Smile!

The Sink Hole

They paved my road all the way to my house.  What a GIFT.  The road was so bumpy and bad and just when it would smoothed out there was a speed bump.  My car has taken such a beating.  Now it is finished and the ride is smooth… along with a few speed bumps.   They had to do something because the tree that they put in the sink hole in order to tell cars to avoid the sink hole kept coming out.  Seriously, it was a large branch.  Hey…it worked for me. J 

The Noise!!!!!

Short description of my problem:

The only News Channel I get is FOX!!!  If I want to SEE what is going on in America, I have to filter through Models reading their news feeds like it’s their first day on the job, sit through food tips from someone who cant cook followed by a church song followed by an act of staged patriotism followed by and old man blaming Obama for G.W.B's trillion dollar debt and or the greatest bank heist ever pulled off in our country with the only intention to scare Americans into giving up their Medicare and personal freedom.  I love that in FOX Land the Tea Party is not a group of dressed down Republicans or controlled by Corporations who are stealing the American dream right out from under them as a thief wrapped in an American flag wearing lipstick and not to mention the agony of getting sold Michele Bachmann, The Trumpster, Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich, etc. as competent presidential hopefuls or even just politicians.... Ugh! Thank god for Randi Rhodes Podcast.  
Oh, and you know why I care?  I Care because I see every day how good America was to me and when I come back I want my kids to have the same freedom and possibilities that I was given.   
The sleepers need to WAKE UP!

What Ya Think?

New Theme for the next 6 months... new attitude?  Other than this I am home sick today, damn sinus infection.  It is getting dry here and my lips are chapped too.  We had plans to go out with the other teachers in the school last night, the kids were with VaBina and wouldn't you know it... I'm Sick.  BTW, Rodrigo got the job!

Todays going to be a long day

 I am catching a cold and 1 am working a full day with near 5 hours of sleep.  Its 6:17am and I am getting ready to go to school... might of had too much beer last night;)  We had a last night out with student who is finishing the course and leaving for Italy on Saturday.  It was  a lot of fun.

Thursday

Not much to say today.  Working and livin is all. Gabi is much better now so that is good, she almost had Pneumonia.  Ben is at school, rodrigo is cooking lunch and I am getting ready to go to the neighbors to buy some bread. Pretty normal day.. Rodrigo had an interview at a school today so please everyone keep your fingers crossed...

Jill In Brazil: 6 Month Brazilian Checkup

Jill In Brazil: 6 Month Brazilian Checkup: "The time has come; I have been here for 6 months almost to date. I have been through many ups and many downs, some of which would last for..."

6 Month Brazilian Checkup

The time has come; I have been here for 6 months almost to date.  I have been through many ups and many downs, some of which would last for a month solid.   I miss home; I miss my family and often I can’t believe that I am living in another country.   It is that moment when I look around and see a man pulling a cart full of recyclables with the strength of his back, beautiful fruit being sold on the street or meet the annoying sales person who doesn’t want to help anyone because they really don’t care about their job, that I often remember where I am as I am busy living. 

Before my move I would wonder what life was going to be like in another country, what kinds of changes would I have to make.  I realize now, I am just living.  I live and work in Brasil.  I am raising my children in Brasil.  I have Brazilian friends and a Brazilian address.  I learn something new every day, and they just happen to be the same things I already knew but in another language and country.  I just learned the other day that the number you call for help is 190, it’s not 911 anymore.  I realize that I am in a country that whatever happens… Just Happens and you deal with it with little recourse.  I also just realized yesterday that I have been saying the wrong word for balance for about two months.  But as I am living here I am reminded of this blessing in my life, whether it be good or bad at times,  I see that I am doing something people only dream about and maybe it’s only because they aren’t crazy enough to do it. J 

I also realize that life isn’t fair for most. I understand now that for the majority of people in the world, life is just waking up every day and doing the same thing and trying to do it with a happy heart and a smile.  I understand that some people don’t have another option for their lives.  I have seen poverty like I have never seen before and social injustice.  I walked the streets of Sao Paulo the other day and looked deeply at the people and realized how lucky I have been in life and how even with all that I have been given, I was never satisfied… maybe I should have been.  Perhaps though, if I was satisfied I would never have had the desire to try new and exciting things.   There is a question in my book that asks “do you think life is a question of luck or hard work”?  I know now it is luck and then the hard work is what you do with it.  

