More end of the year pictures...

We leave tomorrow for the States. We're packing and checking off items on the list to make sure we don't forget any essentials or overpack. Looking forward to a long vacation visiting with family and friends!

My students did an amazing job this past Monday presenting Literature Trials. We ran 4 different trials, prosecuting characters from 4 different novels read this semester. They really impressed me. They have worked hard the past month preparing and each student walked away with a school memory they will not soon forget.

The standard Brazilian reply, thumbs up!!! When you don't know what to say, but you agree, a simple thumbs up will suffice!Me and Giorgio at the Middle School Celebration Party!Fellow teachers and friends: Barrie, me, Suzanne, Prescilla, and Shaysann. I work with some pretty cool people here!!

The month of the end ofs

For the world outside of the school setting, it is mid-year right now. For educators, it's the end of...and...
It seems every time we turn around these days we have another "end of the year" engagement or "farewell, see you soon" party for someone leaving or "last time of the season" outing...I thought I would just post a few pics from several of these at one time.

Here are Julie and Parrish at our "see you soon Parrish" dinner and cocktails night.

Here are some of my students at their "farewell 8th graders" dinner.

Here I am on our "last Sunday on the beach for awhile".

Here are Sierra and Camila, Julie and Gustavo's daughter, also enjoying the "last Sunday at the beach for awhile".

The beach is full of vendors: food, drinks, jewelry, clothing, bubbles. You name it, they sell it on the beach! It's nice when you're thirsty or hungry because you don't even have to get out of your chair they come right to you. The beach ball vendor above happens to be our favorite sighting though!!! Imagine carrying all those balls when it's 100 degrees.

We are down to our last week of our first year in our new home in our new city in our new country in our new hemisphere...I have to say it has been an amazing year of discovery and transformation. This time next Sunday we'll be in MN!!! We are all quite anxious for our return visit to the states. But, I have a feeling we will have saudades (longings) for Rio while we are gone.

The art of teaching...

If you are a teacher or you have a close loved one who is a teacher, you know very well that it is a thankless career. We rarely witness first hand the effects of our work. Once in a while a student will return to your class to tell you how much you influenced them, but if you're like me and move every 5 years, you aren't there to even here that. However, the power of a teacher is immense! The control and influence over young minds growing, developing, and shaping into adults is enormous. We need to use caution with this power. I LOVE teaching. I LOVE the kid contact. I LOVE the unpredictability of working with adolescents. I LOVE their humor and their innocence and their honesty--even when they ask, "Ms. Sara, what is that around your neck?" (referring to my new crocheted scarf)
Today, I am blessed with a rare reward in teaching. My students just finished reading Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.Here is a small description of the novel: "Speak up for yourself -- we want to know what you have to say." From the first moment of her freshman year at Merryweather High, Melinda knows that this is a big fat lie, part of the nonsense of high school. She is friendless, outcast, because she busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops, so now nobody will talk to her, let alone listen to her. As time passes, she becomes increasingly isolated and practically stops talking altogether. Only her art class offers any solace, and it is through her work on an art project that she is finally able to face what really happened at that terrible party: she was raped by an upperclassman, a guy who still attends Merryweather and is still a threat to her. Her healing process has just begun when she has another violent encounter with him. This time Melinda fights back, refuses to be silent, and thereby achieves a measure of vindication.
Today I am scoring journals my students wrote while reading. They were to pick significant quotes from the text and write a short explanation to why the quote is important to the story. One student wrote the following at the end of their journal:
"I just wanted to say something, I think this book was very good and even though in the beginning I thought it was going to be one of those really bad books where the story makes no sense, but I really enjoyed this book and it changed the way I look at sex, because as a boy all you want to do is have sex (lol) but now I have more respect for it. I look at it as a more sacred thing and a special thing and now I know that it can basically ruin a girl's life. Great book Ms. Sara!!! Promise me that in every single year that you teach you will give this book for your students to read."
If I have failed at all else this academic year, I have been successful in affecting ONE student! AH, the Power of Teaching!

Music: The Universal Language

Here's a video of Sierra's choir singing Bob Marley's 3 Little Birds. She's in a brown shirt behind the girl in the white shirt in the front row, basically behind the microphone stand. Enjoy!

