FESTA DELLA DONNA 2009

'BOUNA FESTA DELLA DONNA' to all women around the world!

Read old entry about this event HERE: FESTA DELLA DONNA and HERE: EVOLUTION OF FESTA DELLA DONNA

Its 'giallo giorno' (yellow day), March 8, for all the women of Italy. Mimosa flowers are given to celebrate this day.

PHOTO BY: travel.webshots.com/photo/2123560380084821528...

Let's "paint the town yellow", here are some Trivia on Facts, History, and Meanings of the Color Yellow ... from Trivia-Library,com

A collection of facts, history, meanings, uses, phrases, and lore about the color yellow

COLORFUL FACTS ABOUT COLOR
YELLOW

History and Lore: To the ancient Greeks, yellow denoted air. Leonardo da Vinci wrote that yellow represented earth. To the Navaho, the western mountains are yellow and bring the twilight. To the Hopi, yellow is north. In India it is the symbol of the merchant and farmer, although at one time it was considered the dress of the ascetic. In some countries Jews were ordered by law to wear yellow clothing because of their alleged betrayal of Jesus. Judas was often depicted wearing a yellow robe signifying inconstancy, jealousy, and deceit. In 10th-century France, the doors of felons, traitors, and criminals were painted yellow.

Daily Uses: Because yellow has good visibility qualities, it is commonly used to denote caution; for example, in the yellow light before the red light signal and in traffic-lane dividers. It is also used to emphasize areas where hazards are apparent and as the symbol for quarantine. Yellow is an appropriate color for a room used for studying because it has a stimulating effect on the mind. Its intensity is also good for stairs and corridors that don't receive natural light.



PHOTO CREDIT: photography.nationalgeographic.com/photograph...

Yellow is found in such foods as banana squashes, corn, yellow peppers, sweet potatoes, bananas, lemons, grapefruit, and pineapples.

Colorful Phrases: Yellow fever, yellow journalism, yellow streak down your back, yellow (cowardly).

© 1975 - 1981 by David Wallechinsky & Irving WallaceReproduced with permission from "The People's Almanac" series of books.All rights reserved

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LA BEFANA 2009

School will start tomorrow for the kids after their 2 weeks Christmas vacation. And today, La Festa Della Befana marks the end of our 'festa' (festive) mood. I had a post here: LA BEFANA 2008 and last night we had our La Befana 2009. Read the link for the origin of this Italian tradition.

It wasn't the same as last year that every 'comune' had their own Befana to burn. It used to be sort of a parade who has the best, tallest and biggest witch. Just shows that even the 'strega'(witch) is affected with the ongoing "global economic crisis".

Our community didn't have one (Befana burning) so we went to my sister Noeda's neighborhood, Ca' Ballarin. You will see here: LA BEFANA 2008, that last year Ca'Ballarin had the best 'strega'. But last night, we were only seeing a big fire and people were asking for the witch. The effigy was so tiny you wouldn't notice it was even up there.

Regardless, Lukie had fun waiting for his "socky" to be handed by the Befana after the burning ceremony. The organizers hired some singers and put up stalls for free chocolate drink, hot wine and Panettone. Dylan stayed home with Boogs because he would be scared of the fireworks anyway. Good thing he did because he had a fever later that night.

This morning my kids had sweets from the strega and not coal. I'm thinking, since almost everybody is home today because La Befana is a non-working holiday. Everyone is probably nibbling chocolates, young and old hehehe. Well, its good for this cold weather and not everyday that the strega is this generous... so, cheers to chocolates and La Befana.

WHAT'S UP HERE?

Here is Italy's contribution to history of having the first black American president. A cute and not so cute comment from this side of the world hehehe... 'Tanned Obama' questions anger Berlusconi

ANOTHER STRIKE

For the fourth time this month, parents were asked to accompany their children to school and wait for the announcement if classes will push through that day. Its the teacher's way of protesting the "school reforms" that law makers finally approved yesterday.

Flunking pupils for bad conduct and having the same teacher for 5 years in Elementary are included in the said "school reforms" that angered students and teacher demonstrators all over Italy. More about the story HERE: Students protests as Italian Senate passes reforms.

Last Friday, 24th of October, was the only Friday we were not asked to go with our kids and Lukie was insisting its 'scopero'(strike). I calmly told him that there was no note sent by their teacher so there's nothing to worry about. Still he went with the school bus so preoccupied. Then Last night I told him, I have to go with him to school today and he said, "But its not Friday Mama!"...

