In the 1990s, Ana Maria Cuenca's father drove a taxi in Miami. One of his regular clients was a businessman who hired him as a personal driver during work trips. As they got to know each other better over time, their conversations naturally extended beyond work to personal matters like family and children. The businessman learned that Cuenca's family was not well-off and had two children in school, so he always gave the father some extra cash at the end of each ride.

At that time, Cuenca was in her first year of college and was applying as a transfer student to Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, which she had wanted to attend since high school. But finances were tight for Cuenca and her family, and she wasn't sure how she was going to cover the $ 50 required for the application fee.

"Fifty dollars was a lot of money for a college student back in 1997. And unfortunately, at that point, we really couldn't afford the money. My wife and I were both from working-class backgrounds," Cuenca's father said.

During a routine drive, Cuenca's father received a call from her. She told him she had decided to give up on the application, urging him not to worry about the money anymore. Cuenca's father then drove silently, replaying his daughter's words in his mind. The businessman noticed his distress (忧虑) and pressed him until he finally told the story. The businessman listened quietly, leaning back in his seat, his expression softening. "Your daughter sounds like someone who works hard for what she wants," he said quietly. When the ride ended, the businessman gave him the extra cash as usual, but it was much more — a $ 50 bill.

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Meanwhile, he said something that Cuenca's father would never forget.

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Cuenca used the businessman's gift to submit her application that night.

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1．活动内容；

2．活动反响。

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Dear Jack,

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Yours,

Li Hua

The opening ceremony of this year's "Silk Road Art Feast", whose theme was "Taste from Chengdu", (hold) last week in Macao. As part of a new food program for 2026 that mixes cooking with elements of intangible cultural heritage (非遗), the event (strengthen) the city's standing as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.

The first chapter appeared last week, drawing (inspire) from Chengdu, Sichuan province — the starting point of the Southern Silk Road and a city (historic) known as the "City of Brocade (锦城)". For the event, the organizer invited famous chef Zhang Yuanfu, provincial keeper of Sichuan food arts, and Yang Dengquan, head chef of a Michelin-starred Sichuan restaurant in Macao.

Together, the two chefs — both experts with over four decades (devote) to Sichuan food — presented a three-day limited dining experience showing traditional Sichuan cooking's depth and skill. The menu combined spices from Silk Road trade routes with Sichuan ingredients (原料) while (add) fresh seafood from Macao, highlighting both classical flavors and heritage techniques.

Among the signature (dish) was a quality fish stomach, paired with milk soup — one of four Sichuan classics — and prepared using slow-cooking techniques delivered rich, different flavors. The event not only promoted Sichuan food deepened cultural exchanges between the cities.

After we made our way across, we looked at each other through the downpour and 4 our heads back in laughter, briefly forgetting our wet and cold state.

This 5 attitude is typical of Nepalis. When things get tough, they make the best of it and keep walking. Life here is often 6: freezing temperatures, infertile soil and few drivable roads. Yet its wild beauty is exactly what 7 tourists here.

Hours later, we 8 a small teahouse in the distance. I entered, seeing Pemba, a 14-year-old boy, making tea and his little sister 9 the fire. As the downpour 10 the roof, Pemba smiled shyly, steadily stirring (搅拌) the tea.

This teahouse is one of hundreds of mountain 11. Tourists stop to rest and eat, but what they seek is 12. Conversations around teahouse stoves can stretch for hours 13 languages and continents. Now, as we headed back, it 14 me how much this climb had depended on the families who guided climbers and offered 15, which more than anything, made our journey possible.

Will, knowledge, and emotions matter. In dreaming, we must establish a balance between these three areas of our lives. It doesn't take long to realize what they want to do. The question of "what if" is one that people enjoy. To set your path toward making that happen gets complicated because of those other two areas: knowledge and emotion.

A lack of knowledge is a hard issue to overcome. Many of us don't want to study. So they keep repeating others' paths. Most of the paths we can imagine have been done before. If you are to see your dream realized, then you will have to get some schooling or guidance. You may have a degree this path wasn't for you. Yet they still take the job. Your knowledge and success have trapped you.

This is their main obstacle. They can't seem to manage them. This becomes their limitation. They ride the wave of how they feel today and never press through their current distress to build up any progress. They start and stop all through the course of their life.

So what happens when we are led by our emotions? We contain our will. Until we can get the knowledge we need and the emotional stability we need, we are stuck in a repeated experience of starting and stopping over and again.

A. So, how do you sustain a dream?

B. It gets covered up with other worries.

C. Will is generally not a dreamer's problem.

D. But this is where the real challenge begins.

E. On the other hand, knowledge can work against you.

F. You may have invested years, but this path is not for you.

G. An even larger number of people struggle with their emotions.

According to a press release from VTT Research in Finland, antibiotic (抗生素的) resistant bacteria are one of the ten greatest world health challenges of our time. This type of bacteria can cause wound infections that are very difficult to treat. But now a solution may have been found. VTT Research found a way to use the antimicrobial properties of berries to make a spray that kills deadly bacteria without harming the useful microbes (微生物) that live on the human skin.

This could avoid those very dangerous wound antibiotic resistant infections, and make it possible to use fewer antibiotics while treating a patient. "The product could easily be used in hospitals as, say, a liquid to spray on the skin before surgery," Panu Lahtinen, Associate Professor and Senior Advisor at VTT said in the press release.

VTT has been researching the antimicrobial properties of berries for over two decades. While the data has not yet been published, the researchers found that wild berry seeds of all kinds are naturally coated with antimicrobial compounds. This helps prevent the growth of molds or other diseases before the fruit can shoot up. "Our research has identified antimicrobial compounds in several wild berries," Panu told Good News Finland.

