Obama's Coming to Brazil?

I didn't watch last night's State of the Union address but I guess I may have company in a few weeks.  Obama's coming to Brazil as well as "to forge new alliances for progress in the Americas" with Chile and El Salvador.  Just hope it's NOT during Carnaval (March 5-10) and that I can find a way to hear him speak.  Hopefully there will be some sort of public event. 

When G. Bush came to BSB a few years ago, he did speak publicly and one of Andrea's Kindergarten teacher friends got kicked out of the event for a t-shirt she made (I believe it was related to getting out of Iraq).  Hopefully, it'll happen.  Hopefully it'll be reasonable to hear him speak.  But I have to be honest and don't put it past me that I won't review what jobs my American students' families have at the embassy. 

P.S.  After doing some investigating, Dilma was supposed to visit the U.S. during that month originally.  The dates between the two are still being confirmed so this could be a total hoax.  I also just spent about 15 minutes skimming his address and didn't find anything.  Balloon most likely will burst.

Patience is a Virtue and I Lost Mine Today

at two different grocery stores.

After much debating, a little beer last night, and a chat with my dear friendly neighborhood gourmet chef Andrea, I've decided to attempt a veggie pizza for today's Bears v Packers game.  I had brought some dill from home (it was in a weird cupboard and while looking for juice found it) and they have a version of pizza crust here. 

This morning I ventured out to the store.  The past few times the market I go to has had awful produce but I thought with it being the weekend, perhaps they would have gotten more in.  Alas no.  This store however, is more like a traditional American store and have things like cream cheese, mayo, the pizza crust and so on.  So I actually ran there first.  I really ran thinking I'd get some exercise in at the same time.  I arrrived and went to the produce department first.  Again, crappy produce.  I quickly realized I'd be visiting a second smaller more produce-based market as well which was fine.

The point of this post is that in both stores, I waited in the checkout line for over 20 minutes.  The hilarious part is that in the first line there were only 4 people ahead of me and we were in the 10 items or less line.  The second line is explained more below.  That's 40 minutes I spent in lines today.  Nobody else seems to bother.  That's the thing here.  Brazilians could care less about the lines.  What's interesting to me too is that they're never on their cell phones and rarely read magazines to kill the time.  I wonder when Brazilians travel to the U.S. and they visit grocery stores what they think of the pace of  the check-out process. 

Now, of course while I was trying to fight my line rage I analyzed why it took so long.  Here are a few reasons:
1.  people forget something and must go back so the entire line waits for 5 minutes,
2.  checker doesn't care about speed,
3.  size of bags is minscule so bagging takes longer,
4.  checker doesn't know code for a type of produce,
5.  a manager of sorts comes during the middle of the line to count the checker's cash box,
6.  people obtaining a nota fiscal (a financial note) *

I thought I'd gotten used to the lines and it wasn't even like I needed a quick trip but seriously 40 minutes?  I spent more time in line than actually shopping in either store.  I spent about 50 minutes total walking between the stores and my apartment.  I guess I'm gonna have to work on my line patience again.  Maybe I should just have a drink before I go to take the edge off.

* My second line was delayed due to this.  3 people ahead of me.  2 chose this option.  Brazilians can claim food as a deduction on their taxes.  I really don't understand why they are able to do so but usually the process is quick and they just say their Federal ID number to the clerk.  UNLESS...you are in a line that is a "manual nota fiscal" not an automatic one.  Sometimes you don't realize why this is happening until the sign which notes this is seen on the metal stand which holds the debit/credit card/keyboard for the cashier.  That makes the line even more annoying.  The cashier physically on carbon paper writes down their ID number, name, the total of the groceries and some other things that I couldn't understand. 

Trying to Bear Down

Tomorrow the Chicago Bears play the Green Bay Packers to decide who'll be going to the Super Bowl.  And yes, the Chicago and Wisconsin EAB representatives are watchin' the game starting tomorrow evening LIVE at 5:30 p.m. at Kathy's apartment.  The IL reps outnumber the WI supporters but I have a feeling the Pack fans that will be in attendance are pretty hardcore.

Kathy's got a Slingbox which allows her to be able to watch t.v. using her sister's cable box in New York.  The Slingbox redirects the t.v. signal anywhere.  It also means that if somebody's watching t.v. in New York that Kathy would have to watch what they're watching but don't worry, we've got it reserved.  Pretty cool. 

