Ten Reasons you MUST buy an Advent Calendar

It's chocolate time!

I’ve tried to stay away. I’ve walked by them in the pharmacies. I’ve seen them in store shops. But on Wednesday when I was doing my grocery shopping I couldn’t resist.

I couldn’t resist, yet I had to justify. I stood there in Lindo’s (Bermuda’s friendliest grocery store) and debated. How can I justify my need for an Advent Calendar?

Well for one and really should be the only reason: CHOCOLATE! And not just one chocolate or a box that you might sit and eat in one go this thing doles-out chocolates every day! Bring on the extra pounds I don’t care!

Just as the Advent Calendar hits your sweet tooth it also gives me a reason for being! Well a reason coupled with my coffee in the morning to be on a caffeine high! So reason two? Do I have to spell it out? A nice side-dish for your coffee.

Three, well of course it makes me feel like a kid again. I know, awww…..! I remember every morning we would scamper to the kitchen to find out what the chocolate was that day and scarf it down before the eggs were ready.

But the problem was there are three of us in my family and there was only ONE Advent Calendar. “Is it my turn yet mom?” No Robyn you only went yesterday.”

That’s the beauty of being an adult and reason four for getting to the pharmacy for one! I get to buy the Advent Calendar so I get the chocolates! Ha. Take that. Selfish? Ok maybe. So maybe I’ll share a couple.

Advent this and Advent that. Did you know that Advent stands for Coming in Latin? I bet you didn’t, but that’s what reason number five is for purchasing this chocolate maze. It made me find out what it stood for.

The coming of what? Well six is of course you have to stuff your face with chocolate. At least Christians have something to celebrate and that’s the nativity of Jesus.

Where did this all start? Apparently it all started with the German Lutherans! Yep here’s number seven for you. A history lesson (with a side of chocolate). At the beginning of the 19th Century the German Lutherans would physically count until December 24th. That include making chalk markings on the walls.

And eight is did you know when the first Advent Calendar was made? I bet you didn’t. I bet you’re glad I’m

A chocolate ear santa?

going to tell you.

Well the first Advent Calendar was handmade in 1851! The first printed Advent Calendar was made in Hamburg in 1902!

And nine is it gives you a way to see how other countries celebrate the holidays. Did you know, for example, that in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland and Finland there is also a tradition of having a Julekalender. It’s a TV show featuring a trio of comedic actors that has 24 episodes; one for each day until Christmas Eve.

Who knew? And for those of you, and me, who are not religious or may not be Christian what more could you ask for? What about bigger chocolates? So maybe the secular Advent Calendars are finally a way for everyone to enjoy something at the same time each year that doesn’t scream RELIGION!

Now go out and buy!

 

 

Traffic Tango

Guy with Goats in Hanoi

Why do I have to honk for Jesus? Let’s just say that I did believe in Jesus and I took my eyes away from the road to read your sign. And lets say the car in front of me came to a screeching halt.

Would I be honking for Jesus or visiting him?

Why am I on this rant? And what has it got to do with my Friday Photo of the week?

If you haven’t been following my daily blogs I’ll let you know that I have been working in an office for the past two weeks. I’ve made lots of friends. The fax machine hates me. The computer won’t turn on. I constantly forget the mail.

But the worst part? The commute in the morning. And that is even after I recognize that I live on a 21-square-mile island.

But recognize this: I ride a motorbike. It’s hot. It’s even worse with the car exhaust belting out behind the line of vehicles desperate to drop-off their passengers.

To top it off I now have to face a group of religious zealots standing on the entrance to the capital of Bermuda telling me to honk for Jesus. Somehow mixing religion and exhaust doesn’t really work for me.

And what is the point? What is the point of honking for Jesus? Are you trying to “OUT” the religious? Is Jesus really going to feel chuffed that he’s being honked at?

Do girls walking by construction sites enjoy being heckled?

To all these questions the answer is NO. (Ok maybe some girls do, but you get my point).

So why the photo? Well as I rant and rave and try to expel fumes from my lungs I try to remember that other places in the world (i.e. Vietnam) have worse traffic issues than Bermuda. Visit my photo pages for more views of Vietnam than just the traffic.

I have to remember almost a year ago I was taking overnight bus rides where I would get an hour of sleep. Then I was expelled onto a street in the middle of nowhere Hanoi, Vietnam.

Vietnam Traffic Cops

My only choice? Accept the lift of a hotel tout on his motorbike during their rush hour. This entailed meandering through guys with goats, police officers who looked ready to shoot, noodle sellers scrounging-up breakfast and coating myself in black exhaust.

I finally arrived at the hotel and immediately got a shower. Now I arrive in the office and try to recover with a cup of coffee.

And when I look at these photos I remember the difficulty last year. And I calm-down. Maybe Bermuda’s rush hour’s not so bad. Maybe I could get through it….if I wasn’t told to honk for Jesus!