Meeting Frances

I have finished 16 years of life and am starting on the 17th,with hopefully many more years of good fortune,as well. These are a few pictures I have taken, one is of my older sisterLuiza and me. We were singing and having a dance party in her bedroom. The other is a picture of my younger sister, Ludmilla when we were decorating the Christmas tree. Fun, all and all, but I am missing the smell of my home during the holiday seasons.

While passing by a bus coming home the other day,  some kids were celebrating a birthday touring the city with friends and eating cake. There were dancing characters on the back of the bus and music was blaring. I added this picture just because it was funny, there is no real meaningful explanation behind it.

Another exciting part of my life happened two weeks before my school, São Fransisco de Assis, ended. I was sitting in class when all of a sudden three people came into my classroom. One was a Enlish  teacher who worked at a language school and the other two were Foreign Exchange Students. A young girl from Germany who was on exchange to Brasil, as well as Frances who came to Homer when I was in 8th grade and stayed with the Gavenus family for one year(2005-2006). When they entered my class I did not realize who was standing in front of me. They came to explain and discuss the language program that they work for, with the kids of my class. 

Later on I went downstairs to use the restroom, when I saw four little Brasillian girls trying to speak with these foreigners in English. Thinking to myself, well I am just like these other exchange students, were walking in the same shoes. I went over to them to say hello, ask how their experiences were going in Brazil and if they were struggling with the language as much as I?

 First, speaking in Portuguese, I asked the Brazillian girls, since one of them rides the school bus with me, what they were doing and she told me "trying to talk with them in English or Portuguese." I thought this was really cute and introduced myself to Frances. I told him that I lived in Alaska, the next thing he said was that his exchange year was in the city of Homer. Right then I realized I knew this person in front of me, and what a coincidence to meet him  in Belo Horizonte a city of four million people!Not only that but, in Homer I had never seen or met him. I had only heard his name a ton, since he was the soccer star of the season for Homer High. But since I was in 8th grade at the time, I never had the chance to meet Frances.

We talked for quite a long time, and he shared with me that his family owns a farm in Belo Horizonte that he would like to take me to. Frances also has a very close friend that can give me Portuguese lessons, that's another added plus.

This was just one experience out of the many that has shown me that this world is incredibly small, and great do things come out of it. This encounter was really miraculous and to this day I am stunned, at the thought of what actually happened.

Feliz Natal 

Fazenda Luciana

 

A new adventure began at the break of dawn last Friday, what this adventure entitled was a farm with cows, horses, bugs, caves, bats, a sunburn to last a week, and a belly full of scrumptious food. Four hours SouthEast of my city is a town by the name of Igratamia. Consisting of farm land preserved forests and more cows than I have ever seen in my life. I was privileged to go on this trip with Jacquine, a member of my Rotary Club and his family.

 Many years ago when his great great grandfather was alive his great great grandfather bought around 650 thousand kilometers of land in Igratamia. He established a tobacco farm and constructed two houses. Years passed, and his death followed. His sons took over the land, sold parts to other people willing to pay a hardy amount, and the majority of the land they kept.

The sons of the farmer agreed on changing the farm from tobacco producing to a dairy farm. 

This was a large process for the family, since many changes were needed to keep and raise cows. Corn and other products such as types of grass were planted as a food source to sustain the cows.  As the family grew more and more houses were built for aunts, uncles, mothers, fathers and grandparents. Today the entire family lives on the farm living no more than a couple hundred feet away from each other.

Saturday night we walked to the house of Jacquine's sister and celebrated the birthday of her husband. There I learned how to dance the Forro and Samba, Native dances of Brasil. If there is one thing that Brasillians know how to do better than Americans, I would probably say throwing a party. The layout was simple but the music, churrassco (type of barbecue) and people thrown together made for a wild night of pure good fun. As I slightly remember the time we left I think it was around three in the morning.

When I woke up I milked a cow for the first time in my life and what an experience that was, the milk just wouldn't go into the bucket for the longest time. I also watched a cow give birth to a calf. After this weekends adventures, I have found that farms have many things to offer, which makes me want to live on one myself. 

The only problem I had throughout the trip was forgetting sunscreen after one day of riding horses I looked like a little red hot chilly pepper and felt like it too.

Ouro Preto ( black gold)

 

This last week I went tothe city of Ouro Preto with my family. The colonial town  was founded in 1697 by the Portuguese and was named Vila Rica. In the 1700's the town was mined for gold. When all the gold was mined the Portuguese left and went back to Portugal, leaving behind everything. 

Today the economy is based upon tourism, since many beautiful colonial buildings still remain, including igrejas (churches), and small lojas(stores). Ouro Preto is located in Minas Gerais 2 hours West of Belo Horizonte. 

 While we were visiting the colonial town we entered a historical mint factory. Above there is picture of the coins that were first made by the Portuguese, today these have no value since the real is now used.

The understanding of most conversations and situations has become easier, the language is on the tip of my tongue and I want to speak all of my feelings. In a few weeks or so being able to speak more fluently will not be such a challenge. Right now the language is something like a puzzle to me, words are all around and picking and choosing where they go or what they mean is the puzzle. I have been watching Dora the Explorer and other learning shows for kids because they repeat words and speak very clearly. 

Today I went for a jog with my mom we had a conversation about when she left her home,  married and then had her two daughters. 

Last week elections were held for prefeito of BG(mayor.) Leonardo Quintao and Marcio Lacerda tied in the election, due to this another election is going to be on the 26th of October. 

