When raising a child there are milestones that make you stop and think about your child when they were younger and how fast they are going up. For me milestones don't seem to be the usual thigs like learning to walk or first day of kindergarten. Those times were exciting, don't get me wrong, but they are exciting events. I seem to be struck by nostalgia with the unusual milestones.
Friday night was one such milestone for me. Gareth lost his last baby tooth. That is the last time the tooth fairy will sneak into his room, the last time he will wake up excited about the gold dollar that was under his pillow.
Thinking back about all the places that Gareth has lost a tooth was fun and sad. His first 6 teeth he had pulled because they would not fall out even though the adult tooth was growing in behind it. The first tooth he lost on his own he knocked out while diving behind our big chair in the living room during aneft war. Then came the tooth he lost at Oneok stadium in Tulsa during a baseball game. Eight teeth were lost while here in Brazil (1 at a middle Eastern restaurant during dinner, 1 at the beach, and 1 on the airlplane flying to the US) Another tooth was lost while in Houston to get our visa. The next to last tooth was pulled by Dr Todd in Broken Arrow since the adult tooth was once again missing the baby tooth. The final tooth was pulled by Gareth. He could not sleep, so he pulled his tooth while in bed and woke us up at 11 pm with a bloody mouth and wondering if the tooth fairy would still be able to come that night.
Now that I think about it the progress of losing teeth is on par with the chaos of our life. It is sad to see that part of our life come to an end, but I figure there is another stage that is beginning. Now on with the adventure of raising a child.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Back in Brazil
After a 5 week break in the US, we are now back in Salvador. Actually we have been back a week, but it has been a whirl wind week. We arrived on Friday, and John's boss came to stay with us on Sunday. Gareth began the fifth grade on Monday. The big excitement was the movers arrived with our container on Tuesday. John and his boss got to help with the movers for a few hours before they had to fly to Mossoro for 10 days. Thus I have spent the last 4 days unpacking boxes. I am down to the boxes that John needs to unpack. All the others are completed. I still have clutter to put up, but the boxes are empty.
Today I have been just relaxing. It has been rather nice. The temperature is like a nice May day in Oklahoma. I have 2 loads of laundry on the line drying in the sunny breeze. This morning I made mango juice, pineapple juice, and passion fruit juice in my new juicer. I also made a nice salsa. THe kitchen is still small and the counter space is way to little, but having some of my favorite kitchen tools makes cooking so much more enjoyable.
I took a little time while Gareth and friends were playing to relax in green patio chairs my parents gave us for Easter one year. They are perfect for our pool area. I know laying out is a no no these days, but it sure feels nice to sit the in sun with a warm breeze blowing in the palm trees while reading a good book.
Being back in Brazil is feeling like being at home again.
Today I have been just relaxing. It has been rather nice. The temperature is like a nice May day in Oklahoma. I have 2 loads of laundry on the line drying in the sunny breeze. This morning I made mango juice, pineapple juice, and passion fruit juice in my new juicer. I also made a nice salsa. THe kitchen is still small and the counter space is way to little, but having some of my favorite kitchen tools makes cooking so much more enjoyable.
I took a little time while Gareth and friends were playing to relax in green patio chairs my parents gave us for Easter one year. They are perfect for our pool area. I know laying out is a no no these days, but it sure feels nice to sit the in sun with a warm breeze blowing in the palm trees while reading a good book.
Being back in Brazil is feeling like being at home again.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Winter/Summer Break
On June 19th Gareth and I flew back to the U.S. for 5 weeks. It is actually winter in Brazil, so they call it a winter break. But for us who are going back to 100 degree it, it is summer. We are using my parents house in Mississippi as our home base, but we will doing some traveling around including going back to Tulsa to see friends and doctors.
We have now been here a week and wow has time flown. We are slowly seeing people that are in our lives, but we have also just been taking it slow. The first couple of days, I did a mad dash through stores buying summer clothes for us all before they all gone. Gareth was going to need shorts to last until next spring, so I had to buy things in multiple sizes.
It is interesting to see how much we have become Brazilian. I noticed yesterday when Gareth was handed a spoon at the Chinese restaurant he said obrigado which mean thank you in Portuguese. He did not realize it, and I did not mention it to him. I find myself doing the same thing. I also miss the fruits and veggies we enjoy in Brazil. So many of our meals are more than half fruits and veggies, not the case here. I am having to watch what I eat as American food does not agree with me as well as it used to.
I will enjoy every minute of this trip to my childhood home, but I feel that we have a home in Brazil also.
We have now been here a week and wow has time flown. We are slowly seeing people that are in our lives, but we have also just been taking it slow. The first couple of days, I did a mad dash through stores buying summer clothes for us all before they all gone. Gareth was going to need shorts to last until next spring, so I had to buy things in multiple sizes.
It is interesting to see how much we have become Brazilian. I noticed yesterday when Gareth was handed a spoon at the Chinese restaurant he said obrigado which mean thank you in Portuguese. He did not realize it, and I did not mention it to him. I find myself doing the same thing. I also miss the fruits and veggies we enjoy in Brazil. So many of our meals are more than half fruits and veggies, not the case here. I am having to watch what I eat as American food does not agree with me as well as it used to.
I will enjoy every minute of this trip to my childhood home, but I feel that we have a home in Brazil also.
Festas de Sao Joao
The festival of Saint John is how it translates is actually on June 24th. Here is Salvador is seems to be celebrated all month long. The celebration is bigger here than Christmas. I have received many explanations of this celebration from a harvest festival, to Saint John performing a wedding, to a bandit that stole from the rich and helped the poor. The purpose in the festival seems to have gotten a little lost to this outsider.
Even though no one gives me the same answer of why they are celebrating, the festivities are very fun. At the beginning of June many streets, stores, and houses were decorated with strings of little colorful flags and kites. Fireworks stands started popping like mushrooms, as well, as places selling firewood stacks for bonfires. So far we have attended 3 parties. At the parties everyone dresses up like country people in plaid shirts, tattered pants with patches, and straw hats. There are usually at least one band that plays the Brazilian very of country music. We eat corn on the cob, boiled peanuts, a cake made of corn meal, and grilled meat on sticks.
This year we were around for the first 2 weeks of Sao Joao, so we only got to catch the beginning of the excitement before we flew home for winter break. Next year, it might be worth staying in town to experience the festival.
Even though no one gives me the same answer of why they are celebrating, the festivities are very fun. At the beginning of June many streets, stores, and houses were decorated with strings of little colorful flags and kites. Fireworks stands started popping like mushrooms, as well, as places selling firewood stacks for bonfires. So far we have attended 3 parties. At the parties everyone dresses up like country people in plaid shirts, tattered pants with patches, and straw hats. There are usually at least one band that plays the Brazilian very of country music. We eat corn on the cob, boiled peanuts, a cake made of corn meal, and grilled meat on sticks.
This year we were around for the first 2 weeks of Sao Joao, so we only got to catch the beginning of the excitement before we flew home for winter break. Next year, it might be worth staying in town to experience the festival.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Last Day of School
Gareth finished fourth grade on Friday. This is a huge milestone for him as well as for us as a family. When Gareth began this semester he knew no one at school, we barely knew how to drive to school, we had no clue where to buy our groceries, and most improtantly how to communicate with Brailians.
At breakfast I asked him if he enjoyed it here at school. He paused and said that yes he liked HIS school. That one word means soo much. It made me teary. His road from it being the American school to it being his school was very bumpy but not worth dwelling on. He has found a way to fit in and belong. Does he have tons of friends and is always smiling when I pick him up, no. But in 6 weeks when he begins 5th grade, he now has a foot hold, people he likes and likes him, and a desire to go. Best of all he finished the semester with 3 A's, 1 A-, and a B. That is more than I expected, but I am very proud of him.