EARJ Peace Day

I tried to post this recording a couple of months ago and it didn't work, so I'm trying again.

Music: The Universal Language

Sierra's grade put on their choir concert this week. The theme was: Music: The Universal Language and the kids and Ms. Barbara pulled off an amazing performance!! They sang a variety of songs, including: Bob Marley's 3 Little Birds.
The choir teacher, Ms. Barbara, did a great job of teaching the kids motion and movement to accompany each piece. At different times in the show groups of children would come forward to recite dialogue explaining the history of music in all genres.
And if I only had a dollar for every time I have heard "Ode to Joy" played on the recorder the past 6 months, I'd be rich! The entire 3rd grade played "Ode to Joy" by Beethoven on the recorder--all 60 some 3rd graders in unison! That couldn't have been a simple task for Ms. Barbara.
Here is part of the group, Sierra basically in the middle of this picture, with their recorders.







Here is Sierra and some of her classmates during one of their "talking" parts. The kids asked questions about types of music and helped introduce the song coming up. They did a great job memorizing lines, speaking clearly, and smiling!!





I had a class the morning of the performance, and with the end of the year quickly approaching it is tough to get sub coverage for busy days. Instead of missing the concert, I brought my 12 8th graders into the auditorium to watch. It ended up being a great way to enjoy the show as my students remembered singing some of the same songs when they were in Lower School, and of course they are smitten by how "cute" the "little" third graders are. Ah, to be as grown and mature as an 8th grader!!!

Festa Junina

A shot gun wedding for 3rd graders? Bizarre, huh? The traditional Festa Junina is just that. According to Brazilian folklore a woman shows up for her wedding very pregnant; in turn, the husband-to-be tries to escape the nuptiuals only to be chased by the father-of-the-bride and forced to say "I do." Strange? I'd say.
On top of that, the traditional attire for this festival is that which can be described as Hillbilly attire. Boys place patches on their pants, wear straw hats and flannel shirts and chew on grass. The girls are donned with what I see as "Laura Ingals Wilder" style dresses, lots of gingham and plaid and pigtails. Sierra opted for this yellow, blue and red traditional Festa Junina dress but skipped the pig tails.

The children performed a "mock wedding" according to the folklore and then danced and promenaded as if celebrating the newlyweds.






The dancing reminds me of traditional square dancing in the U.S. The lower school PE teacher was responsible for teaching the kids the dance, and he shared with me during lunch last week that Sierra's class was a really fun group to work with because they were all very interested in learning exactly how to do it, and they weren't worried about which boy/girl they had to dance with.
This particular celebration lasts the month of June in Brazil and often Festa Junina parties are still happening in July.

End of the Year Party!?

End of the year? Didn't I just arrive here? Didn't I just unpack my classroom and my closet in a new space, in a new city, in a new country on a new continent? I cannot believe the first year in Rio is drawing to a close all ready. I think about all we have seen and done, all the people who have blessed our lives, all the learning experiences along the way, all the growing each of us has survived. This place has become "home". The people here have become "family". The customs have become the way it is--"normal".
The headmaster and his wife, Pam and Peter Cooper, hosted an end of the year party at their home in Jardim Botanico last night. The Coopers always give fabulous parties with food and drink and dj. There is socializing and conversation upstairs, dancing and craziness downstairs and never enough time in the night to get around to everybody for even a short conversation. The Coopers will leave EARJ this year. Peter is retiring, and they are returning to the states to live. We have a new headmaster hired. Rumor has it he and his wife will occupy the Cooper's house, and we are all keeping our fingers crossed that they will host the same fabulous parties. I think it is a good thing to unwind, kick back, and relax with those you work with day to day. It is always fun to meet the spouse or partner of your colleagues and enjoy some time outside of the work responsibilities.
As you can see, Joe worked his way onto the crowded dancefloor at one point last night and squeezed his way right next to the DJ to dance with Lena (he is at the back of this picture, white shirt). He has so much fun. Many of our friends can often be heard saying, "Look at Joe! He's so funny. Where's he going? Oh my goodness, what is he doing Sara?" These phrases are usually said as Joe is heading off, mixing in a crowd, checking something out at a closer distance, or doing anything the rest of us are too reserved to attempt. He makes life fun for everyone.


