Judaism.

    Judaism is one of the oldest religions existing today.  It began as the religion of the small nation of the Hebrews.  Today, 14 million people follow this religion.  The Jewish people believe in one God, although monotheism was uncommon.  They studied the Torah which was "the Law", and they lived by it.  In Synagogues, which were places of worships, there would be a Rabbi teaching the Torah.  Although some believe in afterlife, other Jews only believe in the 13 Articles of Faith. 
     Major religious holidays for Jews include Passover, Rosh Hashanah,  and Yom Kippur. Also, Hanukkah is celebrated, in this religion. Hanukkah is a type of Christmas, somewhat.  Hanukkah is an eight day celebration, in which you receive gifts on each of the days.  It commemorates the re dedication of the Holy Temple in  Jerusalem. They have many other celebrations as well, such as Bar Mitzvahs, which is the ceremony in which a boy becomes a man.
     The Sabbath is their day of worship, and it is on every Saturday.  It is simply a day of rest and worship at the synagogue.  In Judaism, all days begin at sunset, so every holiday will be begin at sundown as well as end at sundown.
    

WAC : Roman Emperor.

     I, Lucius Septimius Severus Augustus, was born in Leptis Magna, in the province of Africa on the eleventh of April, in 145.  I was the new born son of Publius Septimius Geta and Fulvia Pia.  I was born into a family of great wealth, and equestrian rank.  I was Italian, on my mother's side, and Punic on my father's.  My only siblings were an older brother, Publius Septimius Geta, and a younger sister, Septima Octavilla.
    My reign began on April 14th, of 193.  It lasted until the 4th of February of 211.  I became emperor, due to the assasination of Pertinax.  On the day of his assasination, my troops declared me as emperor at Carnuntum.  I took the position of Rome, without any opposition.  Immediately after taking throne, I executed Pertinax's murderers.  I then replaced the Praetorian Guard, with my own troops.  I believed them to be more trusted, than the others.
     I moved to the East, and crushed Niger's forces in the Battle of Issus.  The following year was devoted to destroying Mesopotamia and other Parthian vassals who had backed Niger.  Once all was destroyed, I had control of Niger's lands. I then declared my son, Caracalla, as successor.  After a short stay in Rome, I moved northward to meet Albinus and his troops, in Gallia. 
     On February 19, 197 in the Battle of Lugdunum, with an army composed of about 75,000 men, I defeated and killed Clodius Albinus.  I took full control over the empire.  Afterwards, I departed Rome and traveled to the east by sea.  The following year, I held an even more successful campaign against the Parthian empire.  I never had good relaionships with the higher authorities, such as the Roman Senate.  Although I didn't have that advantage, I still was, for the most part, successful in my battles. 
     At my time of marriage, I was in my thirties.  I married a woman from my hometown, by the name of Paccia Marciana.  Our marriage did indeed last for more than ten years, but we never chose to have any children together.  Marciana then died in 186.  Although I was heartbroken, I was eager to remarry, due to the fact that I was now in my forties and still childless.  I met a new woman, Julia Domna, and in 187, I proposed to her.  We married the following summer, and I was truly in love.  We had two sons together, Lucius Septimus Bassianius and Publius Septimus Geta.

(Bust of Severus)

Chirstmas Blog facts :

Eric David : Ecuador
1.) Holds the biggest and best beauty pagent in Ecuador.
2.) Put two large dolls underneath the trees.
3.) Children await their visit from Papa Noel.

Tyler Brady : Egypt
1.) Christmas in celebrated on the 7th of January in Egypt.
2.) Churches and Christian homes are decorated with Christmas lights, mangers, and trees.
3.) When the Christmas service ends, people go home to eat a family meal lknown as fata.

Dylan Harris : Russia
1.) Christmas is celebrated on January 7th.
2.) Thanks to the Russian Orthodox Church, it has become an official holiday.
3.) Previously, it was celebrated on December 25th.

Kristen Strawder : China
1.) It isn't a major holiday.
2.) Only one percent of China's population is Christian, so not many celebrate it.
3.) Have a celebration called, Ta Chiu.

Taylor Talbott : Fiji
1.) Decorate homes and stores, in various colored Christmas lights.
2.) Have plays, and theatres.
3.) Place baby dolls of Jesus under Christmas tree.

Haley Truman : India
1.) Use decorations made of mangos and bananas.
2.) Two hour ceremony at all churches.
3.) Belive in Kalikantzaroi, who is said to steal kids' gifts.

Amber Ware : Russia
1.) Religous Festival, instead of Christmas.
2.) People fast during this time.
3.) Special prayers are said.

Madori Elmore :  Japan
1.) Introduced by Europeans.
2.) Cook special meals, and decorate homes.
3.) Traditional Japanese food is a cake.

Shania Pennington : France
1.) Place shoes in front of the fireplace.
2.) Celebrated the 24th of December.
3.) The Sapen de Noel is the main decoration.

