A Nigerian Myth

Mother Woyengi sat on a special stone and made people out of handfuls of earth.  She put the people who chose lives of Luxury into a fast, dangerous stream, the rest into a slow, clear stream. 

I just thought this was interesting because I have always lived in the fast, dangerous stream.  Today, Rodrigo and I were talking about our plans to import a certain machine and to try to make extra income.  Yes, another business however now that he is a chef and excited to peruse his career and I have plenty of work and new ideas cranking on the computer… we decided to stop.  We decided not to complicate our lives anymore, we decided to get along and not to work together for once, and we decided to give ourselves a break and to let go.  I can’t imagine what it will be like to not work together or how long this will last.  I am so happy to make this decision for now, I feel so relieved. 

Quicky.

I had a fantastic night last night, then I talked to Kate & Shawna for an hour and a half or so till 1:30am.  Had a quiet day and tonight  I am going out with Rodrigo to the Restaurant that I have been wanting to go to since the day I moved here.  I cant wait, I just hope that they have a play place too.  If so, I think my husband and I are going to have a lot of fun!  If not... well at least I will have gotten to see the place. 

Saturday Night.

Tonight I took the kids for pizza… well I wanted to go for pizza but I missed the turn.  Took the next turn and a guy came up to the car to park the car for me for the specific Restaurant.  I walked in and sat down and realized that I wasn’t at the pizza place.  I could see the pizza place that I wanted to be at, but I wasn't there and now they have my car so I was staying.  I was actually at a place where the only thing on the menu is espetinhos (skewers).  I told the guy to bring me what is popular and we decided on chicken & Steak.  Ok, I still do not have a clue what Espetinhos are.  I just knew that the price is like $2.90- $4.80.  I am like, Oh good.  Filet Minion for $4.80.  This can’t be too bad.  Then the waiter brought Chicken, steak & Mozzarella skewers.  It was refreshing, what a great idea and it was fun to eat.  But the best part of all was that they had a play area for the kids that I could see right into and they had a member of the staff sitting there babysitting.  WHAT?  Oh Yes, I had a beer and the kids would play then come for a bite and some water.  It was amazing.  We were all happy.  Then we had Chocolate covered strawberry skewers and went home. 

I was also pleasantly surprised when Ben, my son brought me a drawing of a Vampire.  It looked just like a vampire; this is the first time that he had a head with eyes in the eye area and a mouth in the mouth area.  It was great; I now have a whole monster collection as I think he used all of the paper drawing monsters.  So proud of him. 

Also, Gabriela now chooses all of her own clothes and tells me that they are poison if she doesn’t like the clothes that I am holding up. 

Debbie Downer

Today life is definitely calmer.  I was teaching class on fate again yesterday and since I was apparently not in the most positive mood, when the class asked me to explain, I was giving examples of them having goals and something bad happening and this being the unexpected fate.  They actually caught on to me being a Debbie Downer, and that was funny…I think.  Today we are looking at motorcycles for a second vehicle.  Right now a liter of gas is $2.49, so to fill up my car is like $90.  It is very expensive and now that we are both going separate places at the same time one of us has to take a motor Taxi ($5-$7) a ride.  So we are in need of doing something different now.  I have always wanted a motorcycle but never thought I would have one.  Here many people use them for their daily transportation and it is very common.  When in Rome….Brasil, right?

Jill In Brazil: Moving forward while looking back

Jill In Brazil: Moving forward while looking back: "So here was my day. I am still a little sick so keep this in mind. We get up, take Ben to school and then take a drive to get s..."

I was Moving forward but looking back

So here was my day.  I am still a little sick so keep this in mind.  We get up, take Ben to school and then take a drive to get some paperwork done in another town.  I get home and it was a good day with the kids… so this is great and then off to work.  We only have one car so at 8:30, I had to take a motorcycle taxi home like I did last night but this time it wasn’t the same.  This time I got home at 8:45ish and no one was at the house.  I did not have my babysitter’s number because I had to take a motor taxi and my book that has all my numbers seemed too bulky to carry with me, I wasn’t thinking.

