In thinking about our daily routine, I realized that there are many things we are all ready taking for granted in our environment. When I think of all of you, I can visualize--for the most part--where you are, what it looks like on your commutes to work, what your homes are like, what the weather is like...in talking to my mom last night on the phone and assuming she knew what capoeira is, I realized although you are all in my heart every day, you are not at my side seeing the same things I see. So, it is my mission this week to begin taking pictures of the "ordinary". To give you a sense of what day to day is really about for us here. To give you a visual when I mention that we snuggled in front of the TV and watched movies eating popcorn.



Here at right are two pictures of our living room from each end,
looking out toward the veranda and looking toward the entry door. Sierra happens to be sitting on the couch at the moment studying her times tables via flashcards. We spend a lot of time in this room, many times watching SpongeBobSquarePants on DVD (I hear the theme song now as I type) with Sierra...I never realized how totally silly that cartoon is until watching the same ones over and over and over and over and over again! But, if it's not SpongeBob it's High School Musical which I have seen now too many times to count but I can tell you that I can sing along to all the songs without watching the words on the bottom of the screen. However embarrassing that may be to admit, it scores me big points with my girls at school who all love the movie as much as Sierra. Disney sure hit it on the head with that one.

Or, perhaps you've wondered about where I do the cooking? Here is a picture of what is considered an "Americanstyle kitchen" from the laundry/maid area looking into the kitchen and toward the backdoor, which we never use. But if you believe I do ANY cooking other than frozen drinks in the blender, you are sadly mistaken! lol
I actually love our kitchen. We have much more counter and cupboard space than what is typical in a Brazilian kitchen. We recently got a new refrigerator that nicely chills our juices, soy milk, water and Cerveja (the most important beverage to have ice cold).

I was pondering the same thoughts of sharing what we see day to day with all of you last week while walking through school. I have uploaded a couple of pictures in past blogs of my classroom and the view from my door, but I haven't really taken pictures of the hallways or the layout of this beautiful campus where I'm working.

Many of our families complain about the fact that we neighbor the largest favela in Rio (favela=shantytown/slum). But there isn't another campus internationally that outdoes the beauty of EARJ. The relationship with the people living in the favela and the school has historically been amiccable. Any conflict we have heard thusfar is unrelated to school or anyone at school. I keep my fingers crossed that when they are able to build the new campus out in Barra, Rio (which is like Miami in Brazil with a replica of the statue of liberty in front of the mall and not somewhere I would choose to live while here) we are financially able to maintain both the Barra and the Gavea campuses so that I am able to remain where I am currently. That is a few years from now though and many things could happen between now and then. Until that time, I am thoroughly enjoying the beauty that surrounds me daily and push aside any worries regarding things I cannot control to a later date.

I would have included pictures of our bedrooms, but they are not presentable. Although the rest of the house is clean, the beds went unmade this Monday morning and a few straggling clothes line the floor/end tables. We'll save pictures of those rooms for a later day if it becomes worth worrying about.

Hopefully this gives you some insight into our daily lives. :-)

By the way... capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that is very popular. It was originally invented by slaves as a way to exercise and build strength in preparation for escape. The art is very entertaining to watch. Unlike other martial arts, the competitors never actually make contact even though it appears that at any moment a leg will collide with a head...

I will end with another picture of my beloved child, who continues to amaze me with her compassion, intelligence, humor and charm. She LOVES Brazilian fashion--go figure--

Paz e amor (Peace and Love) to you all!!!!