I love English!

Hello Students and welcome! This will be our common try to do something creative!
You and me are going to make a great monthly newspaper, just for the fun of it! It
will be our own paper blog! We will share things we find interesting and unusual
here. You have a voice so don’t be afraid to use it! This is the December 2010 issue!
Enjoy reading and Merry Christmas to you all!

Source: Mary Glasgow Magazines

The Shocking Truth About Christmas and Santa Claus!

Christmas is one of the most popular holidays and is celebrated around the world by
Christians and non-Christians alike.
Although Christmas traditions vary from country to country, many are remarkably
similar. For example, a beloved figure that gives out gifts appears in almost every
single culture that celebrates Christmas. Sounds familiar, right? It turns out Santa
Claus appears in many different guises, who knew! Impress your family this holiday
with our Christmas trivia!

Who is Santa Claus?

The legend of St. Nicholas, otherwise known as Santa Claus, dates back centuries to
the town of Myra (located in modern day Turkey), where Bishop Sinter Klaas was
known for his generosity, especially towards children and the poor. According to
Dutch legend, St. Nicholas would bring gifts at Christmastime by slipping in an open
window or coming down the chimney. Thus, the tradition was born!

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Unidentified flying…sleigh?

Every year at 5:00 a.m. MST on December 24th, the North American Aerospace
Defense Command (NORAD) watches their radar screen for one peculiar aircraft —
Santa’s sleigh! Using a worldwide network of radar and satellites, NORAD is able to
track Santa’s progress around the globe and report his current position via the
Internet.

Come on…does Santa really exist?

Of course he does, in fact he lives in Rovaniemi, Finland! Don’t believe it? Visit
Santa’s workshop for yourself and see the elves hard at work building toys for the
holidays. Santa’s Village is located in the Finnish Lapland on the Article Circle, one
of the coldest places on earth and certainly suitable for Santa’s North Pole address —
brrrrr!

Santa, is that really you?

What do Three Kings, a Grandmother, a Gnome, a Camel, an Old Witch and a Jolly
Old Man have in common? They all give out presents on Christmas! It’s true, Santa
Claus is seen in many different guises; it all depends on the Christmas traditions of
that particular culture. In France, children are visited by Père Noël, while in Holland
they see St. Nicholas or Sinter Klaas. In England, Santa Claus is known as Father
Christmas and in Latin America and Spain he is represented by the Three Kings.
German children on the other hand will see Christkind, who is considered to be an
angelic messenger of Jesus.

Meanwhile in Russia, gifts are handed out by the beloved Babouschka, a

grandmotherly figure. If you grow up in Sweden, your presents will be delivered by a
gnome in a sleigh while Syrian children receive their gifts from a camel belonging to
the Three Wise Men. And if you live in Italy? Well, you’ll be getting a visit from a
kind old witch named La Befana!

Christmas is one of the most celebrated holidays in the world, and little wonder with
its rich and intriguing history. Every culture that celebrates Christmas has their own
unique spin on the traditions and the figure of the beloved gift giver Santa Claus.
Whether he’s a camel, a gnome or just a kindly old man, we still love him. Merry
Christmas!

Source: http://christmas-2010.net

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 NEWS FROM BRITAIN

Here you can see Britain’s new coins. They are rather
modern, aren’t they? What do you think?

Source: Mary Glasgow Magazines

CONTEST!!! Colour you coin and give it to your teacher to put it on the next
issue! Don’t miss the opportunity to express yourself creatively. The best picture will
win a prize!

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 The money in my life
By Irida Noutsou – Level B1

Sometimes we think we could have a lot of money. But is it good to have a lot
of money?
Today many people win the lottery and their life changes for the better or for
the worse. In my life I don’t know how to manage my money very well, but I know
how to use my money in a logical way. I think!?
If I won the lottery, I would have many things to do and I would be very
excited. First of all, I would spend an amount to cover some things. To begin with, I
would donate an amount to charities. Secondly, I would buy new clothes and maybe a
car, because I would have a lot of money and I could do anything I could imagine.
Finally, I would go for a trip abroad, because I like trips.
If I spend money, I will save money too. Firstly, I wouldn’t use credit cards,
because I don’t know how to manage them. Secondly, I wouldn’t spend money on
unnecessary things and I would buy only the important ones. These would be all my
perspectives for the future if I won the lottery.
But I think I will never buy a lottery ticket.

Imaginary interview with Michael Jackson from Heavens!

By John Bougias – Level B2

John: Hello Michael! How are you here in Heaven?

