tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20658676970478471322024-03-12T22:31:52.558-04:00It's a Jolly Holiday with ArianaCelebrating global and lesser-known holidaysArianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-52133686186371918262013-12-13T16:07:00.002-05:002013-12-13T16:08:48.962-05:00December 13th- St. Lucia's Day (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Italy) <span style="font-size: large;">Falling approximately on the winter solstice, St. Lucia's day is the Scandinavian festival of light. The holiday honors St. Lucia, an early Christian martyr who brought warmth and light to the people in the cold, dark Winter. Celebrating her story brings joy to the whole community and sets off the Christmas season with cheerful traditions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To honor the holiday, Scandanvian children participate in candle-lit processions led by one girl playing Lucia. The child playing Lucia is the only one who has the special honor of wearing a lighted wreath crown to symbolize Lucia's gift of light. In Sweden, there are beauty paegent-eqse competitions and elections to decide upon who the lucky girl will be. The other children in the processions follow behind Lucia and each group has a certain role. There are handmaiden girls who dress in long white gowns and hold a single candle, follwed by Star Boys who carry stars on sticks and wear long paper cones on their heads. Lastly are the Brownies who carry lanterns. The group of children walk along singing Christmas carols and the traditional Lucia Song, which usually goes something like this:</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The night treads heavily</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">around yards and dwellings</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">In places unreached by sun, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">the shadows brood</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Into our dark house she comes,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">bearing lighted candles,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">During the celebration, Scandanavians feast on delicious St. Lucia's Day treats including gingerbread biscuits and freshly baked saffron buns shaped like curled up cats with raisin eyes called <i>lussekatter</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Below is a youtube video of Saint Lucia celebrations in Mora, Sweden from December 13, 2007.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/cw5NmXkXjlY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Picture from http://mmdelrosario.hubpages.com/hub/st-lucia-day: </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvh_8xTyQ2A65sjIQFtyLeo_wW86a5Ezsd-7Bat2T3KQb8RCchNvBxmX8x1dmjMlP4WuqMY1BIKiKj4WaXAVUXJTnjA7mkkZixPLto5adZ5a36yt3eNCBuN3EGpOzkjS3FIAtl_aHBF00t/s1600/st+lucia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvh_8xTyQ2A65sjIQFtyLeo_wW86a5Ezsd-7Bat2T3KQb8RCchNvBxmX8x1dmjMlP4WuqMY1BIKiKj4WaXAVUXJTnjA7mkkZixPLto5adZ5a36yt3eNCBuN3EGpOzkjS3FIAtl_aHBF00t/s1600/st+lucia.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sources:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/517701/St-Lucias-Day</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">http://sweden.se/traditions/lucia/#start</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU6zd-YpzXw</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw5NmXkXjlY</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">http://vimeo.com/55253944</span>Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-85498361542704830052012-07-14T15:51:00.000-04:002012-07-14T15:51:34.606-04:00July 14th- Bastille Day (France)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Bastille Day, or, as it is referred to in French,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">La Fête Nationale"</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, is France's National Day.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> C</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">elebrated annually on July 14th, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Le Quatorze Juillet",</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> the day commemorates the pivotal storming of the Bastille, striking this same day in 1789. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Bastille was a prison fortress in Paris which usually held political prisoners whose crime was writing pieces that offended the royal government. These people were often held in the prison without any fair trial under the notion that their sentence was final and would never be appealed. The unlawfulness of the practices at the Bastille symbolized the absolutism in France headed by King Louis XVI. So, when the people of France stormed the Bastille, it was not only a mere victory over the prison guards, but also the beginning of the triumph over King Louis XVI's absolute monarchy and the start of the French Revolution. Shortly after, feudalism was abolished and The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was established. Exactly o</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ne year after the storming of the Bastille, the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 19px;">Fête de la </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">F</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">é</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">d </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">é</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">ration</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">was held to celebrate the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in France. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On July 14th, 1880, Bastille Day was celebrated as a national holiday for the first time. Although the largest cel</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">ebrations for the holiday are in France, Bastille day is also observed in Martinique, New Caledonia, French Guiana, Reunion, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin French Polynesia, and anywhere large groups of French people reside. Traditions for celebrating the day include parties, musical performances, dances, and balls. In the morning, a military parade is held in Paris on the famous Champs-Elysées, proceeding from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde. Many members of French service men and women participate in the parade, and all the countries of the Allies in the Versailles Peace Conference are represented. This parade is very popular in France with many guests in attendance and is also broadcasted on television. In the evening, fireworks are shot off near the Eiffel Tower. Throughout the entire day, the colors of the French flag are observed. The three equal stripes of <i>"</i>bleu, blanc, and rouge" symbolize the three ideals of the French Republic: Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. Between the modern celebration and the rich history of Bastille Day, the July 14th commemoration is without a dout a firm representation of patriotism and a day of pride for the French people. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The French Flag<br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Storming of the Bastille</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Sources: </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">http://french.about.com/od/culture/a/bastille-day.htm</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/france/bastille-day</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">http://www.dgreetings.com/when-is-bastille-day.html</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">http://bastille-day.com/history/Storming-Of-The-Bastille-July-14-1789 </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-90819875361803205162012-04-20T18:40:00.000-04:002012-04-22T21:07:08.436-04:00April 21st- Kartini Day (Indonesia)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Raden Ajeng Kartini (1879-1904) was a prominent women's rights activist whose accomplishments this Indonesian holiday honors. Kartini was a brilliant thinker born into a large, successful family in Java, an island owned by Holland in the Dutch Indies that is modern-day Indonesia. Although Kartini was one of the luckier, intelligent young girls who was allowed to go to school until the age of twelve, she yearned for further knowledge and to learn more about her country and its skewed system. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">She lived in a time of great repression of women in Java and resented the withholding of knowledge from women enforced by the government, who allowed them only a meager education, if any at all.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In the traditional Javanese practice, Kartini was secluded at home after completing her limited years of school. During the years she stayed home, Kartini learned to speak fluent Dutch and did some of her most forward thinking. Kartini read voraciously and began forming her own opinions on women's rights including the beliefs that women should be allowed more education and the right to pick their own husbands. Kartini wrote about her desires for women to have more freedom and influence in Indonesian society, politically and economically. She believed women should have the opportunity to change their civilization that was so heavily dominated by men. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Kartini acquired European pen pals in Holland with whom she exchanged letters sharing her feminist views. Her letters were eventually turned into a book named in Dutch <i>From Darkness into Light </i>and translated into English under the title <i>Letters of a Javanese Princess</i>. Kartini's book of letters made her well-known, as did her other great legacy: the creation of the first primary school for native Indonesian girls, especially those of less fortunate socioeconomic standing. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In 1964, President Sukarno declared Kartini's Birthday a national holiday, so April 21st became a celebration of Kartini and the way she kickstarted Indonesia's feminist movement. To honor the day, women put on traditional Indonesian clothing to symbolize their unity. Fashion shows are held in Kartini's honor, and lectures are given in schools. Parades are organized, and Women's Activism groups hold special events to mark the day. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Although Kartini died tragically young only a few days after the birth of her first son, her impact upon Indonesian society was profound. She will always be credited as one of Indonesia's first women's rights activists, and her effort toward women's emancipation will be admired for generations to come. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sources: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/04/20/unsung-heroines-kartini-day.html</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://chnm.gmu.edu/wwh/modules/lesson12/lesson12.php?s=1</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.answers.com/topic/raden-ajeng-kartini</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Picture from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kartini</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-74842957287674049182012-03-18T17:52:00.000-04:002012-03-18T17:59:58.806-04:00Spring Equinox (March 20th) - Nowruz (Persia)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"O Majesty, on this feast of the Equinox, first day of the first month of the year, seeing that thou hast freely chosen God and the Faith of the Ancient ones; may Surush the Angel-messenger, grant thee wisdom and insight and sagacity in thy affairs. Live long in praise, be happy and fortunate upon thy golden throne, drink immortality from the Cup of Jamshid; and keep in solemn trust the customs of our ancestors, their noble aspirations, fair gestures and the exercise of justice and righteousness." </i></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">---Omar Khayyam, Nowruznama </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Celebrated anywhere Persian people live, Nowruz is the Persian New Year and the most important holiday of Persian calendar. Nowruz is a 13-day celebration beginning with the Vernal Equinox, the first day of Spring. This holiday is full of many traditions that honor the richness of Persian heritage and importance of family and friends. To observe specific aspects of spiritual values, a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> ceremonial table is set with items that each have a symbolic meaning for love, health, affluence, beauty, patience, and rebirth. Celebrants visit their friends, family, and neighbors, starting with the youngest family members visiting the oldest. Large parties are often thrown for members of the community to celebrate the new year together, and picnics are held on the 13th day of observance.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Other traditions include wearing new clothes, cleaning the house, paying off debts, and giving gifts.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The night before the last Wednesday of the year is called "Chaharshanbe Suri" or "The Festival of Fire". On this evening, celebrants appreciate the victory of light (good) over darkness (evil) by lighting fires in the street and jumping over them. Celebrants eat and give special nuts to friends and family as thanks for the life, happiness, and health of the year before.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Although Nowruz is a celebration of the New Year, it is also a celebration of Persia's resilience after obstacles, overcoming of tyranny, and appreciation of family and friends. The Persian New Year is a time for its celebrants not only to reflect upon the fortune of the old year and anticipation of the new year, but also to be thankful for their loved ones and the blessings life has brought. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photograph from: <u>http://www.presstv.ir/latest.html</u></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sources:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://presstv.com/detail/232197.html </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/holidays/persiannewyear.asp</span>Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-29335991876259288682012-03-08T14:34:00.002-05:002014-03-16T17:25:41.919-04:0014 Adar - Purim (Judaism)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Purim is a joyous holiday in the Jewish religion that honors a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from extermination. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Found in the book of Esther, the history of Purim begins like a fairy tale: The King of Persia chooses a beautiful, young woman to be his queen. He is King Ahasuerus (Ah-hah-shu-er-itz), and the lovely young woman is Esther, who unbeknownst to the King, is Jewish. Esther and her cousin Mordecai, who instructs Esther not to reveal her religious identity to the King, are the heroes of the Purim. The villain of the tale is Haman, a haughty, pompous advisor to the King. Mordecai refuses to bow down to Haman, which prompts Haman to hatch a plot to kill all of the Jewish people in Persia. Haman recieves permission from the King to control the Jewish people's fate and uses a lottery to pick by chance the day his massacre will begin. The word "Purim" means "lots" and refers to this lottery for which the holiday is named. Mordecai convinces Esther that she must stand up to the King and speak to him on behalf of her people. Mordecai tells Esther that this is the task she was born to complete and that she must use all of her bravery to protect the Jewish people. In spite of her fear, Esther approaches the King without being summoned, a crime punishable by death. The King accepts Esther's invitation for two feasts with himself and Haman. At the second feast, Esther finally reveals her identity as a Jewish woman. She tells King Ahasuerus of Haman's plot and makes her request for the King to spare the Jewish people. King Ahasuerus is furious with Haman and orders him to be hanged for plotting this treacherous atrocity. The King makes Mordecai his advisor in place of Haman and allows Esther and Mordecai to write a decree that abolishes Haman's orders and gives Jewish people the right to defend themselves against their enemies. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This was a day for great celebration, and the Jewish people went on to defeat their enemies throughout the Persian Empire. Mordecai and Esther created the holiday of Purim to commemorate Esther's courage and the Jewish people's overcoming of oppression in Persia. It was so serendipitous that Esther had been chosen as queen and given the opportunity to save her people from a terrible fate. Esther's bravery in the face of death is admired by many. Her </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">loyalty to her people and her strong conviction </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">frame her as one of the most heroic women in the Jewish religion. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Purim is celebrated by reading the book of Esther, also called the Megillah, meaning scroll. Whenever Haman's name is read, the listeners boo, hiss, stomp their feet, and shake noisemakers called graggers in order to literally "blot out the name of Haman". Purim is a holiday to drink, feast, and be cheerful. Carnival-like festivals are held for children who dress up as the characters from the story of Purim. Many Ashkenazi Jews make Hamantaschen, a triangular shaped cookie with fruit or chocolate filling that represents Haman's three-pointed hat. Purim is also a holiday about being thankful for the blessings you have and giving to those who are less fortunate. It is customary to give food and gifts not only to your friends, but also to the poor. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoFhbDxG_cs-Qs_bpBZUeFHJfzwTZUsmTDXyuNQ7L4JB54y-ret3DQ1EbC1yy3DKhgKdR2Sx8V_BiBrHz5P-mLmLTj-43UFr2Y8NaBkZey1jhl__awuyhGWsN2sMuhLVVRUPcodzjJTC5/s1600/hamantaschen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoFhbDxG_cs-Qs_bpBZUeFHJfzwTZUsmTDXyuNQ7L4JB54y-ret3DQ1EbC1yy3DKhgKdR2Sx8V_BiBrHz5P-mLmLTj-43UFr2Y8NaBkZey1jhl__awuyhGWsN2sMuhLVVRUPcodzjJTC5/s320/hamantaschen.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Picture of Hamentaschen </span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">from http://tbdcheshire.rjblogs.org/2012/02/27/hamantaschen-workshop/</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sources: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday9.htm</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/645995/jewish/The-Basic-Purim-Story.htm</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-76264172595009064832012-01-18T21:42:00.003-05:002013-01-18T12:05:30.489-05:00January 18th 1940- The Birthday of Vera Gottfried Norman (Belgium, USA)<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Today,
January 18<sup>th</sup>, is the birthday of one of the
world’s most special women. My grandmother Vera Gottfried Norman was a symbol
of strength and courage in a world full of obstacles. Vera’s life was set against unlikely
odds when she was born to Jewish parents just before the onset of the
Holocaust. Vera’s father, Oscar, was the youngest of ten siblings who were all
eventually killed in the atrocities of the Nazi regime. There were horrors
beyond belief taking place outside every window and on every street corner. The
Nazis shot and killed Vera’s brother Carleys before her own eyes when they were
asked for their papers on a street corner yet had none to show. Vera’s entire
immediate family was murdered, and Vera was the sole survivor. To protect her,
Vera’s parents had given her to the Nuns with whom she lived in a convent in
Antwerp, Belgium until the war was over. Vera remembered a man who she thought
was her father occasionally coming to dance with her. He eventually stopped
coming, and Vera felt discouraged to ask about him. Vera was a “hidden child”:
the sisters raised her as though she was an orphan and a catholic, but even
this effort could not fully keep her out of harm. She wandered the streets
during the day to prevent being caught when the Nazis checked the convents. Vera
remembered many of the catholic principles she had been taught while living in
the convent and applied them to her later life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">When the
war was finally over, the Red Cross found Vera and told her that she had family
waiting for her in the United States. Before she was allowed to immigrate to
the US, Vera spent many months in a health center recovering from a lung
illness, and we are still unsure whether she ever fully recovered from this
condition. After she was released from the health center, Vera took a long sea
voyage across the Atlantic upon the S.S. Constitution. She remembered that a
family was paid to take care of her, but they did not. She remembers that they
were not kind to her and did not think she could understand their language.
