Dezembro.

Okay, just a quick update. Haven't really been doing much. Oh wait, yes I have. I have been going out with one of the other exchange girls from Germany. Spending lot's of money, and meeting lot's of her friends. We went out to pizza with her friends from her school for her birthday. I spent the night at her house, then the next morning we went to Guaraja with all the other exchange students in the district for our Christmas/New Year party. It's was awesome. I finally got to go to the beach without it raining!! It's amazing! Everyone got sunburn, well, all the Europeans. I didn't. (:

Starting to spend far too much money. The Northeast trip is coming up in 19 days. But, before than, we have Christmas, New Years, and a trip to Sao Sebastiao (the first beach I went to in Brazil.) And then, it's a month of amazingness. I can't wait. I get back from the Northeast on February 6th, and I will be switching families shortly after that. Life is good.

PS.. I'm sick.. AGAIN!

Brazilian Santa that speaks English

Christmas Party

Awkward jump picture

Hair dying in mall bathroom

Paulista Av. at Christmas time

European sunburn!

Novembro

Sorry, it's been a looooong time. I really don't feel like updating my blog. But, people keep asking me for an update. And since it has been a month since I have updated, I figured I could manage to find some time, motivation, and creativity to finally update.

To start off, in November, I went to Formula 1. It's was super fun. There was 6 other exchange students there and we were "selling" beer. Aka, sitting in the sun enjoying the dancer's and drunk Rotarians. We weren't actually in the race, we were right outside the entrance selling beer, soda, water, and barbecue food. We were so close that we could here the cars. However, since Formula 1 is a three-day event, I went the day before with 1 other exchange student, Casper. It was so loud. This time though, we were actually IN the event. Watching the races, talking to drunk people, etc.. It was soooooo LOUD!

Next exciting thing that happened in November: I went with Casper, his host sister, brother and brother's girlfriend to this AMAZING place called Ilha Grande. It's an island off the coast of Rio de Janeiro (the state, not the city). There are about two cars on the island total.. One being a police car, and one being ambulance. The island is pretty big, with tons of tiny islands surrounding it. It was amazing. We slept on the big island, and everyday went out to other little islands for our activities. We went swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing and exploring. The water there was perfectly clear. You could see the ocean floor while standing on the boat deck. It was fantastic. Since you could see the bottom, you didn't think it was actually that deep, but as soon as you jump in.. you realize that it is actually a lot deeper than it looks. The weather wasn't that great for the first two days. It was overcast and rainy, bu the third day (our last day), the sun came out and it was insanely hot. We all got sunburn, and for me, it was the first real sunburn of my life.

Also, in November I finished school, finished Portuguese lessons, saw Harry Potter 7 three times (once in Portuguese).

Now, it is December. And so far it has started out pretty well. On Friday, I spent the night at my friend Eva's house. We went out for pizza, with her entire class from her school, for her birthday. It was absolutely hilarious. Her friends have the most outgoing, lively group of people I have ever met. After pizza, we had to take her brand new puppy to the vet because he is sick. I saw this adorable guinea pig that I want, along with two puppies. SO CUTE. (:
The next day, we went to a city called Guaraja with all the other exchange students. It was out Christmas/end of the year party. We did "Secret Santa" and I got this pretty picture frame that says, "amizade" (friendship). We also met three new exchange students, Alex from the USA, Ana from Ecuador, and another girl from Japan, but I forgot her name. The beach was great, and it was even better with all the exchange students. I was so happy to see everybody and can't wait until next time!

Christmas is coming up soon, and I don't know what it is going to be like with Cecilia. I have a feeling it is going to be quiet and lonely since it is just the two of us. Also, I don't know what to get her for Christmas. And, I don't know if I am supposed to get something for Paulo.. New Years is also going to be interesting. I anticipate lots of homesickness during the holidays. But, it will quickly disintegrate because the Northeast trip will follow directly after the holidays. (:

Well, that's about all I have to share for now. More to come next time... Whenever that is!
Tchau!