After I returned from dropping Gareth off from school, I paused on the outside stair landing to watch the monkeys play in the banana and papaya trees. I was thinking about him saying it was now his school. I realized this is now my home too. I now know where I like to shop for food, I have learned how to relax and trying to do anything, I have learned to accept most of the creepy crawlies and flying things that are in and out of our house, I have made some amazing friends, and have found my comfort here.
As I watch Gareth splashing in the indoor jacuzzi (the pool is a little chilly this time of year without the heat pump on) I realize life is good.
At breakfast I asked him if he enjoyed it here at school. He paused and said that yes he liked HIS school. That one word means soo much. It made me teary. His road from it being the American school to it being his school was very bumpy but not worth dwelling on. He has found a way to fit in and belong. Does he have tons of friends and is always smiling when I pick him up, no. But in 6 weeks when he begins 5th grade, he now has a foot hold, people he likes and likes him, and a desire to go. Best of all he finished the semester with 3 A's, 1 A-, and a B. That is more than I expected, but I am very proud of him.
After I returned from dropping Gareth off from school, I paused on the outside stair landing to watch the monkeys play in the banana and papaya trees. I was thinking about him saying it was now his school. I realized this is now my home too. I now know where I like to shop for food, I have learned how to relax and trying to do anything, I have learned to accept most of the creepy crawlies and flying things that are in and out of our house, I have made some amazing friends, and have found my comfort here.
As I watch Gareth splashing in the indoor jacuzzi (the pool is a little chilly this time of year without the heat pump on) I realize life is good.
Monday, June 4, 2012
I went shopping
Today and friend and I took her driver and went to Porto Sauipe, about an hour north of Lauro Frietas. We were on a mission to find the basket and rug store. This town is Mayberry size. We had to ask 3 people where to go. Once we found the location, it was not open. So a man on the street told us where the owner's house was, and we went to her house. She walked to the store and opened for us.
I have seen baskets and rugs made of palm fronds and ocean reeds before. What I like about her pieces is the color. She has the blood red, royal blue, hot pink, and a true black. We found out that her whole family does this as their living. Their prices were fabulous. I bought 4 neat pieces including a big basket. I also ordered a large carpet of cream, dark brown, and red. My carpet will be about $50 US and be ready in 4 days. It would take me 6 months to make something this size. I am very excited to go back and pick it up.
I was overwhelmed about all the choices of bags and purses. When I go back I will buy more pieces now that I have a a better idea of what is available.
I have seen baskets and rugs made of palm fronds and ocean reeds before. What I like about her pieces is the color. She has the blood red, royal blue, hot pink, and a true black. We found out that her whole family does this as their living. Their prices were fabulous. I bought 4 neat pieces including a big basket. I also ordered a large carpet of cream, dark brown, and red. My carpet will be about $50 US and be ready in 4 days. It would take me 6 months to make something this size. I am very excited to go back and pick it up.
Fun Weekend
This past week-end we were the such the social butterflies. John and I went to 2 parties, and Gareth went to a party and a sleep over. The events were very fun. It is interesting to me to see how different places have fun different ways, but it ends up being about socializing and friendships.
Let me explain further. The parties here are soo much more dressy than I am used to. The dress I wore to the party Saturday night that was an out door party was defintely contail if not pushing semi formal. To the day time party, I wore a very nice dress. The clothes were different than the parties we attended in Oklahoma. The food and wine is more formal. But the conversation, the laughing, the great memories that are made are the same. No matter where we live in the world, is a nice feeling to be able to enjoy other people.
Let me explain further. The parties here are soo much more dressy than I am used to. The dress I wore to the party Saturday night that was an out door party was defintely contail if not pushing semi formal. To the day time party, I wore a very nice dress. The clothes were different than the parties we attended in Oklahoma. The food and wine is more formal. But the conversation, the laughing, the great memories that are made are the same. No matter where we live in the world, is a nice feeling to be able to enjoy other people.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
On the internet again
Saying that reminds me of the Johnny Cash song "Oh the Road Again." That is what having the internet here feels like to me. Here in Brazil there is not a person I know that does not have problems with one utility or another. I am very forunate. Without internt my life is not as comfortable, but some of my friends have problems with water or eletricity. Compared to them, not having internet for the last 5 days is nothing.
In a way it is nice. From the internt we get contact with the rest of our family through skype (I do miss that alot). On the other hand we get our knowledge of the happenings in Syria, or the child thrown from the back of truck in Oklahoma while the driver talked on the phone. I don't miss that. We also get our TV and netflix from the internet. I do love TV, but without it basically the last 5 months has been fun in my family.
Without TV we have Skipbo or UNO tournaments. Gareth is reading tons, and his reading level has gone up 3 grades. We play in the pool as a family. There is just more time for us together. We are making memories. Don't get me wrong, the minute we can get netflix Gareth and I will be catching up on our favorite shows together. (John does not appreciate our choices of Disney teen shows).
Let's see how long we have it this time. Longest stretch is 10 days. Shortest is 4 hours.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
The sun is back
A week ago Monday the rainy season started. It was really like one day it was sunny and the next day the rain started. IT started with a vengance. The first day I got to see how bad the streets flood. In the US you always hear don't drive through water you can not see the bottom of. Well I can tell you I am now an expert of driving in water that is well higher than my knees. When the 5 lane road floods, and if you do not drive through you will not get home, and everyone else is doing it, you drive through it too.
I have also learned that clothes just do not dry during raining season even when they are under a covered area. The air is just too damp. Gareth wears a uniform to school. We own 3 sets. There are 5 days in a week. Thus I have gotten very creative at draping clothes on our handrails of our stair cases. Our house during the rainy days looks like hill billy haven with clothes draper over the railing and towels at all the doors to keeps the wet out.
The biggest glitch in rainy season is our hot water. We have a cool huge set of solar panels that heat our water and help with the lights. The lights were just fine as the eletricity just kicked. The hot water did not go so well. The day rainy season start my hot water temp read 59.9C on the gauge. This morning is read 29.4C That is cold. Needless to say bare minimum shower for me.
In all honesty so far rainy season has not been bad for me. OK everything was wet for 10 days. My legs have not been shaved in 5 days. I hair has looked like a wet dog for 10 days. The rainy days made me appreciate today which has been all sun soo much more. Oh and the hot water is up to 39.6C. I might sun tea tomorrow.
I have also learned that clothes just do not dry during raining season even when they are under a covered area. The air is just too damp. Gareth wears a uniform to school. We own 3 sets. There are 5 days in a week. Thus I have gotten very creative at draping clothes on our handrails of our stair cases. Our house during the rainy days looks like hill billy haven with clothes draper over the railing and towels at all the doors to keeps the wet out.
The biggest glitch in rainy season is our hot water. We have a cool huge set of solar panels that heat our water and help with the lights. The lights were just fine as the eletricity just kicked. The hot water did not go so well. The day rainy season start my hot water temp read 59.9C on the gauge. This morning is read 29.4C That is cold. Needless to say bare minimum shower for me.
In all honesty so far rainy season has not been bad for me. OK everything was wet for 10 days. My legs have not been shaved in 5 days. I hair has looked like a wet dog for 10 days. The rainy days made me appreciate today which has been all sun soo much more. Oh and the hot water is up to 39.6C. I might sun tea tomorrow.
A very good week-end
This is a blog entry that I wrote at the end of March, but I forgot to post.
As I am watching the sun set over the ocean, I was just thinking that this is one of those just good week-ends. Gareth actually went to school a full week last week. This is the first full week since school began in January.
He was invited to his first Birthday party down here for Friday. At first he did not want to go, as the party was for a girl. After a little nudging he decided he would go as long as I took him. I do have to say that Brazil parties are definetely different than parties in the US. To begin with the party was right after schoool, so the family rented vans to take kids from the school to their apartment where the party was held. I drove Gareth. When we arrived we were told that the party was a very simple American style party. They had reneted an inflatable soccer pitch that was filled with soap and water for the kids to slide and play in. The kids also had a real soccer field and an Olympic size pool to swim in. They also has hired a vendor style cart to serve hot dogs and crepes on sticks filled with cheese and ham. There was a bar set up serving all type of soft drinks and juices. There was a huge tables full of large bowls of all type of candies. The birthday cake was bigger than my husband's grooms cake and was decorated with all types of sugared fruit and and bite sized chocolates. There was also a hired DJ and a dance floored layed. All for 20 ten year old kids. I planned on dropping thr kids of, but once I met the parents, I decided to stay and socialze also. As we were leaving Gareth said he was glad he went as he made more new friends. I was glad I got to go too.