In these last 6 months, I have learned much about myself.   I know I was lucky to be born in a country and to parents who sold me the possibilities of life.  I am ok with where I am; there are things that I am now willing to give up and things that I know I don’t want to live without.  I don’t need to buy things to feel good…matter of fact I still don’t have a can opener or a coffee maker, I do not need to feel guilty when I take a nap…Take one almost every day now, I can live without a cell phone… don’t even have one now, I don’t need television but I do want one with cable to boot for my crazy reality shows, A must in life is a strong wooden kitchen table…which I still don’t have, and that siting and doing nothing with the kids isn’t lazy…it is a great way to spend time and to enjoy the simple pleasures that I have often overlooked and underestimated.  I could never leave out of course the wonderful experience of knowing the Brazilian people and their laid back lifestyle, the ability to say anything and feel comfortable always.  Then there is the way we live without constant law and order, which can be both good and bad and really ties into the “what happens in Brasil Experience”.   

There was another question in my book this morning and I wrote it down, “If you went to live in another country, do you think you would quickly adopt their way of living in that country”?  The answer is “Not Hardly”.  I think it takes years and a strong desire to have a different life and I also think it depends on how much you already know about the language and culture.  When I moved to Brasil, I was luke warm on the decision…Like I said, I just jumped.  I realize that I had too many expectations and I didn’t know what to expect.  I am good now, I do feel that the complaining must end and I have to put both feet on the Brazilian ground.  I am anxious for the next year as this will be the time, with both luck and hard work that will truly make all of the difference in deciding my future here or in America.  All things are on the table now and we are taking some chances.  When in Brasil… be a Brazilian.

One more thing, last Friday at the party I met a guy and after we talked about this subject for a while, He said “Now you will spend the next 6 months realizing why Brazilians are always happy”.  I have some ideas… but have more to explore.

Sick little Peanut

I got home from work this a.m. to find Gabi sleeping again at 10am.  She had been sick for a couple of days but today she was worse, so I sat with her and held her a bit and her little heart was beating fast and she seemed short of breath.   I took her to the hospital right away.  I think I have said before but Pneumonia is very easy to get and very serious here in Brasil.   So, 2 breathing treatments, 1 x-ray, a shot, and $180 real later we went back home.  It was a 5 hour ordeal but she is a lot better now.  She laid in my arms all day and slept, poor little baby.  I could have held her for 10 hours… but she was up and running the minute we stepped in the door.  Thank goodness for modern medicine. 

Feijao

Feijao means beans... and after months of wondering if I could possibly ever eat beans and rice on a daily basis… I have become addicted to the beans.  As with any food, Quality is important and I have finally found a brand to write home about.  “TARUMA” Oh the difference is amazing. 

Family BBQ....6 months later.

I woke up one day and I had the realization that I have been in Brasil for 6 months now and at that moment my perspective changed.   Take today for instance, we had a very large family BBQ, just like the one we had when I arrived and at Christmas.  It was wonderful to see everyone again.  The day was different, I was so happy.  5-6 months ago was such a confusing time for me.  I can look back now and see that I had no idea where I was and that I couldn’t understand anyone…I couldn’t talk… remember?  A Lot of blogs on that one.  J  I smile now….kind of.  Today was very similar to the other BBQ’s, but this time… I could hear, I could communicate and I could understand.  Actually one of the secretaries at the school was at the party on Friday and she said “I thought you were a closed off person”, probably I surprised her as I was laughing, sharing stories and enjoying life.  We had a great time together and I don’t think she saw that coming.  Maybe everyone felt this way about me including my family, maybe I was closed off for a long time, maybe I was angry about my circumstances.  I just look forward to a new perspective and I am thankful to have the opportunity to start again. 