The group of women who have become my friends here are phenomenal, funny, smart, beautiful women. Each one is inspirational. Each one is amazing. Each one is a blessing for whom I give great thanks. Here is the group of us last night, Jennifer is missing (she and Valdir had other obligations with visiting friends and were unable to attend the party). From left to right: back row; Francesca's sister, Myked, Suzanne, me, Isabella. front row; Julie, Mara, Francesca. In one capacity or another each of these women has impacted my life. In laughter, in comfort, in company, in knowledge they have all shared a part of themself with the three of us. When one transitions to a new culture, in particular with a new language, the process can be overwhelming to say the least. Having been there before, these women have supported us in our transformation and acclimation into the life of a foreigner living abroad. My experience here would not be the same without each of them, and I am a better person for knowing them all.

Rio to Miami, Miami to Chicago, Chicago to Minneapolis, Minneapolis to

Hamline University Graduation!!!

I left Rio last Thursday night on an overnight flight to Miami, changed planes and headed to Chicago in order to connect to a flight bound for Mpls Friday morning. Awaiting me, looking as beautiful as ever, was my mother at baggage claim! It was a whirl wind of a weekend and worth every last minute of lost sleep, weary, blurry eyed walks through a number of airports and the stiffness from sitting in an airplane seat for the total of approximately 15 hours. All worth it for a few hours with family, colleagues, and friends.
Saturday, May 19th, I walked in my third commencement ceremony. This time earning my MaED. I can't express the joy, the pride, or the sense of accomplishment that was felt. There are not words fitting. I was particularly happy when I opened the package with my cap and gown Friday night to find the traditional graduate school "hood" that adorns the attire. This is the stuff dreams are made of....
A point of particular joy was being able to attend my cousin Kate's graduation from the Hamline College of Liberal Arts. Kate graduated with a BA in English, just as I did from Hamline CLA in 1995. It was very special for me when she made the decision to attend my alma mater four years ago, and even more special to me this past weekend when I was able to share in her accomplishments. She graduated Summa Cum Laude might I add! So, although I look a little weathered in this picture of the two of us, it will remain a great memory for me.

Keren was my peer reviewer in my capstone work. As a professional writer herself, you can only imagine the added expertise she offered to my work through the revision process. She was my wordsmither. She caught the random tense changes I made in error and polished my sometimes too informal writing style. I am forever grateful for her help on this work. On a side note, Keren and I met during my second year of undergrad at Hamline when I began working for her and her husband as the nanny of their first born, Gus. It was a wonderful surprise to see Gus with Keren on Sat. I didn't know he was coming to the commencement. I vividly remember days with him as an infant and toddler playing throughout their house and walking to Lake Harriet or the park. Now, I have to look up to see into his eyes. I'm not sure if Keren is aware that I have modeled much of my own parenting practices after what I observed in her as a new mother. She is a phenomenal woman and friend.
The final picture here is of my very good friends from my learning community. From Left to Right: Tina, Marcia, Terry, Tania, and myself. These women, along with several others from my cohort, were monumental in my transformation process. They are all incredible women. What a blessing to have been able to hug and congratulate each of them Sat. and to thank Marcia and Terry for their guidance and knowledge shared.

So, after a very crazy weekend: Minneapolis to Dallas, Dallas to Miami, Miami to Rio and Nap time!!

Work complete, recognized, and published!!

Many of you all ready know that I have been working on my MaED the past 2 years. I started my graduate program at Hamline University in St. Paul, MN in January 2005. It has been an amazing 2 years of reflection, growth, and accomplishment. The compilation of this study is the completion of what the academic world now calls "The Capstone". The Capstone is a 5 chapter action research, literature review (traditional thesis style) and investigation into a chosen education topic. In the past 3 months I have finalized my capstone, sent it to committee for review, and published the final product. It is an amazing accomplishment given the fact that it was done while working full time and parenting full time and living full time. The greatest element of all is that this work has been formally recognized by Hamline University in the form of the Beulah Benton Tatum Award, which is given to a capstone that shows reflective work in multicultural issues. Last night, my advisor, facilitators and cohort gathered for a wine and tea reception to celebrate the completion of the program and honor those capstones receiving awards. Since I am not currently in the country, I sent, via email, an acceptance speech of sorts to share with my learning community last night. I thought it would be fun to share it all with my blog readers as well:

Fellow Hamline graduates, advisors, and friends,

To begin, I am sorry not to be with you all tonight. I wish I could look out at all of your faces now, smiling with respect and the sense of accomplishment and the completion of hard work. What an amazing group of people Hamline University brings together. I am very proud of each of YOU and all you shared with me in this process. It is an honor and a privilege to call myself Hamline Alumni. See, my Hamline experience and the Hamline influence on my teaching career is vast.

