Jill In Brazil: Fly on the Wall

Jill In Brazil: Fly on the Wall: "I thought I would only stand out in China... but I stand out in Brasil too. The other day I went to fill a prescription for Ben at the Pharm..."

Jill In Brazil: Fly on the Wall

Jill In Brazil: Fly on the Wall: "I thought I would only stand out in China... but I stand out in Brasil too. The other day I went to fill a prescription for Ben at the Pharm..."

Fly on the Wall

I thought I would only stand out in China... but I stand out in Brasil too. The other day I went to fill a prescription for Ben at the Pharmacy and when I walked up to the front counter she said “How can I help you Jill?”  Then tonight the pizza place, the lady knew which street that I lived on and I have only been in there 2 times before.   Actually, this is quite a common occurrence in my neighborhood and places that I go.  So that is how Jill the American stands out but, the other way that I stand out to people whom I have not had contact with is by my clothes, the way I walk, and the fact that you can catch me from time to time eating pizza with my hands, sitting back with my feet up drinking a cerveja and by the style of my shoes.  This is how the American in me stands out; I guess they can see me coming a mile away.  Actually, I kind of like all of the stares, glares and whispers. 
Today a man came to the house selling Jesus.  I tried to tell him to come back when my husband was home but all he did was stare at me…right into my eyes.  I would stare back then say again what I said and again he would just stare into my eyes.  He was kind of a weathered man, homely, skinny and tall, but he was “smizing” to quote Tyra Banks (when you smile with your eyes), and he looked beautiful.  He did this about 4 times as he couldn’t hear me but I thought I was speaking clearly enough.  Then finally he left and gave me a pamphlet which the kids fought over for 5 minutes and called a “ticket”.  He didn’t come back maybe because he seemed very confused, if I could only be a Brazilian fly on the wall when he got back to where he came from.  A Brazilian Fly… because they speak Portuguese of course. 

Happy Monday! 

Shoppin!

Today we woke up at 10am, oh how I am going to miss these days.  I start back at school tomorrow at 5:30 am, and then we went to pick up Gabi and have lunch with Rodrigo’s family.  I love his moms cooking; it is so so so so good. 

On our way back we had to buy Ben some shoes for school, so we pulled off at Decathlon.  It is a store here in Brasil and it is just like Sports Authority in the U.S of A.  When I went in, it was so American.  So huge and full of sport stuff, expecting to see astronomical prices the first thing I noticed were Basketballs (rubber) for $13… What a deal.  “Mom, can I have one?  “Why Not?” I said excitedly.   Then we went to the shoe section, they were around $79-$129 or more but some were slashed in price to $34.  All I had to do was just go with the ones with a Blue logo and that was the color he wanted anyway.  Good Deal for Me!  The same shoes with the red and silver logo were $89. 

Two things I realized today about my Boy, he is starting to get stinky when he sweats and his shoe size is growing too fast.  He is in a size 2 for kids (U.S.) or a 33 (Brasil).  Whoa!!! Slow down Ben. 

Well after having luck in the shoe department, I thought I’d better take a look around... GO Shopping!     I haven’t been truly shopping with nothing in mind for 7 months.    Every time I have been shopping since arriving in Brasil was either for food or for something specific (house) that is usually to expensive anyway.  Well anyway, I was with Ben and Addisun; we walked every isle.  I wanted to find something little for Gabriela.  I found her a little cute pink & purple basketball for $6 and some little sandals for $10.  She was so excited when I got to the car and showed her the presents. 

As we were headed out there was this beautiful little doggie standing in the parking lot.  He was trying to bite everyone’s bags as they were walking out the door.  Crazy little dog, so it dawned on me that he might be hungry.  I had just the thing, since we had Rodrigo’s mom make a “Doggie Bag” for Bhellie Bell, I gave the food to the little guy instead.  I also had just bought a bottle of water so I took the tin foil and made a little water bowl for him.  While he was scarfing he snipped a couple of time at me as if I might try to take his food away.  Now he is probably sleeping right with a full belly somewhere. 

I felt great when I got into the car!  I got to go shopping, I got to buy the kids a little present and I got to help a little doggie.  What a day!  Now I am sitting with the kids on the couch tired as can be, we all are.  What a vacation, but glad it’s over.  J