2013高考英语阅读素材及翻译(98篇)2013高三英语阅读素材 Two extremes in life 生活中的两极
2013高考英语阅读素材及翻译(98篇)-2013高三英语阅读素材 Top Ten Ways to Be Happy at Work
Top Ten Ways to Be Happy at WorkIt doesn’t ma tter if you have the most mundane, stressful, or tedious job … there is always a way to find happiness in the workplace. Much of it is on your own shoulders. But, to be productive and create a lasting niche for yourself with a company, you must have some sort of happiness. Here are ten ways to be happy at work.#1) HEALTHY BODYWake up one hour early, and prepare your body for work. Hours are spent with hygiene and wardrobe, but the actually physical body is often forgotten in the morning routine. Just 30 minutes of aerobic exercise will get blood flowing, create energy, boost metabolism, and loosen up the body. This is especially important if you have a desk job, or job where you spend a lot of time cooped up in a car.#2) HEALTHY MINDTake the other 30 minutes (from the early wake up above) to get the mind healthy. Yoga, meditation, prayer, reflection, etc.. what ever works best to clear your mind of personal stressors.#3) EAT A BALANCED DIETEat energy rich-low fat foods. Fat makes you tired and sluggish; which makes you ill and unhappy. Do not skip breakfast and lunch. It doesn’t matter how busy the day gets, take time to get away from wor k and eat. This pr ovides you with just enough time to replenish energy levels and refocus.#4) ADD A PERSONAL E LEMENTMost employees will have some place that they can put a personal picture, pot plant, knickknack, etc.. Not only will this make you f eel more at ease in the work environment, but it will help you to remember the good things in life. If you do not have an area to call your own, dedicate a special piece of jewelry, that can serve as a happy reminder.#5) DON’T SWEAT THE UNIMPORTANT STU FFOf course, the know it all… tail wagging… suck u p… gal next to you is aggravating. However, unless you have the authority to fire her, you are stuck with her. Why let anyone else effect your sanity. Just nod ,and block her diarrhea of the mouth out. Likewise, if a customer is throwing a fit because of a policy that you donot have control over, do not take their insults personally. You will be a much happier person if you realize that you can not sweat the stuff that you can’t change.#6) DO NOT EXPECT PERSONAL RECOGNITIONMost bosses and customers are not going to specifically recognize you for your accomplishments. However, they are going to jump on the sl ightest err. My husband still can not comprehend this. He is always complaining about how unappreciated he is at work. Well, your appreciation, recognition, pat on the back, etc.. is your pay check. If you are getting a pay check, then you can assume you are doing something right. When you expect to be to told “thank you for putting in those extra 20 hours of work this week,” you are setting yours elf up for disappointment. Continue to work hard, and your payoff will be promotions, raises, and personal advancement; which is of much greater value than a pat on the back.#7) BE POSITIVEOkay, I know that it is trite and is often a hard feat. Howe ver, the “can do attitude” leads to suc cess. In addition to a positive attitude, you should surround yourself with positiv e people. Also, avoid gossip and complaining.#8) BE KNOWLEDGEABLEWhat ever your job is, you should make it a priority to know as much as you can about the job, field, company, industry, etc.. This should include the legalities related to the ethics of your profession or license. Knowing what you should and shouldn’t do will give you a greater peace of mind in performing job dutie s. A person constantly on edge is never happy.#9) ORGANIZATIONKeep your area clean and organized. This will cut a tremendous amount of stress out of your life. Thereby, making you a happier person.#10) TAKE YOUR BREAKSEvery employee is entitled (by law) to two- 15 min breaks in an 8 hr shift. It is easy to grow weary and aggravated, if you do not take the time to “reset.”.新课标第一网系列资料。
2013高考英语阅读素材及翻译(98篇)-2013高三英语阅读素材 24个日常习惯
24个日常习惯成功与失败的最大分野，来自不同的习惯。
好习惯是开启成功的钥匙，坏习惯则是一扇向失败敞开的门。
因此，首先要做的便是养成良好的习惯，全心全意去实行。
我们养成习惯，习惯支配我们。
—-John Dryden清晨1.早起：我很喜欢在凌晨5点起床，并花一些时间在上班前自己该做的工作上。
1. Wake Early: I am a big fan of waking at 5am and spending time working on myself before going to work.2.锻炼：当我有了1周4次锻炼的目标后，我发现，告诉自己“我要锻炼而非明天”是很容易的。
设置日常锻炼的期望值，远离那些潜在的借口，我已受益于这些日常习惯。
