Last weekend my classmates and I took part a voluntary activity in the community, which is actually organized by our school. As planned, they met at 9 on the Saturday morning at the school gate. When we arrived, we first went to the old people home in which we told stories but put on a talent show. What’s more, we visited some sick kid and gave them some gifts, what I thought could encourage them a lot. Finally, we helped to cleaning up the city parks so that people could have a clean and beautiful environment. How meaningfully it was!

4 . As a boy, Ramirez Cruz loved hiking with his grandfather up into the mountains of central Mexico. While the old man hunted for wild mushrooms, Ramirez would play among the monarch butterflies that migrated 3,000 miles to this forest each autumn, turning the blue sky into a sea of orange.

Ramirez is 75 now and each winter he still goes looking for butterflies. But these days, he might spend hours searching the forest without catching sight of a single one.

The world is losing monarch butterflies at a surprising rate, as many human activities destroy their natural habitats. But the biggest threat yet has only recently come into focus. Climate change, with its extreme storms, is destroying the forest that serves as the butterfly’s winter home.

To help his beloved butterflies, Ramirez has partnered with scientists on an experiment: They are trying to move an entire forest 1,000 feet up a mountain. He agrees with scientists that it is necessary to create an ecosystem where the butterflies will be able to survive.

Over the last several years, the team of researchers has overseen the relocation (迁移) of about 1,000 trees that were growing at lower altitudes up to higher and cooler areas. Ramirez and the scientists hope to expand the project and establish the trees at even higher altitudes on other nearby mountains if temperatures continue to soar.

After checking on the trees, Ramirez went off to look for the butterflies. He found a few butterflies then a few more. There weren’t as many as he remembered from his childhood, but it was still a sight to see. Ramirez eased himself down to sit on the soft forest floor and watched in silence. The only sound was the whistle of the wind and the gentle flapping (拍打) of their wings.

As a boy, Ramirez Cruz loved hiking with his grandfather up into the mountains of central Mexico. While the old man hunted for wild mushrooms, Ramirez would play among the monarch butterflies that migrated 3,000 miles to this forest each autumn, turning the blue sky into a sea of orange.

Ramirez is 75 now and each winter he still goes looking for butterflies. But these days, he might spend hours searching the forest without catching sight of a single one.

The world is losing monarch butterflies at a surprising rate, as many human activities destroy their natural habitats. But the biggest threat yet has only recently come into focus. Climate change, with its extreme storms, is destroying the forest that serves as the butterfly’s winter home.

To help his beloved butterflies, Ramirez has partnered with scientists on an experiment: They are trying to move an entire forest 1,000 feet up a mountain. He agrees with scientists that it is necessary to create an ecosystem where the butterflies will be able to survive.

Over the last several years, the team of researchers has overseen the relocation(迁移) of about 1,000 trees that were growing at lower altitudes up to higher and cooler areas. Ramirez and the scientists hope to expand the project and establish the trees at even higher altitudes on other nearby mountains if temperatures continue to soar.

After checking on the trees, Ramirez went off to look for the butterflies. He found a few butterflies then a few more. There weren’t as many as he remembered from his childhood, but it was still a sight to see. Ramirez eased himself down to sit on the soft forest floor and watched in silence. The only sound was the whistle of the wind and the gentle flapping(拍打) of their wings.

8 . Family Travel: On the Road Again

The classic road trip is more popular than ever. Here are few places to visit.

Colo Roads

The Colorado Tourism Office has made it easy for road-trippers to explore the state’s 24 Scenic &Historic Byways. A new microsite includes an interactive map that lets travelers explore options by region, interest or season. Travelers seeking inspiration can also get trip suggestions within more than 150 Colo-Road Trip plans. The plans offer suggestions for historic attractions, active adventures and cultural opportunities.

The Beartooth Highway

Visitors who travel his amazing road experience the beautiful scenery (风景) of Montana, Wyoming and Yellowstone Park, home to the Absaroka and Beartooth mountains. The 68-mile highway introduces road explorers to one of the most different ecosystems reachable by car. Extremely beautiful, the road shows wide plateaus (高原) painted with blue icy lakes, forested valleys, waterfalls and wildlife.

California Dreaming

For impressive coastal scenery and seaside breezes, drive the car for a trip up or down our western shore. Begin in Santa Monica, California, and wind your way past the Hearst Castle. Other road trip options include a tour which features the best surf spots, or uncover the strange attractions you’ll find in the California desert.

The Lighthouse Trail

Travel the 375 miles between Kittery and Calais, Maine, visit lighthouses along the way, and learn about the dangers that sea-going ships and seamen experienced along the Northeastern coast. Hear stories of the difficult and lonely life led by those who kept the lights burning brightly. If possible, visit the Maine Lighthouse Museum, where hands-on exhibits for children provide a good break.

10 . My family just got back from a wonderful vacation. It was 10 days of good food, great sun and beautiful beaches. One day nearly ruined our trip, though. I had caught a bad cold, and I was thinking about staying at home. But my wife had her heart set on the beach, and because we have three small children, I came along to help out.

We arrived, and my wife was in heaven. I wasn't as enthusiastic. The sand wasn't nearly as soft as I like. And the surf was much rougher, which certainly didn't please my kids.

As I kept comparing this beach to other ones, my mood deteriorated. I was about to get into another big argument with my wife when I remembered three little words: "Disagree and commit". It's a principle that encourages healthy discussion and disagreement during the decision-making process, but that requires full support for a decision once made.

In the case of our vacation, I had agreed to let my wife pick the beach for the day. Because of my cold, I would have found something wrong with just about any beach. And complaining would have just made everyone else unhappy, too. So, I did the opposite. I looked for all the great things about the beach and voiced them out loud. And guess what? I survived those hours on the beach.

In all our relationships, we're looking for support. Of course, good friends should be able to have healthy disagreements. But when it comes to making decisions, there are times when all the discussion in the world won't change another person's mind. When that happens, ask yourself: Can I disagree and commit? If you can, you'll show your partner you're willing to go all in and they'll do the same for you.

I know it's saved my most precious relationships countless times over the years. And it's a major reason why after 11 years of marriage, three kids, and even the stress of a family vacation, the relationship between my wife and me is stronger than ever.