The researchers developed a way to extract the useful compounds from berry cakes, a byproduct of juice making that contains berry seeds and skins. A nanocellulose (纳米纤维素) film that is friendly to human skin is bathed in the berry compound extracted from the berry cake. This makes their spray entirely bio-based.

What is remarkable is that VTT found a way to use the power of their local natural surroundings — wild raspberries grow abundantly in Finland — to help humanity, all while also partaking in a circular economy by using organic matter that would otherwise be considered a waste product. As the threat of antibiotic resistant bacteria grows, it is good to know that the solution may be something so simple as a berry.

The research team interviewed 30 UK salon owners about sustainability, and then ran a nationwide intervention in 25 sustainable salons using Mirror Talkers, where eco-tips are placed on salon mirrors to engender discussions on sustainable haircare practices.

"The carbon footprint of shampoo (洗发水) is mostly in the hot water used," says Denise Baden of the University of Southampton. "Simple messages like ‘most of us use too much shampoo and shampoo too often' can spark conversations about how shampooing less and at lower temperatures saves time, money, energy, water and is better for your skin and hair."

The study found nearly 73% of salon clients were likely to change their haircare routines after conversations sparked by the Mirror Talkers, some even switching to eco-friendly products, using cooler water, and adopting greener habits at home.  

Researchers say this demonstrates how hairdressers have an "untapped ability" to weave climate change into everyday conversations and actions. They are now urging policymakers to roll out tools like Mirror Talkers nationally. "If we're serious about building a public movement for climate action, then it's time to invest in these unsung influencers because real change starts in everyday conversations," says Dr Sam Hampton of CAST.

Matilda Collins, a senior director and stylist, says the Mirror Talkers initiative could gain positive outcomes if the experience "feels natural and engages clients without being overly virtuous". She adds, "Ultimately, the trust a stylist builds with the client is what will drive potential positive changes in behaviour. It could be a great education platform and a conversation starter, however."

Following this event, Vihaan and Nav decided to take action to improve their city's waste collection to ultimately improve their own health and that of their neighbors. Vihaan struggled with a persistent cough and shortness of breath. He knew his symptoms would not likely improve until his local community improved its waste management solutions.

In 2018, at ages 14 and 11, respectively, the brothers created a home recycling program called One Step Greener that managed recycling for 15 households within their community. Their goal: prevent toxic chemical waste from seeping (渗透) into the environment and creating dangerous health conditions for residents.

At first, the boys felt empowered by taking the action of separating waste into distinct categories. When local officials then informed them that the local garbage collection crew would not pick up their separated bags, they felt momentarily defeated, but persisted in their efforts.

The boys then created a neighborhood coalition to create a unified recycling program, which 15 households took part in. Local authorities adjusted their stance, and the recycling program spread throughout the community with a growing number of households starting to participate.

"The main issue in waste management is that everybody thinks it's not their job, or if the waste is out of their house, it's out of their mind," Vihaan said.

Vihaan and Nav's program grew from managing 15 households to 3,000 throughout 14 Indian cities. The program offers families involved free door-to-door dry waste pickups. The separated waste is then delivered to warehouses where it is further divided to ensure proper recycling. Newspapers are separated from A4 printing paper, PET plastic from polypropylene, and computer screens from keyboards.

One Step Greener's goal reads, "One Step Greener's mission is to transform environmental action into everyday practice by mobilizing youth, building green communities, and designing scalable solutions in waste management, afforestation, and education — starting at the grassroots, and growing toward systems change."

"It's an old saying, but collective effort does actually make a difference," said Vihaan.

●The Writers' Museum, Edinburgh

Located in the heart of Edinburgh, The Writers' Museum, a pilgrimage (朝圣) site for literature lovers, shows respect for Scotland's literary masters — Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Stevenson. But what attracts the visitors most? The museum is housed in the 17th-century Lady Stair's House, where each room unfolds a different chapter of Scotland's literary history. From Burns' writing desk to Scott's dining table, every corner identifies with the essence (精华) of the written word.

●The National Football Museum, Manchester

The museum takes you through the legendary (传奇的) story of football. It is a pilgrimage site that explores the history, culture and global impact of football. From the development of the sport to great moments in football history, the exhibits display the essence of the global favorite.

●The Beatles Story, Liverpool

The Beatles Story is more than a museum; it's a holy site for music lovers to pay respect to their role models: John, Paul, George and Ringo. The exhibits trace the band's journey from Liverpool's Cavern Club to global stardom. It offers a unique opportunity to relive the magic of Beatlemania and explore the cultural phenomenon that forever influenced the landscape of music.

●The National Railway Museum, York

Housing various railway-themed objects, the museum illustrates the transformative power of the railroad. While impressed by the engineering wisdom of early steam engines, visitors can explore the innovation and connectivity that define the development of rail travel. The dynamic exhibits and interactive displays make it a family-friendly destination, offering a hands-on exploration of what shaped the industrial and social landscape.

To fully realize your potential, it is important for you to make full use of our school resources. Take advantage of your classes, learn from your teachers and classmates, and make the most of our school facilities. There are also a lot of school activities for you. Join a club or two, and take an active part in different sports.

Of equal importance are good study habits, useful skills and a positive attitude. 细心规划你的学习 and set clear goals. Also, you must make efforts to improve your social skills. Last but not least, always look on the bright side and never lose hope, even in difficult situations. In time you will find yourself growing into a well-rounded individual.

As Lao-Tzu wisely said, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." You need to make a continuous effort to train your mind and develop your character. 高中会帮助你学习和成长, yet you alone are responsible for realizing your great potential. Be confident, do your best and make us proud!