Wednesday, July 29, 2009
underneath a mango tree : )
28-7-09
So…I wanted to take advantage of my last half a day or so, and I’d say I did a good job. As soon as Roberto and Alexandra got back to the back house last night I gathered everything I’d need for the morning. I put on my running clothes and my jacket (first time since I’ve been here!) and grabbed my pillow and top blanket. I made my way out to the hammocks and was pretty excited about enjoying a night out under the stars. What a life huh? Sleeping under a mango tree to the sounds of baa-ing sheep, the wind and the crickets. Why I hadn’t done this yet here, I don’t know.
I slept alright actually, woke up a few times but it’s pretty hard to be irritated with a disturbed sleep when the first thing you see is a sky full of stars. My natural alarm clock didn’t beat my mechanical one however, and I ended up waking to that monotonous beeping rather than the sun. 5:50…stars still out……It wasn’t until 6:15 or so that I finally got the will to get up, only after enjoying the gradually lightening sky towards the east however. I thought that sunrises weren’t as colorful as sunsets. But they are. You just have to be up before them to enjoy all the colors.
I rolled out of the hammock to put my shoes on…and one was gone! Really? Where did those damn dogs take it? There really was 7 more pairs of shoes (and socks!) around for them to play with. Haha….had to choose mine. : ) I found it after hobbling around outside the house, one shoe on, one shoe off and brought it back to the hammock to put it on. Apparently, I wasn’t entirely awake just yet because I had trouble sitting up on the thing and fell backwards onto my back. Ha! And of course, no one was there to laugh with me.
Ok, slight delay…but up and running at 6:30. Sun still not up yet. I ran to the Turbina for a last little peak at our much visited watering hold and made it back, showered and packed prior to 7:30. : ) Of course our departure time was delayed as expected for an hour. But not just because of those latin ways, also because we had a donkey meandering on our runway we needed to chase off before we took off. Haha…I guess I could have had that quick little skinny dip in the pool like I was hoping. Ah, well…something to come back for. : )
So…I wanted to take advantage of my last half a day or so, and I’d say I did a good job. As soon as Roberto and Alexandra got back to the back house last night I gathered everything I’d need for the morning. I put on my running clothes and my jacket (first time since I’ve been here!) and grabbed my pillow and top blanket. I made my way out to the hammocks and was pretty excited about enjoying a night out under the stars. What a life huh? Sleeping under a mango tree to the sounds of baa-ing sheep, the wind and the crickets. Why I hadn’t done this yet here, I don’t know.
I slept alright actually, woke up a few times but it’s pretty hard to be irritated with a disturbed sleep when the first thing you see is a sky full of stars. My natural alarm clock didn’t beat my mechanical one however, and I ended up waking to that monotonous beeping rather than the sun. 5:50…stars still out……It wasn’t until 6:15 or so that I finally got the will to get up, only after enjoying the gradually lightening sky towards the east however. I thought that sunrises weren’t as colorful as sunsets. But they are. You just have to be up before them to enjoy all the colors.
I rolled out of the hammock to put my shoes on…and one was gone! Really? Where did those damn dogs take it? There really was 7 more pairs of shoes (and socks!) around for them to play with. Haha….had to choose mine. : ) I found it after hobbling around outside the house, one shoe on, one shoe off and brought it back to the hammock to put it on. Apparently, I wasn’t entirely awake just yet because I had trouble sitting up on the thing and fell backwards onto my back. Ha! And of course, no one was there to laugh with me.Ok, slight delay…but up and running at 6:30. Sun still not up yet. I ran to the Turbina for a last little peak at our much visited watering hold and made it back, showered and packed prior to 7:30. : ) Of course our departure time was delayed as expected for an hour. But not just because of those latin ways, also because we had a donkey meandering on our runway we needed to chase off before we took off. Haha…I guess I could have had that quick little skinny dip in the pool like I was hoping. Ah, well…something to come back for. : )
last night at the farm - PICTURES!
Pictures from the trip are here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2275252&id=6407352&l=30777b7631
and a few sunset shots too:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2269386&id=6407352&l=bed95296bf
27-7-09
I’m going home refreshed, and with a new mindset. It’s been a little over four weeks since I’ve been in Brasil. My Portuguese comprehension has come along great, I’d say And speaking sometimes comes out alright too.