MJ: Hi John! I’m fine here. I can fly hey check this out. (Michael shows that he can
really fly). Every day God invites me to sing and dance for him.
John: Your life here sounds amazing! Was it hard for you to die?
MJ: Not really, no. I had started getting bored as a living person and I chose to die
and live here!
John: Have you made any new songs?
MJ: Yeah, Heaven has very beautiful landscapes and that is inspirational for me.
John: Have you made a new CD?
MJ: Yes, it will be released in three years from now.
John: Do you have a relationship?
MJ: No, we don’t need this kind of relationships here.
John: Does it make you feel sad?
MJ: Not really, no.
John: OK, thank you for your time, Michael.
MJ: Thank you John.
John: If you see God tell him that John Bougias says ‘What’s up’?

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 NEW ALBUM MICHAEL AVAILABLE
DECEMBER 14, 2010

New York, NY – The much anticipated album of newly completed recordings from
Michael Jackson entitled MICHAEL will be released on December 14 by Epic
Records in conjunction with the Estate of Michael Jackson. The creative process
never stopped for the King of Pop who was always planning for his next album;
unbeknownst to many fans around the world Michael Jackson was writing and
recording songs continuously everywhere from a friend’s home in New Jersey to
studios in Las Vegas and Los Angeles with a small group of handpicked
collaborators. Now, through the unique stories that will be told about the songs that
comprise MICHAEL, fans will get mind-blowing insight into how this artist worked
and a chance to hear the songs he most recently created along with tracks that Michael
had a desire to bring to fruition. Stay tuned for the worldwide launch of the official
first single from MICHAEL later this month.

Source: www.michaeljackson.com

WINTER
By Stathis Kouthourides – Level C’ Regular

Of course I prefer summer to winter but there are some things about winter
that I like. The snow, the happy children who play with the snow in the streets and the
families which go shopping.

At the end of winter there is Christmas, a religious holiday. We eat turkey,

visit friends and relatives, prepare food and decorate the house with colourful lights.

As usual we put on winter clothes, sit in front of a blazing fire or do extreme

sports as snowboarding and ice-skating. Another game is snowball fights.

Generally speaking winter is one of the best seasons.

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 How to be healthy!
By Kelly Koutsiouki – Level C’ Regular

Many people aren’t interested a lot about their health, but this isn’t right. If
you want to have a long life, you have to look after yourself.
A balanced diet and exercising are the two most important things your body
needs. If you eat healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables, you will have a lot of
energy.
Walking and jogging are good for your health too. If you do your favourite
sport twice a week, you will stay fit. Also, aerobics strengthens your heart and
muscles.
Cut your bad habits. If you look after your body, you will feel better and your
body will then look after you!

CHRISTMAS POSTERS
By Stavroula Vasilaki – Level B’ Regular

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By Konstantina Spyrou – Level B’ Regular

By Christos Vasilakis – Level A’ Regular

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 EASY PROFITEROLES
By Athena Sagani – Level B2

Materials:
250g chocolate
250g whipped cream
1 + ½ packet of biscuits, petite beurre
1 cup of sugar
5 eggs
1 vanilla

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400g sweetened milk
1 cup fresh milk
1 shot brandy
10 candied cherries

For the cream:

1. Beat the cream in a mixer with the sweetened milk and the vanilla for 6 to 7
minutes. Keep half cup of mixture for garnish.
2. Heat the chocolate with the butter in a bain-marie and add sugar. If it has a nice
colour, let it cool a bit.
3. Beat merinque (the egg whites and yolks separately). Then unite and beat lightly.
Mix with the chocolate. Pour in the fresh milk and the brandy and stir.
4. Place in a deep bowl a layer of chocolate. Break the biscuits and place them o top.
Then put a layer of white cream. Then do the same to fill the bowl. Finish with a layer
of chocolate.
5. Garnish with white cream. Finally, decorate with cherries. Good luck and bon
appetit!

Letters to the Editor

By Eleni Nakou – Level B1

Dear Natasha,

I hope you are good. I am writing to you because I want to tell you about my
journey in Hollywood. I went there two weeks ago with my boyfriend George
Clooney. We traveled in a Mercedes. It was George’s gift to me for my birthday.

I had to go to Hollywood because I had an interview for a role in a film. Guess

what! I am the protagonist! I will co-star with Brad Pitt. Hollywood is just lovely. We
stayed in a marvelous, luxurious hotel with a wonderful view.

We attended a lot of events and theatres. I met many popular people and every
evening we had dinner in different restaurants. I spent two great weeks there. I will go
back next month for the shooting.

George is sending his greetings. See you soon.

Your schoolgirl,
Eleni

One more poster

By Lamprini Kirtsia –Level A’ Regular

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 Christmas is beautiful! The children play and Santa Claus is coming. Then the
children are happy because he brings presents to everyone. Happy girls and happy
boys, welcome Christmas, bring the toys!!!

Merry Christmas to you all! Enjoy your holidays! See

you in a month with brand new articles and ideas!!!

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