Bidding for and hosting the Olympics successfully is, perhaps, the ultimate glory for a city. However, before transforming the dream into reality, the benefits and drawbacks of bidding for the Olympics should be weighed carefully.

    Hosting the Olympics surely would bring about much gain to a city. Boom of the local economy, more jobs, and the possibility of generating income all sound extremely attractive to the municipal government. At the same time, better infrastructure, cleaner environment, enjoying the spectacular game with hundreds of sports elites and entertainment stars, and the opportunity of contacting people from all over the world also seem exciting to the citizens. Besides, the bidding will definitely promote the patriotic emotion and pride, as well as the moral behavior in local people. In most cases, bidding for the Olympics is well supported by both the public and the central government.

    Unfortunately, this is not the entire view of the pretty picture. If looking from another angle, the Olympic bid might bring about some side-effects to a city.  wow power leveling,
    First of all, the environmental impacts, including the increasing exhaust fumes of cars, more pressure on water resources, huge amount of wasted leaflets and other materials used for public activities, are most probably neglected. In order to broaden the streets, some trees may have to be cut. Near the construction site, the tiny dust may linger in the air for a long time. Reduction of farmland may be caused by the need of setting up new sports centre or accommodation facilities. These environmental consequences can be especially serious in a resource-limited and densely-populated city in a third-world country.

 Besides, if talking about the economic benefit, it should not be forgotten that a quick boosting may lead to bubble growth, which may easily crash. If not well managed and organized, the big event may not be so profitable, and the new facilities may be forever empty after the games. Yes, there have been cases that host cities ended up with enormous debts.

    Finally, let’s think about the low-income groups in the city. What will they get from the Olympics bidding? More tax, more fees, more expensive property prices, and higher cost of living. These definitely are not good news for them.

    To bid or not to, this is a question. It is up to the choice of the municipal government, and the local public. After the decision, what they can do is to make the most of the benefit, and reduce the drawbacks to the least．
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The excitement of Sydney 2000 Olympic Games lasted for a long time. 28 gold medals won by Chinese athletes dwarf our Asian nelghhors, heat quite a few hlg countries of sports, and surprise the two superpowers——the United States and the Russian Federation. The great success clearly indicates that a new superpower of sports is in embryo.

　　Our success in the 27th Olympic Games is far beyond sports. First, the glory greatly enhances the international prestige of China. Through TV, people all over the world know more about New China, especially the dramatic progress made in the past two decades. Next, it greatly boosts the morale of our people. Billions of Chinese witnessed how the former ugly ducklings hecame China with the force of an avalanche. The successful stories or the Olymplc Medalists fuel the ambition of millions of Chinese youth. Finally, It heightens our selfconfidence and nationalism. China, a weak nation in sports in the past, has rapidly risen up and become one of the sports giants. Why couldn't she be a modernized China soon? What is more,the success has laid a firm foundation for Beijing to host the 2008 Olympic Games.
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　　The 27th Olimpic Games was over, but the Olympic Spirit lives on. In the race for a better nation,there is no finish line. If we keep on working hard, the day will certainly come when China will be a powerful country with international prestige.

Olympics

Grandma got Grandpa out of bed and helped him to the kitchen for breakfast. After his meal, she led him to his

armchair in the living room where he would rest while she cleaned the dishes. Every so often, she would check to see

if he needed anything.

This was their daily routine after Grandpa’s latest stroke. Although once a very active man, his severely damaged

left arm, difficulty walking and slurred speech now kept him housebound. For nearly a year he hadn’t even been to

church or to visit family.

Grandpa filled his hours with television. He watched the news and game shows while Grandma went about her day. They

made a pact—he was not to leave his chair or his bed without her assistance.
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“If you fell and I threw my back out trying to help you, who would take care of us?” Grandma would ask him. She was

adamant about their taking care of themselves and living independently.

The Brooklyn brownstone had been their first home and held wonderful memories. They weren’t ready to leave it behind

anytime soon.

Immigrants from Ireland, they met and married in America. Grandma was friendly, outgoing and unselfish; Grandpa was

reserved, a man devoted to his family. But he wasn’t big on giving gifts. While he wouldn’t think twice about

giving my grandma the shirt off his back, he subscribed to the belief that if you treated your wife well throughout

the year, presents weren’t necessary; so he rarely purchased gifts for her.

This had been a sore point in the early days of their marriage. But as years passed, Grandma realized what a good man

he was. And, after all, anything she wanted she was free to buy herself.
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It was a cold, gray February morning, a typical winter day in New York. As always, Grandma walked Grandpa to his

chair.

“I’m going to take a shower now.” She handed him the television remote. “If you need anything, I’ll be back in a

little while.”

After her shower, she glanced towards the back of Grandpa’s recliner but noticed that his cane was not leaning in

its usual spot. Sensing something odd, she walked toward the recliner. He was gone. The closet door stood open and

his hat and overcoat were missing. Fear ran down her spine.

Grandma threw a coat over her bathrobe and ran outside. He couldn’t have gotten far; he could barely walk on his

own.
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Desperately, she scanned the block in both directions. Small mounds of snow and ice coated the sidewalks. Walking

safely would be difficult for people who were steady on their feet, much less someone in Grandpa’s condition.

