brazil emails
02/02/2004
no of course you are not redundant...i love the things you tell me abt what you go thru hahahahaha...hmmm oh n------, why do strange things always happen to you no matter where you go? so now you're into handicapped bald men with pee bags? hot.
i found something out that i SO have to tell you in person. i screamed when i heard/figured it out, yes, me screaming means a HUGE deal. well, seems like it anyways, i'm bursting to tell you but i have to do it in person and not over email. i could NOT stop laughing, BUT def not sure if it was nervous laughter as to the fact that i played off the fact that it weirds me out still and i was in class just now thinking abt it when i'm supposed to be listening to a lecture. yuck. ok i gtg back to class but let me know!!!
mehhh!
may
>to be truthful - it is in her blood!!! Did she know her mommy used to dance
>on tables?????? Drink til she puked all the way home out the car window ;
>hugged those toilets - and she's got the HOT PORTUGUES BLOOD - that makes
>her have the dancing moves!! Girl didn't you tell her all this - ha ha oh
>boy - glad she is having fun
Tillie
>Boom dia! sorry its taken me so long to reply...we got the worm!
>so our computer has been down and we've been in the process of
>getting it up and running again!!!!
>
>Yes...when you go to a foreign country you really realize how much
>we have here in America...you come back appreciating things much
>more! even while in Spain, which is very modern, when you go to the
>outer lying cities, or should I say towns, they are very slow and
>behind the times! Venezuela was really bad! dirty and poor...I had
>to laugh at her comment about the rules of the road! I said the
>same thing in Ven. everyone had there own set of rules, and things
>they would do there would never be allowed here....one of our cars
>had a hole in the floor I could of fallen out! I was afraid I would
>!!! it was in ven. that doug fell in a open man-hole...and gas.they
>would use a clorex bottle with a hose attached to where ever it
>went...yes...just remember you are in a third world country...but
>also look at the adventure of it, and as you get to know the places,
>you will know where to go....it always took me awhile before I would
>get the hang of a place! you'll have fun...
>
>bel
Write it exactly like that!!!
I called tonight but ofcourse you were not home to receive me call....you work too much!!!
Class was fun and I surprised the teacher. His name is Fabio and he is a English student at the university. He is viente anos (t is pronounced as ch) and is the funny looking guy I described. I think he has crush on me...god, why do all the unattractive boys like me here? Anyway, during the break (we have class from 9 to 12 five days a week, but not on Domingo e Sabado) we take half way threw the class he told me that he was very surprised at the amount I understood....yeah, well spanish helps and living with someone who teaches also helps as Renata has taught me a lot already.
Today was the first day I ventured out on my own. I went to the city centre to buy another towl (which is huge and a beach towel) and some sunscreen. To give you an idea at the costs here I pay R$7 on average for lunch, which includes a full plate and agua. This is about $3 since the exchange rate today was at 2.84. Not bad? However the sunscreen was very expensive for a little bottle of 8ounces for the grand price of R$20 ( the R before the $ signifies reais, which is the currancy in Brazil). So some things are more expensive than others...food is cheap, but clothing and shoes are in the R$60 range, but I guess that is still inexpensive. Beer is like R$5 for a litre. Basically I find that they copy american prices to the t as many candies are R$1.99, kind of like all the prices at Walmart, eh?
I had a wonderful talk with Renata tonight. She is wonderful! I am so lucky that I always meet a wonderful person everywhere I go that is like me in some way...Angela from the GOH ballet, Laura from Brown, Mayling...etc. We talked about teaching, friends, stereotypes, etc...I had told her a couple of days ago that I would be interested in taking ballet here and she had already talked to a school and on Quarta-feria (Wednesday) she is going to take me to watch one of the classes to see if I would be interested and if I am she will take me to a dance store to buy the ballet attire.
Everything is wonderful here!!
If you send me a package could you put something in it for the family? Cristina loves inscents, and Renata loves chocolates..I dont think she has ever tried a troufle or maybe something from Sees candy or Godiva?
I miss you and am tired....must sleep.
Last night I could not sleep at all for some reason..too nervous about the portuguese class.
hahaha --MOM--YOU DANCED ON TABLES????? When I get home there are some stories that I would like to hear!
Your e-mail was quite funny with your adventures at "clubbing". The
man sounded very "yucky", and he's wondering why you wouldn't talk to
him! Not that being in a wheelchair has anything to do with it; but
the urine and 39 balding, a bit "old" for you. Anyway it was a
funny story. I'm glad that Willha was nice enough to move you to the
other side of the table. I guess in Brazil you only have to be 18 to
get into clubs, do they check i.d.?
Sounds like your having a great time with them. Your dancing has
come in handy. You could pass for Brazilian, after all, you are from
European decent.
Your language teacher, well....maybe some of the others will be
better to look at. Remember your there for learn and for the
Brazilian experience. How was your first day of school? What's the
bus ride like? Do you have an alarm clock to get up? What do they
serve for breakfast? How are you doing for lunches and dinners?
Your e-mails are great with descriptions, we are really getting a
feel for what you do everyday. Are the Japanese students there for
the same length of time as you? Renata and her mother sound very
nice and are very kind to take you guys around and take you out
clubbing.
Be careful when laying out in the sun, you should use sunscreen. Do
they have tropical fruits on the trees? The food sounds you are
adjusting, and you ate beef? Sounds like much fun for you and what
an experience.
