I began to grow up that winter night when my parents and I were returning from my aunt's house, and my mother said that we might soon be leaving for America. We were on the bus then. I was crying, and some people on the bus were turning around to look at me. I remember that I could not bear the thought of never hearing again the radio program for school children to which I listened every morning.

I do not remember myself crying for this reason again. In fact, I think I cried very little when I was saying goodbye to my friends and relatives. When we were leaving I thought about all the places I was going to see—the strange and magical places I had known only from books and pictures. The country I was leaving and never to come back was hardly in my head then.

The four years that followed taught me the importance of optimism（乐观） but the idea did not come to me at once. For the first two years in New York I was really lost—having to study in three schools as a result of family moves. I did not quite know what I was or what I should be. Mother remarried, and things became even more complex for me. Some time passed before my stepfather and I got used to each other. I was often sad, and saw no end to "the hard times."

My responsibilities（责任心）in the family increased a lot since I knew English better than everyone else at home. I wrote letters, filled out forms, translated at interviews with Immigration officers（移民局官员）, took my grandparents to the doctor and translated there, and even discussed telephone bills with company representatives.

From my experiences I have learned one important rule: Almost all common troubles go away at last! Something good is certain to happen in the end when you do not give up，and just wait a little! I believe that my life will turn out all right, even though it will not be that easy.

【推荐3】The day was like any other day in his life. Tom walked past the shop at the street corner. He stopped to look at the front row of shoes, and he felt happy to see that the pair of shoes he wanted very much was still there. Looking down at his old shoes, he felt sorry for himself. He really wanted to have them for his birthday.

He sadly walked away and thought how to tell his mother about it. He knew very well that she had little money. He decided not to go home at once, as he looked sad and his mother would notice it. So he went to the park and sat on the grass.There he saw a boy moving a wheelchair with his hands. Tom looked at him and was surprised to see that the boy had no feet. He looked at his own feet. “It’s much better to be without shoes than without feet,” he thought. There was no reason for him to feel so sorry and sad. He went away and smiled, thinking he was happier.

【推荐2】UNESCO has recognized the Chinese art of paper cutting on its Intangible Cultural Heritage(非物质文化遗产) List. But paper cutting is at the risk(危险) of disappearing.

Voyo Woo, a Chinese immigrant, who loves paper cutting, worked hard to celebrate the ancient art form. With a keen interest in paper cutting, Ms Woo held a paper cutting exhibition(展览) at a shopping centre near Washington. “I really love it. I get so much fun by doing it. So I’m just hoping that more people will learn about this art which is about to disappear. I think it’s time to take action. So I held it.”

Voyo Woo began to study paper cutting when she was a 14-year-girl in southeastern China. Voyo Woo’s teacher gave her extra training after class because Voyo discovered a special love for it. Later, her beautiful paper cuttings won second prize in a national painting competition. “Paper is the easiest material(材料) that you can find. You can just turn it into beautiful art. I think it is like magic to me.”

Ms Woo came to the US after she finished college in 2008. She has been invited to show the art at a wide collection of events. She also has shown her skill and works at famous museums like the Smithsonian Institution’s Freer and Sackler art galleries in Washington.

“I saw so many people coming to me and asking me. They were amazed. I think it’s important to introduce the art form to anyone who is interested.”

Ms Woo placed examples of her art around her as she displayed paper cutting at the shopping center. Ann Russ, a shopper, was attracted(吸引) by the nature of the work. She said it put her at ease.

“I like to know about Chinese art, specifically because it’s beautiful. It’s almost relaxing to put that much effort into it,” Russ said.

【推荐3】In a small village, there is a house with 1,000 mirrors. A little dog learns about this place and plans to visit it one day. When he gets there, he is very happy and goes into the house. He looks into the mirrors with his ears up high and his tail wagging as fast as it can. It is strange for him to see 1,000 other happy little dogs with their tails wagging just as fast as his. He smiles and 1,000 great smiles smile back to him, they are warm and nice. As he leaves the house, he thinks to himself, “This is a good place. I will come back and visit it often.”

In this same village, there is another little dog who often gets angry. The dog wants to visit the house too. He goes into the house with his head down. When he sees 1,000 angry dogs looking back at him, he growls at them and is afraid to see 1,000 little dogs growling back at him. As he leaves, he thinks to himself: “What a terrible place. I will never go back there again.”

Mirrors can’t change, but faces can. What kind of face do you have today?

【推荐1】Hello, my friends! I’m a Chinese boy and my name is David Wang. Now I’m in a middle school in London, the UK. Next week I have a busy but fun time in my new school.

On Monday, we have School Day. On that day my parents the Whites need to come to school. But my parents are in China. So the Blacks, my uncle and aunt, will come. Thanks for their help!

On Wednesday morning, there is a book sale in the school library. Students need to take one or two books to school. I may take some, too.

On Friday, we have a soccer game. Soccer is my favorite sport. Here many of my friends can play it well. I like the game very much and I think our class can win (赢得) the game.

On Saturday, our class has a school trip. We want to go to the beach. We can eat good food and have fun on the beach. Mrs. Brown, our English teacher, will go with us. She is a good teacher and we all like her.

This is my great week. What about your week? Please tell me about it.

【推荐2】My husband, my four-month-old daughter and I set out on a five day driving journey from California to Washington. We had to stop frequently because our little child needed to stretch from the car seat.

One of our stops, once we crossed the Oregon border, was at a Black Bear Diner. Walking towards the front door we noticed a gentleman standing at one side. He was clearly untidy, without shoes and wearing worn clothing. We passed right by him and opened the restaurant door. Then something told me to go back.

Holding my daughter, I turned around and said to the gentleman, "Sir. Are yon hungry?" He said, "Yes." I then asked, "May we buy you something to eat?" He responded with, “Sure, I can order something myself."

My husband opened the door and the gentleman went straight to the counter. I told him to order whatever he wanted. The manager of the restaurant came over quite quickly and looked frightened. I spoke before he had an opportunity to. “This gentleman will have lunch with us today,” I said. “Please add his order to our bill.” The manager said with a frown(皱眉）, “Okay.”   We turned to our table and the gentleman said loudly and quickly, " Thank You!" We were seated and upon completing our meal we were handed our bill. I asked my husband what the gentleman had ordered, one fresh orange juice, one coffee, one breakfast combination with a side of hash browns.

When we left the restaurant I looked for the gentleman but didn't see him, but that very small act just made my day. I hope in some small way we were able to add some joy to his life, even if only for a few minutes.

【推荐3】Tom’s mom looks at Tom’s shoes and says, “Tom, look at your shoes. How dirty (脏的) they are! Please clean (弄干净) them.” “Oh, Mom, but I cleaned them yesterday (昨天),” says Tom. “They are dirty now. Clean them again, please.” “I don’t want to do that again. If I clean them today, they will be dirty again tomorrow.”

Tom’s mom thinks for a short time and says, “All right.”

In the afternoon, Tom comes back from school. He is very hungry (饿的). “Mom, give me an egg,” he says. “You had one in the morning, Tom,” his mom says.

“I’m hungry again. I want to have an egg now.”

“Oh, are you hungry? If you have one now, you will be hungry again tomorrow. ”