But here's my problem.  I've been trying to work on a recipe to bring to the game tomorrow.  Our hosts, Andrea and Kathy are supplying us with pulled pork sandwiches and dessert.  I've been trying to come up with a side.  First I tried to be really creative and work on some Chicago inspired item.  Well, the problem is, every single recipe I find, I can't do here.  We don't have:  dill, any type of pre-made roll, sauces and mixes, particular veggies and breads, etc.  Even the non-Chicago inspirations are hard.  It's just a pain and probably doesn't help because I'm pretty basic when it comes to cooking.  So, if anybody has a suggestion, please pass it my way. 

And of course, GO BEARS!

I'm Back!

I made it back to BSB safe and sound yesterday.  In comparison to many of my friends here who endured:  weather delays (3 friends), departing several days late (7 friends), mechanical errors (1 friend), long lines (all friends) and I'm sure I'm forgetting some of their pain and suffering, I really had it easy.  Flights departed either early or only 15 minutes late.  No long lines and only one surprise when my final flight changed from assigned seats to open/cattle call.  I have no complaints and luckily didn't have to use the extra pair of undies I'd packed.

When I got back, Andrea picked Sam (he found me in connections line in Sao Paulo) and I up and dropped me off at my apartment.  I went over to Wolvies to catch up, eat some yummy dinner, talk about X-mas presents and follies, play some Wii and just relax.  I got home around 1.  I tried to sleep and when that didn't work read and watched T.V. till 3.  See, the time change thing is a problem.  My body thought 3 a.m. was only 11 p.m.  My 3 a.m. bedtime had the effect of a 12 p.m. wake up.  Yep.  I woke up at noon.  I think college was the last time I did this and then it was due to a late night of fun, not jet lag.

Today I'm taking things slow.  Alright, I'm just being lazy. I've put things away in my clean apartment (thank you Davina!) and went for a walk.  Tomorrow it's back to the grind.  Well, the kids don't come till Wednesday so it's more like a warm-up but regardless I have to be at EAB at 7:45 which will feel like 3:45 a.m.  I know, I shouldn't complain when most of my readers have been back at work or worked my entire break.  After rereading this post for typos I realize I sound ridiculous but again, as you all know, posting's one of the ways I procrastinate (avoiding putting away my clothes) so there you have it.  All's well.  More adventures or interests to share soon.

More Lessons

A quick update...
I was reminded after yesterday's post that actually I'm not that old after all.  Ansley told me last week that I was still young.  4-year-olds are pretty honest, especially Ansley, so I'll take that and remember age is more about how you feel than what's changing elsewhere and if the people around you think you're young, then you must be playing things right. 

I'm off to Brazil tonight.  Weather's looking good in both countries, no rain or snow, so I should arrive back to Brasilia around 4:30 p.m. tomorrow.  It's definitely been a good break and I'm feeling relaxed going into second and my final semester in Brazil. 

Somebody asked me the dreaded vacation question earlier this week.  And no at that time I didn't share about my age but about how relaxed and good I feel mentally. After a crazy first semester, I'd say my break was perfect.  I accomplished exactly what I wanted to do.  Time with family.  Time with friends.  Time to work on the job hunt and grad school.  Lots of Starbucks and yummy food (clothes are gonna be a bit tight for a while).  So on Monday morning when my alarm goes off at an obnoxiously early hour (remember BSB's 4 hours ahead right now so it'll feel like 1 a.m. to me) I can honestly say I'm excited and looking forward to this final 18 weeks because I just had four weeks of bliss. 

Now, if somebody could just get me off this couch to pack...bye for a few!

What I Learned on my Winter Vacation

You all know those lunchroom conversations you have after a break away from work.  You know that one of the first questions that's passed round the table is, "So, how was your break?"  or "What did you on vacation?"  While some of my colleagues will share adventures, travels, relaxation stories, I'm planning on sharing that I learned I'm getting old.

I know I'm getting older because:
1.  I found my first gray hair (which you already know).

2.  I have mature skin. 
Well, that's according to my dermatologist.  When I was leaving my annual appointment, I was handed the usual mole check sheet that reminds me how often and what I should look for with moles but in addition to this, I was handed a new pamphlet.  This one was titled, "Mature Skin."  This pamphlet detailed how skin changes and the different types of spots that appear as one grows older.  The skin definitely didn't look like my own skin but that of an older individual but I guess I must be in that category now.