My first thought and only true thoughts were OMG, something’s wrong… very wrong.  It was my worst nightmare unfolding right in front of my eyes.   My kids are hurt, and or my kids have been taken. Extreme, I know but I am a mom.  I was expecting to find them running around the house, fed and showered.  Once the motor Taxi drove a way, I had the worst feeling of desperation.  I didn’t have a phone, a car, any phone numbers, I only knew Rodrigo’s cell phone so, I ran to the pizzeria down at the corner asked to use the phone in Portuguese and it was something like “can I use your phone to call my husband, my kids are not in my house and I am worried, please I will give you a dollar”.  I called my husband’s cell phone; and put the $1 real on the counter.  He didn’t answer.  My thoughts were what can I do?  What should I do?  The other thought was I must do the best thing because I don’t have a lot of time and I am on foot.   It then dawned on me to go to the Padaria where my babysitter works in the a.m.  I get there and I knew I couldn’t hide the desperation on my face.  I explained that I needed to call her cell phone and suddenly tears started to well up in my eyes.  They were looking for her number and called two numbers but it wasn’t her current cell phone.  They called everyone that knew her, I caused a panic for sure.   I just couldn’t stand there so, I decided that I should go back to my house. This time they were home and I was relieved.

This is the thing; it wasn’t just that the kids were not at home.  I understand that this happens, they lost track of time at the park.  It was that I realized how alone and helpless I was and that the only thing that matters to me in the world is my family.  When I got home I understood but cried a little more. 

I need to slow down my thinking and start living more at peace.  I am happy, but there is something always missing.  I think it is the peace in my heart.  The feeling that what I call boredom is actually anxiety that I don’t want to feel.  I don’t know what causes my anxiety and if I do, I don’t want to brainstorm on paper.   I don’t know if everyone feels it but I have always felt this during my life.  I have everything and it is right in front of me and still I can’t find inner peace. 

Yesterday, along with feeling a bit sick, I had also been contemplating this “peace” thing earlier in the day as I stumbled upon something that touched me so deeply.  I read a website and blog from someone whom I knew when I lived in Alaska.  I had the wonderful experience of meeting a truly amazing person; not only because of his sudden experience that left him blind but because of the way he lives his life, his honesty, his courage and strength.  His name is Dan Bigley and his life changed suddenly when he was attacked by a bear.  I read a story about life from someone who almost lost his and at that moment I realized what I didn’t have.   I have been taking so many things in life for granted because as I was moving forward, I kept looking back.   Dan, you are truly an Inspiration and yesterday you touched my life and have changed me today.   Today and from now on, I am going to do my best to live my life in the Present.  Here is his website and blog:  http://danbigley.com/

Update Nepoleon

In class we were talking about fate.  The question did Napoleon believe in Fate?  The answer they gave was:   Napoleon believed in fate or destiny probably because his life was so eventful and the events so extraordinary, with so much depending on chance, that it must have seemed to him as though he were in the hands of fate. 

I thought this was amazing.  Absolutely amazing. 

Think about it… when Napoleon lived he never knew what lay before him all he knew was that it was always something big.

Sometimes people believe that their fate is no more than death.  I think when we are young we see the world and think we have some control over where we will be in 10 years, what our husband or wife will be like, what kind of job we will have, really all we know  eventually is that you cannot dream you fate.  Fate is what happens to you when you are busy planning your next move, your next big event in your life. 

Feeling Sick and Overtired

I am feeling the repercussions from staying up till 4:30 am last Saturday.  I have been unable to catch up on my sleep.  My friends left extra soda and lots of ice cream here as well so…I have also been eating a lot of that.  Immune system down and now I am helping to attack it.  The hot weather isnt healping either.  This is me. 

So, all is well here… just tired.  I am reposting my Napoleon Blog as I have updated it.

Ta Ta for now.

Quiet Time

Monday afternoon and everyone is naping. Shhhhhh.  I am going to sit here and Relax.

PARTY

Today...I am tired.  I had some friends over last night and it was a great time.   One thing about Brazilians is that thier parties either start around 12pm or 10/11pm.  I stayed up until 4:30 in the morning and this was the first time I have seen past 4 in probably 5 years.  It was fun and tonight I am looking forward to getting some sleep. 