What’s really improved since being at the farm, is my perspective. The first two days in Brasil were great…but that honeymoon phase was short lived. Soon after, the schedule started weighing on my: no one really to connect and talk to (except my computer), long days, and my world was inside this complex’s walls. Was it the job? Not sure. Adapting to new situations is my forte…so why wasn’t it working out for me?
Maybe there were a couple reasons…but one I do know about was the fact that I was struggling with the role I played in the house. Was I the nanny? The family friend? English teacher? Cleaner? Even though I had discussed this very topic prior to coming with Alexandra, it still has been and probably will be a confusing one.
The girls really are generally sweet. Olivia, the one year old is incredibly smart and calls me ‘ni ni.’ We’ve gotten close since being on the farm, which is encouraging and a relief. The first two weeks I had to deal with the ‘not the mama’ fits which are quite disheartening sometimes. Laura is 4 and she’s super sweet and laughs all the time. She is a huge cuddler and I just love it when she wants to play with my hair, have me hold her hand or give her piggy back rides (cavalinho). She’s made me feel welcome since I walked off the plane. Now that we can talk in both Portuguese and English, she’s learning much quicker.
Helena, is 7, the oldest and the one with the strongest personality. She’s actually pretty daring, which I have some fun with on our vacations. The first two weeks it was great having her there to translate for me (as she is pretty fluent at English having lived in Miami for a few years). She is also very intelligent….maybe too much for her own good sometimes….ehhh…and can be a real struggle for me most days. It’s almost to the point though that her controlling and manipulative ways are detrimental to my relationship with her both her sister and her parents. I only hope that she learns one day soon that the world doesn’t revolve around her. Wow…that sounds familiar. I sound like my mom. ; )
I was thinking the other day what people mean by ‘having experience’ in life. And to me, an experience means nothing unless a lesson is learned from it. I also believe that sometimes you know what you’re getting into, but that most times you don’t. Well, this experience in Brasil as these girls’ ‘au pair’ is throwing down those lessons left and right. Firstly, not ready to have kids just yet! Secondly, the role of being a mother will be the most eye-opening, scary, crucial, heartbreaking, exhausting yet ultimately rewarding time of a person’s life. Just like everything in life, you play with the cards you are dealt.
After getting to know Roberto’s family and of course spending more time with the Martin’s family, I’m understanding a lot more of what I’ve been ‘dealt’ here with this ‘experience’. And I’m feeling a little more prepared. No, it’s not going to be all glamorous and peachy-keen as some people may think I thought it was going to be. I knew it wouldn’t be….It’s going to be bittersweet. Just how I like my chocolate.
The next couple of months will be hard at times, but I’m determined to end this on a positive note. It’s around 10:45 and I’m hoping to get the will power in the morning to wake up and get one last run in out here. Our flight is supposed to leave at 8am, so I’m contemplating sleeping outside in one of the hammocks so I wake with the sun. Yet, as this is a farm, with al that cattle raising (and sheep apparently) it will probably be another restless night. Last week it was the baby calves calling for their moms. This week, it’s who knows how many sheep endlessly baa-ing. This really puts the whole ‘counting sheep’ thing to help you sleep a whole new meaning…..this one’s not working.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2275252&id=6407352&l=30777b7631
and a few sunset shots too:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2269386&id=6407352&l=bed95296bf
27-7-09
I’m going home refreshed, and with a new mindset. It’s been a little over four weeks since I’ve been in Brasil. My Portuguese comprehension has come along great, I’d say And speaking sometimes comes out alright too.
What’s really improved since being at the farm, is my perspective. The first two days in Brasil were great…but that honeymoon phase was short lived. Soon after, the schedule started weighing on my: no one really to connect and talk to (except my computer), long days, and my world was inside this complex’s walls. Was it the job? Not sure. Adapting to new situations is my forte…so why wasn’t it working out for me?
Maybe there were a couple reasons…but one I do know about was the fact that I was struggling with the role I played in the house. Was I the nanny? The family friend? English teacher? Cleaner? Even though I had discussed this very topic prior to coming with Alexandra, it still has been and probably will be a confusing one.
