And then it all went wrong.

No. I was thinking while looking at my last post, of a song....I do not recall whether it is from "Row Row Row Your Boat" or something else....I just keep thinkin gof "And that's how the polar bear died" (they will soon any way though, for real, YUP, if you keep up with your aw ful habits like driving for fun and eating carcas...AHEM) but instead of a polar bear...it was the internet. In the midst of writing my last post, my internet died. Completely. For two days. I will not delete that post for two reasons, a.) I REALLY did want to go to the pool, darn it. And b.) It goes to show how reliable this is down here. High speeeeed. The speed of dial up ;) but I am fine with it. Internet is internet. I just did a lot of reading.


SPEAKING OF WHICH. If you love me....you should send me a book. Of course that is ridiculous. Shipping is expensive, and I am picky. Also...that is more to put in my bag to come home (which I have learned, packing up everything is an impossible task already). If you know me, you know that I have ABSOLUTELY no problem embracing the dork in me. Especially when it comes to English. I love to read and write and be a nag about the grammar of others (though how dumb would it be of me to do that now...I keep using the wrong form of 'your' in my emails and facebook....DO NOT even get mye started about that. I hate that my english is awful...but it is for the best. Anywho...I love glasses and trucking around a large back pack and the smell of new books makes me happier than anything. I am a dork, to a degree.

I recieved a package the other night, it was one Brian had sent out two months ago. Candy, and a book. It's a book of four Stephen King (MY FAVORITE AUTHOR EVER EVER EVER) short stories. I have read two so far and love it. Though I prefer his longer novels...but I had not read this before so it's amazing. (I have read probably....more than half of his work, of his fifty novels, collections of short stories and writing as Richard Bachman, I am an enthusiast.... though I have criticisms I will keep to myself :P) Stephen King is my favorite author, ever. He makes me feel like no matter what I write, I will not be the most demented author out there one day....if that is what I choose. HHAHAHAHAH, who effing knows. Shakespeare, for those of you that know me, is one of my favorite writers as well, but I would not say author to describe him, he was a playwright :D

I did finally get to go to the pool. Yesterday afternoon. Two days before that as well. It has been hot but it rains EVERY day ( I am in love with rain though, so no complaints, but thats for later) Three days ago, it had been my first time at the pool in WEEKS. No friends went that day, but it was so sunny and pretty packed. I sat on a chair reading (re-reading for the third time) a book and getting some horrible UV rays. Next to me was my host mother and older host sister. Quite uneventful. I didn 't even touch the water. I thought I did okay. I applied Sunscreen over and over...but the sun IS stronger here. Isn't there a hole in the ozone here? There has to be. I'm not crazy. I am just so red on my chest that it was purple (the rest of me is tan though) So gross. But no peeling this time, THANK THE LORD. Yesterday was another short visit. I met some new people, swam a bit and talked to some soldiers. Prettttttty sick.

Last night was a dance. "Baile do Hawaii" (Hawaii dance, obvi) at the club. It was huge compared to the formaturas and New Year's party there. A live band played and everyone had SO much energy. I was bored at first but when my friends showed up I had a blast. I do not remembe much, and I wish I had taken more pictures. I have one picture....of a boat...with fruit in it...

Ha! The place was decorated all over. There was no breathing room between tables. Men dressed in those hideous Hawaiian flower shirts (yes, they have those here too, unfortuneately) lots of color and leis and a really cool theme all in all. It was super fun. I wore my graduation dress. And unfortuneately (count how many times I've said that in this post, do it) I had to SQUEEZE my newly formed fat self into it. I find it to be more of a success though...when I was a month or so in here, I couldnt even zip it! Now just my legs are my biggest issue. My jeans don't like to fit me anymore. Tragic. I hate how parties don't even begin until midnight here. No, I do not dislike it. It is just different, considering I love being in bed by 10 but that makes people here laugh. I got home around 5 AM. Slept til nine. Read until 12. Then...did nothing all day. Success.

I want to go to the pool. Dangit.

