Celebrations and Farewells

I'm a bit behind in my posts, having started this entry more than two months ago...better late than never!

May has been a roller coaster of activities and emotions, of celebrations and festivities, and now, with the onset of “summer break”, the farewells have begun.  As summer approaches north of the Equator, and Sao Paulo prepares to welcome winter – which has been blissfully hot and sunny – many friends are starting to pack up for good to move on to new adventures, or, in some cases, back to their familiar homes and towns.  We are also preparing to head back for a five-week reprieve from big city living – at least the boys and I, poor Matt will be left alone for 3 weeks before joining us for our last 2 weeks in the States.  Needless to say, we are very excited, anxious, and ready to get back to family and friends, not to mention smooth roads, lighter traffic, and carefree summer days.

We kicked off the month of May with a trip to Penedo and Itatiaia National Park in the state of Rio de Janeiro.  Last year, shortly after arriving in Brazil, we took a trip over the Carnaval holiday that was less-than-glamorous – rain-filled days and muddy roads are the things that stand out most in our memories of that week.  One of the places we had been so excited to visit was Itatiaia, and we were sorely disappointed to only see the museum, as the rain didn’t allow for any exploring.  With a long weekend and no plans, we decided to try again and hope for better weather, this time inviting friends (John and Ann Arends, and their three kids) to join us.  It was a great few days spent talking, eating, watching the kids run and play on the hotel grounds, and checking out the local sights – both in the picturesque Finnish town of Penedo and in the lush rainforest of Itatiaia.  I also had a very “proud mama” moment as I overheard Ian asking a little boy who was quietly observing their game of American football if he’d like to play with them, and proceeded to explain to him the rules and object of the game – all in fluent Portuguese!  Another moment that made me beam with pride was the following week, when both boys took (and passed) their tests to earn yellow belts in Kung Fu – again, their classes and the exam are given in Portuguese, so I felt this was a double accomplishment for them.        

Last month, Matt and I celebrated our 15^th wedding anniversary – 15 YEARS!!!  Where does the time go?  We commented to one another that - young kids that we were in 1997 - never in our wildest dreams would we have imagined that we’d be celebrating in Brazil!  A few months before our anniversary, we started discussing what we wanted to do to celebrate, and decided the kids were doing well enough with their Portuguese and comfortable enough with Tania (our helper) that we could go away for a weekend, leaving them home with her.  Tania was thrilled with the idea, as were the boys – they couldn’t wait for Mom and Dad to go away!  After some research, we decided to go to Ilhabela, which very aptly translates into “beautiful island” – an island just 3 ½ hours by car from Sao Paulo.  We felt confident that the kids were going to be fine without us and couldn’t wait to get away for a couple of days – Matt, stressed as ever, was especially excited to have a three-day weekend.  

We left on Friday, May 18^th (a couple of weeks before our actual anniversary) – it was a gorgeous, sunny morning.  After sitting in traffic for almost an hour, we finally made it outside the city limits and drove up the coast, taking in the beautiful views of mountains and the sea.  A short ferry ride took us from the city of Sao Sebastiao over to the island, and we made it to our resort (DPNY Hotel) a little after 1:30pm.  Since it was too early to check in to our room, we had lunch at one of their open-air restaurants, overlooking white sand and a peaceful sea.  Once we were able to get into our room, which was spacious and nicely decorated, complete with a four-poster bed with mosquito netting and a two-person jacuzzi tub with a view of the ocean, we changed and headed out to the beach for a couple of hours of sun and sand.  DPNY, a boutique resort on Praia do Curral, definitely stood up to their claims as being one of the best beach hotels in South America.  We loved the cushioned loungers, tiki huts with beds and sofas, and tee-pees with round mattresses in the sand that were scattered around the resort’s beach area.  We hadn’t expected weather warm enough for bikinis and sunbathing, but we spent the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the breathtaking views. 

After breakfast on Saturday, we decided to go for a hike along one of the trails we found on the map provided by the hotel.  The concierge recommended a couple of trails, both of which led to waterfalls – Brazilians love their waterfalls!  We grabbed some waters, and headed out for what we hoped would be a nice long hike through the rainforest.  Once we found the trail, we were a bit disappointed to find that it was only 255 meters long!  So, hike number one was short, but sweet, leading us to a small, but picturesque waterfall, surrounded by the lush vegetation I’ve only seen in Brazil.  On our way back to the car, I noticed the stunning vistas of the sea with the mountains in the background – we stopped for a few minutes to breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the beauty.  We then headed to hiking trail number two, where we had to pay R$10 per person for a circuit that took about 7 minutes to complete.  So much for a good long hike!  But, we did take a little tour of the “engenho” – the distillery where they make cachaca – and sampled some of their flavors – so it wasn’t a completely wasted trip.  After our so-called hikes, we opted for more beach time and returned to the resort where we enjoyed sangria and sushi on the beach; later, we each had a one-hour massage to finish off our afternoon of luxurious relaxation. 

