Toto, We're Not in Kansas Anymore...Or are we?

The following is so random. I warn you now.

Rio de Janeiro is a megatropolis. 11.5 MILLION people live in Rio. I often refer to this city as the "concrete jungle" (thank you Bob Marley for the phrase). However, since our return last month, I have been serenaded by the random rooster cock-a-doodle-doo at all hours of the day. Two nights ago, the cock crowed at 3 a.m.--And woke me up! I look out my windows and only see concrete buildings between us and the ocean...where in the heck is the farm? and who in their right mind would raise chickens in the city? Sure, the rainforest is off to the right, but it's the side of a mountain...can you raise chickens on a mountain?

So, my question is this: can you raise chickens in an apartment?

Vicki's Bachelorette!

July 21 we had a bachelorette party for my college roomie Vicki who is getting married the 25th of this month. We girls enjoyed dinner at Solera and then boarded a rennovated school bus (painted like a cheetah--classy) for bar hopping in Minneapolis. Most of the pictures from the night of this party cannot be made public here. Kids read this site afterall...I was the photographer for the night since I was one of two of us who remembered a camera and functioning batteries. In hindsite, this was to my benefit as I am not pictured in any of the incriminating photos!

However, there are a few that I can share.

Here is the whole group rooftop at a martini bar we stopped at while waiting for the "limo" to pick us up.

Me, Kaija, Karen, Liz, Mickalean, KZ, Vicks, Nina, Claudia, Monica, Leech, Maria, and Scrodes.

We stopped at Nyes, of course, for a couple of cocktails and Karoake (Going to the Chapel) and we discovered this church decorated for Vick's party, so we took advantage and got in a group shot! Her colors are even Pink--well, and black.

If you know this group, then it is obvious that The Yaht Club was the final bar of the evening. The final group shot was next to the bus (Notice our HOT driver hangin out the window!) outside the bar before heading back to the hotel.

We don't look so bad for 7 hours of drinking and bar hopping.

The hotel got a little crazy after Dave was blown up!! I found him between me and Monica the next morning! Monica's arms were wrapped tightly around his neck. I wonder if he's going to make it to the wedding. Monica's husband might be jealous!

A warm fuzzy, pat your back, feel good blog entry...

The following are some of my favorite comments from students at EARJ last semester.

The things I like best about this class are...

"I like best how she talks to the class as if there wasn't that barrier many teachers, I have had before, have. It feels so nice when you walk in to the class and there is a mother figure waiting to teach you and not talk to you as if they were superior."

"The fact that she helps us when we need feedback about our work."

"I like the books we do and the projects like movies and literature trials. I also enjoy writing about various topics. I always look forward to going to this class. I love Ms. Sara. She is a great teacher!"

"I like best the activities we do and all the books we read! I never thought I'd be able to read as much as I read in English in such a short time! This class helped me a lot and I enjoyed every second!"

"I love Ms. Sara. She is a really cool teacher and is the only English class I look forward to in my 8 years of school. She makes it fun and she is very enthusiastic."

"I like the journal writing in the beginning of the class because it helps organize our ideas and thoughts."

"The books we have read throughout the semester. They were some of the best books I have ever read and their themes were very different from the books I used to read."

"Ms. Sara is always there to help. When I want to read another book, she always has loads of books and great recommendations! She is very helpful."

"Ms. Sara is so dedicated to what she does. I can see that she enjoys doing what she does because she always has a smile on her face. When a teacher is happy and peaceful I feel like paying more attention and enjoying more the class."

and the one that made me giggle the hardest...

"She is the greatest woman in Brazil. She is always considerate and she makes class very nice."

