Excuses, excuses

We all have lots of excuses as to why we fall behind on things. Here's my latest excuse list and I think it shines a small light into why I may be a bit behind on my blog posts.

1. Report cards were due. Need not say more.

2. Parent/teacher conferences were last Thursday and Friday.

3. Stress.
There's a lot of it when not only you're in a new job but even when ordering at Subway can be an intensive experience. Stop for a moment and think of all the choices you have to make. Now imagine ordering in Portuguese. The are the obvious ones like tomate for tomato but think about how you'd say lettuce or oil and vinegar.

4. Homesickness.
It comes in waves and lots of the time I don't recognize it at first and just think I'm in a funk. I'm feeling better now but am ready for it to show it's face again. And it's hard to be away for your dad's birthday and when you try to send a cute video of you singing happy birthday and it doesn't even work that makes you feel worse about it.

5. Travel.
Part of the reason I'm here to do it and love it but you know when you return from vacation how you need another vacation, that's me.

6. Daylight savings time.
We just sprung forward one hour last Sunday. Thank goodness I forgot to set my alarm today and not last Monday.

7. Overwhelmed.
I couldn't keep up with anything, let alone writing these posts.

8. Learning.
I'm learning that for a long winded person I just sometimes need to keep it simple with these posts so not worry so much about including all the details, just remember it's a way to share.

*9. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
Lately I've been the lucky receiver of several packages. Two included Reese's peanut butter cups, my favorite candy. A reader suggested that perhaps due to lack of these in my diet, the reintroduction of them caused a sugar coma and a lapse in writing.

*10. Sunshine.
Can't argue that one so much. The sunshine and 80 degree temps do impact my work load. But on the other hand it's a HOT 80 degrees and with the rainy season pretty humid. So it is enjoyable at times but with the rain storms and hot sun I'm unsure how much this one is truly a good excuse.

* Suggested additions by readers.

That's the end of my list for now. I'm sure it'll grow and change. If I've forgotten any obvious ones, holler and I'll edit this one. This post is also for my readers who are regulars. Feel a little obligated to you all and I'm trying to keep up my end of the bargain.

Porto Alegre

In mid-October, Andrea, Kathy and I traveled to the furthest southern State in Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul. Porto Alegre is the largest and capital city in the region.

Here is what we knew about Porto Alegre prior to visiting:

1. Not a lot of people have been there.

2. It was supposed to be chilly.

3. Shoe capital of Brazil.

4. Gauchos.

So, that was my knowledge before and here's the knowledge I gained during our visit...

Porto Alegre has a HUGE European influence. From the architecture to the people to the accent, everything's European.

In the city center, there's a huge central park. We walked there from our hotel and wandered around for a bit. It definitely is true what they say about the number of trees in POA. There are at least 1.5 to every person. It's just beautiful. And they have the lovely, tacky swan paddle boats. How can a city go wrong with those?I learned that turtles yawn. While one of these adorable turtles was climbing onto the log, it had an enormous yawn.

They have a great Sunday market, like most large cities do.

Kathy and Andrea talking with an artist at the market. We did pretty well for ourselves.

Cute kids, just as everywhere else in Brazil. Lots of families were at the market that day. We even met an American whose wife is Brazilian and they were on vacation visiting family. When you hear English being spoken, it's hard not to want to chat.

People drink mate. It's a type of tea. Many people at the park wandered around with a thermous filled with hot water ro replenish their mate cups. As you can see they sip through silver straws. Mate is a common type of tea throughout southern South America.

Gotta love this generational picture. Had to snap it.

Apparently there's a problem with crack there as we saw these stickers everywhere...car bumpers to garbage cans. Truly, saw like 100s of them. You can definitely tell that Porto Alegre has had some hard times and it makes you wonder if one of the things that came of those hard times was a larger drug market. No proof of that, only speculation.

I also learned that the European influence doesn't just end there.

Did you know that there are mountains in Brazil? Real, full on mountains. With pine trees and sharp hairpin turns and beautiful views. I actually had to wear a sweater that day. Ahhhh...Megan weather.