By the time Sunday morning arrived, bringing with it another glorious day of sun and warm weather, we were reluctant to leave our paradise, but ready to see the boys (who were having a great time, and judging from our few phone conversations, were not missing us at all).  We stayed on the beach, soaking up a few more rays of sunshine, and finally pulled ourselves away and headed back to Sao Paulo.  When we finally returned to the city, we were greeted by heavy traffic and grey skies - and once we made it home, the boys hardly noticed we were back.  Ian’s only comment was, “I’m glad there’s someone here now who understands English!”  Tania gave us a full report, stating that they were able to communicate perfectly well with one-another and that our boys (especially Ian) speak very good Portuguese.  I’m still amazed at what a long way we’ve all come since arriving 15 months ago – who would have thought we’d be leaving our kids to go away for a weekend?!

The end of the month brought with it Alex’s 9^th birthday, which we celebrated with lunch at his favorite churrascaria, Fogo de Chao, followed by cake at home with friends.  He was thrilled with the simple celebration, content to have his best buddies playing and running around – thankfully, neither of my kids feels deprived by not having the lavish (outlandish) birthday parties that are common among their peers here.  It also was time to bid several friends farewell – it seems as though our community in Casa Grande suffered a mass exodus – one farewell party had seven families as guests of honor, including my sweet friend, Nancy.  For a year, Nancy was my walking partner and was always there to lend a baking item I was missing; we had numerous lunches and trips to the mall together, her kids babysat my kids.  I’ve said before, one common factor among expats is the continuous revolving door – friends leave, and new people arrive as frequently as the seasons change.  Though it is sad to have to say goodbye to people who have come to feel like family, as my friend, Tina, wisely put it, we are happy to have had the chance to know one another, than to not have been touched by those friendships at all.  And, to borrow a quote by Dr. Suess, “Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.”  So, despite a few tears I’ve shed, I’m definitely smiling and grateful!               

     

What a Difference a Year Makes!

I have just finished reading my entries from our first week living in Sao Paulo, and I had to smile at the memories.  It reinforces my idea that writing about our experience here will serve as a great reminder of this phase of our lives in the future.  No, I haven’t forgotten the hectic stress we dealt with, as we tried to settle into our new life here, but like a mother who eventually forgets about the pains of labor and childbirth, the pain of adjusting to life in Brazil has begun to fade.  In the past year, we have become comfortable with driving all over the city (and beyond), we have learned the language (some better than others), we have learned to eat and prepare typical Brazilian cuisine, we have traveled to many beautiful and interesting places, and above all, we have made many wonderful friends.  We have met a few people who have a difficult time adapting to this city, making their time here very difficult; however, like so many others, we have made a conscious effort to embrace living in this city so far from “home”.

A friend once told me that I live a “charmed life”.  While I am aware of, and very grateful for the many blessings in my life – I give thanks for them every day – I also feel that I am somewhat responsible for the positive things that have come my way……..

…. Two Months later

Apparently, my writing got interrupted sometime in February, and here it is, the end of April.  As I read over the words I was typing, I feel even more strongly about the message I was trying to convey.  Since beginning that entry, we’ve had visits from friends and my parents, and their awe at the way we’ve adapted reaffirms what I feel – that we’ve done a pretty good job of making life in Brazil work for us.  We are officially at the half-way point of our time here, which is really hard to believe, and I’m looking forward to another year (and then some) of broadening our horizons.