We had super bowl Sunday at Terry and Dan's, about 16 people, John's
mother, Shirley, is here for the month. Dan won the football pool,
$100.00.
I'm not much into football so Greta and I took a walk. She is
enjoying your e-mails as I am forwarding to her and other people
people (Tillie, Julie, Belle,Theresa, Lisi, Joyce,Terry and Mary is
forwarding to Riff and Merrile.) I will censor so don't worry about
me forwarding anything too personal.
Dad and I miss you. He is busy working in the yard trying to get the
backyard ready.
Mary just yelled out you e-mailed so I will close and read the new adventure.
love you, be safe
Mom
Yes, and I just read it. You will meet your Brazilian prince, but
you first will meet several frogs, ha, ha!! Have a wonderful night
sleep my little Brazilian.
We love you,
Mom
>Mary yelled out I emailed!!!
>I just sent it!
>So many questions to answer...I will respond to your letter Ate mais
>(later). You know it is my bedtime here???
>love you both!
02/01/2004
now you are eating healthy and so am I!! Just because a lot of the food here is creamy doesnt mean I actually eat it. I have definitely been good about the portions of foods I eat and they dont really eat dinner here too much so lunch is the big meal....good for weight loss. I mean I have gained so much back from being home and eating out every night that I need to be on a diet plan. But lots of vegetables and coffee.
I think that was funny about you passing out after smoking. That happens to everyone...why do you think I hate when people smoke?? It is because they get boring and lazy and stupid.
Not fair that the G-house has a game of pool party after I leave...I would have kicked all of their asses...theoretically..anyway sounds like the house is becoming more fun to live in and that everything is coming together for you. CLAW is going well then..it sounds like it. I have no idea where I read the activity thing. I think it was on the becoming chartered thing form that we turned in that told the difference between chartered and recognized...but maybe I am wrong..never hurts to ask.
God..I need to write Debbie, but right now I am not in the writing mood.
Last night we went out to the showing of the local Samba school which will perform in Carnival here and it was amazing. I dont even know how to describe the way the drums made your whole body feel as they played in such short range away from me. Everyone was dancing and shaking everything and just having so much fun. The difference between here and the US is that when you meet somones eyes they smile at you without hesitation. They are so nice and unjudging most of the time.
Everything is great and I will write later after I lay out in the sun.
All together there are five people living here,....so yeah, it is definitely like a sitcom. You wont even believe what I ate today and not meaning tried a little of. Kikyo made a japanese dish and Maria Cristina (we call her Cristina) made a rice with lentil dish and Wil, Renatas boyfriend, barbqued beef like at the fiestas. In short, I ate beef!! It was a fun Sunday as we all relaxed and had a great time laughing as we ate.
I layed out in the sun (in their backyard, which is a court yard with two lounges, a bar b que, an outdoor shower, and a covered dinning area) and now I am sooooo red...oopps. So, tomorrow I have to go out and buy sunscreen and some aloe vera to calm my poor skin.
Last night was something out of this world. It was definitely one of the reasons I wanted to come to Brazil. First, Renata drove us past where all the good bars and hangouts are at night and there were sooo many beautiful girls, they out number the men! We had left the house around 11:30 so we arrived at the samba school as it was beginning to fill up. Last night was the night that the Juiz de Fora samba school presented their song and their costumes. There was a table that we sat at with Cristina, her boyfriend, her friend and her husband, Renata, Will, Yokiko, Ciaya, and myself. We drank beer and listened to the openning music. Then the drums came out and set up...about thirty people (all black) with big drums, tambarines, and symbols. They started playing and it was so loud because our table was right in front of them that my heart felt like it had to beat with their drums. Then the costumes were paraded...only ten different ones, which were not spectacular as this is just the samba school for Juiz de Fora and the Rio schools are much, much, much richer.
There were three very funny things which happened last night while we were at the school which I must mention. First there was a man who was introducing himself to us abroad people as he knew Cristina. He first introduces himself to the Japanse pair and then turns to me and exclaims, "She is Brazilian" and tells me something in portugese...I laughed and Renata told him I didnt speak very much and that I was American. The he askes me, "Ah, you are American?" and I turn to Renata to translate as I thought he was saying something in portuguese. It was all very funny that out of the three students he thought I was the one that spoke portugese and then I didnt understand his english!
The second thing that happened was as I was sitting listening to the drums I kept looking around at all the people and I saw that there was a man sitting right behind me and I heard him say something, but I thought it was to someone else. However, this whole time there is a hair somewhere on my back that I had been trying to get off because it was very irritating so I kept trying to reach behind me to get it. So I am sitting there and he keeps saying short phrases everytime I slightly turn my head, but I just keep on ignoring him because I cant understand. Then I am reaching to find the hair and he grabs my hand and I yank it out of his grasp and contiune to aknowledge him. Then he askes the people I am with why I wont talk to him (other than he is thirty-nine, balding, in a wheel chair with a bag of urine underneath, and he doesnt speak english I cant think of why I would not want to talk to him). They tell him I dont speak and that I am from America and he keeps trying to talk to me so Wil moves me to the other side of the table where I can stand and dance with Renata and everyone else.