So, while initially this whole gray hair thing freaked me out a bit, the skin thing didn't.  Maybe I'll be able to accept growing old gracefully more than I thought.  Now, hold onto those comments older readers.  It's not that I think I'm old, it's the irony of these events.  I have never thought of 33 as old and to find out in two very physical ways that apparently I am growing older in some ways but what I've learned and really is most important is I don't feel it and that's pretty amazing.

Going Looney in Brazil @ EAB

Way back in October (gosh that's over 8 weeks ago now) my parents came to visit me.  It truly couldn't have come at a better time.  We had a great time, lots of adventures and I loved for them to see my life here.  So, without further ado, here are a few highlights from their visit to BRAZIL!

Time at the American School
Field Trip 'Round the City

My group at the bottom of the tower

 So, when you know your parents are coming to visit you in Brasilia, it seems like the perfect time to plan your first field trip of the school year.  A tour of the city and learning about how it was created!

On their second full day, we got them settled into third grade culture right away by inviting them to be chaperones on our trip.  Erica and myself quickly planned our groups the morning of the trip.  We of course made sure we had our "special" friends in our groups and also made sure that my parents had groups that were pretty low maintenance or so we thought.

At one point during our trip, I heard my dad's voice.  You know that voice we all hear our parents use when we're in trouble.  I actually thought to myself, "What'd I do?"  Then I suddenly realized, it wasn't me, it was one of my dad's "special" friends in his group.  Whew! 





View from top





Some of the places we visited included:

Brasilia's TV Tower

Both classes outside the cathedral

The Cathedral.

You'll notice less than our usual 44 students as several were on the bus for not listening to their grown-up.  They learned my dad's tone quickly.  It really wasn't that bad, just a little rough at the beginning.  We've got 44 students who are great kids but many are used to ruling the roost so listening to directions and actually following them (like from an adult) is a new concept.  

Mom in action at the spring

Our final stop was JK's (the president at the time Brasilia was built 51 years ago) home outside the city.  There we ate lunch while monkeys watched and my mom helped all of the kids sip from a fresh spring.  I chose not to participate as I didn't want to get sick.  Did that stop my mom?  Nope!

The day before the trip, Erica and I asked the kids to preference groups.  What other third graders did they want to be with throughout the day?  They wrote down their choices and we did our best to accomodate them and at the same time tried to ensure that the combinations would be fun for all (students and adults).  One of my students requested to be with my mom for the day.  That was pretty fun to see that request.  I don't feel I can write specifics about the groups here for confidentiality but definitely, if you see my parents and haven't heard about their groups, ask.  Each group definitely, well, mostly some of the kids, had a distinct personality.

CJ's photo of my mom and I



Halloween



A witch, ant, costume my dad bought in America and vampire.

They also came back to EAB the next day for Halloween.  Oh yes, Erica and I packed it in!  We did the usual Halloween activities with a fairly regular schedule in the morning but in the afternoon, we had a fairly tame (much improved from last year) Halloween parade and party.  The parade looped around the back court since it was super hot and shade was needed.  It was perfect as each class took their turn walking round to spooky music. After watching the parade, we again put my parents to work while they ran a game during the party.  The kids rotated in three group between both classrooms.  They played Bozo buckets (which my parents ran enthusiastically), a target throwing game  

Ninjas, Indiana Jones (who regularly comes to school as him) and super hero.

and something else.  I'm sure if I asked my parents or Erica they'd remember but honestly, I was only focused on the things happening in my room.  The kids LOVED it and it was a great way to celebrate.  The video's of one of my students enjoying the music.  The video and his costume both are definitely representative of his personality.   I'm so glad they were able to see EAB, meet my class and have some time to get to know what work's like there for me.  I think the two days they "happened" to visit game them a huge taste!

<>

Two friendly witches and a dead, vampire witch



My class
if it's hard to capture them for a photo, then just imagine a regular day...

So, how's Brazil?

This has to be one of the most common questions I get living in Brazil when I come to the U.S. for a visit. 

Friends, dentists, doctors and hair stylists ask it.  Even random store big box clerks when I answer the question,  "Would you like to share your email address so you can receive a bazillion email coupons for a measly 5% off?" and I politely answer "No thanks," and have to follow up with an "I live in Brazil" because that polite no's never quite strong enough.  