We did laugh

Today we are having some new friends over for a BBQ.  This morning we woke up, ate breakfast and headed out to the store.  Now we don’t just need meat for the BBQ, we need chairs and other things too.  We have been holding off on these really because I can’t find anything that I like under $500.  Used or new.  I would prefer a used wood table… so if you are in Brasil and know of one… let me know.  Anyway, we wanted to go see what Makro had in store for us.  So, we went in with the kids and took an hour and a half picking everything out from a table and chairs to large bottles of condiments.  We were having as much fun as one could have with 2 kids shopping.  So, when we get to the end and ready to check out, we find out we need a card (it’s like Sams club in the U.S.).   So we get one and get to the front and realize Rodrigo’s wallet was not in the car, but she lets me get the card and finally we go to checkout.  I was going crazy because all of the prices were ringing up wrong.  The $7.57 bottle of wine was now $11.35, the Beer went from $16,.86 to $21.68 and the forks went up $2.00.  If you know me well, you know I was losing my mind because I stated watching her after ¼ of the stuff was already scanned.  I was looking at Rodrigo and saying “I don’t even want to buy my shit here if this is the way they are”, but we had spent so much time there with the 2 kids.  Then when it gets all added up the total was climbing and I was saying “are we going to get the table?”  Rodrigo was stressed saying, “Forget about the table”.  Then we get all done and our card doesn’t work there, they only take debit cards and my pin number from the u.s. won’t work here and he left his card at home.  Rodrigo was looking at me so sad and I just started laughing.  I mean what can we do and also this wasn’t the first time this happened to me, I was just happy to get to go through it with my family this time.  We did laugh all the way to the next store. 

Jill In Brazil: Fundamental vs. Personal

Jill In Brazil: Fundamental vs. Personal: "And for my next topic of discussion again comes to me from a great conversation that I had in class with my students. One of my studen..."

Fundamental vs. Personal

And for my next topic of discussion again comes to me from a great conversation that I had in class with my students. 

One of my students asked me If I was liking Brasil.  I said that one day I have an amazing time and then the next day I learn something that drives me crazy.  The day to day stuff that I have been writing about lately.  For example, last Saturday I went to the most wonderful place with the best people and had a great time, then the very next Monday we get a package that the government wants us to pay $290 reais to pick up.   Then we get screwed by an employer and the following day we have to fix our car.  $$$

I said that the problem that I have here is a functional problem.  The personal side of my life couldn’t be better.  Here everyone is nice to me and always wanting to help or be around.  Personally I am fulfilled.  The functions of day to day life are difficult. 

So, then I proceeded to tell my students that more than likely it would be the other way around in America.  Functionally they would be satisfied with the way things work, how easy it is to get things accomplished.  It is amazing because in America, the more services that you offer the public in your business the more money you make and the more attractive you will be to your customers.  Customer service is KING, right?  Here they offer fewer services to the public under one roof.  For instance, the bank will not make a copy for you.  When you are in a predicament you will have to fill out a form, go to another shop to make a copy, go back turn that copy in and then go back to make another copy before it can be complete.  I am understanding that it is cheaper for them to not have these services because having another employee is extremely expensive, so small services are subcontracted.  Good cuz everyone makes money, but bad because it takes a long time to get anything accomplished here in an appropriate amt. of time. 

Now the other side of that is that if they go to America, it may harder on them Personally.  It would be harder to find someone to speak Portuguese to help them when they are on their own, both people are working in the average home (especially when the kids are in school) so, there is no one usually at home. In Brasil there is almost always someone at home in the house and this might affect ones psyche.  Matter of fact a lot of people usually live together in one house.  By this I mean that Americans usually leave their parents’ home around 18 years old. 

Americans are also used to having foreigners live and travel there and sometimes are not patient with them.  I am just saying that some Americans have little tolerance for foreigners and it is not just in one area the feelings are mixed everywhere.  There as many intolerant Americans as there are tolerant Americans.  This is really more of a Political matter.  For Example, Big Business has shipped almost 80% of our factory jobs overseas and daily whole cities are affected by these decisions.  There are other reasons as well but you get my point. 

Now, I am not saying that it would be this way if you are foreign traveling to America, but what I am saying is that it may be harder than it is for me living in Brasil.  I think you would have the Best time traveling there.  There is so much to see and do, it is just that you would have to be very independent and not take things too personally. 

Jill In Brazil: Napoleon

Jill In Brazil: Napoleon: "In class we were talking about fate. The question was why did Napoleon believe in Fate? The answer they gave was because he had ..."