2. Exercise: when I had the goal of exercising 4 times a week I found it was very easy to tell myself I will exercise tomorrow instead. Setting the expectation of daily exercise removed this as a potential excuse and I have since reaped the benefits of this daily habit.3. 回顾或（甚至更好）调整您的目标：每一天我设法接近实现我的短期，中期和长期目标。
开始一天的回顾或调整我的目标意味着我能更好的认识一整天。
正如罗宾·夏尔马所说：有了更好的认识你可以做出更好的选择，当你做出更好的选择，你会看到更好的结果。
3. Review or (even better) Rewrite Your Goals: each day I try to get closer to achieving my short, medium and long term goals. Starting the day by reviewing or rewriting my goals means that I have better awareness of them throughout the day. As Robin Sharma says:With better awareness you can make better choices and when you make better choices, you will see better results.4. 阅读和（或）听励志材料：在早上一整天的没完没了可能的摆在面前。
2013高考英语阅读素材及翻译(98篇)2013高三英语阅读素材 Etiquette of a Gentleman(二)——绅士礼仪(二)
Etiquette of a Gentleman(二)——绅士礼仪(二) The basic of ChivalryIn addition to the aforementioned rules(General Etiquette), gentleman should follow these additional rules when in the presence of a lady. Chivalry may be o n life support, but it not dead yet. Be one of the few to keep this flame burning for many years to come.ALWAYS OPEN DOORSThis is perhaps the most basic rule of male eti quette out there. It is also one of the easiest to follow so you have no reason to forget it. Whether she i s about to enter your car, restaurant, club, or anyplace with a door, you should always hold it open. If there are many doors, then hold them open one after another.PUT ON HER COATAlways help a lady put on her coat or overgarment. This is a simple but powerful action.HELP WITH HER SEATIf an unaccompanied l ady is sitting next to you,it is important that you help her be seated by pulling her chair out for her and gently pushing it back into place, with the lady seated of course.GIVE UP YOUR SEATIf a lady arrives at the table and there are no available seats, you should stand up and offer yours to her.STAND AT ATTENTIONAlways stand when a lady enters or exists the room. This rule has been somewhat rel axed, so you can stand upon entrance but remain seated upon exit. Nonethelss, if you cn do both, you should.GIVE HER YOUR ARMWhen escorting a lady (that you know) to and from social events, you should offer her your arm. This is a little more intimate, but serves well when walking on uneven ground-espe cially if she’s wearing high heels.ASK IF SHE NEEDS ANYTHINGThis is one that most guys already do, but helps complete a gentleman. When at social events, make sure to ask the lady if y ou can get her something to drink or eat, (depending on the event), show her that you care about her comfort and needs.Gentlemen, if I may call you that, these are the rules of etiquette you should observe in everyday life. Elevate yourself above the r abble and display the mannerisms of a true gentleman. The world will appreciate such a rarity and your career will most definitely benefit from your good manners and savoir-faire.——By Michael Bucci.。
2013高考英语阅读素材及翻译(98篇)-2013高三英语阅读素材 Aspects of English LifeQueuing
Aspects of English Life:QueuingAspects of English Life:QueuingThe English expect each other to observe the rules of queuing,feel highly offended when these rules are violaed,but lack the confidence or social skills to express their annoyance in a strightforward manner.In other countries,this is not a problem:in America,where a queue-jumper has committed a misdemeanour rather than a cardinal sin,the response is loud and prescriptive:the offender is simply told'Hey,you,get back in line!' or words to that effect.On the continent,the reaction tends to be loud and argumentative; in some other parts of the world,queue-jumpers may simply be unceremonioul y pushed and shoved back into line--but the end result is much the same.Parodoxically,it is only in England,where queue-jumping is regarded as deeply immoral,that the queue-jumper is likely to get away with the offence.The English huff and puff and scowl and mutter and seethe with rightous indignation, but only rarely do they actually speak up and tell the jumper to go to the back of the queue.Queuing is almost a national pastime for the English,who automatically arrange themselves into orderly lines at bus stops,shop counters,ice-creamvans,entrances,exits,and lifes.In 1946,the Hungarian humorist George Mikes desccribed queuing as English'national passion.''On the continent,'he said,'if people waiting at a bus stop they loiter around in a seemingly vague fashion.When the bus arrives they make a dash for it...An English man,even if he is alone,forms orderly queue of one.'In a update over thirty years later in 1977 he comfirmed that this was still the case.After