However, she was tri-lingual, and could in fact understand their conversations.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Upon Vera’s
arrival to New York, she was greeted by complete strangers who claimed to be
her paternal cousins. Vera lived in New York City for a few years before moving
to the suburbs of Connecticut where she went to school, got married, and had
three children. After 12 years of marriage, her relationship ended, and she
moved away to another town with her children and the love of her life, Michael.
</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Vera graduated from the University of
Connecticut as Summa Cum Laude and as a Junior Year Phi Beta Kappa. She later
went on to earn her Master’s degree. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Vera was a brilliant thinker with a passion for learning. She always
pursued her love of philosophy and history. When I was unable to attend school,
Oma brought school to me. Twice per week she came to my house to read and
discuss history, poetry, and current events with me. My Oma wanted me to hold
on to my love of learning and constantly encouraged me to continue to set goals
and never give up hope, no matter how sick I was. She inspired me to keep
pushing on in spite of my illness and insisted that I pursue higher education even
though I have medical limitations. My Oma believed strongly that there are many ways to obtain your goals; you just have to find them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Vera’s struggles in life were many, especially when she was
diagnosed with terminal cancer at the young age of 67. During the last years of
her life, she surrounded herself by the love of her husband, children,
grandchildren, and friends. Vera loved her family more than anything. She
reminded us frequently that life was very fragile but meant to be enjoyed. Vera
spoke of her choice to be happy even in the face of never knowing her parents,
leaving her home at the convent in Belgium, and starting all over in a new
country. We will always admire her thoughtful insights and honest advice.
Vera’s wisdom lives on in all who knew her and her love shines through her
children and her grandchildren. Happy Birthday, Oma. We love you and miss you
so.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Lk6AWtmYIviCti0zv9gNTd-SOXuNQdtutmUqEt4ZPeMWd48am_JiDHcr_P6LPboGPywziJSiyrrw4gZp_6ir0exej8pBTUSy8lEX4KyOebSjL4RhTIxA3B6IAz4bMySBG4uQJjhBqGYc/s1600/Vera+Gottfried+Norman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Lk6AWtmYIviCti0zv9gNTd-SOXuNQdtutmUqEt4ZPeMWd48am_JiDHcr_P6LPboGPywziJSiyrrw4gZp_6ir0exej8pBTUSy8lEX4KyOebSjL4RhTIxA3B6IAz4bMySBG4uQJjhBqGYc/s400/Vera+Gottfried+Norman.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
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Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-87761647219267066692012-01-12T20:25:00.000-05:002012-01-13T16:01:28.658-05:00January 11th and 15th- The Carmentalia (Ancient Rome)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Celebrated as two separate festivals, January 11th and January 15th in ancient Rome honor Carmenta, the goddess of birth. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Carmenta was the leader of the four Carmenae, whose group also consisted of her sister-goddesses Antevorta, Postvorta, and Egeria.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> Carmenta was a deity associated not only with pregnancy and childbirth, but also with fertility, prophecy, and technological advances. Although the cold weather and cropless season of Winter may seem like a strange time to celebrate the goddess of birth, January is exactly 9 months after April--the most popular month for marriage.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">As for Carmenta's origin, some believed that she came to Rome from Greece where she had been serving as a prophetess of Aracadia. These people believe that her name was initially Nicostrate and that she had a son named Evander who killed his father leaving himself and his mother with no option but to flee to Italy. Once in Latium, Nicostrate became known for her prophecies and was revered as a deity. The Italians renamed her "Carmenta" for the Latin word "Carmen" meaning "charm". Carmenta is credited with the invention of the Latin alphabet and supposedly altered 15 Greek letters to form it while Evander is known as one of the heroes in Rome's foundation. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">To celebrate the holiday, Romans would bring offerings to Carmenta's sacred temple, located southeast of the Capitoline near a gate called the Porta Carmentalis. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">It was important to remember not to wear leather or any clothing made of animal skin into Carmenta's temple because it would be disrespectful to her emphasis on new life. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> Women brought milk, honey, cereal, grain and herbs to Carmenta's temple and would pray to her for fertility and an easy pregnancy. The women would speak to wise old members of Carmenta's cult, who would tell them of their unborn children's future. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILCpjjF-dUSEDcWUYLj1D1NuiltQtqPe5aBIIPDVVUEw3unPi-jUI_aQfd8XqM_dRwWPFNKG2CJOjr4_yKEbPUsOuMK5noFYCZhLRN0rYtwctEqTHHVxfx3l5r4vxAucDWXiKmE0owQAO/s1600/carmenta.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILCpjjF-dUSEDcWUYLj1D1NuiltQtqPe5aBIIPDVVUEw3unPi-jUI_aQfd8XqM_dRwWPFNKG2CJOjr4_yKEbPUsOuMK5noFYCZhLRN0rYtwctEqTHHVxfx3l5r4vxAucDWXiKmE0owQAO/s1600/carmenta.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Sources: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">http://www.novaroma.org/nr/Carmentalia_(Nova_Roma)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">http://hotelmule.com/wiki/Carmentalia</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">http://www.jofletcherbooks.com/2012/01/carmentalia/</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">http://www.ancientsites.com/aw/Article/1258623</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">http://www.thaliatook.com/OGOD/camenae.html</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-52241906888952290662011-09-09T14:01:00.003-04:002012-02-07T16:19:12.142-05:00September 9th- California Admission Day (USA)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Happy Birthday, California! Today
is the 161st anniversary of the "Golden State". The treaty between the USA and Mexico that ended the Mexican war specified a large piece of the Southwest (including California) as belonging to America. California became
wildly popular in 1848 as a result of the Gold Rush. People from all over
hurried to the territory in search of their fortune, and before long, a civil
government was needed to settle disputes among them and provide equal law for
them. On this day in 1850, President Millard Fillmore signed the bill that
would admit California as the 31st state of the Union. California was accepted
as a state under The Compromise of 1850, which rejected the slave-owning
Southern states access to the Pacific. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Today, California will honor the
day with a celebration on the South Steps in Sacremento. The state of
California announced: “Together, we celebrate a more inclusive story of
the History of California, targeting 4th grade students through Official
Statewide History and Social Studies Content Standards and Practice[this is
implemented and ongoing in California state public school
curriculum]." </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times;">This holiday has provided a
perfect opportunity to learn about the impact California has had on American
history. To bring this article to a close, I'll leave you with a few funny
Californian laws I happened upon while researching. </span><span style="font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">1. "In Arcadia, peacocks
have the right of way to cross any street, including driveways."</span><span style="font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">2. "In Carmel, ice cream may
not be eaten while standing on the sidewalk." (Ironic, no?)</span><span style="font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_a9u0oRHaqNRn3tFjwsjT_TJ4LfLKQgHeJDs0NtZFhxLCdNg9EoZEsGAIdQxVxQCr19LEEv2rNXQLikx-2wB0M3ACkoh4OiuK2UrM8FEET6_9NrQ-4fjMjacdMRVuG9w8btOZa9VPJ8M/s1600/admission_+grand_celebration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_a9u0oRHaqNRn3tFjwsjT_TJ4LfLKQgHeJDs0NtZFhxLCdNg9EoZEsGAIdQxVxQCr19LEEv2rNXQLikx-2wB0M3ACkoh4OiuK2UrM8FEET6_9NrQ-4fjMjacdMRVuG9w8btOZa9VPJ8M/s320/admission_+grand_celebration.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Sources:<br />
http://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=23856<br />
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0911/62735.html<br />
http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2011/09/am-alert-242.html<br />
