Hinduism

Hinduism embraces a great diversity of beliefs, a fact that can be initially confusing to westerners accustomed to creeds, confessions, and carefully-worded belief statements. One can believe a wide variety of things about God, the universe and the path to liberation and still be considered a Hindu. Hindus believe in things such as karma and polytheism. Hinduism is unique among the world religions in that it has no founder or date of origin. While most major religions derive from new ideas taught by a charismatic leader, Hinduism is simply the religion of the people of India, which has gradually developed over four thousand years. The origins and authors of its sacred texts are largely unknown.
The religious life of many Hindus is focused on devotion to God (perceived as Brahman, Shiva, Vishnu, or Shakti) or several gods. This devotion usually takes the form of rituals associated with sculptures and images of gods in home shrines.
More philosophically-minded Hindus ignore the gods altogether and seek Realization of the Self through intense meditation. Still others focus primarily on fulfilling the social and moral duties appropriate to their position in life.

Otho

My name is Otho. I was born in Ferentium in southern Eturia on the 28 April AD 32. My grandfather was a senator, and my father was a patrician. In this way, I was already introduced to leadership and government. I was Nero's lover until AD 58 when we fell out over my wife, Poppaeo Sabina. Nero loved her, so I was forced to divorce her and I was sent away as governor of Lusitania.
     At Galba's coup against Nero 10 years later, I was first to declare his support. I won sympathy with the troops, showing concern for their hardships when onthe march to Rome. I became popular with my financial generosity toward the praetorian guard. I styled myself as a potential heir to Galba's throne. I wanted it so very badly.
     I was angry and disappointed when Galba chose Piso Licinianus as his successor. Didn't he know what a mistake that he was making? But I found other ways to secure myself to the throne. I was popular with the army, who loathed Galba. So on 15 January AD 69, I was invited to the praetorian camp, where I remained.
     At this time, the horseman killed Galba and Piso at the Forum. The heads were brought to me and I was hailed emperor. The senate had little choice to refuse me as emperor. They were suspicious, for they knew that I was a former friend of Nero.
     I was finally emperor, and I governed with energy and ability. I tried to avoid civil war by offering to share power with Vitellius as join emperor. I even proposed to marry Vitellius' daughter. Vitellius would have none of it and by March, his legions were on the more. So the war started. He chased me into Italy, where I had two choices: withdraw further into Italy, or stand and fight. I chose to fight, but my army was defeated. I advised my family and friends what to do for safety, and I retired to my room to sleep. The next morning, I stabbed myself to death. 16 April AD 69 was the day I died.

Notes on presentations

Faith - Botswana

• At Christmas, people stay up all night long.
• People congregate at churches.
• There is basic and secondary education.

Gunnar - Zambia

• Caroling begins 2 or 3 days before Christmas.
• Children are expected to bring gifts to church for the less fortunate.
• After church, children go to one house and the adults go to another for parties and feasts.

Dale - Costa Rica

• Most people are catholic.
• They still decorate a christmas tree.
• School systems in Costa Rica have more teachers than police officers.

Lindsey - Bosnia and Brazil

• Christmas trees in Bosnia are decorated with toys and chocolate.
• Their have a "Santa" but he is called by a different name and only delivers treats.
• The education in Brazil is split up into 3 levels.

Mark - Norway

• They make baskets of colored paper to hand on a Christmas tree.
• Children walk around asking for cookies on Christmas day.
• They bring a statue of a gnome porridge.

John - Romania

• Christmas is celebrated from Dec. 24 - Jan. 7.
• They make stars out of glossy paper.
• School system is similar to the U.S.

Daniel - Turkey

• Christmas lasts 29-30 days.
• They fast from sunrise to sunset.
• They refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking.

Caleb - Zimbabwe and Spain

• The Christmas party starts a month before Christmas.
• The name for Christmas in Zimbabwe is Kisimusi.
• Spain's school system consists of 5 levels of education.

Josh - Brazil

• Papai Noel is their Santa.
• Brazilians use flowers to decorate for the holiday.
• Most Christmas songs in Brazil are imported.

Courtney - Australia and Peru

• They spend Christmas at the beach.
• They have dance parties and other festivities.
• If you are unable to pay for college in Peru, it is free.

Gabby - Ireland

• There are 3 levels of education.
• In your final year, you have to write a play, produce a magazine, and other small things.
• It is tradition to leave mince pie and a bottle of Guinness for Santa along with a carrot for Rudolph.

Abby - Bolivia

• Nativity scenes are popular.
• People in Bolivia do not go caroling or decorate their house.
• Fireworks are set off on Christmas Eve.

Menu:

Bruschetta

6 or 7 ripe plum tomatoes (about 1 1/2 lbs)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

6-8 fresh basil leaves, chopped.

