This winter,     1     city of Harbin has spared no effort to show sincerity and     2     (create) in entertaining tourists from all over the world.

Harbin has long been a major tourist attraction in winter, and it has garnered more attention this winter. It ranked     3     (five) among the most popular cities for the 2024 New Year holiday, following Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu. Among the top 10 cities, Harbin is the only one that     4     (locate ) in northeast China.

    5     (prepare) for a year, Harbin didn’t attributed the boom to pure luck, said He Jing, director of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Heilongjiang Province.

She said the city has been rolling out plans since the beginning of 2023     6     (boost) its tourism industry, attracting attention on various social media platforms. “We stand in the shoes of tourists. We pay special attention to their comments under our videos published on social media platforms. Whatever tourists complain about, we move and improve     7     (immediate),”she told CMG

To “rescue” tourists     8     are not used to the cold weather, the city built many temporary heated rest rooms for them, providing warm drinks for free       9     (freeze) pears, a local specialty, were cut into the shapes of flowers so that tourists could enjoy them conveniently.

“We want to impress tourists     10     all the small details, letting them feel comfortable and respected ”

4 . Staying in on a Friday might feel like a good idea—you could really use the “alone time” after a busy week—until you get on Instagram. You see your friends eating at that new restaurant you have been wanting to try, and then you start watching another friend’s story before they set out on an exciting road trip.

Suddenly, that alone time you chose doesn’t feel so good anymore. You feel like it’s boring to stay at home—you may even question the purpose of your very existence. Don’t worry, that anxiety is common—and not that new. You are experiencing FOMO, or the fear of missing out.

We are always comparing ourselves to people around us, but sometimes that self-comparison can lead to some pretty bad feelings. “FOMO” is about having thoughts on missing out on opportunities which might increase our happiness,” says Dr. Aarti Gupta. “Humans are social beings and depend on each other to survive, and being left out or not being in the know could have, once upon a time, been a matter of life or death.”

If you find yourself comparing yourself to others in a way that doesn’t feel productive, Gupta recommends practicing an abundance mindset: “This means remembering that there are plenty of opportunities to go around for everyone, and just because someone else found success doesn’t mean that you won’t.” So next time you see someone else win, try congratulating them instead of feeling unhappy.

So the next Friday night you decide to stay in, keep in mind that we are always missing out on something. Choosing one activity or path simply means you’ll miss out on others.

“I think the irony of all of it is that it’s called FOMO, the fear of missing out. But actually, what it is doing is that it’s making you miss out on today and that comfortable bed that you are in right now, or the job that you’re in right now or the relationship that you are in right now because you are so worried about what else is out there,” says Gupta. You can fight FOMO simply by being more fully present and invested in the life you have today.

In China, an impressive trend (趋势) is appearing where young people are taking an active part in     1     (care) for the elderly. One such person is 29-year-old Yanyang,     2     helps seniors with their needs. Yanyang, a former media professional, was inspired by his own grandparents’ struggles and decided to offer     3     (value) support to the elderly community. Up till now, he     4     (help) more than 200 seniors with their needs, showing his promise to their well-being.

    5     (similar), 27-year-old Wang Cheng, majoring in senior service and management, believes that his professional knowledge allows him to connect deeply with the elderly. Working in     6     social care center in Shanghai, Wang has seen the positive effects he can have     7     the elderly.

This youth’s involvement (参与) not only provides necessary care but also brings joy and energy to the lives of the elderly. These young caregivers, many from single-child     8     (family), share a deep emotional bond with the older generation. Therefore, the involvement of young people in elderly care can reduce generation gap and develop strong     9     (close) to the elderly.     10     (encourage) this trend, local governments are offering rewards to these young and professional caretakers.

6 . Most of us look forward to the weekend as a time to relax, connect with friends and family, and handle items from a to-do list that gets unnoticed during the work week. But as the weekday does come to an end, many of us are missing out on enjoying the weekend and instead experiencing a sense of anxiety and even fear for the upcoming week. Experts call this phenomenon Sunday scaries.

Sunday scaries, also known as the Sunday blues, arise when individuals expect the upcoming work week with a combination of various factors such as work-related concerns, unfinished tasks, the end of weekend relaxation, and the pressure to start the new week. As a result, individuals may find it challenging to unwind and relax before the new week begins.

A clinical psychologist, Renée Goff, said, “Sunday scaries are more than a physical heaviness for them, but they could even jump out of their skins due to the upcoming week. The negative emotions associated with Sunday scaries can have a significant impact on one’s mental well-being and overall productivity.”

“As a matter of fact, such anticipatory anxiety is a natural response that happens in preparation for anything that can cause pain or discomfort,” explains psychotherapist Angela Ficken. “Sunday scaries might even start bubbling up as early as Saturday, but tend to become less intense by the time Monday morning rolls around when you start your work week. This doesn’t mean we leave them unchecked.”

To battle anticipatory anxiety for the upcoming week, individuals can adopt self-care practices that promote relaxation and stress reduction. This may include engaging in hobbies, spending time in nature, exercising, practicing mindfulness or simply dedicating time to disconnect from work-related thoughts. Additionally, we can organize tasks for the upcoming week in advance to create a sense of control, reduce the Sunday scaries and promote a healthier work-life balance.

7 . Growing old is something that happens to all of us. But often, older people seem “invisible” in society. Many people see them as physically weak, helpless or unable to contribute anything.

Starting in 1990, the United Nations has made Oct 1 of every year the International Day of Older Persons. It is a day to fight this stereotype (刻板印象) and raise awareness of issues faced by older people in society.

