September, 2006

I did something on September 5, that I said I would never do here.  I wore a winter coat and gloves and had my hood on too.  It got down to below 40 and for Brazil that is a big deal.  Everyone was bundled up with me.  Even the dogs had their booties on.  Then on the September 14 it was 93 DEGREES!  No wonder everyone in this city is sick.

 

John Basel will be deploying sometime this week for the desert. Please pray for him and for the safety of his entire crew.  Please also pray for Meredith.  She is strong but this will be difficult for her.

 

It has been a lonely two weeks.  Nancy, Kyle and Mary are all three in the states.  I will pass all three in the sky as I am traveling to the states so I will miss them another three weeks.

I'm sure we will have a lot of catching up to do upon my return.

 

A Brazilian Etiquette Lesson:  If you are in line at a bank here in Brazil and a pregnant woman, a woman with children or an elderly person comes up, you have to let them in front of you.  This could be time consuming if you are there at a busy time because 5 or 6 people may get in front of you.

 

We went to the apartment-warming party given by Pierre and Marina (our Portuguese teachers).  It was such fun and we feel it is the perfect move for them at this time.  Their apartment is so well planned and comfortable.  It was hard to leave their house but it was a smart thing to do with all the recent robberies.  It is decorated perfectly.  A big group of American Students got together and bought them two rugs as a present.  (A picture is attached of Pierre and Marina in their new home.)

 

I was the only American that stayed today at the rug store after lunch.  Everyone had errands to run and things to do.  Without a car I don't have that problem.  It was Dona Maria's 76th birthday and they really had a wonderful spread of food.  I didn't eat the food but did have the cake.  I am still not into mystery food and this was Brazilian mystery food.  One of the owner's of the rug store read from The Scriptures and prayed.  I understood only a few words but the Spirit of The Lord was surely in that place.  It was precious.

 

One of the most precious couples will be movie next week, Helen & Ed Clifford.  I am so sad that I did not grasp the opportunity to get to know them earlier.  We wish them great joy in Michigan and on their new job.

 

We leave here on September 22 and arrive in Wichita Falls on September 23.  We will be staying at the Hampton Inn in Wichita Falls until September 29 and then I will be at Mom's until October 11.  Red Lobster here we come!!!!!!

Hollambra 2006

On September 7 John had a holiday and was blessed to spend it with 3 amazing women.  We went to Hollambra.  A Dutch settlement that celebrates every September with a Festival.  Beautiful flowers, lively dancing with wooden shoes (don't see how they do it!), shopping, & my favorite the drummers.  We all had such a good time.  Great way to spend a holiday!

Sidewalks of Cambui

The sidewalks of Cambui are designed by the owner's of the houses or businesses they are on.  These are just some of the beautiful designs.  Some are kept neatly and some are not.  This is why you never walk without always watching the sidewalks closely.  If you do not watch you end up flat on your back.  Trust me I've been there.

AUGUST 2006

 

John has survived yet another challenge.  He finished his two week immersion in Portuguese and feels it helped.  He understands better.  I wish I could say "poof" and he would be fluent but it just isn't that easy.

 

The Brazilian people are very patient and laid back people.  They take their time eating and visiting with friends.  They are friendly and kind and helpful.  BUT put them behind the wheel of a car and they become impatient, horn honking, speeding crazy people.  I am still shocked and amazed that John has survived it all.  Then you add in the motorcycles and you've got a whole other thing.  There are lines in the streets but they mean nothing.  PLUS all the cars here are not automatic.  Not easy going up a hill.  The most important thing to remember is to never tailgate the car in front of you on a hill.  John probably has one of the only automatic cars in the city.  Parallel parking here is an art form.  They do it swiftly and with ease.  I stand in amazement every time I watch.

 

I am working on rug # 7 and almost finished.  My snowman rug is finished and is my favorite so far.  I have decided that my new hobby brings me great joy.  I love the Brazilian women I am getting to know and it is a great place to meet with my American friends.  Plus, it is next door to Romana's and you all know how I love Romana's.  One of our waiter's, Sergio, is studying very hard to learn English and is doing very good.  He was really proud of his new Portuguese/English Bible.  The food is delicious but the atmosphere is the best especially early in the morning.

 

John and I went to the mall shopping and were noticing the prices of things.  Here in Brazil they allow you to charge things and pay for them in payments.  We were looking at Nike tennis shoes.  The are R$580,00 which is $270.00 American.  You can pay for your tennis shoes with 10 payments of R$58,00.  The credit card companies do this here for all the businesses.  This is the only way many Brazilians can afford things here that are so overpriced.  Blue jeans are another thing that are really overpriced.

 

Some new things:

*The orchid plant Jan and Mike Rodger's gave me last August has bloomed again.  I was shocked to walk out on the balcony and see it with 3 beautiful orchids on it.  Many of you know my thumb is black instead of green.

*There is a presidential election coming up here in Brazil.  If you are a resident of Brazil you are required to vote.  No exceptions.  Cars drive through the streets with loud speakers telling us who to vote for. 

*I was out on the balcony the other day and looked up and there was the Goodyear Blimp.  See the picture.  I could see the people in the cab. Our friends here, Todd, Kathy & Ryne Turner, recently got to ride in the Blimp in Sao Paulo.

*My friend Kyle and her husband Sam became Grandparents on August 19 to a beautiful little girl, Joie.  Their daughter Dena and her husband Wade are doing great.  I'm so glad Kyle was there to help.

*John and I watched Tiger win the U.S. Open Golf Tournament last weekend.  Golf takes on a new meaning when broadcasted in Portuguese.  In fact he is winning again this weekend but it isn't on tv.