Saturday was Field Day at school. Just as the party was over the top, Field day was also. Hired bands, great food for sale including cotten candy and also lots of soft drink as it was very hot. All during the day there were exhibitions from the policeK9 units, to martial arts, a semi professional soccer team. Plus our own soccer teamplayed on our soccer field. John was able to join us, so he got to meet many of the wives I talk about. Plus he got to meet some of the guys whihc he has not be able to do as of yet.
As I am watching the sun set over the ocean, I was just thinking that this is one of those just good week-ends. Gareth actually went to school a full week last week. This is the first full week since school began in January.
He was invited to his first Birthday party down here for Friday. At first he did not want to go, as the party was for a girl. After a little nudging he decided he would go as long as I took him. I do have to say that Brazil parties are definetely different than parties in the US. To begin with the party was right after schoool, so the family rented vans to take kids from the school to their apartment where the party was held. I drove Gareth. When we arrived we were told that the party was a very simple American style party. They had reneted an inflatable soccer pitch that was filled with soap and water for the kids to slide and play in. The kids also had a real soccer field and an Olympic size pool to swim in. They also has hired a vendor style cart to serve hot dogs and crepes on sticks filled with cheese and ham. There was a bar set up serving all type of soft drinks and juices. There was a huge tables full of large bowls of all type of candies. The birthday cake was bigger than my husband's grooms cake and was decorated with all types of sugared fruit and and bite sized chocolates. There was also a hired DJ and a dance floored layed. All for 20 ten year old kids. I planned on dropping thr kids of, but once I met the parents, I decided to stay and socialze also. As we were leaving Gareth said he was glad he went as he made more new friends. I was glad I got to go too.
Saturday was Field Day at school. Just as the party was over the top, Field day was also. Hired bands, great food for sale including cotten candy and also lots of soft drink as it was very hot. All during the day there were exhibitions from the policeK9 units, to martial arts, a semi professional soccer team. Plus our own soccer teamplayed on our soccer field. John was able to join us, so he got to meet many of the wives I talk about. Plus he got to meet some of the guys whihc he has not be able to do as of yet.
Sorry for the Break in Writing
I need to apologize for the last several weeks of not writing on my blog. I really had not realized how long it had been since I had written. I guess I have just gotten adjusted to the Brazilian way of life. Down here life just moves sooo much slower and eveything takes sooo much longer. In the beginning of living here I tried to live my life like I did in the US, always attached to my cell phone and the computer. Down here I had to take a really big breath, slow down, expect things to just take longer , and just learn to slow down. There are now days I don't check my e-mail all day. I am going to get better about blogging. We shall see how it goes.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Trip to Praia Forte
Yesterday we decided to visit Praia Forte (Strong Beach). It is ahour hour north of where we live. The elite of Savador have week-end houses there. Our main reason for going was to visit Project Tamar, a turtle farm. We took along our swim gear in case we wanted to try out the beach.
The drive up was very nice. It reminds me alot of driving toward the Keys in Florida. The town of Praia Forte was very nice. It is quaint without being touristy, even though it is obvious that this town survives off tourist.
Project Tamar is well worth explaining. It was started 30 years ago. I have been to turtle farms in many countries. The lay out of this one was probably one of the nicest I have been to. There alot of Palm trees, and it is located right on the beach. What really imspressed me was the level of education that is included in this project. From the very beginning the Tamar Project realized that the protection of the turtles would only be successful with the support of the locals who lived off the goods from the beach and ocean. They showed the locals how much they could make from ecotourism. They also built the area around the aquariums where the locals sell everything from coconut bars, braided bracelets, and toys made from bamboo. It is really a win win situation.
Once we finished touring the turtel farm, we went through the shops that are of the area. I bought a key ring to use as an ornament for our Christmas tree. I also found a really neat lounge dress. It is made of what I would call indian cotton and has delicate lace in set in the body. The finishing touch are the green buterflies that are stitched on the cotton. Can you tell I love it? I will be making a trip back near the time to go home to buy some to give away as souveniours. Gareth bought a rattle stick from a teen age boy. The neat part was how proud this kid was of his work. He explained to us exactly how he hollowed out the bamboo stick, then filled it with little pieces of rock. Finally he burned the images and the words Praia Forte into the wood. I bought another ornament from him, to support someone who is working hard.
We got hungry in our wandering and stopped a really neat restaurant called Terra Brazil for lunch. John and I got fabulous shrimp. Gareth was sooo excited when he saw the last page of the menu. They had chicken nuggets. They were usually served on a bed of spaghetti with red sauce, but they were willing to serve them American style with French fries and ketchup. I have to say these were amazing chicken nuggets made of real chicken breast and crusted with parmagnan and herb breading. But as long as they called them chicken nuggets, he was more than happy.
The only disappointment to us was the beach. The sand was pretty, but there was a rock barriors about 40 yards from the beach. This made the waves that came to shore ankle height. The beach was super crowded with umbrellas. We all concluded we like our beach in Stella Maris better. Our waves get as much as 8 ft high on windy days but are always at least 4 feet. We also have the beach vendors and the rental umbrellas but not near as many people. For people who are from the south, it was like comparing going to the Gulf of Mexico versus the Atlantic Ocean side of Florida. We decided to come home and go to our beach.
Gareth carried his new boogey board to the beach. He had never used one in waves this big and was a little timid. Once John went out to about thigh high water and I was set up where the waves met the beach, Gareth started to relax. He ate waves for a while until he got the rhythm of the biggers waves, but soon he was having fun riding. It got dark before he wanted to get out to the beginning of the waves, so we will have to try that next week-end.
The drive up was very nice. It reminds me alot of driving toward the Keys in Florida. The town of Praia Forte was very nice. It is quaint without being touristy, even though it is obvious that this town survives off tourist.
Project Tamar is well worth explaining. It was started 30 years ago. I have been to turtle farms in many countries. The lay out of this one was probably one of the nicest I have been to. There alot of Palm trees, and it is located right on the beach. What really imspressed me was the level of education that is included in this project. From the very beginning the Tamar Project realized that the protection of the turtles would only be successful with the support of the locals who lived off the goods from the beach and ocean. They showed the locals how much they could make from ecotourism. They also built the area around the aquariums where the locals sell everything from coconut bars, braided bracelets, and toys made from bamboo. It is really a win win situation.
Once we finished touring the turtel farm, we went through the shops that are of the area. I bought a key ring to use as an ornament for our Christmas tree. I also found a really neat lounge dress. It is made of what I would call indian cotton and has delicate lace in set in the body. The finishing touch are the green buterflies that are stitched on the cotton. Can you tell I love it? I will be making a trip back near the time to go home to buy some to give away as souveniours. Gareth bought a rattle stick from a teen age boy. The neat part was how proud this kid was of his work. He explained to us exactly how he hollowed out the bamboo stick, then filled it with little pieces of rock. Finally he burned the images and the words Praia Forte into the wood. I bought another ornament from him, to support someone who is working hard.
We got hungry in our wandering and stopped a really neat restaurant called Terra Brazil for lunch. John and I got fabulous shrimp. Gareth was sooo excited when he saw the last page of the menu. They had chicken nuggets. They were usually served on a bed of spaghetti with red sauce, but they were willing to serve them American style with French fries and ketchup. I have to say these were amazing chicken nuggets made of real chicken breast and crusted with parmagnan and herb breading. But as long as they called them chicken nuggets, he was more than happy.