I graduated from Hamline University CLA in 1995 with a BA in English, a secondary education certificate, and an incredible amount of experiences not formally represented in the diploma I walked away holding. I knew in 1995 that I wasn’t finished with my formal education. I also knew, thanks to my experiences as a Hamline undergrad, that I wasn’t finished with my real life learning either. Actually, it was just beginning. For this reason, it was clear to me when I began my search for a graduate school that Hamline would be THE option because I was all ready familiar with the quality education that is Hamline University.

I, like many other stateside public school teachers, was motivated to earn my master’s degree for the pay increase. (Remember the brainstorm activity of “Reasons to get your master’s degree” on the first class?) However, I also wanted my degree to mean something. I wanted to work hard for it. I wanted to feel the burden of studying again while teaching full time and grading papers full time and parenting full time and trying to live life full time. In essence, I chose rigor. So did all of you.

It’s funny because the pay raise doesn’t recognize rigor—we all knew that when we started though. I won’t receive more money solely because I worked hard. But I, like all of you, wanted to have that sense of accomplishment for myself. The trick was to balance all of those “full time” obligations successfully. What I was surprised to find through the process was that being a graduate student at Hamline while teaching full time clearly enhanced my teaching. In some ways, it even made it easier.

Do we realize the privilege we have in being knowledgeable about the leading researchers and best practices in education? Routman, Johnson, Tomlinson, Tatum, Howard, Pruden, Banks, Kriete. Do we know the power in being able to write “letters to the next President?” Do we know that as a result of the evaluation process in place currently at Hamline our programs are evaluated and reevaluated consistently to ensure that we are privy to what is current in the further education of practicing educators? This is not to be found every where. Thanks to Hamline, I know that now.

Do we realize the strength there is in having a cohort of professionals working, experiencing, growing, learning, and often influencing the current education system together? Thanks to Hamline, I know that now.

After every class session, throughout all the reading assignments and writing assignments and distributed learning assignments and community building assignments and treat duty…I was regularly applying what I learned in class with all of you to my classroom with my students. I wonder if my students know they really had a team of teachers throughout this process because each of you vicariously entered my classroom on more than one occasion. Each of you influenced what I knew, what I wanted to know and what I didn’t know. You even helped me to see what I didn’t know I didn’t know. Because of that collaboration, fostered by Hamline’s graduate school of education program, I am a better educator.

I never saw myself as a researcher before this program. I always saw myself as a learner. I recognized the need for and the joy in continuous learning, but being a part of this University again reminded me what I am capable of accomplishing as a researcher and practicing educator. I am a researcher. The power in that is immense.

Receiving the Beulah Benton Tatum Award for capstone work on multicultural issues is an honor larger than I can explain. The validation of hard work is incredible. The acknowledgment that research on multicultural issues as significant and worthy of attention means a great deal to me. I live my life running against a walkway, working daily at educating children in getting along with each other while being heard individually. This award is a boost to my pace, a help in my race against the moving walkway of social injustices worldwide.

I write this now, from miles away, knowing that one of the most influential people for me in this process will read it to all of you, and I am overcome with gratitude. I thank you Terry. You and Marcia have both been key components to my success and growth. To all of my colleagues in the Learning and Literacy community—hats off to all of you! Your students are blessed with your expertise. We are blessed with one another. And we have so much work to do still in ensuring that children don’t fall through the cracks or go unheard. Thank you. I can’t wait to see you all on May 19.

A Weekend at the Beach in BUZIOS!!!!