Napoleon

In class we were talking about fate.  The question was why did Napoleon believe in Fate?  The answer they gave was because he had so many adventures/events in his life.  Ok, it’s not word for word but you get what I’m saying. 

I thought this was amazing.  Absolutely amazing. 

Think about it… when Napoleon lived he never knew what lied before him all he knew was that it was always something.  It was something big! 

Sometimes people believe that their fate is no more than death.  I think when we are young we see the world and think we have some control over where we will be in 10 years, what our husband or wife will be like, what kind of job we will have, really all we know  eventually is that you cannot dream you fate.  Fate is what happens to you when you are busy planning your next move, your next big event in your life.  It happens to busy people, so get busy. 

Jill In Brazil: The Fight

Jill In Brazil: The Fight: "So after we get screwed by the import tax on birthday presents, the very next day I get to feel the repercussions of what it is really like ..."

The Fight

So after we get screwed by the import tax on birthday presents, the very next day I get to feel the repercussions of what it is really like to work for someone.  We got a paycheck.  I can’t go into detail but let’s just say if I was counting on that money to pay my rent for the month….I would be calling my family or taking up prostitution.  

So…. I don’t know.  Every country has its thing.  I have realized that living in America is way easier for me and not just because I don’t speak the language, but because it is also all that I have ever understood.   Trying to understand Brazil with America on the brain is like eating a ketchup Popsicle.   I would advise all Americans to get their finances straight, put the credit cards down and learn to live with less.  If you do this, you will have all of the luxuries of life without even knowing it.  We take everything for granted, like Hot water at your sink.   This is a luxury here.  I have a beautiful home and only cold water at my sink.  For the shower we use electric shower heads so we always have a hot shower.  I asked my class, very stupidly “can you actually get your dishes clean in cold water”? 

I don’t mind using cold water I actually like the simplicity of my life here and I am happy to be here, I am just saying when and If I come back to America, I will live a more simple life and I will try  to not take for granted the day to day comforts that we have there. 

Honestly…  I do understand why republicans or anyone for that matter don’t want to be told what to do with their money.  Nobody wants to be told what to do with their money.  These are confusing times as I am trying to understand my own Country, and now I am living in a completely new one.  My fight is to stop the bickering back and forth and for us to come together for one cause... like "how money infulences elections".  I think that too much time gets lost in these fights.  Especially when the fight is over Gays, Abortion, Guns & Religion.  No one will ever agree on these because it is a personal choice a moral dilemma or a way of life for some.  Don’t tell me how to live, what to think or what to do with my body, let’s just fight for the causes that affect us all, or at least the ones who earn less than $250,000 a year.   More than likely, if you are reading this… it is probably you.

F-ing Taxes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So my sister sends me a package…right?  Toys for Bens Birthday and some of his favorite foods.  After going through customs it is supposedly delivered.  Right.  We chased it down today and it has to wait another 48 hours for another inspection.   When it is finally ready… we can pick it up and pay $240. Reais. 

Living is good but the details of day to day business are so frustrating.  Taxes here are so high.  Someone in my class said that it is like 60%.  I am still in shock… this   means we will have to have 2 paydays before we can get our box.  If I only would have known…Like I said Dancing on Glass. 

Jill In Brazil: Dancing on Glass

Jill In Brazil: Dancing on Glass: "Monday, Monday. Got Ben off to School today and Gabi is asleep. Rodrigo had to run the Cat and the Car to another city to have ..."

Dancing on Glass

Monday, Monday. 
Got Ben off to School today and Gabi is asleep.  Rodrigo had to run the Cat and the Car to another city to have the car looked at and the cat to the Doctor. 
So when you buy a car here you get a 3 month full warranty on it, due to the fact that for so long people were selling lemons, the Government made new laws protecting the consumer.  Not only are there strong laws to protect the Car buyers but there are also strong laws to protect the employees.  It is like a union and almost impossible to be fired.  This is another blog because I am still trying to figure it out, but the average worker my be protected from being fired but there are no laws that limit the amount of hours that the employee can work or what he/she should be paid.  As far as I can tell, if you are employed this means you can be expected to work 6 days, 12 hours a day if the employer needs you.  Maybe this is just for salary employees.  These have been our personal experiences and again we are just scratching the edge of day to day experiences. 
To be new in a country for me is like dancing on glass.  Its good when you dont know anything about everything.  Everything looks nice and clean but when you fall through there is no turning back... now you know, eyes are open.  I am just starting to have my own experiences here and so far, I like what I see. Lets see what tomorrow holds.

