Interisting Halloween~~

 

Today,I will talk someting about Halloween in two parts: first,the history of Halloween.Second,how do people in UK celebrate this day.


Halloween is a holiday which is celebrated on 31th October.The featival of Samhain is a celebration in the end of a harvest season  in Gaelic culture.On this day,Gaelic people take stck of supplies and prepare for the winter.They think that on Samhain day,living people and dead ones would overlap together,and then big deseased will come such as sickness or damaged crops...So on this day,ancient people spent with bonfire to drive the evil away,and people wear costums and masks to mimic and appease monsters.


 In UK,children ask treats for the houseowners near their neighbourhood.Kids ask,"trick or treat?"If houseowners don't give them candies,they will give houseowners the "tricks" .People also carve pumpkin to make it like a face,and put lantern in it,the pumpkin is called Jack-o-lanterns.In Irish legend,there was a man calles Jack who could neve go to heaven cause he is a mister,and he couldn't go to hell cause he played jokes on the evil,so he has to go to earth on his day of judgement.People in some places of UK jump over fire to bring themselves good luck.English people also wear costums as ghosts,in this way the ghosts will mistake people as their fellows andthey will not be hurt.

History of EU

   


     EU is short for European Union.It is a center for ecomomy and politics.EU include 27 countries,which are Austria,Belgium,Bulgaria,Cyprus,Czech Republic,Denmark,Estonia,Finland,France,Germany,Greece,Hungary,Ireland,Italy,Latvia,Lithuania,Luxembourg,Malta,Netherlands,Romania,Poland,Portugal,Slovakia,Slovenia,Spain,Sweden and United Kingdom.In the early days,EU was just focus on the common trade policies for coal,steel and agriculture in the past.I will say something about EU’s history.
     In 1951 the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was established. It had six members: Belgium, West Germany, Luxembourg, France, Italy and the Netherlands. The venture was very successful.
     In 1957 the ECSC's six members decided to pool other areas of their economies. They signed the Treaties of Rome, creating the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) and the European Economic Community (EEC). The members began to remove trade barriers to form a 'common market'.

     In 1967 the institutions of the three European Communities - ECSC, EURATOM and EEC - were merged

     In 1970s,Denmark, Ireland the the UK joined the EU.

     In 1979 the first direct elections to the European Parliament were held - citizens of member states were able to vote for candidates. 

     Greece joined the EU in 1981.

     Spain and Portugal joining in 1986.

     In 1995 Austria, Finland and Sweden joined the EU.

     On 1 January 2002, the euro was introduced in 12 EU countries

     The EU welcomed 10 new countries in 2004: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

     The candidate countries, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Turkey are expected to join in 2007.

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Differense among England,Walse,Scotland and Republic of Ireland

Today let's look at some difference among the 4 nations of the UK,which are England,Walse,Scotland and Republic of Ireland.

England. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west.the flag of England is St George's Cross.It's national plant is rose.Saint's day here is 23 April which is a day english people are in honour of St George.People's common names usually are Jones,Thomas,Davies,Williams,etc.English people like to talk about weather alot, moan alot, love a good  roast beef with all the trimmings, when there is a real emergency everyone rallies around. Strawberries and cream at wimbledon, football dominates most conversation down the "local"! But typically the main characteristic of English i would say is a great sense of humour .

Wales.It is bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west.The flag here is Dragon of Cadwalader,national plant here is leek.St David who's the patron saint here.1 March is his memorial day.Welsh common names are Goronwy,Madog,Bleddy,etc.The Welsh are renowned for their singing ability.The food here is interesting,the breakfast here is  local eggs and bacon combined with the some unusual ingredients.In the afternoon,people eat fruit bread or Welsh cakes.The traditional food for dinner here is called  Welsh Rarebit snack.

Scotland.It is in the north of the United Kingdom.The flag of Scotland is St Andrew's Cross and Lion rampant.Scottish plant is thistle.The patron sain here is St Andrew whose saint's day is 30 November.Scottish pople's common names usually are Smith,McCall,Mac Carthy,MacDonald etc.The Scots have a reputation for being careful with money.Scottish Whisky is popular around the world,Traditional Scottish food is plain and healthy. It inc.ludes oatmeal, salmon, herring, venison, potatoes, kale, turnip, mutton, and soft fruits like raspberries and apples.

Republic of Ireland.It is a state in northweat Europe,The flag of this nation is St Patrick's Cross and republic of Ireland.The national plant is Shamrock.In 17 March is Irish St Patrick's day.The common names of Irish people are usually Burke,Byrne,Carroll,Campbell,etc.Irish people are supposed to be great talkers,they always talking and talking and talking,they like desserts and coffee,the traditional food here is Irish stew.

WEEK11

Time flies.

I have been here for two weeks,I like Treforest I think.I would like to write something about waht I know about here.

Weather.the weather of England is changable.The first day I went here,I met a kind lady who's from London.She talked lots of things about England,she thought the weather here is terrible.But I don't think so.The rain here is like the snoe in China,I like the feeling of snow- falling,I like snow.In my Chinese name,the meaning of 'Xue 'means snow.Snow is so pure and simple,just like me myself.My father always says that for girls,being simple is good.

People.People are nice here.They are helpful and friendly.In China,we don't smile to the people wo don't know.In Treforest,I think teachers and classmates are good,wo are just like a whole family.

Food.I am not customed to the food in restaurant ,so I buy vegtables and fruits and cook them at home,I'm always satisfied with my cooking.

Environment.I like the learning environment.It's quiet and the eqquipment here is good too.

I want to learn all the courses well,and to improve every day.

Whish me good luck in Wales!