The girls really are generally sweet. Olivia, the one year old is incredibly smart and calls me ‘ni ni.’ We’ve gotten close since being on the farm, which is encouraging and a relief. The first two weeks I had to deal with the ‘not the mama’ fits which are quite disheartening sometimes. Laura is 4 and she’s super sweet and laughs all the time. She is a huge cuddler and I just love it when she wants to play with my hair, have me hold her hand or give her piggy back rides (cavalinho). She’s made me feel welcome since I walked off the plane. Now that we can talk in both Portuguese and English, she’s learning much quicker.
Helena, is 7, the oldest and the one with the strongest personality. She’s actually pretty daring, which I have some fun with on our vacations. The first two weeks it was great having her there to translate for me (as she is pretty fluent at English having lived in Miami for a few years). She is also very intelligent….maybe too much for her own good sometimes….ehhh…and can be a real struggle for me most days. It’s almost to the point though that her controlling and manipulative ways are detrimental to my relationship with her both her sister and her parents. I only hope that she learns one day soon that the world doesn’t revolve around her. Wow…that sounds familiar. I sound like my mom. ; )
I was thinking the other day what people mean by ‘having experience’ in life. And to me, an experience means nothing unless a lesson is learned from it. I also believe that sometimes you know what you’re getting into, but that most times you don’t. Well, this experience in Brasil as these girls’ ‘au pair’ is throwing down those lessons left and right. Firstly, not ready to have kids just yet! Secondly, the role of being a mother will be the most eye-opening, scary, crucial, heartbreaking, exhausting yet ultimately rewarding time of a person’s life. Just like everything in life, you play with the cards you are dealt.
After getting to know Roberto’s family and of course spending more time with the Martin’s family, I’m understanding a lot more of what I’ve been ‘dealt’ here with this ‘experience’. And I’m feeling a little more prepared. No, it’s not going to be all glamorous and peachy-keen as some people may think I thought it was going to be. I knew it wouldn’t be….It’s going to be bittersweet. Just how I like my chocolate.
The next couple of months will be hard at times, but I’m determined to end this on a positive note. It’s around 10:45 and I’m hoping to get the will power in the morning to wake up and get one last run in out here. Our flight is supposed to leave at 8am, so I’m contemplating sleeping outside in one of the hammocks so I wake with the sun. Yet, as this is a farm, with al that cattle raising (and sheep apparently) it will probably be another restless night. Last week it was the baby calves calling for their moms. This week, it’s who knows how many sheep endlessly baa-ing. This really puts the whole ‘counting sheep’ thing to help you sleep a whole new meaning…..this one’s not working.
moon-sets and little critters
27-7-09
Today on my run, the cows were double teaming me, one group from each side of the fence this time. I'm not going to lie, I was regretting wearing red and actually got a little nervous..haha. But the sunsets and night-time stargazing are amazing and shall be missed greatly as I head back to the city in a few days. I'm so glad to have had this experience on their farm. It's crazy how fast two weeks go.
I laid out under the stars tonight and I really don't know how often you truly can have this kind of view. When I first got here, the Milky Way and this very bright star were a lot lower than they are now. I realize that the earth is moving, as is the moon, but I need to figure out if this is a time of night variant or a time of mo/year variant.
I actually have had a hard time finding the moon out here at night. And I realized it's because the moon is on the same side as the sunsets. So, it's only out for a short while and then goes on its way to somewhere else's nighttime. But, great photo op huh? Moon and sun in the same frame. The moon actually ends up setting a couple hours or so after the sun and when it's really low, it looks like a harvest moon (just not always full). Tonight it was a crescent moon....gorgeous.
I'm definitely letting go of my fear of little critters out here. I was literally laying in the cement, in the dark, outside the back house. It's not uncommon to find snakes and scorpions out here...not to mention large and interesting spiders, praying mantis and the guaranteed ants. At night, the baby frogs and grasshoppers come out too. They didn't bother me tonight though, thankfully. The only visitor I had was the lone calf that wanders around inside the fence at night. It always makes me laugh when it passes by. Just a little reminder of where I am. The other evening, while I was doing laundry out here, it came up to me and nudged me with its nose. As domesticated as this one kind of is...I still wasn't really sure if that meant 'pet me' or 'feed me'.