As I am dancing (this is the third thing) they were all very surprised that I was able to samba and do it very well. Cristinas friends even took a picture of me because they were so shocked. Later Renata told me that normally Americans who come here have really bad rhythm and cant do the samba. It was so much fun!!!
Some of the men here are very good looking and many that are average have beautiful women at their side as the women who are beautiful out number the beautiful men. You can tell they are Brazilian and I can not even think of someone famous to compare what they looking most like, except like the young Italian that Vanessa Redgrave goes off with in the movie a month by the lake. I will send pictures as soon as I take a roll.
Their bikinis here are all string ties and they are thongs. As I said in a prior email the men here fancy the ass more than the breasts so I guess that explains why women wear thong bikinis....I will come home with examples I am sure.
The two Japanese girls are very sweet, but very Japanese. They always wear t-shirt and pants and dont tomar de sol (sun bathe). Very quiet and shy, but friendly and helpful. Yokiko wants to go river rafting and is more outgoing than Ciaya and speaks much better english. I dont know how else to describe them....pictures will help.
I showed everyone pictures that were on my computer and they all thought the backyard was very pretty. So they all know what you look like....
So who won the superbowl? How were your sundays?
Dad, you should write your daughter and go to the doctor!!!!
Mary, I would love it if you and John came to visit Brazil, but as you said...we have lots of time to talk about it!!!Hello John! Hi Doodle!
I better get some sleep for tomorrow. First day of class.....Fabio my teacher is a little older than me, has braces, bad acne, and wears circular glasses. I think it may take a while for me to stop staring at him. I kind of wish I had a better looking teacher....I mean so far the only person who has flirted with me was a thirtysomething balding cripple....not to be mean. Good thing the last thing on my mind is men!!!
Love you all and miss you!!!!!!!!
You wont even believe what I ate today and not meaning tried a little of. Kikyo made a japanese dish and Maria Cristina (we call her Cristina) made a rice with lentil dish and Wil, Renatas boyfriend, barbqued beef like at the fiestas. In short, I ate beef!! It was a fun Sunday as we all relaxed and had a great time laughing as we ate.
I layed out in the sun (in their backyard, which is a court yard with two lounges, a bar b que, an outdoor shower, and a covered dinning area) and now I am sooooo red...oopps. So, tomorrow I have to go out and buy sunscreen and some aloe vera to calm my poor skin.
Last night was something out of this world. It was definitely one of the reasons I wanted to come to Brazil. First, Renata drove us past where all the good bars and hangouts are at night and there were sooo many beautiful girls, they out number the men! We had left the house around 11:30 so we arrived at the samba school as it was beginning to fill up. Last night was the night that the Juiz de Fora samba school presented their song and their costumes. There was a table that we sat at with Cristina, her boyfriend, her friend and her husband, Renata, Will, Yokiko, Ciaya, and myself. We drank beer and listened to the openning music. Then the drums came out and set up...about thirty people (all black) with big drums, tambarines, and symbols. They started playing and it was so loud because our table was right in front of them that my heart felt like it had to beat with their drums. Then the costumes were paraded...only ten different ones, which were not spectacular as this is just the samba school for Juiz de Fora and the Rio schools are much, much, much richer.
There were three very funny things which happened last night while we were at the school which I must mention. First there was a man who was introducing himself to us abroad people as he knew Cristina. He first introduces himself to the Japanse pair and then turns to me and exclaims, "She is Brazilian" and tells me something in portugese...I laughed and Renata told him I didnt speak very much and that I was American. The he askes me, "Ah, you are American?" and I turn to Renata to translate as I thought he was saying something in portuguese. It was all very funny that out of the three students he thought I was the one that spoke portugese and then I didnt understand his english!
The second thing that happened was as I was sitting listening to the drums I kept looking around at all the people and I saw that there was a man sitting right behind me and I heard him say something, but I thought it was to someone else. However, this whole time there is a hair somewhere on my back that I had been trying to get off because it was very irritating so I kept trying to reach behind me to get it. So I am sitting there and he keeps saying short phrases everytime I slightly turn my head, but I just keep on ignoring him because I cant understand. Then I am reaching to find the hair and he grabs my hand and I yank it out of his grasp and contiune to aknowledge him. Then he askes the people I am with why I wont talk to him (other than he is thirty-nine, balding, in a wheel chair with a bag of urine underneath, and he doesnt speak english I cant think of why I would not want to talk to him). They tell him I dont speak and that I am from America and he keeps trying to talk to me so Wil moves me to the other side of the table where I can stand and dance with Renata and everyone else.
As I am dancing (this is the third thing) they were all very surprised that I was able to samba and do it very well. Cristinas friends even took a picture of me because they were so shocked. Later Renata told me that normally Americans who come here have really bad rhythm and cant do the samba. It was so much fun!!!
I think we would talk to Jeremy and Eric if I were there. Well, I would have at least. You really should say hello to Eric. He did write this summer and it is rude to ignore them. Just go up to him when the girl isnt there and ask how he is doing. I am sure he would understand if you explained that you just felt uncomfortable before.
I better get some sleep for tomorrow. First day of class.....Fabio my teacher is a little older than me, has braces, bad acne, and wears circular glasses. I think it may take a while for me to stop staring at him. I kind of wish I had a better looking teacher....I mean so far the only person who has flirted with me was a thirtysomething balding cripple....not to be mean. Good thing the last thing on my mind is men!!!
