Confucianism

 
Confucianism started in the 6th-5th century where it was first taught by Confucius. It was looked at as a philosophy, or sometimes as a religion. It has 5-6 million followers, and it was founded in China. Although the story of Confucianism doesn't start with Confucius, he can still be classified as the transmitter who retrieved the true meaning of Confucianism. Confucianism is the started as a study of ancestral cult, reverence of heaven, and mourning ceremonies. Confucius had faith in the cumulative power of culture, which inspired him to study under Confucianism. The main principle of Confucianism is humaneness, which means it holds a very highly optimistic view on human nature. People who follow this religion human beings could become awe-inspiring sages. Confucius regarded Heaven as a positive and personal force in the universe. Confucianism does not proscribe any special rituals or practices.

     I, Nero was born on December 17, 37 in Antium, Italy. I was the son of Aggripina, who poisoned her husband, married her uncle Claudius, and then poisoned him so that I could take the throne at the age of 17. To add on to this already messed up family, I just killed Aggripina, my own mother, to get her out of the way. I also had a father, Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, who died 3 years after I was born, in the year 40. I had many impacts on Rome and some of them were not very good.

     In my early reign, when Aggripina was still in the picture, she eliminated anybody who she saw as a threat my leadership. I was finally named emperor in the year 54 and with the atmosphere I was raised in things did out start out great. Many people said I had soft, weak features with a restless spirit which was, of course true. Also in my beginning I inaugurated competitions in my occupations such as poetry, theatre and athletics. The one good thing I did in my early reign was reduced taxes and forbade bloodshed during a circus.

     I had a negative impact on Rome when I dragged it into a civil war with my selfish ways. I would always kill off any potential heirs and all senators because I thought they were a part of the conspiracy against me. And I would always enter myself in drama competitions because of my inner talents, but people said I was bad at acting. My overall aim was to completely destroy the senatorial class. I was also the cause for many violent uprisings that ended very badly for the city of Rome.

     The other negative impact I had on Rome was during the burning of Rome. It has been said that I started the fire because I wanted new buildings and architecture done, but that is on a need-to-know basis. During the burning of Rome I had a little fun and sang a song to pass the time. Even though during this time I lowered prices of food, and gave my gardens away for resting places for the peasants. Even though I didn’t do a lot of good things for Rome, I don’t really care.

     As I look back on my rule over Rome, I feel that I was too selfish to care about the problems at hand. I know my mother is the reason I was the ruler, but she did get a little annoying so I killed her. The other things to look back on are rethinking my job choice because I was not a very good actor. There was one thing said about me, I rebuilt Rome in a safer way, set aside the other things said about me. That, to me, is a pretty good way to end my reign over the great city of Rome.

Presentation Facts

Faith: Botswanas' flag is the color of blue, in Botswana people stay up late on Christmas eve and sing traditional songs, and during Christmas in Botswana people have festivals and dance for the arrival of Santa Cluase.
Gunnar: Alot of the churches put out nativity scenes a week before Christmas. In Zambia it is custom that children and adults go to different parties for celebration. Zambia education has to stages, primary and secondary, primary lasting 6 years, and secondary is called gymnasium.
Dale: Has a 93% literacy level, When they wake up Christmas morning, they go to church, and they decorate their trees for Christmas.
Lindsey: Trees in Bosnia are decorated with toys and chocalate. Bosnians celebrate with a turkey feast on Christmas eve, and the education in Brazil has a law that all children must be educated of some kind.
Mark: Kids in Norway ask for a certain candy from houses as a tradition. There is always a feast on Christmas eve, and Brazil has three levels of education.
John: In Romania they start celebration on December 24th, until January 7th. Englands education is free until the age of 17. Primary and Secondary are the levels of education.
Nate: In Turkey people refrain from eating, smoking, and drinking. The lights are very decorative and people have feasts.
Josh: In Brazil they create nativity scenes too. They call Santa Father Nick, and most of their Christmas songs are imported.
Courtney: Australia has special TV programs on Christmas. In Peru education levels are primary and secondary. Higher education includes college.
Hannah: In the Philippines Christmas celebrations start on December 16th, red and green ribbond are hung in the living room, and December 24th is a no sleep night into Christmas day.
Gabby: In Ireland their are three levels of education, and students have many requirements just like us. Ireland invented the reef on the door tradition.
Abby:  People in Bolidia are reminded by a bell to attend some kind of service. People do not exchange gifts until January 6th. And in Mexico there are three cycles of education.
Viola: In Thailand there is no snow, over 90% of Thailand is Buddhist, and other traditions would include having miniture houses outside of theirs for the spirits.
Sara: Many people have picnics for Christmas lunch. Also in New Zealand Santa is known as Father Christmas and wears swimming trunks and goggles. Most schools in New Zealand require uniforms for all of the students to wear.

Spain's School System

    

     Spain’s school system consists of 5 levels of education, 0-6, 6-12, 12-16, 16-18, 19- and up. In primary school (ages 6-12) students have three cycles, 6-8, 8-10, and 10-12. In Compulsory Secondary Education (ages 12-16) there are two cycles, 12-14, and 14-16. In Spanish Baccalaureate (16 and up) students have to meet multiple requirements to pass such as foreign language and other normal requirements that we face every day in our education. In the 1980’s, Spain spent about 8% of its national budget on education. This means that the kids of Spain probably were not very well educated. Also in the 1980’s, 40% of the schools were private, just over half were run by the Roman Catholic Church. In Spain students 16 and up are required to have three arts, and have many humanitie courses like Spanish history. To go to college in Spain students must have a passport, a filled application form, 2 ID sized photographs, a student Visa, health insurance, and a receipt of fee payment. Spain’s education system is similar to ours because they have three grade levels, and we have elementary, middle, and high school. It could be different because it seems like they split up their high scholars into two different age groups (12-16, 16-18). A typical day in Spain’s education would be mostly similar to ours, only different climate and different age groups. I would rather stay in America to attend school because our government spends more funds on the education system. If I were allowed to change one thing about Spain’s education system, it would be the use of funds to spend on textbooks and other learning necessities.            

Zimbabwe Cook Book

Caleb Hawkins  Zimbabwe Cook Book  

     Sweet Potato Cookies
Ingredients
COOKIE DOUGH
10 tablespoons margarine or butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/4 cup honey
1 egg
1 cup finely grated raw sweet potato
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking
soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
LEMON GLAZE
1 teaspoon butter
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon water

Instructions

•  Cream together the margarine or butter and sugar in a large bowl. Blend in the lemon zest, nutmeg, honey, and egg. Fold in the sweet potato.
• In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add it to the first mixture and stir until well blended.
• Arrange the cookie dough by rounded teaspoonfuls on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 7 minutes. Makes 60.
• To make the lemon glaze, use a wooden spoon to combine all ingredients in a glass or ceramic bowl until smooth. Add more water by the drop until glaze is easy to spread on the cooled cookies.

Facts about Zimbabwean Christmas

1. People in Zimbabwe are very festive even before Christmas starts, the party usually starts a month before Christmas.
2. There are special early morning services at every church in Zimbabwe on the day of Christmas.
3. On the day before Christmas all of the cities are built up with tons of dazzling lights.
4. People of Zimbabwe always host feasts on the evening of Christmas to celebrate.
5. The traditional name for Christmas in Zimbabwe is Kisimusi.