Little Swim Shorts

Yesterday we celebrated another holiday, this time it was “Nossa Senora Aparecida” Day.  In other words…she is a Catholic Saint for Brazilian people but there is also National Children’s Day which we all actually celebrated… as it goes “another reason for spending money”.   

So, what did we do?  We took the kids to the pool and now we are free to go anytime for the next 6 months.  It wasn’t as easy as you would want to think it was.  First we had medical exams and then we tried to get in but had too much stuff and Bernard and Rodrigo were not allowed because they had on the wrong kind of swim shorts.  What are the right kinds you might ask?  Well in America they are known as speedos.  Yep, the boys had to go shopping and I waited and waited for them to come through the gates in their little Pants.  It was adorable and you know what?  It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be.  When there are a lot of them walking around it fits quite nicely.  I wonder if he will wear them on the beach.

Monday?? Tuesday???

I cant tell what day it is anymore... they are all starting to feel like Mondays.  I need more kisses and hugs. 

October June Bugs & Too Much Cerveja

Last night was so funny.  I was having drinks with my new friend and I noticed he had a spider landing in his hair.  It was a florescent green in color and I froze. 

Ok side note; you know those flying beetles?  Well, they are out right now.  We call them June bugs in the USA.  I get so scared of them because they are so heavy and when they fly around lights they are so crazy they just bounce off of the walls.  They make that tink, tink, clink sound as they are crazily trying to fly close to the light.  Well when I was little playing softball, I was always under those huge lights at the park and the bugs would hit me in the head and get caught in my hair and I would scream and jump while I tried to get the big hard bug out of my hair.  It was so traumatic. 

So, they are out here in Brasil and I just freeze.  “Get it, get it, it is going to hit me in the head”, l turn into a little kid.  So, when I saw the fluorescent green Spider in my friend’s hair I guess I did the same.  I just pointed at him and said the weirdest things, but I also did the craziest thing.  I was trying to get his hand and tell him to turn around so that I could hit the spider away with his own hand.  He was so confused at one point he turned around and waved at the waiter.  He had no clue what I was trying to do, I was saying bug and since he speaks Portuguese and he only knew spider in English.  It was so funny actually this was the first time we hung out having beers, so now he thinks I’m crazy.  Or really he is just starting to get to know me. 

Twas a great night, then Rodrigo & Tony showed up and a couple of Elian’s other friends but by that time, it was lights out for me.   

Clockwise!

One thing that I think is so crazy here in school is that I can’t do Counter clockwise... When we do a reading at school, it is so natural for my students to read in a counter clockwise circle. It drives me crazy, I only have one way to go and it is clockwise. Am I getting old or did we do this as students? I have no clue. Another thing we had to contemplate today was the Standard of living. The question was...What countries have a higher standard of living? What was interesting was that it made me think that most of the things that I miss most are associated with my standards of living that I completely took for granted in the States.  You know, like hot water at the sink, clothes dryer, dish washer and the almighty Bath Tub.  I don’t complain too loud because I know that these are luxury items here and I don’t want to sound too spoiled. But, damn I miss them!
Actually I am ready to go home. I need to desperately take a break, think, ponder and make some decisions. I just need to process this past year of my life and take it all in.  It has been so Amazing, Fun, Difficult and Crazy all at the same time. 
I have said it before but my first steps on American soil will look something like this; first I will go to eat breakfast, followed by a hot bath and a nap in my king sized bed and then when I get up, I am headed out for Mexican food with a huge side of Sour Cream.  Of course, I will be with my beloved family & friends…with the first hug going to little Jaxon.  I can’t wait to spoil him and introduce him again to his cousins.  I miss my home & I miss my Family & I miss my Homies. 

A Note from Mom... my hero!

Dear Jill. Your blog is coming from a pure heart with no judgment. Your writing fills me with emotion and I see the world as ONE. I am hearing your new and gentle attitude and so proud of you for having the courage to learn a new language and new culture. Again you are learning that we are different but still the same. I am very proud of you and even though you think that you have not changed, it is so obvious from your writings that you have!Love, mom