Jill In Brazil: The seeds were planted years ago.

Jill In Brazil: The seeds were planted years ago.: "Finally some time to think and to write. I was reading this other website and the Question was “What problems can you encounter while ..."

The seeds were planted years ago.

Finally some time to think and to write.  I was reading this other website and the Question was “What problems can you encounter while living in a foreign country”?  Then I read a slew of responses, people positive and negative but all were saying that it would be the language.  Then I was reminded of something that my new French Brazilian Friend told me yesterday.  He said “It took me a year to learn the language and 5 years to learn the culture”.  This is something that dawned on me after the first month of my move and now I know it is truth. 

Seems like I went from bored deaf mute to happy to be alive me in a short time…don’t you think?  Well this is due to the fact that I am living on my own and have a home for my family again after all of this time.  I am an independent woman and when this is lost, I am lost.  Today I am so happy because I am living.  I am working and I am making friends.  I am living with less stress than I have had in over a decade.  I was sick from stress and my symptoms are gone now.  Can you imagine? 

I couldn’t.  I couldn’t imagine ever moving to a foreign country especially after having children, even a year ago If you told me that I was going to move to Brasil, I wouldn’t have believed it.  If I was not married to Rodrigo I wouldn’t have gone but I am so glad that I did.  The only thing that I was sure of when I met Rodrigo was that if I married him, I would never be bored.  This was enough for me. 

I don’t know if you know but Rodrigo and I met in late March, decided to have a child in June/July and married in late August.  It was a whirl wind and every day after that was too.  We knew when we met that we both were ready for a family and that we wanted to be together but you can never be ready for children.  Right after we were married, Ben was born in March, and then we packed up everything and move to Colorado in October, bought another house, started a business and started living.  By the time everything caught up to us we were under water.  We then spent the next 5 years working together in a business that I loved and he didn’t really care for trying to slowly get our lives back in order.  Just when things were on the right track Gabi was born, Rodrigo was in a car accident and couldn’t work, Gabi had a few health issues and my parents divorced.  This was in another whole year.  Needless to say every day we worked to keep our heads above water and by June of 2010 we were there.  We made the decision to go to Brasil and to begin again.  This time when we got our lives straightened out, what we really found out was this life might be good for some but It is not for us.  We didn’t want to do the same thing day after day especially while our kids were little; we knew we had another adventure left in us. 

The day that I knew we were going to move I cried.  You know the silent tears that stream down your face enough to fill a small bucket.  Rodrigo asked “Why are you crying and I didn’t answer.  What was going through my mind was my family.  My nephew, my family, my friends the good times that I would miss by being gone, but the decision was made.   Then we worked every day for the next 7 months to make it happen. 

Today I am feeling the repercussions of some good work, good preparation and sacrifice.  Today I am starting a life with my husband the way we should have started it 5years ago, 2 people without debt without worries moving in together combining our stuff and making a house a home.  We started our life out with so much on our backs that it eventually couldn’t be carried any longer and I think it wouldn’t matter where I am today, Brasil, Alaska, Colorado, Arizona… The happiness that I have isn’t just because I am in a tropical paradise it is the reward for the seeds I planted years ago. 

Jill In Brazil: Bunch of Stuff

Jill In Brazil: Bunch of Stuff: "So, it’s Sunday. Going to see Rodrigo's family today, I think. Gabi is asleep and Ben is watching Cartoons right next to me.&nbs..."

Bunch of Stuff

So, it’s Sunday.  Going to see Rodrigo's family today, I think.  Gabi is asleep and Ben is watching Cartoons right next to me.  Mickey and Goofy cartoons in English, the old cartoons.  I think it’s a movie.
So last week was huge.  Ben started school; I was teaching and getting the house in order.  We only have 2 more areas to organize and then the kitchen cabinets.  The good thing is that we still don’t have too many things so it’s not too complicated.  My parents are going to bring up a bunch of pans for our kitchen when they come.  No matter where you go, buying a stainless steel pan to cook in here is very expensive.  Aluminum is the metal everyone uses here.  Not sure how I feel about that.  In the U.S, I thought Aluminum caused Alzheimer’s disease, but everyone uses it here.  So, maybe it doesn’t.  I will have to check the stats! I just asked Rodrigo if there are a lot of people around here with Alzheimers and he didnt know but Ben just said "Hey momma, I just saw one".

