You know you're in Brazil when...

Note: the following is not at all intended to make fun of the Brazilian culture or any Brazilian individuals who may have inspired these comments but instead to get a little chuckle out of the cultural differences, from the perspective of an American girl living in Brazil. After all, this is my home now! :)

That being said,

You know you're in Brazil when....

- you get one single cereal bowl and 6 coffee cups as a wedding gift

- one of the main questions everyone asks a newlywed wife is, "so what food have you cooked so far?"

- one of the main questions everyone asks an American newlywed wife is, "have you learned to make beans and rice yet?"

- you get an invitation in the morning to have lunch at someone's house, and you wind up being there from 1 in the afternoon until 9 at night

- you make pancakes for your husband for breakfast, and he puts cheese on them

- you find matching shakers - presumably salt and pepper - that turn out to be salt and salt

- you can pay installments on your chocolate Easter eggs for 10 months with no interest

- you know people who are afraid of driving an automatic because all they have ever driven is standard

- local recipes say to bake said recipe at "more or less 300º for somewhere around 20 minutes"

- church has already been going for an hour and twenty minutes before the message starts

- you've been married for months and you're still getting wedding gifts

- you're 30 minutes late to your own wedding... and there are still guests arriving after you

- everyone thinks I'm blonde

- you're stuck in traffic, in the far right lane, and someone passes you on the right - driving on the sidewalk

:)

That's all for now, but I will likely update this from time to time.

Position available: Pen Stealer

Since I returned to Brazil, I became pretty convinced that the office had hired someone specifically to steal my pens. I had no pens when I arrived, had a hard time finding any, and when I did, within hours it would be gone.

This week I began working at the City of Youth instead of the downtown office and am in the process of putting my new office together. Today, however, I am back in the downtown office to take care of a few things. If there was any doubt in my mind about the Pen Stealer, it is gone now. My theory, as far as I am concerned, has been confirmed: I have only been gone a few short days, and when I came into the office this morning, there was a full supply of writing utensils on my desk. Apparently the Pen Stealer was dismissed when I moved to my new office.

Looking for a job? I think there's a position open here...

The Proposal Part 2 – The Mean (Not Step-) Mom’s Letter and List

Kara – My patience has run thin, so I have decided to leave for my meeting and let you figure out a way to meet with Ti for dinner. If you are willing to work hard for the next hour, I will return with the car. If not, well… So here is a list of what I want done. You must text me with each item you accomplish so I know if I need to leave my meeting early to get the car back to you. If being with Ti is important to you, you need to show me some very hard work and plenty of effort. Does this seem like a puzzle to you? Well, as puzzling as it may be, I have become a mean mom today. I am tired of doing most of the work around the house. So, the puzzle will make more sense if you start doing your part. Here is the list:

DO IT! OR NO DINNER WITH TI!

1. Sweep the front entry way – and quit tracking in dirt!

2. Unload the dishwasher! I did dinner and cleaned up last night. The least you can do is unload the dishwasher.

3. Put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher.

4. Vacuum the living room. It is especially important that you get the corner by the couch, floor lamp, and Emery’s toy shelf. Things have accumulated in that corner since it has been left uncleaned for so long. – What’s with you anyway?

5. While you are at it, vacuum the stairs too. Do you have eyes in your head? Have you not noticed how dirty the stairs are?

6. Scour the downstairs bathroom. Three of us use it now. You could be a little helpful every now and then. Pay special attention to inside the medicine cabinet!

7. Pray – that a handsome prince will get you out of your misery. Then clean the upstairs bathroom – including the nasty tub!!

8. Oh – and take out the garbage!!!

The Proposal Part 1 – The Detailed Story

Note: you can read the short version here.

Click here for pictures.

When I woke up Tuesday morning, I had no idea what the day had in store for me! My fairy tale was about to begin…

Around noon, Ti texted me: “Hey I need to do a few things here today… Like laundry and other stuff… But I need to talk to you tonight! Would you like to go and have dinner together? Just you and me… 6:30pm will be nice! What do you say?” Of course, I couldn’t help but find it a little odd that he “needed” to talk to me, but of course I agreed to dinner and throughout the afternoon thought up a whole list of things he might “need” to talk to me about. The suspense was killing me, though, and the afternoon seemed to pass so slowly!

My mom and I share a car, and she had told me she a had a meeting to go to at 6. She said she would just find out what she needed to find out and be back by 6:30 so I could have the car. I finished work at 5 and decided to read for a bit, then do the dishes and take out the trash before heading to dinner with Ti.

At 5:45, my mom walks in my room and completely seriously says, “I’ve been contemplating all afternoon and really feel that you don’t do your part around the house. I wrote you a letter about it, along with a list of some things I want you to do. Let me know when you finish them. Depending on how fast you get them done, I may or may not be back in time for you to go to dinner with Ti.”

