Back from work
Hi everyone!
Hi Rachel!
I’m sorry for the last days. I had to work hard. Now the work is done and I can return to write here. Unhappiness, I could not travel at Easter because I was working. My girlfriend went to her parent’s house, so I stayed alone at home – working like a mad man!
Easter is an important holiday here (the most important for Christians). Some traditional celebration occurred. It is common here to have plays with actors representing the crucifixion of Christ and His death at Calvary.
Here in Brazil the holiday was last Friday. Monday was not a holiday. The Good Friday is a day dedicated to fast and meditation. Some bakers gave breads for the poor. My grandmother (her name was Josefa and it is an honor to me remember her while writing these lines) usually cooked food and gave it to the poor and to friends.
But Brazil is a large country. People from different places of the came here and leave their ways to celebrate the Easter. I was watching TV when I saw a celebration in a cemetery. In another small town in Brazilian Northeast a group of men practiced the self-flagellation. They beat in their backs with ropes that had pieces of metals on it. They said that the self-flagellation was nothing comparing with the Passion of the Christ. It was unbelievable.
I know that other religions have other kind of celebrations. I’m curious to know more about the Hindus, Jews, Muslims, and Buddhists… Can someone tell us more about important dates and celebrations in those religions?
Well, I want to thank to Rachel for the explanations about multi-word verbs and all tips about its use. It is really helpful and, for me, you showed it in a different and interesting way. The suggestion to learn phrases is a good idea. However, I made some confusion using a multi-word verb. And when I speak, I can choose use a multi-word verb. When I read a book, an article or, worst, when I speak with someone, I can’t choose the way that the interlocutor speaks. I agree that the multi-word verbs give a different dynamic to a conversation or a text. But sometimes it seems redundant (like “please sit down” and “please sit”).
I have to tell you, Rachel, that I dislike the picture of the cake. Let me explain. I was working and I had to finish a report. When I finished I immediately opened the Teacher Blog and I saw that picture. I was starving and thougth with myself that I can not eat a piece of that cake... I could feel the taste of it in my mouth… I have to confess it was one of the most frustrating experience reading a blog :-).
It´s 11:30 p.m. here. I’m really tired and I´m going to bed. But tomorrow I will reply the comments.
I’ll see you!
Comments
Dear Marcos, I’m not Buddhist or Muslim. I’m Orthodox, and we have our own traditions of celebrating Easter. This Day will come this Sunday, and we are all preparing for it. First of all people start the Lent (the great fast) and keep it for 40 days before the Easter! Nowadays some people are back to this religious tradition and do not eat meat and try to be modest in their daily dress and behavior. Many cafes and restaurants suggest lenten food, so it is possible to maintain the fast. Last 10 days of the Lent are the most severe and challenging. Then 3 days before we start to paint eggs :) This is the most awaited phase for children! One day before we are baking especial cakes with raisins and when the Day “X” comes we bring it all to our churches and receive blessing from a priest. Blessed cakes and eggs we then share with our relatives, friends and poor people… and at last the Lent is over :)
Hello Marcos, your English is good enouph.But,i have a queston for you.Do you spend sometime revising your entries ; correcting the typos,rephrasing ETC? You asked how the other religions celebrate their holidays.Well,for the Muslims,there are two holidays;ADHA after pilgrimage and FITER of RAMADHAN(fasting month) .About the way to celebrate ,it is keeping changing historicaly .Nowadays, most of the Muslims listen to music and sacrifice sheeps and goats on those days. Finally, masochism ,occured as a way of sufism ,long time before all three monotheistical religions.And i think it is difficult to explain rituals of any religion to others,unless you consider secularism as common ground.Take it easy and thank you.
Hello Marcos! I like the most your last paragraph which came like an eruption of sincerity. Very well outspoken to make it understandeable and I may wish you that the sweetest of your desires shall come the soonest as a reward to you! Thanks for all writings!
Hi Marcos! Sorry to hear that you had to work your socks off while many people were having a good time including me. Sometimes life is not fair to everyone. We don't have any special celebration of Easter Sunday in Korea. It was alien to me when I saw Easter Sunday celebrations first time as I never had seen it before. Every Easter Sunday people from a church put on a play which it tells about the Crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus in my town's market place. Most people come out to watch the performance and mark Easter Sunday together. Thanks for all writings and keep up the good work!
Hi Marcos I am impressed with your work Marcos. You seem to be working too hard, not everyone can do this. For example, I love blogging on this message board and I try to participate but because of my studies and family I don't participate as regularly as I would like to. I wish I was more regular on this message board. It is helping me a lot in improving my english. Because of your inspirition, I am going to try and participate more regularly. Can you give me some suggestions on time management? Do you have specific times for everything? I will greatly appriciate it if you help me. May be your suggestions will give me some sort of motivation. I will be waiting to hear from you. Keep up the good work. Best wishes Rabail UK
Hello, Thank you for sharing your ideas. I guess there are lots of similarities between cultures, for example you have Santa Clause and we have Haji Firooz in our New Year, with a noticeable difference: Yours is white and ours is black! there are some traditions for it. Perhaps I would explain it later. Wish you luck, S.J.
Welcome back Marcos! I´m glad to read a brand new blog from you :-). Good night, Ana Paula.
Hello Marcos, wishing you a happy Easter. It's so interesting how you described about Rachel's cake I'll let you into a secret, when I saw the picture, I too had the same experience as yours. It was a very appetising cake to look at and just unable to eat it. Have a great day, Naheed
Hi Marcos, I'd never heard of such strange customs as the ones you described in your entry. But there sure are some crazy things around this world. Rachel's cake sure looked delicious, didn't it? I felt like having a slice of it. Your grandma must have been a very nice woman. Did you have a chance to get to know her well? I mean, I understood she's already passed away, but if she hasn't, please forgive me. My grandma passed away a long time ago. But I used to care a lot for her. Also for my grandpa. I think grandparents are very special people in a person's life, don't you think? Thanks for the blog Marcos, See you soon. Bye, Mauricio.
Hi Marcos, Easter celebrations are very important also in Italy and they are very similar to those that happen in Brazil. Someone it's very strange but all the religion have ancient costums
Hello teachers!!! I'm so happy of having found this blog to share experiences. I hope we can feedback all of our experiences. Contratulations!!! good blog.
Hi Marcos! I'm surprised that no one addressed your question. Of course, all religions and cultures have their own special tradition and celebrations. I will tell you about Muslims and Hindus (as they are our neighbours). We (Muslims) have two Eids, Eid-ul-Fitar and Eid-ul-Adha. Moreover Shia (a Muslim sect) also practices Moharam, in which Shia community flagellate themselves. The method is same as you mentioned about Brazilian Northeast group of people.
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