What about Egypt huh?  Shows that people really do have a say in the government, but they have to demand it and the timing has to be right.  I have to admit, I have been very removed from the problems in America since I moved.   I don’t know the day to day stuff anymore and now the only channel that broadcasts here is FOX.  Last place I would go for the truth, just a propaganda machine.  The next time that I have a moment in time I am going to get a Randi Rhodes pod cast.  More my flavor.

Jill In Brazil: Feeling lucky again.

Jill In Brazil: Feeling lucky again.: "Another Saturday and we went to another wonderful place. It was out in the same are as the last saturdays Hare Krishna camp but this w..."

Feeling lucky again.

Another Saturday and we went to another wonderful place.  It was out in the same are as the last saturdays Hare Krishna camp but this was on the river and it was a catch your trout and eat it camp...with beer.  Ben caught two trout.   WONDERFUL!!!   I dont think I have ever tasted trout this good, so good it tasted better than halibut.  I did not take my camera but the place where we went reminded me of Alaska.  Mountains on both sides but summer all year.  So beautiful, in the distance you would see mountains with the trees cut down and palm trees here and there. 
I am so happy here.  I dont think I have been this satisfied since I move to Alaska for the first time.  I am fulfilled completely, we are in a scrunch for money but that dosn't see to effect me either.  Brasil is a wonderful place with wonderful people.  I am feeling lucky again.  :)

Good week!

I am so tired from my week and dont have the time to write today.  I will fill you in tomorrow and BTW... there is good toilet paper here, just not in public restrooms.  We have just came to the realization exactly how much we will be able to spend each day on food, entertainment, emergencies, health care and gas.  So, besides waking up everyday at 5:30am for class this may be what just drained my brain.  Good Night!

Ben Likes School

2nd day was better and Ben has many stories to tell about his school.  He also sang me a song that he learned.  He sang and sang and when he said grem grem gremety, I knew he was starting to make things up.  It was funny and wonderful. 

First Day of School

Bens first day... was good.  I think he got frustrated a bit playing with the kids but he is ready to go back tomorrow.  We all have to go through the motions and every day it gets better.  I asked him what he did today and he said that he sharpened his pencil and wrote with a pencil.  I think he may have bit another kid but I couldnt understand all that the teacher was saying, when I asked ben he said that he was just showing her how to bite herself.  Rodrigo will find out in the a.m.  Today was a good day and were on the right track.

5:30 AM

Going from waking up at 8:30/9 am to waking up at 5:30 is not easy.  The good part is when I come home I am always excited to see cute little faces, but those cute little faces are ready to play.  Hopefully I didn't drink too much coffee this a.m and will be able to nap with Gabi.  Keeping my fingers crossed.

Jill In Brazil: Sofa and daily life

Jill In Brazil: Sofa and daily life: "Chillin at home on my new sofa. So nice to have my very own soft place to sit. In my last house here I just had a bed and a tabl..."

Sofa and daily life

Chillin at home on my new sofa.  So nice to have my very own soft place to sit.  In my last house here I just had a bed and a table and chairs, my body just relaxed when I said that.  I am sitting on my very own couch and it is com-for-ta-ble.  The other couch that I was going to get was $900 for 2 matching pieces.  I thought it was too hard and not very well put together but affordable for a new couch at least the ones that I saw.   Then at the last moment, I decided to buy one large couch that was more soft and comfortable.  One that my dad wouldn’t complain about.  I could just imagine my dad sitting in the other one that we were going to get and I could only imagine what he would say.

Other than that Ben starts school tomorrow and that worries me a little cuz he is my baby, the fact that he doesn’t speak Portuguese very well and I won’t be able to watch him with the other kids.  He says that he is excited and I am sure it will be ok, Ben is a fun kid and likes people.  If he only learns how to play and speak Portuguese this year I will feel it as a major accomplishment.  I am going to keep Gabriela at home with me this year and spend some more quiet time with her.  It is hectic with the two kids at the same time as Ben torments Gabi and then Gabi screams and my head explodes.  I think we will all be getting what we want now for a while.  I am teaching a class at 6am and 6pm now, haven’t see 5am for a while. 