http://www.examiner.com/history-art-in-monterey/friday-september-9-california-admission-day</div>
</span>Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-430226215065928202011-06-01T23:11:00.006-04:002012-02-07T16:19:28.428-05:00June 1st- First World Hypoparathyroidism Awareness Day (World)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">World Hypoparathyroidism Awareness Day on June 1st, 2011 was the very first Hypoparathyroidism Awareness day. This was an especially important holiday for me because I was diagnosed with Hypoparathyroidism almost exactly two years ago. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Hypoparathyroidism (HPTH) is a rare endocrine condition that is unknown by many people because it is so uncommon. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Although it only affects a small number of people, its effects on a person are huge. People with Hypoparathyroidism, whether it is Iatrogenic (caused by surgical removal) or Idiopathic (without a defined cause), all have insufficient levels of parathyroid hormone causing the inability to regulate blood calcium levels. Although living with falling blood calcium levels is difficult, it is possible by taking a precarious combination of many medicines and supplements. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Hypoparathyroidism causes extreme weakness among other unpleasant symptoms and can be life-threatening if calcium blood levels drop too low. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">To raise awareness for our uncommon condition, my friends and I at HPTH UK honored the day by wearing green and encouraging our friends, family, and peers to do the same. We used phrases such as "Going Green for Hypoparathyroidism!" and "Green for a Growing Awareness for HPTH!" to spread the word of our day. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The day was a success as we had 463 people from all over the world confirm via Facebook that they would wear green June 1st to support us. My family, friends, and school community at The Galloway School in Atlanta, GA were wonderful and went all-out to support me by wearing green for the first World HPTH Awareness Day as you will see in the following pictures.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Over 75 students and teachers at The Galloway School in Atlanta, GA wore green to support HPTH Awareness Day</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Morgan (right) and I (left) Going Green for HPTH!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Close-up of the group</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Friends Laura (left) and Erin (right) and I (center) wearing green HPTH Awareness shirts.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">To learn more about Hypoparathyroidism, please visit </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://hpth.org.uk/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">http://hpth.org.uk/</span></a></span><br />
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</span></div>Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-39476437259030263892011-05-30T14:33:00.001-04:002012-02-02T14:44:10.912-05:00May 30th- Canary Islands' Day (Canary Islands)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The Canary Islands are made up of 7 inhabited islands between Europe and Africa: Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Tenerife, El Hierro, La Palma and La Gomera, and Chinijo Archipelago (which is made up of the smaller islands La Graciosa, Alegranza, Montaña Clara, Roque del Este and Roque del Oeste). The Canary Islands are an autonomous (meaning self-governing) Spanish community with their own parliament. Canary Islands Day marks the day of the Canary Islands' very first parliament session in 1983. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Although the holiday celebrates government, it is also a celebration of the islands' rich culture. On this day, schools hold extra classes about the history of their homeland. The Canarians eat communal meals and host festivals in honor of the day. There are also domestic animals shows and exhibits of cows pulling sleighs. Another large part of the celebration consists of children singing cultural music and playing traditional games such as "watch-your-step" and "tug-of-war". This is indeed the day when the people of the Canary Islands celebrate their ancestry and exhibit their pride for bringing joy to so many. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Map of Canary Islands</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">View from Canary Islands Beach</span></td></tr>
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Sources: </div>
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http://hubpages.com/hub/Canary-Islands-Day-was-when-traditional-games-returned-to-a-Garachico-school</div>
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http://www.barriemahoney.com/Twitters/files/a654a4a4ac5f3b8c7741fba4b87e5270-57.html</div>
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http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/spain/canaries-day-observed</div>
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Photos from: http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/spain-photos/</div>
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http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/africa/canary-islands/map_of_canary-islands.jpg<br />
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</span></span></span></span></div>Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-3794007367289281042011-05-08T13:23:00.000-04:002012-02-02T14:41:17.477-05:00May 8th- White Lotus Day (Theosophy)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Although this Sunday is Mother's Day in America, there is an additional holiday that is much lesser known held annually on May 8th. This holiday is called White Lotus Day, and it is celebrated to commemorate the passing of Madame Helena Patrovna Blavatsky (also referred to as HPB). Madame Blavatsky was born into a well-to-do Russian family in 1831. During her life, she travelled around the world never staying in any one place very long. Madame Blavatsky was known as a psychic and was one of the founding members of the Theosophical Society. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">She is credited with launching the Theosophical Movement and first introducing the knowledge of Eastern Religions to the West. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">White Lotus Day is a holiday that encourages meditation and observation of the metaphor of the lotus. The lotus's life begins in the mud and travels through the water to reach the clear air and warmth of the sun. Madame Blavatsky and her fellow members of Theosophy believed that life structured itself in a quite a similar way. White Lotus Day is celebrated in several ways: </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. At noon, a commemorative meeting is held at headquarters in which excerpts from Theosophical works are read. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. Food is given in Madame Blavatsky's to the poor fishermen of Adyar, India.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. The flag is half-masted from sunrise to sunset. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4. The convention hall is adorned with white lotus flowers. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5. All braches of Theosophy meet on this day and express their love for Madame Blavatsky "in some simple, unsectarian, yet dignified way, avoiding all slavish adulation and empty compliments [...] for her who brought us the chart of the climbing Path which leads to the summits of Knowledge". </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Madame Blavatsky</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sources: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.blavatsky.net/blavatsky/madame-blavatsky.htm</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://intuitivemeaning.com/2010/05/spotlight-white-lotus-day/</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.katinkahesselink.net/other/algeo-white-lotus.htm</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/b/blavatsky_helena_petrovna.html</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Photos from: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.blavatsky.net/ and http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-6423201-white-lotus-floating-in-water.php</span>Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-64994496397488689912011-05-07T17:03:00.001-04:002012-02-02T14:43:44.043-05:00May 7th- Radio Day (Russia, Bulgaria, and Armenia)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The invention of the radio in 1895 had a large impact on communication for individual countries and the world as a whole. Radio Day (or Radio and Television Day, as it is called in Bulgaria) became a holiday on May 7th 1945, exactly 50 years from the Day Alexander Popov first successfully established the Radio as a tool. The brilliant Russian physicist built upon Tesla and Marconi's prior achievements in the process of radio development and is generally credited in Eastern Europe with its invention. Because Tesla and Marconi had already begun work with the idea of "emission and reception of signals by means of electromagnetic oscillations", Western Europeans typically acknowledge them as the radio's inventors. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In celebration of the holiday, some radio stations in Russia, Bulgaria, and Armenia will be running commercial-free all day. In downtown Sofia, The Bulgarian National Orchestra will be conducting a concert to mark the day. Today in Armenia, the Prime Minister visited the Yerevan Office for RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty and praised them for their exposure of "problems and shortcomings in Armenian society". However they may celebrate, it is clear that the people in these Eastern European countries have an appreciation for all that radio broadcasting has done for the world's expansion of communication. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sources: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/05/07/49979351.html</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://times.am/2011/05/07/congratulations-on-radio-day/</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=128007</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.armradio.am/eng/news/?part=soc&id=19918</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.rferl.org/content/armenian_prime_minister_visits_rferl/24094253.html</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Picture from: http://cdn.dipity.com/uploads/events/b7aeddf2380aeb91ee5f9d258fa9ca7d.jpg</span>Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-50212538132043663272011-05-03T16:56:00.011-04:002012-02-07T16:19:00.490-05:00May 3rd- Polish Constitution Day (Poland)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Polish Constitution Day is the 3rd day in a series of Polish holidays following Labor Day on May 1st and Flag Day on May 2nd. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Polish Constitution, adopted in 1791, was based on ideals of the Age of Enlightenment and established Poland's move toward a parliamentary system and rule of law. The Polish Constitution was the first modern, codified constitution in Europe and only the second one in the world, preceded by that of the United States. The constitution instituted the world's first Constitutional Monarchy, meaning that the king keeps his status as head of state, but it still subject to the law's rules. It also abolished the "Liberum Veto" (Latin for "I freely forbid), which allowed any one nobleman to veto the decision come to by the Nobleman's Assembly led by the king. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Polish Constitution was retained for a year but fell when the king joined the Targowica Confederation, and Poland was divided between Russia, Prussia, and Austria. 125 years later, Poland finally regained is sovereignty and constitution. May 3rd was even banned as a holiday several times, but it was restored in 1989 after the fall of communism. Even though it went back and forth as a legal holiday, Constitution Day was always honored as a celebration of hope and inspiration for the Polish people. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The President of America, Barack Obama, released a statement yesterday wishing the Polish well on their celebration of Constitution day. He says, "Even today, fledgling democratic movements look to Poland as an example and guide."</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQLxcaoRArXjYnsnYgvOo_-qYKZ_Kljdk7QUF86pY4P1Y9owqqO1tP8vvURNjBmOQoMSQaQPpEbtNArWOAawoq8DG8NVZfEksQNPbe3cRkr0Wi4FH3pSNNWl4cqa7hl75C19peQsnOLKx/s1600/polish+flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQLxcaoRArXjYnsnYgvOo_-qYKZ_Kljdk7QUF86pY4P1Y9owqqO1tP8vvURNjBmOQoMSQaQPpEbtNArWOAawoq8DG8NVZfEksQNPbe3cRkr0Wi4FH3pSNNWl4cqa7hl75C19peQsnOLKx/s320/polish+flag.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Polish Flag</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sources: </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.thenews.pl/national/artykul154624_poland-celebrates-constitution-day.html</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/world/global-dispatches-poland-may-3-constitution-day-55698.html</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/05/02/statement-president-polish-constitution-day</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Picture from: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">http://www.petergreenberg.com/2007/06/25/off-the-brochure-chicago/</span></div>Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-13334773260047689712011-04-25T14:27:00.001-04:002012-02-07T16:21:01.769-05:00April 25th- Liberazione (Italian Liberation Day), Festa di San Marco, and Festa Del Bocolo (Italy)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As you can tell from the title of this post, April 25th is a busy day in Italy! Several holidays fall upon this day, the first being Liberazione--Italian Liberation Day. This holiday commemorates the fall of Mussolini's Italian Social Republic and the liberation of Italy by allied troops in 1945 toward the end of World War 2. The Italians honor Liberazione nationally not only by celebrating, but also by remembering the soldiers and war heroes who gave their lives to fight for Italy's freedom. Although there are parades, concerts, marching bands, flags, and rallies to celebrate the fallen Italians, most restaurants, shops, and public services throughout Italy are closed. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Coincedentally, April 25th is also the Festa di San Marco in Venice. This feast day honors Saint Marco who is Venice's Patron Saint. To celebrate, the Venecians host a parade and a procession in the "Piazza San Marco", or Saint Mark's Square. In honor of Saint Mark, the Venetians also celebrate the "Festa Del Bocolo", or Festival of the Blooming Rose. On this day, Venetian men present the women they love with a red rose. There are several myths from which this tradition may have originated. One story tells of a war hero wounded to death on the battlefield who leaves his lover a rose covered in his own blood. Another legend tells of a rose bed growing beside Saint Mark's grave that served as a barrier between two young lovers many years later. Whatever the true story may be, Venetians honor the Festa Del Bocolo similarly to the way Americans celebrate Valentine's Day. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sources: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://venicexplorer.net/tradizione/festa-san-marco/index.php</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://goitaly.about.com/od/festivalsandevents/a/april_fest.htm</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.suite101.com/content/liberation-day-italy-a228691</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.cactuslanguagetraining.com/us/italian/view/top-5-spring-festivals-in-italy/</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://travel-guide.airfrance.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=events&loc_id=135295&sub_section=events</span>Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-80177931185389939512011-04-16T13:59:00.003-04:002012-02-02T14:40:21.252-05:00April 16th- Birthday of Queen Margrethe II (Denmark)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Queen Margrethe II was born on April 16th, 1940 and ascended to the throne of Denmark on January 14th, 1972. This year, she is celebrating her 72nd birthday as </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Denmark's second female monarch</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">. The Queen is very well-liked by her people, who know her for love of art and literature. Her talents range from painting, drawing, and watercolor to scenography, textiles, and needlework. The people of Denmark love their queen so much that they begin celebrating her birthday March 24th and continue through May with concerts, banquets, parades, and exhibitions honoring her life and achievements. On her actual birthday, April 16th, </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Queen Margrethe II's tradition is to stand on her castle balcony and waive to the throngs of her people who gather below to cheer for her. Although the celebration of her 71st birthday this year will be significantly smaller than that of last year, she will still be greeting her people and waiving from her balcony with her family. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMnvqcKb2Ru3zk_TRwSsPD-hLyv7pQJxODdKrXbeJTgiOe6Zcabg2a3lusbJkGUG2MEDW2p32dQ1wg5HGk9iimsuB7pbbCT-dKo4IpmX624UNLgqJgQMoz7_b92tsy9s5NTLTRlY839WZ/s1600/+Queen+Margrethe+II%2527s+Birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMnvqcKb2Ru3zk_TRwSsPD-hLyv7pQJxODdKrXbeJTgiOe6Zcabg2a3lusbJkGUG2MEDW2p32dQ1wg5HGk9iimsuB7pbbCT-dKo4IpmX624UNLgqJgQMoz7_b92tsy9s5NTLTRlY839WZ/s400/+Queen+Margrethe+II%2527s+Birthday.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Queen Margrethe's II's Birthday<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwUlUMJ34wjvxAt0GAOniHbEwaKmNYxwH_07OxTIDJ0J23yTSHzzEKDvm_0J4BtX6S8QbO6iMKkLoqLyVPxahJHe-FrL588Ijd9mvjBq672Co7OEhffI9ZAEU0CDwIN9dhbtXAvkFICBr/s1600/+Queen+Margrethe+II.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwUlUMJ34wjvxAt0GAOniHbEwaKmNYxwH_07OxTIDJ0J23yTSHzzEKDvm_0J4BtX6S8QbO6iMKkLoqLyVPxahJHe-FrL588Ijd9mvjBq672Co7OEhffI9ZAEU0CDwIN9dhbtXAvkFICBr/s320/+Queen+Margrethe+II.JPG" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Queen Margarethe II</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Sources: </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-04/17/c_13255416.htm</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">http://www.kingsofdenmark.dk/king54.htm</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">http://royalcorrespondent.com/2011/04/15/her-majesty-queen-margrethe-ii-of-denmark-to-celebrate-her-birthday-at-marselisborg-castle-and-will-attend-the-british-royal-wedding-alone/</span></div>
</div>Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-36137181701813803992011-04-12T17:44:00.003-04:002014-04-12T10:49:12.952-04:00April 12th- Cosmonautics Day (Russia)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">April 12th is honored as Cosmonautics Day in Russia because it was the day Yuri Gagarin of the Soviet Union made his historic flight as the first human in space. Yuri Gagarin took the 108 minute orbit around the Earth at 9:08 AM aboard the capsule Vostok 1. The groundbreaking flight left Gagarin both a national and international hero. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Celebration of Cosmonautics Day in Russia begins with a commemoration ceremony in Korolyov, which is often referred to as the "cradle of space exploration". Participants of the celebration then advance to the Kremlin Wall Necropolis in the Red Square to pay their respects at Yuri Gagarin's grave, which is located alongside the graves of other Soviet leaders and heroes. Next, the group proceeds through Cosmonauts Alley which exhibits busts of significant participants in the Soviet space program including Yuri Gagarin and people such as Sergei Korolyov and Valentina Tereshkova. At the end of the avenue, the procession comes to a close at the monument "To the Conquerors of Space", which was assembled in 1964 to honor Russia's achievement in space exploration. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Possibly the best part of this holiday is the fact that on April 7, 2011, the UN General Assembly made history by adopting a resolution that declares April 12th the International Day of Manned Space Flight. As a result of this, the holiday will from now on be celebrated not only in Russia, but also throughout the world. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yuri Gagarin, Age 27</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwvUDpRGMBR_cN8MXIcbrDcf7ce4ed2ZMOGKP2c3oeTrZ5Tn0xPeTs-nQ8b0ctZS8tZ3L_0deIwWzvB3-82lmfqcxv7TZ0D36oDPVoVaWvndiM6SCzmqpVxwNkO2ZZJ21rukv7KRWwb89/s1600/vostok+1+capsule.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwvUDpRGMBR_cN8MXIcbrDcf7ce4ed2ZMOGKP2c3oeTrZ5Tn0xPeTs-nQ8b0ctZS8tZ3L_0deIwWzvB3-82lmfqcxv7TZ0D36oDPVoVaWvndiM6SCzmqpVxwNkO2ZZJ21rukv7KRWwb89/s320/vostok+1+capsule.jpg" height="298" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Vostok 1 Capsule on display at the </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sources: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.russia-channel.com/blog/cosmonautics-day-celebrating-russian-space-exploration</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.sandiego.com/news/50-years-ago-the-soviet-union-won-space-race-vs.-united-states</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.udmurt.ru/en/News/040911_Space.php</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.newsbcm.com/doc/748</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.vibrationdata.com/Yuri.htm</span></div>
Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-70194114623119040262011-04-08T11:32:00.005-04:002014-04-08T12:37:49.782-04:00April 8th- Buddha's Birthday (Buddhism)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Although Buddha's birthday is celebrated on different dates throughout Buddhism-practicing countries, Japan celebrates it every year on April 8th because they have adopted the Gregorian calendar. The exact year that Buddha was born is debatable, but most agree that it was between the years of 563-483 BCE. Buddha's Birthday is a day of great celebration throughout Asia boasting parades full of musicians, dancers, floats, and dragons. People hang lanterns in streets and enjoy communal meals. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Japanese refer to Buddha's birthday as Hana Matsuri, meaning "Flower Festival" because they venture to the temples bringing offerings of fresh spring flowers, especially cherry blossoms. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One widely spread tradition for Buddha's Birthday that is found in most schools of Buddhism is the washing of the baby Buddha. According to legend, when Buddha was born, he took seven steps and declared, "I alone am the World-Honored One". He then pointed up with one hand and down with the other, which symbolized that he would unite heaven and earth. It is said that the seven steps represent seven directions: north, south, east, west, up, down, and here. The tradition of washing the baby Buddha honors this moment. The process begins with a statue of the baby Buddha being placed on a stand inside an elevated basin. People come up to the alter and pour water or tea on the tiny figurine with a ladle to symbolically wash the baby Buddha. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hanging Lanterns in the Streets</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Washing of the Baby Budhha</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/tlresources/units/byrnes-celebrations/work.html</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://wn.com/statues</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://buddhism.about.com/od/buddhistholidays/a/buddhabirthday.htm</span></div>
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Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-69887554888807379862011-04-07T14:48:00.001-04:002011-04-07T15:01:50.145-04:00April 7th- Day of Maternity and Beauty (Armenia)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On April 7th, the Armenian Church celebrates the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary-- the day, according to the Biblical legend, that "the angels announced the Virgin Mary on the forthcoming birth of Jesus Christ" (Advantour para 2). In the secular lives of the Armenians, this day was turned into the Day of Maternity and Beauty. Keep in mind that April 7th also marks the end of the "Month of Praise of Women" in Armenia that began March 8th on International Women's Day. During the whole month in Armenia, there are festivals, exhibitions, fairs, concerts, and theatre openings held in women's honor. Although this holiday especially celebrates mothers, all females (no matter what status or age) are given gifts from men, who regard them as the "fairer sex". </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Day of Maternity and Beauty in Armenia may ring a bell to us here in the United States; after all, we do have a Mother's Day celebrated in May. However, The Day of Maternity and Beauty is different from our Mother's day because it celebrates not only mothers, but the entire female population. It is also different from Mother's Day because in Armenia, children congratulate women by giving them not only gifts and candy, but creative artwork as well. Children's creative work for The Day of Maternity and Beauty is showcased in exhibitions all around the country. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjkGSJP0P7xYiqUAhiDBOiVvQySvJ1t30474bInpColRi58NoehsmIIwr6FFu5LibnHgEr-bEPbQBksllckzskUZwlFc7BMT441_pR9RpTJotPsF1NvGYfFDK9uYIjVTNitkudJnovqwk/s1600/Varder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjkGSJP0P7xYiqUAhiDBOiVvQySvJ1t30474bInpColRi58NoehsmIIwr6FFu5LibnHgEr-bEPbQBksllckzskUZwlFc7BMT441_pR9RpTJotPsF1NvGYfFDK9uYIjVTNitkudJnovqwk/s320/Varder.