Setting Personal Goals We often hear people say, I need more direction in my life.

Setting personal goals can give your life a sense of direction. Its a technique used by top athletes and successful business people in all fields. Before you set personal goals, think about what you want to achieve with your life. Try to set goals in some of the following categories: Career - what level do you want to reach in your career? Community service Do you want to help make the world a better place? Creative Do you want to achieve any artistic goals? Education Is there any knowledge you want to acquire? What information will you need to achieve it? Family What kind of relationship do you want with your husband, wife, children, and other family members? Financial How much money do you want to earn? Physical Are there any athletic goals you want to achieve? Recreation How do you want to enjoy yourself? Write down your goals and think about them carefully. Are they realistic? When will you be able to achieve them? To help make the process more manageable, divide your goals into smaller tasks. For example, if you want to reach a major goal in ten years, set a five-year goal, a one-year goal, a three-month goal, and a one-month goal. Remember, your goals can change with time. Adjust them regularly to reflect this growth in your personality. Be sure your goals are things you hope to achieve, not what your parents, spouse, family, or employers want.

Cell phone etiquette What do you do in a situation like this? Youre eating dinner with friends at a nice restaurant. Youre having a great time when a phone rings at the table next to you. A man takes out his phone and starts talking loudly about problems hes having with his girlfriend. He talks for almost ten minutes! This happens all the time on buses, in restaurants, everywhere! Many people find cell phones useful in their day to day lives. But weve all sat next to someone talking too loudly on a cell phone. You may want to tell the loudmouth to end the conversation, but let the management take care of noisy customers. You can only control your own behavior. Here are a few rules: Off means off! Respect the rules of restaurants and other public places. If a sign says turn off cell phones, dont use your phone. Keep private conversation private! Speak softly and for a short time. Try to move away from other people. Light off, phone off! Never take calls in a theater or at the movies. Pay attention! Talking on a cell phone while driving is dangerous. And watch where youre going when youre walking down the street and talking on the phone. As more people use cell phones, things are only going to get worse. So, the next time youre getting ready to make a call, stop and consider the people around you.

Thing you can do to help the environment Cars Cars are getting bigger. SUVs large, truck like vehicles are now the most popular new cars in the United States. Bigger vehicles burn more gas and increase problems with acid rain and air pollution. So try to walk, bicycle, or use public transportation. And if you drive a car, it tuned up. This can save gas and reduce pollution. Energy The biggest use of home energy is for heating and cooling. So turn up your air conditioner and turn down the heat, especially at night. Replace regular light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs, which use less energy. And remember to turn lights off. Products Each American throws away an average of 10 kilograms (4.5pounds) of trash every day. Most of that trash goes into landfills. Reduce waste before you buy by asking yourself: Do I need the item? Is it something I can only use once? Buy products that you can use over and over again. If you use disposable products, choose those made from recycled materials. Water Showers use a lot of water. In one week, a typical American family uses as much water as a person drinks in three years! Buy a special low flow showerhead or take shorter shower. This can cut water use in half. Also, fix any leaky faucets.

To tip or not to tip? The word tip comes from an old English slang word that means to give. Its both a noun and a verb. Americans usually tip people in place like restaurants, airports, hotels, and hair salons. People who work in these places often get paid low wages. A tip shows that the customer is pleased with the service. Sometimes its hard to know how much to tip. The size of the tip usually depends on the service. People such as parking valets or bellhops usually get smaller tips. The tip for people such as taxi drivers and waiters or waitresses is usually larger. Here are a few guidelines for tipping in the United States: Airport porters or hotel bellhops: $1 or $2 for carrying each suitcase Parking valets: $1 for parking a car Hotel door attendants: $1 or $2 for getting a taxi Hotel maids: $1 or $5 per night Taxi drivers: 15 percent of the bill; more if they help you with bags Waiters and waitresses: 15 to 20 percent of the bill (there is no tipping in fast-food restaurants) Barbers or hairstylists: 15 percent of the bill When youre not sure about how much to tip, do what feels right. You dont have to tip for bad service. And you can give a bigger tip for very good service. Remember, though, your behavior is more important than your money. Always treat service providers with respect.

Rain forest remedies? Carol Maxwell writes a column on health. Recently, she took a trip to Tortuguero national park in Costa Rica. Rodrigo Bonilla turns off the motor of the boat. We get off the boat and follow him along the path into the rain forest. Above us, a monkey with a baby hangs from a tree. On this hot January day, Rodrigo is not looking for wild animals, but for medicinal plants-plants that can cure or treat illnesses. Medicinal plants grow in rain forests around the world. Rodrigo is Costa Rican. He learned about jungle medicine from his grandmother. He shows us many different plants, such as the broom tree can help stop bleeding. People have always used natural products as medicine. In fact, about 50 percent of Western medicines, such as aspirin, come from natural sources. And some animals eat certain kinds of plants when they are sick. This is why medical researchers are so interested in plants. Many companies are now working with local governments and searching the rain forests for medicinal plants. So far, the search has not produced any new medicines. But its a good idea to keep looking. Thats why we are now here in the Costa Rican rain forest. A broom tree

