2 . The Maryland Center for History and Culture (MCHC) is currently hosting “The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited”. The exhibition spotlights Henson’s unique   contributions to children’s education, including his creation of the Muppets (布偶).

Born in 1936 in Mississippi, Henson grew up in Maryland. His creative talents were evident when he was a student at high school. He loved cartooning and creating sets for school theater productions. While a freshman at university, Henson made puppets for a local TV station. The station’s producers were so impressed that they asked him to produce his own puppet show. Called Sam and Friends, the program started in 1955. Viewers loved Henson’s playful characters, including an early version of Kermit the Frog.

While at university, Henson majored in home economics. At the time, it was the only major that offered classes in sewing and textiles (纺织品). Henson not only honed his creative skills at university, but he was also good at marketing and business. “He was an entrepreneur who happened to get into puppetry,” said Deborah Wood, MCHC’s learning manager.

In 1959, Henson married Jane Nebel, whom he had met at university. The couple established Muppets Inc. which later became the Jim Henson Company. It was there that Focus Bert, Ernie, Miss Piggy, and other Muppets were created for Sesame Street, a popular children’s television program. Generations of children around the world have grown up watching and laming from the Muppets.

Henson, who died in 1990, created not just the Muppets, but also films, TV commercials, variety shows, and more. The exhibition shows every aspect of his career. This includes some lesser-known works, including The Cube, a short experimental film that was nominated(提名) for an Academy Award.

Visitors also get a chance to appreciate Henson’s creative process and inventiveness through hands-on displays. They can even make their own Muppets. “For me, I think the really powerful message of this exhibition is the fact that it covers Henson’s whole life and his whole career,” said Chloe Green, public programs manager at the MCHC.

3 . These days, more and more people go to the gym to work out. But with so many gyms out there, how do you know which one is the right one for you? We find some information about the best gyms in New York City so you can have a better idea of what each gym offers.

New York Sports Club

Initiation Fees: Neighborhood membership, $49.99; Passport membership, $49.99.

Membership Costs: Neighborhood membership, $44.99 a month; Passport membership, $ 99.99 a month.

Additional Fees: Neighborhood membership, $49.99 a year; Passport membership, S 49.99 a year.

Locations: Locations in all five boroughs.

Classes: Studio classes, athletic conditioning, boxing, kickboxing and yoga.

Planet Fitness

Initiation Fees (入会费): Regular membership, $5; Black Card membership, no initiation fee. Membership Costs: Regular membership is $10 a month and includes free fitness training and free wifi. Black Card membership is $ 22.99 a month and includes access to all Planet Fitness locations, free fitness training, free wifi, half-priced cooler drinks and worldwide travel deals.

Additional Fees: $39 membership fee a year.

Locations: Locations in all five boroughs (区).

Classes: None.

Chelsea Piers

Initiation Fees: Call to request.

Membership Costs: For a specific gym, varies by location.

Locations: Chelsea and Brooklyn.

Classes: Strength and conditioning, cycling and yoga.

24 Hour Fitness

Initiation Fees: $0 on select memberships.

Membership Costs: $79.99 for Ultra Sport.

Locations: Midtown and Madison Square Park.

Classes: Studio classes, free weights, group cycling and personal training.

6 . I’ve had the opportunity to look after my mother a lot recently. I want to _______ the experience, in hopes that others can be _______.

A couple of days ago, my mom had to have an operation to _______ a tumor (肿块), which, _______, is right on her face. With all the _______ I could gather, I stayed with her throughout the operation, and then continued to stay by her bedside for the next two days, as she _______ in the hospital.

She seemed in good _______, despite the pains from the operation. I really tried to keep her _______. We talked happily about funny memories, and I did everything I could to put a _______ on her face.

After the doctor said it was okay for her to return home, I took her home, and have since been taking care of her in whatever ________ way I can - cooking her food, doing housework, and changing her bandages (绷带).

Like a lot of mothers, she ________ that she should do all these things on her own. And of course, I’m sure she can... but I won’t ________ her. I really think it’s good for us to help people close to us, even if they demand to do things on their own and ________ our help.

I’ve learned and grown so much from the opportunity to ________ my mother, and I wish everyone the opportunity to help someone ________ you.

7 . The two-week Harvard Pre-College Program is an intense and exciting experience of the college life. The admission committee is now looking for mature, academically motivated students who will graduate from high school and enter college in 2022.

The Course Experience

With over 30 courses to choose from, you’re sure to find a topic that interests you. Although courses are non-credit and do not have letter grades, you need to attend the class in its entirety. When class is not in session, you can participate in creative and social activities. At the end of the program, you’ll receive a written evaluation from your instructor, as well as a transcript (成绩单).

Time

·July 24 — August 5

How to Apply

Complete an online application and provide supplemental (补充的) materials, including:

·The $75 non-refundable application fee.