Krista Robinson : Morocco
1.) Instead of Christmas, they celebrate Ramadan.
2.) Usually Ramamdan  is celebrated fri an entire month.
3.) During this holiday, everyone is expected to deprive themselves of food, drink, and other pleasures.
Samantha Mason : Madagascar
1.) Even though its hot, holly, robins ,and snow.
2.) Most people visit churches on Christmas eve.
3.) After the service, the church gives out treats to the families.

Katara Pennington : Peru
1.) Family get togethers, and feast on turkey.
2.) Presents brought by Santa Clause.
3.) Celebrated as Noche Buena on December 24th.

Paige Bibey : Canada
1.) Carols brought from Brittain are sung each morning.
2.) Canadians also celebrate with cards, carols, Christmas trees, lights, and decoractions.
3.) Nativity scenes are in home.

Raychel Fitzwater : Germany
1.) Hang shoes or boots, on the fireplce.
2.) If children aren't good, they're brought tiwgs.
3.) There's no junk food.

You are cordially invited to Claudia Wildman’s Ancient Roman Dinner Party…

Location ; Claudia’s home

Date ; December 1, 2011

Time ; 3:00pm.

Theme ; Ancient Rome

It is requested that you wear proper Roman attire, such as (tunics… togas.. etc.)

Guests :

Aemilia K. Pennington

Paula S. Pennington

Balbina Cline

Servius Stuart

Publius Poling

Spartacus Scott

Octavia Gregg

Albina Truman

Trtia Smallwood

Bernice Fitzwater

courses..

course one –

          The first course will consist of a simple, yet delectable lettuce-based Roman salad, topped with fresh almonds, olives, and cucumbers. It will also be served with a side of vinegar-based dressing.

course two –

          As a second appetizer, you will be served stuffed oysters, seasoned with perfectly ground pepper. A side of cooked parsnips will also be served along with this appetizer.

course three –

          Next, a thick, yet rich onion flavored chowder will be served to you. This course will come with a variety of delicious cheeses, in which you can select to add to your chowder.

course four –

          For the main course, you will be served a scrumptious lobster dinner, seasoned with garlic, and topped with flakes of parsley. This dish will be accompanied by a side of broccoli and beans.

course five –

          As for the second main dish, you will be served a freshly caught Flounder, seasoned with salt and topped with parsley flakes. A thin slice of soft, white bread will accompany your poultry. You will also have the choice of a garlic seasoning.

course six –

          For dessert, you will receive stuffed dates, served with the sweetest and freshest fruits available mixed in a honey syrup.

course seven-

          For the final dessert dish, you will be served a delicious honey-soaked cake, topped with diced pomegranates, and almonds roasted to perfection.

Education in Italy.

Education in Italy is required from age six, to sixteen and is divided into five stages: kindergarten (scuola dell'infanzia), primary school (scuola primaria), lower secondary school  (scuola secondaria di primo grado), upper secondary school (scuola secondaria di secondo grado), and university (università). Italy also has both private, and public school systems.  

     There are three years of kindergarten, or nursery school, although they are non-compulsory. Then, primary school contains five years. Until middle school, each student is given the same curriculum. All subjects are studied the same. All students receive a basic education Italian, English, Mathematics, Biology, Geology, History, Geography, Social Studies, Physical Education, and Visual and Musical Arts.

     Secondary education has two stages: a lower stage and an upper stage. The lower stage corresponds to middle school, and the upper stage corresponds to high school. After the upper secondary school is completed, and you pass the final exam (Esame di Maturità) you will earn your diploma for further education.

     Their education system is very similar to that of the United States’. Their primary school, which would be our elementary school, contains five years just like the United States’. The lower secondary school consists of three years, usually from age eleven to thirteen, which is the same in the US. At the end of the third year, the students take an exam to further their education. Unlike the US, Italy’s upper secondary school, which is like our high school, consists of five years. The United States’ consists of only four years. 

This is a photoograph of a high school, located in Florence, Italy.

                                 

Christmas in Italy ; Italian Pizzelle

Ingredients

• 6 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup margarine
• 2 tbsp Vanilla or Anise (you choose your favorite)
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 4 tsp baking powder

Directions

• Melt margarine & cool
• Beat eggs
• Add sugar, margarine, and vanilla
• Sift flour and baking powder and add to mix
• Use 1 tbsp dough for each pizzelle
• Bake 30-45 seconds in Pizzelle machine
• Sprinkle with confectioners sugar
Makes 6-8 dozen

Variations

• Chocolate: Add 1/2 cup cocoa, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 tsp baking powder to mix

Italian Chrstmas...

1. Christmas in Italy is celebrated from December 24th - January 6th.

2. It follows a winter solstice festival known as Saturnalia, which begins on December 8th.

3. In Italy, presents are brought by La Befana, who arrives in the night to fill children's stockings.

4. Lights, and trees, and decorations have not been popular until recently.

5. Traditionally, a meatless dinner is eaten on Christmas Eve, with your family.