traditional Halloween colors, probably because Halloween festivals and traditions took place at night. Pumpkins are a symbol of Halloween, so orange has become the other traditional Halloween color. Making lanterns out of pumpkins is a Halloween custom.

Halloween is great fun for children. They dress up as ghosts or witches（女巫）. Small children go “Trick-or-Treating”. They wear costumes, knock on doors, and shout, “Trick or Treat!” People almost always choose to give them candy as a treat, instead of choosing to receive a trick from the children. Adults sometimes “trick or treat” their friends, too. Usually the “treat” is a glass of wine or some small gifts.

Are you interested in Chinese traditional arts? Do you want to learn how to make them by hand? If so, come and join our clubs this weekend in our school.