We spent a day driving up to two small towns outside of Porto Alegre. Germado and Canela. Both have a great German influence. They were a bit like visiting Disney's Epcot Center's Germany exhibit. So we of course had to enjoy the fun.

We visited a German restaurant and enjoyed some wonderful beer.

And we dined on some not so wonderful sausages. Gross!

Gremado definitely was built to be a tourist town but...

the views were just spectacular.

Oh, wait, how did this shot get in there? Another beautiful view but from one of the shoe outlets we visited. I bought 5 pairs. Yikes! But they were great deals and I needed more sandals so I went for it.

I actually felt like I fit in a bit there and you definitely don't feel like you're in Brazil anymore. It was the perfect getaway and definitely would be able to spend more time there. Plus there's Brazilian wine country a couple of hours away. For me, it was the perfect first flying holiday. I was treated to great company, cooler weather, tacky shops, beautiful trees and ahhh clear crisp air.

Daylight Savings Time

Just as an FYI to my readers, tonight begins Daylight Savings in Brazil.

Remember, we're on opposite seasons from the Northern Hemisphere.That means I'm springing forward one hour.

So I'll be 3 hours ahead of all of you Northern Hemisphereans until November 1st. On November 1st, all of my American friends and family will fall back. That means our difference changes to 4 hours. And it was so easy to do the math before!

I'm thrilled though to have one more hour of daylight since I'm used to the sun setting at 6:30 now. Missed the light in the evening.

Daniel and Fred - Continued

Time has flown since my last post. So much has happened and it's at that stage where I wonder, where do I even begin. I thought best to start where I left off and also to get out ideas and not worry so much about the entire story so here we go.

As previously stated, I have to cut down this continuation of a post quite a bit so I can include more posts and info for you all. This is a continuation of my last post on new relationships I've developed.

Man #2 - Daniel.

To be completely honest with you all, it's the name of a french bakery in Brasilia. This wonderful restaurant's owned by a french man named Daniel. Andrea and I spent quite a few hours there a few Saturdays ago. It's on the North side of Brasilia. It's a bit of a long drive there and Andrea having a car makes that long expensive ride doable. I'd heard about it from Andrea before. It's such a cute place, at the end of a commerical. Wonderful outdoor seating with trellaces and fabric so you can sit outside in the shade and not roast in the sun. We ordered the breakfast basket which is filled with delicious crossiants and rolls and it comes with jelly and butter. The chocolate crossiant and the special almond one we ordered were my favorites along with my delcious cappuccino. It was just a perfect way to spent some time with AP just catching up, chatting and eating oh my god the most delicious pasteries.

So, I'd like to make this place a part of my life here because it's just wonderful. And there really is a man named Daniel so there.

Man #3 - Fred

He's become my hair stylist, colorist in Brasilia. He's originally South African and came to Brasilia 15 years ago. He's just got a wonderful aura and very low key personality.

Fred suggested about 7 weeks ago at my first visit to cut my hair short again. I did it and LOVED my first cut because it was messy but funky but could be cleanly styled. Most recently I've become blonder and have more layers. Next time I go for a cut, I'm wanting my original one back but I have to say it's nice, especially with something like hair to have someone who just makes you feel at ease and literally speaks your language. A visit there is just refreshing.

Again, another relationship I hope to continue the longer I'm here. He even is trying to get Andrea and I to join him and others for Carnival in Rio next year, 2010. One of the samba school's theme's is 50 years of Brasilia. Got me thinking...we'll see how that pans out but for sure I'll visit him every 6 weeks or so for my time in Brasilia.

Sorry for the tease readers. Just couldn't help myself!

Dr. Gu, Daniel and Fred

As of right now, I'm starting two new relationships as well as maintaining a third.

I spent today with Andrea who introduced me to all of these men. We've spent all day together. It's still have a hard time coming to the realization that she can send me a text at 9:38 in the morning and I can walk over and be at in her car ready to go at 10:10 (had to shower, get dressed and walk over to her apt).

