Well, I'd had my suspicions and tonight confirmed it.
I am officially sharing my apartment with a bat.
While on the phone tonight with my parents, a small friend flew in and then out of my guest room/office. It surprised me since I hadn't seen it, just the presents it had left behind (a few small spots on the walls every few days for the past month).
The bat flew back out of the room during my chat. It was really tiny, the size of a sparrow. What was strange it was completely silent when it flew around the room. Maybe he was using a frequency I can't hear.
You can hear the bats using their echolocation. I remember early in the year finding that noise at night comforting but such a different noise - high pitched and squeaky. I think it's (the bat) gone for a while now. Probably off to find some yummy insects to eat.
It'll be interesting in the morning to see if there are any new spots, the real evidence of my new roommate. Was he scared off by my presence or just indifferent? Definitely won't be able to get any pictures of my friend since I think he's found a great little nook somewhere inside to sleep in during the day and I figure you don't want to see any bat poop photos but will keep you updated on my possible new roomie. Sorry Goo, Andrea and Amy, you may have some new competition.
And for those of you wondering about Luis (my lizard roommate from earlier in the year) he moved out long, long ago. Guess I'm onto mammals now...
Sunday, April 18, 2010
The End is Coming!
This week I started my final tube of toothpaste.*
Only 57 days till I'm home. I can't wait to see my fam, friends and of course visit my local Target to stock up on all of my toiletry needs again.
* Note: Yes, they have toothpaste in Brazil and even familiar brands like Colgate. I'm just a snob and have sensitive teeth (just like everything else about me) and I use Sensodyne. And yes, I'll admit that I do and always will have an obsession with toiletries and am particular about the ones I use but at least I'm honest about it.
Happy Birthday Brasilia
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| Even Coke got in on the celebration! |
We happen to have the day off of school for another holiday, Tiradentes but the day has lots of fun activities planned on the Esplanada. Will definitely be checking it out once I translate a few more of the events from the informational birthday sites.
As I write this, I can hear that the 50th b-day bash's already begun and there's a parade going on pretty close by. On my way to check this out soon. More b-day to come!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Sister
Just over a week ago I was in Rio, feeling a bit blue because my sister had left. We had a great time together during her visit (of course I'll write more soon about it).
But just a quick note to say, I miss her and that even though it's gonna be a bit before I see her again, I'm glad we had some time to hang out, giggling late into the night.
Love you Sister!
Bunny Hop
In case you were wondering, the Easter Bunny did visit me in Brasilia.His basket of goodies was sitting on my kitchen table when I returned from Rio last week. He included all of the goodies he would have back home...Reese's peanut butter eggs, Cadbury eggs, undies (as he always does), cute stationary, a cute new loofah and an Itunes gift card. That rabbit sure knows me well!
Thanks Bunny. You're the best!
And if you're wondering if he visits children here, well, in a bit different way. The grocery store is filled with aisles of foil wrapped hollow eggs. The eggs from the low end cost around R$5 (about USD$2.50) and can go up to about R$50 (about USD$25) for ones filled with fun treats or nicer chocolates.
My class this week shared about the number of eggs as well as the size of eggs he brought. When I suggested that perhaps he had brought another toy for a child, I was corrected and told that he only brings chocolate eggs. Figure that's a cultural difference better left alone. Don't wanna go into what he does and doesn't bring at all. I bought some for the Brazil girls when they came. As you can see, one person had more success than another in opening their Easter treat.
More to come soon about lots of other stuff. How's that for suspense?
I'm also playing a bit with my blog layout. It's fun but silly Blogger won't let me make some of the simple changes I want. In other words, please bear with me for a bit as I work this out. On the other hand though, posts are SOOOO much easier. Love you for this change Blogger. Photos take a few second and are easy to edit, text easy to edit.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Boogey Woogie Bugle Boy of Company BSB
Last week the United States Women's Naval Academy Glee Club came for a week long tour of Brazil. And guess where one of their stops on their tour was? You guessed correctly.
The U.S. Embassy asked EAB to host one of the group's performances. This opportunity provided me with a gratis chance to see some of America's finest performing. And also an opportunity to get a little Glee fix since the TV show was beomcome one of my guilty pleasures living in Brazil. Now I did know that the TV show's set list would differ quite significantly from the Naval Academy's, however, I hoped that the girls would be able to show a little of their spunk and they did as you'll see.
