Islam

Islam is a religion that was founded by Muhammad in 622 AD, Saudi Arabia. It has 1.3 billion followers worldwide. The people are called Muslims. People that follow this religion believe in only one god, Allah. The purpose of life is for humans to submit Islam to the will of God to gain paradise after death. Muslims believe their afterlife consists of Paradise or Hell. Some practices in the Islamic religion are: Five Pillars, attending Mosque services on Fridays, Ablutions before prayer, no alcohol or pork, and holidays related to the pilgrimage and fast of Ramadan. The Five Pillars are: Faith, Prayer, Alms, Pilgrimage, and Fasting. This religion has two Holy books the Qur’an (scripture) and the Hadith (tradition).

Faith- Botswana

1.       The people stay up all night on Christmas.

2.       They have Basic and Secondary Education

3.       During Christmas the churches are decorated elaborately.

Gunnar- Zambia

1.       Many churches show nativity scenes for several days before Christmas

2.       The three stages of education are primary, secondary, and tertiary.

3.        On Christmas day children are encouraged to bring presents to church for less fortunate children or children in the hospital.

Dale- Costa Rica

1.       Costa Rica has more teachers than police officers.

2.       They consider education pride.

3.       Costa Rica has a 93 percent literacy level.

Lindsey - Brazil

1.       The school system is divided into three levels: fundamental, intermediate, and higher education.

2.       To graduate you have to pass a test reviewing.

3.        Trees in Bosnia are decorated with toys, chocolate, lights, and colored balls and are traditionally topped with stars.

Mark- Norway

1.       Families make baskets of colored paper to hang on the Christmas tree.

2.       On Christmas afternoon children walk around asking for Sand Kager.

3.       A school day lasts from 7:00 A.M. to noon.

Nate- Turkey

1.       Christmas lasts 29 to 30 days.

2.       They fast from sunrise to sunset.

3.       They refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking.

Caleb- Zimbabwe

1.       People are very festive before Christmas.

2.       The Christmas party starts a month before Christmas.

3.        There are three levels of education.

Josh- England

1.       In England children start primary school at the age of five.

2.       In Brazil, like America, they create a nativity scene or a Presépio.

3.       Brazilians use flowers from their gardens to decorate during Christmas.

Courtney- Australia

1.       Australia shares the tradition of a Christmas tree with us.

2.       They have dance parties and get-togethers at the beaches.

3.       There are special television programs available on Christmas day.

Hannah- Philippines

1.       They have to be at the 60 percent mark to graduate.

2.       School runs from February to November.

3.       Private schools attend school from August through May.

Abby- Mexico

1.       Nativity scenes are popular.

2.       People do not go caroling or decorate their house.

3.       They set off fireworks on Christmas Eve.

Viola- Thailand

1.       The students in Thailand are required to wear uniforms.

2.       They eat lunch in their classroom.

3.       There is no snow on Christmas Day.

Sara- New Zealand

1.       According to statistics, New Zealand’s education is the 7^th best in the world.

2.       On Christmas day, the have barbeques for lunch.

3.       The school year lasts from February to December.

Menu

Course 1: Tender Pork soaked in Garum a spicy sauce

Course 2: Liver of force-fed geese with mustard seeds and green onions

Course 3: Goatfish soaked in Garum a spicy fish sauce

Course 4: Cold clams and oysters served on ice and a piece of lemon on the side

Course 5: Wheat cakes soaked in honey

Course 6: Vegetables cooked in salt and enjoyed with vinegar

Course 7: Stewed and salted snails cooked with garlic and parsley

Invitation

You’re Invited

Date: December 17, 2011

Place: My house

Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

It will be a seven course Roman dinner party. Hope to see you there!!!

Guest List:

Balbina Cline

Priscilla Clevenger

Servius Stuart

Publius Poling

Octavia Gregg

Urbana Donegia

Pamponia Suder

Agrippina Nuzum

Sparatacus Scott

Tullia Crowther

Education in Ireland

Ireland’s school system is similar to ours. Ireland has three levels of education they are primary, secondary, and higher (often known as "third-level") education. Irish students usually study six to eight subjects but English, Math, Irish Language, History, Physics, and Geography are required to graduate and for your final year in Ireland you must write a play, produce a magazine, or work for a charity. Irish students also participate in sports and some write the school newspaper after school just like the school systems in America do. However in America not all schools are required to wear uniforms but in Ireland the boy students must wear a uniform that has polo-shirts along with suit jackets and a tie. The girls also wear a school jacket and skirts that usually come to the knees however some schools in Ireland require the girls to wear floor length skirts. Another big difference between Ireland and America schools is lunch. They are both about forty five minutes long but in Ireland they serve healthy and junk food, America only serves healthy food. One thing that is the same is the length of the school days they are both about seven hours long but school in Ireland starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. ours starts an hour earlier. The typical day for an Irish high school student starts at 8:30 a.m. that’s when the walk or ride the bus to school at 9:00 a.m. they head to your “seomra ranga,” your permanent classroom where you will have most of your lessons, for your first class of the day at 9:40 a.m. Your first class is over. Now you go to your second class then at 11:45 a.m. the students head to lunch. At 12:30 p.m. they head back to their classrooms to study something new then at 1:15 p.m. students play sports such as Gaelic football, Hurling (for boys), Camogie (for girls), Rugby, Football, and Rowing at 2:30 p.m. they go back to the classroom to study something else finally at 4:00 p.m. the day is over so they go to hang out with friends or do some homework. That’s the way Irish and American schools are the same and different.   