Man #1 - Dr. Gu
She first introduced me to Dr. Gu. Dr. Gu is a Chinese medicine dr. He does accupuncture and uses Chinese herbs. Due to a little bitta stress my back, neck and head are suffering a bit. We drove to Asa Norte (the other side of Brasilia) to meet this guru. Andrea sang his praises so I knew good things were to come and the name Goo is dear to my heart (it's my sister's nickname). President Lula also sings his praises. He's Brazil's president. So all over Dr. Gu's office are pictures of Dr. Gu and Lula. Not just like the token ones you see at restaurants and things. No like Dr. Gu and Lula swimming with lifevests on and Dr. Gu and Lula at Dr. Gu's house with his son and Dr. Gu and Lula at a fancy dinner. He's obviously a satisfied customer so again I knew I was in good hands.

Dr. Gu's set up is pretty basic. Small waiting room and three treatment rooms. Simple tall bed-like tables covered in white sheet. The treatment rooms are about 7X10 I'd guess with the beds and his small table with medicine inbetween.

Andrea and I shared a room (with a curtain divider for the middle part of our bodies) and laid waiting in just our undies for Dr. Gu. Dr. Gu entered. He's an average looking man wearing a typical dr's coat. He treated Andrea first with needles and finding where she needed assistance. Then he came over, took my pulse and began to see where I needed treatment. Dr. Gu only speaks Portuguese so I was trying my best to understand.

Side Portuguese learning note: I am learning a lot, can understand loads (with a 15 second delay so no laughing at jokes unless I want to be completely socially awkward). Since AP was there I had some background on what I'd need to listen for/pay attention to.

And back to the story...He found right away that my right side is super tender and began sticking away on my back, legs, butt and arms. We had our accupunture for about 10 minutes. Dr. Gu returned and again began by treating Andrea. He then came over to my side of the room where he stretched my arms, did a little adjusting of my back and then burned some herbs which he then slapped onto my back and told me I have to leave them on till tomorrow. He also had me smell some herbs as well.

We got dressed, paid our bill and I was given my own set of accupuncture needles. They're in a plastic tube that I will bring for my next visit. It's funny because it's kinda like how in the US, some nail salons you can buy your own file, foot scrubber, cuticle trimmer, etc but here it was the actual needles. No worries. I won't use them at home and also won't be opening some side business.

As we walked out to the car I noticed that I felt a little woosy/tipsy from the herbs but have had this feeling before after accupuncture. I definitely will be visiting Dr. Gu again.

I hate to leave out to the other two new men in my life but I realize it's now 5:02 pm and I'm leaving for the airport in an hour. Headed to Porto Alegre for the long weekend. I'll write more about the men and my trip when I return. Love to leave you in suspense.

Brasilia - History 101

2 days a week my students have BSS, otherwise known as Brazilian social studies in Portuguese. While my 15 students who are either part Brazilian or full-on Brazilian attend this, I teach my 7 remaining international students ISS (international social studies). Early the in the year my teaching partner and I decided that we were going to present the same content in ISS as was presented in BSS. The reason for this was 1. neither of us know much about our home and 2. we feel it's important for all of us: our students and ourselves to have a better understanding of our new home and a glimpse into the culture and people of the city.

While in an attempt to teach my ISS students more about Brasilia's history, I was googling for images of Brasilia being built. Gotta love Google. I ran across this video and thought okay, so not really for my class but definitely for those of us living in Brasilia and those of you wanting to get a little taste of what the city looks like, this 1960s video with the interestante music gives you a glimpse.

The glimpse shows you the larger governmental structures, some of the neighborhoods which are organized by blocks and then shopping or restaurantes inbetween and then a bus station. It's what Brasilia started as and maybe how a little view into the culture of the city now. So no, the video's music doesn't play in my head when walking to school but to realize that Brasila's turning 50 in 2010 and I'm noticing the things that are showing their 50 year old age. I'm noticing that sidewalks and buildings are being replaced or remodeled. I'm noticing that some of the others aren't and seeing this showed me what it was like when it's new.

Another place for Maz and others is my friends, Mark and Vanessa's blog. Mark has a great post about Brasilia that you can check out. For more info, again for Maz and others, check out good ole Wikipedia's page. Hope you learned a little about my new home because you my ISS friends will have a quiz sometime soon. Beijos!