nearly another thirty years nothing mu ch seems to have changed.The authoress of the book said,'I do it myself.When waiting alone for a bus or at a taxi stop,I do not just lounge about anywhere roughly within striking distance of the stop,as people do in other countries--I stand directly under the sign facing in the correct direction,exactly as though I were at the head of the queue.I form an orderly queue of one.'In many cases,queue-jumping is effectively 'nipped in the bud' by non-verbal signals alone.When someone is considering jumping a queue,the queuers will start glancing at him sideways,through narrowed,suspicious eyes.Then they shuffle a bit closer to the person in front of them,just in case the jumper might try to insert himself in the gap.They adopt a more belligerent,territorial posture--putting a hand on a lip,'squaring up' to the potential threat,or ostentatiously turning a shoulder away from him.Frowns,glares,raised eyebrows and contemptuouslooks--accompanied by heavy sighs,pointed coughs,scornful snorts,turring andmuttering ('Will,really!''Bloody hell!''Huh,typical.''What the...')--are usually the worst that the person will be subjected to if he jumps a queue.Facing with all this the jumper w ill think better of it and retreat meekly to the back of the queue.The English have an acute sense of fairness,and what in other cultures would seen as entirely legitimate opportunistic behaviour--such as heading directly for the 'free' cashier when there are two people already waiting to be served in front of the cashier alongside,who have simply no been quick enough to move across--is here regarded as queue-jumping or tantamount to queue-jumping.Such behaviour is severely frowned upon.翻译：英人习俗：排队英国人指望大家都遵守排队的规则，如有人不遵守就觉得不好受，但却既不敢又无办法直接表露自己很恼火。
2013高考英语阅读素材及翻译(98篇)2013高三英语阅读素材 Be Still With God 与上帝同在
Be Still With God 与上帝同在All day long I had been very busy; picking up trash, cleaning bathrooms and scrubbing floors. My grown children were coming home for the weekend. I went grocery shopping and prepared for a barbecue supper, complete with ribs and chicken.I wanted everything to be perfect.Suddenly, it dawned on me that I was dog-tired. I simply couldn't work as long as I could when I was younger. "I've got to rest for a minute," I told my husband, Roy, as I collapsed into my favorite rocking chair. Music was playing, my dog and cat were chasing each other and the telephone rang.A scripture from Psalm 46 popped into my mind. "Be still, and know that I am God."I realized that I hadn't spent much time in prayer that day. Was I too busy to even utter a simple word of thanks to God? Suddenly, the thought of my beautiful patio came to mind. I can be quiet out there, I thought. I longed for a few minutes alone with God.Roy and I had invested a great deal of time and work in the patio that spring. The flowers and hanging baskets were breathtaking. It was definitely a heav enly place of rest and tranquility. If I can't be still with God in that environment, I can't be still with Him anywhere, I thought. While Roy was talking on the telephone, I slipped out the backdoor and sat down on my favorite patio chair.I closed my eyes and began to pra y, counting my many blessings.A bird flew by me, chirping and singing. It interrupted my thoughts. It landed on the bird feeder and began eating dinner as I watched. After a few minutes it flew away, singing another song.I closed my eyes again. A gust of wind blew, which caused my wind chimes to dance. They made a joyful sound, but again I lost my concentration on God. I squirmed and wiggled in my chair. I looked up toward the blue sky and saw the clouds moving slowly toward the horizon. The wind died down. M y wind chimes finally became quiet.Again, I bowed in pray er. "Honk, honk," I heard. I almost jumped out of my skin.A neighbor was driving down the street. He waved at me and smiled. I wave d back, happy that he cared. I quickly tried once again to settle down, repeating the familiar verse in my mind. Be still and know that I am God."I'm trying God. I really am," I whispered. "But you've got to help me here."The backdoor opened. My husband walked outside. "I love you," he said. "I was wondering where you were." I c huckled, as he came over and kissed me, then turned around and went back inside."Where's the quiet time?" I asked God. My heart fluttered. There was no pain, only a beat that interrup ted me yet again. This is impo ssible, I thought. There's no time to be still and to know that God is with m e. There's too much going on in the world and entirely too much activity all around me.Then it suddenly dawned on me. God was speaking to me the entire time I was attempting to be still. I remembered the music playing as I'd begun my quiet time. He sent a sparrow to lighten my life with song. He sent a gentle breeze. He sent a neighbor to let me know that I had a friend. He sent my sweetheart to offer sincere sentiments of love. He caused my heart to flutter to remind me of life. While I was trying to count my blessings, God was busy multiplying them.I laughed to realize that the "interruptions" of my quiet time with God were special blessings He'd sent to show me He was with me the entire time..。