LOTTO CONCLUDED

Last Thursday, these winning numbers, 7-20-21-74-75-81, made someone a millionaire in Catania Italy, one of the poorest cities in the country.... continue reading: World's Largest Lottery Winner.

I'm deeply touched and humbled while I laughed reading the many emails I received from friends and readers rooting for me to win the lottery. What a cheering squad! I can't thank you more than enough. I may have not won the big-bucks but you made me a winner already.

Here are some reasons why I will NEVER win the lotto.

1. I will immediately have a liposuction to flatten the evidence of my two pregnancies.

2. While I'm at it, I'll make the most of my "corrective surgery". I'll let them chisel my calves, these "wrath of the Igorot tribe"(as described by Russel) will give no trace of the many walkings I did in Babatan (my Dad's farm).

3. I'm not still contented , I'll make my nose perfect and yeah, I'll say bye -bye too to my 'mala' Popeye arms.

4. I can afford 'yayas' to take care of my kids now. Might spend less time with them anymore because managing my money would be that consuming. Less photos such as this.

5. My hair will be "confused" hahaha because I will always go to the beauty parlor and let them do re-band, hair spa, hair dye etc..etc..

6. Long days away with husband if he goes to shoot Mt. Everest. I can't leave the kids that long so I'll have to stay.

7. Many of my relatives will hate me because they'll think I owe them a part of my instant fortune.

8. It will be a problem where to keep and invest the money. Add the kidnappers and other life threatening scenarios endangering my family.

9. Paparazzis too... they will make me conscious with what I wear, how I walk and oh men, I need to put on make up like its my responsibility to look good.

10. I'll miss having dinner with my kids because husband and I can afford to dine out or go for a date every night.

11. My blog would always write about: I bought this, these and that. I have this, these and those. I own that and that.

12. It would be hard to choose which car I'll drive for the day. Ferrari, Porsche or my Lambo?

13. Jet lag from my flight to meet TruBlue in Vegas, Hannah, Ely and Vanessa in Cali. Miss Buguias and Miss Velasco in Arizona. Jen in Illinoi. Angie, Beng, Ma, Russel and Nikki in New York. Janice, Flynn, Abbob and Lola Cora in Canada. Lala and Jeff in UK. SagadaBlogger, Ma'am Marilyn, Mayla, Mildred and Roda in Australia. Reyna Elena when he relocates to Chicago. Tina in Maryland. Kath and Marco in Spain. Abby and Layad in Singapore. Arlene and Wilson in Japan. Raqgold in Germany. Analyse in France. Marj in Austria. And of course Jane in Taiwan.

14. I will hurt those I failed to mention above.


15. The list goes on but one thing is for sure, I will never be the same again....e.g. No more obsessive-compulsive picture taking for the many passing seasons of my boys.


16. P.S. How can I not include this... I will never win because I don't usually buy lotto tickets.

JackPot 100.000.000

Italy's SuperEnalotto, a world record for the highest Jackpot prize in the history of lottery. Its making everyone here dream of that lavish living a 100,000,000 euros could bring. That is 6 billion in Philippine peso or 128m in $$$. WOW! If I win, it would mean leaving Italy and staying in Baguio for good.

"Agtaya ka pay sakan tu mangarap!" (Buy a ticket first before you go daydreaming), my husband tells me and I readily snap out my 'muni-muni'.

SuperEnalotto is a combination of 6 winning numbers from 1 to 90. The Pot price was not won since April this year. It is drawn three times a week: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Its creating a big BUZZ here from TV to news papers and also being featured in other countries. Watch this BBC VIDEO.

According to this article - Bid to end Italy's lotto fever -(JackPot price on this article is updated on my entry title)

"the odds of winning the pot money is 600m to 1"...

"last weekend alone, 100m worth of tickets were purchased"...

"record jackpot has created a very dangerous betting fever with many recorded cases of people spending their life savings"....

"Italian government earns an estimated $1bn annually from lottery proceeds"....

"Codacons, the Italian consumer right's group, has filed a lawsuit demanding that the money should be seized because, it says, it is too high"....

Its hypocrite to say that I've got nothing against those who makes it their "career" to win the big prize. Going to the 'Biglietteria' with portfolios and would take most of the cashier's time to run their tickets on the betting machine. People spending 50 to 100 euros(or more) for one draw. Its their money, their life... I agree! But, that's way too expensive for investing with mere luck.

