When I was young, my father used to grow carnations — a kind of flower that was red, pink or white. He took care of them with much love and devotion. Every day he came home from work, he would enjoy watching them. And he used to tell us, “No one should touch my flowers.”

    One day, my younger sister Clemence, who loved dad very much, wanted to help him. So she cut the carnation one by one and put them on the ground. She believed that dad would be very pleased to see them that way. When mom and I realized what my sister had done, we became completely speechless. However, my sister had no idea why no one showed her any thanks. When dad arrived, he went as usual straight to watch the flowers. Seeing his flowers lying on the ground like dead animals, he was shocked at first. He look towards the street to see if it was any of the neighbors' children who could have done it. Then he looked at mom in silence. Finally mom, who always taught us to tell the truth no matter what, said, “No bad neighbors did this great job, only your lovely daughter Clemence.” Dad's face changed into a smile and then he said, “Do I have better flower than my lovely daughter”

My younger sister smiled and hugged appreciation dad strongly.

    A growing number of Chinese Internet users have found the joys of online shopping. Most online shoppers are students or young workers. More women shop online than men. Clothing and home-use products are the most popular online. It was reported that more than 250 billion yuan was spent on online shopping last year, 80% through Taobao.

    Why do people use the Internet to shop?

    Some people say it is more convenient. They don't have to leave their homes to order something; they can shop for anything they want at any time; they can find things for sale that they can't find in the stores near their homes. Still other people say they can find cheaper products on the Internet, and they can save more money.

    You may question the security of online shopping. Don't worry. Unless you receive the products from the sellers and are satisfied with them, the shop owner will not get the money. You can also get your money back if you want to return the products.

    If you want to buy something on the Internet, you need a credit card. You have to type your credit card number and information on the website and send them to the store over the Internet. You have to be sure that the store will not use your information in the wrong way. You don't want someone to get your credit card number, so be careful with it, because people sometimes steal credit card numbers from stores.

    The Internet is also a good place to go window-shopping. Window-shopping is when you look at the things for sale in a store, but don't plan to buy anything. In window-shopping you can see what kinds of things you are able to get and how much they cost. Some stores like Ross Stores have a website for information about their stores, but not for shopping. Some stores have a website for information about their stores, and you can shop online there, such as Office Depot, Payless Shoe Source, Safeway. Some stores like Amazon,com are only for online shopping.

    Your best chance of success is by doing what you really want to do. Ask yourself, “If money were not so important, what kind of work would I do for free?” Then just do what you like to do.

    Think about what you are going to do. You have to start somewhere and it may be quite a small beginning. Whether you are beginning in business or you're dreaming to be a star, you have to start at the bottom.

    Great goal is necessary. An English student called Richard Branson opened a student magazine when he was only 16 years old. But he didn't stop there. He also opened a record business with many shops. Now his company has planes, trains and cars.

The only people who succeed without hard work are lottery winners. You must believe in yourself and work step by step, which will help you get what you really want.

    Maybe you always say someone is successful, but it doesn't mean anything to you. Learn from those who have already succeeded in something.

    I bought a jasmine plant for my office. When I bought it, I was told it would bloom and the sweet smell would 1my office. I had the plant for two 2, and every day I looked at it, but there weren't any 3 or pleasant smell. I was not happy,4 I gave the plant to my friend Linda.

    One day, 5 friend Mary called and invited me to her office. When I6, her jasmine flowers surprised me. I reached 7to touch the flowers. Mary cut some and gave them to me. I couldn't help 8 them. Surrounded by the sweet smell of only a handful of these flowers, I suddenly understood9  Mary bought her plant the same time I did. It took a year for her jasmine to bloom. I was so impatient for mine to bloom; regretfully, I 10 my jasmine.       

    In a way my life is like the jasmine plant. I need to be 11 and let things happen.  Last Sunday Linda told me that she was going abroad the next week. Before she left, she 12 the plant to me. This time I am going to wait. I have learned that 13 we want something in our life, we have to be patient. I am 14 learning to have that patience to wait for 15 jasmine to bloom.

Hey Li Hua

How are you? I've been busy since I came back from China. Guess what! I'm learning Chinese very hard, but I find it really difficult to learn Chinese well. Please tell me the best way you think.

One more thing, I hear you have Mid-Autumn Festival in China. What's the date of the festival? How do you celebrate?

Tony