My stomach knotted up inside me! Here I was about to go downstairs and do the dishes, and my mom is upset that I never do anything around the house! She handed me a sealed envelope and was gone.

In shock, I opened the envelope and began reading. Before long, I realized she was up to something! And I knew Ti must have been behind it all. You can read the letter and list of chores here.

I quickly got to work, figuring I might not be allowed to leave the house until all of the chores were done. So I swept and vacuumed and did the dishes and cleaned the bathrooms… Along the way, I found pieces to a puzzle that told the story of Princess Kara and Tiago.

I cried with each puzzle piece and then returned to the tasks at hand. All along, I texted my mom, letting her know my progress, and she replied making sure I was still on top of things and working hard!

When I was finally finished with all the chores (45 minutes after it all began), I notified my mom and then tried to figure out what to do with myself as I waited for her to return with the car! I was a wreck, and completely nervous that she would be coming to inspect. Would my cleaning pass inspection??

Finally, the doorbell rang. It was my fairy godmother (my friend Rebekah), wand and all, accompanied by my mom. She came in and gave me two more puzzle pieces, and stood by as I cried and read. Before I finished, she left to get something from her “Fairy Godmother-mobile.” It was time to get dressed for the Ball, and she had just the thing!

She helped me get dressed, gave me directions to “the Ball,” and I was on my way. I walked out to my carriage and drove, in shock, to find my Prince Charming.

When I arrived at the park I was directed to, Ti was standing waiting for me. He had the last piece of the puzzle, in the shape of a heart, and read the next chapter to me. He said the story wasn’t over, but that he would need me to help him finish it. But first!...

He had something that would help him know if I was the right woman… He pulled out a “glass slipper” and bent down to try it on for size. It fit! So he laid the last (heart-shaped) piece in the puzzle. I gasped as I read what it said: “Marry me!”

As he pulled a little black velvet box out of his pocket, he told me he loves me and doesn’t know what’s going to happen in life, but he was asking me to jump with him and find out! And so he asked, “Would you marry me?”

Through tears and laughter I said, “Yes!”

We hug and kissed and then danced our first dance as an engaged couple in the park – Phantom of the Opera, All I Ask of You. Then we were off to dinner and back home before my carriage turned into a pumpkin!

The Best Day of My Life... or one of them, anyway

Wednesday morning, 6:00 am: I dropped my mom off at the bus, as usual, for her to head to work and me to return home. Right before she got out of the car, she said, "Alright, when you get home, there will be a clue when you walk in the house. You must try to figure it out, but if you're absolutely stumped, you can call for help. Have a great day!"

Ti had told me not to make plans on Wednesday, but I wasn't expecting his plans to start first thing in the morning! As I returned home, I got a text from him: "You can read the first card, but just start doing what it says at 8:00 or 8:30... Love you!"

Oh goodness! I was in heaven already! :o)

I went back to bed for a bit, and at 8:30 the games began! My first clue led me to the TV, where I found the next clue. It explained the game that was ahead of me and led me to the next clue, inside my mom's scrapbook from our Brazil trip. I had to do a crossword puzzle and a numbers game, and then wait to follow the hints to find the next clue. The next clue was locked inside our mailbox. I won a present with this clue - zebra pj's and slippers! There was a map to fill in using the answers to the crossword puzzle and numbers game. And then I was off to follow the map. It led me to ABQ Uptown, where I found the next clue - and gift - at the big Q "statue." The gift was a gift card to my favorite store - White House Black Market. Amazing! I knew we would be going out for a nice evening that night, and the instructions told me I could purchase anything I wanted, whether it was for the evening or not. But I had to go shopping now!

I found a spectacular dress on sale, and a beautiful pair of shoes. I made it home just before noon and had time to have some lunch before I started getting ready. About an hour later, a bouquet of my favorite flower (tiger lilies) arrived! During the next couple hours, I showered, did my hair, nails, and makeup - I was ready for a night out!

I met Ti at the big "Q" at Uptown - first time I had seen him all day, despite many text messages! He took me to the tram, where we rode up and had dinner at High Finance, at a table by the window overlooking the city. Next, we headed home for a special desert. My mom, all dressed up and beautiful, greeted us at the door, and ushered us in to a beautifully set up, candlelit dining room with my flowers as the centerpiece on top of a lace tablecloth. She was preparing bananas foster for us - a deliciously fancy treat! We finished the evening with a movie.

What a wonderful day it was!! Of course, I couldn't help but think how amazing Ti was for putting all of this together for me - with such careful planning, and just the kind of thing I love! But more than that, I was worshiping God throughout the day! He is so wonderful, and Ti is just a glimpse of His majesty - a blessing in my life that leads me to bow down before the King in complete awe of His holiness.

Every blessing You pour out, Lord, I will turn back to praise!