Greetings from Prague is so cool! My sister was right. It really is one of Europes most popular tourist destinations. The city has amazing old buildings. So far, my favorite thing is Prague Castle. Its 1.100 years old! I think its the largest ancient castle in the world. Prague also has a lot of cultural events, like the World Dance Festival. I went to a ballet just last night. Holly Ive definitely come to Shanghai at the right time. Summer has begun, but its not too hot yet. The Dragon Boat festival was yesterday. It was fantastic! If you come to Shanghai, you should see the Bund a street with terrific shopping, nightclubs, and hotels. Its crowded with locals and tourists. It has some wonderful buildings from the 1930 s. I went on a night cruise of the Huangpu River last night. I met some great people on the boat, mostly foreigners, like me. Stan. Buenos Aires is a fun city, but six days is not enough time for a visit! Im staying near the mile-long shopping street called Calle Florida. Its a great place to meet people and watch dancers perform the tango. Buenos Aires is the birthplace of the tango. I also spend a day in the suburb of Tigre. Its about 30 km from the capital, but you can get there quickly by train. We sailed on the canals of the Parana River delta. Melinda

Taking the Risk Sports world magazine recently spoke with Jenny Adams, Tom Barker, and Ray Lee about risky sports. SW: Hang gliding is a dangerous sport, jenny. What do you enjoy about it, and have you ever had an accident? Jenny: No, Ive never been hurt. Maybe Ive been lucky. Sometimes the wind can be too strong. Once, my glider turned upside down and I almost crashed, but I parachuted away just in time. Actually, Ive always felt that hang gliding is very safe. And its amazing to be able to fly like a bird. SW: tom, youve been mountain climbing for years now. What are some of the dangers youve experienced? Tom: when youre high up on a mountain, the conditions are hard on the human body. The air is thin, and you get tired. Ive lived through storms and bad weather. But I like the challenge and I like overcoming danger. Thats why I do it. SW: Ray, have you ever experienced any dangers while scuba diving? Ray: Luckily, I havent. but people can get the bends if they come up too quickly from deep under water. Bubbles form in the blood. The bends can be serious, and can even cause death. But the condition is rare. Diving isnt really dangerous. And the great thing is that it lets you explore another world.

Hip-hop style Teenagers who listen to the same music often have a common look. One hot style in music and fashion is hip-hop. Simply put, hip-hop is a type of urban music with a heavy beat. Typical hip-hop fashions are loose-fitting street clothes. The style includes baggy pants, sweatshirts, hiking boot, baseball caps (usually worn backward), jackets with sports logos, and expensive athletic shoes. In the hip-hop style, boys and girls often dress the same way. Africa-American kids in Detroit and Chicago first made hip-hop fashions trendy more than 20 years ago. They wore baggy street clothes to dance clubs. The North American and European bands also began wearing this style. Thanks to the popularity of music videos and movies, hip-hop soon became an international fashion sensation. Teens around the world, from Britain to South Africa to Japan, now wear hip-hop clothing. Seventeen year old Melanie Borrow, of Manchester, England, says, My pride and joy in life are my Levis jeans. In the United States, teens spend a lot of money on hip-hop fashions. David Bowen, 17, of Evanston, Illinois, has five pairs of hiking boots, each costing around $100. David says, Theyre popular because a lot of hip-hop performers wear them.

The world in one neighborhood The sidewalks are crowded with Indian women in colorful traditional dress. A woman on the corner is selling Chinese cakes. A new song from a Romanian band is playing in restaurant. Is it India? China? Romania? No, its Astoria, a neighborhood in Queens, New York City. Astoria was once a mostly Greek neighborhood, but the area is changing fast. New residents from India, Pakistan, Thailand, China and over the United States are moving in. The new residents bring many traditions. These traditions blend together to make Astoria truly multicultural. When people are surrounded by different cultures, they adopt the things that they like, says one resident. Here in Astoria, it isnt surprising that and India woman BUYS Mexican tortillas from a Korean grocery store. Its one of the things that makes the neighborhood special. It isnt surprising that Astoria is becoming a very popular place to live. The rents are reasonable, the neighborhood is safe, and it has very good public transportation. There are inexpensive stores, many nice restaurants, and good fresh fruit and vegetable markets. And Astoria is a comfortable place to live. Apartments are usually big and roomy. As one long-time resident says, Why live anywhere else? Astoria has it all.

Vacation postcards Anita,

I cant believe my trip is almost over. I come to Easter Island just two weeks ago. I was with a group from the university. We stayed with families that live on the island. We studied the stone statues, called moai, and the cave paintings. I really learned a lot. Im tired, but I loved every minute of my trip. Take care, Margaret. Ps: on Easter Island, Iorana means hello

Hi, Luis!