Not being hairy is a good thing...although, I have seen some men that have hair growing out of their shirts...more so than in America.
not to worry...the beautiful people way out number the fat people. The beautiful girls even out number the men to a point. All the women here must work out for hours because they have amazing bodies...like something out of baywatch. Makes me almost not want to eat ...ahahaha....ummm, beef!!!...However, I still prefer chocolate and vegetables.
miss you and hope i am not redundant..
pookie
Bom Noite!
It's great getting your e-mails, everyone loves them and all the
details that are fun to read. Tell Christina (I thought the mother
was Maria), anyway let her know your boobs you got from the Jardin
side of the family and unfortunately, you also got the Jardin bootie,
but if you keep your bootie size down it's very cute!
They sound like they are a lot of fun, and you will enjoy the
group...once in a while bring something home for the house, a special
treat for Christina and Renata. I heard Tia Matilda and Julie called
you. I spoke with Tia last night and gave her the phone number, she
has a special phone service that she can call certain countries. I
am looking into getting a similar service.
You seem to have adjusted very quickly...it takes time to adjust to
another culture and very different surroundings. You do look
European, everyone in our family does because our back round is from
Portugal and who knows from where else.
When you lay out in the sun, is it in the backyard. What are the men
like? Are they nice looking? Let me know how the disco was? I
think Brazilian women are very sexy and wear clothing to show their
figures, whether big or small. The shoes sound like they would be
difficult to walk around in, I would stick to comfortable shoes.
Sounds like your finding your eating places that you like. Adjusting
to the food is always tough, especially when your not use to their
ingredients. How about laundry? Do they have festivals like the
Portuguese do in Portugal, ask? Sounds like fun going to the beach
house in April. Do they wear thongs? What are the two other girls
who live in the house like? Do they speak english? Your Portugese
is getting better. By the end of 6 months you will be a Brazilian
pro.
All is well here, we miss you. Tomorrow Terry & Dan are having a
Super Bowl party, 20 are coming. I'm not big at watching but Greta
and Carrie will be there too, we will go for a walk and talk.
Dad and I miss you but are so happy for you.
Have fun at school, can't wait to hear how that goes.
Love you, have a nice weekend....don't drink too much, especially
beer it will give you a beer belly, ha, ha!
Love you,
Mom
1/31
(The t is pornounced as a g) explempo= bom targe
I cant believe that Carolines daughter is interested in Colorado College! It is a great school but it is not for everyone. However, Lots of people from the LA area attend as it has a rather beachy influence. The real reason most students want to attend is the one class at a time, because this makes CC special from all other colleges as it is one of two that follows this plan. Depends on what type of person she is and if she likes things that are fast and exact. Many advantages being at a smaller college.
Well everything is wonderful as I am falling in love with Brazil....only as an experience. The people are sooo nice and free minded and friendly. Today I laid out in the sun with Cristina, the mom, and her friend. They made me try a beer and tried to talk to me which was very funny for the both of us. The spring break here is during the first week in April and everyone in the house will all go to the flat they have on the beach. So it will be me, Cristina, Renata & her boyfriend, Kikyo, and Creko (spelling?). All of us share this house expect for Renatas boyfriend Willha...a very strange name when it is pronounced.
Actually, the food here is very tasty and Mary would find somethings...of many that she would like. Sorry for my prior judgement. I love the miliou (spelling?) (corn pudding thing almost like polenta) and a salad type salsa. They drink coffee with every meal and have this diet sugar which is liquid and tastes rather like sweet and low. I am very happy I am living in a house with so many other people as it is very livily and fun. Cristina is so funny and open and very happy. She used to be a dancer (I am not sure if I already mentioned this) for twenty four years, but had some back problems so she quit teaching dance.
Dont worry about me. I will be in good hands with very nice people. I cant wait to speak the language and become fluently comfortable so I can go out more easily on my own. I havent ventured out by myself yet, as I dont feel comfortable not know the language and my way around too well, but I will this coming week. It is very funny that Renata thinks I look very European and says I am passable for a Brazilian except for the way I dress. It is true that even though I am wearing the same type of clothing you can tell I am not from here as the fabrics and patterns are different. Also I am always wearing my flip flops which only men wear here. Girls wear two inch platforms everywhere, like the black lace-up shoes I have, and never ever wear flat shoes. Tops show off their stomachs, no matter what shape they are in, and they wear very low rise jeans to emphasize their abdonimal area. Men here dream of dating Barbie, like the rest of the world, but dont look at boobs as much as they like butts. haha....