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 baguette French bread or similar Italian bread

1/4 cup olive oil

Roman Salad

1/2 head lettuce

3/4 c. celery, chopped

1/2 (10 oz.) frozen peas or cauliflower

1/4 c. onion, chopped

2 tsp. salad dressing

1/3 lb. bacon, fried crisp and chopped

1/3 c. Parmesan cheese

3/4 c. Hellmann's real mayonnaise

Roman Tomato Soup

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 medium (150 g) onion, chopped finely

445 g can condensed tomato soup

400 g can tomatoes, undrained, crushed

3 cups (750 ml) water

2 cups (210 g) small fusilli (spiral pasta)

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil leaves

2 bacon rashers, chopped finely

Spaghetti Amatriciana

8.5 ounces (250 g) Guanciale cut into 1/4″ batons

1 medium shallot minced

2 tablespoons finely grated carrot

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/4 cup dry white wine

26 ounces (750 g) stewed tomatoes (preferably from San Marzano)

1 ounce (30 g) pecorino romano, finely grated

16 oz spaghetti

Roman Style Bean Soup

4 slices bacon, cut up
2 green onions (with tops), sliced
1 can (16 ounce size) stewed tomatoes
4 frankfurters, cut diagonally into slices
3 cups water
3 teaspoons instant chicken bouillon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 can (17 ounce size) kidney beans
1 1/3 cup uncooked shell macaroni

Roman Pizza

2 (8-ounce) pieces of purchased or homemade pizza dough, recipe follows

1/3 cup homemade or purchased marinara sauce

1/3 cup (lightly packed) shredded smoked mozzarella cheese

1 cup (lightly packed) shredded Fontina cheese

2 ounces mushrooms, thinly sliced

2 ounces pancetta, chopped

Roman Apple Cake

2 (8-ounce) pieces of purchased or homemade pizza dough, recipe follows

1/3 cup homemade or purchased marinara sauce

1/3 cup (lightly packed) shredded smoked mozzarella cheese

1 cup (lightly packed) shredded Fontina cheese

2 ounces mushrooms, thinly sliced

2 ounces pancetta, chopped

Party Invitation

Under The Sea
Where: The Gregg Home
Date: December 10 
Time: 6:00 - 9:00
Special Guests:

Horatia Kyle

Publius Poling

Priscilla Cleavenger

Urbana Donegia

Pomponia Suder

Balbina Cline

Agrippina Nuzum

Servius Stuart

Caecilia Blake

Sextus Terwilliger

The School System in Honduras

      The school systems in Honduras are not too different from those in the U.S. To pass any academic subject, students must achieve at least the 60 percent mark. They can repeat the same course several times during the year, but low achievers may be required to repeat grades. Education is compulsory from ages 7 to 13, and after finishing primary education, students are required to teach two adults in literacy. Dropout rates are high in both primary and secondary education, especially in the rural areas. While more than 90 percent of students enroll in primary schools, less than half complete their studies. Of those who do finish primary school, only one-third goes on to secondary schools. Primary school lasts six years, followed by five years of secondary education.  Parents dream of sending their kids to school, but even putting their children through secondary school requires an effort. The private schools are very up to date and some have all American teachers. The transportation is also provided. For the public schools, it depends on the community and how much money the school system has.  Families must provide uniforms and school supplies. The school year runs from February to November. Private schools, on the other hand, attend school from August through May.  In school, they attend classes in either the morning or the afternoon, with courses in language, sociology, math, art, and natural sciences. The teacher will change rooms while the students remain with their high schools. Students and teachers are said to be very intelligent so the education is taken very seriously and it’s very helpful. In the U.S, lunch is eaten in school, but in Honduras, you go home to eat.  

Tsokolate

Tsokolate

Ingredients:
1 pound (2 cups) of chocolate
6 cups of milk
6 eggs

Instructions: 

     Your first step in creating a brisk cup of Tsokolate is to separate the egg yolks from the whites; you'll need only the yolks for this recipe, so save the whites for something else. Put the yolks aside in a bowl.

      Next, chop the chocolate into small pieces of a uniform size, so that it will melt evenly. You can skip this step if you're working with chocolate chips (which are ideal) or chocolate coins. Heat the milk in a saucepan, adding the chocolate and stirring continuously until it begins to boil and the chocolate is completely melted. (Be careful; chocolate scorches very easily.) Once the mixture has thickened a bit, add the egg yolks and stir it all briskly with a wire whisk until it's foamy.

For best results, serve your creation immediately, while it's still piping hot. You'll end up with about six servings of incomparable Filipino Tsokolate.

Tagalog Lang !! (Merry Christmas!)

•  The Christmas celebration starts on December 16.
• The Filipinos decorate their homes with lanterns, other lights, and streamers.
• Christmas cards that illustrate scenes in the Philippines are pinned on red and green ribbons. The cards are then hung in the sala, or living room, for all to enjoy.
• Christmas Eve is a night without sleep. It is a celebration that goes all the way until Christmas morning.
• As December 24 dawns, the Noche Buena feast begins.