2013高考英语阅读素材及翻译(98篇)-2013高三英语阅读素材 A Full-time School Called Life
A Full-time School Called LifeYou are enrolled in a full-time school called “life”. Each day in this school you will have the opportunity to learn lessons. You may like the lessons or hate them, but you have designed them as part of your curriculum.Why are you here? What is your purpose? Humans have sought to discover the meaning of life for a very long time. What we and our ancestors have to overlook, however, is that there is no one answer. The meaning of life is different for every individual.Each person has his or her own purpose and distin ct path, unique and separate from anyone else’s. As you are travel your life path, you will be presented with numerous lessons that you will need to learn in order to fulfill that purpose. The lessons you are presented with are specific to you; learning these lessons is the key to discovering and fulfilling th e meaning and relevance of your own life.As your are travel through your lifetime, you may encounter chal lenging lessons that others don’t have to face, while others spend years struggling with challenges t hat you don’t need to deal with. You may never know why you are blessed with a wonderful marriage, while your friends suffer through bitter arguments and painful divorces, just as you cannot be sure why you struggle financially while your peers enjoy abundance. The only thing you can count on for certain is that you will be presented with all the lessons that you specifically need to learn; whether you choose to learn them or not is entirely up to you.The challenge here, therefore, is to align yourself with your own unique path by learning individual lessons. This is one of the most difficult challenges you will be faced with in your lifetime, as sometimes your path will be radically different from oth ers. But, remember, don’t compare your path to the people around you and focus on the disparity between their lessons and yours. You need to remember that yo u will only be faced with lessons that you are capable of learning and are specific to your own growth.Our sense of fairness is the expectation of equity, the assumption that all things are equal and that justice will always prevail. Life is not, in fact, fair, and you may indeed have a more difficult lift path than others around you, deserved or no t. Everyone’s circumstances are unique, and everyone needs to handle his or her own circumstances differently. If you want to toward serenity, you will be required to move out of the comparing yourself with others rather than appreciating your own special uniqueness. You miss out on learning your individual lessons by distracting yourself with feelings of bitterness and resentment.生活是一所全日制学校你是”生活”这所全日制学校的学生,每天都有机会学习各种课程。
2013高考英语阅读素材及翻译(98篇)-2013高三英语阅读素材 Life Together
Life TogetherLife TogetherOne fine day,an old couple around the age of 70,walked into the lawyer's office.Appearntly,they were there to file a divorce.The lawyer was very puzzled.After having a chat with them,he got their story--the couple had been quarreling all their 40 years of marriage and nothing ever seemed to go right.They had hung on so long because of their children,afraid that it might affect their up-bringing.Now,all their children had grown up,and had their own families,so the old couple had nothing to worry about.All they wanted was to live their own lives,free from years of unhappiness.So both agreed on a divorce.The lawyer was having a hard time trying to get the papers done,because he couldn't understand why,after 40 years of marriage and age 70,the old couple wanted a divorce.While they were signing the papers.the wife told the husband,"I really love you,but I really can't carry on anymore,I'm sorry.""It's Okay,I understand,"said the husband.Looking at this,the lawyer suggested a dinner together,just the three of them.The wife agreed,why