Today when I was laying outside in the sun with Cristina and her friend Renata came home. They asked her to ask me a question. "This is very embarressing, but they want to know if you have silicone in your boobs." I asked why and she said, "They are very high up all on their own and most women with that size have lower boobs" We all laughed and I showed them what boobs with silicone look like by lifting mine higher so they sit perfectly in that fake way and told them no. "How do they stay that way, " she asked.....I responded that I wear bras all the time and even when I sleep...The funny thing is when I was fourteen I remember watching Oprah with Hallie Berry. Hallie said that the reason she has very perky breasts was because her grandmother told her to sleep in her bras, I have always done this ever since that show. Thank you Hallie for the great advice!!! Mom, maybe you should try this...no offense :)
Well I love you all and you can foward this to anyone that seems appropriate.
xoxoxox
no of course you are not redundant...i love the things you tell me abt what you go thru hahahahaha...hmmm oh n------, why do strange things always happen to you no matter where you go? so now you're into handicapped bald men with pee bags? hot.
i found something out that i SO have to tell you in person. i screamed when i heard/figured it out, yes, me screaming means a HUGE deal. well, seems like it anyways, i'm bursting to tell you but i have to do it in person and not over email. i could NOT stop laughing, BUT def not sure if it was nervous laughter as to the fact that i played off the fact that it weirds me out still and i was in class just now thinking abt it when i'm supposed to be listening to a lecture. yuck. ok i gtg back to class but let me know!!!
mehhh!
may
>to be truthful - it is in her blood!!! Did she know her mommy used to dance
>on tables?????? Drink til she puked all the way home out the car window ;
>hugged those toilets - and she's got the HOT PORTUGUES BLOOD - that makes
>her have the dancing moves!! Girl didn't you tell her all this - ha ha oh
>boy - glad she is having fun
Tillie
>Boom dia! sorry its taken me so long to reply...we got the worm!
>so our computer has been down and we've been in the process of
>getting it up and running again!!!!
>
>Yes...when you go to a foreign country you really realize how much
>we have here in America...you come back appreciating things much
>more! even while in Spain, which is very modern, when you go to the
>outer lying cities, or should I say towns, they are very slow and
>behind the times! Venezuela was really bad! dirty and poor...I had
>to laugh at her comment about the rules of the road! I said the
>same thing in Ven. everyone had there own set of rules, and things
>they would do there would never be allowed here....one of our cars
>had a hole in the floor I could of fallen out! I was afraid I would
>!!! it was in ven. that doug fell in a open man-hole...and gas.they
>would use a clorex bottle with a hose attached to where ever it
>went...yes...just remember you are in a third world country...but
>also look at the adventure of it, and as you get to know the places,
>you will know where to go....it always took me awhile before I would
>get the hang of a place! you'll have fun...
>
>bel
Write it exactly like that!!!
I called tonight but ofcourse you were not home to receive me call....you work too much!!!
Class was fun and I surprised the teacher. His name is Fabio and he is a English student at the university. He is viente anos (t is pronounced as ch) and is the funny looking guy I described. I think he has crush on me...god, why do all the unattractive boys like me here? Anyway, during the break (we have class from 9 to 12 five days a week, but not on Domingo e Sabado) we take half way threw the class he told me that he was very surprised at the amount I understood....yeah, well spanish helps and living with someone who teaches also helps as Renata has taught me a lot already.
Today was the first day I ventured out on my own. I went to the city centre to buy another towl (which is huge and a beach towel) and some sunscreen. To give you an idea at the costs here I pay R$7 on average for lunch, which includes a full plate and agua. This is about $3 since the exchange rate today was at 2.84. Not bad? However the sunscreen was very expensive for a little bottle of 8ounces for the grand price of R$20 ( the R before the $ signifies reais, which is the currancy in Brazil). So some things are more expensive than others...food is cheap, but clothing and shoes are in the R$60 range, but I guess that is still inexpensive. Beer is like R$5 for a litre. Basically I find that they copy american prices to the t as many candies are R$1.99, kind of like all the prices at Walmart, eh?
I had a wonderful talk with Renata tonight. She is wonderful! I am so lucky that I always meet a wonderful person everywhere I go that is like me in some way...Angela from the GOH ballet, Laura from Brown, Mayling...etc. We talked about teaching, friends, stereotypes, etc...I had told her a couple of days ago that I would be interested in taking ballet here and she had already talked to a school and on Quarta-feria (Wednesday) she is going to take me to watch one of the classes to see if I would be interested and if I am she will take me to a dance store to buy the ballet attire.
Everything is wonderful here!!
If you send me a package could you put something in it for the family? Cristina loves inscents, and Renata loves chocolates..I dont think she has ever tried a troufle or maybe something from Sees candy or Godiva?
I miss you and am tired....must sleep.
Last night I could not sleep at all for some reason..too nervous about the portuguese class.
hahaha --MOM--YOU DANCED ON TABLES????? When I get home there are some stories that I would like to hear!
Your e-mail was quite funny with your adventures at "clubbing". The
man sounded very "yucky", and he's wondering why you wouldn't talk to
him! Not that being in a wheelchair has anything to do with it; but
the urine and 39 balding, a bit "old" for you. Anyway it was a
funny story. I'm glad that Willha was nice enough to move you to the
other side of the table. I guess in Brazil you only have to be 18 to
get into clubs, do they check i.d.?
Sounds like your having a great time with them. Your dancing has
come in handy. You could pass for Brazilian, after all, you are from
European decent.
Your language teacher, well....maybe some of the others will be
better to look at. Remember your there for learn and for the
Brazilian experience. How was your first day of school? What's the
bus ride like? Do you have an alarm clock to get up? What do they
serve for breakfast? How are you doing for lunches and dinners?
Your e-mails are great with descriptions, we are really getting a
feel for what you do everyday. Are the Japanese students there for
the same length of time as you? Renata and her mother sound very
nice and are very kind to take you guys around and take you out
clubbing.
Be careful when laying out in the sun, you should use sunscreen. Do
they have tropical fruits on the trees? The food sounds you are
adjusting, and you ate beef? Sounds like much fun for you and what
an experience.
