Festivals and Celebrations (I added Ms. Morrisey’s post to this.)
One of the big celebrations that we have coming up this Friday is Halloween. You can dress up like anything you want, and you go door to door and collect candy. It is very fun. Now, Halloween for us is mostly just dressing up and getting candy. But you don’t know the REAL history about it. Here are some facts that I learned. Halloween, or what the Irish called Hallow E’en, means All Hallows Eve. In old English, the word “hallow” meant “sanctify”. The Romans observed the holiday Feralia, intended to give rest and peace to the departed. Participanta made sacrifices to honor the dead and said prayers for them. It was also originated in Salem, Massachusetts. It had its origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain. The festival Samhain is a celebration at the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture, and is sometimes referred to as the Celtic New Year. The ancient Gaels believed that on October 31st, now known as Halloween, that the line between the living and the dead dissolved and the dead became dangerous for the living by causing illnesses and damaging crops. The festivals would sometimes involve bonfires, in which the ones of slaughtered livestock were thrown. Costumes and masks were also worn at the festivals in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits. The Halloween we have today is slightly different, except for the part that we still dress up like something we’re not. We carve pumpkins and put them out on our front porch with a candle inside them for Halloween night.
Hey everybody. I decided to write about the history of Christmas, since it’s a holiday we all know and love. But how much do you really know about this giving holiday? In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21 to January. Fathers and sons would bring home logs and set them on fire. They would eat until the logs burned out, which could take up until 21 days! Imagine eating for 21 days straight!! The Norse believed that each spark that came from the fire represented a new pig or calf being born.
The end of December was the best time to celebrate in Europe. At that time, most cattle was killed so they didn’t have to be fed during the winter. For many people it was the only time they would have fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year was finally old enough to drink.
In Germany, people honored the Pagan god Oden, during mid-winter. Germans were terrified of Oden, because they believed he made night time flights through the sky to observe his people, and decide who would live or die. Because of his presence, many people chose to stay inside!
The history of the christmas tree is interesting, but very long! A long time ago, plants that remained green all year were considered very special. People hung Evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. They believed it would ward off evil spirits. Many people believed that the sun was a god and that winter had come every year because the sun was sick and weak. The ancient Egyptans honored a god called Ra. At the winter solstice, the people filled their homes with green trees to celebrate the sun getting better. The Romans marked a holiday called Saturnalia in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture. Once again, the people decorated their homes with Evergreen boughs. Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we know it. Martin Luther, the 16th century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his house one winter, he was amazed by the stars in the sky above the evergreen tress. He then brought a tree into the main room and wired it with lighted candles. In the 1890s, Christmas ornaments were arriving from Germany and Christmas tree popularity was increasing. It was noted that Europeans liked small trees that were only about four feet tall, while Americans liked them to reach from floor to ceiling. During the early 20th century, Americans started decorating their trees with mostly homemade ornaments, while the German-Americans continued to use apples, nuts, and marzipan cookies. Popcorn started to get popular after it was being dyed bright colors and put together with berries and nuts. Electricity started the lights, making it possible for trees to glow for days. With this, Christmas trees became popular to see in town squares and in homes across America. It became a tradition.
That’s not even all of it! To see the rest, go to the hyperlinks above. Thanks and don’t forget to comment!
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Poverty
He sits alone on the streets
Wondering where he would be
If he had a home
And a loving family.
He sits on the streets
All lonely and sad
And says to himself
My life is just downright bad.
He sits on the streets
With nobody to love
If he sits here any longer
He’ll be sent to God up above.
I know this poem isn’t that good, but I couldn’t think of anything else. I wrote this for the kids in poverty suffering with nowhere to go. They have no food, no money, and sometimes no family. They are out their on their own with no one to love them or care for them. These poor kids are dying out there. Don’t just sit there and think about it. Do something. Click here to help a child in need. Answer a question. Save a child from death. You can make a difference. Below are some websites to help you learn more about poverty and what it’s like. Take a second to look at them. You can also go to Google and look it up there are millions of results. (By the way the Free Rice website was my idea everybody copied me 
)
1. Institute of Research on Poverty
2. Poverty
3. 5 Ways to Help Poverty Victims
You can stop poverty. Make a difference in the world.
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Bullying Prevention Month
I understand the idea this website is trying to get across, but to tell you the truth it was sort of juvenile and bullies aren’t exactly how they explained it. I mean they say how to spot a bully: they are insecure and tease you for their own pleasure. NOT TRUE!! Bullies are usually insecure, but for the most part they are just downright MEAN!!! not all the time, but mostly. comment thanks!!
Uncategorized | Comment (0)Favorite songs?
Hey everybody I’m just wondering what you’re favorite songs are and if I like them I will put them on my blog! Here are some songs you might like:
Tokio Hotel: Scream
Tokio Hotel: Monsoon
Forever the Sickest Kids: Hey Brittany
Metro Station: Kelsey
Give me some more examples please! Thanks bye!
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governor palin extremely unprofessional?
who thinks that governor palin is really unprofessional? i think she needs to get out of her fantasy world and jump into the real world. the vice presidential debate for example that was on tv last night, governor joe bidden was talking about real problems in the world with the economy and fuel prices while palin is talking about soccer moms on the sidelines and that they will have fear in their voice. how would you know? and when they first walked up to their podiums governor palin says ‘can i call you joe?’ in some cutsey little voice. how childish is that? if anyone agrees with me please respond.
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hey everybody heres another random post coming your way! sorry i havent been writing that much i’ve been sorta busy but anywayz… who thinks that i would be good at acting? i really wanna do it but im not sure where to start. if anyone wants to give some tips or maybe other jobs i might be interested in besides acting feel free to do just that. thanks
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