Jumping off the boat

Enjoying the HOT ocean water.

The rock!

The boat

Halloween? Nahh..

Sorry, I have been procrastinating updating this. Blah blah blah. So, Sunday is Halloween, and NOBODY HERE GOES TRICK'R'TREATING! ): Halloween doesn't exist betweent he ages of 15 and 17. You can be anything you want when you're 5, but once you are 17, you have to be a slutty maid. :/
So, instead, I will hangout with Gabe and Felipe on Halloween and eat Reese's. :D ... Hopefully. Also, going to Santos, (a beach town) on Monday with Casper and the Roteract people. (:

Ugh, don't really have anything else to share. So, I am going to go now.
Tchau, beijos. (:

Weekend Recap.

So, it is now Friday, and I am just now recapping last weekend. It was a four day weekend thanks to holidays! Tuesday was "Children's Day" which means, no school Monday or Tuesday.

Friday (Sexta): after school, I have no idea what I did. I don't remember that far ago.
Saturday (Sabado): Woke up, went to Sonja's (a friend of my host mom) house, ate lunch (rice, beans, salad, oranges, orange juice, and chocolate for dessert), went to the aquarium (just my luck that my camera was dead so I couldn't take any pictures), went to the grocery store (bought salmon, tomatoes, grapes, and other unidentifiable foods), went back to Sonja's house for dinner (pizza with Cecilia my host mother, Sonja and her husband Yo, and Marisa and her husband Renato, they are also friends of my host mom, who also happen to be Rotarian's.) Stayed at Sonja's house until about midnight (that's pretty normal around here, even on school nights), came home, and SLEPT.
Sunday (Domingo): Woke up bright and early (on my own, while Cecilia slept in, then got yapped at for sleeping too much), again went to Sonja's house (only so we could carpool this time, didn't stay til midnight, THANK GOD), drove far away to meet up with a lady that brought me stuff from Alaska (long drive, not fun with 3 overly happy old people, and had a headache. In my package I received some good ole Reese's, skittles, and ankle braces for gymnastics. Those are just the important things.) Went to Marisa and Renato's house for lunch (stayed til midnight.. had dinner there, and played "Uno" the worst card game EVER. I suggest never playing it with a group of easily excited, happy, old, women. Did NOT have fun with that at all.), went back to Sonja's house to get our car, came home, Skyped, and SLEPT.
Monday (Segunda): Again, woke up early (on my own, while Cecilia slept in, then got yapped at for sleeping too much), went to the host grannys for lunch (pasta, rice, beans, GUARANÁ! Best drink ever), sat at there house for a few hours, went to the movies with Cecilia, (saw Grown Up's, VERY funny movie. VERY FUNNY. Cecilia didn't like it), had dinner at the shopping place, went home, Skyped, showered, slept.
Tuesday (Terça): Once again, went to Sonja's house (lunch: pasta, spicy curry, rice, orange juice, salad, oranges, and cake for dessert. Meals don't vary much here.), went to the Zoo (Safari Zoo, it was really cool, could practically touch the animals if you had the guts to do it), went back to Sonja's house, had pizza, again, sat at her house until midnight because Cecilia wanted to watch soaps with Sonja.

Now that you know what I did, let's see how things are going.. Right now, not too well. I am not quite as happy as could be here. I feel like I am living in Cecilia's shadow, and not being able to live my own life here. She makes all of my decisions for me, and makes me go everywhere with her. Or, other days will be like today, I wake up and she is not home. She leave's no note, doesn't tell me anything.. Just vanishes. I am supposed to be living her until mid February, but I don't think I will survive if I do that.. I will be talking to Rotary on Tuesday at our next meeting, about switch families sooner than February. But, we all know how worthless Rotary can be at times. School is getting better, but still not great. All in all, I am just thankful that I have a roof over my head, and food on the table... Occasionally! Cecilia doesn't like to cook, AT ALL. So she doesn't by much food because we always go out to eat. So all we ever have to eat here is bread, butter, and juice.