Jill In Brazil: Mexican Food and Momma!

Jill In Brazil: Mexican Food and Momma!: "Last night Ben and I went to a party for another teacher that I work with. The party was fantastic and I met some more great people. She i..."

Mexican Food and Momma!

Last night Ben and I went to a party for another teacher that I work with.  The party was fantastic and I met some more great people.  She is the Spanish teacher at my school so finally for the first time in 6 months, I got to eat a spicy meal.  Hot...Spicy!  From the chips to the Margarita… it was heaven.   We got to the party at 11pm, just my boy and I and we got home at 2:30am.  Bernard walked in the door, sat on the couch and fell asleep immediately and I carried him to bed.  He ran for 3 hours playing soccer in the street with 2 big boys, then my friend Tiana started in.  Bernard learned himself some Fu-te-bol (Brazilian soccer) last night.  He wanted me to watch him play so he could show me his skills, he makes me so proud. 

One more thing... I was sitting there with my friends and Ben came running to me crying.  Of course I asked him "what’s wrong"?  He fell down playing soccer with the big kids...so I knew 1/2 of the tears were from falling down but I could tell his pride was hurt as well.  Bernard tries so hard to get along with big kids; he has no interest in boys his age if there is a 6-13 year old around.  Well I took him aside and wiped his tears and got him ready to get back out there.  Apparently a few of my friends were watching me and said “Jill you are such a good mom”.  “Really, why”?  They said because most moms would have fanned the flames of his emotions and babied him and they thought I was great because I hugged him and sent him on… truly I knew that this is what he really wanted.  But you know what?  I may not have shown it but in that moment when I steered my child back into life, I took on all of his pain inside my heart.  My whole body was feeling the same emotion that he brought to me and I soaked it up like a sponge in water.  He ran off ready to take on the world again and I let the emotion dissolve through me.   At that moment I think I knew what being a mom was all about.  It is a perfect balance of helping to lift the burden of life from my children so that they can move forward, making sure that I don’t take away the learning experience that the child must have and at the same time finding the strength to sacrifice my moment, at any time for my child.  They were right and I know it now, I AM a good mom.   

life.

Well,  I have been writing a good post but havent had time to finish it.  Maybe Sunday.  This week we went to Sao Paulo and went to visit Rodrigos Sister.  It was the first time we have seen each other since we moved to Brasil.  I am looking forward to seeing the country with her eyes for a while.  Tia Dani is in town!  The kids are really excited, they also have received a ton of great gifts from Tia Dani and My parents sent along some stuff.  This weekend should be nice with a family BBQ on Sunday.  Life is good but I am very tired these days.... ready for a nap now.  Have a great weekend! 

Brazillian Football... Soccer!

 I know we all have our favorite football teams.  Take for example the Cornhuskers; it’s hard job to find a Nebraskan who wouldn’t say that the Cornhuskers are their favorite team.  But, the Cornhuskers are the glue that holds Nebraskans together.  So, here in Sao Paulo everyone gets to choose a Soccer team.  They choose at a young age and follow their team their whole life.  Brazilians are very passionate people; in Love and the game of Soccer.

While I was picking my team here in Brasil, I asked the students; 1^st who is your favorite team and then who is the best team?  The answers were the same around the room each time.  I found this fascinating.  Now needless to say all Brazilian teams are GREAT and the scores are always low… so probably all teams all have a chance of winning each year.  This year my team was in the Finals, but we lost.  Truth be told, not only are the Corinthians my husband’s team but they also became my favorite team due to the fact that they were in the finals.  I like to win!