Well, we left for Buzios Friday afternoon with Sierra's arm in a cast. :-( Despite that fact, we had a GREAT weekend beach hopping, mini golfing, eating crepes, and site seeing. Thought I'd throw up a few pictures for all to enjoy!!
This is my kind of boat! Check out the options lined up on this one! We rented a house from a woman I work with at Escola Americana and we three ventured to Buzios with our good friend Suzanne. I was a little concerned because we left the city in pouring rain, and Buzios is only 124 km from Rio. What would a person do in a beach town with no sun? Still don't know.



Here I am at Praia de Tartaruga (turtle). I think this is my favorite beach in Buzios. Plus, here we had a great drink guy from the closest kiosk, named Rock (pronounced: Hokey), who kept us hydrated and fed all day. Very important to have enough to drink while in the sun all day.

Sierra found the perfect pets for our little Brazilian apartment!

And she found time to relax in the sun with me.

She even managed to splash around in the water every day without soaking her cast!

We were blessed with this amazing sunset!

We played a little (ok a LOT) fresco ball on the beach every day.

We got in a few hands of Barbie Uno--I won twice!

And we all tried our best on a VERY hard mini golf course.

Sierra and I relaxed and watched the Flamengo vs. Botoafogo futebol game.

Ahhhhh, life at the beach! If only I could bring all of my friends with me.

A kid in sports means?

So, we have this great 4 day weekend now. Tuesday is Brazilian Labor Day, and we have rented a house near the beach in Buzios to spend the long weekend. HOWEVER, Sierra ended soccer practice with a bag of ice yesterday and drying tears, using it on both her nose and her right thumb. Seems the ball made contact with both areas of her body during the practice. Isn't this a game that you aren't allowed to use your hands in? Anyway, throughout the night, her nose healed without worry, yet her right thumb continued to grow in size. The creases on the knuckles were even beginning to crack...by bedtime her thumb was 4xs it's normal size.
I wrapped her hand before bed to stabilize any movement and this morning it actually looked a little better--a little. When we got to school, I took her to the school nurse, who added a popsicle stick to the wrapping I had applied this morning and proceeded to tell me that Sierra really needed an xray.

We just returned from Cotrauma...with a fractured thumb, cast to elbow. What will a girl do for the weekend at the beach with a cast on her arm? Well, we know that there is a mini-golf course in Buzios, so we are thinking this will be a good activity for one afternoon. We will all need to play with only our left hand to make it fair though. Also, Sierra loves to shop. I'm sure she'll be pacified.
While the technician was putting on the cast, Sierra informed him that this is her first cast. She's 8, almost 9, and of course very excited about the novelty (right now). The technician simply replied, "Sua premiera e seu otimo." Your first and your last. Now she wants me to decorate it for her with pink flowers and the team logo for Flamengo, the local soccer team she supports. What ever happened to just letting your friends sign their names?

Indian Dinner with friends...

Last night we had our first dinner party at our humble apartment in Rio. During the day we had to go out and purchase a few extra dinner plates and some additional flatware because we realized we only had four plates and there would be five adults eating + two kids! I guess need often encourages the buying of things one doesn't use day to day. I now have 6 wine glasses as well! Pete Kennedy was our chef of the night, bringing all the ingredients for a fantastic Indian style feast. Joe and Francesca kept a close eye on Pete completing the meal. I'm really grateful for our "American style" kitchen. The three of them standing and talking would not be possible in most kitchens here in Brazil, as most kitchens are a narrow, small room. It is not typical of Brazilian culture to spend time in the kitchen as it is in the US. Many families employ a maid/cook to prepare meals and the family does their socializing in other areas of the house.
We had curry chicken, couscous, hummus, 2 different veggie dishes, and various tortes for dessert. Everything was fantastic!!


The mess that remained can be seen here...a couple bottles of wine, a few beers, and lots of food later, we ended the evening relaxing on the veranda.
We are really thankful to have so many wonderful people down here taking care of us, sharing happy times with, filling in as "family". The international experience sure has brought some interesting people into our life. So many experiences, independent and shared and so much to learn from those around us.


Who is going to clean this mess????
OH, I have to add this dialogue with Sierra from during the day. We were preparing to leave for the store to buy beer and wine and a few plates (lol) when she said: Um, can we buy some pop too because it's not like I'm going to be drinking beer with you guys all night!