Sour-graping as it may sound, how they draw it is quite ridiculous to me. From a container with the 90 numbers written on small balls, a machine sucks every winning number. All bets are managed by computers. Beat that and consider the odds of winning which is 600m is to 1! Huh?

BUT, what if 'Anitos'(spirit of the ancestors for the Igorots) will confirm it with God that a person from Tublay nesting in Venice will make history and win that amount? A 1 euro ticket would be enough. Dream on Lovelyn hahaha!

UVA

When Lukie was in Kindergarten, they always draw grapes during this month. Now that he is already in Grade I, they're still doing it. My son already knew it by heart that this is 'Fruta d' autunno' (autumn fruit). I wouldn't be surprised if they wouldn't give the students a break from grapes next year.

Boogie said, if in Baguio sayote grows abundantly, 'uva'(grapes) would be it's counterpart in Italy. I understood upon going through some sites why Italians are so passionate about this sayote...eerrr I mean this fruit. I also found out from what variety of grapes Lambrusco and Cabernet Sauvignon are made of.

Italy is the largest producer of wines in the world. It is also the largest wine exporter...continue reading here: Italian regions

I didn't know that there are Italian Grape Varieties for specific wines. Pictures are also shown on the link.

PERMIT OF STAY

I told the police officer at the 'Questura' that we just retrieved our Permesso di Soggiorno (permit of stay)two months ago and now we're renewing it again. We applied June last 2007 and we got our documents after a year because they interchanged Dylan and Lukie's ID twice. Just me and the kids went in the office yesterday. Boogie had to leave us there for work because our supposed schedule of 10:15 went late to 12:00 noon.

Processing your Residence Permits in Italy: Permesso di Soggiorno(details " how to "- found on this link) is flinty and expensive here. 72 euros in all for: Bollettino postale(€27.50), stamp(€14.72)and Envelope forwarding, (€30.00).

Sometimes it also depends on the officer's mood. Even though you've produced all the papers needed, if he doesn't like your face -tough luck! It also takes a looong time for one's turn, so imagine "the waiting" when you have two little boys around.

It was a speedy "turn" for us, anyway! Thanks to Dylan who was trying to help the police officers rearrange the bulk of papers on their shelves. His noice too while walking from one office to another and him going up and down the chair trying to see what the police officer is clicking on his computer while asking me questions. He said I am 'brava', 'tutto'(everythings) okey and had me finger printed really quick.

In record time, we were out of there and was asked to come back FOUR months to get our renewed 'Permesso di Soggiorno'. FOUR months? How will that be if wonders of miracle will work for us and going home before the year ends will push through? Aghhh, I don't wan'na know.

IMAGE CREDIT: HERE:

FERIE D'AGOSTO

August for Italy is vacation time. If you have business transactions or working on papers that needed to pass on certain government offices, don't do it this month. You will end up "boiling" more than the summer heat.

Roads for get away destinations such as the beach and the mountains are in heavy traffic as shown on TV last night. Out of the country travels too are at it's peak during this time for the Italians. "To avoid the tourists, be a tourist", was said by the crabby lady next to me in the boat this morning on my way to Lido. She keeps on complaining and she said can't wait to leave Venice. I left her and my seat too as I can't concentrate on what I'm reading.

Here's an article: AT THE START OF EXODUS IN AUGUST to tell us more.

Boun Ferie d'Agosto every one! Stay safe.

PHOTO CREDIT: La Stampa.it

SCULTURE DI SABBIA 2008

I thought the whole week's anticipation for our Sunday outing will be ruined when it drizzled after I took the kids to the pool. We were set to go and see the sand sculptures at Lido De Jesolo in the afternoon after the Formula 1 race. Its good it rained only for about 30 minutes and later went back into a hot summer weather again.



ABOUT THE COMPITITION: Festival of Sand Sculpture

The 11th International Festival of Sand Sculpture of the city of Jesolo is dedicated to China and the Olympics. Among the works chosen by artistic director Richard Varano and carried out by 18 sculptors from all over the world will be the Great Wall, the terracotta soldiers, pagodas and other symbols of Chinese culture...more HERE.


Here are some pictures Boogie took. An entrance fee of 1.50 euros was fair enough and the kids went in for free.


This is Lukie's choice by Damon Farmer of USA: The Great Wall Of China. I have just known from his site that a non toxic transparent glue is sprayed to hold the sand in place.


I didn't take note who made this. It was done great but IMHO, it didn't catch the theme.


My husband and me thinks this piece by Baldrick Buckle of Holland will take home the price. He calls it High Jump.