Christmas in Ireland

 

1.      Our "American" tradition of putting a holly wreath on the door for Christmas actually came from the Irish.

2.      Christmas in Ireland is the largest celebration on the calendar in Ireland and lasts from 24 December to 6 January, although many may view 8 December as being the start of the season; the schools are closed on that day, making it a traditional Christmas shopping time.

3.      Almost the entire workforce is finished by lunchtime on Christmas Eve, or often a few days beforehand. Christmas Day and St. Stephen's Day are public holidays, and many people do not return to work until after New Year's Day.

4.      Santa Claus, often known in Ireland simply as Santy or Daidí na Nollag in Irish, brings presents to children in Ireland, which are opened on Christmas morning.

5.      It is traditional to leave a mince pie and a bottle or a glass of Guinness for Santa Claus along with a carrot for Rudolph on Christmas Eve.

Chocolate Trifle

Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
Chocolate Pudding Mix (the type you have to cook; try to find the bittersweet dark chocolate if you can)
1 cup flavored syrup (can be found in the coffee section of most supermarkets)

1 to 2 cans whipped cream
Slivered almonds and bittersweet chocolate swirls for garnish.

Method
Either bake or buy a two-layer chocolate cake. If you can get dark or bittersweet, all the better.
Break up the cake into bite size pieces and place one layer in the bottom of a glass trifle dish.
Make the pudding and chill until firm.
Spoon half the pudding onto the cake. Pour 1/2 cup of flavored syrup onto the pudding.
Squirt on whipped cream to cover and sprinkle with almonds and chocolate swirls. Repeat.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Map

Costs:

Round Trip Flight: $2,043.00

Taxi: $10.08

Hotels: $552.79

Admission Prices: $533.74

Food: $142.96

Total: $3,282.57

Day Seven

Today is June 25, 2012. I’m sad to say that today was the last day in Ireland, but I am excited to go home and tell my friends and family about my experience. First I am going to Reginald’s Tower; this is the oldest civic urban building in Ireland. That cost two Euros ($1.44 U.S). Next I went on a Historical Walking Tour. I got to go on a tour of the city Waterford, the cost was seven Euros per person ($5.03 U.S). Finally for my very last attraction I went on a Suir River Cruise. The cost of that was only twenty Euros ($14.37 U.S) to go for an hour. After my long relaxing cruise I took a taxi back to Cork so I could catch my plane home. I ate dinner on the plane I had a Chicken Caesar Salad that cost $10.00. I had a long flight home it was fifteen hours. Finally I arrived in Pittsburg and I am home this was truly the best week ever.      

Day Six

Today is June 24, 2012. I woke up this morning ready for what the day would bring on. I got to check into my hotel then I went to my first attraction. I checked into the Killeshia hotel it cost fifty-nine Euros ($42.39 U.S). The first place was the Donaghmore Famine Workhouse, it was a museum that told the story of the families who lived and died during the famine. It cost five Euros ($3.59 U.S). The second place was Emo Court; it was three Euros to get in ($2.98 U.S). The third and final place was the ISPS Steam Museum; it cost ten Euros ($7.18 U.S). I headed back to the hotel for my dinner. Tonight I had Pan fried Supreme of Chicken served on sweet potato with barbeque sauce with a chocolate fudge cake for dessert and it all cost twenty-six Euros ($18.68 U.S). I then went to my room after another great meal.

Day Five

Today is June 23, 2012. I got up early to get a head start on today’s activities. I took a taxi to Mayo. Once I arrived I took my stuff and checked in at my hotel. I am staying at Mulranny Park. It was a cheap price only ninety Euros ($125.26 U.S). I’m really excited and can’t wait to see what this day brings. For the first place I went to Ceide Fields. It was a really cool place to visit. The cost was only 4 Euros ($2.87 U.S). The next place I traveled was to The Museum of Country Life. It was so cool I loved being able to see all the cool artifacts and learn about the ancestors of Ireland. I took a guided tour that cost two Euros ($2.78 U.S). Then for the last attraction I went to was the Kiltimagh Railway Museum. It was only five Euros ($6.96 U.S). Then I went back to the hotel where they served me a nice dinner. I had a Grilled breast of cornfed chicken, barbecued pineapple, red onion marmalade, and confit potato. It all cost thirty-eight Euros ($52.89 U.S). After a delicious meal I went to my room and went to sleep.    