Stream of Consciousness

I was thinking today, I know I think every day, but today was different. I was thinking today about this writing activity called stream of consciousness. I used to engage in this daily when I had more time in the day and actually spent hours writing. Somehow life took over and they (whoever they is, probably friends of Pete, for Pete's sake) shortened the day on me. I know it still contains 24 hours, but I know somewhere, someone altered what defines 24 hours because it sure doesn't feel like the same 24 hours as when I was 10 or 15 or even 25...these days it feels more like 15 hours per day. At this rate, I'm a bit concerned how I'll get a full day of work in when I'm 55. Anyway, stream of consciousness is essentially what I'm doing now, writing whatever is on my mind and jumping from one topic or explanation to another with very little or no transition.

It's a type of mental dumping. It allows a person to clear the mind and put on paper (in this case computer) whatever might be taking up valuable brain space--I truly believe I personally have a limited amount of brain space at least I feel that way many days, again this surfaces more often the older I get.

Sierra and her friend are now beating each other with an inflatable bat. Why does my mom radar make my face and ears instantly hot when I hear the hyperactivity of children at play in my house. Why do I automatically assume that something is going to break at any second or one of the children is going to scream in pain. Neither of these have happened recently, yet I literally felt my ears turn red just now knowing the girls are in the living room swinging this gigantic bat at each other within inches of lamps, pictures hung on the wall, decorative pieces--fragile decorative pieces. My blood pressure is starting to relax, thankfully. Because the only sound that remains is that of Pirates of the Caribbean playing on the TV. I'm REALLY thankful it's not High School Musical for the 1,568th time since January.

I look at the date and I can't believe it is all ready almost May 2007. At this time last year, I was attempting to liquidate the contents of my house in MN and prepare for this move that now finds us in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At that time, I thought it would never come. Now, I can't believe we've called this place home for 9 months! Not to mention that my 12th year as an educator is coming to an end. The pace of life was nice and slow and relaxed when we first arrived. Somehow, through adding activities and making friends, we have managed to shift gears, and we are starting to feel the pace of life increasing. Time to stop, breathe, relax and coast a bit.

The next 2 months are going to be insanely busy. I decided to take a quick trip back to the states in May in order to walk in my commencement ceremony at Hamline with my colleagues and friends. A year ago, I didn't think it would matter, but in the end, it really does. A lot of sweat and tears (and brain space and money) went into earning my MAEd. I owe it to myself to celebrate with the women who endured the journey along side me. I am looking forward to the trip and the celebration and seeing my parents. I miss them. It's funny how we take for granted what is so near until those things/people we hold dear are no longer right beside us, and arm's reach away. For 5 years, I lived 15 miles from my parents. Not a week went by that I didn't see one or both of them. It was fabulous to have Sierra so close to her grandparents and watch as she built a relationship with each of them. Now, we are in another hemisphere and although Internet makes communication possible and web cams aid our "seeing" them, I miss them and look forward to the first hug at our reunion.

The weekend is here (a 3 day weekend to boot), I brought no work home--although I have plenty. I plan to enjoy the beautiful weather that envelops me, sleep late, soak in the sun and ocean air, appreciate our Rio "family" and laugh with my daughter and my best friend.

The head is clear. I feel great.

Premiera Joga de futebol do SierraSaturday morning Sierra had her first soccer game at Escola Americana. Last week's practices ended in tears when the coach had her playing goalie and the kids were giving her kind of a hard time when she was letting the balls through. Goalie-all glory or all shame, man. Tough position for a sensitive girl to play. You can imagine my concern when the game began and I found Sierra in GOAL!!! I was a little worried. However, after the first few minutes, and some encouragement from her teammates, she got the hang of it and did a fine job!! Amidst the excitement, she even found some time to relax on the sidelines and "chat" with her friend Federico. She really had a great time. It was so fun to watch her being part of a team and smiling.

