1 . When a group of college students started their flying disc business back in 2008 in China, few of them could imagine the then little-known sport would have such a big explosion in popularity across the country this summer.

During the first three months of 2022, searches for frisbee shoot up 17-fold on Xiaohongshu, as compared with the same period in the year before. The topic of frisbee has attracted more than 42.4 million views on the platform, reported China Daily.

The rule of frisbee is very easy to understand. The main goal of the players is to catch the frisbee in the end zone. The thrower is not allowed to move after throwing the frisbee out, while others without a frisbee in their hands can move as they want. “For example, when you hold the Frisbee, you cannot move but instead you pivot (绕轴转动) on one foot until the disc is released,” said Qu Xinchen, who started playing frisbee in April 2022. A team will then try to get the frisbee down and throw it to another teammate further down the field.

For those who want to compete, they can try the team disc sport called “ultimate Frisbee”, which encourages honesty and fair play, with no judges there to make a ruling. In another game called “frisbee golf’，players try to hit faraway targets with a disc. Just like in golf, the lowest number of throws wins.

“People now think it is cool to play frisbee.” Qu added to this feeling by saying “I usually burn 1,400 calories during a session, and I can see my friends more.”

On July 7, 2022, frisbee was officially accepted by regulatory (监管的) authorities and the first Chinese Frisbee League was announced by the General Administration of Sport of China.

But why has frisbee become so popular all of a sudden? Apart from the low cost of the sport, experts believe that one reason is that people of all ages can join the game since you only need a disc for equipment. What’s more, the non-contact nature of the sport suits the need for pandemic control.

2 . Incredibly Beautiful Villages in China

Built in the year 1010, Likeng Village in Wuyuan County, Jiangxi Province preserves the area’s unique Hui architecture. Though the village charges tourists an entrance fee, it is a worthwhile point from which they can view the blossoming canola flowers (油菜花) in the spring and admire the local calligraphy under camphor trees (樟树) as old as the village itself.

With few tourists aware of Sichuan Province’s Garzȇ Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, those who do make the trip are rewarded with views unlike those anywhere else. And within the heart of the area, far away from polluted cities, lie the Danba Villages, considered by some as the most beautiful villages in China. Each village is made up of unique Tibetan-style folk houses.

Though Hongcun is one of China’s most well-known ancient villages，its popularity has not ruined its uniqueness. After a climb through the great Yellow Mountains in Anhui Province, rest for a while in this foothill village, which was the filming site for select scenes from Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Centered around a moon-shaped pond, the village was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 for its well-preserved Ming-and Qing-era architecture.

Nicknamed “China Snow Town” for its annual seven-month-long snowfall, Shuangfeng Forest Farm in Mudanjiang City, Heilongjiang Province is where you want to go if you wish to experience China’s deepest snows. Over the years, the village has transformed into a charming tourist destination.

7 . A new study from the University of Southampton has shown that glass bottles are more than four times as environmentally damaging as plastic bottles. The researchers explained that the production of glass bottles involves much greater amounts of energy and natural resources.

Most current research focuses on the impact of plastic, which also requires a lot of energy to mass-produce, and breaks down into smaller particles (微粒) that are affecting natural environments worldwide. However, according to the new study, glass bottles’ total environmental impacts are much bigger than plastic bottles^, when certain factors are accounted for, such as their contribution to climate change through overmuch energy use.

“A large amount of energy is needed to heat the raw materials to make glass,“ explained study co-author and postgraduate researcher Alice Brock. ”During the melting of the raw materials for glass, gas pollutants such as SO2 and CO2 can be released,^5, said Brock. “And since glass requires materials to be mined for its production — silica sand, soda ash and dolomite — these have all the associated environmental impacts on mining such as land degradation (退化) and dust from the mines reaching water sources.” According to Brock, silica sand mining can also cause silicosis, a disease caused by tiny silica particles reaching lungs, so there is also a considerable impact on human health.

The major advantage of glass over plastic is that it is more durable (耐用 的).A glass bottle can be reused between 12 and 20 times. Unfortunately, glass bottles are often thrown away after a single use. ^“I think the meaning of this new study is that we really have to move to use bottles and cans more than once. Just recycling isn’t enough, said Brock, “We need to change our mindset and move to things like refilling bottles, bottle return plans and the like if we are going to cut these environmental impacts.”

8 . One of the most inspiring features of our mom is her ability to face adversity and not to get defeated. She always emerges with a renewed spirit and a sense of hope. Her attitude to unfortunate events is typically met with: “Hey, nobody died; nobody has cancer; we’ll get through this, too!” But by far, our mother’s most widely used motto is: ”Count your blessings !^”

In 2003, our mother fell ill and had to have surgery. When the doctor told the unthinkable diagnosis to my family while Mom was in recovery - a kind of cancer - my sister called me and said, “Should we tell her?“

As it turned out, we didn’t have to say a word. Mom knew it even before she was told, and she soothed us when we should have been making her less worried. “Hey, let’s count our blessings; the doctor got it all and I’m not dead yet. Let’s have some faith.”

As usual, our wise mother was right. She survived not only the cancer, but five years later, she recovered from another round of cancer - colorectal cancer. She never needed chemo or radiation (化疗或放疗) because surprisingly both cancers were not getting worse and surgically (手术) removed. She has been cancer-free for nearly two years and counting.

“Faith - that’s all you need,” my mom said firmly as she tapped the table. “Feeling sorry for yourself doesn’t help anything or solve the problem. Pity just adds to your problems. Spend your time counting your blessings instead. You’ll see just how well off you really are. That’s my motto.”

Counting blessings is not just a motto drilled into our heads by our mom. It has become a way of life for all of us. So much so that when I count my blessings, my wise mother is always near the top of the list.

9 . Four Great Restaurants in Bologna, Italy

If you’re looking for a restaurant in Bologna, don’t miss out on our picks of the best places to eat in the city.

Sfoglia Rina     

Tradition and innovation are all on the menu at Sfoglia Rina, along-standing family restaurant near Bologna’s famous Two Towers. Rina was started as a fresh pasta (意大利面食) shop back in the 1960s, and the pasta is all still handmade. Ingredients are carefully and sustainably sourced, and pasta-making classes are periodically offered for kids and adults.

Via Castiglione, 5/b, 40124 Bologna

Zerocinquantino

Aperitivo is typically a pre-dinner snack and drink, but at Zerocinquantino, you may make it a meal as many people in Bologna do. Baskets of local bread are served with the region’s famous meat and cheeses, and a long list of wines is available in glasses and bottles. The service is fast, and the atmosphere is young and modern.

Via Pescherie Vecchie, 3/E, 40124 Bologna

Trattoria Da Vito

It’s a legendary gathering place for Bologna*s artists and educated people. The inside hasn’t been updated since Vito left the building long before; the menu hasn’t changed. Meals are traditional and extremely cheap, with nothing priced over € 10.

Via Mario Musolesi, 9a, 40138 Bologna

Drogheria della Rosa

With tables spreading out under Bologna’s medieval porticos (中世纪门廊), Drogheria della Rosa is a favorite for the best atmosphere in Bologna. Fortunately, that atmosphere is matched by excellent food and service, both provided by the chef and owner Emanuele Addone, who personally visits each table. The menu is a mix of traditional Bolognese food and dishes from around Italy, so you’re sure to find something you like as long as you have enough money.

Via Cartoleria, 10b, 40124 Bologna