The summer vacation had come round again.I was happy that I could forget about school at least for a while.Lest I fool around all through this summer vacation,I made a plan as to how to spend it.First,I thought I should go over all those things my teachers taught in the previous term so that I could have a better understanding of them.Then I thought I should take up some forms of exercise,such as walking,running and rowing,to keep me physically strong.It stood to reason that with such a good plan I should make the best of my vacation time.I did,because I lived up to what I had planned.
Summer can be very hot in southern Taiwan where the temperature usually goes up to 32"C or more.Because of the heat it is a trying experience to go to school or do anything else in a place that is not air-conditioned.Also because of this I stay at home most of the time during the summer vacation and only occasionally go to the beach to plunge myself into the cool water as a way to keep my body less sticky.Actually I like swimming and think nothing is more refreshing than a swim.In the summer vacation that has just ended I went swimming many times with my classmates and we all had a good time.This summer vacation,however,was not spent entirely in seeking fun.As a second-year senior student I had to prepare myself for the college entrance examinations that were only a year away.In other words,I must find time to study,too.So I divided my time between work and play during the summer vacation and derived much benefit from this arrangement.
I spent this summer vacation in quite a different way.I used to run about every day in previous summer vacations,but this summer vacation I simply could not afford to do so.I would soon be in the last year of my high-school education and would after graduation be up against the college entrance examinations.Though those examinations were still a year away,I had to start early to make myself well prepared by reviewing all those things I had learned at school and this summer vacation was the ideal time for me to do this.At first I was rather dismayed at the thought of this,but later I thought it was better this way because by working hard this summer I could count on endless happy summers to come.With this in mind I then set to work like anything and only occasionally went out for a change or did some physical.I was not at all bored by this kind of life,for I was sustained by a hope.