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sources: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">http://www.advantour.com/armenia/holidays/spring_holidays.htm</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/politics/news/17222/</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">http://www.armradio.am/news/?part=soc&id=9217</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-16086776420617434022011-03-28T15:21:00.000-04:002011-03-28T15:21:43.658-04:00March 28th- Rikyuki, Remembering Sen no Rikyu (Japan)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Every year on March 28th, the Japanese make a special point of remembering Sen no Rikyu, a man who was pivotal in the formation of the contemporary Japanese tea style. Sen no Rikyu was born in 1522 under the name of Yoshiro in the merchant city of Sakai. He initially studied traditional tea ceremony but eventually moved on to learn about the contemporary tea ceremony under the guidance of many influential tea leaders. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sen no Rikyu began studying zen at the Daitoku-ji Temple in northwest Kyoto. The temple was renown for "a deep relation with tea", and it was while he was studying there that Rikyu (who was then known as Yoshiro) changed his name to Sen Soueki. By the time he was 58 years old, he was serving as a tea master, and 5 years later he received the honorary title of "Koji". After the being awarded this esteemed Buddhist rank, Rikyu changed his name once more to Sen no Rickyu Koji establishing his prominence among the other Japanese tea leaders. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sen no Rikyu left a legacy in the Japanese tea culture through his contributions to tradition. Rikyu believed that the 4 qualities that should be represented in a tea ceremony are: </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-Harmony</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-Respect</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-Purity</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-Tranquility</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rikyu also introduced several new behaviors into a contemporary Japanese tea ceremony, including: </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-A tea house should hold 5 people.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-Utensils should be washed in a small separate room.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-There should be two entrances to a tea room: one for the host and one for the guests.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-The doorways should be low so that one must bend down to enter, humbling one's self for the ceremony. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One of Rikyu's most well-known sayings is: </span></span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"</span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Though many people drink tea,</span></span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">if you do not know the Way of Tea,</span></span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">tea will drink you up."</span></span></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Another one of his well-known quotes is: </span></span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"The Way of Tea is naught but this:</span></span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">first you boil water,</span></span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">then you make the tea and drink it."</span></span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This quote exhibits Rikyu's zen, simplistic view of the tea ceremony. </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZboQR50_diWOixhHvI-oX6EoIYv54CcHpwOGlAr-D-aMxuP2Yeb7b8tS6oL7ro5k5KVGT179SN23IMVGUCjnffesCsZFi0F9iWE4LMROvezekNdh-U3NVFdg_PAdkNdKo6EBkoYR-3xQV/s1600/standard_japanesetea.showcase_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZboQR50_diWOixhHvI-oX6EoIYv54CcHpwOGlAr-D-aMxuP2Yeb7b8tS6oL7ro5k5KVGT179SN23IMVGUCjnffesCsZFi0F9iWE4LMROvezekNdh-U3NVFdg_PAdkNdKo6EBkoYR-3xQV/s320/standard_japanesetea.showcase_3.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Drawing of a standard Japanese tea ceremony.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20qa4oQvzebIt5hNggwPMlBC1chdv-q59DXOImstbPaX0oKTu3EuRJ968GnW-jtzScbVHe1WwdEpungFeiFFiuuNJvPg7UGQavVRAWBvSXZl7SCqMJWVghF2XvpteR8tVHZai9ui2kKCa/s1600/20100824_Review_31_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20qa4oQvzebIt5hNggwPMlBC1chdv-q59DXOImstbPaX0oKTu3EuRJ968GnW-jtzScbVHe1WwdEpungFeiFFiuuNJvPg7UGQavVRAWBvSXZl7SCqMJWVghF2XvpteR8tVHZai9ui2kKCa/s320/20100824_Review_31_sm.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A Japanese Tea House</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sources: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.zenstoriesofthesamurai.com/Characters/Sen%20no%20Rikyu.htm</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Sen_no_Rikyu</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.mfa.org/programs/lecture/day-about-japanese-tea</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.arch.columbia.edu/labs/fablab/summer-2010-fabrication-workshop</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.omotesenke-newyork.com/demo_e.html</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div>Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-68774685545725763632011-03-21T18:15:00.000-04:002011-03-21T18:15:54.005-04:00March 21st- Harmony Day (Australia)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 26px;"></span><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Falling on the same day as the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Harmony Day is celebrated in Australia. The holiday began in 1999 and is managed by Australia’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). Harmony Day is celebrated to acknowledge the cultural acceptance and diversity of the Australians. It is an opportunity for the nation to come together and embrace the many different cultures and heritages of its people. </div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Harmony Day is celebrated predominantly by wearing orange or an orange ribbon to show one’s support of the day. People also host morning teas, dress in national costumes, and participate in sporting events. People organize and play soccer games on this day because soccer is considered a “world sport”. </div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lif5jg3nst1qga0ru.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To celebrate, I wore orange and spread the word of the Australian holiday!</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sources: </div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.harmony.gov.au/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(140, 140, 140); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #111111; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.harmony.gov.au/</a></div>Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-29804266875939866522011-03-15T18:13:00.000-04:002012-02-07T16:21:57.570-05:00March 15th- The Ides of March (Ancient Rome)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 26px;"></span><br />
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“Beware the Ides of March”</div>
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-William Shakespeare’s <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Julius Caesar</em></div>
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The Ides of March is the traditional Roman calendar’s name for the 15th of March. However, the significance of the day is far more than simply a date. The Ides of March marks the day in 44 BCE when Julius Caesar was murdered by a conspiracy of Roman Senators led by Marcus Brutus who referred to themselves as “the liberators”. The conspirators convinced the public that by killing Caesar, they were freeing the Romans from a harsh dictator who was a threat to the established Roman Republic. Whether Caesar was a true tyrant has been analyzed frequently in literature and is still debated today. The most well known literary representation of the sequence of events is William Shakespeare’s <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Julius Caesar</em> in which Shakespeare depicts Caesar as an dominant oppressor and Brutus as a tragic hero. However, the poet Dante viewed Brutus as a traitor who is “doomed to the lowest levels of hell” for killing the man who spared him. </div>
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In the end, it seems that Caesar’s legacy has lived on and that the Ides of March has served as a warning for future rulers to be careful in how they politically present themselves. I believe that this history shows the power in a group of people unified against a common cause and the danger in having too much control. </div>
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<img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_li3xhexRkm1qga0ru.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></div>
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The Italian artist Vincenzo Camuccini’s depiction of Julius Caesar’s murder on the Ides of March. </div>
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Sources: </div>