Vanessa and I went to the show together at 8 o'clock on Thursday evening. The lower sections of the auditorium had a decent number of attendees. I'd say about 100 or so people were there. There was a mix of EAB staff, EAB students (four of my families) as well as the local community including one of the well-known choirs in town who had cancelled their rehearsal to attend.
The lovely Naval ladies, whose luggage had arrived (3 women in front donned different outfits and later we found out their luggage was lost) all were dressed in white. White shirts, skirts and even shoes. Hair was pulled back and makeup, for most, was light.
The set list began, not surprisingly, with Anchors Away. The first few numbers were rather traditional and with my Glee influence I worried that I wouldn't get my fix. The ladies then moved into some more traditional spiritual Brazilian music. Again, and from the wiggling fifth grader sitting in front of me, I was not the only one who was enjoying their music but was really hoping for a bit more spunk.
I wasn't disappointed. Two smaller quartets took the stage during the performance.
The first group of girls, who called themselves The Stowaways, sang The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and a couple of other familiar big band era songs.
Later in the evening, my favorite quartet, The Sirens, treated us to an amazing beat box version of Hey Jude and then went into a Destiny's Child/Beyonce mix. Here's a little of it for your enjoment...
The U.S. Embassy asked EAB to host one of the group's performances. This opportunity provided me with a gratis chance to see some of America's finest performing. And also an opportunity to get a little Glee fix since the TV show was beomcome one of my guilty pleasures living in Brazil. Now I did know that the TV show's set list would differ quite significantly from the Naval Academy's, however, I hoped that the girls would be able to show a little of their spunk and they did as you'll see.
Vanessa and I went to the show together at 8 o'clock on Thursday evening. The lower sections of the auditorium had a decent number of attendees. I'd say about 100 or so people were there. There was a mix of EAB staff, EAB students (four of my families) as well as the local community including one of the well-known choirs in town who had cancelled their rehearsal to attend.
The lovely Naval ladies, whose luggage had arrived (3 women in front donned different outfits and later we found out their luggage was lost) all were dressed in white. White shirts, skirts and even shoes. Hair was pulled back and makeup, for most, was light.
The set list began, not surprisingly, with Anchors Away. The first few numbers were rather traditional and with my Glee influence I worried that I wouldn't get my fix. The ladies then moved into some more traditional spiritual Brazilian music. Again, and from the wiggling fifth grader sitting in front of me, I was not the only one who was enjoying their music but was really hoping for a bit more spunk.
I wasn't disappointed. Two smaller quartets took the stage during the performance.
The first group of girls, who called themselves The Stowaways, sang The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and a couple of other familiar big band era songs.
Later in the evening, my favorite quartet, The Sirens, treated us to an amazing beat box version of Hey Jude and then went into a Destiny's Child/Beyonce mix. Here's a little of it for your enjoment...
Got my Glee fix.
Seeing a group of American women take the stage in Brazil definitely brings you home for a bit. Hearing the familar tunes and English introductions, seeing a sea of what's familiar feels good when you're far away.
To end the show, well before the 15 minute long obligatory thank yous, the Glee club director asked the Senior class to come to the front of the stage to share what they would be doing next year.
Some of the girls will be...
- going to flight training school to become a fighter pilot/s,
- moving to Hawaii to become a nuclear something, something commanders and
- one has her fingers crossed so legislation is passed and they can become the first ever female submarine commander.
And to think when I graduated college, my plans were to get a teaching job. Any job. I have to say being a nuclear something, something commander is kinda like being a second grade teacher. Both can be stressful jobs at times but that title is so much cooler than second grade teacher was. I think though I'd rather have the stress of how to teach a particular reading strategy over deciding nuclear something something things any day.
I'm So Excited!
Right now, it's exactly 6 days and 15 minutes till the Goo, Maz, Jez and Gwen land in BSB. I'm so excited to not just to see them but to really hang out with them and for an entire week! I've got the Pointer Sisters going through my head.
And as you can see, I guess Maureen and Bernie (the clever snowlady designers) are just as excited as the girls are.
And as you can see, I guess Maureen and Bernie (the clever snowlady designers) are just as excited as the girls are. PS Not to rub it in, but in BSB there's no snow; only blue skies and brillant white clouds. And the temps right now are in the upper 80s. The Goo's right, get ready to break out those flipflops and we'll see what's under those layers of snow. See you soon girls!
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