I really do. No, not to swim. And it's supposed to be scattered thunder storms all day and all week. But it is hot as hell. And I need to see people.

I realize right now that I have been i

Boys are stupid.

But that is unrelated.


Well....my birthday was amazing. Considering that for the past...my mother's idea of a party for me was inviting over her friends, to eat a dinner, with lots and lots of meat. It was originally a combined party for my sister and I....then one day it decided to change. We had the party annually...On Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It turned into a dinner. For no reason. That I was forced to stay at.

Two years ago, for my 16th birthday, my boyfriend at the time threw me an AMAZING party. I had a mix of both my friends and his. Decorations were pink and silver...the food was ALL vegan...It blew me away. I am still amazed he did that for me! So great. This year, I had a party, and went to dinner...all that jazz...and I celebrated til 5:30 AM. Way to be, way to be. But celebrating comes at costs. Damn it.

It began as a usual, nonproductive morning. I woke up too late to eat breakfast, so I sat around until lunch. My parents here bought me a shirt, it's very cute ( I know I had posted this already) and we had some good food. After that, I sat around some more. I called my mother at work so she could sing to me. HAH YES, SERIOUSLY. She got all blubbery after she sang "Happy Birthday" in her odd way, at work, working the front desk....with people watching. I went to my friend's house after that. I spent time with her, her brother and their cousin, all friends of mine. Mostly, we were around the house, then I got up, determined to go to the gym, and they made me sit and drink a (radioactive-piss looking) soda and eat a chocolate pastei (pronounced pastel) which is basically a hand held pie...that is fried. SO BAD I DO NOT EAT LIKE THAT (they are common here) but it was delicious. They tried to trick me into staying out until I had to go to dinner, but I anticipated eating a whoooole lot more that night, so to the gym I went.

I got birthday wishes from the crazy trainer, as well as others I know there. I like the gym here because it's small and I go at the same time every day so I see a lot of the same people. I rushed through my workout and did my usual in half the time...not good for me but needed for timing. I went back home, showered, and went to dinner with another friend of mine. Her grandmother, grandfather and sister ordered a pizza that we are. It was sectioned off...it had my name on it...and the crust was filled with chocolate. What more could I ever want? hahahaha.

After dinner my other friends and I got together for a small party. We had a DELICIOUS cake...pink party hats...some other stuff...it was great. I had so much fun and my only regret is taking a total of 30 pictures that night....

18 years. 18 effing years.

And at the same time I am both happy and extremely dissatisfied where my life is. 18 is so young, but at the same time, it is really not. Having lived my life thus far, I realize that I am different....but I am not unique. I have never met anyone exactly like me. I meet people with similar opinions and thoughts, attitudes or ambitions. But no, I have never met anyone JUST like me. Good. Because we would hate eachother.

I can say that, at this "landmark" age, I have done a lot to be proud of. For one, I live in Brazil as an exchange student. How many can say they did this? A small percentage. Everyone tells me this is once in a lifetime. It's really not. I never want to get married or have kids because they would hold me back from what I want to do. I want to travel more, and never consider myself isolated from one place or another...especially not here. I will study abroad in college, and hopefully more afterwards. I have no idea what I want to do specifically yet, but I know English is broad enough to cover any possibilities. I will do well in college. In Highschool. I was constantly distracted by life...it's what I do. I always think so much, to the point where people don't believe I have much of a brain function. I am not unintelligent...though my thoughts are often scattered.

I have also done a lot of work to help others, something I have always been overly ambitious about. No, I am not a big fan of people in general. I prefer to be isolated. But it is the right thing, to help someone less fortunate. The right thing in my brain is the only thing that matters. I hate when people just do work to make themselves feel better, or meet a requirement, or just to look better. It should be done without reward. The reward is knowing someone else is living better.

I know, at this "young age" what I believe, and I know who I am. I know what I believe and what I think. I often times am very vocal abut my opinions, but other times, I feel that what I believe is my own business, and it should not be known to the world (i.e religion, veganism...it goes on). My opinions do not change. I am a harsh critic. I am hardest on myself though. I am a hypocrite. I have impossible expectations, but I will meet every single one.