Brazilians take football very serious; I was teasing some student about losing to my team the game before the finals.  He was seriously hurt.  Let me say, I have always been a fair weather fan.  I have had a lot of favorite teams in my life and it is true that we do have a lot of different sports and teams to choose from.  But Fair Weather Fan is a in the vocab of a lot of Americans.  Not here.  So next time I see my student I am going to tell him that I have changed my team to “Santos” (The Winners), I can’t wait to see his face.  This will throw him for a loop as Brazilians don’t change their teams often in life…  I hope he gets it. J

BTW…… I just found out that they don’t teach Girls Soccer here in Brazil.  I am told that there is not a girls’ team… Seriously???  I hate to even scratch the surface on Women’s rights here in Brasil… I am going to take this moment of stillness and do nothing; no major thoughts, no stresses other than the norm because I am not ready to find out anything else that I can’t control this month. 

Trying on Businesses

I am trying on businesses.  We are in need of money as probably many people and we need to think big and fast.   I am doing well with my English school and English Club… but I need more income.  I am thinking of starting to do a 4 part English Seminar Series on American Culture and we are working on the development of our brand here in Brasil.  I have so many ideas and just hope that I can stay focused to see a turn out.  We are down to the wire and just went into overtime.  It is a hail Mary… Can we make the big catch?  Good Football reference huh? 

Hows my Portuguese?

6 months here in this country and I speak better, at least what I already knew.  I hear better but not in a crowd or with any background noise.  The kids in the class tell me that I am pretty good for 6 months, but I am thinking that it is time for me to get busy studying again.  Oh, and I am much better after a glass of wine.

Corinthians vs. Santos

The Sao Paulo Soccer finals were today and Santos won. 
I have spent the last couple of months choosing my Soccer team.  I chose the Corinthians, who have always been Rodrigo's team.  Ben on the other hand seems to lean towards his grandpa's team the Palmeiras... little stinker.  Ben also has a team from Rio to watch, the Flamingos.  He has learned so much... Gabi too, they are both almost fluent in Portugese at a kid level. 

Jill In Brazil: Mommy Steve's Dead

Jill In Brazil: Mommy Steve's Dead: "A couple of cute things today. We happen to call cockroaches Steve here in Brasil, mostly because they are too big to squash. You have to ..."

Mommy Steve's Dead

A couple of cute things today.  We happen to call cockroaches Steve here in our home, mostly because they are too big to squash.  You have to kill them with a stick so that you don’t feel anything when you hit them.  They also fly.  We call them any man's name that comes to mind around here and Steve has been the one to stick in Gabi's mind.  "Mommy... Steve is dead".  She is too cute.
On another note of cuteness Ben just asked me..."Hey Mom, do you want to play servant"?  Um....NO Thanks!  Don't we moms play this every moment of our daily lives, could imagine if it were a game?  Funny guy this one. 

School Pictures

Ben had school pictures today, he go to choose if he wanted the race car or military outfit.  Looks like we have an army guy.  Funny kid, I cant wait to see the picture. :)

Jill In Brazil: Almost Dead

Jill In Brazil: Almost Dead: "Almost Dead Sao Paulo is an Amazing city and nothing like I had expected. I expected chaos and saw organization on a grand scale. We dro..."

Almost Dead

Almost Dead

Sao Paulo is an Amazing city and nothing like I had expected.  I expected chaos and saw organization on a grand scale.  We drove around the city everywhere; we saw the industrial side, high class shopping, and the market and business areas.  It was a beautiful site.  We even drove to Crack Land and of course this was jaw dropping.  As we were driving along Rodrigo says we are in Crack Land.  I am like oh this isn’t so bad until the next street…. It was a block long and filled with Junkies getting a fix.  As we drove by and at that moment a terrible smell filled the car.  We drove right down the center of the street and observed the people.  It is not legal to be there but there is nothing that the city can do about it.  I have seen people on crack but not hundreds of people on crack in a row.  There were kids selling crack to the Adults, people sitting cleaning crack pipes before their next hit and people smoking crack.  The kids were with us and Ben saw this.  It sort of just happened to us, so I don’t know if it was a good thing or bad thing for Ben to see.  He was interested in what he saw and I told him this is what happens when you use drugs.  He got the point and knew that this was not where he wanted to be.  At 5 I don’t know if it will stick, but it was a grotesque example of the control that these drugs have on your body, mind and spirit. 

