Ola from Rio!!

Well I’m 4 daysish in and having a ball! My flights were not bad, minus my unsuccessful conversation with a group of Brazilians on the plane, who I later found out were trying to get donations for their Cosmetics organization? Anywho, following our arrival, we were greeted by a non-Brazilian looking woman and a very-Brazilian looking man. We were given a quick tour of the area and an escort to our new apartment (which is over 100 yrs old, but looks about as Rio as possible – it has personality). They then took us to lunch – breathtaking! It was on the 30th floor of a hotel. I ate next to a wall-sized window that overlooked the entire east side of the city along the Copacabana beach – easily one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen.

Beyond our magnificent orientation, Rio life has been nice. I’ve swam in the ocean twice already and toured much of the city. Life is very cramped here – often an apartment stacked on 3 other apartments, stacked on a fitness center, stacked on a diner or shop. There are constantly people crowding the streets, speaking a language (Portuguese, of course) that I don’t understand a word of but continue trying to decode. I am currently only teaching a few periods out of the day, giving me plenty of time for planning and relaxing. Life is good here. This is long enough for now, I will keep the world (aka Katelyn, maybe Molly and Chris?) updated as I go.

Abrigado e tchau!!

ps. NO MORE SOCCER, PLEASE!

3 Days and counting…though it’s been months?

Hello Long Lost Blogging World!

True: I don’t feel right writing my first official wordpress.com post nearly 3 days before I leave, or slightly before  the summer is over. However, my apologies. It is hard to admit that as technically advanced of an individual that I am, on my multiple occasions, I simply could not locate the “New Post” button, what a newb!!

Anywho, it seems silly to summarize the Summer at this point. But stick with me. It’s hard to believe that over 3 months ago, I was just getting home from another year of College life/school. 3 months? Fo-rizzle? It goes without saying, the Summers fly when you’re having fun (or working 40 hrs a week at a daycare)! It’s crazy how you can go from complete boredom day-to-day, to watching the days pass in what seems to be just minutes. Despite a hasty one, I am content with Summer ’10.

Now on to the real business. 3 days my friends till I depart to the underworld (by under, I mean 5,000 miles South). People keep asking if I’m ready, truthfully, how can I be? If you are referring to time well spent perfecting a Brazilian bod? Then perhaps. But otherwise, what does “ready” truly detail in this situation? Despite some obvious nervousness, I am EXCITED. As I touched on with some friendly campers around a fire, I look forward to doing some “soul searching” while away. My goal is to learn a little bit more about myself as I experience a totally different world. And Hell! What better place to do it in than the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City) itself? “Flanked by gorgeous mountains, white-sand beaches and verdant rainforests fronting deep blue sea, Rio occupies one of the most spectacular settings of any metropolis in the world. Tack on one of the sexiest populations on the planet and you have an intoxicating tropical cocktail that leaves visitors punch-drunk on paradise.” -Lonely Planet Travel Info.

I plan to Blog quite a bit during my visit, I may even get crazy and split off on my own Travel Blog. Watch Out!

Ficar Na Moda Bloggers!! (Stay Classy Bloggers!)

What it means to “Sleep like a rock”

If i’m the only one out there…I guess that’s what it is coming down to bloggers.

An introduction to becoming one with nature.  Awesome weekend of camping!  I hope pictures are uploaded soon so I can:

1. untag the unfortuante ones of me sleeping sitting straight up and,

2. see what my friends look like with too much beer and not enough shower-age.

Our canoeing trip was definately a highlight!  We thought we were moving too fast down the river so we stopped at any sunny patch possible and whenever our canoes got stuck on the rocks.  Four hours into this adventure we realized we were not even halfway finished (backfire).  So we paddled on down the river despite the rain and a few physical wounds.  MVP of this event: Parker.  He didn’t jump out of the moving canoe AND he pooped upstream of a man sitting in a lounge chair IN the river.  Touche Parker, touche. (he’s a dog, fyi)

Kelly was a great tent partner because she didn’t mind my snoring and she complained about the bugs even more than I did, making me look more hardcore.    Pick someone who’s complaining is funny because when the bugs are biting and the rain is falling, you’re going to want the funny one maybe even more than the practical tent partner.

Attached is a picture of me at the Kings of Leon concert!  Erika told me it was not super cool to get a picture in front of the  stage so that’s as close as she was cool with.  It was a very fun show!!

Seen any good movies lately?

midway oh boy, can i take your order?

Reading: the book of galations and outlander which is a rather thick book i got from the flea market for $1…more details to follow when i actually figure out what’s going on.

Listening: 1901 by Pheonix.  my house breathing with the air conditioning tipping on and off.  johnjohn microwaving any easy food he can reach for.

Watching: the day pass by too quickly, people drinking soda pop too fast at oh boys, old people placing membership at my church (which is cute, if you were wondering), everything about the farm market.

Wearing: long shorts and my new oh boys t-shirt [with the website on the back!!], frizzy hair, faint traces of make-up, my favorite watch, my dad’s socks.

Wanting: to see what it looks like when kelly ruth tries to pitch our tent, to sunbathe, to sit with my brother for 5 seconds without distractions, cold beer, a soft bed, my hand held.