I really, really hope you know this...

God is incredibly amazing and good!!!!

Of course, I would have reason to say that... Tiago and I have been hoping for and planning on him coming to the States at the beginning of next year to meet my family, friends, etc. But it has all been contingent on whether or not he gets a visa. Well, today was the day for his interview at the American Embassy, and he got it!! God is good!

But then, what about my friend who I just learned had a miscarriage recently? And the lady at church who, despite her loving parents and husband who love the Lord, is plagued by an addiction to drugs? What about her family, her children? And how about the countless people who are on the streets night after night in the bitter cold of winter?

Is God still incredibly amazing and good?

Yes!!

I know what you're thinking: "It's easy for you to say that. You have a wonderful family, people you love and who love you. Your boyfriend whom you haven't seen in months will be visiting you soon. You have a job, steady income, and can still travel around the world...."

Yes, that is all true. Life isn't always easy, but right now it certainly is a blessing.

But here's the thing...

As I have been reading in Psalms during the past hour or so, all I see, over and over, is David praising the Lord and giving Him glory for always being in control. Throughout the 10 or 15 Psalms I have read, he is at times praising God for a recent victory, and at times praising Him for a victory that he can't see yet, as he is surrounded by his enemies.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me...

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies...

The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains...

You are the God of my salvation...

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He instructs sinners in the way...

One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple...

Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord....

To You, O Lord, I call: My rock, do not be deaf to me, For if You are silent to me, I will become like those who go down to the pit...

The Lord is my light and my salvation...

How great is your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You...

And I could go on and on.

But the point is this:

Romans 8:28

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

So whether you're praising Him for a victory, or praising Him in the midst of trials, praise Him!! If you have given your heart to the Lord, the victory is already yours - whether you can see it yet or not! And if you haven't, it's time. Today is the day of salvation.

And if you're having trouble keeping faith, read a little bit further:

Romans 8:32

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

Or in other words, He already paid the greatest price - Christ's life - for you! He bought you with a price, now do you really think He's just going to forget His love for you? No way!!

The greatest good for us is Christ Jesus and His Name glorified! "Seek ye first the kingdom of God..."

As Tiago pointed out to me last week: Psalm 23 starts with the Lord and ends with the Lord. Everything in between is what happens in life. There are good times, and there are bad times, but what remains forever is the Lord!

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want... And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

What a wonderful week!

Mom and I flew out to Tennessee last Wednesday to spend Thanksgiving with "Kevin & Co." We arrived home yesterday. It was such a wonderful week! I had such a great time with everyone - and dad was even able to join us Sunday night! We played games, laughed, went shopping, talked, went to church, changed diapers... haha. It was such a joy to meet my new baby niece Adalyn. She is beautiful just like her sister and her parents!

One of the highlights was definitely hanging out with Emery. I'm sure I can't even do her justice, but here are some"quotable quotes" from Emery this past week:

When Adalyn started crying in from the bedroom, Emery, in her highchair at the table, looked at her mom and said, "Would you go check on my baby please?"

After playing with her new remote control car from Papa Dennis: "Ok, I don't want to do it a-more again. I'm done now. Thank you."

When she didn't want to take a picture with Santa Claus at the riverwalk, we asked her why. Her response: "He smells like cheese."

"Mommy's pretty, and I'm beautiful!"

Multiple times throughout the week, for no apparent reason, and with no related context at all, I heard, "I not say someping, I just said, baby, baby, baby."

After an hour drive to Nashville, playing with her in the backseat the whole way, she very sincerely said, "Thank you for praying (playing) with me."

While mom and I were in the very back of the car, and Em in the middle row: "Um, Grandma and Kara, whatchya doin?" "We're just hanging out. What are you doing?" "Oh, I'm just hanging out in my car seat."

And when we told her she had lots of money (2 dollars and changed), she replied, "Thank you!"

...just to name a few.

I am most definitely thankful for my amazing family! I am truly blessed. Praise God! He is good!!

Crazy, crazy days!

I arrived in Albuquerque on Sunday, October 11, and was scheduled to leave on Friday the 16th. I wound up waiting until Saturday to leave because I was flying standby and the planes were all overbooked on Friday. I got stuck in Chicago on Saturday night, and flew out Sunday night, arriving in Brazil on Monday, Oct 19. A group arrived to visit Hope Unlimited and do a work project on Tuesday, which kept me in sync with my regular theme of hitting the ground running.

It was a busy and challenging two weeks! A few days after arrival, one gentleman returned home upon hearing of his daughter-in-law who was pregnant with twins - she lost one twin at 24 weeks and they are keeping their eyes open for complications with the second baby. Another member from the group was diagnosed with meningitis and has been in the hospital since Saturday, a week and a half ago. She has to have someone with her 24 hours a day, so we have all been chipping in and spending days and nights in the hospital with her. Marc (Philip's 6-year-old son) broke a tooth last week and had to have a root canal. A couple days later he got sick and had a fever of 102. A couple days after that, baby Isabella got sick with a fever of 102. Philip was in Vitoria and stuck there due to a 5-day rain storm that flooded the area and closed the airport for days on end.

