Sunday, January 18, 2009
Emma- The New Member of the Family
Saturday, January 17, 2009
My Weekend Ice Sculpture
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Story Behind Valentines' Day

St. Valentine,was a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. The legend states that St. Valentine wrote a farewell to the jailer's daughter who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine".Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed. In 496 A.D. ,Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine. Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages .
Some Valentine Traditions
Hundreds of years ago in England, many children dressed up as adults on Valentine's Day. They went singing from home to home. One verse they sang was:
"Good morning to you, valentine;Curl your locks as I do mine ---Two before and three behind.Good morning to you, valentine. "
In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favourite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart!"
In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.
In some countries, a young woman may receive a gift of clothing from a young man. If she keeps the gift, it means she will marry him.
Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.
Think of five or six names of boys or girls you might marry, As you twist the stem of an apple, recite the names until the stem comes off. You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem fell off.
Pick a dandelion that has gone to seed. Take a deep breath and blow the seeds into the wind. Count the seeds that remain on the stem. That is the number of children you will have.
If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many children you will have.
If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many children you will have.
CROWN PRINCE ALEXANDER CONGRATULATES GREEK AMBASSADOR IN SEBIA

Courtesy of The Office of H.R.H. Crown Prince Alexander II
PRESS RELEASE
Belgrade, 15 January 2009
HRH Crown Prince Alexander II attended today an awarding ceremony in the Serbian Orthodox Patriarchy and extended his congratulations to HE Mr. Christos Panagopoulos, Ambassador of Greece to Serbia, for receiving the Serbian Orthodox Church Order of Saint Sava First Degree, the highest award of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The Serbian Orthodox Church Order of Saint Sava First Degree was bestowed to HE Mr. Christos Panagopoulos, Ambassador of Greece to Serbia by His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and Littoral in the name of His Holiness Patriarch Pavle for his great work and contribution to Serbian Greek relations during his tenure for the last 4 years as the Ambassador of Greece to Serbia. The ceremony took place in presence of Their Graces Bishop of Hvosno Atanasije, Bishop Irinej of Backa, Vicar Bishop of Jegar, as well as representatives of diplomatic corps that included HE Mr. Homer A. Mavrommatis, Ambassador of Cyprus, H.E. Mr. Alexander V. Konuzin, Ambassador of Russia, H.E. Mr. Anatoliy Oliynyk, Ambassador of Ukraine and H.E. Mr. Georgi D. Dimitrov, Ambassador of Bulgaria.
PRINCE PHILIP AND PRINCE ALEXANDER

Courtesy of The Office of H.R.H. Crown Prince Alexander II
PRESS RELEASE
Belgrade, 14 January 2009 Thursday, 15 January 2009.
The Princes will celebrate their 27th birthday in the company of their closes friends. Prince Philip completing a management and administration degree in Switzerland and Prince Alexander is working as International Correspondent Coordinator for a very famous magazine in the United States. Their Royal Highnesses warmly thank everyone for the nice birthday wishes.
-END-
-END-
Monday, January 12, 2009
Dog -The Bounty Hunter - A Changed Man

Have you ever heard of "Dog-the Bounty Hunter"? Dog is currently a bounty hunter.
He works at a bail bond place in Hawaii. In the 1950s , Dog was part of a motorcycle gang and
believe me , he was messed up. He received the nickname "Dog" by his fellow gang members.
One day he was at a horrible party and this guy turned a cross up side down . See, he still kinda
believed in God from his younger years (11,12,13). Anyways, he stood up to the guy and the guy walked
away. His nickname was "Dog " because that was God spelled backwards . Soon ,he quit the
gang. But way after that, he got truly saved and got married .Then he had children. Then some
of his children grew up and became bounty hunters . I thought that that was a wonderful example
of how people change. But, he still needs to change his hair ... :) Now he has his own show on A&E .
Links
http://www.dogthebountyhunter.com/
http://www.aetv.com/dog_the_bounty_hunter/index.jsp
Dog's Address
Dog the Bounty Hunter
A&E Television Networks Inc.
235 East 45th St.
New York, NY
USA
A&E Television Networks Inc.
235 East 45th St.
New York, NY
USA
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Free Rice