But what's funny to me is does anybody ever ask you, "So how's America?" They don't?   You never get a "How's the USA doin'?"  Hmmmmm...

One thing about this question that strikes me is no one gets more specific than that.  Never a "So, how's Brasilia?"  or a "How's Brazil's soccer team?"  or a "Hey what about that new lady president?"    I know that people ask THE question because they don't know what else to ask.  I think some people believe that life in another country just can't be like life here.  Reality is for the most part, it is. 

So my advice to my readers who are my friend or you have a friend who lives abroad, living overseas, yes we do get to travel to amazing places and the grocery store's got a few different items but just ask about the usual things...weather, work, holidays; the things you'd ask if we lived right down the street.  We really do appreciate the effort but after answering it a few extra times today, I feel the need to help coach the question a bit.  Now I just need to find a way to spread the word to the big box clerks...

Reality Happens When You're Getting Caught Up With Reality T.V.

A lot can happen when you decide to spend a few days getting caught up on American reality t.v.

1.  You can find your first gray hair. 
And of course mine happens to be right in front in the middle of my bangs.  For those of you who are going to try and look for it, sorry to tell you that as of 2 p.m. tomorrow it's gonna be hidden away for a long time by my colorist. 

2.  The country you reside in welcomes a new president.
Thinking back to Obama's inauguration two years ago makes me realize that when you straddle two countries as home, that sometimes you miss major events and sadly don't realize it for a few days.  Living in the U.S. when Obama was sworn in, weeks up to the event, that's all we heard about on the news.  What clothes Michelle was wearing, who (including colleagues) was going to attend in D.C., the promises he was going to make and so on.  I, until I read one of my usual Brazil blog reads, had forgotten about my other home, Brazil.

On January 1st, Brazil's new president, Dilma Rousseff was sworn in as president.  Dilma's promised to take protect those in society who can't protect themselves.  She's also sworn to "eradicate poverty."  She's got big shoes to fill, a World Cup and Olympics to prepare for and an emerging nation to nurture.

In her inauguration speech, Dilma opened by stating how proud Brazilians should be because this is the first time a woman is president.  I have to say I liked how her Rolls was surrounded by her top six female body guards.  I wondered who they were when I saw pics and wonder in a society that is so dominated by males, how she will use her gender to her advantage. 

I feel like this, my second year in Brazil, I'm more comfortable asking my colleagues about their opinions in regards to things like politics.  Some voted for her.  Some didn't vote at all because they felt (middle class, their SES) wasn't being represented at all.  Some voted for her because they believed she was the right choice at the time. 

I'm happy to be home but seeing the photos and realizing that these only took place down the street, about a 25 minute walk, from my apartment, is kinda a bummer.  Timing can't be perfect but the weather wasn't either as you can see.  I'm sure it was an exciting few days in Brasilia. 

I have no idea how things will turn out for her.  What I do know in typical media, whether it be American or Brazilian style, that somebody had to show her up.  In Dilma's case, her vice-president's wife, a mere 43 years younger than her husband, looked amazing, which they're right she does but she's taking center stage.   Wonder whether when I return if at the lunch table we'll talk about Marcela or Dilma.

 

And a final wonder is not whether or not the pastry chef or drug addict or housewife will be the latest gossip, it's actually whether or not the people I've just mentioned above have relatives or children or grandchildren at my school.  A show about that would make for much more interesting reality t.v.  Much more than me getting my first gray hair is.

Happy New Year!

Just a quick post to say Happy 2011!

I celebrated the arrival of 2011 twice last evening.  The first celebration included tiaras, two countdowns and blowing horns.  2011 arrived first in DeKalb, IL at 8:30 p.m. central standard time.  My second, more traditional (champagne and hugs) countdown, was celebrated at midnight.  The two celebrations didn't occur because we were celebrating it as each city to our east rang in the new year.  That wouldn't make much sense anyway since our first celebration was on the half hour.

It's a perk when you ring in the new year with an enthusiastic 4 year-old who desperately wants to hang out with the big girls but needs to still go to bed at a decent hour.  Ansley truly is the hostess with the mostess as she also completed three outfit changes (one was pjs) and served us the healthy snacks of cheese and crackers because that's what princesses do...serve food, sit in straight chairs and wear tiaras.

Wishing you all a wonder-filled 2011 that's filled with lots of healthy snacks, celebrations, dancin' and time with those special people in your life.