At a younger age, I never expected to make it this far. I don't want to go into any kind of detail, but I know now that life is good. Life is for living, no, that does not mean partying. I have not accomplished everything that I need to. I have lived a life I can say I am proud of, but not proud of things that I have done. I am never going to apologize for being me, and making mistakes, and I will never regret anything I have done. I am myself.

...


On a lighter note: Tonight should be good!

I did not sleep AT ALL last night...It was impossible...I kept trying and just gave up and went online some more. Sooo bad. I have been sleeping so well, but all of a sudden...no. I also realize how much I hate the look of painted on makeup now...


Back in the U.S. SOOOO many girls just pound it on...seriously. They end up with a sometimes beautiful, but fake, looking face. I always hid behind that too, I would NEVER go out without at least foundation, eyeliner and mascara on. Coming here, there are a ton more girls wearing just natural looking, if any, makeup, and they look beautiful. I stopped with the eyeliner and full face after coming here. Mascara and foundaion is usually all...with a little eyeliner. On special occasions, like dances and parties, girls will wear eyeliner and shadow and other things, and look just as beautiful. I feel like a full face is something you should do on occasion...weird...ahahaha

I got a new shirt from this family this morning! Very cool. We also had a lot more things without meat for lunch today! Tonight, I will eat pizza with a friend of mine and her family ( that are intregued with me...for some reason) and then hopefully with my other friends :D

It is going to be a good year.

I hate facebook

I am over it. If it were not necessary for me to keep in touch with people here, and the few I want to talk to back home, I would deactivate my account in an instant. I have said before how much displeasure I feel with it, especially now since everyone has one. I do not have facebook to talk to my family. I have no intentions of using as such, I had few family members added, like my sister and brother, two cousins and an uncle from across the country. When I post things on facebook, they are then open for all to comment on, but they are my thoughts, things in my head. I hate when people send me long messages on facebook, criticizing how I am. I am the way that I am. I do not change myself, nor do I live to please other people. I help people who need it, but I have no intention of changing my relations with anyone. I enjoy keeping myself at a distance from other people. I am not close to family, I have never been and I do not plan to be. So, stop. You are no better than me.

...


My mood definitely improved last night! I went to the gym, thats about all I did yesterday, then I came home, took a shower...and tried to get to my other house. The worker is staying there at night to take care of things, but she had not arrived yet. Then Wagninho came over and we walked and waited and stuff. I picked some things up from the other house. Family members of this house came over for fish and football I guess...I had no intention of staying for that....sorry.
We went out walking some more, saw a friend and then went to the potato restaurant. SOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOD! I ordered the same that I had last time (not like I had much of an option) but it was so much better this time. This time, there was no tray of french fries and chicken hearts in front of my face, so no crying, and an actual appetite. YES. In case you have no idea what I mean, in my city there is a restaurant, best known for their giant baked potatoes covered in stuff. I get one that is made with cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, corn, something else, raisins and it has a creme de leite sauce on top I think, aaaand it is heaven. I felt SO accomplished last night because I understood EVERY single word said to me (Wagner, he does not speak a WORD of english, I'm sorry, other than "BEAUTIFUL GIRL" ha) Since two of my other friends (that speak English) are out of town this week, the only good friend here I've seen is him. I understood everything and can honestly talk back sometimes, but I give up a lot like "I DONT WANT TO TALK ANYMORE" I always say that. I get frustrated.

I am dying for someone to skype me. My family comes back from the cruise Sunday night. I have three more days of waiting for someone to call me up....then no webcam for probably a few more months.

A little sleep deprived, but still alive.

No, it is not supposed to be rhyme-y. My creativity is just at an all time low.