The only disappointment to us was the beach. The sand was pretty, but there was a rock barriors about 40 yards from the beach. This made the waves that came to shore ankle height. The beach was super crowded with umbrellas. We all concluded we like our beach in Stella Maris better. Our waves get as much as 8 ft high on windy days but are always at least 4 feet. We also have the beach vendors and the rental umbrellas but not near as many people. For people who are from the south, it was like comparing going to the Gulf of Mexico versus the Atlantic Ocean side of Florida. We decided to come home and go to our beach.
Gareth carried his new boogey board to the beach. He had never used one in waves this big and was a little timid. Once John went out to about thigh high water and I was set up where the waves met the beach, Gareth started to relax. He ate waves for a while until he got the rhythm of the biggers waves, but soon he was having fun riding. It got dark before he wanted to get out to the beginning of the waves, so we will have to try that next week-end.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
One Month is our new city
In the last month I have learned sooo much about myself, my family, my child, and my new home city.
I have learned that in Salvador, I do need to know the language, but I can function OK without it. The need to do better than OK is the reason I have lessons with a private tutor 3 days a week for 3 hours each. I have learned that you can actually sweat 24 hours a day and not die of dehydration. I have learned that ants are the unoffical state creature of Salvador (we have 8 different types in our house). Thus the state past time is killing ants. I have learned for me the best by far cure for insomnia is standing on my deck in the wee hours of the night: looking at all the stars twinkling, listening the the waves hit the beach and the wind moving the palm fronds, and smelling the salt air. I have learned I remember how to cook popcorn on a stove and how to boil a hot dog. I have learned that pigeons are dumb messy birds that drink pool water, but have definite personalities. I have learned that this paradise is far from perfect, but is good enough for me.
I have learned so much about my child. Gareth has been an unique individual since the moment I knew he existed. I have learned to expect the unexpected from him. I also have learned over the years that I can never really know what he is thinking. I have also learned that he will always teach me something new about the really imprtant things in life.
I was worried about how this move would affect him. We tried so hard to educate him about what life would like here; as well as, have him involved in the process/decision to move here. With that said until we were here, there was just no way for him to understand. He is like me in that he needs friends. I was worried about that with the language difference. He doesn't like to stand out, it embarreses him, so I was worried about how he would feel being the new kid in school. I was just plain worried like a mom does.
Gareth has done better than expected. Even though many of the kids speak Portuguese outside the class, he has still been able to make a few friends. I feel that once we are back to actaully being in school for an extended period that will get even better. His love of soccer has just exploded and his skills and the aggressiveness that he lacked in the States has just taken off. (I guess that is what happens when you play soccer 3 times a day at school). He has found ways to find the fun in the worst situations. For example the day I said he did not have to go to school becuase of the strike, and we could not go to the movies as planned. He was excited that he got to stay in his underwear all day, and didn't see a reason to take a shower.
Emotionally is really how Gareth has blown me away. There have been momemts of tears where he has missed his friends and Tulsa . We had some really hard nights where he missed his dad while John was in Houston. During those times of holding him while he cried, he has shown me how neat of a person he is. One night when he wss upset, I told him it was OK to cry. He responded, "I know. Brave men show their emotions." Another time I asked if he wanted to go home, meaning back to Tulsa. He responded, "You and dad are here. We are home." A final blow me away away moment. We were sitting on the deck, and Gareth wasstaring out over the pool but with that look for staring in space. I asked what he was thinking He said that living here was one of the best things he has gotten to do. I thought he was just giving me a line to get me to leave him alone. But I asked why did he think that. He said that at our apartment we did not have alot of stuff since ours is not here and we did not have alot things to go and do, so we got to just be a family alot and he liked that. He did follow up by asking when would his legos and wii get to Salvador.
As Siliva finishes making breakfast of eggs, pancakes, and fresh mango juice, I just think how we are definitely on a roller coaster ride. There are going to be some great ups and some big downs. All in all I think we are going to enjoy the ride.
I have learned that in Salvador, I do need to know the language, but I can function OK without it. The need to do better than OK is the reason I have lessons with a private tutor 3 days a week for 3 hours each. I have learned that you can actually sweat 24 hours a day and not die of dehydration. I have learned that ants are the unoffical state creature of Salvador (we have 8 different types in our house). Thus the state past time is killing ants. I have learned for me the best by far cure for insomnia is standing on my deck in the wee hours of the night: looking at all the stars twinkling, listening the the waves hit the beach and the wind moving the palm fronds, and smelling the salt air. I have learned I remember how to cook popcorn on a stove and how to boil a hot dog. I have learned that pigeons are dumb messy birds that drink pool water, but have definite personalities. I have learned that this paradise is far from perfect, but is good enough for me.
I have learned so much about my child. Gareth has been an unique individual since the moment I knew he existed. I have learned to expect the unexpected from him. I also have learned over the years that I can never really know what he is thinking. I have also learned that he will always teach me something new about the really imprtant things in life.
I was worried about how this move would affect him. We tried so hard to educate him about what life would like here; as well as, have him involved in the process/decision to move here. With that said until we were here, there was just no way for him to understand. He is like me in that he needs friends. I was worried about that with the language difference. He doesn't like to stand out, it embarreses him, so I was worried about how he would feel being the new kid in school. I was just plain worried like a mom does.
Gareth has done better than expected. Even though many of the kids speak Portuguese outside the class, he has still been able to make a few friends. I feel that once we are back to actaully being in school for an extended period that will get even better. His love of soccer has just exploded and his skills and the aggressiveness that he lacked in the States has just taken off. (I guess that is what happens when you play soccer 3 times a day at school). He has found ways to find the fun in the worst situations. For example the day I said he did not have to go to school becuase of the strike, and we could not go to the movies as planned. He was excited that he got to stay in his underwear all day, and didn't see a reason to take a shower.
Emotionally is really how Gareth has blown me away. There have been momemts of tears where he has missed his friends and Tulsa . We had some really hard nights where he missed his dad while John was in Houston. During those times of holding him while he cried, he has shown me how neat of a person he is. One night when he wss upset, I told him it was OK to cry. He responded, "I know. Brave men show their emotions." Another time I asked if he wanted to go home, meaning back to Tulsa. He responded, "You and dad are here. We are home." A final blow me away away moment. We were sitting on the deck, and Gareth wasstaring out over the pool but with that look for staring in space. I asked what he was thinking He said that living here was one of the best things he has gotten to do. I thought he was just giving me a line to get me to leave him alone. But I asked why did he think that. He said that at our apartment we did not have alot of stuff since ours is not here and we did not have alot things to go and do, so we got to just be a family alot and he liked that. He did follow up by asking when would his legos and wii get to Salvador.
As Siliva finishes making breakfast of eggs, pancakes, and fresh mango juice, I just think how we are definitely on a roller coaster ride. There are going to be some great ups and some big downs. All in all I think we are going to enjoy the ride.
The gecko saga continues
This is a post I placed on facebook that began the saga.
My child has just announced he will be sleeping on the couch tonight. It seems that a gecko climbed in his open window and scurried under his chest of drawers. I figured with all the rain the last few days, the thing was about drowned. My response of "You should be happy to have the gecko. He can eat all the bugs that are hiding in your room." didn't help. Of course John is out of town today. Every creature event we have had, he has been out of town. Any suggestions on trapping a 3 to 4 inch gecko?
This is the next and hopefully last installment
Gareth and I had a little surprise on Sunday evening in his room. Gareth exclaims "Something is wrong with Fred?" My first thoughts are Fred, Fred who. Gareth then explains Fred is the gecko that has been protecting his room since Fred moved in. Great now the gecko that rain him out of his room has a name. What was wrong with Fred was that he was dead as a door nail, flipped on his back, with his little gecko feet sticking straight out. If you held Fred out by his half tail, then he would stick out like a correctly cooked piece of bacon. If I alone had found Fred, Fred and a piece of toilet paper would have gone out the open window. But no, WE found Fred. Thus We now have an adventure.
