MyE.T. Blog

生命是什么？生命是要发现自己，认识自己，胜不骄，败不馁。生命是不浪费宝贵的时间在无谓的琐事上。
  生命是总结昨天 ，把握今天，展望明天，每一天都做一些有意义的事，每一天都有一个满意的收获。生命更是充实自己的过程。
  生命不是好高鹜远，弃小追大；也不是鼠目寸光，畏首畏尾，徘徊不前。生命是切合实际，量力而行，方向一致，一步一个脚印跋涉的过程。
  生命也是不断给自己加压，有所创造，生命是要了解自己应该做什么，生命也是虚心多听别人的劝告，并且尽力去帮助别人，生命更是鼓励别人和勉励自己。
  生命是不抱怨自己，不抱怨别人；生命是不欺骗别人、伤害别人，也不欺骗自己、委屈自己。生命只有融入到集体当中才能创造出辉煌的人生。
 

Origin:Spark English

The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears.

The United States of America is often seen as a nation in which the pursuit of happiness is not a dream but a reality. The sad truth is that although portrayed as an unusually easy life, life in America is as much of a struggle as in any other nation.

For example, higher level education for Americans does not come easy. Although there are scholarships, grants and loans available, if the student fails to meet the criteria he is left with only personal resources to draw from. This takes him into a life with not only a school schedule to follow but perhaps, also, a work schedule and family life. These are often the difficulties that are not portrayed through the TV and movies. These are also the difficulties which many believe they will not encounter by attending as American college.

In the second place, there is finacial security. Many times what is portrayed of life in America is a life where “money is no object”. The fallacy in this is that, in spite of the comparatively higher wages available, the cost of living is also higher. Even as much is spent in surviving. Each person has their own personal struggle and money is an object for the majority of the people.

Thirdly is the belief that in the American way of life everyone has a good job. With the increasing advancements in technology, a well-paying job for those currently in the work force is getting harder to find. Those who have not been exposed to computers and other new methods of communication are finding this to be true. As it stands now, the job market is requiring at least a two-year degree from college, in order to make enought to live comfortably. Even then well-paid jobs are not easy to find, as it is sometimes believed because of the portrayal of life in America.

Origin:Spark English
The beautiful is life.

When you hear the phrase cultural heritage, what comes to mind? Maybe you remember going to see ethnic folk dances with people wearing traditional costumes. Perhaps you were exposed to the music and arts of this culture. Most likely, however, what comes to mind will be the food. It might begin with the recollection of your mother’s cooking, or visiting grandma’s house and receiving a special treat as a reward for good behavior.

As you close your eyes, can you picture your favorite dish? Is it a salad with a special dressing, or a scrumptous dessert? Can you smell the aroma wafting through the house? Maybe you’re far away from home and eating your favorite soul food makes you feel closer to those you’re separated from. Many of us have missed spending a holiday or two with our loved ones, only to find ourselves calling to ask what they had for dinner. It doesn’t matter if it’s the same thing that is served year after year.

There’s nothing like food to help us identify with our roots. These recipes, cherished family favorites, handed down from each generation to the next might undergo subtle changes, but there still remains a  cable of unity. It is this unity which constructs the bridge between families and generations. Food can be described as the building blocks of this cultural bridge.

Good food knows no boundaries. It becomes the great equalizer between young and old. Here, in the kitchen the old master works hand in hand with younger family members and friends, passing on traditional skills used in the culinary arts.

However, more is taking place than a mere transfer of information about ingredients and mixing instructions. Magic moments are created between child and elder. It becomes an opportunity for a parent to teach family values while passing the sugar and beating the eggs. Confidences can be exchanged along with the natural flow of conversation.

Origin: Spark English

Learn young, learn fair.

Life is full of challenges. School has to be the most challenging obstacle in the lives of youth today.

Elementary school brings about a few challenges characteristic of those years spent there. There’s the challenge of coloring in the lines, a very real problem to any youngster. Or how about the challenge of remembering to raise one’s hand before one speaks? There are hundreds of rules and regulations that govern these young children. The one thing that keeps these children in line is the hope of reward. Yes, this is the brass ring. The reward for a clean desk is an extra five minutes of recess! The prize for having all homework done, a shiny-new pencil topper! These small wonders keep small people in line. They make the children love challenge.

Middle school is not so easy. It is not easy for the students, and it also isn’t easy for the teachers. The challenge of staying out of trouble, or writing that research paper — these are the new confrontations of an older, wiser group. This clan has outgrown the  recessand pencil-topper tricks. They know that their efforts have to bring them something really useful, so mom and pop are pulled onto the scene. How does five, ten dollars for each “A” sound? Or, how about no telephone if one doesn’t do good in school? Need I say  more?

By the time high school arrives, a student’s place in academic excellence or else their unlikelihood to even graduate has been established. Little can be done now to make life’s challenges seem interesting, especially where school comes in. The slothful are rewarded with a nice job at a gas station, a pregnant girlfriend, and a fifteen-year-old Ford. the diligent are rewarded with an SAT score of over 1100, acceptance into Yale University, and a ticket to life. By meeting the challenges of school, sticking it out, and pulling through, they are fiven their greatest reward: success.

Origin: Spark English

Marriage is a lottery.

Have you ever been to an Irish wedding? I have just returned from one. It is a quarter to five in the morning; the sun has already climbed above the horizon; the birds are busy celebrating the new day and have eagerly been in search of food. But some of the fuests have not yet left. They are still prolonging the night: dancing, singing, gossiping, and postponing the unfortunate necessity of undertaking a day’s work in the fields after a sleepless night.

The evening party was to start at ten o’clock, but many of the fuests arrived earlier. A few of the nearer male relatives were looking rather awkward in evening suits with smart bow ties, and the pleasant, unsophisticated countrywomen appeared a little self-conscious in their Sunday best. Two men squeezing accordions provided the music: the old Irish tunes that have been played at weddings for many years. Half the people in the room were dancing the square cances which have been enjoyed even longer. A score of men stood in the narrow dark hall leaning against the wall, drinking beer from bottles and speculating about crops, cattle and the current political situation. And whenever the dancing stopped, somebody would start singing one of the sentimental, treasured Irish songs: the exile longing for his home, the grief-stricken lover mourning his fate. Sometimes we all joined in the chorus, sadly and solemnly, before getting up to dance again.

Irish weddings are almost certain to have been celebrated in his way for generations. I have been to wedding receptions where champagne has been served to the accompaniment of soft unnoticed orchestral  music; I have listened to carefully prepared speeches and eyed a little enviously the model gowns of women far more elegant than I could ever hope to be. I have been impressed, and a little bored. I have just been sitting up all night in a small, uncomfortable Irish cottage and I have been enjoying every moment of it.