My Hawaiian vacation just ended, and I am very well rested! I spent my whole vacation at a spa. Every day for a week, o exercised, did yoga, meditated, and ate vegetarian food. I also went swimming and snorkeling. I feel fantastic! Im looking forward to seeing you soon. Love, Debbie

Dear Michelle,

Alaska is terrific! I just returned from a trip to the Arctic National Wildlife refuge. There were six people on the trip. We camped outside for ten days. Then we took rafts to the Arctic Ocean. I saw a lot of wildlife, including some caribou. Now, Im going to Anchorage. See you soon!

The changing Family American families are changing. One important change is that most married woman now work outside the home. What happens when both parents work? Read about the Morales family. Judy and Steve Morales have three children: Josh, 12; Ben, 9; and Emily, 6. Steve is a computer programmer. This year, Judy is working again as a hospital administrator. The family needs the money, and Judy likes her job. Everything is going well, but there are also some problems. Now that Judy is working, Steve has to help her more with the housework. He doesnt enjoy it. Judy loves her work, but she feels too tired and busy. She also worries about the children. Judy has to work on Saturday, so Steve and Judy dont have a lot of free time together. Emily is having a great time in her afterschool program. When Judy comes to pick her up, she doesnt want to leave. Unfortunately, Bens school doesnt have an after-school program. Right now, hes spending most afternoons in front of the TV. Josh is enjoying his new freedom after school. Hes playing his music louder and spending more time on the phone. Hes also doing a few household chores.

Christina Aguilera So far, she has multiple hit singles. She has fans of all ages around the world. And many people say she is the best singer of her generation. She is. Christina Aguilera. Here are some highlights of Christinas life and career. 1980: Christina is born on December 18 in New York. 1988: Christina first appears on television in Star Search a television talent show. 1992: Christina is on TV in Disneys New Mickey Mouse Club, with Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. 1994: Christina records all I Wanna Do with Keizo Nakanishi, a Japanese pop star. She tours Japan. 1998: Christina sings a song for the Disney movie Mulan. 1999: Christina has her first big hit- genie in a Bottle 2001: along with other singers, Christina records Lady Marmalade for the movie Moulin Rouge. 2002: Christina performs at the closing ceremonies for the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. 2004: Christina wins the best female pop vocal Grammy award for Beautiful. Overall, Christina Aguilera is thrilled by her success. its been quite a roller-coaster ride, she laughs. I simply love (my) job. So do all Christinas fans.

The worlds online Marketplace eBay! Do you like shopping online? Do you like finding a bargain or a good buy? Then eBay is for you. eBay is the worlds online marketplace. Its a place to buy and sell almost anything. With over 18 million members, eBay is more popular than any other shopping site on the internet. People trade millions of different things on eBays web site: from cars to electronics to musical instruments. Heres how it works: a member puts an advertisement for an item on the web site. Other members bid, or offer money, for the item. The person who bids the most money gets to buy the item. Then the seller sends the item to the buyer. Selling on eBay is easy, says Mike Stacks. Hes the owner of a company that sells used computers. And he adds, I make friends on eBay. I think its a very friendly place. But some people dont like it. I think the traditional way to shop is better, says Jenny Feng, a student. I want to touch things- not see a picture of them. But whether you like it or not, eBay is here to say. There are now eBay users in the United States, Europe, Latin America, China, and many other countries. Soon, people may be able t6o shop on eBay anywhere in the world.

Why do you need a job? Theresa Glass I dont have time to work, but I need a job because college is very expensive. I study art. I have class all day on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and on Thursday morning. I usually study on weekends. I dont have any experience, but I can learn quickly. Kerin Thomas My husband and I have a new baby. He makes a good salary, but we dont save very much money. We want to save some money to buy a house. I take care of the baby, so I need a job I can do at home. I know how to type, and I have a computer. Lamar Andrews Im 16 now, and I dont get an allowance from my parents anymore. I need to earn some money because I like to go out on the weekend with my friends. I go to school every day from 9:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. my father owns a restaurant, so I know a little about restaurant work.

Whats in a name? Your name is very important. When you think of yourself, you probably think of your name first. It is an important part of your identity. Right now, the two most popular names for babies in the United States are Jacob for boys and Emily for girls. Why are these names popular? And why are some names unpopular? Names can become popular because of famous actors, TV or book characters, or athletes. Popular names suggest very positive things. Unpopular names suggest negative things. Surprisingly, people generally agree on the way they feel about names. Here are some common opinions about names from a recent survey. Boys names George: average, boring Jacob: creative, friendly Michael: good looking, athletic Stanley: nerdy, serious Girls names Betty: old fashioned, average Emily: independent, adventurous Jane: plain, ordinary Nicole: beautiful, intelligent So why do parents give their children unpopular names? The biggest reason is tradition. Many people are named after a family member. Of course, opinions can change over time. A name that is popular now might become popular in the future. Thats good news for all the Georges and Bettys out there!