This website is awesome ! When you answer each question , the UN donates 20 grains of rice to starving children all around the world. At the same time , it helps you catch up on vocabulary ! Just go to http://www.freerice.com/index.php . You can even go to http://www.freerice.com/banners.html and place an advertisement on your blog! Or, if your a teacher , encourage your students to help too!
Press
“What if just knowing what a word meant could help feed hungry people around the world? Well, at FreeRice it does . . . the totals have grown exponentially.”
- Washington Post
- Washington Post
“Web game provides rice for hungry . . . FreeRice went online in early October and has now raised 1 billion grains of rice [by November 9].”
- BBC News
- BBC News
“Addictive, yes. But . . . each correct answer results in the donation of rice to help feed the hungry around the globe. Perhaps that qualifies the game as a good addiction . . . one with redeeming qualities, something that’s, oh, didactic and edifying.”
- Kansas City Star
- Kansas City Star
“People from all walks of life and from around the globe have written in to express their appreciation for the game . . . Secretaries admit to playing it during boring business meetings.”
- Christian Science Monitor
- Christian Science Monitor
“FreeRice.com is one of the most ingenious websites of 2007. In the best spirit of the Internet, it offers education, entertainment and a way to change the world ― all for free.”
- Los Angeles Times
- Los Angeles Times
“Freerice.com is an international, viral sensation. Folks from Thailand to Germany and India are just as enthusiastic . . . improving thousands of lives, all with a simple, collective, click of a mouse.”
- CBS Evening News
- CBS Evening News
“Every grain of rice is essential in the fight against hunger . . . FreeRice really hits home how the Web can be harnessed to raise awareness and funds for the world’s number one emergency.”
- UN World Food Program
- UN World Food Program
“A teacher of fourth and fifth graders on the Yurok Indian reservation in Klamath, CA, . . . emailed the WFP. ‘My students absolutely LOVE the FreeRice site. Almost daily they earn several thousand grains of rice!’ she wrote. ‘You cannot imagine the joy in my heart when I look out and see 25 kids doing vocabulary work and enjoying it.’”
- School Library Journal
- School Library Journal
“Feeling guilty about wasting time on computer solitaire? Join the growing guilt-free multitude at FreeRice.com, an online game with redeeming social value.”
- USA Today
- USA Today
“The Web site offers a greater gift, the gift of awareness about world hunger.”
- NPR National Public Radio
- NPR National Public Radio
“What type of computer game could get kids excited about learning vocabulary words? One that also helps feed hungry people around the world!”
- Scholastic News Magazine
- Scholastic News Magazine
“‘It’s fantastic,’ says the World Food Program’s Bangladesh director. Adds a 32-year-old widow living in a refugee camp with her 8-year-old daughter, ‘I depend on the rice.’”
- People Magazine
- People Magazine
“FreeRice is a triumph of converting passivity into engagement.”
- New York Times Magazine
- New York Times Magazine
“A simple way to bring kids to the Internet for a good reason, a way to feed their minds and . . . to feed a whole lot of people . . . helping fight world hunger, one grain of rice at a time. ”
- NBC Evening News
- NBC Evening News
Watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2f0BKk242A
Friday, January 9, 2009
HRH CROWN PRINCESS KATHERINE VISIT ON CHRISTMAS DAY

Courtesy of The Office of H.R.H. Crown Prince Alexander II
PRESS RELEASE
Belgrade, 7 January 2009
HRH Crown Princess Katherine spent Christmas Day traditionally visiting children hospitals and childcare institutions.
Before the traditional family Christmas lunch, Crown Princess Katherine together with Mrs. Jelena Moravcevic, member of the Board of Lifeline Humanitarian Organization in Chicago, visited University Children’s Hospitals in Tirsova Street and Mother and Child Institute in New Belgrade and Institute for Orthopaedic Diseases and the surgery in the Banjica Hospital where she delivered toys and sweets to more than 200 children, bringing them warmth and happiness for the holiday season, and showing them that they are not alone and that she and her Foundation have them always in mind.
As a part of Princess Katherine’s Christmas activities, she participated and supported the work of the Culinary Association of Serbia that prepared Christmas lunch for more than 120 children with special needs that was served in Sekspirova Street. Princess Katherine served the lunch for the children giving them opportunity to feel the joy of Christmas.
Inspired with the Christmas spirit and while they were in Greece last week, Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine visited little Theodora Maksimovic, a young girl that was sent to Agia Sophia Hospital in Athens for very serious surgery for a bone marrow transplant due to her very serious illness. The Royal Couple gave little Theodora presents for Christmas wishing her good health and a speedy recovery.
-END-
As a part of Princess Katherine’s Christmas activities, she participated and supported the work of the Culinary Association of Serbia that prepared Christmas lunch for more than 120 children with special needs that was served in Sekspirova Street. Princess Katherine served the lunch for the children giving them opportunity to feel the joy of Christmas.
Inspired with the Christmas spirit and while they were in Greece last week, Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine visited little Theodora Maksimovic, a young girl that was sent to Agia Sophia Hospital in Athens for very serious surgery for a bone marrow transplant due to her very serious illness. The Royal Couple gave little Theodora presents for Christmas wishing her good health and a speedy recovery.
-END-
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Chritmas at the Royal Palace