not,since they will still going to be friends anyway.At the dining table,there was an awkward silence.The first dish was roasted chicken.Immediately,the old man took a drumstick for the old lady."Take this,it's your favorite."Looking at this,the lawyer thought maybe there's still a chance.But the wife was frowning when she answered,"This is always the problem.You always think highly of yourself,and never think how I feel.Don't you know that I hate drumsticks?"Little did she know th at,over the years,the husband had tried many ways to please her.Little did she know that drumsticks were the husband's favorite food.Little did he know that she thought he never understo od her at all.Little did he know that she hates drumsticks,even though all he waned was the best for her.That night,both of them tossed and turned and couldn't sleep.After a few hours,the old man couldn't take it anymore.He knew that he still loved her,and he couldn't carry on life without her.He wanted her back,he wanted to tell her,he was sorry,he wanted to tell her"I love you".He picked up the phone,and dialed her number.Although the calls went unanswered,he nev er stopped dialing...On the other side of the town,she was sad.She couldn't understood how after all these years,he still didn't understand her at all.She loved him a lot,but she just couldn't take it anymore.As the phone rang,she refused to answer it,knowing thatit was him."What's the point of talking no w that it's over?I asked for it and now I want to keep it this way,."she thought..As the phone continued ringing,she decided to pull out the cord...She gave little thought to his problems...The next day,she recieved news that he had passed away.She rushed down to his apartment and saw his body lying on the couch still holding on to the phone.He had a heart attack while trying to call her.Though she was sad,she had to take care of his belongings.When she was looking through the drawers,she saw his insurance policy,dated from the day they got married,and noticed she was the beneficiary.And together in those files,there was the note:"To my dearest wife,if you are reading this,I'm sure I'm no longer around.I bought this policy for yo u.Though the amount is only $100,000, I hope it will enough to help me carry out the promise that I made when we got marr ied.I want this money to continue taking care of you,just like I would h ave if I could have lived longer.I want you to know I will always be around you,by your side.I love you!"Tears flowed like a river...翻译:再说一次"我爱你"这是晴朗的一天,一对七十岁左右的老夫妇走进了律师事务所.很明显,他们是来办离婚的,这令律师困惑不已.在与他们谈过话后,他知道了事情的原委:这对夫妇在结婚后的四十多年里一直没完没了的争吵,似乎在所有事情上两个人都无法取得一致意见.因为担心影响孩子的成长,他们一直都勉强维持着婚姻.如今,所有孩子都长大成人,成家立业了,这对夫妇再也不需要顾及什么了.他们一心想摆脱多年来不幸婚姻的束缚,各自过自己的日子,所有双方都同意离婚.律师很不情愿的准备着各种离婚文件,因为他实在想不通,这对夫妇一直走了四十个春秋,竟然在古稀之年还想离婚.当这对夫妇在文件上签字的时候,老太太对老头说:"我真是爱你的,但我实在无法控制下去了.很抱歉!""没关系,我能理解."老头说道.看到这一情景,律师提议就他们三人一起共进晚餐.老太太想:既然以后双方还继续做朋友,吃个饭又何妨.在吃饭的时候,气氛一直尴尬而沉寂.第一道菜是烤鸡.菜一上卓,老头就把鸡腿给了太太:"给你,这是你最喜欢吃的."他这一举动让律师觉得他们的婚姻也许还有挽回的希望.可老太太却皱着眉头说:"事情总是这样,你一直都自以为是,从来不顾忌我的感受,难道你不知道我讨厌吃鸡腿吗?"可她不知道的是,多年来她丈夫一直想方设法讨她欢心,她也不知道鸡腿原来是丈夫的最爱;而他不知道的是,她一直认为他一点儿都不了解她,他也不知道,尽管自己总想把最好的留给她,可她最恨吃鸡腿.那天晚上,两人都辗转反侧,夜不能寐.过了很长时间,老头子再也忍受不住.他明白自己还爱着她,也离不开她.他想要他回到她自己的身边,他想要告诉她,他很抱歉.他还想对她说:"我爱你."他拿起电话,开始拨她的号码.虽然对方一直没接电话,他却一直不停地拨号.....而在另一处,她伤心透了.她想不通的是,怎么经过了这么多年,他依然一点也不了解她.她非常爱他,可她再也忍受不下去了.电话在响,她都知道这是他打来的,可她不想听."现在什么都结束了,再通话有什么意义?我这是自找的,现在就让它这样吧,不然我可丢人了."她就这么想着.....电话还在响,她决定把电话线拔掉...这时候,她完全忘了,他有心脏病....第二天,她获悉他去世了.她赶到他住的公寓,看到他躺在沙发上,手里还握着电话.他在不断的给她打电话时心脏病发作了.尽管悲痛不已,她还是得处理他的遗物.当清理抽屉时,她找到一份保单.保单的办理日期是他们结婚那天,而保单的受益人正是她.与这些文件放在一起的,还有一张字条:"我最亲爱的妻子,当你看到这张字条的时候,我肯定已经不在了.这份保险是给你买的.虽然保额只有十万美元,但我希望它可以帮我继续履行结婚时我许下的诺言.我已经不在你身边了,但我希望能用这笔钱继续照顾你,就像我---如果我能再多活些日子的话---那样照顾你.我希望你知道,我会一直伴随着你,在你身边.我爱你!"她泪如泉涌...........新课标第一网系列资料。
2013年高考英语98篇阅读素材及翻译
2013年高考英语98篇阅读素材及翻译A boy and his apple tree Long ago, there was a huge apple tree. A little boy love to come and play around it everyday. He climbed to the tree top, ate the apples, took a nap under the shadow e loved the tree and the tree loved to play with him. Time went by he little boy had grown up and he no longer played around the tree everyday.One day, the boy came back to the tree an d he looked. "Come and play with me ," the tree asked the boy . "I am no longer a kid, I don't play around trees anymore." The boy replied, "I want toys. I need money to buy them.""Sorry, but I don't have money ut you can pick all my apples and sell them. So, you will have money." The boy was so excited. He grabbed all the apples on the tree and left happily. The boy never came back after he picked the apples. The