Jean Nicole enjoys buying things all the time. She appears at almost every (庭院) sale. She doesn't want to miss any chance (机会) to buy good things because they are much (便宜的) than those in shops. She is (感兴趣的) in almost everything, such as gloves, old coins,(围巾) for winter and tables. Everybody calls her "Lady Yard-Sale".
Two weeks ago, after Jean came back from a yard sale, she entered her (卧室). She was surprised to find that she (拥有) so many things. Jean (检查) these things and made a list (清单). "Oh dear! I can't believe it. There are seven bicycles, nine soft (玩具), and fifteen cameras ... And they haven't been used even once." She checked the numbers again. It made her crazy. "How silly I am!" she thought. "I can no (不再) go to yard sales and need to (清理) out these useless things. I think I should also have a yard sale to sell my things."
Nowadays millions of Chinese leave their hometown to work in big cities, but 35-year-old Chen Si is an exception. Having graduated (毕业) from Harvard University, Chen Si 1 her job on Wall Street and came back to her hometown in Shenyang, Liaoning Province in 2013. 2 she has worked as a director(负责人)of Tianzhushan Nursing Home.
There are 3 500 elderly people at the nursing home, and most are more than 75 years old. 4 many people didn't understand Chen Si, including her parents and friends. They 5 why she gave up her excellent job in America. They thought she made such a "stupid" 6 . And they didn't think she could be 7 the elderly. To work better, Chen moved into the nursing home. She put her whole 8 into the job. She was kind and friendly to the elderly. As time went by, she won 9 trust and love. Now they have developed a close 10 — they are like family and friends.
They 11 Chen Si "ACE (第一流的) lady" because she works as a psychological consultant(心理咨询师) and a nurse at the same time here. Chen Si is very 12 every day — she takes care of their health, pays attention to their diet and chats with them. In her 13 , it's important to provide the elderly with delicious food. But more 14 , we should make them feel valued (被重视的).
"I truly love what I have been doing. And I hope more young people can 15 me in providing care service, creative ideas and professional skills," Chen told the reporter.
I came across a yard sale on a sunny morning. I was happy just like the weather. An old lady (sell) things in the yard at that time. It was clear that she was (serious) ill.
Of all her things on the table, I only wanted to buy the model plane. My son would love it. But she told me I could buy anything except the model plane. I asked her .
"Because this is my son's (five) birthday gift," she said.
"Your son's birthday gift?" I was so (surprise) at her words. "But how old is he now?"
"He should be 50 this year, but he (die) 10 years ago. He enjoyed it when he was kid."
At that time, I knew I had to do all I could (help) her. I asked her how much all of her things would cost and she told me they cost $75.
I gave her $ 100. Before she could give me back $ 25, I had left the things. It felt good I knew I had tried my best to help her.
In June 2019, I moved to London from New Zealand. New Zealand is a small country which has almost 5 million citizens (公民). I'd been living there for nearly 25years, so I wanted to find a new world. London was my dream city, so I finally got a two-year visa(签证) as a Commonwealth(英联邦) citizen.
I realized I was in trouble as soon as I arrived. The visa and the flight cost me a lot. I had to pay for 6 months' rent (房租) and other things. It was the first time since the age of 25 that I had had no job and no idea where my next pay would come from. I kept looking for jobs for about 3 months. Luckily, I was offered 2 jobs. After thinking twice, I decided to choose the one that seemed to be full of challenge to me.
▲ It was surely exciting to live in my dream city. However, I found it not so easy for me to fit in. I couldn't get used to the food and weather there. What's worse, I found that people couldn't understand well by my New Zealand accent (口音) although I spoke English as slowly as possible. Someone even laughed at me for it. 2 years went by quickly. Finally I returned to New Zealand, because I realized London didn't give me a sense of home.
Now I understand how important home is! Home is my parents' house with many books and my grandma's small house with beautiful flowers. Home is where I feel safer and more comfortable than any other place--whether it's around many people or just by myself.