I am learning restraint in speaking my thoughts in my aging, so I asked Gareth what he thought we should do with the gecko. Gareth responded that we needed to bury Fred at the beach. Why the beach I asked. Gareth responded that since Fred had lived his whole life so close but never got to go, that needed to be his finaly resting place. Great.
We have deleveloped a relationship with 3 older fisherman on our beach. Every day that we go down to the beach they stare at us. I say good mornig in Portuguese, and they stare at use like we have 2 heads. We do something very gringo in nature, they laugh at us. When we leave I say good bye and they stare at us again. I could just see their faces when we dig a very deep hole and hold a funeral on the beach for a gecko.
In my brain I am trying to be a good mom, but at the same time trying to figure out a way to get out of a funeral. First I explain that I don't think we have a casket for Fred. Gareth responds that we have Ziplocs, my precious Ziplocs, would work wonderfully.
Anyone who knows me well knows I love Ziplocs. I use them for everything. I just knew that there would be some type of ziplocish bag down here. NO. NONE. Has to brought fro the US. When John went to Houston I had Lots of Ziplocs in all sizes on his list. He was walking distance to a Sam's. I figured he knew what lots meant. Nope. He bought 1 small box each of 2 sizes, not even freezer style. Needless to say I use them very sparingly, and holding a gecko was not my choice of of a use for one of my special ziplocs.
Being the giving mother I try to be. I was finally to adjusted to the idea that Fred could spend his after life eternal (because you know that nothing goes bad in a ziploc) in a ziploc. Next question was where could Fred stay until the next day since I was not going to the beach at night to bury a gecko. Gareth quickly responded that Fred should be stored in a morgue. Great just what we have tons of here in Brazil, pet morgues. Expecially since I know how to say morgue in Portuguese, yeah right. After some thought and some analysis, Gareth decided that our freezer was the right temperature to maintain and acceptable body temperature of Fred's body so it would not decay. But the proper spot was on top of a hard lump in the freezer (the file mignon I have bought the day before). Thank goodness Fred is in a ziploc.
So after using some tongs to gently pick up Fred, I placed him in a ziploc that Gareth was holding that was lined at the bottom with our best toilet paper, definitely not Charmin here. He was then placed in the freezer to await burial.
The next morning arose and Gareth decided to watch Men in Black, one of the movies John borught back to us) with a litle encouragement from Mom of breakfast and a movie. I did not mention Fred, nor did I even open the freezer while Gareth was in the kitchen. Monday passed with not mention of Fred, thank goodness for short memories. As of this moment Fred is still resting on my beef. If we have not had to suffer through a funeral by next Monday, Fred will be going to the resting place of unclaimed geckoes, the garbage dumpster. Oh and he can keep the ziploc.
My child has just announced he will be sleeping on the couch tonight. It seems that a gecko climbed in his open window and scurried under his chest of drawers. I figured with all the rain the last few days, the thing was about drowned. My response of "You should be happy to have the gecko. He can eat all the bugs that are hiding in your room." didn't help. Of course John is out of town today. Every creature event we have had, he has been out of town. Any suggestions on trapping a 3 to 4 inch gecko?
This is the next and hopefully last installment
Gareth and I had a little surprise on Sunday evening in his room. Gareth exclaims "Something is wrong with Fred?" My first thoughts are Fred, Fred who. Gareth then explains Fred is the gecko that has been protecting his room since Fred moved in. Great now the gecko that rain him out of his room has a name. What was wrong with Fred was that he was dead as a door nail, flipped on his back, with his little gecko feet sticking straight out. If you held Fred out by his half tail, then he would stick out like a correctly cooked piece of bacon. If I alone had found Fred, Fred and a piece of toilet paper would have gone out the open window. But no, WE found Fred. Thus We now have an adventure.
I am learning restraint in speaking my thoughts in my aging, so I asked Gareth what he thought we should do with the gecko. Gareth responded that we needed to bury Fred at the beach. Why the beach I asked. Gareth responded that since Fred had lived his whole life so close but never got to go, that needed to be his finaly resting place. Great.
We have deleveloped a relationship with 3 older fisherman on our beach. Every day that we go down to the beach they stare at us. I say good mornig in Portuguese, and they stare at use like we have 2 heads. We do something very gringo in nature, they laugh at us. When we leave I say good bye and they stare at us again. I could just see their faces when we dig a very deep hole and hold a funeral on the beach for a gecko.
In my brain I am trying to be a good mom, but at the same time trying to figure out a way to get out of a funeral. First I explain that I don't think we have a casket for Fred. Gareth responds that we have Ziplocs, my precious Ziplocs, would work wonderfully.
Anyone who knows me well knows I love Ziplocs. I use them for everything. I just knew that there would be some type of ziplocish bag down here. NO. NONE. Has to brought fro the US. When John went to Houston I had Lots of Ziplocs in all sizes on his list. He was walking distance to a Sam's. I figured he knew what lots meant. Nope. He bought 1 small box each of 2 sizes, not even freezer style. Needless to say I use them very sparingly, and holding a gecko was not my choice of of a use for one of my special ziplocs.
Being the giving mother I try to be. I was finally to adjusted to the idea that Fred could spend his after life eternal (because you know that nothing goes bad in a ziploc) in a ziploc. Next question was where could Fred stay until the next day since I was not going to the beach at night to bury a gecko. Gareth quickly responded that Fred should be stored in a morgue. Great just what we have tons of here in Brazil, pet morgues. Expecially since I know how to say morgue in Portuguese, yeah right. After some thought and some analysis, Gareth decided that our freezer was the right temperature to maintain and acceptable body temperature of Fred's body so it would not decay. But the proper spot was on top of a hard lump in the freezer (the file mignon I have bought the day before). Thank goodness Fred is in a ziploc.
So after using some tongs to gently pick up Fred, I placed him in a ziploc that Gareth was holding that was lined at the bottom with our best toilet paper, definitely not Charmin here. He was then placed in the freezer to await burial.
The next morning arose and Gareth decided to watch Men in Black, one of the movies John borught back to us) with a litle encouragement from Mom of breakfast and a movie. I did not mention Fred, nor did I even open the freezer while Gareth was in the kitchen. Monday passed with not mention of Fred, thank goodness for short memories. As of this moment Fred is still resting on my beef. If we have not had to suffer through a funeral by next Monday, Fred will be going to the resting place of unclaimed geckoes, the garbage dumpster. Oh and he can keep the ziploc.
Friday, February 10, 2012
An unexpectedly good day
I started today being pouty and whiny. (Please remember that I am 4 hours ahead of the U.S., so now is night for me. A night full of an ocean breeze swaying the hammock that I am sitting in, the sound the ocean as the waves come ashore, and the stars shining bright.) After a 3 hour Portuguese class with William, I decided we needed to go for a drive. I had heard there was a McDonald's toward the north of the city. I figured I would see if we could find it.
We found it. The best part was what we found next door. The shop next door has a huge sign stating Gourmet Pao and 2 big serious guards a the door. Inside it was like I had walked into theFrench Pastry shop I found in Orly, France combined with my favorite date shop in Ah Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The lady at the door handed Gareth a cute wicker basket. All through the store were tables filled with croissants and cupcakes and cookies and looong loaves of french bread. In the back they had big white shells filled with all type of olives and dates. I was in food shopping heaven. At each table there were women dressed in cute aprons who would put the goodies in containers for you. Gareth learned that they would give him samples too. We spent over an hour wandering this store. Gareth must have tried 20 things. He loved them all except they gave him a sample of pate. He thought is was going to be a chocolate spread. I figured he needed to try it once. (Mean mom that I am, I thought his reaction was funny.)
We left with 6 cute little boxes filled with chocolate treats and other goodies. The shopping was fun. The fulfilling part for me was that I ordered everything in Portuguese and the ladies understood me. (Por Favor, Quero uma boloito chocolate com un coracao branco. Obrigada.)