Kids are Stinky

Kids get stinky as they get older, dont they?

Hare Krishna

Today we bought a couch and towels for the kitchen.  Then as we were headed home a friend invited us to the mountains to enjoy nature, swim in the river and walk around the Hare Krishna Community.  What a good time, so calm and beautiful.  There was this great place to swim, wonderful snacks (Veggie) with homemade bread, and beautiful music playing everywhere.  Another great place to take you when you come to visit.  Oh and you will love my house.  I am happy.

English School!

I have been teaching 2-3 classes a day this week.  I am really enjoying it.  The students are great and I am learning a lot about Brasil and the culture from my students.  Every day I learn someting new. 

2-03-2011

Have Friends!
Last night we had friends over for the first time.  It was such a great time.  On Saturday Dani is coming to see the house for the first time with her family.  I am going to make Spaghetti  and then on Sunday Rodrigo's family will be here hopefully.  I am going to make his parents beans, rice, salad & a protein.  I think if I can get this right they will never be worried about us. :) 

Hard Week

What a f-ing week!  We moved last weekend as you already know and now I am just trying to pull the rest of my shit together.  We got Internet, a phone and Cable today! Hooray!  Wow to be connected again. 
So it has been both a challenging & productive week.  Right now I am trying to coordinate my work schedule, get the kids into school, take my cat back and forth to the doctor 50 minutes away, cordinate a babysitter, coordinate the kids and get my husband to work.  It will soon start to make more sense as the schedules fall into place but right now it is just a overwhelming... however probalby just what I needed to finally get a life here in Brasil.  I have met some great people whom I teach with at school and I really love teaching.  So all in all things are well but busy. 

Jill In Brazil: Defensivew Driving in Brasil

Jill In Brazil: Defensivew Driving in Brasil: "You know in America it is your obligation to watch for pedestrians and the car in front of you, Right? In Brasil, cars go before pedestrians..."

Defensivew Driving in Brasil

You know in America it is your obligation to watch for pedestrians and the car in front of you, Right?
In Brasil, cars go before pedestrians and it is more of an obligation to watch for the motorcycles behind you.  Like America if they hit you from behind it would be their fault however...you have to watch behind you and not make sudden movements because they will be moving quickly around the cars and it is just a matter of time.  I like driving here however, the streets are windy and you have to make 15 turns to go straight.  Seriously but it is more relaxed.  So... do I like driving here?  I think so.

Jill In Brazil: The Move

Jill In Brazil: The Move: "So after all of my complaining about being bored and safe… we moved on. We moved into the most beautiful house and even though it is ..."

Jill In Brazil: The Test

Jill In Brazil: The Test: "So this was my first night in my new home. I had my first class to teach this particular day and Rodrigo was at work till 12am. ..."

Jill In Brazil: The 3rd Day in the new Home

Jill In Brazil: The 3rd Day in the new Home: "Today is day 3 in my house…with a bed. It is great, the house. So beautiful and I almost have a kitchen. Last night I went..."

The 3rd Day in the new Home

Today is day 3 in my house…with a bed.  It is great, the house.  So beautiful and I almost have a kitchen.  Last night I went to buy a few things that we needed.  At one place I was shopping for an hour as they were closing getting house goods and food only to find out when I went to pay that I couldn’t use a credit card to pay for food.  This was a fiasco, there was a guy who had to translate to me what the lady was saying who did not have the patients to even try to explain.  I wanted to hit everyone with my broom and run out of the store…but I had to remain calm and go through the motions.  So I got the household goods but could not buy the groceries. 

So, I go to the next open store… I love this store.  The groceries were nice and the store reminded me of a Fred Meyer.  I was standing in the bug repellent isle here and a Brazilian woman asked me if I knew where the price was for something.  I answered her back with my heavy accent and her friend seriously started laughing and walked away.  The girl who asked me was nice and stayed for a bit.  When the other gal walked off I immediately started to say “eu no fallo Portuguese” then I stopped myself and thought Oh My God!  She was laughing at me and I couldn’t do anything about it…

Now I have developed another problem.  Now I am getting mad at people who stare and laugh even in my direction.  I automatically think they are laughing at me.  This happened tonight and they weren’t at all.  Then I felt bad.  I drove off hit the curb with my tire as I was turning around to head the wrong way on a one way street.  Boy did I feel like an ass, rightfully so.