That's enough about me complaining.. On the brighter side of things, I AM GOING TO THE BEACH ON SATURDAY!!!!!! Wahooo! A little sad thought because I had plans with Gabe and Felipe to go to Chinatown on Saturday. But, we are going to do that next weekend instead. (:

Peacock

Zebra

Gator

Monkeys

Deer

DEATH.

So, I have not been feeling too well lately. Having headaches and stomachaches all the time. I feel like I am going to die. It all started with a headache, took some Tylenol, and didn't take food... Then it all went down hill from there. I now know why they say don't take Tylenol on an empty stomach. I currently do NOT have a headache. However, my stomach feels like a big ball of nasty crap.. Literally, I have to poop every 10 minutes. People tell me to eat more, but when I eat, it just gets worse. UGHHH. I feel like I am on my death bed.. No, death toilet. ):

But, other than that.. NO SCHOOL MONDAY OR TUESDAY! :D
Possibly even the rest of the week, all depends on what my host mom decides. Might be going to the beach on Wednesday, but might not. It's a complicated situation of which I know nothing about.

Well, that's all I have for now. I am going to go poop again.
Tchau.

Homesick. :/

UGHH!!
So, the last week and a half I haven't been up to much. I haven't gone to school in about a week, other than today. Everyone at my school was taking their standardized tests, and since I don't speak the language yet, I didn't have to take the tests.. or even go to school. (: However, during my week of no school, it was rather rainy so I couldn't do much of anything outside. And as we all know, the computer can get a little boring at times. So, after studying Portuguese a little bit everyday, and checking Facebook, I had plenty of extra time to miss Alaska. Now, I am officially homesick. ):
As I said in a earlier post, I was had plans for a good weekend, however, not all of those plans fell in place. Friday, I did not get to go shopping with the other inbounds because they didn't want to spend 2 hours on metros, trains, buses, etc.. So, instead I did nothing. BUT on Saturday I FINALLY got to see the world's worst procrastinator, Grandpa Gabe! (:
That was quite the adventure.. He got us lost.. In a park.. HOW DO YOU GET LOST IN A PARK?! Then once we got unlost, we had to walk through the city back to his apartment, during this entire time, he made me carry all his crap! And it was hot outside. When we finally got back to his apartment, he had NOTHING to eat, or drink. I wanted to kill him! So, instead I just beat him up. (:
Other than that, I have been up to a whole lot of NOTHING.

Tchau,
beijos.

PS.. Today is my host Dad, Paulo's, birthday.

ART

Ugly art

Gabe's butt

Awesome sand room

NADA.

Okay, so I really don't have much to share today, but you guys have all been bugging me to post something, so here it is. This weeks Rotary meeting was fun. We had a party celebrating the 7th anniversary of something.. But I don't know what.. Nobody answered me when I asked. ):

Tomorrow I am hanging out with my favorite Aussie! Going shopping! Then Saturday, I am FINALLY going to see Gabe, the worlds worst procrastinator. It should be a good weekend, followed by a good week, no school til quarta-feira (Wednesday)!

Alsoo, I started Português lessons on Tuesday. I learned my phone number, and reviewed the alphabet.. Today at my lesson we learned some of the cuss words. That's all we learned, for two hours, and only got a little way through the list.. There are a ton of cuss words in Brasil.

Tchau, beijos.

Meeting the Families.

So, I have met Cecilias parents and her brothers, Edwardo, and... I forget the other one's name. I go eat lunch with them quite frequently, always rice, beans, and Guarana. YUM.
But today, I met Paulo's family. They are all very nice. His nephew is going to take me to a "futebol match" soon, Thursday I think. Also, I think I just automatically became a Sao Paulo fan. The family asked me what team I like the most, I told them I didn't have a favorite, they told me I did, and it's Sao Paulo.
After lunch, (cod fish pasta, salad, and a yummy banana dessert) Paulo's niece took me to her friends house, so I met new friends. It was really sunny so we all tanned and ate delicious fruits by the pool. "Quality life" is what they call it. I agree. Great quality.

