Yluska's ABC Graduation

From Yluscka's ABC Graduation

The 8th of December we were invited to go to a graduation party for Yluscka. I was very much looking forward to it until I realized that I would be wearing a tie and slacks—at that point I was just looking forward to it.

Yluscka would be addressing her peers, teachers, family members, and others, so we thought it would be fun to go for that reason alone (There were others, such as food.). The party was going on smashingly, the appetizers were good, and the little ceremony was interesting. I was actually with Kylie inside part of the time because she was hungry and tired.

As the ceremony was coming to a close—well, as soon as Yluscka had received her diploma—the first drops of rain began to attack the ground. I was inside at the time and heard much screaming, and the rush of running feet. For maybe ten seconds the rain came slowly, but then a full downpour was in progress. Then the lightning and thunder.

I watched as the workers rushed to get things under cover from this surprise. The tables and chairs that had been arranged outside were now needed inside (even if space was not sufficient).

Then the power went out.

If the 100 or so kids were scared before, this added to the fear and so screams abounded. I don't recall that the power came on again while we were there. The rain continued for an hour or more, then stopped.

Unfortunately, the rain and power-outage delayed dinner. On the upside it was romantic when it did come. Dinner by candlelight is great on a stormy night.

When the rain finally did stop, we still had to wait for about 45 minutes for the water in the street to go down.

From Yluska's ABC ...

For many more photos of this event, see links below the photos in this post.

Oh, and wearing a tie was not so terrible.

Rainy Season

Written 10:30 AM on Monday the 12th of February.

The weather has taken a turn. It might be better, but I am not sure. It is cooler, but much more humid. Everything starts to mold that is wet, and if something has the ability to hold water it is at the very least damp. It has rained nearly every day the past week-and-a-half. With the first big rain of the season we got 40% of the month's normal rainfall overnight. The next day I saw a television show where a city official was interviewed. He was asked what could be done about a problem of people being swept down manholes, through the sewer, and into the river. His answer was essentially, "Blah blah blah, there is no problem. Blah blah blah." This after they played a clip of a man who barely escaped with his life.

Allan and Herika and Yluscka spent the weekend with us last weekend (starting the 2nd of Feb.). That was fun and exciting. We talked, ate, talked some more, cleaned house, ate some more. Oh, and I had classes, too. (Speaking of which, I should do an update on that soon...)

Yesterday, I had a little surprise. We went to Nadya's parents' house for lunch, which was not a surprise. After that we went to a couple of houses to look at dogs. So, we have a pooch now. It is a month-old female. It misses its mommy, and whines when I am not close by. No name yet... we are working on that.

Ironically, Nadya was the one that wanted this dog, and I said "no" for now (I had a list of reasons; one was money, but this dog was free.). Now that we have the dog, she is a bit jealous.

Here is a bit of "inspired" poetry by me, just for you:

Doggie do, doggie doo
What to do with doggie doo
It smells real bad on my shoe
At least it is not a doggie that goes moo

Technorati Tags: Brazil, Family, family, family and friends, family gatherings, family members, Life, Life In Brazil, Our Activities, Our Story, dog, puppy, weather

Thanksgiving In Brazil

Some have asked me what Thanksgiving is like here in Brazil. The answer is: Hot, just like any other day. According to Weather.com, it will be 97º F for a high, and 79º F for a low tomorrow.

There are plenty of holidays here, compared to the US. There is even a State holiday on the day the Piauí was founded. But there is no Thanksgiving. No turkey. None of my grandma's delicious mashed potatoes, or my aunt's amazing pecan pie (the pumpkin is good, too).
I miss this time of year there. The brisk fall days, the family gatherings, the excellent food, the rain–wait, don't miss that to much.
I suppose that I should have planned ahead this year, and put together a feast. That would have been fun, but a lot of work. I am not sure what we will do, but probably not much. I am okay with that, too. I can be thankful without turkey and gravy.
So, since I won't be with the family around the dinner table, here are some things I am thankful for:

• My wife.
• Her family.
• My family.
• Friends.
• I have work this year!
• It is much cooler here than it was last year this time.
• The internet (so I can communicate with friends and family).

The list could go on, but I will leave it there. I have a ton of things to be thankful for.
In honor of Thanksgiving, here is a little entertainment (If you are on a dial-up connection, that link might not be much fun.) to get you in the mood of being thankful.

Technorati Tags: being thankful, brisk fall, dial up connection, dinner table, family and friends, family friends, family gatherings, feast, friends and family, grandma, gravy, holidays, Life In Brazil, Living Outside the US, Love, mashed potatoes, pecan pie, pumpkin, rain, thanksgiving, time of year, turkey, weather

Directions Home

The big news this week is that we are actively looking for a place to call “our own.” We now have enough coming in every month to consider this, due to the school income (I will get to that in a moment).

It is, in a way, counter to our plans up to this point, but not completely. We have been planning to move to the States when possible. We still do plan that move, just maybe a little later than we wanted. I sort of promised my students that I would be teaching them for a year; And we are still living in her parent's house.

