Jill 2011

Jill 2011

I can’t do a blog and not list my prospects for my new year, can I? Where do I start?


1. It is my goal to be more patient especially when I have nothing to do but wait. It goes without saying that I must be patient with myself when I am feeling down and take notice of the time of the month when this happens. With a blog I am becoming too aware of this.


2. I want to find a nice home with a great yard. The home must have at least 2 bedrooms and the kitchen/dining area must be as big as the living room. The Barbeque must be tiled and clean. I am looking for a place that when my family comes to visit they don’t leave their suitcases out in their garage to fumigate when they return from Brasil. Barends Family Standards!


3. I will at least try on a bikini.


4. I will make a stable home for my kids.


5. I will get Bernard into Capoeira- It is a cultural expression afro-brazilian fight that mixes dance, popular culture, and music. It was developed by African slaves and their decendants, it is characterized by agile and complex movements using their hands, feet, head, knees and elbows. A characteristic that distinguishes it from most other martial arts is the fact that is is accompanied by music.

6. I will speak the language fluently


7. I want to try something new for my work. I want to love it and have balance so that I do not sacrifice my children’s time with me.


8. Last but not least, I want to keep growing my blog. So....Please pass it on my friends if you like it and feel the urge!

Thinking of you all and wishing you the best in 2011, or as in my case Always wishing for at least better than 2009

Brasil 2011

Brasil 2011

Here it is a new year and a new perspective for me and all Brazilians. 
For Brazilians.... today the newly elected President Dilma was sworn into office.  Dilma is the first woman president in Brazilian history.   She is the head of the Labor party and her stance is that all Brazilians will have the right to Education, Health Care and Jobs.  Like the previous President Lula, Dilma will continue to hold his policies in place as Brasil moves towards becoming a 1st world country.   In my limited impression of Brasil, there is has been quite a distance between the poor and the rich.  What I can see is the gap closing as Brasil is getting a middle class.  I go to the malls here and see the outrageous prices on things; I wonder who is it that is buying this stuff?  As far as I can tell, if you make $1200 reis a month you should be happy, however if you are a business owner here the sky is the limit but they will not pay the employees more than what they are used to.  It is confusing to me because when you eat out plan on dropping at least $60/meal.  If you want the extras in life you will pay for them, I think this is where it may get a little hairy for Rodrigo and me. I will say though you can get a massage for $15 and Pedi/Mani for less than $5.  Haven’t got one yet but it’s on my list.  Will this ever be a challenge, a Budget! F@%#!

Now, Let me take a minute and tell you what I saw at the mall yesterday;
Barney Dolly 10" tall, says a few words $129.00
Electronic Toys for Children under 2 like we would pay $35 for were $249
Pocket Knife $166 smallest version not a brand
A water bottle/ coffee holder- nice but not Starbucks nice $49
Cell phone service $91.00 for 100 minutes- seriously this is what we have

It is true that most items are made in Brasil and NOT imported from China, this is good and I think Brazilians have a few things in mind when they buy and sell.  1st I think they keep in mind how to stimulate their own economy.  2nd I think they have always had to think about TRASH~ Here the toilet paper is so thin that it sticks to you....yeah when you wipe.  Sucks!  The napkins are hard and feel like you are wiping with construction tissue paper.  The wet wipes for babies are the same and impossible to work with.  This is a problem because a lot of Brazilians are litter bugs.  I saw a lady driving a truck in Bumper to bumper traffic.  She just finished the last muscle relaxer...yeah I said muscle relaxer... And she threw it out the window.  I had to stare at it for 3 minutes in disbelief.  Just threw it out!  A plastic pill container, the kind that you pop a pill out of the foil backing- 6 pack.  One of the major problems here is lack of public education.  Not too long ago Brasil was ruled by a dictatorship and education was the least of the priorities.  It is so interesting because when I look out the window at the people as I am driving by them, they look just like Americans.  I think Brazil is at an amazing point in their history and I am happy to have the opportunity to be here emerged in their culture no matter how hard it can get for me at times.
If you are reading this you are always welcome for a visit, just wait till I have a home.