Courtesy of The Office of H.R.H. Crown Prince Alexander II
PRESS RELEASE
CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE ROYAL PALACE
Their Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II, Crown Princess Katherine celebrated Christmas Eve at The Royal Palace at Dedinje.
The traditional burning of the Yule log was performed in front of The Royal Palace, which was blessed by Father Panayotis the representative of the Greek Orthodox Church in Belgrade with the approval of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle.
Beside Their Royal Highnesses members of the Gendarmerie Brigade, employees of The Royal Palace, numerous representatives of the media were present during the burning of the Yule log which was followed by, in the spirit of tradition, a short reception for all present in The Royal Palace.Later on in the evening Their Royal Highnesses will attend Midnight Christmas liturgy at the St. Sava Temple in Belgrade that will be served by His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije.
-END-
The traditional burning of the Yule log was performed in front of The Royal Palace, which was blessed by Father Panayotis the representative of the Greek Orthodox Church in Belgrade with the approval of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle.
Beside Their Royal Highnesses members of the Gendarmerie Brigade, employees of The Royal Palace, numerous representatives of the media were present during the burning of the Yule log which was followed by, in the spirit of tradition, a short reception for all present in The Royal Palace.Later on in the evening Their Royal Highnesses will attend Midnight Christmas liturgy at the St. Sava Temple in Belgrade that will be served by His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije.
-END-
Public Relations
The Royal Palace
Belgrade 11040,Serbia
Tel: +381 11 306 4000
Fax:+381 11 306 4040
Please visit: www.royal.rs
Please visit: www.royal.rs
BADNЈE VEČE U KRALЈEVSKOM DVORU
Beograd, 6. januar 2009. - Njihova Kraljevska VisoÄanstva Prestolonaslednik Aleksandar II i Princeza Katarina proslavili su Badnje VeÄe u Kraljevskom Dvoru na Dedinju.
Tradicionalno paljenje badnjaka obavljeno je ispred Kraljevskog Dvora koji je, uz saglasnost Njegove Svetosti Patrijarha srpskog Gospodina Pavla, osveÅ¡tao otac Panajotis, predstavnik GrÄke Pravoslavne Crkve.
Pored Njihovih Kraljevskih VisoÄanstava paljenju badnjaka prisustvovali su pripadnici Žandarmerije, zaposleni u Kraljevskom Dvoru i mnogobrojni novinari, nakon Äega je u Kraljevskom Dvoru, u duhu tradicije, prireÄ‘en je kraći prijem za sve prisutne.
U nastavku veÄeri Njihova Kraljevska VisoÄanstva će prisustvovati Božićnoj ponoćnoj liturgiji u Hramu Svetog Save u Beogradu koju će služiti Njegovo VisokopreosveÅ¡tenstvo Mitropolit Amfilohije.
- KRAJ -
Beograd, 6. januar 2009. - Njihova Kraljevska VisoÄanstva Prestolonaslednik Aleksandar II i Princeza Katarina proslavili su Badnje VeÄe u Kraljevskom Dvoru na Dedinju.
Tradicionalno paljenje badnjaka obavljeno je ispred Kraljevskog Dvora koji je, uz saglasnost Njegove Svetosti Patrijarha srpskog Gospodina Pavla, osveÅ¡tao otac Panajotis, predstavnik GrÄke Pravoslavne Crkve.
Pored Njihovih Kraljevskih VisoÄanstava paljenju badnjaka prisustvovali su pripadnici Žandarmerije, zaposleni u Kraljevskom Dvoru i mnogobrojni novinari, nakon Äega je u Kraljevskom Dvoru, u duhu tradicije, prireÄ‘en je kraći prijem za sve prisutne.
U nastavku veÄeri Njihova Kraljevska VisoÄanstva će prisustvovati Božićnoj ponoćnoj liturgiji u Hramu Svetog Save u Beogradu koju će služiti Njegovo VisokopreosveÅ¡tenstvo Mitropolit Amfilohije.
- KRAJ -
Sunday, January 4, 2009
The Key to Midde School Worries and Hard Times

Today , I was worrying about the pains of middle school . It is not so much about the work, but the social part with the kids. Middle schoolers
have different personalities. Any trouble experienced can be summed up in on saying. It took me all year to generate this.
" No great sailor has gone without a tough storm . "
- John M. Bowling, Jan. 3 ,2009
God is preparing you for a tough task, but you still have the sensitivity inside to complete it.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Henry Allingham, Europe's oldest man, celebrates 112th birthday
Friday, January 2, 2009
My Genuine Signature from HRH The Duke of Kent!!!

Today I received a letter from His Royal Highness (HRH) The Duke of Kent . His private secretary actually wrote the letter ,but his secretary gave me an authentic signature from HRH ( photo #2)!!! I have listed the contact address for HRH below.
His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent

His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent
St. James's Palace
London SW1A 1BQ
The United Kingdom (Great Britain)
Photo #2
Also, check out the royal YouTube channel at http://uk.youtube.com/theroyalchannel .
You can also see HRH The Queen's Christmas speech by typing in "The Queen's Christmas Speech 2008 " .
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)