The Test

So this was my first night in my new home.  I had my first class to teach this particular day and Rodrigo was at work till 12am.  Since I was here, I decided to just wait for Rodrigo to get off of work and then sleep at the house- kids were with his parents.  The next day was the day that we were going to move our stuff into our new home.

After my class, which went really well, I wanted to get something to eat.  I wanted to go sit somewhere and eat but… I had never done this before in Brasil.  I am not sure if women do things like this alone.  By nature this would not be a problem however not only am I unsure of where to go or if it is culturally acceptable but it is now getting dark.   What happened was that I drove in circles looking for a place that would be comfortable.   I am at a point now where I can talk to people if and only if they want to talk to me, because if they don’t they will not understand me.  They are closed off and maybe just because they are too busy.  Most people want to talk to me but It can’t be too crowded or too many people around.  I have to single one person out at a time to get anything accomplished.  So, I just drive and drive and look into every building to see if it is perfect and nothing looks perfect.  Nothing looks easy, so I find a grocery store.  At least now I can wonder around looking for something to eat.   As I am pulling in, I realize it is now dark.  I had never been out driving at night and now it is a new city to boot.  I get a feeling of being scared & nervous of the unknown.   I haven’t been this alone in years… years!  So alone, so lonely I just wanted my kids around- fighting, screaming, whatever.

I wanted to be on my own and I am very happy about choosing to move to my own house however it was reality.  The reality that I am living in a place that I know nothing about and now in a neighborhood where I don’t know anyone.  A town where I do not know anyone and no one knows me. 

I was wondering around the grocery store and I looked really out of place and not just because I went by the ham (or at least it looked like ham) 4 times before I chose ham, then the same with the mustard, but because I think you could see the fear of the unknown in my eyes.  Like can I open a pop in this grocery store, drink it and then pay for it?   Just then a student of mine walked by and said Hi, by this time I was sweating.  I had never been a lone in Brasil… Never!  At the very least my dog Bhellie was with me.   She noticed that I was standing out like a sore thumb.  We chatted and my blood pressure went down and then I paid for my stuff and left.  I went to my house and fixed a sandwich, chugged a beer from my front porch and then decided to go pick up Rodrigo early.  This time I was eager to be out at night, I had a purpose… however I left the house 1.5 hours early.  Needless to say I sat around and waited and thought about the emotions that I was going through.  After I picked him up I didn’t sleep all night and it wasn’t because I wasn’t tired… this time it was because it was hot and I was laying on a little mattress on the hard tile, thinking about mosquitos. 

BTW... Mosquitos are not worse here except late at night at the beach.  We just had a few traumatic experiences with them.  It reminds me of Alaska except they are not that big.

The Move

So after all of my complaining about being bored and safe… we moved on.  We moved into the most beautiful house and even though it is only half a lot size, the home is huge.  I love every square inch of this house.  Nothing is set up yet, but it will come together very soon.  We are on a budget now… Brazilian budget.  This means that we have just barely enough income to cover our expenses and that eating out and dropping $60.00 at the Padaria is now just for a special occasion.  Ok, this is good for me.  We also can’t buy things that we don’t have the money for.  We have one little card with a limit up to $2000.  We have $97.00 real on it now and only plan to buy a few more things for the house.  This would be a hose, bucket, shower head, rugs, plates & utensils but this is it!  The rest will come and thank god again for Rodrigo’s parents.  They gave us a stove, refrigerator, kitchen cabinents, 2 chairs, a temporary kitchen table and chairs, TV and an antenna, and coffee stuff to start my day.

In 2.5 months we have managed to get jobs, move to a new place, rent a house and buy a car.  This is hyper speed here.  As much as Rodrigo’s family wanted us to stay, I think they were also really happy that we were able to get on our feet so quickly.  

The Kids.  Well Monday we are on a full mission to place them in school.  This could not be more important.  Finally we have a place to call home.