We had super bowl Sunday at Terry and Dan's, about 16 people, John's
mother, Shirley, is here for the month. Dan won the football pool,
$100.00.
I'm not much into football so Greta and I took a walk. She is
enjoying your e-mails as I am forwarding to her and other people
people (Tillie, Julie, Belle,Theresa, Lisi, Joyce,Terry and Mary is
forwarding to Riff and Merrile.) I will censor so don't worry about
me forwarding anything too personal.
Dad and I miss you. He is busy working in the yard trying to get the
backyard ready.
Mary just yelled out you e-mailed so I will close and read the new adventure.
love you, be safe
Mom
Yes, and I just read it. You will meet your Brazilian prince, but
you first will meet several frogs, ha, ha!! Have a wonderful night
sleep my little Brazilian.
We love you,
Mom
>Mary yelled out I emailed!!!
>I just sent it!
>So many questions to answer...I will respond to your letter Ate mais
>(later). You know it is my bedtime here???
>love you both!
02/01/2004
now you are eating healthy and so am I!! Just because a lot of the food here is creamy doesnt mean I actually eat it. I have definitely been good about the portions of foods I eat and they dont really eat dinner here too much so lunch is the big meal....good for weight loss. I mean I have gained so much back from being home and eating out every night that I need to be on a diet plan. But lots of vegetables and coffee.
I think that was funny about you passing out after smoking. That happens to everyone...why do you think I hate when people smoke?? It is because they get boring and lazy and stupid.
Not fair that the G-house has a game of pool party after I leave...I would have kicked all of their asses...theoretically..anyway sounds like the house is becoming more fun to live in and that everything is coming together for you. CLAW is going well then..it sounds like it. I have no idea where I read the activity thing. I think it was on the becoming chartered thing form that we turned in that told the difference between chartered and recognized...but maybe I am wrong..never hurts to ask.
God..I need to write Debbie, but right now I am not in the writing mood.
Last night we went out to the showing of the local Samba school which will perform in Carnival here and it was amazing. I dont even know how to describe the way the drums made your whole body feel as they played in such short range away from me. Everyone was dancing and shaking everything and just having so much fun. The difference between here and the US is that when you meet somones eyes they smile at you without hesitation. They are so nice and unjudging most of the time.
Everything is great and I will write later after I lay out in the sun.
All together there are five people living here,....so yeah, it is definitely like a sitcom. You wont even believe what I ate today and not meaning tried a little of. Kikyo made a japanese dish and Maria Cristina (we call her Cristina) made a rice with lentil dish and Wil, Renatas boyfriend, barbqued beef like at the fiestas. In short, I ate beef!! It was a fun Sunday as we all relaxed and had a great time laughing as we ate.
I layed out in the sun (in their backyard, which is a court yard with two lounges, a bar b que, an outdoor shower, and a covered dinning area) and now I am sooooo red...oopps. So, tomorrow I have to go out and buy sunscreen and some aloe vera to calm my poor skin.
Last night was something out of this world. It was definitely one of the reasons I wanted to come to Brazil. First, Renata drove us past where all the good bars and hangouts are at night and there were sooo many beautiful girls, they out number the men! We had left the house around 11:30 so we arrived at the samba school as it was beginning to fill up. Last night was the night that the Juiz de Fora samba school presented their song and their costumes. There was a table that we sat at with Cristina, her boyfriend, her friend and her husband, Renata, Will, Yokiko, Ciaya, and myself. We drank beer and listened to the openning music. Then the drums came out and set up...about thirty people (all black) with big drums, tambarines, and symbols. They started playing and it was so loud because our table was right in front of them that my heart felt like it had to beat with their drums. Then the costumes were paraded...only ten different ones, which were not spectacular as this is just the samba school for Juiz de Fora and the Rio schools are much, much, much richer.
There were three very funny things which happened last night while we were at the school which I must mention. First there was a man who was introducing himself to us abroad people as he knew Cristina. He first introduces himself to the Japanse pair and then turns to me and exclaims, "She is Brazilian" and tells me something in portugese...I laughed and Renata told him I didnt speak very much and that I was American. The he askes me, "Ah, you are American?" and I turn to Renata to translate as I thought he was saying something in portuguese. It was all very funny that out of the three students he thought I was the one that spoke portugese and then I didnt understand his english!
The second thing that happened was as I was sitting listening to the drums I kept looking around at all the people and I saw that there was a man sitting right behind me and I heard him say something, but I thought it was to someone else. However, this whole time there is a hair somewhere on my back that I had been trying to get off because it was very irritating so I kept trying to reach behind me to get it. So I am sitting there and he keeps saying short phrases everytime I slightly turn my head, but I just keep on ignoring him because I cant understand. Then I am reaching to find the hair and he grabs my hand and I yank it out of his grasp and contiune to aknowledge him. Then he askes the people I am with why I wont talk to him (other than he is thirty-nine, balding, in a wheel chair with a bag of urine underneath, and he doesnt speak english I cant think of why I would not want to talk to him). They tell him I dont speak and that I am from America and he keeps trying to talk to me so Wil moves me to the other side of the table where I can stand and dance with Renata and everyone else.