Tomorrow is Ludmilla's birthday, she will be 11 years old. She is my youngest sister and is a delight to be around. I brought her a hula skirt from Hawaii, a shirt from the Hard Rock Cafe, a moose magnet and a mosquito trap.

During this adventurous time in my life. a better family couldn't have been selected for me. They are tremendous people, and I feel like one of the family. Since I look Brazillian most people can't tell us apart, until the language pops out of my mouth.

Oh and I encountered an amazing thing last night as well as, a tremendous feat, I dreamt in Portuguese!!!!! Parts of my dream were in English but the rest of what can be remembered was in Portuguese. The thing about it, was speaking in my head wasn't difficult it was almost as if it came naturally. Feeling like I have made progress and knowing that the language is in my grasp is what keeps me most happiest. Priorities in my life have changed now since moving to Brazil. The little things in life make me really happy such as; learning a new word and being able to use it in a sentence without any help. Saying commands and hoping they are right, and when they are I sigh with relief. Watching other people live their lives normally as I am in a world with every aspect different than how I was raised.

I could be rich, poor, middle class, but I would still have my joys, sadnesses and loves. Observing these people I find we are all the same, most of us face the same challenges everyday and we move on and grow. 

Well its time to go watch the futebol game Cruzeiro vs. Atletico

 tchau

My Sisters Language School and etc.

One of the main differences I have seen while staying in Brazil is whatever I seem to buy usually has been made right here in Brazil from things such as clothes to toothpaste. Truthfully, I have not seen one product from China. They support their economy tremendously which keeps everything running smoothly. I haven't traveled a lot in the United States so I am not sure if this is a difference, but many of the poorer people collect tin cans and bottles lying on the side of the roads, and then turn them into a recycling center because it is a good way for them to make a little money. The wealthy seem to be very generous in helping the poorer people; who are selling things at street lights, giving a little money for cleaning and washing cars as well as other things that can be done.

This last week I went to my sister's English class and talked to the kids about where I live and how I actually don't live in an igloo, in fact I have never seen one besides in films and the ones I have made with my friends. Their teacher had me talk in English for them because she wanted them to hear what our language sounds like. In exchange they asked me questions in Portuguese such as; Do you like your family? Do you like your sisters? Just little questions like these. It was a really good experience because we were on the same level they needed help with my language and I need help with theirs, we struggled to talk to each other but our points were made clear. 

 Well the first month is over, I have been here in Brazil for a month 1 week and a day and it's going better than I ever could have imagined.

School Olympics With Friends and the Insane Weather

For the next month until the end of October it's the rainy season in BG, the transition period from winter to spring.  For the past few days now it has been down pouring and my body is loving the cool air. What it's really doing is enjoying this weather, because when summer hits it's going to be an adventure in itself trying to find an area to relax that is not a 100 degrees plus.  Last night we had a lightning, thunder, hail, rain and wind storm practically the whole works. 

Of course the Brazilians hated it, but being a crazy foreigner who is up for anything it was a blast. I had never experienced anything like that before, my experiences only consisted of frigid ice storms and 60 mph winds fishing on the boat with my dad. It was really an enjoyable experience to see the different elements working at full force all in one night.

 I ran outside and was drenched, literally in less than a minute. I don't even think an umbrella could  have saved me from this type of rain. At first the rain came straight down in huge plopping drops, then it started going side ways.  I became very confused after this, since the rain was coming from all directions even the ground. 

School is going really well,  today we had a free day and everyone participated in the school Olympics. Everyone participates in this event for two days; handball, soccer and basketball were played this afternoon, tomorrow morning swimming, volleyball and boxing will be played. 

The 4760 Rotary Club in Belo Horizonte

This is a picture of my Rotary club 4760. I will be attending Rotary meetings at least once a month on Mondays from 7:30-9:00 at night. 

As well as whenever I feel the urge to pop my head in to say, "Hello!" 

I have already been invited to stay on a farm for a short while and am welcome to take trips with the Rotarians if I would like. The Rotarians made me feel right at home with their questions and smiles. I responded to their questions with the small vocabulary of Portuguese I have learned so far. It's truly going to be a wonderful learning experience this year.

My Arrival in Brazil

Hello, I am currently in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Today is my ninth day living in Brazil and I am not sure if I ever want to leave. Belo Horizonte is huge and very beautiful. The climate is divine, not too hot and definitely not too cold. I couldn´t have asked for a better place to end up for the upcoming year. The people are extremely warm and help me whenever possible,such as teaching me the basics of Portuguese. 

The school I am attending is Colegio Francis De Assis, I have been going to this school for a week now. Three girls in my class speak average English and the rest try to say a few words here and there. I am taking Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Portuguese, Spanish, Biology, Physical Education, and History of Brazil. 

I awake  in the morning at 6 o clock and go to school until 12:10. Living four blocks away from my school I walk home but ride the bus in the morning. My family is helping me learn Portuguese and in exchange I am helping them learn a little English. 

In the mornings we eat pao con qaixou which is (bread with cheese)  fruit; such as papaya, banana, guava, and mango. Meat, beans, rice, and fruit are eaten with all meals except breakfast. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day and sometimes we go out to eat at 9:00p.m. This is one of the hardest things to adapt too, since in the United States my family  starts winding down at that time. 

In my city two kisses are given to say hello as well as saying oui. Well that's all until next week.

tchau

Two days before my departure

I will be leaving to Belo Horizonte, Brazil on Wednesday the 27th of August at 12:30 a.m. from Homer, Alaska. My arrival into Belo Horizonte is 1:15 p.m. on the 28th. The Ribeiro family will pick me up from the airport and I will be living with them until January,2009.