The weeks have been extremely busy as we finish up the first semester at EARJ. From my previous post, you know I went last weekend to Buzios with "the girls". There were 20 of us total for a girls weekend on the ocean at a very charming Pousada in the beach town Buzios. This is a town I had visited while here in '95, but I can't begin to describe how much it has grown and changed. I have to hand it to the tour industry for spotting a good thing when they see it; however, I think I preferred the town when it was a quaint beach town. Many more trendy shops and restaurants, fewer off the beaten path locations...McDonald's even found Buzios! What a shame. Nonetheless, a good time was had by all. This first picture is of me and my friend Suzanne at a crepes restaurant the first night.

This weekend was just as adventurous. Friday night was the all school Christmas party hosted by the headmaster and his wife at their beautiful home in Jardim Botanico. Many people attended. There was plenty of food and beverages, a dj and lots of chatter. Since we were minus a sitter, I went solo and Joe stayed home with Sierra. It was a nice party. Sunday we spent the day lounging at the pool. Sierra was a prune by 4 o'clock.
Saturday mornining we met a new friend, Kathleen, in Ipenema at the CCAA (a worldwide language institute) and drove to Riachuelo, a neighborhood on the other side of Rio from Gavea, for Sierra to "work". Kathleen records children's stories for the language institute, and Sierra is a prime candidate for the position! We all went together along with 3 other children who have worked with Kathleen for about a year. We spent 3 hours at their recording studio, and Sierra recorded! And, Sierra was paid! Yes, at 8 years old, she's working. haha The results of her Paddington performance last month led another teacher at EARJ who goes to church with Kathleen to recommend Sierra, so we got the call. Sierra loved it! The studio is state of the art and exactly what you would see musicians use to cut a CD. Not to mention the element of acting and reading and language, which are all right up her alley! It was very neat. Likely, Sierra will work through this new year for Kathleen and perhaps after that as well. On Saturday mornings, Kathleen takes the kids to Riachuelo to the studio and then returns to Ipenema. There are wonderful benefits to this "gig" aside from the fact that Sierra really liked it and worked well with Kathleen, the other children who were there were really good kids, seem to come from good homes, Americans, and polite. Along with acquiring Portuguese, comes a level of influence on the existing language. Brazilians who speak English use a certain accent, of course, and at times, since our arrival, I have heard this accent in Sierra's English. The recording is added grammar, speaking and listening practice in native English that will only re-enforce her native language. For that I am happy. And Kathleen is a really cool woman. Originally from Colorado, living in Brazil for 34 years now and still a total product of the 60's "man". :-) She was fun to meet and talk with. She is also good friends with Mark McFarland, an upper school Spanish teacher who was here in 1995 when I first came to Brazil. McFarland backpacked to Brazil from AZ in the early 70s, and he has been an icon of sorts for me since our first meeting. Good people.