Going to the gym everyday reminds me of a time when I was in MUCH better shape...and I love that I am getting back there. I used to run and enjoy it, I used to be "fit." No, I know I am not fat. Yes, I know my body HAS fat (more than it should right now...but hey....whatever) I'd like to take this time to thank my tummy. It has stayed relatively beautiful these past few years, thanks much to my eating. But now that I work out here, and I am not vegan, I get in better shape much quicker. The not so healthy eating of course makes for sugar crashes and bad cravings, but I have animal protein from the dairy and other foods (no, not meat, shut up, thanks) so muscles are building up quicker. When I am vegan, I stay healthy and in shape, but I have no muscles. It makes working out harder, but less necessary. But going to the gym and being active is healthy and definitely something I've missed. I was SO lazy the last year and a half of my life, it's gross. But I love my tummy...80% of the time. 20% of the time I eat too much and regret it, but my tummy always finds it's way back....hahah I love my metabolism <3 but hate my thighs...we can't have it ALL.


Why I just decided to post about my body... I do not know. I could overshare with you right now, but I choose not to. I just think people should be more positive about their image. Is my body perfect? Not by ANY means. It could be much improved, but for right now, it works. I plan that when I go back to New York, I focus evenn more on the fitness I have been lacking the past two years. I think about last summer and trying to get back into running...it was pathetic. I was SO lazy. When you are active, you feel good, about yourself and just in general. I just typed that after eating three mini chocolate bars ( I still hate candy here, it is awful) and I don't feel guilty...they are not NEARLY as unhealthy as things in the USA can be...

...


I have been here now for two and a half months!! I feel like it has been much longer, and that is inboth good and bad ways. I do miss working, and school, and my best friends, and volunteering as well. Volunteering has ALWAYS been a huge part of my life. I grew up with little, but found no problem helping others in my situation and there are always people worse off that need things more. Here, I vowed never to let myself "get used" to seeing the poverty here. It is heartbreaking, even still. I hate that now it is less of a shock to me, but it nonetheless makes me want to help more....and branch out in doing so.

I remember talking to a friend of mine a while ago...he used to live in India, so he knows a lot about how the situations can be. The United States is a "1st World" country. Yes, there is poverty. There are people without jobs and without homes. Some can't eat every meal or afford luxuries. But there is no way you can ever complain about any of that after seeing this. I was never rich, I do not know what that feels like. But I have grown up and lived in a relatively well-to-do area for ever. Majority of residents upper-middle class. Most live in homes that here, would seem to be a mansion. Some complain there is nothing to do. They never look. I like to call Clifton Park "fat man's paradise" because if you like to eat...well....it is heaven. But honestly, there is so much to do within 20 minutes of the city.

I have such a dislike for people...back there. Too many deserve nothing, do nothing, and are handed....everything. Parents will buy their children cars, video games, clothes. No. I always saved up for what wanted. I don't remember the last time my parents bought me clothes, and I supply my vegan self with most of my food. I have to pay for a car, and college. I worked two jobs and volunteer, while graduating early. I also paid for this trip. No, I am not trying to look better...I just get frustrated at ignorance (PLUS I love being busy, all the time...hahah). I of course, in this time, forgot how to breathe and take a minute for myself. But after seeing poverty like this, hearing people being petty over facebook makes me ill.

Two days until my birthday. You know what I want? For you to go do something productive for another person. No, your job doesn't count. You get paid for it. Even if it is something small....donate money or your time, SOMETHING. And you will most likely be reading from me tomorrow :)


...


ALSO....I am currently in the market for a new favorite color....pink just doesn't do it for me anymore. Any suggestions?? :P

What they don't want you to know about homesickness...

sort of.


Well, my entire life I have lived independently. I do not rely on other people and do not find myself close to many. I keep distance from blood relatives and have issues being social. For no reason other than my subconconcious obligation to myself to be alone forever. Not quite. But...well kind of.

But even the most callous, like myself, have emotions, despite all efforts to hide them.

Every exchange student has a different experience. No two will have it the same, regardless of where they go, or where they are from. We all get different families, come from different backgrounds, countries, states....the list goes on. I do not like the term "homesick" because to me, that is not the case. I do not miss my home, the people in it, or 99.86% of people back there. I miss, as I've said before, how I lived. I hate the feeling that my best friends live their lives daily and I have no idea what is going on. When I am sad, or bored or have a story, I can't just call up Bailey and say "I'm coming over, get Grace." I am not working. I am eating lots of cheese...hahaha....and as much as the feelings here have softened, and I have few harsh feelings towards life here now...you can never avoid the mood swings.

