A slow-rolling series of storms that battered the American West this week brought snowfall and high wind on Thursday to parts of California, where weather-weary residents have already endured lashing rain, heavy snowfall and a destructive tornado. Since the wild weather began slogging ashore on Monday, five deaths in California and two in Colorado have been blamed on storms. On Thursday, up to a 1 foot (30 centimeters) of snow fell on Colorado mountains, and northern Nevada was expecting as much as 7 feet (2.13 meters) on top of the 2-3 feet (more than half a meter) that already had fallen. Conditions were improving on Thursday in Arizona, as water levels quickly fell in a Sedona-area creek that had fattened from a trickle into a river of mud, forcing a dozen neighborhoods to evacuate. Damage assessments were expected to begin on Thursday.

Exactly what constitutes smart living is a matter of conjecture as various aspects of life continue to become digitalized. Some might call their homes smart just because they 41 security service companies that can provide long-distance protection. However, for others, a smart home should have additional features, such as energy-saving 42 . Similarly, a vehicle equipped with a GPS 43 device is smart for some drivers. Nevertheless, others may think smart cars should be able to plan the route to the destination and 44 traffic congestion. As far as smart living is 45 , the sky is the limit. Before the increasingly ICT-enabled world can fully satisfy all users, there shall always be room for development and improvement. Smart living may no longer be a dream.