tree was sad.One day, the boy returned and the tree was so excited. "Come and play with m e," the tree said."I do n't have time to play. I have to work for my family. We need a house for shelter. Can you help me?" "Sorry, but I don't have a house, but you can chop off my branches to build your house."So the boy cut all the branches of the tree and left happily."The tree was glad to see him happy but the boy never came back since then. The tree was again lonely and sad.One hot summer day, the boy returned and the tree was delighted. "Come and play with me," the tree said."I am sad and getting old. I want to go sailing to relax myself. Can you give me a boat?" "Use my truck to build your boat. You can sail faraway and be happy." So theboy cut the tree truck to make a boat.He went sai ling and never showed up for a long time.Finally, the boy returned after he left for so many years. "Sorry,my boy. But I don't have anything for you anymore. No more apples for you鈥︹€渢he tree said. "I don't have teeth to bite," the boy replied."No more truck for you to climb on." "I am too old for that now."the boy said."I really want to give you someth ing he only thing left is my dying roots," the tree said wit h tears. "I don't need much now,just a place to rest. I am tired after all these yea r," the boy replied."Good! Old tree roots is the best place to lean on and rest. Come,c ome sit down with me and rest," the boy sat down and the tree was glad and smiled with tears...。
2013高考英语阅读素材及翻译(98篇)-2013高三英语阅读素材 30分钟迅速快乐法则
30分钟迅速快乐法则Maybe you're feeling down because of the financial crisis. Maybe you're feeling overwhelmed by holiday tasks. Or maybe you're just having a lousy day.也许你正因为金融危机而感到沮丧，也许你正被假期工作压得喘不过气来，也许你今天恰恰诸事不顺。
If so, you can make yourself happier--right now. In the next thirty minutes, check off as many of the following items as possible. Each one will lift your mood, as will the mere fact that you've tackled and achieved some concrete goals; b y doing so, you boost your feelings of self-efficacy, which can boost happiness.果真如此的话，你应该让自己快乐起来——马上。
在接下来的三十分钟时间里，尽可能多地清点下列几项。
每一项都会让你的心情好一点，就好像你真的解决了具体问题、完成了具体目标似的。
这种做法可以提升你的自我效能感，从而带给你快乐。
1. Boost your energy. 打起精神。
Stand up and pace while you talk on the phone or, even better, take a brisk ten-minute walk outside. Research shows that when people move faster, their metabolism speeds up, and the activity and sunlight are good for your focus, your mood, and the retention of information. Plus, because of "emotional contagion", if you act energetic, you'll help the people around you feel energetic, too.打电话时站起来走动走动，能到户外轻快地散十分钟步则更好。
2013高考英语阅读素材及翻译(98篇)-2013高三英语阅读素材 Light in the Window
Light in the WindowBy Eileen GoltzIt was the first night of Chanukah and the night before Ellie's last final. As a freshman she was more than ready to go home for the first time since August. She'd packed every thing she needed to take home except the books she was cramming with and her menorah, the 8 branch candelabra that's lit every night of Chanukah. Ellie had been so tempted to pack the menorah earlier that night. However, just as she was getting ready to justify to herself why it was OK to "skip" the first night's lighting - (A) she'd have to wait for the candles to burn out before she cou ld leave for the library and (B) she had no clue as to where her candles were hiding - her conscience (and common sense) kicked in. The voice coming from that special place in her body where "mother guilt" resides said, "You have the menorah out, so light it already." Never one to ignore her mother's advice, Ellie dug up the candles, lit them, said the blessings, placed the menorah on her window sill and spent the rest of the evening in her room studying.Ellie's first winter break was uneventful, and when she returned to her dorm on the day before classes started she was surprised to find a small note taped to her door."Thank you," th e note said. It was signed "Susan." It was dated the day that Ellie had left after finals. Ellie was totally perplexed. She didn't know a Susan. Convinced that the letter had been delivered to her by mistake, Ellie put the note on her desk and forgot about it.About a half an hour before she was getting ready to head out for dinner, there was a knock at Ellie's door. There, standing in the hall was a woman Ellie didn't recognize. "I'm Susan," she said. "I wanted to thank you in person but you'd already left before I finished my finals.""Are you sure it's me you're looking for?" asked Ellie. Susan asked if she could come in and explain.It seemed