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!