I have talked to other exhcangers too. All have been in their countries longer than myself. I know some who traveled in years past as well. And all agree that the bad feelinbgs are unpredictable. I agree completely. I was out having a perfectly good time with a friend the other night, and all of a sudden I got extremely depressed. For two days now I have been in a slump kind of mood. Not wanting to go out and see people. I went to the gym yesterday and had to buy some things. But the only person I really talked to was the trainer there. The gym is good stress relief, but when I came home...I ate awful things and rereated to my room for the rest of the evening, unable to sleep until very early today.

Sleep, you would think, would be a relief. But considering my dream and how extremely vivid it was...I find myself confused and frustrated more. Before I fell asleep I had completely convinced myself I was home. Looking around my room in the dark, it looked like mine back home...when I "woke up" I was in a world of Brazil and Clifton Park...and for once I remember it well. My dreams are always weird, and it may have something to do with the late night coffee here...but any night I could write a book from the strange things in my head. I am odd. Very, very odd.


Here, I get so frustrated sometimes. Frustration leads to hopelessness and wanting to just leave. I get frustrated when I understand, and people think I do not. I get mad when people talk at me full speed, and think I DO understand when I do not. I get mad when my families want to go out and I want to sleep. And I hate having to stay in bed all day. This is not, of course, all the time, but it just goes to show how completely unpredictable things can be here, at least for me.

In three days, I turn 18. I tried calling home yesterday, and I always remember how much I do not miss it there. My parents still piss me off, and I am on a different continent. I do not know what I want right now. From life or this experience. I actually have little reasoning for coming here. Do I regret it, no. But this decision was made just as all my others were. Randomly. Not thought out. I live life as it comes to me. That goes with it here as well.

:/

Boredom

Not really.


I felt like posting again today. It is my Birthday week....when do I get to party? hahaha, well I'm mostly kidding. I have never been big on birthdays. I don't understand the significance. Celebrating the day you were born, but there are other things more important than aging another year. I feel weird because in 6 days, I will be 18. The difference has no meaning to me here, but back in New York, I have a full lisence, and can go to jail....and play the lottery....which is stupid. I don't feel like listing the ability to buy tobacco products because that is just stupid and has no nor will ever have any, significance to me. In Brazil, 18 is the drinking age. Though, they joke, "when you're tall enough to reach the bar, you're old enough to order." I love the relaxed lifestyle here.

Not about drinking, but about life. My last year in New York...I was STRESSED. All the time. I was always busy with school or work. I lost touch with friends and did not take very good care of myself. Here, I have learned to relax again, and just go with what every day brings. Granted, life is COMPLETELY different in Brazil than it is in New York. Sometimes I forget where I am actually from.

I was reading through the blog of an ex-exchanger just now...that is what prompted this random post. She was in Brazil last year and seemed to have difficulty fathoming the idea of living without Brazil....or her home. I am the kind of person, no matter where I am, I feel out of place. Here, as completely out of place as I am...I am happy. I get frustrated to tears sometimes, but can always seem to laugh it off. I have no idea what going home will be like. I just know that in New York...I was miserable. I have no desire to go back to what I have always known. That's not like me. I like change, need excitement and always need a challenge.

More later.