Day Four

Today is June 22, 2012. I took a taxi to Sligo. When I arrived I checked into my hotel. I am staying at Markree Castle. The cost was ninety-nine Euros ($136.60 U.S). I started today off by going horse riding along the beautiful beach. I’ve never seen such a beautiful sight. It cost ninety-five Euros. I then ate lunch at Drumcliffe Tea House and Craft Shop. I ate Cream of Mushroom Soup and a delicious brownie specialty it cost eight Euros ($11.04 U.S). Then I went to The Cat & the Moon and bought gifts for my family and friends. I spent two hundred euro on handcrafted jewelry by the studios goldsmith. Finally I went to the Yeats Art Gallery. It cost twenty-five Euros ($34.50 U.S). After quite an adventure I go to the hotel hoping for a good night sleep so i can be ready for what the next day brings.    

Day Three

Today is June 21, 2012. I once again got up early to head to the county Down. I took a taxi, because I was going into Northern Ireland. I am staying at Enniskeen House Hotel it cost sixty-nine Euros ($95.21 U.S). I ate breakfast at the hotel and I had a full Irish breakfast with potatoes eggs and pastries. Today I took a hike in the Mourne Mountains. I had never been hiking but it was a lot of fun. Then I went to Castle Ward, it’s an 18^th century house with two different styles classical and Gothic. It was a beautiful place to visit. The house tour cost four Euros ($5.60 U.S). Finally I get to go swimming in the Mournes. I have never experienced anything like it before. It was definitely the time of my life. Now after a great day I head back to the hotel to get some sleep so I can be ready for the next day to come.    

Day Two

Today is June 20, 2012. I woke up early today so I could catch my  train to head to Dublin. I was on the train for about three hours. I got to see the beautiful country side from the train window. The train ride cost ten Euros ($13.80 U.S). When I arrived I checked in to the Hotel Ardmore. It cost forty-three Euros ($59.33). After that I went to go see the Capital of Ireland. It was so cool. Then I went to the National Museum of Natural History. The cost was two Euros ($2.75 U.S). Next I went to Canters for my dinner. I had Grilled Sirloin Steak; my delicious dinner cost twenty-two Euros ($30.35 U.S). Now that I was full I went to Abbey Theater to watch Alice in Funderland. It cost forty Euros to get in ($55.20 U.S). Today was the best birthday ever. After long day I headed back to the hotel and went to sleep. 

Day One

Today is June 19, 2012 my first day in Ireland. I have wanted to come here for quite some time and now I’m finally here. I took a fifteen hour flight from Pittsburg to Cork, Ireland. It was a very long and tiring flight. I ate my dinner on the plane; I had a Chicken Caesar Salad that cost $10.00. When I arrived I took a taxi to The Maldron Hotel and checked in. My hotel cost 71 Euros ($100 U.S). Here in Cork it is 9:00 a.m. and I am about to go get breakfast. Now that I have a full stomach I am ready to explore three tourist attractions. The first place I’m and going to visit is The Butter Museum. The admission is four Euros ($5.52 U.S). I took a tour and learned how Cork became the largest butter market in the world. After that I took a taxi to The Bells of Shandon. There I got to play the famous bells to let everyone know that I was a visitor in Cork. The price was six Euros ($8.29 U.S). For my final attraction I went to see the Blarney Stone. I got to climb the 100 wishing steps and then got to kiss the famous Blarney stone. The price was eleven Euros ($15.18 U.S). After my long and fun filled first day I went to Currans Restaurant and had a Cornish Pasty for dinner. Then I headed back to the hotel exhausted and ready for a good night sleep.

Traditional Cornish Pasty Recipe:

Makes 4 very large pasties, if cut in half and served with salad etc. then they will easily feed 8

Pastry:                                                                    

• 850g Plain flour
• 4 Egg yolks
• 140g Lard, diced
• 140g Butter
• 200ml Water
• 200ml Milk
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper to season
• 2 Egg yolk, beaten, to glaze

Pasty Filling:

• 400g of waxy potatoes like Desiree
• 1/2 swede (400g)
• 1 large onion, peeled chopped
• 400g rump beef
• 2 tsp sea salt
• 2 tsp whole black peppercorns (freshly ground)
• 40g butter diced

Recipe Method:

Note: The pastry for the cornish pasty is best made a few hours or even the day before and kept in the fridge wrapped in cling film to chill. Bring the pastry to room temperature before rolling out.
The Pastry:
In a mixing bowl sieve the flour into it, sprinkle in the 1/2 tsp of sea salt and fresh ground black pepper – make a well in the centre and add the egg yolks.
Gently heat the lard and butter in the milk and water until it has melted, then bring rapidly to the boil. Pour immediately into the well in the flour and draw the ingredients together with a wooden spoon to form a soft, pliable but not too sticky ball of dough. Add a little bit of water if too dry, or add a little bit of flour if too wet.
Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead very gently until it is smooth and elastic – it is not like kneading bread dough, be gentle to distribute all the ingredients evenly throughout the dough. Cover and leave to rest in a warm place for 20-30 minutes – then chill in a fridge for two hours, although best left over night in the fridge if possible.

