Journal Entrys (The Begining)

Journal Entry 7-21

I'm about to lift off from Albuquerque. The past few days have been some of the craziest times of my life. I've barely had time to breathe. Ive probably felt every emotion you can possibly feel...in the past 72 hours.
Now I'm saying goodbye to home. Rather, its being redefined. It's just as difficult as I expected.
i know this will be great, but im nervous, sad, terrified...

Journal Entry 7-22

I'm somewhere over the Atlantic ocean. It's about 3am.
the last few days have been insane. The Duke City party..trying to get ready to go at the same time. It's been one of the hardest times. Last night I said goodbye to my best friends. I cried. not only did I cry, I sobbed. But strangely, Im no longer sad. I suppose I just need some time to start missing them. I'm pretty excited now.
I'm sitting next to an extremely nice Brazilian woman. She reminds me of Barbara a little. She has been giving me advise on my trip, talking to me about Brazil and what to expect. She says the men here are macho. oh jeez....haha.
but she said I just need to be smart about things, and I'll be fine. Know where I am, how to get home, and she said to enjoy the food, but not too much. To dance. and to enjoy my time. I know I will. I'm so excited and so happy that I got to talk to her. Brazil is going to be beautiful.
I think I've grown up in the last few days a little, or maybe a lot. Leaving was a huge leap towards the rest of my life.
I strangely dont feel nostalgic now. I suppose that will come with time.
I feel far away from everyone. I am. distance speaking, but i'm in close contact.

I've started to use the past tense when talking about America. its so weird. when I was talking with the woman on the plane I said "I danced in the US"....danced. Ahhh strange.
I'm so glad I'm going. It's horribly scary but the woman on the plane says that i dont need to be scared. That I will be fine. And that being scared and nervous hinders your ability to learn. I just need to relax and take everything in.
We've almost hit South America...Woah

Journal Entry 7-22 (night)

Today has been amazing. I cant believe I'm here. It's like a never ending vacation. full of great food and people.
The food is fantastic...and I hear Minas (my state) has even better food. I'm going to gain weight. but I'll dance so it will be all right.
Today when i arrived in the airport i was so excited. So excited. Brazil is such an interesting place. the houses are so colorful and all the archetecture has character. The sidewalk in front of where I'm sitting is tiled checkered and the building is green. all of the roofs are red tiled. there are squares for people to gather all over the place.
That is one big difference I can see. The people gather, they enjoy one another's company instead of cooping up in their house. They are as warm as everyone says.
I have not really had much contact with Brazilians that i am not familiar with yet, Just Barbara's family. Who are so amazing...but everyone I've met is kind.

I suppose I'll do a run down of my day.
So I got off the plane. I was really excited. I could not stop smiling. Once I had my luggage, I went out to meet Barbara and her family. Her mom, brother, and 2 of her cousins.
We went out of the airport, and went out to the car, barbara's dad has the funniest little car. It is an oldie. I took some pictures.
The cars in Brazil are very very small. You really dont see SUVs at all. There are a lot of VW beetles, and Geo-like cars.
After we'd left the airport and the city of Sao Paulo, we stopped at this Buffet like place to eat. I could recognize like 0% if the food. but I tried a bunch of things. Mostly what Barbara told me to eat. haha. the meat is very good here. salty.
there are a bunch of fruits i dont know about. Goiaba is one. its like a green guava...i dont know what it tastes like really though. the one I had was supposedly not good.
The buffet was different from America... It was by weight, so you get this card, and you pick up the food you want, and they weigh it (by kilo :/ )and you an go and get more if you want, you just weigh it and add it to the card. Makes more since ah?
So after we ate, we got back on the road. Brazil is gorgeous. So green, but it's not so humid, its perfect. And its winter?? 70 degrees.
There are a lot of toll stations on the high-ways. like $2.50 charges at each. the money goes to keeping the roads in good condition.
On our way to Porto Feliz (Barbara's grandmother's city) we got lost. it was nice though, because I got to look around. Everywhere I go I feel a little....white though. I know people are aware of my Americanness. But that's ok. We'll see how it really is tomorrow. I have not really had much contact with Brazilian people I dont know already. I'm excited, but a little nervous too.
When we finally arrived in Porto Feliz, we went to Barbara's aunt's house. The house was gorgeous. like one you would see in better homes an gardens or something. Brazilians seem to have a lot of windows in their buildings, which I like.
I met a whole bunch of people. All trying to speak Portuguese with me. But I cant really understand much. They are nice though.
The traditional greeting in Brasil is "muito prazer" and a hug and kiss on the cheek.
I really love Brazil so far.
well, I'm exausted and elated and happy and excited. I know this is going to be great. Tchau!

Journal Entry 7-24

Well, it's rained for the past 2 days. almost strait. It's nice, but I have not been able to do anything. Yesterday Barbara, her mom and dad, and cousin went to a town to go shopping and look around, but nothing was open. We tried to go to the ski mountain (like waterslide skiing I guess) but it was closed and the winery was empty because of the rain, but we had lots of fun anyway, really love her family. They feel like my own. I wish I was staying with them. but I'm anxious to meet my new family too.
Today I went to the supermercado with Tais, Barbara's aunt who is getting married this weekend. It was very different, unorganized, you can bargain prices...It's different here. I like it a lot though.
Barbara's family are such a family. so close and they love each other very much.
The Portuguese is coming along, but very slowly. Not sooo bad though. I learn more everyday. I like it a lot. And I cant wait to speak well. Im definitely still adjusting to Brazil. Customs, languange, food, people. but I think that I'm going to like it here a lot.