Being able to function with the language gives me self confidence. It also makes me feel like I am doing something with myself. (I am taking lessons 3 days a week for 3 hours each day with a tutor).
Gareth still made me go next door to eat McDonald's, but that was worth finding a new shop and getting to practice the language. (Por favor, Quero duas Combo Big Mac com batatas fritas. Quero uma com coca cola e uma com fanta de largana. Obrigada.)
Boa Noite
We found it. The best part was what we found next door. The shop next door has a huge sign stating Gourmet Pao and 2 big serious guards a the door. Inside it was like I had walked into theFrench Pastry shop I found in Orly, France combined with my favorite date shop in Ah Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The lady at the door handed Gareth a cute wicker basket. All through the store were tables filled with croissants and cupcakes and cookies and looong loaves of french bread. In the back they had big white shells filled with all type of olives and dates. I was in food shopping heaven. At each table there were women dressed in cute aprons who would put the goodies in containers for you. Gareth learned that they would give him samples too. We spent over an hour wandering this store. Gareth must have tried 20 things. He loved them all except they gave him a sample of pate. He thought is was going to be a chocolate spread. I figured he needed to try it once. (Mean mom that I am, I thought his reaction was funny.)
We left with 6 cute little boxes filled with chocolate treats and other goodies. The shopping was fun. The fulfilling part for me was that I ordered everything in Portuguese and the ladies understood me. (Por Favor, Quero uma boloito chocolate com un coracao branco. Obrigada.)
Being able to function with the language gives me self confidence. It also makes me feel like I am doing something with myself. (I am taking lessons 3 days a week for 3 hours each day with a tutor).
Gareth still made me go next door to eat McDonald's, but that was worth finding a new shop and getting to practice the language. (Por favor, Quero duas Combo Big Mac com batatas fritas. Quero uma com coca cola e uma com fanta de largana. Obrigada.)
Boa Noite
Still on strike, still at home
The police are still on strike. It just amazes me that a country will allow this to happen. Gareth has now been out of school for 6 days. He seems to be doing just fine with it. Enjoying playing on all the eletronics we have here. He has watched some of our movies I know at least 6 times.
I on the other hand is going nuts. As I sit here on the deck looking at the pool, I realize that I have done this so much lately that I recognize the peigons that come drink from the pool. (Weird Brazil fact - There are no seagulls, pelicans or any other what I call normal sea birds. Instead the pigeons walk on the beach and eat the dead crabs etc. They are too slow to actually dive bomb and catch a live crab like gulls do, but they do they enjoy when the crabs have died for some other reason.) After my Portuguese lesson today, I plan on getting in the car with Gareth and just driving north. I hear there is a McDonald's and another grocery store. Maybe I can find them.
We have nice malls here, but I am not the type of person that likes buying things just to buy. Plus Gareth has the patience of a gnat for shopping, so dragging him along is not fun.
Thankfully John will be back from Houston on Monday. He is bringing a suitcase full of stuff that will make a little more like the U.S. That should liven things up here while we sirt throught he goodies.
He also informed me that he has to fly to Rio on Tuesday, the 14th, morning for a few days for meetings with the Brazilian oil company. It will be nice to have him home for what looks like to be about 16 hours.
Please excuse if I sound a little pouty. I call this my adjustment phase. The excitement of just arriving in a new location has worn off. The feeling of oh my word what have we gotten ourselves into, we know no one has sunk in. Once I get more adjusted and make friends life gets better. At least right now I am getting to know the pigeons.
I on the other hand is going nuts. As I sit here on the deck looking at the pool, I realize that I have done this so much lately that I recognize the peigons that come drink from the pool. (Weird Brazil fact - There are no seagulls, pelicans or any other what I call normal sea birds. Instead the pigeons walk on the beach and eat the dead crabs etc. They are too slow to actually dive bomb and catch a live crab like gulls do, but they do they enjoy when the crabs have died for some other reason.) After my Portuguese lesson today, I plan on getting in the car with Gareth and just driving north. I hear there is a McDonald's and another grocery store. Maybe I can find them.
We have nice malls here, but I am not the type of person that likes buying things just to buy. Plus Gareth has the patience of a gnat for shopping, so dragging him along is not fun.
Thankfully John will be back from Houston on Monday. He is bringing a suitcase full of stuff that will make a little more like the U.S. That should liven things up here while we sirt throught he goodies.
He also informed me that he has to fly to Rio on Tuesday, the 14th, morning for a few days for meetings with the Brazilian oil company. It will be nice to have him home for what looks like to be about 16 hours.
Please excuse if I sound a little pouty. I call this my adjustment phase. The excitement of just arriving in a new location has worn off. The feeling of oh my word what have we gotten ourselves into, we know no one has sunk in. Once I get more adjusted and make friends life gets better. At least right now I am getting to know the pigeons.
Time passes
I have not had access to my computer as a munchkin has kidnapped it alot lately, so I have not had alot of random things to get down.
John has been gone 4 days today, 4 more to go. Have I missed him, yes. Will I be glad when he is back, very much. Have I done well here on my own, I feel I have. When I was in Saudi Arabia, a lady used a phrase I liked alot, "When you are on the dance floor, you dance." That is what these last 4 days have been. I have danced.
On Thursday the ministry of eduation decided it was not safe for kids to go to school during the police strike. Therefore Gareth has been out fo school for 4 days. Every place I have been and everything thing I have done for the last 4 days, he has been with me. That causes many different emotions in me. I have truly enjoyed getting to spend the time with my child. He is old enough that I can carry on intelligent conversations with him and he can participate. That has allowed him to be a good companion while I very don't know anyone here. On the other hand he is still young enough that he needs to reassuring during the transition we are going through. Since we have been at home most of this time, he also needs a playmate. Since we have not really gotten to know the other families here, I am it. Gareth has a wonderful imagination that allows him to slip to other worlds that he creates in his mind. I am not nor have I ever been as creative with my imagination as he is. This causes frustration between us. When we go out I have a huge feeling of responsibility for making sure my child stays safe. This feeling I would nto feel if I was doing these things alone.
I started walking on the beach the day Gareth started school. I say that I am going for exercise. I don't know how much of that I am doing. It is nice to feel the sand between my toes, to feel the cool water on my ankles as a rogue wave reaches the shore, and to hear the ocean as it keeps moving. I think I am refueling my soul as much as exercising. Gareth has been my companion for the last few days. Our outings are more of science experiments of looking at what lives in the tidal pools that are in the boulders or analyzing a dead crab that has washed on shore. They are fun trips. When I am alone and see the other people on the beach (all of the beaches in Bahia are public), but I do not study them. When Gareth is with me, I am more untrusting of others. I make sure we stay away from men. I don't allow people to walk behind us. I am just more aware.
Yesterday we drove to a Salvador North Shopping. We needed to refill the kichen, and we needed to get out of the compound. This mall is very close to where we live, but I had only been to it when we came in November. The food court is a nice size, so I knew we could find something we liked. I was in the mood for sushi (awesome sushi everywhere here). I got Gareth settled in the backseat with a book ( once he is involved reading I dinosaur could run by the car and he would not notice) and off we went. I am pretty proud of myself. During our trip I was able to order food at a restaurant, buy groceries, and get lost and unlost in the car. It amazes me how it feels like I climbed a mountain when all I did was order sushi, pay for it, and got what I wanted.
John has been gone 4 days today, 4 more to go. Have I missed him, yes. Will I be glad when he is back, very much. Have I done well here on my own, I feel I have. When I was in Saudi Arabia, a lady used a phrase I liked alot, "When you are on the dance floor, you dance." That is what these last 4 days have been. I have danced.