As I am dancing (this is the third thing) they were all very surprised that I was able to samba and do it very well. Cristinas friends even took a picture of me because they were so shocked. Later Renata told me that normally Americans who come here have really bad rhythm and cant do the samba. It was so much fun!!!
Some of the men here are very good looking and many that are average have beautiful women at their side as the women who are beautiful out number the beautiful men. You can tell they are Brazilian and I can not even think of someone famous to compare what they looking most like, except like the young Italian that Vanessa Redgrave goes off with in the movie a month by the lake. I will send pictures as soon as I take a roll.
Their bikinis here are all string ties and they are thongs. As I said in a prior email the men here fancy the ass more than the breasts so I guess that explains why women wear thong bikinis....I will come home with examples I am sure.
The two Japanese girls are very sweet, but very Japanese. They always wear t-shirt and pants and dont tomar de sol (sun bathe). Very quiet and shy, but friendly and helpful. Yokiko wants to go river rafting and is more outgoing than Ciaya and speaks much better english. I dont know how else to describe them....pictures will help.
I showed everyone pictures that were on my computer and they all thought the backyard was very pretty. So they all know what you look like....
So who won the superbowl? How were your sundays?
Dad, you should write your daughter and go to the doctor!!!!
Mary, I would love it if you and John came to visit Brazil, but as you said...we have lots of time to talk about it!!!Hello John! Hi Doodle!
I better get some sleep for tomorrow. First day of class.....Fabio my teacher is a little older than me, has braces, bad acne, and wears circular glasses. I think it may take a while for me to stop staring at him. I kind of wish I had a better looking teacher....I mean so far the only person who has flirted with me was a thirtysomething balding cripple....not to be mean. Good thing the last thing on my mind is men!!!
Love you all and miss you!!!!!!!!
You wont even believe what I ate today and not meaning tried a little of. Kikyo made a japanese dish and Maria Cristina (we call her Cristina) made a rice with lentil dish and Wil, Renatas boyfriend, barbqued beef like at the fiestas. In short, I ate beef!! It was a fun Sunday as we all relaxed and had a great time laughing as we ate.
I layed out in the sun (in their backyard, which is a court yard with two lounges, a bar b que, an outdoor shower, and a covered dinning area) and now I am sooooo red...oopps. So, tomorrow I have to go out and buy sunscreen and some aloe vera to calm my poor skin.
Last night was something out of this world. It was definitely one of the reasons I wanted to come to Brazil. First, Renata drove us past where all the good bars and hangouts are at night and there were sooo many beautiful girls, they out number the men! We had left the house around 11:30 so we arrived at the samba school as it was beginning to fill up. Last night was the night that the Juiz de Fora samba school presented their song and their costumes. There was a table that we sat at with Cristina, her boyfriend, her friend and her husband, Renata, Will, Yokiko, Ciaya, and myself. We drank beer and listened to the openning music. Then the drums came out and set up...about thirty people (all black) with big drums, tambarines, and symbols. They started playing and it was so loud because our table was right in front of them that my heart felt like it had to beat with their drums. Then the costumes were paraded...only ten different ones, which were not spectacular as this is just the samba school for Juiz de Fora and the Rio schools are much, much, much richer.
There were three very funny things which happened last night while we were at the school which I must mention. First there was a man who was introducing himself to us abroad people as he knew Cristina. He first introduces himself to the Japanse pair and then turns to me and exclaims, "She is Brazilian" and tells me something in portugese...I laughed and Renata told him I didnt speak very much and that I was American. The he askes me, "Ah, you are American?" and I turn to Renata to translate as I thought he was saying something in portuguese. It was all very funny that out of the three students he thought I was the one that spoke portugese and then I didnt understand his english!
The second thing that happened was as I was sitting listening to the drums I kept looking around at all the people and I saw that there was a man sitting right behind me and I heard him say something, but I thought it was to someone else. However, this whole time there is a hair somewhere on my back that I had been trying to get off because it was very irritating so I kept trying to reach behind me to get it. So I am sitting there and he keeps saying short phrases everytime I slightly turn my head, but I just keep on ignoring him because I cant understand. Then I am reaching to find the hair and he grabs my hand and I yank it out of his grasp and contiune to aknowledge him. Then he askes the people I am with why I wont talk to him (other than he is thirty-nine, balding, in a wheel chair with a bag of urine underneath, and he doesnt speak english I cant think of why I would not want to talk to him). They tell him I dont speak and that I am from America and he keeps trying to talk to me so Wil moves me to the other side of the table where I can stand and dance with Renata and everyone else.
As I am dancing (this is the third thing) they were all very surprised that I was able to samba and do it very well. Cristinas friends even took a picture of me because they were so shocked. Later Renata told me that normally Americans who come here have really bad rhythm and cant do the samba. It was so much fun!!!
I think we would talk to Jeremy and Eric if I were there. Well, I would have at least. You really should say hello to Eric. He did write this summer and it is rude to ignore them. Just go up to him when the girl isnt there and ask how he is doing. I am sure he would understand if you explained that you just felt uncomfortable before.
I better get some sleep for tomorrow. First day of class.....Fabio my teacher is a little older than me, has braces, bad acne, and wears circular glasses. I think it may take a while for me to stop staring at him. I kind of wish I had a better looking teacher....I mean so far the only person who has flirted with me was a thirtysomething balding cripple....not to be mean. Good thing the last thing on my mind is men!!!