A much needed (vague) update

It’s been a long time. And because of this, I seem to have a problem using my own keyboard. I’ve been using a desktop with a Brazilian keyboard for a few weeks now, and keep reaching for the right keys in the wrong places. It has been a good journey thus far. Minus the fact that I right now live in a home WITHOUT internet, and have otherwise no form of communication with people here or in New York…I am okay for now. I am no longer in a long distance relationship….which worked as a relief of me down here. People do not understand the difficulties it brings to an exchange until they live it. I have to live in the moment, here, and not try to wonder what life is like 5000 miles away. To be completely honest, I could care less what most of you are doing in New York. I do not live there. I barely know any of you now. We live separate lives with different experiences. I have no intention of bothering to find out what you do every weekend and who your best friends are now. It sounds harsh, but my connections to Clifton Park are now extremely limited to about four people. One is my mother. Hahahahahahahaha,

To anyone who has written to me in my time here so far. THANK YOU. I love letters and whatever you wish to send. I know it can be a pain to send and expensive but it is so great to get things from home. As much as I do not miss it….some things are missing here….ya know? I realize now that my English is worse than I could ever have imagined. Usually here, I either do not talk at all, or I attempt to speak Portuguese….I am SUPER shy about talking though. I have one friend I speak Portuguese to, because he does not give a damn if I mess up hahah, he usually understands! Mort than my English, at least…

My family speaks no English now, like I have said. It has helped a tremendous amount being in a family that actually wants to talk to me, and in Portuguese too…but yeah. I get super frustrated sometimes. Less than when I began here, but the other day I could not figure something out and had a tiny fit….teeny tiny, but I figured it out. It can be so frustrating sometimes, not knowing how to speak….but it just makes you want to try harder.

I’ve been going to the gym lately. Because diets are for quitters. And the chances of me limiting my food intake are slim to none. I love it, I just wish I was notin as poor of shape as I am. I do not know how I got so out of shape! I’m not even 18 yet! I used to run a lot and fitness was always important to me, since I never want to see fat steriod amy ever again…but I got SOOO lazy. Since I stopped being vegan, I think. But maintaining muscle mass is SO much easier when I am not vegan. Though I get sluggish and don’t have energy to do anything. Now thay Ive been going out more…laziness is decreasing.

SPEAKING OF WHICH. I RODE A HORSE. Two….actually. Not at the same time….two different horses….two different days….yeah. When I was younger I was in love with horses! Not the typical little girl horse thing, but I wanted to ride so badly. My father had a horse when he was young. A lot of my relatives did, or they rode. I always wanted a farm. But not to kill animals…to love them J I loved riding though. I remember being on horseback like one or two times in my life, a loooooong time ago. But it is a real fear I have, speaking to animals here. I wonder what they think when someone speaks to them ina foreign language….I didn’t want to freak out the horses…or dogs or other animals. Same thing with babies. This one I lawyas see…she jus stares at my eyes, because blue eyes don’t happen that often….and when I speak….she looks….confused.

This family I have now keeps me a lotttt more busy than my other had. But right now, they are leaving for a cruise…and I am in a temporary family. Without internet…yeah seriously. They are nice thoguh. My birthday is in like a week. 18. Where the heck did that come from? I feel old. And unaccomplished. Though I am neither old, nor unaccomplished. I just have impossible standards and am curious as to how my last 5 years od life flew by (since I was 13 time flew, I guess).

It is a beauuuutiful day out today! Sunny and warm, not too hot...but for some reason I feel like staying in for now. I took a looong shower today...and laughed because I always wonder how it is I take better showers in a third world country than in New York...who knows. I miss Bailey and Grace and Bridget right now. I always want to update them, but then by the time I get to talk to them, I forget half my story. Grrr. I can't wait to see them again! Everyone else..eh, you're alright.

I am getting so, SO bored with facebook. I wonder how much longer I'll keep it. I remember when Myspace (oldie, I know, right?) was ALL the rage then it just kind of died...(if any of you still have a Myspace, I apologize...but it's time came a long time ago...) I liked before that less people had facebook. Now, everyone and their mom (literally) has one, and it's far too easy to stalk someones every move. I keep it now to keep people who wonder about it here updated, also to keep in touch with some people here, as I have no phone...hmph.

I hope to be getting out some more....please brasil dont let this weekend suck! ;) andddd i am going to work on uploading my iguacu pictures right now. check back for more later!

To Iguaçu...and beyond?