CEASA Gave Me a Taste of Autumn I'm Missing

Today I got a taste of "Fall" Brasilia Style.

This is what I think of when I think of fall. Pumpkins, corn being harvested and leaves changing.

Note to readers. It's not autumn in Brasilia. It's spring. We're on opposite season schedules. Didn't want you folks to think I was confused or something.

Today Vanessa and I went to CEASA. CEASA is a weekly market open on Saturdays which has aisles and aisles of fruit, veggies, flowers and other food. According to their website over 500,000 pounds of food are sold each week in 350 different stalls. Wow. It's about a 20 minute taxi ride from my apartment. Cost for taxi about R$30 which is about $15 USD.

Some of the 500,000 kilos of food being taken to a stall.

We'd visited CEASA earlier this year with some other newbies and EAB super staff. Going here a second time was such a completely different experience. Much more confident and had our knew what we were coming for...some fruits, veggies and I really wanted a few new plants.

Here's a glimpse of some of the fresh produce being sold. You can get anything here. Oranges, apples, strawberries, cilantro, peppers, tomatoes. To lots of unique Brazilian fruits which I think taste great in juice but still aren't a part of my regular diet or purchases. When they are, I'll write about 'em.

We wandered around the market for quite a while and while wandering around we made friends with a few Portuguese speaking Brazilians. They were happy we were trying to learn Portuguese rather than using a list with words written in Portuguese we were trying to speak with them. Both Vanessa and I noticed that we understood more than thought we did and usually debriefed after walking away from someone because we were able to confirm stories or put the pieces together more.

One man in particular spoke with us at great length. He was selling corn, pamonha (pronounced pah-moan-ya) and curau (ku-rau). I wanted to try pamonha since I hadn't yet and felt it was time. He gave me a sample and it was yummy. Similar to corn casserole or pudding. It's served in a corn husk and is a paste made from corn and milk.

One of the two pamonha I bought. Yum!

Vanessa saw there was some custard like corn thing as well. She bought one and devoured it (disclaimer because I know she'll want one, she hadn't had breakfast yet hence my verb choice and her quick eat). I had a taste and loved it. We decided to revisit our friend on the way back toward our exit.

This time I also bought one and we asked for the custard's name. It's called curau. Then our new friend told us in Portuguese how he made it. Here's what we gleaned using our Portuguese...corn, milk, butter, cooked together, sweet. We also learned he takes Sundays off and his store is open during the week but in another location at CEASA.

Our new friend asked us intially if we were Brazilian (nice but no way) but was happy we were trying to use our Portuguese, asked us where we were from and shared that Chicago lost the Olypmic bid and that Barack Obama is America's president. I told him I was from Chicago. Definitely going to visit this friend again.

After we made our fruit, veggie and corn purchases, our bags were full, getting heavy and I envied the carts others had brought along. I inquired today about the price of a cart and it was R$70. Yikes! Vanessa suggested this was probably due to supply and demand. Cart will have to be bought elsewhere and have it for next time.

We schlepped our food across a parking lot to the CEASA flower market. We'd been there before where I'd purchased a beautiful orchid and pepper plant. The flower market, just like the produce one has amazing prices. About half to a third of what we pay in the grocery stores and the variety is 100x as much as the grocery stores so the money spent on a taxi both ways more than makes up for it. This time I bought a few house plants. See my new friends below.
This one Vanessa thinks looks like the Snorks cartoon. Kinda does. It's in my kitchen.
Some bamboo for the coffee table. Asia's always going to have it's influence on me.
Another new house plant by the door. Hope to buy a little table for it soon.
As you can see, we both made quite a few purchases. Just had to snap a shot while waiting in the hot sun for our taxi. Oh and "fall" temps today were in the 80s.
We asked for some help calling a taxi and after about 20 minutes it arrived. Our driver was extra nice, drove at a slow pace and helped to watch out for our plants as he drove. It was just a great morning with V.

So at least I saw some pumpkins and corn stalks because the view from my window and sounds of the cicada sure don't jive with my Midwestern fall association. I'm trying to adjust and finding creative ways to do it. And seriously, the high pictched sounds in the video are the cicada. Not techie stuff, it's the bugs.