It was very interesting because the other streets around this particular street were functioning.  The city was cleaning around them and on that street, businesses were open and people were walking by to get to where they need to go.  The druggies were not bothering the others and I am sure the others including myself wished that they were not there.  We wish that these people could have a future too.  What you do see is the desperation of life; people have nothing but the rags that they wear, their shoes were gone and their feet were stained the same color as the street.  There is no life in those bodies; I guess I would say they were alive but had no life source.  This led me to the question, what is it like when you have nothing to live for?  No one to love and you are completely disconnected to anyone who could ever have loved you.  You could see on a scale how many years each person had using drugs by the color of their faces, the weight of their bodies, the cleanliness of their clothes and the number of belongings or articles of clothing that they still had.  Some were just getting started and some were almost dead.  The one thing that they all had in common besides the need for a fix was that on this particular street they belonged and they were safe.  Like a membership to a club, but only a club that you pay with your life to get in and death is your way out. 

Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo.  Went to the big city finally and it was beautiful.  It felt like being in New York what a feeling.  Good to know we will be going there more.  In Brasil there is a surprise round every corner. 

Happy Mothers Day!

This was my best Mothers Day yet and I am sure many to follow.  It was the first time that the kids knew enough to wish me mothers day.  All week they have been gathering little things around the house and giving them to me  and shouting "Happy Mothers Day".  Then on Friday, Ben gave me some gifts that he had made.   So to all of you mothers, Happy Mothers Day!

Jill In Brazil: A Head Trip…Literally!

Jill In Brazil: A Head Trip…Literally!: "In response to a post by Brazilian Vacation, I started to think about some of the little changes that have happened to me since being in Bra..."

A Head Trip…Seriously!

In response to a post by Brazilian Vacation, I started to think about some of the little changes that have happened to me since being in Brasil.  This post is a complicated post to a very simple thought…so beware. 
I knew I needed a change from my daily life and grind that I had gotten myself into America and the only thing I knew about Brasil was that I was probably going to get a huge head change and one that I had little control over.   This has been true as you can see in my posts… the ups and downs are apparent.  I have never felt desperate to leave Brasil, but I have felt desperate to hold on sometimes.  
I am starting to accept that at some point I must let go.  I must start to untangle the thread of my connection to who I was in America in order to make the changes that I must make to thrive in Brasil.   Not the connection to being an American. This may be the greatest experience of all for me in Brasil… it is here that I have learned what it means to be an American Patriot.   It is being an American that has obviously made me who I am and has given me the ability to be successful and to believe in myself here in Brasil. 
What are the threads that need to be separated then?  It is the mess of my beliefs of the past and my cause and effect thoughts.  For instance, since we all call upon our pasts to find the answers to the future, I have found myself in a future that I could never have seen and a ton of past experiences that cannot exist in this future.  Why?  Well, in a new & different culture you can’t call upon the past because what I knew to be true in America life would be considered very naïve or complicated here in Brasil.   

Let me give you a couple of examples.  I usually feel great anxiety about being late, here late is normal and everyone understands that life happens.  I find myself from time to time driving fast, freaking out and living in a state of anxiety.  This is a horrible feeling.  I feel anger, disappointment & physically I feel a state of panic.  This was a normal feeling for me in America, I felt it a couple of times a day.  I depended on this feeling to get things done, I would say to myself. 

Now I am able to see when I am feeling this and notice what I am doing.  When experience this now, I tell myself that the best thing I could do in this situation has already been done… I am in the car.  If I am late now, I understand that this was the best that I could do and it was my conscious decision to leave when I did.  I wonder if I am not trying to be mad at someone else… as if my other self is the bad guy. 