 

My blog will have many new pictures this month because I've been taking my camera everywhere.  This is it.  http://journals.aol.com/jcw41/AnAmericanInBrazil/

There are also many archived letters so check them out also.

Also, Meredith and John have a blog and you can catch up on their travels there too.

http://www.manyroadstotravel.blogspot.com/   They have returned home.

 

John and I will be in Wichita Falls from September 22-29.  John will be at a meeting and I WILL GET TO SEE FRIENDS.   Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Then we will get to see Mom in Chattanooga and help her with some things around the house.  John is excited especially since he hasn't seen Mom since Meredith's wedding.  I was going to try to fly to see Ben but it looks like this will have to wait until January when I come home again.

July 2006

Any time of the day, when you are least expecting it, fireworks may explode and scare the living daylights out of you here in Brazil.  It may be a soccer game like Wednesday Night and the Sao Paulo Team won AT 11:30 AT NIGHT.  You are sound asleep and KABOOM.  It even woke John and NOTHING wakes John.  It takes a few minutes to calm your heart.  It also might be because the people here had all these fireworks to blast off WHEN Brazil won the World Cup.  Since Brazil did not win they shoot them off at random times.  KABOOM.  It also might be a newlywed couple leaving their wedding reception at 5:30 AM.  KABOOM!!!  Whenever they do this I have this great desire to lean out the window and scream at someone.  I guess I can do it anyway.  They wouldn't understand a word I said.

 

Soap Opera's here are called Novella's.  They only last six months.  Then they start a new one with a different theme.  I even think they use the same actors. Kyle's favorite was a story about Vampires.  She said it was hilarious.  She still laughs when she talks about it and it was a couple years ago.  I still do not understand what they are saying but the costumes are hilariously funny to look at.  I have attached a picture of Kyle with her cat, kissyfur!

 

We have made good friends with a Brazilian young lady named Priscilla.  She does rugs with us and speaks very good English.  She understands us if we speak very slowly.  She said all Brazilians want their children to have blue eyes.  She always comments on people who have blue eyes.  Brazilian's eyes are very dark and beautiful.  We don't understand why they love blue eyes so much.

 

They re-asphalted many streets in our area including our street.  Fortunately this got rid of the hole that could swallow a small car.  We are so grateful.

 

Meredith and John are in Alabama for a month.  She is enjoying being in the United States again especially having Mexican food and American Malls to shop in.  We heard from Ben, just three words I love you, and that made me happy.  We know he is so busy with his new jobs.  We are very proud of him.

 

My friend Jan Rodgers spent the day with me on Wednesday.  She is recovering wonderfully from her surgery.  Thank you for your prayers.  It has been three weeks.  She will be playing tennis before long.  That would be a wonderful thing.  We would appreciate your prayers for Michael Fore.  He is having some pretty serious health issues.  Pray that the doctors would understand just what they are and get him help.

 

The company John works for has joined forces with Owens Corning for a joint venture.It has caused many here and in the states to be concerned.  I have claimed Jeremiah 29:11 to keep my heart from being concerned.  "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Please also continue to pray for John and me about the language.  It is the most difficult thing here.   

 

June 2006

 

Brazil's hopes for World Cup are over.  This brings many sad changes.  No more time off from work.  No more green and yellow on every building, car and person.  No more money spent collecting the World Cup cards/stickers.  No more excitement.  No more fireworks that rattle the walls and make your heart race.  It is very sad because all Americans here were ready to experience the Championship with the Brazilians and now we won't get to.

 

I had a wonderful time at Mom's.  She spoiled me with a sausage biscuit every morning. We watched tv and I worked on my new rug.  We shopped a bit and had a luncheon for her wonderful neighbor, Margaret Martin.  They moved only across town but it is sad to look up there and they are no longer there.  I do love their new home though. Mom and I got to visit with John's sister Betsy in Knoxville for a day and then I met up with John's other sister and her husband, Katherine and Jim, at the Atlanta Airport.  They were on their way to Ireland for vacation.  Everyone was doing really well.

 

I am back in my routine of visiting with friends at the rug store and eating at Romano's.  It only takes a few days to get back in the groove of my Brazilian Schedule.  It is still wonderfully cool and comfortable.  The memories of the horrible heat are fading.  It has been so nice since April 1.  International Paper has brought two new friends, Jane & Wendy.  We are also going to enjoy Wendy's daughter, Margaret.  She may want to escape from all of us.  We all miss our daughter's!!!  Also, Sue Olson, whose husband is with Goodyear, is a new addition.  We now fill the rug store will a bunch of crazy Americans.  I'm sure the owners appreciate the money we are spending.  I met a girl this week, Camilla.  She was an exchange student last year (her junior year in high school) near Tupelo, Mississippi.  It is hilarious to hear this young Brazilian talk with a STRONG Southern accent.  We all laughed.

 

We spent the Fourth of July with many Americans and our Portuguese Teachers at Kathy and Paul Delorme's home.  We had delicious hamburgers, hot wings, potato salad, slaw & the most delicious baked beans.  It was a real American treat!!!

 

Also, Jan Rodgers had pretty serious back surgery today.  She is on staff here with her husband and family with The Navigators.  They took part of her hip bone to replace a bad disc in her back.  Mike, her husband, just called to say she came through surgery just fine.  Thank you everyone for your prayers.  I'll keep you up to date.  She is a real blessing to me.

 

It looks like John will be going to China for a meeting.  Can you imagine John eating the food in China????  That should put him over the edge.  I will pack lots of peanut butter and crackers to get him through. 

 

Not much else to report.  It has been a quiet 3 weeks.  I would love to hear from you. 

Love, Kathy

Flowers and trees in Brazil

One of the best parts of Brazil are the flowers, bushes and trees.

These are just a few.