On Thursday the ministry of eduation decided it was not safe for kids to go to school during the police strike. Therefore Gareth has been out fo school for 4 days. Every place I have been and everything thing I have done for the last 4 days, he has been with me. That causes many different emotions in me. I have truly enjoyed getting to spend the time with my child. He is old enough that I can carry on intelligent conversations with him and he can participate. That has allowed him to be a good companion while I very don't know anyone here. On the other hand he is still young enough that he needs to reassuring during the transition we are going through. Since we have been at home most of this time, he also needs a playmate. Since we have not really gotten to know the other families here, I am it. Gareth has a wonderful imagination that allows him to slip to other worlds that he creates in his mind. I am not nor have I ever been as creative with my imagination as he is. This causes frustration between us. When we go out I have a huge feeling of responsibility for making sure my child stays safe. This feeling I would nto feel if I was doing these things alone.
I started walking on the beach the day Gareth started school. I say that I am going for exercise. I don't know how much of that I am doing. It is nice to feel the sand between my toes, to feel the cool water on my ankles as a rogue wave reaches the shore, and to hear the ocean as it keeps moving. I think I am refueling my soul as much as exercising. Gareth has been my companion for the last few days. Our outings are more of science experiments of looking at what lives in the tidal pools that are in the boulders or analyzing a dead crab that has washed on shore. They are fun trips. When I am alone and see the other people on the beach (all of the beaches in Bahia are public), but I do not study them. When Gareth is with me, I am more untrusting of others. I make sure we stay away from men. I don't allow people to walk behind us. I am just more aware.
Yesterday we drove to a Salvador North Shopping. We needed to refill the kichen, and we needed to get out of the compound. This mall is very close to where we live, but I had only been to it when we came in November. The food court is a nice size, so I knew we could find something we liked. I was in the mood for sushi (awesome sushi everywhere here). I got Gareth settled in the backseat with a book ( once he is involved reading I dinosaur could run by the car and he would not notice) and off we went. I am pretty proud of myself. During our trip I was able to order food at a restaurant, buy groceries, and get lost and unlost in the car. It amazes me how it feels like I climbed a mountain when all I did was order sushi, pay for it, and got what I wanted.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Weird NIght
John flew to Houston this evening. We were supposed to be going too, so we could pick up our permanent visas. A glitch was found at the last minute that will slow our visas down once again. We decicided it would be better to cancel our tickets, and just John go up to attend the company annual budget meeting. He will be in the Houston for 8 days.
I have to admit I was bummed. I had plans of all the things I wanted to buy now that we have been here for 2 weeks that I see we need/want. I sent John with a list, so we will get those things. Problem solved. We practiced driving to the mall which has a great food court with over 40 restaurants and 28 screen movie theater. Problem of entertainment taken care of. Gareth is back in school on Monday, so we will be our normal routine. I have Portuguese lessons 3 times next week, so that will keep me busy. I feel safe in our apartment, and in my ability to function here without John. I am sitting on the deck as I type looking at the beatiful stars, listening to the waves, and feeling the ocean breeze on my face.
My world should be fine and dandy. There is no ratioanl reason that it should not be. But in reality I feel off center. In the fall after Gareth went to bed, I would watch one of my recorded shows to fill this time at night. Down here we do not have a TV. The apartment is feeling empty. I miss John.
I have to admit I was bummed. I had plans of all the things I wanted to buy now that we have been here for 2 weeks that I see we need/want. I sent John with a list, so we will get those things. Problem solved. We practiced driving to the mall which has a great food court with over 40 restaurants and 28 screen movie theater. Problem of entertainment taken care of. Gareth is back in school on Monday, so we will be our normal routine. I have Portuguese lessons 3 times next week, so that will keep me busy. I feel safe in our apartment, and in my ability to function here without John. I am sitting on the deck as I type looking at the beatiful stars, listening to the waves, and feeling the ocean breeze on my face.
My world should be fine and dandy. There is no ratioanl reason that it should not be. But in reality I feel off center. In the fall after Gareth went to bed, I would watch one of my recorded shows to fill this time at night. Down here we do not have a TV. The apartment is feeling empty. I miss John.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Adventure to Get Movies
One little glitch with our housing is that the TV that we thought was here as per the website we rented the house from (there was even a picture of it) is not here. We thought no problem, just watch shows on TV. Litle problem, Brazil has not agreed to the U.S.'s copyright laws, so nothing on US TV can be downloaded to an Brazilian IP address. Bummer.
As I am know to say, there is always more than one way to skin a cat. We have learned that most American movies are shown here with Brazilian sub titles. Over my trips to school and back, I had seen people selling copies of movies on the street. We decided to go in search of movies. The colorful round about in Itapau was full of activity. The center of the round about is filled with vendors selling food under beach unbrellas. Each vendor has their own set of colorful plactic chairs that match their umbrella, very festive. We found a spot to park and paid the man to "watch our car." Then we started walking around. The movie men are very creative. They are wearing what looks like a sandwhich board made of pig wire. The plasctic cases of the movies are clipped to the wire with clothes pins. On the first man we found Real Steele. Gareth was elated. On the next man we found 6 other movies including Tin Tin and the last Eclipse movie. Enough to keep us happy for a couple weeks. The movies are $2 a piece.
With that accomplished, we decided to find food. We chose a vendor that was making these folded things that looked like chalupas sort of. She started with dry tapioca flour that she scooped into a metal ring on a griddle. Then she put fresh mozzeralla on top of it. The grease from the melting cheese bound the flour together. She then covered this with all sorts of things. We got a chicken one, a ham one, and a proscutto one to share. The proscutto one was really nice.
We walked to the beach wall to eat of food. We found a 15 foot section of the wall to spread out. As long as we ignored the smell of sewage entering the ocean right there, the smell of dead fish from the vedors cleaning their fish, and the man who chose to pee on the wall 8 feet below us behind the rock next to the wall, the area was great. We figured out quickly why no locals were sitting there. Thank goodness the breeze was mostly blowing the smells out to sea.
Once we finished our dinner we went back to the vendor for dessert, the real treat. She used the same base of flour and fresh mozzeralla which is more like cream cheese. Then added thin sliced bananas. Once this was hot she slathered on cameralized condensed milk and dusted heavily with powder sugar. This sicky gooey treat was wonderful.
As we were riding home, we all talked about our adventure. To John and I it was a fun day in the sun soaking up the local culture. We have been in sooo many similar places in our married life that is old hat on how to act and enjoy. To Gareth it was little uncomfortable. I forgot he was too little to remember the street markets in Singapore or Cancun or Belize. I guess we had over prepared him for the opportunity for trouble. He said he had fun but he couldn't relax. He also said he wanted to go back again, a good sign.
My goal for him is that he will be able to travel the world and enjoy all that is available to experience. As a parent I need to teach him to be smart in his actions, but not be afraid to experience all that this wide world has to offer. This Sunday trip to get movies was the beginning. I can't wait to see where we got next in our learning and experiencing.
FYI on a side note, if you read my earlier post about our fun the bird, we have now had 6 birds fly through the house in 4 days. One even stayed on the light fixture while Gareth watched the end of Toy Story 3. Oh well, part of the advenure.
As I am know to say, there is always more than one way to skin a cat. We have learned that most American movies are shown here with Brazilian sub titles. Over my trips to school and back, I had seen people selling copies of movies on the street. We decided to go in search of movies. The colorful round about in Itapau was full of activity. The center of the round about is filled with vendors selling food under beach unbrellas. Each vendor has their own set of colorful plactic chairs that match their umbrella, very festive. We found a spot to park and paid the man to "watch our car." Then we started walking around. The movie men are very creative. They are wearing what looks like a sandwhich board made of pig wire. The plasctic cases of the movies are clipped to the wire with clothes pins. On the first man we found Real Steele. Gareth was elated. On the next man we found 6 other movies including Tin Tin and the last Eclipse movie. Enough to keep us happy for a couple weeks. The movies are $2 a piece.
With that accomplished, we decided to find food. We chose a vendor that was making these folded things that looked like chalupas sort of. She started with dry tapioca flour that she scooped into a metal ring on a griddle. Then she put fresh mozzeralla on top of it. The grease from the melting cheese bound the flour together. She then covered this with all sorts of things. We got a chicken one, a ham one, and a proscutto one to share. The proscutto one was really nice.