The Cornish Pasty Filling:
In a pestle and mortar grind the whole black pepper corns into a coarse grain, then add in the sea salt and grind the two together. Peel the potatoes, swede and onion and cut into similar small sized 1cm dice. Cut the beef into similar sized pieces and season with a good pinch of freshly ground sea salt and black pepper.
Heat half the butter in a wide frying pan over a medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches for 1 or 2 minutes to brown all over. Transfer to a plate and reserve. Add the rest of the butter to the pan and fry all the diced vegetables for around 5 minutes until they soften and the onions start to look golden. Pour any juices from the resting beef back into the pan with the vegetables, add the remaining sea salt and black pepper and cook for a further 2 minutes, then add the cooked beef, mix, and then leave to cool. Make sure the seasoning has been mixed in and has coated the ingredients evenly.

Making The Cornish Pasty:
Preheat the oven to 220C
Divide the pastry into 4 portions. Roll out each portion on a lightly floured work surface to large circles 4 mm thick. Trim neatly, using a dinner plate as a guide. Divide the filling between each of the pastry circles. Place the filling in one half of the circle, leaving a 2 cm border at the edge.
Brush the pastry edges all the way around with a little beaten egg, then fold one half over the meat and vegetable filling. This will create a semi-circle. With your fingers pinch and turn the edges over to completely seal each cornish pasty to stop any filling leaking out during baking.
Transfer the cornish pasties to a large oven tray and baking sheet (preferably non stick) and brush all over the tops of each pastry with the beaten egg wash. Bake for 10 minutes at 220C then turn the oven down to 190C and cook for another 30 to 35 minutes. If the pastry appears to be going too dark, cover with greaseproof paper. Allow to cool once out of the oven and eat warm, or at room temperature.

Witness account for the Battle of Hastings

The battle's first blow was actually given by my jester Taillefer at 9 am. He rode out to Senlac ridge, sang the Song of Roland while juggling a sword. He then attacked and killed an English warrior before he was killed. I relied on basic techniques for my army to minimize the enemy with arrows, followed by troops which would engage in a close war, and conclude in an army charge that would break through the English forces. However, my techniques did not work as well as I had planned. My army attacked the English as soon as we were ready. My archers fired several shots but many of the arrows hit the shield wall and had very little effect. Believing the English to be weaker, I ordered my troops to attack. As we charged up the hill, the English threw down whatever they could find: stones, javelins, and maces. The blast applied a big disaster among our ranks, causing our lines to break up. With such a large number of English fyrdmen now holding the front rank, the disciplined shield wall that the bodyguards had maintained, began to falter, presenting me an opportunity. At the start of the battle the rain of arrows fired at the English by my bowmen was ineffective because of the English shields. Though many on the front ranks still had shields, I ordered my archers to fire over the shield wall so that the arrows landed in the rear ranks of the English army. My archers did this with great success. Many of the English soldiers were now tired. My army attacked again, and managed to make small dents in the shield wall. We were able to use these gaps, and the English army began to fall apart. A few knights broke through the wall, and killed the English king. Without their leader and with many officers dead, hundreds of fyrdmen fled the field. The bodyguards still kept their oath of loyalty to the king, and fought bravely until they were all killed. I then won the Battle and claimed the English crown.

Biography of William the Conqueror

William was born in Falaise, France in 1028. His father was Robert, the sixth Duke of Normandy. His mother was called Herleva who was the daughter of a Tanner. William's father died in 1035 so he became Duke of Normandy at the age of seven. William was also the grandnephew of the English Queen, Emma of Normandy. William died at age 59 in Rouen, France on 9 September 1087. He had four sons and five daughters, and married Matilda of Flanders. It was found that Williams body would not fit in the stone sarcophagus because his body had bloated because of the warm weather and the time that had passed since his death. A group of bishops applied pressure on the king's abdomen to force the body downward but the abdominal wall burst and drenched the king's coffin, releasing gases into the church. William's grave is currently marked by a marble slab with a Latin message, the slab dates from the early 19th century. The grave was vandalized twice, once during the French Wars of Religion, when his bones were scattered across the town of Caen, and again during the French Revolution. Since those events have occurred, only his left femur, some skin particles and bone dust remain in the tomb.

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