·Transcripts from 9th grade to fall 2021 grades: This can include progress reports, report cards, and educational summaries from your high school

·If English is not your native language, submit scores from the TOEFL IBT or IELTS language proficiency exam along with your application.

Cost & Aid

The total fee for a Harvard Pre-College Program 2022 session is $4,950. The program fee includes tuition, room and board, and activity costs for the full two weeks. There is also a non-refundable $75 application fee and $100 health insurance.

A limited number of scholarships are available to assist students who demonstrate financial need. Awards vary based on need, and atypical award covers part of the tuition.

How to contact us

Interested in learning more about the program? Complete our request form, and a member of cur team will contact you.

Phone:(617) 495-4023

Email: precollege@summer.harvard.cn

8 . After Chika, my adopted daughter, received her treatment in the US, I took her back to Haiti to see the orphanage (孤儿院) numerous times. On one of these times, I got to know that Chika’s father was still alive and sound, in a place known as Tabarre. As a matter of fact, I had been told that he might also be dead.

I drove to his house. Stepping out in front me was her father, a short, strong man with a broad mustache. I said to him that I came because of Chika’s medical condition — the brain tumor (肿瘤). I explained that her life could be in the balance. I then inquired if it was significant for Chika to be buried in Haiti. He responded by saying, “It doesn’t mean. Whatever you think.”

I eventually came to my utmost mission. I requested him to see his daughter — and her to see him — perhaps because, deep down, I doubted about another chance. Yet as we drove back, there was part of me feeling as if I had been nudged (轻推) to the side of the picture. Although I have done much for Chika, this man has a certain claim that I never have.

Yours, not yours! The paperwork at the orphanage was signed by me. It obligates me to feed, educate, and protect Chika. But in the end, it is a document, not parenthood. Yours, not yours! I wrestled with this question many times. Chika, remember what you once asked? How did you find me? I promised myself you would never feel lost again.

After two hours, the father walked over, shook my hand, and left. That night, Chika rested her head upon my shoulder and after a few seconds mumbled, “Dad? What will you do while I sleep?”

“I’ll read,” I said. “And think about how much I love you.”

She nodded, her eyes glowed. “That’s what I’ll do too.”

At that moment, I didn’t care who belonged to whom. I was hers, even if she were not mine.

9 . 2024 Illustration Competition

Enter the competition most respected and admired in the industry for creativity in illustration, the Communication Arts Illustration Competition. Selected by distinguished professionals, the winning entries will be distributed worldwide in the Communication Arts Illustration Annual and on commarts.com, ensuring important exposure of the creations. Each winner will receive a professionalized Award of Excellence, made from solid aluminum, and an award certificate. Communication Art’s Award of Excellence is one of the most desired awards. If chosen, winning places you in the highest ranks of your profession.

What To Enter With

Any illustration first published or produced from Jan. 2023 to Jan. 2024 is qualified. Entries may originate from any country. Descriptions in English are necessary for the judges to read.

Entries Can Be Submitted In The Following Formats

Digital Images: RGB images in JPG format with a maximum file size of 2 MB. GIF images may be livelier, but would be turned down, and so would the PNG ones.

Motion Entries: In MOV, MP4 or MPG format, with a maximum file size of 500 MB.

Illustration Competition Categories & Entry Fees

For more categories, please download the category PDF.

Late Fees

Entries must be registered no later than Jan. 13, 2024. Entries registered after that date will be charged a fee of $10 each. No entries can be registered after Jan. 27, 2024.

10 . Two friends were walking through the desert. Once they had reached the oasis, they decided to rest and recuperate (恢复) before continuing their journey through the vast desert. During some point of the journey they had a (an) _______, and one friend raised his hand and slapped the other one in the face angrily. The one who got slapped felt _______, but he did not say anything. _______, he wrote in the sand: “Today my best friend slapped me in the face.”

They kept on walking until they found a (an) _______, where they decided to take a rest and a bath._______, the one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, hoping that his best friend would come to his _______. His friend saved him instantly. After he _______from the near drowning, gasping for breath, he _______ hard on a stone: “Today my best friend saved my life.”

_______ filled the air as the friend who had both hurt and saved his companion observed the ________ actions and reactions. Then he asked his friend, “After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now you write on a stone. Why?” The other friend ________, “When someone hurts us but not in an evil manner we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever________ it.”

And so, their journey continued. Together, they ventured forth, reminding each other to cherish the ability to forgive, to recognize and honor acts of kindness.

Truly, it is unavoidable that ________ religion, color, or race, ________ and arguments will arise in our daily life, but it is ________ to keep it in mind to let the “winds of forgiveness” blow away the hatred, while keeping a heart filled with kindness and gratitude as we continue our journey of life.