How do you feel about getting old? I chatted with my grandma to find out her opinions. Born in 1927, my grandma Solveig King grew up in Sweden during the Great Depression of the 1930s and World War Ⅱ. Everything was rationed (定量配给). There were no outdoor lights and no running water. “But it was a very happy childhood: snow every winter and always sunshine in summer, enough food, but no luxuries,” she said. This explains where she got her habit of keeping old boxes and containers and never wasting any food. It’s a habit many people of her generation seem to have.

In 2015, I went to live with my grandma for a few months. We would sit together and read books, go to the swimming pool, watch some travel programs or documentaries on TV, do some gardening, try some crossword puzzles, and then do it all again the next day. It was quite fun!

Now 96 years old and in a wheelchair, Solveig can’t go swimming any more, but she still keeps up with her other hobbies. “I don’t feel ‘old’, just a little disabled! But I never wish I could do something I know I can’t do. I remember one of my favorite teachers saying: ‘That is just wasted mental energy!’ Nor do I ever wish to relive any part of my life. I am very happy with the road I have taken.”

As for getting older and wiser, Solveig thinks wisdom comes with experience and reasoning, but not everyone is willing to take notice of it. And she keeps a curious and adventurous mindset. “Soon, I’ll need to go live at a nursing home for two weeks while my family is away. I’m excited because I’ll get to learn all about old people!” she said.

8 . China’s ambassador to the United Kingdom said the decision to remove the Chinese technology company Huawei from Britain’s 5G infrastructure (基础设施) was a “dark day for the United Kingdom”, and could be a missed opportunity for the UK to lead in the sector.

The British government last week announced it would ban UK mobile providers from buying new Huawei 5G equipment after the end of 2020 and asked telecom operators to remove all the Chinese company’s 5G kit (装备) from their networks by 2027.

Ambassador Liu Xiaoming said the UK decision on Huawei is a mistake and that the British government would struggle to achieve its ambitious plan to have a full coverage 5G network by 2025.

Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, Liu said: “This is a very bad decision. This is a dark day for Huawei. It’s a dark day for China-UK relations. It’s an even darker day for the United Kingdom, because you will miss the opportunity to be a leading country.”

While some fear a so-called national security risk posed by the Chinese technology giant with its 5G network, Liu said there is no hard, solid evidence to suggest Huawei technology would be a threat to the UK.

“They’ve been here for 20 years. They have made a huge contribution not only to the telecom industry of this country. They have fulfilled their corporate (法人的) responsibility. They have helped the UK to develop.” Liu said.

The British government has pledged to make the UK completely 5G and ful-fibre connected by 2025, and Liu said Huawei can help to deliver that “but now it seems to me the UK just kicks them out and, to use the media words, to get rid of them under the pressure from the United States.”

During the interview, the ambassador echoed a point made by leading British scholar and sinologist Martin Jacques, author of the book When China Rules the World, and who wrote in a recent tweet “history turns full circle”.

“In 1793 Chinese Emperor Qianlong told the British King: ‘We don’t have the slightest need of your country’s manufactures (产品) .’ So marked the start of China’s 150 year decline. In 2020 UK tells China that it has no need of China’s latest technology,” Jacques tweeted.

9 . With the rise of technology, we’re experiencing an important change in our lives. But what exactly are the differences between a modern lifestyle and a traditional lifestyle?

A traditional lifestyle is often defined by cultural and social standards passed down through generations(几代人). However, the modern lifestyle is characterized by a more personal approach, where personal freedom is often more important than traditional standards.

But the differences between the two go much deeper than just cultural standards. The way we live our daily lives has also changed greatly. Modern lifestyles are often characterized by technology-driven convenience. On the other hand, traditional lifestyles favor(青睐)a more simple approach to daily living.

So what does it mean to live a modern lifestyle, and how does it differ from a traditional one? The development of communication methods is a heated topic that gives us insights into the rich history of mankind. Letters were once the primary means of communicating across great distances, and they held a special place in people’s hearts, sharing news of loved ones. Writing a letter was so amazing as it required thoughtful consideration.

As time passed and technology advanced, communication methods changed, and today we live in an age controlled by instant(即时的)messaging and social media. While these tools offer speed and convenience, they have damaged the depth of our relationships.

In our modern lifestyle, we’re connected in a real-time way, but sometimes we feel more disconnected than ever before. The instant messages can leave us feeling anxious, while the art of face-to-face conversation is in danger of being lost.

But it’s not all bad news. Technology has brought us closer in many ways, providing new forms of communication. Video calls, for example, have made it possible to meet with loved ones from anywhere in the world, creating a sense of community that was once impossible.

10 . When social media filled with images makes you question your appearance, opinions or ability, for it’s so easy for people to get caught in a whirlwind (旋流) of comparison, remember to look up and out and appreciate there’s a world of beauty in difference.     1    

Dare not to compare.

No matter how many followers, comments, likes or views you have, if you get trapped in a competitive mindset, it can turn into a bottomless pit (无底洞) . That’s because there’ll always be someone gaining more positive responses. Think of fun times and kind things with families and friends, which are important and won’t fade from screen.     2    

Be authentic (真实的).

Even if it seems the rest of the world isn’t showing their true selves, you can be different.     3     Share your real, kind voice with the rest of the world, just as you do at home and with friends, and you might just inspire others to do the same.

    4    

Give your time and attention to people doing inspiring things, spreading uplifting messages and sharing unique and beautiful ideas. Be selective. If someone’s posts make you feel bad about yourself, click unfollow or hide.

Take time out.

For those times when social media makes you unhappy or full of self-doubt, pause and step away, even if it’s only for a short time.    5     For example, writing in a diary, drawing in a sketchbook or painting a picture will give your mind a different focus.