We walked to the beach wall to eat of food. We found a 15 foot section of the wall to spread out. As long as we ignored the smell of sewage entering the ocean right there, the smell of dead fish from the vedors cleaning their fish, and the man who chose to pee on the wall 8 feet below us behind the rock next to the wall, the area was great. We figured out quickly why no locals were sitting there. Thank goodness the breeze was mostly blowing the smells out to sea.
Once we finished our dinner we went back to the vendor for dessert, the real treat. She used the same base of flour and fresh mozzeralla which is more like cream cheese. Then added thin sliced bananas. Once this was hot she slathered on cameralized condensed milk and dusted heavily with powder sugar. This sicky gooey treat was wonderful.
As we were riding home, we all talked about our adventure. To John and I it was a fun day in the sun soaking up the local culture. We have been in sooo many similar places in our married life that is old hat on how to act and enjoy. To Gareth it was little uncomfortable. I forgot he was too little to remember the street markets in Singapore or Cancun or Belize. I guess we had over prepared him for the opportunity for trouble. He said he had fun but he couldn't relax. He also said he wanted to go back again, a good sign.
My goal for him is that he will be able to travel the world and enjoy all that is available to experience. As a parent I need to teach him to be smart in his actions, but not be afraid to experience all that this wide world has to offer. This Sunday trip to get movies was the beginning. I can't wait to see where we got next in our learning and experiencing.
FYI on a side note, if you read my earlier post about our fun the bird, we have now had 6 birds fly through the house in 4 days. One even stayed on the light fixture while Gareth watched the end of Toy Story 3. Oh well, part of the advenure.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Our Almost house pet
This afternoon Gareth had an encounter with the wild life that reminded me that we have only ourselves to help us in a bind. Since we do not have air conditioning in the main parts of the house, we leave windows open everywhere. In the kitchen we have a huge glass window that does not open with a large slim vertical window right next to it that does open. It seems we have a smart bird that has been flying in the window and eating on the bananas in the fruit bowl on the table. (I had been thinking Gareth was eating a piece out of the side of the bananas and putting them back in the fruit bowl.)
Gareth scared the bird during a trip into our kitchen. Instead of flying back out the open window, the bird started beating himself against the large glass window. I started thinking of who I could call for help, no one. Therefore I had to do something. I went around to the maid entrance to the kitchen sand tried to shoo the bird into the living room that has large glass doors that open onto the balcony. No such luck. Then I tried grabbing him with a towel. The bird acted like he was going to bite me, and I freaked, did a jumping dance and screamed. I just kept thinking either go ahead and kill yourself or get smart and fly out the correct window. I knew I was going to end up with a maimed bird and a child who was watching. I guess my scream bothered the bird because he sort flapped over to the pantry shelf. He was standing kinda crucked and was holding his mouth open. I got Gareth to join me between the bird and the glass window. We stood there flapped kitchen towels looking like idiots , so the bird would not try to window again. I guess the bird got undazed enough and flew out the balcony doors. As I looked out the window he was kinda hobbling on the edge of the balcony. I just knew he was broken. After a while he flew off. I immediately went on the balcony and closed the window. I would rather sweat to death in the kitchen than go though that again.
Gareth scared the bird during a trip into our kitchen. Instead of flying back out the open window, the bird started beating himself against the large glass window. I started thinking of who I could call for help, no one. Therefore I had to do something. I went around to the maid entrance to the kitchen sand tried to shoo the bird into the living room that has large glass doors that open onto the balcony. No such luck. Then I tried grabbing him with a towel. The bird acted like he was going to bite me, and I freaked, did a jumping dance and screamed. I just kept thinking either go ahead and kill yourself or get smart and fly out the correct window. I knew I was going to end up with a maimed bird and a child who was watching. I guess my scream bothered the bird because he sort flapped over to the pantry shelf. He was standing kinda crucked and was holding his mouth open. I got Gareth to join me between the bird and the glass window. We stood there flapped kitchen towels looking like idiots , so the bird would not try to window again. I guess the bird got undazed enough and flew out the balcony doors. As I looked out the window he was kinda hobbling on the edge of the balcony. I just knew he was broken. After a while he flew off. I immediately went on the balcony and closed the window. I would rather sweat to death in the kitchen than go though that again.
Our First Day in Brazil
We stepped off the plane at 8:05 Salvador time, 4:05 am Tulsa time. Gareth was a real trooper about it. He made the best of sleeping on the plane, and now he was helping us get through the process.
When I picked up John at the airport in December, he mentioned he had a little trouble when he left Brazil. He just said the immigration person had filled in a date wrong on his paper work, and he would have to pay some money to enter back into country. No big deal. Well the 3 of us get the up to the big big immigarion desk and hand over our passports. She scans mine and Gareth's and stamps it. She scans John's, Gets a weird look on her face. Scans it again. Makes a sounds. Scans in again. Then calls over and official member of the Federale Policia. They speak very quickly. Then he scans John's passport twice. He looks at John and says,"You no enter Brazil." I thougt well crap, now what. G and I are already OK to go. A driver was waiting for us. An apartment was ready for us. Do we go into Brazil and go back to the US with John. I was trying to decide which would be easier. John asked for someone who spoke English. He explained the problem and that he was told he neededto pay some Reals for a fine. No big deal. They agreed and said he had to pay it a the Banco de Brazil and get a receipt to enter the country. The bank is located on the other side of immigration. How could he pay it if they would not let him in the the country? And it had to be paid in Reals not dollars as he was told when he left. So we saw one of American Airlines employees and begged him to go change money in the airport to Reals then pay the fine. He did all of this. After sitting in a row of metal chiars outside immigrations for over an hour they let us in.
On to the apartment. We made it just fine since the driver knew where to go. Andrea the owner met us. He is a very nice German man who has been here 9 years. We were all very hot in our US clothes of jeans and long sleeves. The apartment is very nice, but only air condition in the bedrroms. After hauling all 6 70 poun d suitcase up the stairs to our apartment, John looked like he had stepped in a shower in clothes. I started unzipping bags and searching for cooler clothes as quickly as possible. The whole time as sweat was dripping in my eyes I kept listening to the waves roll on the beach, and I knew all would be OK.
When I picked up John at the airport in December, he mentioned he had a little trouble when he left Brazil. He just said the immigration person had filled in a date wrong on his paper work, and he would have to pay some money to enter back into country. No big deal. Well the 3 of us get the up to the big big immigarion desk and hand over our passports. She scans mine and Gareth's and stamps it. She scans John's, Gets a weird look on her face. Scans it again. Makes a sounds. Scans in again. Then calls over and official member of the Federale Policia. They speak very quickly. Then he scans John's passport twice. He looks at John and says,"You no enter Brazil." I thougt well crap, now what. G and I are already OK to go. A driver was waiting for us. An apartment was ready for us. Do we go into Brazil and go back to the US with John. I was trying to decide which would be easier. John asked for someone who spoke English. He explained the problem and that he was told he neededto pay some Reals for a fine. No big deal. They agreed and said he had to pay it a the Banco de Brazil and get a receipt to enter the country. The bank is located on the other side of immigration. How could he pay it if they would not let him in the the country? And it had to be paid in Reals not dollars as he was told when he left. So we saw one of American Airlines employees and begged him to go change money in the airport to Reals then pay the fine. He did all of this. After sitting in a row of metal chiars outside immigrations for over an hour they let us in.
On to the apartment. We made it just fine since the driver knew where to go. Andrea the owner met us. He is a very nice German man who has been here 9 years. We were all very hot in our US clothes of jeans and long sleeves. The apartment is very nice, but only air condition in the bedrroms. After hauling all 6 70 poun d suitcase up the stairs to our apartment, John looked like he had stepped in a shower in clothes. I started unzipping bags and searching for cooler clothes as quickly as possible. The whole time as sweat was dripping in my eyes I kept listening to the waves roll on the beach, and I knew all would be OK.
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