I’ve been sitting on this one for awhile. As usual, it was passed on to me by my friend Tammy. She LOVES lists. I have a really hard time remembering movies. I have been known to rent a movie I have all ready seen because I forgot until after the first 2 scenes. But I’ll give this a shot because I’m a good sport.
1.Name a movie that you have seen more than 10 times. High School Musical
2.Name a movie that you’ve seen multiple times in the theater. I can’t think of a single movie I would pay theater price to see more than once. (I’m kinda cheap sometimes)
3.Name an actor that would make you more inclined to see a movie. Nicholas Cage and Robin Williams and Jack Nicholson
4.Name an actor that would make you less likely to see a movie. Rene Zelweiger—she’s always looks like she’s whining
5.Name a movie that you can and do quote from. A Few Good Men and The Princess Bride
6.Name a movie musical that you know all of the lyrics to all of the songs. Rent and Grease
7.Name a movie that you have been known to sing along with. High School Musical, Happy Feet, Ray, Rent and Grease
8.Name a movie that you would recommend everyone see. Return to Me
9.Name a movie that you own. Return to Me
10.Name an actor that launched his/her entertainment career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops. Chris Rock and Jamie Fox
11.Have you ever seen a movie in a drive-in? If so, what? I remember going to the drive-in with my parents when I was little and spilling Orange Crush all over the roof of the car (we kids were lying on the roof watching). I have NO memory of the movie though.
12.Ever made out in a movie? No
13.Name a movie that you keep meaning to see but just haven’t yet gotten around to it. Blood Diamond
14.Ever walked out of a movie? I have a memory of doing this somewhere in the back of my brain, but I can’t remember the movie…of course I don’t remember the movie, I didn’t like it enough to even watch why would I remember the title.
15.Name a movie that made you cry in the theater. I cry at a lot of movies. Lilo and Stitch made Sierra cry, which in turn made me cry.
16.What’s the last movie you saw in the theater? DejaVu
17.What’s your favorite/preferred genre of movie? Romantic Comedy is my #1. Documentaries are a close 2nd
18.What’s the first movie you remember seeing in the theater? I remember ET and Jaws. I hid behind the seat in front of me during Jaws. As a matter of fact I cried in ET in the theater too.
19.What movie do you wish you had never seen? Napoleon Dynamite. I asked myself the whole time, “Why am I watching this?” yet, I sat through to the end. The worst part is that I reference the stupid movie ALL the time. “Off my tots man.”
20.What is the weirdest movie you enjoyed? Momentum, it’s told in reverse. Very strange. Doesn’t make very much sense, but I liked it. Oh, and In the Cut with Meg Ryan--very weird...borderline porn.
21.What is the scariest movie you’ve seen? Scary? What kind of scary? Horror movies with the girl running from the villain and falling down while screaming make me laugh. If you put them on mute, they become comedies. Movies like Hotel Rwanda and Lord of War scare me.
22.What is the funniest movie you’ve seen? Bringing Down the House

Your turn!

Easter in the Mountains

We spent Easter weekend in the mountains, about 2 hours drive outside of Rio, with three other families. Another American/Brazilian family from school has a fazenda (farm) in the mountains and invited us to join them for the holiday. It was a blessed and relaxingly peaceful weekend in the country. The two scenery shots here are taken looking out from the main house and the smaller house where we slept. Again, the landscapes here are breathtaking, whether oceanside or in the mountains. I was able to read two People magazines, finish one novel, take a couple of relaxing and refreshing nature walks, and sleep early.
The drive there and back were both during the night, so unfortunately, we weren't able to observe the scenery coming or going. Instead we dealt with lots of traffic a little bit of rain and one another's company in the dark car. BUT, it was my first driving experience in Brazil. I have to say, after 8 months without driving, I felt like a grown up again! I am also happy to say, I was successful in my navigation of busy Rio traffic, even when my lane ran out and I ended up smooshed between two cars...ahhh, city living.

Here is Sierra with the other girls painting Easter eggs on the veranda Saturday afternoon. She had so much fun running around, playing with the other kids and the dogs and rolling in the lush green grass.

Thankfully, the Easter Bunny found all of the kids on the farm, and they enjoyed a fast and furious Easter egg hunt Sunday morning. Here's the whole gang with their loot!










One benefit of being in the mountains is the cooler weather. It was in the 50s at night and surprisingly felt quite chilly to us all. The other benefit in the cooler weather is being able to fix pizza in the outdoor woodburning pizza oven. PIZZA WILL NEVER TASTE THE SAME AGAIN! I couldn't believe how good it tasted hot out of the "oven". I certainly hope that you all enjoyed your holiday as much as we did. Many blessings to you all.