Here is another example… Vacation & Sundays in Brasil.  In Brasil the first day of the week is Sunday.  In America the first day of the week is Monday, and then we have the weekend.  On calendars, yes Sunday starts the week but in my American mind, Sunday was just a day to get ready for Monday.  My Sunday had the words; have to, should, prepare, finish, start & need to in a normal Sunday.  I am not sure if it just because I owned my own business but in Brasil… Sunday is Sunday… All day and you do not use those words.  We rest and it is a day that you get to do whatever you please.  Rodrigo has always been like this and it drove me crazy.  I was mad if he didn’t do what I planned for us on Sunday.  Today finally I understand that Sunday is for relaxing and having fun only.  Monday is Monday but Sunday is my day. 

sexta-feira

Oh so glad it is friday.  Had a great day, class was good.  I just had conversation with my students today and it was a lot of fun.  Tonight my family went to our favorite spot we ate, drank and the kids played.  Gabi was tired and I am feeling a bit under the weather...but enjoying life.  It is a huge difference to have Rodrigo home and not working so much... wish this could be forever because it makes all of the difference in the world.

Portuguese?

Will I ever get this language?  Today a guy told me about his day and I swear I heard "out", "drink", "beer" & "before Class".  Well I actually heard "before class" & "drink", however what I thought was "out" was actually Acai,  that was good because this guy really suprised as he wasn't really the type to take in a beer or two before class.  It was a good laugh. :)

What’s for Lunch?

Chicken Strips, Beans & Rice of course!

This is our day!

Ben is sick today and Gabi...well Gilly is always up to something.

Jill In Brazil: Papers Please!

Jill In Brazil: Papers Please!: "Papers Please One thing that had always flabbergasted me before I left the U.S.A was… what was going on with this new movement of people cal..."

Papers Please!

Papers Please

One thing that had always flabbergasted me before I left the U.S.A was… what was going on with this new movement of people called the Tea Party? They are backed by corporate sponsors and claim it is “Grass Roots”.  It was very confusing to me… they want to take our Government back… Ok, me too… they believe in “conspiracy theories”… ok, me too.  They are angry protesters…Ok, I was angry too.  But what was different for me is that I believe that Government should be by the people and we shouldn’t privatize all that is left in the Governments hands like social security, Medicare & unemployment.  The ironic part is these people are almost all taking Medicare and drawing their Social Security but fighting against it?  The banks just got their hands on 700 billion given to them by George Bush as a going away present and the people got nothing but a huge deficit and huge tax cuts to the top 2% that weren’t paid for.  These tax cuts were added to the deficit.  Since there are only 2 parties to choose from in America, I swing democrat because they in general balance budgets and tend to help the people.  Why help the people?  Because you never know when you will need to be helped during your young life and we all know you will need the help (your money back) at the end of your life.  We pay taxes so that if needed we can be helped whether it be a single mom, someone recently unemployed or someone who has turned their ripe old age and now able to collect Medicare or social security.  If we privatize this the last bit of Government, the people’s way of life will vanish just like our treasury.  You don’t like 2,000 page bills well the G.O.P heard you and showed up to the doorsteps of Bushes office with a 1-2 page bill that bailed out the banks and said we could not ask questions as to where the money goes, and you can thank your house of representatives for at least not letting that get through.

So, then there was the newly squashed Birther Movement.  I thought it was ridiculous because I welcomed a Black President, I welcome change.  Last week was a moment in history and it should really be thought about especially now that we are coming into this particular time.  The Birthers and those in the Tea party are fired up by the Corporations because they know that there is a population that is deathly scared of the brown and blacks and names that aren’t familiar.  The tea party (mostly) is made up by a group of people whom are racist and cant stand that we have a black man sitting in as our head of state.   Don’t believe me?  You know the jokes that go around about race because of Obama’s color; you hear it all of the time.  I voted for him and heard them daily everywhere… you might laugh because some places and around some people it was more uncomfortable not to.  I'm not here to condemn anyone… I am just asking that you admit that racism exists in America and admit that this scares people more than they want you to know.

