birthdays in Brazil

So, tonight me and the gang (meaning Alexandra, the three girls, their two friends and their nanny) all went to a friend's birthday party at 'Fabulous Pizza'. My night went ok for the most part, somewhat isolated from the rest because I'm inept at conversation at this point. But our little corner ended up being the multi-lingual side composed of a few women who spoke various languages. One lady, who cracked me up by the way, was somewhat in my position and spoke only Italian fluently and a little english and portugese. She was really nice once you looked past her Italian bimbo persona (fake boobs, tan, semi obnoxious smile and all). This is what an Italian 'blonde' must be. The other woman spoke english very well, and of course Portuguese. What was funny, was that all the 'second languages' we spoke were all very similar....so we probably ended up making sense out of ital-portug-nol-ish if you want to call it that. What a mess, haha.

I learned a little about the traditions they have here for birthdays too. First of all, they had one of those crazy -can't blow me out- candles on the cake, but honestly it looked, sounded and smelled more like a firecracker to me...no shit. Of course, then you get twelve little ones around it trying to blow it out and you have a new sort of 'frosting' on the cake. They also have these bon bons, which are made out of condensed milk and chocolate powder and then covered in sprinkles. These are a staple to every children's party, I learned. Then the birthday boy/girl cuts the cake and makes a wish and chooses someone from the party (of the opposite sex) to have the first piece. Haha...this is so cute. I'm carrying this one on.

I did pretty well at controlling the number of little slices I ate for dinner, but self control went out the window with dessert. Not only was the cake chocolate mouse cake delicioso! (....bomb), but they brought out pizzas made with banana and cinnamon, cream cheese and strawberry jelly, and the best one- nutella and strawberries. Mmmm. Yum.

I've decided its time to step my game up and speak Portuguese like a pro (ok-decent). I'm giving my self two weeks.

Game on.

a few pics....

Here's a pic of Alexandra and the girls (Olivia, Helena, and Laura). We were at a show at Laura's school where the kids danced and played games for their families. The next picture is me and Olivia at the park. Helena and her friend good Pedro who is visiting from Miami (who was also in Breck) think it's hilarious when I play the balance game on the see-saw. I kinda like it too. ; ) I'll post pics of the house and the city soon. *beijos*

How do you say geek in portugese??

6-26-09

Wow, how my life is backwards right now. I watched TV last night for over an hour, enjoyed going to the mall today and a heart racing adventure has become getting home on the onibus (more like a large van) by myself. Haha…..that was interesting. Not only was I embarrassing myself by taking pictures of the bus stop….but having to call the house to tell Alejandra that I found the bus was quite an ordeal. I was on the phone with either Gina (the cook) or the other lady and I ended up saying a jumbled mess of ‘me, Lindsey….bus…..home….thank you and goodbye.” I repeated this mess of a conversation with the guy at the gate in front of the condominiums. Ha…I need to learn portugese pronto. Off to it......

Oi!!

Which means - Hi!! Still at the basics here. ; ) So, I went ahead and did the blog thing. I'll do my best not to be too wordy. But those who know me should also know that I will fail at this a time or two......to be real, quite frequently.

Things are going really well out here in Brazil. The house is great and I have a little room downstairs and plenty of privacy. It's quaint, but I pretty much brought the bare minimum out here, so it suits me. The family is so sweet and super welcoming. The girls are named Helena (7), Laura (4) and Olivia (1) and their parents are named Alexandra and Roberto. The older two have been nothing short of ecstatic that I'm here. Laura came with her mom to pick me up from the airport and came right up for a hug and has been holding my hand ever since. Helena is going to be my saving grace around here, as she speaks english very well and helps me translate to the other two when needed. The cook is really nice, and as soon as I learn to speak Portugese a little better I'm sure we'll be friends. But for now, we're both kind of shy. I really think Alexandra and I will become great friends too. I just got done watching an hour of a Portugese soap opera, which felt completely pointless because I could only pick up a word hear and there. I'm sure it'll help eventually. My job description, as I'm figuring out on the way here, is pretty much just be around to help out with girls, and speak english to them. The middle one, Laura, I taught in ski school this winter. I'm seeing how she really is, and she's a riot....and has so much personality. Hell, all three do. I'm sure a few days will be a little crazy, but I've had my training of dealing with wild childs and I know I will be fine... I'll put up pictures of them as soon as I take some. Tonight we went to a school function for Helena and they shared all these modern and old-school games they play with their families. A few were familiar, but most were very different and it took me a while watching to figure some of them out. I was introduced to a lot of people that are close friends of the family and I pretty much couldnt talk to anyone.....I'm not used to this. Hopefully my smile and pleasant demeanor will carry me through this stage.....: /
At the end of the night everyone, and I'm talking everyone got in a big circle and held hands. The music started and we circled the room intermitantly stepping forward and back, forward and back...then changed directions. No shit, if this was done in the states....it would not have been in unison as it was tonight. Haha......ahh to be in a culture with rhythm again.......hehe. Ok, g'night for now. *bejinhos*