So.. while I disappeared from the blogging world, my 6 month mark came and went and now we are coming up on the 7th month mark.. unbelievable or what?? I remember sitting on the plane coming here not even being able to imagine in my mind what was to come. And I really could not have guessed what these 10 months would look like.
There have been hard days where all I wanna do is hangout with my family and laugh over junk food and board games, or eat watch Bridesmaids with DQ blizzards with holland, or netflix with my roomie.. or jam with the crew. And when those moments come, I usually send messages to my people letting them know I'm thinking of them and miss them, and then I try to find something to do here, to seize the hours that could become beautiful memories. And I'd do just that and created just those. I tried new foods and drinks, ate lots of ice cream with friends and my kiddos, got to know my city more, and just passed time with friends in their homes and enjoyed my time with the people around me. And while I'm not so great at remembering to snap the pics, I do have a few here to illustrate a few moments.
There have been hard days where all I wanna do is hangout with my family and laugh over junk food and board games, or eat watch Bridesmaids with DQ blizzards with holland, or netflix with my roomie.. or jam with the crew. And when those moments come, I usually send messages to my people letting them know I'm thinking of them and miss them, and then I try to find something to do here, to seize the hours that could become beautiful memories. And I'd do just that and created just those. I tried new foods and drinks, ate lots of ice cream with friends and my kiddos, got to know my city more, and just passed time with friends in their homes and enjoyed my time with the people around me. And while I'm not so great at remembering to snap the pics, I do have a few here to illustrate a few moments.
Also, something really special that happened right around the end of December/beginning of January is that a few of my favorite Brazilians returned to Brazil from the States! Their study abroad experience came to an end and they finally came back home and I got to meet up with some of them. And friends, I almost tear up as I right about these moments because they were so special. Even in the States, I absolutely love visiting people's homes and meeting their family, city, pets, etc.. because you see such a bigger picture of a person's life when you see all of these things. You understand them better, I think you are able to better serve and love them as your friend as well. Anyways, I finally go to do this with my Brazilians from Eau Claire.
My first trip was actually the day after Christmas, I headed to Jose's city for a week. So we spent most of the time getting to know his city and family and friends. And then for New Years we all packed up and traveled to another state Minas Gerais, where his parent's ranch is and we there we welcomed in 2016 and wow.. what a great time. It was in the middle of nowhere and I didn't realize how much I missed the 'not-city' life.. it was beautiful and just what I needed. New Years day we spent in this waterfall, climbing rocks, fighting currents and just enjoying the beauty. It was the perfect starting of the new year.
Then a few weeks ago I got to go to Erica's city. I think I almost cried when I finally hugged her after so long! I didn't get to spend as long with her but it was just so great. We got to know her city, went to her dad's work party grillout, made a lot of music with her brother and future sister in law, talked a LOT (we're good at that :) and even cooked french toast one day for her family. One night we even got to meet up with our friend Victor in his city!
I just love finally got to experience this beautiful country that I have grown to love with friends who are so dear to my heart. The feeling of city around a table eating ice cream and speaking Portuguese in Brazil with friends who I one day used to sit at the caf in Eau Claire with, what an incredible thing, hey? I'm sure not complaining :)
My first trip was actually the day after Christmas, I headed to Jose's city for a week. So we spent most of the time getting to know his city and family and friends. And then for New Years we all packed up and traveled to another state Minas Gerais, where his parent's ranch is and we there we welcomed in 2016 and wow.. what a great time. It was in the middle of nowhere and I didn't realize how much I missed the 'not-city' life.. it was beautiful and just what I needed. New Years day we spent in this waterfall, climbing rocks, fighting currents and just enjoying the beauty. It was the perfect starting of the new year.
Then a few weeks ago I got to go to Erica's city. I think I almost cried when I finally hugged her after so long! I didn't get to spend as long with her but it was just so great. We got to know her city, went to her dad's work party grillout, made a lot of music with her brother and future sister in law, talked a LOT (we're good at that :) and even cooked french toast one day for her family. One night we even got to meet up with our friend Victor in his city!
I just love finally got to experience this beautiful country that I have grown to love with friends who are so dear to my heart. The feeling of city around a table eating ice cream and speaking Portuguese in Brazil with friends who I one day used to sit at the caf in Eau Claire with, what an incredible thing, hey? I'm sure not complaining :)
So with all of that, here's to the past 6 (almost 7) months... to the late night talks, hours of learning Portuguese, coffee coffee coffee, friendships made, laughter upon laughter, delicious Brazilian food, hours traveling to other cities via bus, my hair that is getting lighter by the day because of the sun, two kiddos that are keeping me young, beautiful scenery, sweet pictures, and Jesus in it all.
Até mais,
beijos!
beijos!