Life in the big city

Well, I think I have hit a streak of bad luck, and I'm really hoping that it expires soon as my patience are definitely being tested. It started with Joe being sent back to the U.S. from Rio Thursday and continued on Friday when trying to relight the pilot on my hot water heater. After several failed attempts, I decided to try to light the stove since I know for sure how to do that...nope, no gas at all in the apartment.
I called my Portiero (doorman) to find out why I didn't have any gas only to find out that it had been disconnected! Seems a bill wasn't paid. I had left my bills in good hands when we left for the U.S. in June and I am confident they were taken care of diligently, so I couldn't determine why the gas service would have been aborted.
As I dialed the number to Jennifer and Valdir for help, I felt the quiver. The chin, the bottom lip, the twitch in my eyes and as soon as Jennifer said hello, I lost it. Pushed right over the edge. Grown woman reduced to blubbering, crying, little girl. See between learning it was disconnected and phoning Jen, I had attempted to go online to investigate...it was futile. I couldn't even navigate my way to my account let alone determine the issue or moreso resolve it.
Thankfully, about an hour later, Jen's husband Valdir knocked on the door to "help me with my gas". (We had a chuckle at his wording) We discovered that the bill from May was never paid. I searched through all of the statements and was able to find every bill since our initial arrival in Brazil beginning August 2007 EXCEPT May. It is possible we never received the bill. However, each gas bill here is separate from the last and the amount is not automatically added to the next month's bill should one be missed. So, regardless of the fact that June and July and every month other than May had been paid in full, the gas company cut service. What does that mean for me and Sierra?
No hot water, no oven, no stove...when can we fix this problem??? Well, this is Brazil, remember. So it will be a few days. Friday night, I paid the missing May bill online. Monday morning, I must fax the receipt and statement to the gas company, then I must phone the gas company to request service be re-enstated and hopefully, it will be done by Tuesday!! In the meantime, we have been showering at Jen and Valdir's around the corner and eating take out with them for dinner. I never thought I'd say it, but I will be happy when I can cook a meal! And I will be happy to be able to take a hot shower and crawl directly into bed.
Just as I was thinking nothing else could go wrong...we woke this morning to discover our landline is now dead! It had been very fuzzy and full of static since Thursday when we returned, but this morning it is clearly NOTHING on the line when you pick up the phone. I thankfully have a cellular so I can still communicate with others here and we really don't use the phone that much, but I could do nothing other than laugh when I picked up the phone and heard the deadly silence and asked, "What next?"
Oh, I know what next. We ran out of water this morning. This is something that we have in the house in the big 20 liter "culligan-like" bottles since the tap water is not drinkable. So, I call the drogaria where the water comes from, and in broken portuguese think that I have successfully ordered a 20 liter replacement bottle to be delivered. (this is something Joe used as physical activity. He personally walked to pick up these bottles for us once or twice a week depending on need and carried them home for a workout, so we had never ordered them for delivery before today) About 30 minutes after the phone call the delivery boy appeared at my door with 1.5 liters of water! OOPS! I guess the broken portuguese wasn't exactly accurate on that one. Valdir to the rescue again...I called him for the phone number to the drogaria he orders his water from, called that drogaria and voila! 20 minutes later, water delivery boy appears with the 20 liter bottle, opens it AND tips it upside down into the dispenser! YEAH! Success in small bits right now is huge.
At this rate, I should be afraid to leave the house. I don't remember breaking any mirrors, or black cats crossing my path, I'm certain I didn't walk underneath a ladder...I can't figure out where all of this bad luck is coming from. It has to change, right?
Although, I haven't been up to school yet. The way things are going, my classroom is probably in shambles too. I'll wait until tomorrow morning to find out. I'm not sure I could handle the disappointment today.

Ode to my sister...

I LOVE MY SISTER!!!

I think this is a great picture of my sister and wanted to share it with all my blog friends...

Sara's advice for travelers...
#1 Check your child's pencil bag to make sure the scissors were removed
#2 If you buy perfume in duty free, put it in your checked bag once you clear customs and before boarding your connecting flight.
#3 Know the ounces in the perfume bottle to make sure it's over 4 oz. and not 3.5oz. before surrendering it to TSA
#4 Never try to reason with airport personnel, they all failed Interpersonal Communications.
#5 Most importantly, when travelling abroad, check all possible VISA requirement and possible scenarios that might alter your travel plans. Especially because you will realize too late that you were actually supposed to gain clearance.

As we live we learn, as we learn we grow, as we grow we become smarter! (maybe)

City Cousin meets Country Cousin

We journeyed to Duluth, MN last weekend to spend a couple of days with Joe's brother and his family. Duluth is in northern MN and is located on the shores of Lake Superior, the largest lake in North America. Although Duluth is a major MN city, it is still a little like the country for as quiet as it really is.
Sierra prepared for her visit to the country by "test driving" this old steam engine at a gas station enroute to Duluth.







We arrived at Joe's brother's house late Sat. evening and spent the night visiting, but on Sunday we ventured to the pier to watch a ship come through the canal after the lift bridge was raised.






Here are Sierra and Erin with the Duluth lighthouse in the background. At one point, Joe's brother Jason came to me and said, "I really wish those two would get along." In actuality you couldn't get the two of them separated. They are only 3 months apart in age and have become great friends.




On Sunday afternoon, I found Sierra and Erin shooting clay pigeons with wrist rockets! My Sierra....hmmmm...she didn't even know what a wrist rocket was before last weekend with her country cousin Erin. The greatest moment was when Trish and I heard the girls screaming and laughing. We paused for a minute to determine if it was happy screams or painful screams, only to be bombarded by two 8 year olds exclaiming, "We broke the plates!!"

The Park at the Mall of America

Before my sister and my neice left for the east coast, we all went to visit the Park at the MOA! here are a few shots of the girls enjoying the rides...

Here are Sierra and Emily on the rollar coaster.

... on the bumper cars.

...A little face painting at the park is always a hit.

...at the bottom of the log shoot.

The frog hopper has always been Sierra's favorite ride at the mall.

We have been busy!

Well, our time in MN is going EXTREMELY fast! We have about half the time remaining before heading back to Rio. I think the time going fast is to be expected when spending it with family and loved ones.
My brother and his family took off last week, almost right after the wedding, and my sister and her daughter headed to the airport this morning. Many days spent laughing, playing games, having bonfires, one trip to the MOA (Mall of America), and lots of love among all.

