Merry Christmas!!!

‘Tis the season to be Jolly! 

What an amazing season Christmas is, in Spain and in Ireland. 

I have been so happy to spend some of the Christmas season here in Spain! Everyone is so festive and the atmosphere is incredible. 

Something I didn’t know, before spending this Christmas season in Spain, was the importance of the day of the Immaculate Conception. By chance, I was walking around Huelva city on the day of the Immaculate conception and I got to see the parades and festivities take place. The day was truly magical and is something I wish was celebrated more in Ireland. In Ireland, the day doesn’t have much significance anymore as the Christmas season begins earlier in modern times. Nowadays the Christmas season begins when ‘The late late toy-show’ aires every year in November (which I highly recommend you watch).

Another difference we have, is that in Ireland we exchange gifts on the 25th of December instead of the 6th of January. Lucky for me, I will get my presents before you! Ho ho ho

Either way I want to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy happy happy New Year! 

Thank you to all for a great first semester and see you all again soon in January!

Halloween

 What is Halloween?

Halloween is a very popular Irish festival (not American) which can be dated back over 2500 years. However back then, the festival looked a bit different. For example, it was a pagan festival called ‘Samhain’ which was celebrated to mark the change of the seasons, from the harvest season to the cold season. The Celtic people that celebrated Samhain believed that their dead could visit them on this day. Similar to ‘Dia de los Muertos’ in Mexico.

 

How did they Celebrate?

The Celts use to light huge bonfires in celebration of Samhain. They would use these bonfires for many different rituals, including divination and spiritual cleansing. They would also have feasts with family and friends to celebrate.

When did Samhain become Halloween?

Samhain became Halloween around 1200 years ago. When Christianity arrived in Ireland, the early church did not like the pagan festival, so they decided to christianize it. They called November 1st ‘All Saints Day’ with Halloween being the vigil. It became a day to remember our loved ones instead of believing they came back. 

How is it celebrated today?

Just like the Celts did years ago, Irish people love to celebrate Halloween and every year there are huge celebrations around the country. Some modern traditions include dressing up in costumes, trick-or-treating, games, fireworks, decorating, bonfires and celebrating with friends and family.

P.E. ACTIVITIES

Our language assisstant is having fun with P.E. students and teachers.

Hello I.E.S Diego Rodríguez Estrada!

Hello to all! Thank you for giving me such a warm welcome over the past few weeks. Some of you may have met me already but if you haven’t my name is Ciarán Fox. 

A few things about me: 

- I am currently 21 years old and I am in my third year of studying Business with Languages. 

- In my free time I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, travelling and exercising.

- A fun fact about me is that I lived in the United States for two months last summer. I worked at a kids summer camp there called camp IHC.

I have come from a town in Ireland called Greystones. My town is just 30 minutes away from Dublin (the capital city of Ireland). 

                                                                          Ireland

                                                                      Greystones

                                                                          Dublin 

I am delighted to be working here at IES Diego Rodriguez Estrada. I am very excited to share my language and culture with you and help you to improve your English Language skills. Please don’t hesitate to speak with me (in English of course) if you see me around the school!

WELCOME TO SAN JUAN DEL PUERTO

Last week, our language assisstant Ciaran Fox came to our school from Dublin, Ireland. To welcome him, we invited him to a traditional Spanish breakfast. Enjoy this school year!!

Halloween Traditions in the United States

Halloween originated in Europe, but it was introduced to Northern America by migrants in the nineteenth century. Since then, Halloween has become one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States. Starting October, people begin with the Halloween traditions, which I will further explain below. 

Costumes

As Halloween approaches, businesses that are completely dedicated to Halloween spring up. They provide a wide range of costumes to pick from, including costumes for children, adults, and even pets. They range from characters from a television show to frightening outfits. Others, on the other hand, would rather create their own.

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Going to the Pumpkin Patch

Starting at the beginning of October families tend to go to the closest farm where they get to choose out a freshly grown pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. At the pumpkin patch, they also have activities such as a corn mazes.

Pumpkin Carving

People begin carving their pumpkins once they have picked one. Pumpkin carving is one task that the whole family likes to participate in. The great thing is, whatever is leftover from the pumpkins is then utilized to make products like pumpkin pie.

House Decorations

Families usually start to decorate their houses at the beginning of October from Halloween. They use decorations such as spider webs, fake blood, lights, and skeletons.

Trick or Treat

Kids and adults knock on doors and ask for treats from house to house (candy). When knocking on the door, it is expected to say "Trick or Treat" so the homeowners can give them candy. This activity lasts from sunset until late at night.

My Hometown of San Francisco

 San Francisco, California