3 posts in 1

Part 1 - SLACKER!

Yes, I am a slacker for I have not posted anything in 2 weeks. Bad Carla! Holidays were quite overwhelming: dinners, parties, shopping, returning, eating, eating, and eating. I am sure that everyone can relate. It didn't help that I worked through all of it...only had Christmas Day and New Years Day off. Don't feel bad for me though because it was my choice...just trying to save up PTO for maternity leave. Now that the holidays are officially over, things will start to calm done. John is back to school, which he is not happy about. I took down the outside lights and wreaths yesterday. Today I think that I am going to try to start on the tree. I like to keep it up for the Epiphany...see following post for explanation. My New Years' resolution will be to try to post more often.

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Part 2 - Epiphany

Most people know that the Epiphany celebrates the visitation of the Magi to Jesus, but what a lot of people are not aware of is the Italian spin on this celebration. Of course Italian celebrate Christmas and children receive presents from Santa, but on the Epiphany, they have another morning of presents from La Befana.

Christian legend has it that La Befana was approached by the Magi a few days before Christ's birth. They asked for directions to where the baby Jesus was, but she did not know. She provided them with shelter for a night, as she was considered the best housekeeper in the village with the most pleasant home. They invited her to join them on the journey to find the baby Jesus, but she declined, stating she was too busy with her housework. Later, La Befana had a change of heart, and tried to search out the astrologers and Jesus. That night she was not able to find them, so to this day, La Befana is searching for the baby Jesus. She leaves all the good children toys and candy, while the bad children get coal or bags of ashes.

Because my parents were born and raised in Italy, this is a tradition they celebrated and therefore carried on. So growing up, we also received gifts on the morning of January 6th (not a ton, just a few little things in our stockings). Even in college, my mom would sneak gifts to my roommates because we would be in Puerto Rico after the New Year for winter training. And since she couldn't give me the gift, she made sure that my roommates knew what day to present it to me. Now as adults, my mom will still give us small gifts on the Epiphany...I haven't seen her yet today, so we'll see if I was good or bad this year!

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Part 3 - The Bachelor

So last night was the premiere of the new season of "The Bachelor" with Jason who was booted by DeAnna last season as he was on one knee ready to propose. They added a twist last night. The 25 ladies had to vote for 1 lady to "leave" that first night, as they were told. In the end, Megan (the girl from Pittsburgh!) received the most votes, but the joke was on the 24 other ladies because as the host explained "Megan leaves tonight with a rose." So, the most disliked girl was safe. But what was the real reason for the votes? Biggest threat? Jason seemed to like her already? Mean? Vulgar? (they did have to beep some things she said...even when she accepted her rose - I think that she called them all f-ing bitches, but I'm not sure). I wonder if she is as bad as she was portrayed last night. Maybe Jill can enlighten us - her cousin dated her in the past!

Then came the previews for the rest of the season - DeAnna makes a comeback! Now, I am sure that they edit to make it seem like she wants a second chance with Jason, but I think that maybe she is making an appearance to help him with his choices. But we will see!

Here are my top choices for the season:
-Megan (hey, gotta stick with the hometown girl for now)
-Molly
-Shannon (slightly stalker-ish, but cute)

We'll see if the list changes with time...