I’m not sure I can pick up exactly where I left off, though I know I started the entry after a yoga class.  Yoga has been largely responsible for the calm, centered state of well-being I am experiencing lately.  There are several ladies, from all around the world, who gather twice a week for this class – we come from Australia, Sweden, Canada, India, Colombia, and the U.S.  We have a beautiful (inside and out) Brazilian instructor who comes to our condo, and in recent months, we’ve been having our classes outside beside the pool.  With the glistening water to our left, and the canopy of palm trees to our right – along with the occasional monkey who comes out to spy and the birds calling to one another from the treetops – it is hard not to marvel at the beauty that surrounds us.  While I breathe and hold my downward dog position longer than my arms and legs would like, I try to focus on the good that has come from moving to this city.  Aside from the enriching cultural experience (new language, different pace of life, amazing food), the friends that we have made here are by far the biggest bonus of having come to Brazil.  Unfortunately, as expats, we know none of us is here permanently – though that doesn’t make it easier to say goodbye to one another.  We have seen our friends Rafa and Pilar leave for Mexico City, and have learned that several others (my walking buddy and sweet friend, Nancy among them) will be leaving in June.  We can only hope to meet up again in another part of the world – and thanks to the internet (and facebook) - we’re only a mouse-click away from staying connected. 

 

Seeing how far the kids have come in their adaptation has been remarkable – they still miss home and can’t wait to move back, but they are like any other kid here.  School is going well, though getting Alex to do his homework continues to be a struggle.  Their Portuguese is quite good, though they hate to speak it unless it is absolutely necessary – one evening, Matt took Ian out for sushi and Ian is the one who communicated with the waiter (Matt’s Portuguese has stalled since he never has to use it, nor the time to study).  The boys have also really been enjoying their Kung Fu classes, and are ready to test for their yellow belts – I look at this as a great accomplishment, given that the classes are taught in Portuguese with all Brazilian kids and adults.  They have also enjoyed all of the travel we have been doing – they had a great time in Argentina and marveled at how many relatives we have there, and they loved the visiting the city of Buenos Aires, especially the unbelievable cemetery in Recoleta.  While my parents were here, we took an unforgettable trip to Iguazu Falls – it is impossible to describe the power and beauty of those waterfalls, and the pictures we took, while beautiful, do not do them justice.  It was wonderful to be able to share the experience and make those memories with Nani-Chichi and Papi.

   

Having had visitors here for several weeks took me out of my regular routine, but I wouldn’t trade any of my time with my friends or parents for the world.  It was so great to have my friends, Cilissa, Kim, and Judy here for a few days.  I loved showing them around the city and sharing some of my experience with them – and it was interesting to see Sao Paulo and Brazil, in general, through their eyes.  As with most people who come here for the first time, they were quite impressed with the traffic and motorcycles, but there were also so many other things that I now take as “normal” that had them very intrigued.  My friend, Kim, is convinced I should write a book – about the domestic helpers and how they are still treated as lesser beings by so many Brazilians (think, “The Help”), about the crazy unwritten rules of driving (it’s OK to make a left-hand turn from any lane, you don’t have to stop at stop signs, you can run red lights after dark), about the favelas that are seen all around, etc.  We had a great time in Rio, despite the grey, cloudy skies on our first day – we didn’t even get a good view of the Christ statue – but we had a fantastic time listening to Samba and even dancing a bit at Rio Scenarium that night.  They thoroughly enjoyed caipirinha after caipirinha, and have taken cachaca home with them so they can continue to enjoy them!  They also took advantage of the shopping in Embu, at Legep, and the mall – I believe they took home half of the Havaianas store!  Our time together passed quickly, and I was sad to see them go – but I am so grateful that they took the time out of their busy lives, and left their kids with husbands and grandmas (I’m grateful to them, too!), to come and spend a few days with us.

A few days after the girls left, my parents arrived.  Again, I put on my tour-guide hat and drove them around the city, showing them the places I have gotten to know here.  My dad, who doesn’t like being away from home, likes to be the one in control, and doesn’t know how to relax, actually shocked me by happily going along with the plans I had for them.  I think he had no choice, as he was quite overwhelmed by the magnitude of the city and the chaos of traffic.  I offered to let him drive to a nearby store one day and he politely declined – this is the man who taught me how to drive!  It was nice to see him sitting, reading, and resting – I think it’s the first time in my life I’ve ever spent so much time with him – and the first time I’ve ever seen him kick back and relax (I really didn’t think he had it in him!).  Some things never change, though, and he still does not enjoy shopping – so we left that for after his departure.  Mom and I really enjoyed our time together – we figured out that we hadn’t spent so many days together since before I was out of college.  We talked and ate and drank more coffee than we should have, she accompanied me to Kung Fu, to bazaars, and even for a visit to a Buddhist temple.  And, we shopped!  She helped me choose my dress for an upcoming gala, along with the shoes and earrings to complete the look.  These may not seem like big things, but for me, they were precious moments together – when you live so far from “home”, these are the moments you long for when you don’t have the chance to be together.  In all, Dad stayed for two weeks, and my mom was here for about 25 days – I am thrilled that they finally got to see where we live and what our day-to-day life is like here.  We said goodbye, knowing we’ll see one another in just a couple of months; but, as Ian put it once the elevator doors closed after saying goodbye to his Nani-Chichi, “I miss her already”.