Horses will never fail to catch my attention so this one's my second fave made by Ilya Shanin of Russia:Show Jumping.

There are more pictures but I'm too sleepy now. I'll settle for these... and hope to show you the 'Redentore' Venice had last Saturday.

CHICKEN "POPS"

No school today for Lukie. Aside from the Chickenpox he acquired from school, it is also a national holiday. It is the celebration of the Anniversario della Liberazione (Liberation Day). life in italy.com tells us more:

Celebrated on April 25th, it commemorates the liberation of Italy by Allied troops in the Second World War. The holiday is meant to honor all those who died during the war, from soldiers fighting overseas to civilian victims of Allied bombings and atrocities committed during Nazi Germany's bitter retreat from its former ally's territory. The lives of those who served as partisans in the Italian Resistance are especially honored.

lukie's "S"...

Lukie who says "chicken pops" came home yesterday from school and after putting his plates, shoes and jacket in place, he took something from his back pack and hid it behind his back.

LUKIE: Mama, I have an "S"(waiting for me to guess the word) for you!

MAMA: "Surprise"...

LUKIE: 'Brava!' (still holding his surprise but hidden behind him).

MAMA: What is it? Let me guess, another "designo"(drawing).

LUKIE: 'Si! Echo.' (yes, here it is).

MAMA: Ohhh very nice, 'sai bravo amore'(you're great my love)... What is it?

LUKIE: ELEZIONE POLITICHE 2008(Politics: Election 2008).

MAMA: Ha! Ha! Ha! You're really great!

LUKIE: I know!

MAMA: What did the teacher say?

LUKIE: She laughed!

Italians have elected their Prime Minister weeks ago and every six year old kid would care less. But, not my son with his sample ballot, rolled and taped by the teacher for mama and papa to see:

ANOTHER TALENT SHOW

This morning, we were checking CNN to see what the world is saying about the recent winning of the new Prime Minister - rather, the come back of the former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. We "clicked" this first: Boy, bullied for singing.

Why Andrew Johnston for this article:"Italy's Berlusconi returns to power"? No comment.

ON INFLATION AND RECESSION

Been shrugging off or just cringe when I watch the news on TV lately. They always tally the living cost from one city to another. They would compare how much is the bread in Milan, in Rome and other parts of the country. A typical household of four with only one earner is being taken as an example on how the monthly income is stretched. Results would always be negative and Milan has the most expensive consumer price index.

"Italy is in inflation and recession", you'd often hear. Price increase here and there being hyped up by the media and showing clips of Italian folks angered by the present situation. Watching them would always make me say, "In my country, it would be worst!" and "we're immune to such issues". Then I would reason out, if not more of in denial state, that people here are far lucky.

Its true, it just hit me and I would join the Italians in complaining. Our bill from VESTA came this morning, one of the reason why we're like obsessive-compulsive creatures checking out the mail box every morning. This bill is for the water, garbage and gas(heater, hot water and stove). I almost fainted (in exaggeration lol) when I saw the numbers 1,092 euros. An increase of 250 euros for the gas alone.

A need to review our expenditures and cut off unnecessary spending now. Wish us luck!

FESTA DELLA DONNA

On our first year here in Italy, my husband's co- worker "educated" him about today's feast. He told him that its called "PESTE LE DONNE" which means "WOMEN ARE PESTS". For six years now, that's what pops in my mind when this day comes.

March 8 for the Italians is consistently observed. Its "FESTA DELLA DONNA"(International Women's Day). Yellow flowers or the famous Mimosa flowers found on the painting above will pamper the ladies. Its also being given away by some business establishments and supermarkets. Offices too or any work place to their lady workers.

This celebration originated from New York in March of 1908 when workers of a cotton cloth plant went on strike. Complains of working conditions encouraged their outcry. The fight lasted for several days until the owner of the plant was overturned. He closed and locked all of the doors and exits then set fire to the plant. Burned to death, all the 129 women inside. From this tragedy, a proposal by Rosa Luxemburg that this day be marked as an annual celebration at the same time to go on protest for what this women fought for - their rights.

I'm sure my husband's workmate before haven't heard the story why this day is being remembered, it makes him the "PEST" after all!hahaha...Yeah, he was just joking. Duh!...So am I!

