Winter Break

12/20/2012

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I am very excited for winter break because tomorrow is the last day of school before our three weeks off.  I have a lot of things to look forward to this break.  First of all is sleeping in and not having any homework.  This will be nice especially after the last couple of weeks which have been crazy.  I have had more homework than ever, which keeps me up late and therefore, makes me quite tired the next morning.  The break will definitely be a relief to me.  

Another thing I am looking forward to during break is my birthday.  My birthday is very exciting because I was born on Christmas.  Everyone always tells me how sorry they are because I don't get as many presents.  But this is really not true.  All that having my birthday on Christmas means is that I get all my presents on the day, and no less than anyone who has their birthday on another day.  Christmas is a lot of fun because normally we will wake up and open our presents, then go see a movie or something.  After that we will pretty much just hang out at home and do other things.  Then later we will celebrate my birthday.  This is a lot of fun for me because it kind of keeps the day going.  These are the things I am excited for during break!
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Shared Ideas in Asia

12/13/2012

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Ancient Japan was very unconnected to the rest of Asia for a long time, since it was an island.  This meant that they had a very unique culture that was much different than the rest of Asia.  Then there was a Japanese regent named Prince Shotoku who realized that Japan could actually learn and benefit a lot from China and Korea.  One of the main and overall most important ideas that Japan got from China and Korea was the idea of Buddhism.  This new religion became the center of Japanese culture and was very important in the country.  A specific type of Buddhism called Zen Buddhism is what many samurai followed because focused on meditation and other forms of self-discipline.  This religion spread very quickly through Japan which is the main reason I believe it is the most important thing that they got from Korea and China.
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Mongols

12/6/2012

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As I am outside tending my field, I feel and hear a sound like thunder coming from the northern hills.  I slowly look up and see thousands and thousands of men on horses coming over the hill and I soon realize that it is the dreaded, bloodthirsty Mongols we have heard about from traders from western Asia.  My farm is in the most northern part of the village and I realize that it will be the first thing the Mongols hit as they come through the village.  There is pretty much nothing I can do to save myself, for I know I will be killed along with the rest of my village.  The Mongols will spare nobody.  

I sprint into the village to warn everyone of the Mongols, even though it will do no good, since I know that everyone has already felt the earth shaking and the the terrifying pounding of the drums.  They are almost here now, and the village has already given up hope.  We will all die and nothing is going to stop that.
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