that Susan had been facing the same dilemma that Ellie had been that first night of Chanukah. She really didn't want to light her menorah either. Not because she was packing, or was heading home, couldn't find the candles or because she busy studying but because her older sister Hannah had been killed by a drunk driver ten months earlier, and this was the first year that she'd have to light the menorah candles alone. The sisters had always taken turns lighting the first candle and this wasn't Susan's y ear. She just couldn't bring herself to take her sister's place. Susan said that whenever it was Hannah's turn to light the firstcandle, she'd always tease Susan that the candles she lit would burn longer and brighter than when Susan lit them. One year she even went so far as to get a timer out. It had always annoyed Susan that Hannah would say something so stupid but still, it was part of the family tradition. Susan said that it was just too painful to even think about Chanukah without Hannah and she had decided on skipping the entire holiday.Susan said that she had ju st finished studying and was closing her drapes when she happened to glance across the courtyard of the quad and saw the candles shi ning in Ellie's window. "I saw that menorah in y our window and I started to cry. It was if Hannah had taken her turn and put the menorah in your window for me to see." Susan said that when she stopped crying she said the blessings, turned off the lights in her room and watched the candles across the quad until they burned out.Susan told Ellie that it was as she was lying in bed that night thinking about how close she felt to Hannah when she saw the menorah, that it dawned on her thatHannah had been right. Hannah's last turn always would have candle s that would burn longer and brighter than any of Susan's because for Susan, Hannah's lights would never go out. They would always be there, in her heart for Susan to see when she needed to reconnect with Hannah.All Susan had to do was close her eyes and remember the candles in the window, the one's that Hannah had lit the last time it was her turn..新课标第一网系列资料。
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Two extremes in life 生活中的两极
It has been so bitterly cold here in Pennsylvania.
I can’t remember a winter being as cold as this, but I’m sure there were colder days.
Even though the daylight hours are growing longer minute by mi nute, it’s easy to find an excuse not to go out unless you absolutely must, but then again I often have to push myself to accomplish things.
People I speak to have been in all kinds of nasty moods. They say they’re “under the weather,” not feeling good about this time of year.
As I s tood outside with my two dogs yesterday, it was so cold that my nose and face felt crisp and my cars were stinging.
Of course, that does n’t matter to Ricky and Lucy. They have a routine they must go through to find just the fight spot no matter how cold or hot it is.
So I wait.
But this time it was different. As cold as it was, I suddenly was invigorated thinking about how wonderful this extreme cold really was.
Then the sun broke through the clouds and memories of summer’s scorching hot days flashed through my mind. I could remember standing in the heat of the afternoon, swe at pouring down my brow and the hot, burning sun against my face. I reminded myself then and there that in the cold of the winter I would wish I had this heat.
I was right.
Two extremes in my life that most of the time I find uncomfortab le, I normally dread them and gripe about it all the way through.
But today I was grateful for them. Without the extremes in my life, I would never appreciate the days when things were just right. Without the extre mes life would be boring.
It’s being pushed to one of the extremes that makes us appreciate the middle more. Health challenges rem inds us that we need to pay more attention to how we live. Financial extremes rem inds us that when things are in excess it’s time to tuck away for when the times are lean.
So bring on the cold so I appreciate the heat more.
Make me sweat on a hot summer’s day so I wish I had a handful of snow to rub my face in.
I’ve come to the conclusion that all too often I find a reason not to be happy with where I am at that moment.
Whether it’s hot or cold, good health or bad, in the money or out of it, I always wanted it to be different.
But no more. I want to start finding a reason to be happy right where I am. Even if it’s simply the fact that I’m alive.
I’m tired of being “Under the Weather!”
.。