We need a place to call our own. So, we are exploring the possibilities here, which include renting or buying an apartment, or buying a house. There is a house not to far away that is selling for R$50,000 (about US$24,000), and there are also apartments in the R$60,000 to 70,000 range. Sizes, shapes and colors vary (though, that ugly green seems to be a theme for us). Where in the USA could one purchase a house for US$24,000? What kind of house would it be?

We have a tour scheduled for Thursday, which is a State holiday, to see the house.

In some ways, we don't need more debt (my school loans are sort of eating us alive). But if we are going to be here another year, we need our own house.

So, what I am asking for is prayer. For wisdom, and guidance.

This whole process has been pretty un-planned, especially since Nádya's visa process changed under our feet. I know I have friends and family that want to see me again someday, and to meet my wife. I wish it were easier. I guess that is what makes life so tough; it keeps changing under your feet.

People ask me “When are you coming?” I wish I knew, or could give a good answer, but the truth is that there are so many unknowns that we can only guess. We hope to make it for my brother's wedding next year, but we don't know if that will work out.

amerInglês classes went quite well Saturday. I had my first experience with students not doing their homework–now I understand why my teachers were so grumpy when I did not do my homework.

There was one student, though, who liked the material so much that he stayed up until 2 AM listening to the CD a couple of times. I am glad he enjoyed it, and could hear the difference in his English, but am a bit concerned that he could burn out if he does that all the time.

We had a few more students sign up this past weekend, and have potential to start another class (during the week) sometime soon. I really hope that happens.



Weather here has been in the low 100's F. Usually topping out around 105º F during the day, but the last two days have been cooler and cloudy. Weather.com says it is “only” supposed to get up to 94º F today, and possibly rain. What a relief!

Five Days Short Of A Month

I apologize for it being so long since I updated. Not really much has happened, though. I guess in some ways that is not entirely true, but what I am trying to say is that no major changes have taken place.

Work:
We expect to know more on Tuesday regarding work for Nádya. We are fairly certain that will work out in our favor. As for me, I am teaching English using the course at called Spoken English Learned Quickly. I have one class per week. The students are so far impressing me at how fast they are picking things up (they are all adults my age or older).

As for my working at CVRD, the chances are not as good as they were. The guy we talked to evidently got transferred to another location, so we are going to be exploring other options.

I also have work in August teaching English at a school in the nearby city of Carajás. Its not full time, but it is a foot in the door.

Living Situation:
It is not ideal. We are making the best of it, and learning a lot about relationships with others. Pray with us that we can afford a place to call home soon.

Weather:
Its hot. Every day. 100º F is pretty normal with 27% humidity. It still gets down to about 70º F at night–which is cold when you are used to 100º F on a regular basis.

Other:
I am experiencing sort of a homesickness lately. Usually its not terribly acute, but it is there. Part of that is because I know that my parents are in the final stages of readying their house in Vancouver, WA for sale. They are moving to Idaho to be closer to family. I miss my brothers a lot, too.

I guess I really miss my roots; all the friends and acquaintances that I have made through the years. I miss my church especially as well.

[Note: If you are a friend of my parent's, and would like to have their new address email me or them.]

The day before the big day. (II)

Its been one of those muggy hot days here. I looked at my thermometer and it read 95 with 57% humidity. It was raining at the time, and it has cooled off a bit but it is more humid now. As soon as it rained the mosquitos came out in force too, so I am itching like crazy, and trying not to scratch.

I am praying that tomorrow it will be much dryer. My tux will be drenched otherwise. Yep... I will be wearing the full monkey suit tomorrow.

It has been an eventful evening around here. We got the presents delivered to the house. It works a little different here: We had to sign a contract with the store we made our wish list at that said that we would not make a list anywhere else... and other stuff too. It was in Portuguese, so I did not understand it all. Anyway, the store kept most of the gifts there and delivered them to the house today. You can check out the pictures for yourself.

Many people have been in and out of the house today. Most family, some friends, and no enemies (that I know of). Being around a lot of people at once tends to wear me out, but the added language barrier can suck the energy out of me very quickly. I am tired.

Fortunately for me (as far as I know anyway) there is not any sort of “bachelor party” tradition here...


Its exciting to be getting married, but there is that twinge of sadness that my family could not be here. They would have liked to be here, but it just did not work out. It will be good to see them again when I return to the States. I am looking forward especially to seeing my brother Nathan who will be back from Iraq in a few weeks. He left before I returned in January, so it has been almost a year already since I saw him.


One of the things that happened this evening was that all of us got manicures and pedicures. Thats right, even me. My fingers have never looked so good. I put some pictures of that in an album for your viewing pleasure. Very exciting I know...

Yluska is a bundle of energy. She is Nádya's brother's (Junior) daughter. She is 3 and very precocious, energetic, and does not care that I do not understand her Portuguese. She just keeps talking to me. Put some pictures of her up too. She will be in the wedding along with the other girl (sorry, did not catch her name/relation).