When it rains it pours

Ok, let’s just say we are having a complicated moment in our lives...again.   Life is good it is just sometimes you get a slap in the face and want to start planning the first plane trip out of here.   Obviously all problems are a matter of perspective so things could be worse.  However tomorrow at 10 am when I still don’t have my coffee it may be hard to convince me otherwise. 

So in the midst of a complicated shortfall of money situation and 10 days left before payday & a slew of things that need to be addressed; we find ourselves wondering for the first time in our lives…Gas, Medicine or Food?  I remember when I thought money problems were when I couldn’t afford to go to Vegas for our anniversary.  I guess I now know tough times Brazilian style and we are going to ride it out on beans and rice. 

Then, just as I am trying to think my way out of this situation I am also expecting a payday from a student and a really really important package in the mail.  So, I went off to work and later called Rodrigo “did the package arrive? What about the money?”    “No” and “No” and an “oh by the way the Banks and Post office are on strike”…. “So they are both closed?” Could things get economically worse today!  OH My GOD!!!  So no package and no extra money because of the strike, I asked the teachers at school when the strike might be over and all I got was.  “Oh, I don’t know….15 days or so” calmly without even batting an eye.   Hmmmm  K…  This is another one of those What the Fuck Moments.  Believe me I am trying to see the comical side of this situation.

Driving In Brasil

You know the interesting thing about driving a car in Brasil?  In America you have to watch the car in front of you, right?  Well in Brasil you have to watch the car in front, the car in back and the motorcycles on either side.   I am not scared to drive in Brasil, but I am a whole lot more cautious.

Graduation Night Party

In Brasil the most important day in one’s life is Graduation.  Truth of the matter is that if you don’t have a degree or two in Brasil, it is very difficult to get ahead.  It also guarantees that by law if you are arrested that you can ask for a special cell removed from the general population during a stay in prison.  But aside from the obvious reasons to go to school upon graduation… there is the Party.  Students save throughout the years for that special night that they get to share with their friends and family.   I believe the cost is around $2,000/student for a series of churrascos and then the Main Event, which we had the pleasure of attending last night.  I know a bit about this because a student of mine is on the committee for his graduating class and he is helping to plan the events; so when we were invited I knew that was a grand opportunity & honor. 

And that was that; full scale Graduation party.  I apologize for the picture quality now; as I was trying to get my camera to work I found out why…there were about 120 pictures that were taken one night by the children; and it dawned on me why Ben was telling me earlier that night that my camera was broken. 

You might find it interesting that the party actually started at 11pm and went till 5am.  When we first arrived they served appetizers and drinks and then the buffet was served at 2am.  However, by this time food was not important as this was when the music really started pumping. Brazilian parties start late and they go till minimum 4am. 

We told the Babysitter to let the kids fall asleep on their own and Amazingly, Bernard was still awake when we got home at 4am.  Crazy kids, however the plan worked and we all slept until 11am today. 

So, here you go. Thanks Again Alex! It was a time to Remember!

Here we are!

The Red Carpet

The Homies!

My Favorite Brazilian Beer!

Good Friends!

Good Times!

Probably time to go home, isn't he handsome!

Another Adventure Awaits

Tonight a friend of ours has invited us to his College Graduation Party.  In Brasil the students save all year or all of the years for this event.  It is a hold nothing back party and it is going to be amazing.  The event is catered, there is a wet bar, great music and it goes from 11am – 6am.  This is one of those Brazilian style parties that I know I am honored to attend.  The experience will be wonderful and I can’t wait to tell you more.  So, have a safe Saturday night and a lot of fun too… Cheers!

Lifes Lessons

What I have found is that when you are married and two lives are intertwined, and you are a bit of a control freak, it is hard to figure out who is supposed to learn what lesson. I seem to put it all on my back, probably just as a mother would. Then for the first time when I couldn’t solve a problem I took a step back and said... "I’ve done all I can, and this will have to be good enough; I can do no more” and had peace then miraculously, at the same time there was a breakthrough for us both. The problem came into focus with the solution at hand. Geez... I wish I would have learned this lesson 6 months ago...Ohhhh.  So, there were two lessons.