CARNEVALE DE VENEZIA

'Carnevale de Venezia' is one of the oldest and most celebrated festivity here in Venice Italy. An internationally known event highlighted by masquerades where exquisite masks and costumes are worn in display by tourists and locals alike. The celebration starts on the Friday two weeks before Ash Wednesday up until Tuesday (known as Martedi Grasso) which specific dates varies in step with the Easter. For this year, Canival 2008 is from January 25 to February 5 and Carnival 2009 is from February 13 to 24. Showcases of the said dressing up as well as programs in lined with the event are held mostly at the Piazza San Marco .

This yearly event evolved from the religious practice of fasting for Lent that could be traced back during the 14th Century. "Farewell, meat!" ('carnival' in Latin) was the original concept of this merriment. Before Ash Wednesday and the start for the people to fast - meat, butter and eggs are all to be consumed. This religious practice became an excuse for parties and encouraged pagan activities. Then the Catholic church injecting religion, allowed an equally period of celebration from Twelfth Night until the midnight of Shrove Tuesday.

Today's modern Carnevale having the "Sensation: 6 sense for 6 sestieri(districts)", as the theme this year, had Rapper Coolio for the IL VOLO DELL'ANGELO, or the The flight of the Angel from the bell tower of the 'basilica' in San Marco. Instead of the usual Thursday before lent as the day for the VOLO(flight), it was anticipated last Sunday, 27th of January.


Private Gala dinners, grand ball, poetry reading and theater plays are also organized by different organizations making this month as the start of business establishments to pick up from the slow input during the winter. Portale di Venezia has the calendar of events HERE:

"Mardi(Martedi) di grasso"(Tuesday of fats) is the conclusion of the 2 weeks 'Carnevale'. Its a day of fat foods such as pork, sausages and the famous 'fritelli'(fried dough with raisins, nuts and cream(optional) sprinkled with confectionary sugar). This day at San Marco Square, the'liston' or obligatory walk is the last time to show off the best masks. It is also the wildest and happiest of the whole carnival period where in greatest acts of lunacy are saved for this day. Sometimes it is inadvisable to bring the kids to this closing event, the crowd could get wild taking advantage of their last day of freedom. An enormous effigy wearing mask is also burned at the Square and people will chant - "It's going, it's going, the carnival is going"....

LA BEFANA 2008

Tonight our neighborhood has that smell I am very much familiar with. A saying goes, "if there's smoke, there's fire", which for us Cordillerans say it better with, "if there's smoke, there is cañao". Italians too have their eidetic image of this which is " where there's smoke, its the burning of the 'Befana' ".

'La Befana', as the old legend recounts, is the old witch who once welcomed The Three Kings in her home as they were on their way to see baby Jesus. Before the three guest left, they invited her to go with them but she declined for reasons she still has a lot of chores to do. "Change of heart" according to one of the article I've read as I was researching for this piece, made the Befana change her mind and tried to catch up in joining the Three Kings. She never found the Wise Men nor Baby Jesus. So, till this day she still goes flying around on his broom but leaves sweets, toys and nice gifts to good children and coal to those who are bad. (For more about Befana(origin, full story, history etc...) , click HERE and HERE.)

The night before the Epiphany or the 5th of January, to mark the end of the Yuletide festivities and Befana celebration is the burning of this, scary black clothed with long nose old lady. An effigy of the witch which is burned in observance of the Italian's tradition to turning the bad things from the old year into ashes and pave way for the best new things to come.

Cavallino Treporti Witch

Every year our place Cavallino and it's neighboring communities make this event bigger and more spectacular. Stalls serving wines and Panettone are also found along side and sometimes they sell barbecues or stakes. While the witch is on fire, fire crackers are also being lit.

These are some photos of the 'Befanas' we took the other day before they got torched last night.

Ca'Ballarin Witch

Ca'Pascuali Befana

January 6, on Epiphany day, the children will know if they've been good by "unloading" the sock the old witch had left them during the night. For my boys they opened it earlier.

Last year, Lukie went with my husband and our son still vividly remembers what they did that night. For him, it was a tradition that after seeing the Befana's torching would be a take home fries and pizza spree. To our dismay, it rained so we were not able to go and see the ceremony we've been expecting to attend. That is why I let them open their sock of goodies ahead of time.

After dinner, Lukie told me if we could go now and watch the burning witch and I told him, "Didn't I tell you we can't go because its raining? Besides, it may be over now". Then he answered, "Oh, how about the pizza then?" When he already ate a plate of pasta and and his dessert of chocolates and haribos from his 'socky'! Kids!!!

2007 Befana with the Macalele kids

2007 Befana