Once Mom left, it was back to business for me.  Since the start of the year, I have taken on the role of Volunteer Coordinator for the Community Action Committee of the American Society (that’s a mouthful to say!).  I am in charge of recruiting and placing volunteers into the various organizations that the American Society supports, as well as organizing volunteers for our two big events of the year.  One of those events, Volunteer Day, was held this past Saturday – it mostly involved countless email exchanges with the many people who signed-up to help and was good practice for the much larger Angel Party that we have coming up in November.  I wrote about the Angel Party a few months ago, and have a feeling that my involvement this year will be one of the biggest challenges I will face during my time here.  I often wonder how I ended up in this role, but realize it all goes back to what I was trying to say when I started this entry (the first time) – some people sit back and wait for things to happen, while others seek opportunities for change.  I have come to realize, that while I do feel many things just happen, I am one of those “seekers”.  So, yes, my life may be charmed, but I have put effort into being where I am – where we are as a family – and I will continue look for opportunities to grow and develop into the person I want to become, and I will continue to count my blessings every day.       

         

Here We Go Again

Since my last entry, a new year has begun, and life is getting back to normal.  We’ve been so busy over the last several weeks, that I think we are all ready for some down-time.  It’s funny, as I look at the final paragraph of my last post, I was looking for a chance to slow down and a break in the routine – now, I realize we didn’t really slow down, and that I’m happy to be back into a routine!  Are we ever satisfied?  We spent three wonderful weeks in the U.S. visiting family and friends over the holidays.  We loved being “home”, spending Christmas with our families, meeting precious Amelia Rose, and spending New Year’s with friends in Pittsburgh.  We made it back to Brazil without incident this time around - thank goodness!  It felt good to be back in our own home, after feeling like nomads for three weeks – I was tired of packing and un-packing.  

Three days after our arrival, we received visitors – my Tia Chiquita and my cousin Karina – who joined us in Sao Paulo for 15 days.  Karina is an architect, and was very excited to see many famous buildings, which had been designed by architects she studied in school.  Chiquita and I didn’t always see the “beauty” in the buildings that interested her, but we humored her by going to various parts of the city and stood by while she took a million (it seemed) pictures from every angle of each building we visited.  I have to say, I am now seeing the city in a new light.  Karina is also fanatic about beaches, especially Brazilian ones.  We spent six days at Juquehy, the first beach we visited last year shortly after our arrival in Brazil.  It was as breath-taking and beautiful as I remembered it, and though it rained every afternoon, we were able to spend several hours on the beach during the day.  The boys had a lot of fun in the ocean, riding waves on the boogie-boards that were in our condo – Matt joined us for the last 2 days there, and that’s when I was able to really relax and enjoy myself.  Trying to keep your eyes on two very active boys in an ocean with a strong current is an exhausting job, and I welcomed the extra set of eyes! 

Yesterday, the boys resumed their classes – I think they were ready for a normal routine, too – and Karina and Chiquita headed back to Argentina.  This morning, after dropping off the kids, I sat in my quiet house and enjoyed a cup of coffee, listening only to the sound of the rain that was falling outside my window.  It was a nice and welcome peace!  Now, as we approach our one-year anniversary in Brazil, we will begin “Phase Three” of our time here.  I think this time it will be much easier to settle back into a rhythm of activities – the kids will resume Kung Fu classes, I’ll get back into my volunteer work, and Matt will continue to stay busy with his work, however, he is trying to approach his job with a more positive attitude.  We also have many things we are looking forward to doing – next month we will go to Argentina (Cordoba and Buenos Aires) over the week of Carnival, and March will bring more visitors – Cilissa, Kim, and Judy (along with a girls’ trip to Rio – fun!), and my parents later in the month.  With my folks, we will visit Iguazu Falls over the weekend of my birthday.  Matt and I are also planning a little get-away in May to celebrate our 15^th wedding anniversary.  So, the next few months will keep us busy, and before we know it, we’ll be back in the States for our summer visit – and then we’ll be counting down the last months before we return for good.  In the meantime, we’ll make the most of our time here, doing and seeing as much as we can – after all, there will always be time to slow down later!