Sinterklaas...

In the fourth century a.d. St. Nicholas (in dutch called "Sinterklaas" or "Sint Nicolaas"; in german called "Sankt Nikolaus") was the bishop of Myra, which is now situated in Turkey. According to the legend, he saved his town from starvation. He is also said to have revived three dead children, and to have offered gifts of dowries to poor girls. Some sources say that he died on the sixth of December in 343. In 1087 his relics were taken to Bari in Italy. It is unclear why, according to the Dutch tradition, he comes from Spain. Possibly it has something to do with the fact that St. Nicholas was the patron of sailors. In the 17th century Holland was famous for its navigation. Maybe by contact with Spanish sailors this myth began. It could also explain why St. Nicholas has "zwarte (black) pieten" to help him because the Moors dominated Spain for several hundreds of years. (Another [more popular] explanation for "zwarte piet" being black is that he has come down the chimneys so often that he can't wash the dirt off.)

His legendary gifts of dowries to poor girls led to the custom of giving gifts to children on the eve of his feast day, 6 December. The companions of St. Nicholas (in Germany and Austria they are called "Knecht Ruprecht" or "Krampus") show the victory over evil. Together with his "pieten" he visits children to punish the evil ones and to reward the good ones. The worst punishment is to be taken to Spain in "zwarte piet's" bag out of which the good children get the sweets (called "pepernoten", "taai-taai", or "schuimpjes") and presents. A less radical punishment is to get the "roede" (rod) instead of presents. Nowadays there are not much evil children any more...

A few weeks before his feastday St. Nicholas comes to Holland (and Belgium) on his steamer with all his "pieten" and the presents which they prepared in Spain during the year. This event can be seen on Dutch television. From his arrival in Holland till his feastday the children can put their shoes in front of the fireplace. During the night St. Nicholas visits all the houses by travelling over the roofs on his horse, traditionally a white/grey (called "Schimmel" in dutch), and "zwarte piet" enters the houses through the chimney to put little presents in the children's shoes. Sometimes the children put straw, carrots and water near the shoe for the horse.

On the eve of his feast day St. Nicholas visits all children. After knocking on the door he gives them a bag full of presents (if they were good children). Early in the morning of 6 December, when he has visited everyone, he leaves and goes back silently to Spain, to come back next year.

Well, we celebrated Sinterklaas at school as well, together with our non-native Dutch classmates ( yes I am also in college, but I work on the side ;) that explains a bit :P). We wrote poems for each other and bought a present to go along with it..or vice versa :P

Here you can read the poem I wrote and the poem that I got together with my present :P:P

Dear Marianne,

Here is a poem,
Presented by Piet,
It is very cheesy,
Like the smell of his feet.

Hair as the sun, eyes as the sea
Who in the world would not want to be?
This girl with a smile that shines so bright,
It would lighten up even the darkest of nights.

A friendly spirit,
And creative mind,
She puts her heart in it,

She’s one of a kind.
Full of cheer,
Never a frown,
It is ever so clear,
She is never down.

Tracy’s her friend,
And when they are able
They seem like two children,
When they spill drinks on the table.

She likes to kiss men,
But also kissed Andra,
I don’t know what to say next,
So, bla bla bla bla

She likes not Milk, she likes not White,
She only wants Dark to bite.
So grab a guy, take your pick,
Spread it out and start to lick!

Sint and Piet

I gave her Chocolate Bodypaint and she said it was the perfect gift for her!! :D:D Yay me :P

So, here comes the poem I got:

It's that time of year, when Sinterklaas decides (once again) if Adriane has been a good girl or not!!!
Adriane has grown a whole year older and has become rather hot!

She went all the way to England to live without her brother and mum,
And as she didn't like the food there, lost most of her bum!

She used to go to the student union with the rest of the class,
And if Sinterklaas was judging her on her dancing skills, she would definitely pass.

Not only is Adriane great at dancing and shaking her ass, she also has become great friends with all of her class!!

Adriane is doing ever so well in school this year,
And when it comes to her assignments, she has nothing to fear!

So Sinterklaas would like to say that he is very proud of you,
And everything you ( in the future) decide to do!

I hope you know who I am,
And if not I don't give a damn!

Don't forget to keep dancing to the tracks of Queen,
Otherwise next year I will be very mean!!!

I liked it :D:D
Anyway, off for some preparation for work tomorrow..yay :(