Yesterday, Monica, a lady from Rotary, took my the "cheap street" to go shopping. All the clothes are so cute, and so cheap, but a little large for me. ): But, that's okay, I will find some clothes soon. There is always tomorrow. After shopping, we went to Monica's house, I watched "Dear John" with her son. She made us delicious beef, marinara sauce, and cheese, YUMM. Then, since it was so sunny, I laid in the hammock, ended up falling asleep for two hours. (:
It's a good life.

Inbound Orientation!

This weekend we had out inbound orientation where we met all of the other exchange students from other countries, mostly Mexico.

Other than listening to the same lectures from different people everyday, it was pretty fun! I met TONS of other inbounds.. NEW FRIENDS! (:

Discovered that Mexicans LOVE "silly bandz." They stole all of mine! ):

Went swimming! Well.. more like, got pushed into the pool. Then was. It was fun.

Realized that I know a lot more Portuguese than I thought I did because I can now not speak proper English. We invented a new language, "Engliguese." Alsoooo, learned that mexican and canadian ARE there own languages!!!!!

Okay, I am extremely tired, and am going to bed.

BOA NOITE!

District 4420 Inbounds

Former Chairman, Tarciso

Breaking the elevator rules

Semana Dois.

I have been pretty busy this week. My host mom got me signed up for a gymnastics class... Turns out, i do most of the teaching. The coach's just translate. It's a fun class.. (Gymnastics down here is a joke.)
I have also been running at the club everyday. I have been super sore, and rather tired in the mornings.

I went to a Rotary meeting last night, and I actually understood what someone said to me, IN PORTUGUESE!!! I think this a good sign! Also, I found out that there is a Rotary orientation this weekend! Yay for meeting new exchange students!!

Today, my host mom taught me some new words, I wrote them on cards, then we taped them up in the house! I learned escada (stairs), microondas (microwave), and lots more that I have already forgotten.
Also, in school today, we watched "Into The Wild" and it made me a little homesick, and that is the first thing that I completely understood in school... Which is rather sad if you think about English class here. (The English teacher speaks very poor English.)

Okay, I am going to watch "House" and read the Portuguese subtitles, hopefully learn something. (:
Tchau,
beijos.

Semana Uma.

Okay, I survived the 3 day flight, Customs, Immigration, 4 days of school, and two Rotary events.
During which time I have figured out that: schools here are like prisons, I have a new friend named Casper (the ghost) from Denmark, Guarana is really freakin' good, this city is huge, annnnnnnd NOBODY here speaks English, so Portuguese is a MUST. So far, it's coming pretty well. I learned ow to say pineapple, ring, bus, and crayon.. I noticed that when learning a new language, the order in which you learn things is: "Hello", cuss words, random objects. (:

Sunday: Landed in Sao Paulo, had cheese bread and hot chocolate, went home, unpacked, showered, "Snappled" (Skyped) my mommy, and went to sleep.

Monday: Woke up had breakfast, went to school, came home, room was clean, lunch was made, ate lunch, did nothing the rest of the day.

Tuesday: Woke up, ate breakfast, went to school, went to the club, at lunch at the restaurant, looked around the pools and gym, came home, got ready for Roatary, went back to the club, signed up, went to Rotary, met lots of oldies, SAW FELIPE, met Casper, went home, slep.

Wednesday: Food, school, home, food, club, home, shopping, food. Lots and lots of food. (:

Thursday: Food, school, home, food, club, 19 hour nap.

Friday: NO SCHOOL! Food, club, home, food, movies (Inception), home, sleep.

Saturday: Bright and early start, went to set up for the Paella, went to host grandmas house for lunch, went shopping for the Paella, went to host moms friends moms house for cake and tea, came home, got ready for the Paella, went to the Paella, cam home, SLEPT.

And that was my week one. (: