Life is beautiful!

Take a moment to appreciate the every day elements before they pass you by.

Meus Amores!

Sierra, Bira and I took a trip to Salvador, Bahia, Brasil a couple of weeks ago. This city is one of the most historic in all of Brasil. It was the first port city in Brasil and was the gateway for the Portuguese conquerors. The group Olodum is from Salvador, and the beat of their drums are a constant sound there. The city is still full of well preserved history in its buildings, music, food, and customs. It was a great 5 days.And my baby is growing and changing and so appreciative of what we have. On the way to the airport on the last day she said, "Thank you Mom! For bringing me here, for the stuff you bought me, for the boat ride." Ahh...life IS good!

Valeu Rio!!

The Room is FINALLY Transformed

Thank Goodness for a gentle, patient daughter.
Sierra has been asking me for 2 years to paint her bedroom. We finally did it. This past weekend was our weekend of projects. Monday was Brazilian Independence Day, so we had a 3-Day weekend. It was overcast and chilly all weekend, so no beach. I have worked a lot on my patience lately, so I was able to let the kids help without getting too frustrated. Actually, I didn't get frustrated at all. I found myself smiling pretty much the entire day. Here are the pictures to chronicle our hard work.

The walls were all white when we started. Sierra had hung several tweener posters on the walls in attempts at decorating, but she quickly removed them the night we brought home the paint.

Sierra, Leticia, and I started with the green wall...

And finished with the details around the corners of the pink sides...Then we had to wait until Sunday because the green needed to be "completamente secou" (totally dry).

Phase One Complete...good night...until tomorrow.

The girls started phase two by taking the paint we bought and mixing it with other leftover paint I had to create the colors they wanted to use for the balls.

Then, I outlined the balls on the wall, created the pattern, while the girls determined who would use which color. They were so organized and cooperative. It was fantastic to work all together.

I added some final touches and made sure edges were evenly coated...

And the magical bouncing balls made there way to Sierra's room.

Space and Stuff

We all simply occupy space with our stuff. It seems like we all have too much stuff and not enough space. When I decided to move to Brazil three years ago, I looked around my fully furnished home and asked, "Man, what am I going to do with all this? I worked really hard to get all this."

In about 30 seconds I replied, "It's just SPACE and STUFF."

And so the adventure to Rio de Janeiro from Cambridge, MN began. For three years, I've done relatively well at keeping the amount of stuff to a minimum. I live in a modest apartment with modest furnishing, and I am continuously passing on my stuff to someone else who wants it, needs it, would use it, appreciates it.

But something happened this weekend that slightly shifted my reference to my stuff. For the first time since living in Brazil I actually had the thought: I don't want to leave "that" behind. I'll take it with me where ever I end up going.

What is it? You may ask (assuming anyone is actually reading this post now).

This is the thing that prompted that thought last weekend. A table and two chairs. The table and two chairs that sit on the veranda of my apartment. The table and two chairs where we have our breakfast, lunch and dinner. The table and two chairs where I drink my morning coffee. The table and two chairs that have listened to hours of me playing the guitar. The table and two chairs that have supported numorous backgammon games. This table and chairs that was was a hand-me-down from my friends Jennifer and Valdir two years ago.

This table and chairs moved to the top of the container list should a move ever happen because last weekend this table and chairs got a little facelift. I unfortunately do not have a before picture; this photo is the after shot. A fresh coat of stain and it's new again.

But the important thing that it taught me: stuff is always stuff. I would liquidate my house all over again for the right move. It's the memory I now hold on to of sanding and cleaning and then painting them with great company on a lazy, dreary, cloudy Saturday afternoon that I get to hold on to forever. Whether the table and chairs make it into the container or not.

My baby's 11!I took the plunge and threw a HUGE part-Tay for the little angel...not so little anymore and encroaching on the teen years is an interesting adjustment for this mom who still feels too young to have a Middle School aged daughter. She continues to be the best part of my life, despite the mood swings. If I survive this transition in her life, I will be able to survive anything.

She thoroughly enjoyed her party, as did the 94 people who came to help her celebrate!

Sierra and her BFF Leticia. Look at those smiles!Breakin all my former mom rules, the party was from 5-9 on a SCHOOL night!! I know. We returned home around 10, after waiting for the last of the friends to be picked up. Sierra happily schlepped her gifts in, took a quick shower and begggged to open at least one! She opened them all. At 11:45 she was still smiling from ear to ear, but ready to crash. Friday morning getting up for school at 6:30 a.m. wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I think the adrenaline was still pumping from the night before.

Happy Birthday Baby!!

Inspiration, ideas, interest in moving it to the next level...
It's true. I've had several inspirations and ideas for the next blog posting in the last 4 MONTHS! But I haven't had enough interest in moving those ideas to the level of publication here. Writing takes heart. The heart and soul have to be in the right place before the ideas will just flow from brain to hand to page. I'm still feeling a little lacking in that inspiration, but I'm starting to believe I better do something about it soon or I may stop writing forever. And I don't like that idea.

So to get started with this first posting since April I thought I would share some random thoughts I have had.
First, If I complain when I can't find my favorite shirt because my maid washed it, ironed it and put it away, does that make me spoiled?
Second, Should I buy it, should I drive it, should I get it...Would I be happy driving a 1971 VW Beetle (called a Fusca in Brasil)?
Third, I like mirrors a LOT. What does that say about me?
Fourth, Is it really ok to go through life not having ANY plans for the future?
Fifth, When did I get old enough to have an eleven year old child?

My new leaf is turning over. I will work at updating this at least once a week. Because no matter how you feel after reading this, I am already feeling lighter having written it.

I'm still here

I have clearly been neglecting my blog. This addiction called facebook has taken over my computer time. I have not been creatively inspired in quite some time, which is making it difficult to even write this post. But to anyone who still checks this site from time to time, my apologies for my lack of attention. Another teaching year in Rio will be coming to a close soon. Incredibly three years have passed faster than I ever imagined they could. Somehow I feel like I've been a carioca my whole life. I hope to regain my ability to compose creative, thoughtful pieces of writing soon.

Pisoq Ruins 2009

Machu Picchu 2009

Pão de Açúcar--More pictures of our climb.

Pão de Açúcar--Sugar Loaf Mountain--is a peak situated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from the mouth of Guanabara Bay on a peninsula that sticks out into the Atlantic. Rising 396 metres (1,299 ft) above sea-level, its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined loaf sugar.
I've looked at this mountain from the bus window at least six times since making the climb. Each time, I am surprised and awed by what I accomplished. At first I said I would NEVER do this again.
My sore muscles told me for at least four days that I would probably never do the climb a second time, but in looking at some of the pictures for a third or fourth time, I'm starting to think I might just try my hand at this little hike once more.

And since my fatigued muscles are no longer here to remind me of the challenge, I might be convinced...

Music and dancing and parties galore!!!The Harlem Gospel Choir in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Why isn't the lady behind me enjoying the show??
Suzanne, Patricia, and me at the triple the fun birthday party. Phew, it's been a busy week and a half. I might need a holiday to rest up from all the playin around...more pics of last night's show to come.