There was an old oak tree(橡树) in the garden. David's father wanted to cut it down and build a new office there. David felt sad and didn't agree. He moved into the old tree house, which was his favorite place in the world.
One day, it rained hard all night. Lightning li t up the sky and thunder rumbled(发出隆隆声). The tree was moving. A branch(树枝) broke. David and his dog Eco fell down from the tree. His parents ran towards him and took him into the room. Luckily, David was all right.
The next day a tree surgeon(外科医生) named Harry examined the oak tree. He did some tests, and then he talked to David and his father.
"This is a lovely tree, " he said. "I can see why it's so important to you, David. ▲ It really isn't safe. I'm afraid it has to come down. "
David nodded. His father put his arm around him.
"Can you cut it down?" he asked.
"Yes, of course, " said Harry.
"And after that … can you plant a new tree?"
"A new tree?"asked David, surprised. "Where?"
"In the same place, of course, " his father answered.
So Harry cut down the old oak tree and planted a new one in its place. David helped him fill the hole with earth, and Eco jumped in and out of it while they were working. Later the whole family stood around the new tree.
"It's small, isn't it?" said David's sister Sophie.
"It's small now, " said David, "but it's going to grow. It's going to grow as big as my old tree. "
Then he turned to his father.
"Dad, where are you going to build your new office?"
"Over there, " said his father, pointing.
"On the lawn?"asked David. His parents were crazy about their stupid lawn!
"It's OK, " his mother said. "The tree's more important. In fact, I want you to have a party in the garden for your new tree. And I want you to invite all your friends. "
David and Sophie smiled. It was going to be a great summer after all.
A few weeks ago, my friend had a ya rd sale. I thought it would help to clean my 9-year-old son's room. We agreed that whatever we sold in toys would be his money.
The night before the sale, we put toys on the truck as well as a little bike that was too short for my son now. This little bike had at least 2 owners before it came to my son. It was not in the best shape and it certainly was not shiny new but it was still a bike, and the tires(轮胎) were still good.
We put a price of $ 10 on it but it didn't sell. So after the sale was over, my friend put it on the sidewalk with a sign that said"FREE BIKE". Within five minutes, a little girl was standing there. She asked if the bike was really free. My friend said yes. The girl smiled and rode away quickly.
Later that evening when I told my son how much money he had made at the yard sale, he smiled. When he asked about the bike, I told him that a little girl was very happy because she got the bike for free. The grin(咧着嘴笑) on my son's face was much more than when I told him how much he had made. He was so thrilled to hear that someone else would get good use of that little bike.
The bike was given to us, so in this way, I guess we got to pay it forward!
A Yard Sale
Hello, everyone! We are the Smith family. We'll move to a new house in two months, so we want to sell the old things. If you have an interest, come and have a look at our yard sale!
Where: 4660 Burgundy Road, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
When: Sunday, February 26th, 2023, from 9:00 a. m. to 5:00 p. m.
How to Get in Touch: Call Theresa at 310-694-4759.
How to Get to Our House: The No. 18 bus stops near our house. And there is a su bway station just 300 meters away from our house. You can also take a walk. However, we advise you not to drive a car because it's difficult to park it in our neighborhood.
Details: We sell almost everything! Clearing out a house! Dining room tables and other tables, chairs, sofas, beds. Sports things such as basketballs, tennis balls and bats, sports clothes and shoes, etc. Lots of pictures and toys. Come and see all.
Note: The coffee table in the living room is not for sale as well as the fish. In the family room the large screen TV is not for sale, either.
① by bus ②on foot ③by subway ④ by car
The Book Festival is coming! Do you have any books you don't want? Your old love may be someone's new favorite! Bring one book to the Readers' Library & get another one home for free! ◆When & How: May 2 -May 14 Bring one book for one festival card. May 16-May 31 Bring one card for one book you like to read. ◆What books: All kinds of books EXCEPT school books, comic books and dictionaries. ◆ Notice: ⒈Your book must be in a good shape, without any page missing. ⒉Your book must be clean and nothing is written on it. Want to know more? Please call 7652-3120. (We are closed on Mondays. ) Readers' Library |
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