Today on my run, the cows were double teaming me, one group from each side of the fence this time. I'm not going to lie, I was regretting wearing red and actually got a little nervous..haha. But the sunsets and night-time stargazing are amazing and shall be missed greatly as I head back to the city in a few days. I'm so glad to have had this experience on their farm. It's crazy how fast two weeks go.
I laid out under the stars tonight and I really don't know how often you truly can have this
I actually have had a hard time finding the moon out here at night. And I realized it's because the moon is on the same side as the sunsets. So, it's only out for a short while and then goes on its way to somewhere else's nighttime. But, great photo op huh? Moon and sun in the same frame. The moon actually ends up setting a couple hours or so after the sun and when it's really low, it looks like a harvest moon (just not always full). Tonight it was a crescent moon....gorgeous.
I'm definitely letting go of my fear of little critters out here. I was literally laying in the cement, in the dark, outside the back house. It's not uncommon to find snakes and scorpions out here...not to mention large and interesting spiders, praying mantis and the guaranteed ants. At night, the baby frogs and grasshoppers come out too. They didn't bother me tonight though, thankfully. The only visitor I had was the lone calf that wanders around inside the fence at night. It always makes me laugh when it passes by. Just a little reminder of where I am. The other evening, while I was doing laundry out here, it came up to me and nudged me with its nose. As domesticated as this one kind of is...I still wasn't really sure if that meant 'pet me' or 'feed me'.
day at the river
So, here's just a little side note on these day trips we've been going on. Today we went to Passa 20 a river that they enjoy relaxing and playing in. The ground here really has a lot of sand. This was strange to me at first, but considering they have a TON more water during the rainy season (6 months of the year)...it's more understandable. Secondly, the natural rock formation looks more like a cobblestone pathway with red-ish colored sand, pinkish looking rocks and even some shimmery white ones with flecks of fools gold too. Very pretty. We normally ride to these daily trips all piled into a Land Rover or truck equip to traverse the semi-forest terrain and make it down and up these sandy steeps. On a good day we fit 5 adults and ten kids in one truck. Haha...I guess they used to have a rack on top, which later broke, that the kids would ride up on too.
Roberto was telling me that just down the very river that we were on today, there is a town called Baja something. Hardly anyone knows about it, being out here in the middle of Motto Gross. But those who have heard of it knows it's a huge mining town for diamonds. It's supposedly one of the only places they mine for diamonds (in Brasil) in a river. I guess they still haven't found out where the river is really picking these diamonds up, but they do know it's from somewhere up this river we're playing in! : ) It'd be pretty cool if the Martin's family found out it was on their property.
Our short swim down the river led us to this area with a bunch of little falls and holes in the rocks. Such crazy rock formations (sorry no pics, I've made the whole takin' pics in waterfalls mistake before). Before we left, the whole family was all cheering on different members of the family to see who would do the most pull ups on the center mango tree (the same one that that cow was disected on...and where all the hammocks hang). I was running around trying to find Olivia's diaper bag as they snatched me up to join in the fun. Haha...me and Rafael (they call him Hafa) tied with ten until one of the uncles out did us with 15! Sue, the marathon runner was proud I rep'd the girls well. ; )
Roberto was telling me that just down the very river that we were on today, there is a town called Baja something. Hardly anyone knows about it, being out here in the middle of Motto Gross. But those who have heard of it knows it's a huge mining town for diamonds. It's supposedly one of the only places they mine for diamonds (in Brasil) in a river. I guess they still haven't found out where the river is really picking these diamonds up, but they do know it's from somewhere up this river we're playing in! : ) It'd be pretty cool if the Martin's family found out it was on their property.
Our short swim down the river led us to this area with a bunch of little falls and holes in the rocks. Such crazy rock formations (sorry no pics, I've made the whole takin' pics in waterfalls mistake before). Before we left, the whole family was all cheering on different members of the family to see who would do the most pull ups on the center mango tree (the same one that that cow was disected on...and where all the hammocks hang). I was running around trying to find Olivia's diaper bag as they snatched me up to join in the fun. Haha...me and Rafael (they call him Hafa) tied with ten until one of the uncles out did us with 15! Sue, the marathon runner was proud I rep'd the girls well. ; )
Saturday, July 25, 2009
day?: race day to mata burro!
23-7-09
It is so crazy hot today for some reason! And I’m the only one that seems to feel it! I didn’t get to go on my run this morning, but that’s expected when I’m on morning duty. But I did get a chance to get a run in this afternoon, and I beat the record!!!! I’m not saying I’m super woman, but I did beat the time by 30 seconds or so I think. If I’m correct, the fastest time as of today was 35:50ish. I didn’t expect me to actually beat it today, but coming around the corner of the last hill, I realized I might be able to do it! And I did! I came in and touched the tree at 35:19. Whew! I’m not going to lie, I was pushing it that last little bit. It’s a pretty sandy run, let me add. I was hoping kind of just to beat 36, have an even split of 18-18 and actually finish the course instead of stop early like last time....so stupid. Sú could snatch that record up tomorrow morning if she wanted to, which she might before she leaves here, but I’m still happy I did well for myself too. I think that’s a 7:30 mi pace....not bad, not bad....in the heat too. : ) I checked out teh bottom of my soles today...and I think its time. I’m wearing them thin.
Side note: Me and all the kids ran the course again on the 25th and one of the 11 year old studs was in it to beat 38 at least he said. He had a bet running with one of his cousins with long curly hair and if he beat him, he’d have to cut it off. He wanted me to be his pacer, so we set out today on a mission. I was running it pretty fast for me as well, but I got him to stay on my heels and finish with a 36:30 today. : ) He beat him! But his cousin has a few more days to redeem himself. But, seriously, give that 11 year old a few more years on him and he’s going to be running sub 30’s. Goodbye record. Ha. Just kidding. It’ll be gone by the end of the week I bet.
It is so crazy hot today for some reason! And I’m the only one that seems to feel it! I didn’t get to go on my run this morning, but that’s expected when I’m on morning duty. But I did get a chance to get a run in this afternoon, and I beat the record!!!! I’m not saying I’m super woman, but I did beat the time by 30 seconds or so I think. If I’m correct, the fastest time as of today was 35:50ish. I didn’t expect me to actually beat it today, but coming around the corner of the last hill, I realized I might be able to do it! And I did! I came in and touched the tree at 35:19. Whew! I’m not going to lie, I was pushing it that last little bit. It’s a pretty sandy run, let me add. I was hoping kind of just to beat 36, have an even split of 18-18 and actually finish the course instead of stop early like last time....so stupid. Sú could snatch that record up tomorrow morning if she wanted to, which she might before she leaves here, but I’m still happy I did well for myself too. I think that’s a 7:30 mi pace....not bad, not bad....in the heat too. : ) I checked out teh bottom of my soles today...and I think its time. I’m wearing them thin.
Side note: Me and all the kids ran the course again on the 25th and one of the 11 year old studs was in it to beat 38 at least he said. He had a bet running with one of his cousins with long curly hair and if he beat him, he’d have to cut it off. He wanted me to be his pacer, so we set out today on a mission. I was running it pretty fast for me as well, but I got him to stay on my heels and finish with a 36:30 today. : ) He beat him! But his cousin has a few more days to redeem himself. But, seriously, give that 11 year old a few more years on him and he’s going to be running sub 30’s. Goodbye record. Ha. Just kidding. It’ll be gone by the end of the week I bet.
day ?: adult expedition
21-7-09
So, today I joined in on the fun with the adults and went on the best excusion I’ve been on yet out here at the farm. I’m so glad I got to go! All 9 of us piled into the Land Rover and set off driving for as far as we could. About a half hour into the drive, we set out on foot. Our destination was water (as usual) and we were going to descend down into the valley and then through the river for a while. Let me explain a little. There is no path. Only a general direction in which we were heading. Ok, now the grass is about 3 feet tall and sometimes it likes to grab onto you and your clothes.
On the way down, we crossed this river that we had to descend down into through holding onto these baby bamboo trees (of which are home to these tinie tiny ticks which we were hoping not to become victim to). It was so steep, I felt like I was glisading down a 14ner, just on dirt instead. : ) The river that we ended up at had little pools of water and tons of vegetation all around us. There were these branches that looked like Tarzan swings hanging from everywhere . It is so hot out here in the sun...and in long sleeves and pants too (protection from the sun). The water was awesome and I think that although I jumped in fully clothed, hat and all, I was dry within ten minutes. My shoes, however, stayed wet all day and started out that way because I was the lucky one to fall in the water hole first thing. They started keeping count of how many I ended up falling into and how many I made it through safely. Haha.
We climbed out of there and made our way up and down a few more steeps. The waterfall that we came across was like a big kids playground...that we had all to ourselves. The rocks had great holds to climb around in and there were ‘seat’s inside the falls that were like massage chairs. You had to push against the rocks pretty hard not to be swept down to the next one, but nonetheless it was relaxing. : )
It’s crazy that there really was absolutely no chance of anyone coming to disturb us there. Granted that also meant we were a good 2 hour hike and an hour drive back to the farm, and another couple hours away from the nearest hospital....but hey. ; ) The treck back was directed, thankfully, by one of the uncles who knows this place like the back of his hand. He has the most incredible sense of his surroundings and direction, and yet I was still surprised that we made it back to the jeep! We went a different way of course but was just as fun. I think my favorite part was the brief break we took ‘na sombra’ (in the shade). I was laying in three feet of grass that was probably home to many snakes, but was soo comfortable...and we had an awesome view. All in all it was a 5-6 hour passeo and I’m super glad I had the chance to do all that.
My shower later today informed me that the grass is very sharp and that I had a ton of scrapes on my hands from holding on so much. : ) But, whats a trip to the farm without a few scratches and bruises?
So, today I joined in on the fun with the adults and went on the best excusion I’ve been on yet out here at the farm. I’m so glad I got to go! All 9 of us piled into the Land Rover and set off driving for as far as we could. About a half hour into the drive, we set out on foot. Our destination was water (as usual) and we were going to descend down into the valley and then through the river for a while. Let me explain a little. There is no path. Only a general direction in which we were heading. Ok, now the grass is about 3 feet tall and sometimes it likes to grab onto you and your clothes.
On the way down, we crossed this river that we had to descend down into through holding onto these baby bamboo trees (of which are home to these tinie tiny ticks which we were hoping not to become victim to). It was so steep, I felt like I was glisading down a 14ner, just on dirt instead. : ) The river that we ended up at had little pools of water and tons of vegetation all around us. There were these branches that looked like Tarzan swings hanging from everywhere . It is so hot out here in the sun...and in long sleeves and pants too (protection from the sun). The water was awesome and I think that although I jumped in fully clothed, hat and all, I was dry within ten minutes. My shoes, however, stayed wet all day and started out that way because I was the lucky one to fall in the water hole first thing. They started keeping count of how many I ended up falling into and how many I made it through safely. Haha.
We climbed out of there and made our way up and down a few more steeps. The waterfall that we came across was like a big kids playground...that we had all to ourselves. The rocks had great holds to climb around in and there were ‘seat’s inside the falls that were like massage chairs. You had to push against the rocks pretty hard not to be swept down to the next one, but nonetheless it was relaxing. : )
It’s crazy that there really was absolutely no chance of anyone coming to disturb us there. Granted that also meant we were a good 2 hour hike and an hour drive back to the farm, and another couple hours away from the nearest hospital....but hey. ; ) The treck back was directed, thankfully, by one of the uncles who knows this place like the back of his hand. He has the most incredible sense of his surroundings and direction, and yet I was still surprised that we made it back to the jeep! We went a different way of course but was just as fun. I think my favorite part was the brief break we took ‘na sombra’ (in the shade). I was laying in three feet of grass that was probably home to many snakes, but was soo comfortable...and we had an awesome view. All in all it was a 5-6 hour passeo and I’m super glad I had the chance to do all that.
My shower later today informed me that the grass is very sharp and that I had a ton of scrapes on my hands from holding on so much. : ) But, whats a trip to the farm without a few scratches and bruises?
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