I went to Iguaçu falls. It was purdy. I have lots of pictures, but won't upload them until I get back on my computer. I'd never been so such a large waterfall before. Here they are called cataratas. I was supposed to go to Iguaçu in October, I think, with the other exchange students in my district here...but I had not gotten here yet. I missed out on that, but at least I got to see it, ya know? Google search: Foz de Iguaçu. It is quite impressive.

I'll write more later, it is a lazy day.

Now THAT is a horse of a different color

HAAAAAH. You don't find that as amusing as I do, I'm sure. I was in the shower just now and all I could think about was the Wizard of Oz. "Why?" you ask, well....let me tell you.... hahahhaah okay. I'm done now.

In all seriousness...I should probably be more scared than impressed at my body's ability to turn this shade of brown....considering my natural lack of any pigmentation WHAT so ever. I'm like the horse in Oz! I was white...then red (as hell)..and now I am a nice burnt siena....not quite so dark...but it is impressive. Oh, I also used to be orange! oh yes. Like I said, I should be more worried than I am, but for now, let me enjoy this.

The downside though, is that I have a long lasting Amy-colored bikini on whenever I take my clothes off. Next time I go to the pool....I'm wearing a different one...just because. Also, the fact that I have somehow magically turned reptillian, and my skin has decided to shed itself. Well...how gross can it get. I love gross things though. I'm gross. Forget you :)

This morning I got a manicure. Pink :) It's like a pretty bubblegum colour... with designs (white and blue flowers and stuff) on the pinky, thumb and favorite finger of each hand. A lot of people do business out of their homes, and this lady did manicures and pedicures from her place...if I hadn't been here this long it would have sketched me out to be in the lesser part of the city in a strangers house and hwta not. But things here are just different. It felt like nothing out of the ordinary really. Oh. And the best part...it cost 7 Reais. Which is like... $4.20 USD. At home I used to get manicures once and a while when I wanted something special...because they are expensive. Not here. And I found it funny that I got a better manicure from this one woman than I did from a high end salon my first week here. :)

I love so much about it here. Not necessarily the city, but Palmas is perfect for me right now. The country and the culture and the people...the life all around. I do not want to go back home hahah. Two months in and I kind of have fallen in love. If I weren't on exchange it would be sooo amazing too, in different ways. But being here on exchange made things a lot easier. Life is funny as an exchange student. One of my rules here is like...no SERIOUS relationships...they didn't say anything about marriage though. So beware, I may come home with dual citizenship...


hahahahah I wiiiiish.


And last night we made fondue and french fries. And we watched Hot Tub Time Machine...which has some other name here. And yes, it is just as bad in Portuguese.

Happy New Year!

Just a little bit late...


It was really funny to think that the moment we popped open our bottles here on the last day of 2010...it was of no significance to anyone back home. At the stroke of midnight, off went fireworks and corks and cheers and cameras just outside the club...and in New York, it was but 9 pm. I found that more entertaining than you, I am sure.

On New Years Eve, I got dresses up, made up, shoes on, and went to church. Hahahha, my parents now go to church, and I really liked it actually. It was cool to see how things are different and how they are the same. A lot of it was familiar, actually, being that it was a Catholic church. I spent a good portion of my life going weekly to services at all different kinds of churches. I also could follow along with a lot of it, from the hand out, and got to practice my reading ;)The Peace was very long! Not very, but compared to most I have seen. People spent a few minutes greeting everyone around them, very sweet. I think the entire thing lasted maybe an hour.

After church we picked up my host sister, then went to the club. The club that hosts the Formaturas and has the gym and pools...they have a New Year party too! It started around 11 with dinner, which was very good :) and we just sat with our families, eating and talking. Then, with ten minutes left, the entire bulding went to the back and waited...all with bottles of champagne. We counted down at ten seconds (IN PORTUGUESE, GO ME!) and bam. Fireworks (SO unsafe) and happiness

We then went back inside, and a band started to sing and people danced. This was a lot like the Formaturas, except it was more of a family event than just for the younger ones. Later on more people started to come, more that I knew...and it was a big party. I had fun :) I got home around 4:30. I can tell 2011 is going to be a very good year :)