It has been wonderful.
The weeks before the wedding Joe and my dad built this playhouse/deer stand/nature observation "house" behind the treeline next to the field. It is fully enclosed with windows and screens (to keep out bugs) on 3 of the sides. They worked almost 6 hours a day for about 8 days cutting and pounding and bonding. I am grateful for the hours Joe and Dad were able to put in with one another. For some reason men seem to need physical labor for bonding...women tend to prefer pampering, like spas and pedicures and shopping. Anyway, the treehouse was a huge hit with the kids all week. Sierra and her visiting cousins spent many hours playing in the treehouse and even came up with "rules" in case that is ever necessary.





Here are all of my parents' Granddaughters and one great nephew: from top to bottom; Taylor, Sierra, Bailey, Emily, and Kyler. This picture was taken the day we put our handprints and initials in the concrete around the 4 posts of the house.
Although all of these children live in different states, or in Sierra's case, countries, they play together as if they see one another every weekend. It was so much fun to watch them run through the yard, giggling.

More Tales from the North
We have been busy, yet we are truly enjoying ourselves and managing to relax at the same time. The first week back in MN has gone quickly. We have been occupied with last minute wedding preparations, making sure that everything for July 4th is in order. Joe and I are both excited and anxious as the date approaches.

We spent one day driving up to Staples, MN to pick up my car from the farm. I took this shot while driving back. Man, it feels good to drive my car again. I have to admit though, it feels like I'm going really slowly because the road and the space is so wide. I'll have to use cruise control to avoid getting a ticket. The green space and open fields are a joy to see again. Living in a megatropolis, the horizon is not within sight unless you look out at the ocean. I have been appreciating "God's country".

We have done so much shopping. You'd think none of us has ever been in Old Navy or Kohl's or Target before! Whew! We took a break for a light lunch one day though. Here is Sierra and me at the restaurant, resting from buying so many things.





On Saturday night, we went to Eric and Colette's and had a Catch Phrase rematch. Eric and I tromped all over Joe and Colette. We were laughing into the wee hours of the morning. At 2:15, I went in the house from the deck and saw the time on the digital clock. I thought it was broken and the 1 was simply missing...NOPE! It was truly, 2:15 a.m. Their poor neighbors didn't get much sleep that night! Sierra and Austin even played until that time.
Here's Sierra with her little friend she found near the house while playing. The girl screamed bloody murder earlier Sat. because of a frog, yet she was cuddling this salamander!! Go figure!

Today was pretty exciting for us as we were able to take my parents to a Brazilian style barbeque restaurant in Minneapolis. There is a Fogo de Chao downtown Mpls and I have to say it is authentic Brazilian Churrasco. We enjoyed ourselves for a couple of hours, feasting on the scewers of meat brought to you and carved table side for you. When I asked the waiter for Farofa, they were a little stunned to hear my Portuguese. Thankfully, they were able to prepare some especially for me! YUMMY...



They even had CapiVodkas. This strawberry one tasted so good, we stopped for an assortment of fresh fruit on the way home and a bottle of vodka to prepare our own.
I know, this isn't a very flattering picture. :-) Oh well.





Here we are around our table after our meal. Now Mom and Dad know what we are talking about when we go out for Picanha! It was a wonderful afternoon.

We MADE it!!!

After a long flight and many hours in the airport(s) and a little run-in with "homeland security" in Houston due to mistaken identity, we finally arrived in Mpls Sunday mid-afternoon. Sierra was so excited to see her grandparents. She was also very excited about indulging in many American foods she has missed over the past 11.5 months. As a result, she was not feeling well Sunday night, but I think she is now realizing the danger of eating 2 apple pies from MacDonalds, 1 s'more, 1 campfire cooked hotdog and part of a dish of strawberry shortcake all in the same evening.
She has leveled off and is being smarter now. We have been relaxing, catching up on sleep, and visiting missed friends and family since our arrival. Not to mention, enjoying the wildlife surrounding mom and dad's house.






Here is a picture of the box turtle that travelled around the backyard earlier this week. Sierra enjoyed taking a few pictures as it crawled from pond to woods, perhaps looking for somewhere to bury its eggs. This morning we watched a family of Canadian geese walk the back part of the yard toward the pond in what looked like one of the first swims for the gosslings. It is so quiet and peaceful out here. Feels good to have some respite from busy city life.

This morning, Sierra was looking for the step stool in the hall closet when she came across her bin of toys and books. It was so quiet in the house when I walked in to find her silently sitting in the hallway surrounded by things familiar.





My dad has several projects he is looking forward to working on with Joe while we are here. Here they are cutting wood and making a door for the smokehouse. There are plans for a "playhouse/observation deck" to go up on the treeline next to the field while we are here--all the material is all ready purchased. Grandpa is saying it will make a good playhouse for the grandkids, but we all know he's looking forward to hours sitting there watching deer.

Monday afternoon we went to visit with the Marins. Sierra is one of the family in this house of 7 and she fell right back into place while we were there. Becca made the comment, "When Sierra is here, everybody gets along." Sierra used to spend many days with the Marins, especially during the summers when I would teacher summer school. This was her "summer house" of sorts. Here are the girls having a tea party on the deck. It is such a blessing to see these kids playing together as if no time has passed.

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.