My Question is if you are a member of this Tea Party who are you fighting for or better I say against? Other Americans… Me?  Maybe I am sorely missing the facts.  I think the problem is a corporate takeover of America and they don’t want you either, they are using these people to confuse and fight the rest of us!  Come On! 

You understand that the Corporations can give any amount of money to any candidate of their choosing thanks to the Supreme Court last year.  You know that to get a candidate elected there is a specific amount of money that needs to be raised.  A candidate can’t get elected today without corporate sponsors, democrat or republican.   The Tea Party is too busy getting bad press while fighting against their neighbors over abortion, gays & guns, and the democrats are fighting privatization of the large corporations and the media is confusing us all.  So, where is the real fight and if it comes will we all be too preoccupied with Donald Trump and Sarah Palin to see it? 

Let’s take a look at what they did to the Highest Seat in The Land last week.  They called for the “papers please” law on our President.  In Arizona there is a law is set forth in Arizona by Governor Jan Brewer.  Arizona says that it is ok to ask anyone for their documents if you suspect them of not being here legally.  You are a suspect by your skin color or just by your name.  Sounds good to many Arizonans who think they have a problem with illegal aliens…but there is a real agenda. It is also known that the murder rate in phoenix is down 50% since 2003 even illegal border crossing is down 49% since 2004, and this message is not getting out.  Jan Brewer is associated with the CCA (Correction Corporation of America) holds the federal contract to house detained immigrants, it is worth more than 11 million a month and it is sure to grow now that the “Papers Please” 1070 law has passed.  It is also known that two of Jan Brewers top advisors have intimate connections to The CCA.  America already locks up more people than in any other Nation.  You want jails full of immigrants whom they can hold for years without letting them go or given a fair trial.   What makes you think there won’t be prisons for people who abuse credit or default on loans?  Not them…you.  I am not saying it will happen but as with all precedents…more laws will follow.   It is also a fact that when we privatized there is more of your money wasted, just look at private health care companies now and also the fact that more people get rich…Not you…the C.E.O and the stock holders.  They will privatize everything until we are all working for immigrant wages.  You watch and see.  Financial Martial Law has come to Michigan and Wisconsin is next…please inform yourself.  Below is an article from Forbes Magazine by Rick Unger and this is happening in America.  When this happens, one man is calling the shots in the state and believe it… he is bought and paid for.  I watched and listened every day for years and watched government programs stripped.  I have seen the Supreme Court give power to the corporations making it ok for them to be given the same rights as a person to promote an agenda or to give candidates money, and then treated as a corporation when they go bankrupt or steal an Americans hard working savings.  Of course this is barely getting press, but if you choose to be worried about a birth Certificate, or planned parenthood or preoccupied with the rich paying their fair share of taxes that Fox news calls “spreading the wealth”, you should start to understand what is already happening in our own back yard.  Republican or Democrat…if you love your country we are not that different and I am sure this we can all agree on.

References:

Jan Brewer, Gov. Arizona:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqPiCmXSkAM&feature=related 

Michigan Law:

http://blogs.forbes.com/rickungar/2011/04/16/gov-scott-walker-reportedly-planning-financial-martial-law-in-wisconsin/

BBQ & Football

Today we are watching the Corinthians vs. Palmeras.  It is basically Rodrigo's team vs. Rodrigo's dads team.  Ben is cheering for the Corinthians today but said that he likes both teams.  Just like his mom a fair weather football foe... Except the Cornhuskers of course.  Today was nice, we are having a BBQ with Tiago we did lunch and looks like dinner has just started again.  I took the kids to the park to watch a puppet show. "joao do pede feijao" or Jack and the beanstalk.  Very nice.  Went with another teacher friend and her kids.   As of now kicking back with a beer, not a good beer... but a beer.  Would do anything right now for a Polar Pale Ale or a Sierra Nevada IPA...or Prince William Porter.  Oh how I miss the Beer in America.  Have a great Sunday!