Not being hairy is a good thing...although, I have seen some men that have hair growing out of their shirts...more so than in America.
not to worry...the beautiful people way out number the fat people. The beautiful girls even out number the men to a point. All the women here must work out for hours because they have amazing bodies...like something out of baywatch. Makes me almost not want to eat ...ahahaha....ummm, beef!!!...However, I still prefer chocolate and vegetables.
miss you and hope i am not redundant..
pookie
Bom Noite!
It's great getting your e-mails, everyone loves them and all the
details that are fun to read. Tell Christina (I thought the mother
was Maria), anyway let her know your boobs you got from the Jardin
side of the family and unfortunately, you also got the Jardin bootie,
but if you keep your bootie size down it's very cute!
They sound like they are a lot of fun, and you will enjoy the
group...once in a while bring something home for the house, a special
treat for Christina and Renata. I heard Tia Matilda and Julie called
you. I spoke with Tia last night and gave her the phone number, she
has a special phone service that she can call certain countries. I
am looking into getting a similar service.
You seem to have adjusted very quickly...it takes time to adjust to
another culture and very different surroundings. You do look
European, everyone in our family does because our back round is from
Portugal and who knows from where else.
When you lay out in the sun, is it in the backyard. What are the men
like? Are they nice looking? Let me know how the disco was? I
think Brazilian women are very sexy and wear clothing to show their
figures, whether big or small. The shoes sound like they would be
difficult to walk around in, I would stick to comfortable shoes.
Sounds like your finding your eating places that you like. Adjusting
to the food is always tough, especially when your not use to their
ingredients. How about laundry? Do they have festivals like the
Portuguese do in Portugal, ask? Sounds like fun going to the beach
house in April. Do they wear thongs? What are the two other girls
who live in the house like? Do they speak english? Your Portugese
is getting better. By the end of 6 months you will be a Brazilian
pro.
All is well here, we miss you. Tomorrow Terry & Dan are having a
Super Bowl party, 20 are coming. I'm not big at watching but Greta
and Carrie will be there too, we will go for a walk and talk.
Dad and I miss you but are so happy for you.
Have fun at school, can't wait to hear how that goes.
Love you, have a nice weekend....don't drink too much, especially
beer it will give you a beer belly, ha, ha!
Love you,
Mom
1/31
(The t is pornounced as a g) explempo= bom targe
I cant believe that Carolines daughter is interested in Colorado College! It is a great school but it is not for everyone. However, Lots of people from the LA area attend as it has a rather beachy influence. The real reason most students want to attend is the one class at a time, because this makes CC special from all other colleges as it is one of two that follows this plan. Depends on what type of person she is and if she likes things that are fast and exact. Many advantages being at a smaller college.
Well everything is wonderful as I am falling in love with Brazil....only as an experience. The people are sooo nice and free minded and friendly. Today I laid out in the sun with Cristina, the mom, and her friend. They made me try a beer and tried to talk to me which was very funny for the both of us. The spring break here is during the first week in April and everyone in the house will all go to the flat they have on the beach. So it will be me, Cristina, Renata & her boyfriend, Kikyo, and Creko (spelling?). All of us share this house expect for Renatas boyfriend Willha...a very strange name when it is pronounced.
Actually, the food here is very tasty and Mary would find somethings...of many that she would like. Sorry for my prior judgement. I love the miliou (spelling?) (corn pudding thing almost like polenta) and a salad type salsa. They drink coffee with every meal and have this diet sugar which is liquid and tastes rather like sweet and low. I am very happy I am living in a house with so many other people as it is very livily and fun. Cristina is so funny and open and very happy. She used to be a dancer (I am not sure if I already mentioned this) for twenty four years, but had some back problems so she quit teaching dance.
Dont worry about me. I will be in good hands with very nice people. I cant wait to speak the language and become fluently comfortable so I can go out more easily on my own. I havent ventured out by myself yet, as I dont feel comfortable not know the language and my way around too well, but I will this coming week. It is very funny that Renata thinks I look very European and says I am passable for a Brazilian except for the way I dress. It is true that even though I am wearing the same type of clothing you can tell I am not from here as the fabrics and patterns are different. Also I am always wearing my flip flops which only men wear here. Girls wear two inch platforms everywhere, like the black lace-up shoes I have, and never ever wear flat shoes. Tops show off their stomachs, no matter what shape they are in, and they wear very low rise jeans to emphasize their abdonimal area. Men here dream of dating Barbie, like the rest of the world, but dont look at boobs as much as they like butts. haha....
Today when I was laying outside in the sun with Cristina and her friend Renata came home. They asked her to ask me a question. "This is very embarressing, but they want to know if you have silicone in your boobs." I asked why and she said, "They are very high up all on their own and most women with that size have lower boobs" We all laughed and I showed them what boobs with silicone look like by lifting mine higher so they sit perfectly in that fake way and told them no. "How do they stay that way, " she asked.....I responded that I wear bras all the time and even when I sleep...The funny thing is when I was fourteen I remember watching Oprah with Hallie Berry. Hallie said that the reason she has very perky breasts was because her grandmother told her to sleep in her bras, I have always done this ever since that show. Thank you Hallie for the great advice!!! Mom, maybe you should try this...no offense :)
Well I love you all and you can foward this to anyone that seems appropriate.
xoxoxox