4 . The harvest season falls at different times of the year depending on region and climate, but festivals celebrating its arrival are held all over the world Some are the start of the season and the fist crops, while other are celebrations to give thanks for the blessing of a harvest.

Rice Harvest Festival (May ~ June)

The harvest festival is dedicated to Dewi Sni-the goddess of rice and fertility(丰产) celebrated by the people of Bali, Indonesia.

Mid-Autumn Festival (September ~ October)

Mooncakes and tea are served on Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Moon Festival, because it coincides with the full moon on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. It is also a time of family gatherings.

Yam Festival (August or September)

Men are carrying yams(山药) at the Yam Festival on the Trobriand Islands, Papua NewGuinea. The people there celebrate the end of the rainy season and the first appearance of yams.

Sukkoth (September ~ October)

Jewish people decorate the family Sukkah for the Jewish festival of Sukkot. A Sukkah is a temporary building where meals are taken for the week. The 8-day festival gives thanks to the harvest.

Pongal (January)

The 4-day festival of Pongal is a celebration of the rice harvest period. Held after the winter solstice(冬至), it celebrates the return of longer days of life-giving sunlight. Its name comes from a Tamil word, meaning “to boil”, and is also the name given to a rice dish that is prepared during this time.

8 . Whether you’re attending potting workshops at Navy Pier or admiring artfully arranged orchids(兰科植物) at the Chicago Botanic Garden, you’re bound to take home plenty of inspiration for your home garden as you enjoy the best blooms in town. Here are some of the Chicago flower and garden shows that you won’t want to miss this spring.

Macy’s Flower Show

The store will be filled with deep-sea flowers and amazing marine life, including coral reefs and mythical sea creatures, all fashioned from flowers. A wonderful array of free workshops, culinary (烹饪的) classes, floral and gardening demos and other related events round out the flowery fun.

When: March 22-April 5     Tickets: Free

Orchid Show at Chicago Botanic Garden

The annual Orchid Show at Chicago Botanic Garden features more than10, 000 flowers from all over the world, instantly transporting you to the tropics. The event also includes orchid classes, evening events with tastings of local spirits and specialty cocktails(鸡尾酒), a morning music series, special photography events, and even a plant marketplace where you can buy a potted(盆栽的) orchid to bring home.

When: Feb 14-March 22

Tickets: $14 for adults;$ll for seniors, ages 62+;$11 for children, ages 3- 12 Lincoln Park

Conservatory Spring Flower Show

Journey back in time to the Renaissance era as you wander the Lincoln Park Conservatory’s Spring Flower Show, where plants and flowers are artfully arranged in a way that replicates(复制) the still life paintings produced during the 15th- 16th centuries.

When: Feb 14-May 10          Tickets: Free

Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show

This year’s Spring Flower Show, themed Golden Hour, will celebrate the golden light of dawn and dusk with colorful displays of azalea, hydrangea, and calibrachoa. Two new displays will be unveiled at this year’s show: a series of immense hanging baskets overflowing with spring flowers, and two rope-art displays depicting(描绘) the rays of the sun.

When: Feb 14-May 10        Tickets: Free

9 . It is never too late to develop great study habits. However, starting making some changes is hard. Even if you want to do well enough in school and improve your grades, you’re probably having trouble getting started in the first place!     1    .

Plan your time carefully. Make a list of your weekly tasks. Make a schedule of your time. Then decide on good, regular time for studying.     2    , but it will make you more aware of how you spend your time.

Find a good place to study. Choose one place for your study area. It may be a desk or a chair at home or in the school library, but it should be comfortable and quiet. When you begin to work, you should be able to concentrate on the subject.

Skim before you read.     3    . As you preview the material, you get some idea of the passage and how it is organized.

    4    . Listening to what the teacher says in class means less work later. Taking notes helps you remember what the teacher says.

Develop a good attitude to tests. The purpose of a test is to show what you have learned about a subject.     5    . Tests provide grades, but they also let you know that you need to spend more time studying.

There are other skills that might help you with your study. Share with your classmates some of the skills you have found to be helpful.

10 . Here are top 4 destinations to start your new trip.

Ireland

If you’re looking for the right mixture of history, culture and nature, you’ll find it in Ireland. You can enjoy surprising views here. If you’re in the mood for a boat trip, consider giving it a try in the evening in Cork—it’s truly magical.

Italy

Italy has so many fascinating cities and places to visit, but it would be impossible to see them all in one go. A road trip could work, and Rome is a great place to start. You’re steeped in history throughout the city with the Pantheon and the Colosseum, as well as the historic and architectural gems in the Vatican City. Throw a coin into the Trevi di Fontana before you leave the city, which means you’ll return here one day.

Thailand

Thailand has some of the best beaches in the world, even before Leonardo DiCaprio made Maya Bay, on Phi Phi Leh, lamous in The Beach. Admittedly, the film does a great job of describing this beautiful island, yet green waters and white sands are pretty standards in this country.

United Arab Emirates

If you’re one of those people who love all luxurious (奢侈的) things, then a trip to Dubai is for you. With year-long sun and grand hotels, this is the place for endless shopping, cocktail drinking by a plush pool and sunbathing on an artificial beach—the Palm Islands. Head to the Golden Souk for a spot of jewellery (珠宝) shopping. If you’re feeling hungry, you can eat at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.