Where could he be? Why would he leave the house all by himself?
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Wringing her hands, she hardly felt the frigid air as she watched traffic rush by. She recalled overhearing him tell

one of their grandchildren recently that he felt he was a “burden.” Until this last year, he had been strong and

healthy; now he couldn’t even perform the simplest of tasks.

As she stood alone on the street corner, guilt flooded her.

Just then, Grandpa walked around the bend of the corner. Head bowed, eyes focused on the sidewalk, he took small,

cautious steps. His overcoat barely draped the shoulder of his bad arm; his cane and a package filled his good arm.
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Desperate to reach him, Grandma raced down the block. Relieved to see that he was okay, she started to scold.

“I only left you alone for a short while. What did you need so badly that couldn’t wait? I was so worried about

you! What on earth was so important?”

Confused and curious, she reached into the brown bag. Before Grandpa had a chance to explain, she pulled out a heart

-shaped box.

“It’s Valentine’s Day,” Grandpa explained. “I thought you might like a box of chocolates.”

A gift? All this worry for . . . candy?

“I haven’t bought you a gift in a long, long time.” His stroke-impaired words warmed the winter wind.
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Tears flooded Grandma’s eyes as she hugged his arm to her chest and led Grandpa back home.

She shook her head slowly.

It just goes to show, she thought, it’s never too late for romance.

A Change of Heart

A Coke and a Smile

   I know now that the man who sat with me on the old wooden stairs that hot summer night over thirty-five years ago was not a tall man. But to a five-year-old, he was a giant. We sat side by side, watching the sun go down behind the old Texaco service station across the busy street. A street that I was never allowed to cross unless accompanied by an adult, or at the very least, an older sibling. (wow power leveling)
 
 
　 Cherry-scented smoke from Grampy's pipe kept the hungry mosquitoes at bay while gray, wispy swirls danced around our heads. Now and again, he blew a smoke ring and laughed as I tried to target the hole with my finger. I, clad in a cool summer nightie, and Grampy, his sleeveless T-shirt, sat watching the traffic. We counted cars and tried to guess the color of the next one to turn the corner.

 
 Once again, I was caught in the middle of circumstances. The fourth born of six children, it was not uncommon that I was either too young or too old for something. This night I was both. While my two baby brothers slept inside the house, my three older siblings played with friends around the corner, where I was not allowed to go. I stayed with Grampy, and that was okay with me. I was where I wanted to be. My grandfather was baby-sitting while my mother, father and grandmother went out. world of warcraft gold
 　
 
 Thirsty?" Grampy asked, never removing the pipe from his mouth.

 " Yes," was my reply." How would you like to run over to the gas station there and get yourself a bottle of Coke?"

   I couldn't believe my ears. Had I heard right? Was he talking to me? On my family's modest income, Coke was not a part of our budget or diet. A few tantalizing sips was all I had ever had, and certainly never my own bottle.

 " Okay," I replied shyly, already wondering how I would get across the street. Surely Grampy was going to come with me.

 Grampy stretched his long leg out straight and reached his huge hand deep into the pocket. I could hear the familiar jangling of the loose change he always carried. Opening his fist, he exposed a mound of silver coins. There must have been a million dollars there. He instructed me to pick out a dime. After he deposited the rest of the change back into his pocket, he stood up. World of warcraft Power Leveling

 " Okay," he said, helping me down the stairs and to the curb, " I'm going to stay here and keep an ear out for the babies. I'll tell you when it's safe to cross. You go over to the Coke machine, get your Coke and come back out. Wait for me to tell you when it's safe to cross back." 　
 
 My heart pounded. I clutched my dime tightly in my sweaty palm. Excitement took my breath away.

 Grampy held my hand tightly. Together we looked up the street and down, and back up again. He stepped off the curb and told me it was safe to cross. He let go of my hand and I ran. I ran faster than I had ever run before. The street seemed wide. I wondered if I would make it to the other side. Reaching the other side, I turned to find Grampy. There he was, standing exactly where I had left him, smiling proudly. I waved.

 " Go on, hurry up," he yelled. cd keys
 
 My heart pounded wildly as I walked inside the dark garage.I had been inside the garage before with my father. My surroundings were familiar. I heard the Coca-Cola machine motor humming even before I saw it. I walked directly to the big old red-and-white dispenser. I knew where to insert my dime. I had seen it done before and had fantasized about this moment many times.

  The big old monster greedily accepted my dime, and I heard the bottles shift. On tiptoes I reached up and opened the heavy door. There they were: one neat row of thick green bottles, necks staring directly at me, and ice cold from the refrigeration. I held the door open with my shoulder and grabbed one. With a quick yank, I pulled it free from its bondage. Another one immediately took its place. The bottle was cold in my sweaty hands. I will never forget the feeling of the cool glass on my skin. With two hands, I positioned the bottleneck under the heavy brass opener that was bolted to the wall. The cap dropped into an old wooden box, and I reached in to retrieve it. I was cold and bent in the middle, but I knew I needed to have this souvenir. Coke in hand, I proudly marched back out into the early evening dusk. Grampy was waiting patiently. He smiled.

wow power level," Stop right there," he yelled. One or two cars sped by me, and once again, Grampy stepped off the curb." Come on, now," he said, " run." I did. Cool brown foam sprayed my hands." Don't ever do that alone," he warned.I held the Coke bottle tightly, fearful he would make me pour it into a cup, ruining this dream come true. He didn't. One long swallow of the cold beverage cooled my sweating body. I don't think I ever felt so proud.