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<a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/03/0311_040311_idesmarch.html" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(140, 140, 140); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #111111; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/03/0311_040311_idesmarch.html</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.chiff.com/a/ides-of-march.htm" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(140, 140, 140); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #111111; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.chiff.com/a/ides-of-march.htm</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.infoplease.com/spot/ides1.html" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(140, 140, 140); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #111111; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.infoplease.com/spot/ides1.html</a></div>Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-58690765225646636732011-03-06T18:05:00.000-05:002012-02-07T16:21:38.291-05:00March 6th- Norfolk Island Foundation Day (Norfolk Island)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 26px;"></span><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">March 6th is celebrated as Foundation Day on Norfolk Island, a small island located west of Australia, because it was the day </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lieutenant Philip Gidley King</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and his crew of 15 convicts and 7 free men arrived on the uninhabited land. Lieutenant Philip promised the convicts rights and citizenship if they worked hard to establish the island. Coming from England, the men took ownership of the Norfolk Island intending upon using it as a foothold for Britain in the Pacific. They also wanted to use the island for its resources including pine trees, flax, and nutrient-rich soil. However, the flax was too difficult to prepare, and the pine trees were not resilient enough to be used as masts. So, Norfolk Island was mostly used as a farm on which to grow food to feed the starving city of Sydney. The island is now know as a friendly place to live a chill lifestyle.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">On the morning of March 6th, to celebrate Foundation Day, the people of Norfolk perform a re-enactment of Lieutenant Philip’s arrival by boat onto to their island. People drink a mixture of orange juice and wine while toasting to the King and hoisting up the Union Jack (another name for the UK flag). This year marks the 224th anniversary of Lieutenant Philip’s first settlement on Norfolk Island. </span></div>
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<img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhmaofKcEI1qga0ru.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></div>
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The Norfolk people presenting their re-enactment of Lieutenant Philip’s arrival. </div>
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<img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhmaqmJxt71qga0ru.gif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></div>
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The Norfolk Island flag. The flag has a pine tree on it presumably representing the plethora of pine trees on the island. </div>
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<img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhn9b3SpdT1qga0ru.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></div>
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The gorgeous sweeping view of Norfolk Island’s coast. </div>
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Sources: </div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.norfolkonlinenews.com/index.php?a=36" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(140, 140, 140); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #111111; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><a href="http://www.norfolkonlinenews.com/index.php?a=36" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(140, 140, 140); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #111111; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.norfolkonlinenews.com/index.php?a=36</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.ausflag.com.au/norfolk_island.asp" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(140, 140, 140); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #111111; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><a href="http://www.ausflag.com.au/norfolk_island.asp" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(140, 140, 140); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #111111; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.ausflag.com.au/norfolk_island.asp</a></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.coast-accommodation.com.au/holiday-accomodation/nsw/about-35-norfolk-island-and-lord-howe-island" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(140, 140, 140); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #111111; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.coast-accommodation.com.au/holiday-accomodation/nsw/about-35-norfolk-island-and-lord-howe-island</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://norfolkisland.net.au/images/stories/won_flyers/nph_flyers/foundation%20day%20sm.pdf" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(140, 140, 140); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #111111; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><a href="http://norfolkisland.net.au/images/stories/won_flyers/nph_flyers/foundation%20day%20sm.pdf" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(140, 140, 140); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #111111; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://norfolkisland.net.au/images/stories/won_flyers/nph_flyers/foundation%20day%20sm.pdf</a></span></div>Arianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05737559667319424717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2065867697047847132.post-54365374153987244532011-03-02T20:34:00.000-05:002012-02-07T16:21:23.324-05:00March 1st- Martisor (Romania)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12.5px; line-height: 22px;"></span><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Pronounced Martz-E-shore, it is the celebration of the start of Spring in Romania. The ancient story of Martisor tells of a hero’s red blood falling on the white snow causing the sun to return and put an end to the eternal Winter. That is why the colors of this holiday are red and white. The most prominent symbols of Martisor are the snowdrop flower and the Martisor, an intertwined piece red and white thread. Girls tie the red and white thread Martisor in their hair and wear it for sometimes up to 2 weeks before tying it to a tree for good luck and fruitful crops in the coming season. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To celebrate the holiday, I dressed in red and white and made my own Martisor out of red and white ribbon (pictured below). I waited until today to hang the home-made Martisor in a tree for good luck (also pictured below). </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJg1YKf_l1_GDUewvQ_A-qj5QRLjO28bvIKpt4GX6fboTgjW6SoyogurVTz_RPAQZqXkMBZz67TXUwJxFxIMyUobU3K7z5YDkaKveD15-AKH62PGkQGFR4iwE3oaT27wSh_GoTOOVQ5Do/s1600/ribbon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJg1YKf_l1_GDUewvQ_A-qj5QRLjO28bvIKpt4GX6fboTgjW6SoyogurVTz_RPAQZqXkMBZz67TXUwJxFxIMyUobU3K7z5YDkaKveD15-AKH62PGkQGFR4iwE3oaT27wSh_GoTOOVQ5Do/s320/ribbon.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I wore my Martisor in my hair like this all day.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZteUgugd5dVoAbArHZSDx-1bYppNxOnBujvIAIGONV_cUUaqjjT0mkYd3Qanb2nI-Qr_y517kOyV6Oj81SUVESCYSqa-x-_0iqi0XjKgr3Te0hecAKfJfm-ZQQJQrATXyI2ZAfqSWyJB/s1600/martisorintree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZteUgugd5dVoAbArHZSDx-1bYppNxOnBujvIAIGONV_cUUaqjjT0mkYd3Qanb2nI-Qr_y517kOyV6Oj81SUVESCYSqa-x-_0iqi0XjKgr3Te0hecAKfJfm-ZQQJQrATXyI2ZAfqSWyJB/s320/martisorintree.jpg" width="212" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My Martisor tied to a tree in my backyard. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sources: </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byNxjAbZUSQ&feature=player_embedded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(140, 140, 140); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #111111; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byNxjAbZUSQ&feature=player_embedded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(140, 140, 140); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #111111; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byNxjAbZUSQ&feature=player_embedded</span></a></span></div>
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