When it rains it pours!

We kept quite busy with the group - so busy in fact that Natalia and I had 30 minutes on Saturday to go home after dropping the group off at the hotel, take showers, get ready for a wedding, and return to the hotel to pick up the group. So, we timed our showers to see who could finish faster. It was close, but I took the gold:

My time:

Natalia's time:

We made great time and arrived about 20 minutes before the ceremony was supposed to start at 7pm. The ceremony didn't actually start until about 9. But hey - it wasn't because we were late!

Despite the challenges, the group was a tremendous blessing and returned home on Monday. I had a day off yesterday and am back in the office today and for the rest of the week.

The Longest Day of My Life

I flew home from Sydney today. Or yesterday. Or something.

My flight left at 2:50 on Sunday afternoon, and I arrived in LA around 10:00 on Sunday morning... weird. It's funny because I lived the hours of 10am to 3pm on Sunday twice. Quite weird. Mom and I both had thought I would arrive on Monday evening, but thankfully we figured out that I was arriving on Sunday. So she picked me, and I am home again. :o)

Sydney was wonderful! A beautiful city, and so great to spend time with Tiago. Here are couple more pictures... enjoy!

Darling Harbour at night:

A going away barbecue on Bronte Beach for Wellington (on left). This picture was taken during the few brief moments of sunshine. Most of the day was raining, windy, and cold!!

Me and Tiago for a nice night out on Friday:

Possibly the most amazing place on earth

So, I thought I liked Brazil. And I do. I love Brazil. But I have found a new love: Sydney, Australia.

I arrived last Wednesday morning (Tuesday afternoon back home in Albuquerque). The day I arrived also happened to be the day that a freak dust storm covered Sydney in a blanket of red - the worst dust storm in 70 years! We were about 15 minutes from landing in Sydney and had to turn around and fly up to Brisbane to refuel. We then headed back down to Sydney and were in a holding pattern for a while until the tower gave us the thumbs up to land. I was so praying that we would be able to land! Poor Tiago had to wait 4 hours for me at the airport!

The dust cleared by the afternoon, and I began to be able to see just how beautiful the city is. During this last week I have gotten to see the Featherdale zoo - complete with kangaroos, tazmanian devils, koalas, and other strange animals! Had dinner with friends in the Sydney Tower revolving restaurant - comparable to Seattle's Space Needle. Coogee Beach, (I have never seen such a beautiful deep blue sea as the one here) Manly Beach, the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour, a couple weekend services at Hillsong church.. and the list goes on. I don't think anything has fallen short of amazing yet!

It's probably a good thing I already have a ticket home.... :o)

A Simple Demonstration of Love

A few weeks ago, I had the wonderful and rare opportunity to spend the weekend at our girls ranch. Seven visiting American girls and I packed our bags and headed out to the ranch on Saturday afternoon for a couple days of fun, games, smiles, and reminders of God’s love.

One of the many activities that filled the weekend was a movie night we put on for the girls on Saturday. I rented a few videos and took my laptop, speakers, and a projector out to the ranch. Together with Bel, the ranch director, and her husband Carlos, we nailed and hammered to put up a makeshift outdoor screen (a white sheet), and went searching for all the right extension cords, plugs, and other necessary equipment for the “movie theater” to come together. As we worked, many girls wandered over from time to time, curious to know what was going on, and if they would be invited. One girl’s comment particularly touched me:

Bruna* is 12 years old and has a little bit of a lisp. She is a sweet little girl with a certain air of maturity beyond her years – she seems too serious to be a 12-year-old girl. She doesn’t know who her father is and probably never will. Her mother, with no place to live and seeing no other option, left her and her younger sister at a church and hasn’t been seen since.

As I was finishing set-up and about to test the projector, Bruna walked up and, with much curiosity, asked, “What is that?” “We’re going to watch a movie,” I answered, as I continued setting up the computer. “Oh, cool,” was her reply. And then she added, “Is this a sign that you like us?” I was taken back by the question, which made me immediately stop everything I was doing and turn my full attention to little Bruna. Her question hit me like a ton of bricks; I was appalled as I realized her uncertainty of acceptance, and the fact that a simple movie night could mean so much to her. With great enthusiasm and a tight hug and kiss on her forehead, I confirmed, “Yes, it is!” Then, very matter-of-factly, little 12-year-old Joice looked up at me and said, “Oh. Thank you,” and returned to her house.

Within an hour, the whole lawn was covered with girls wrapped up in blankets as the night continued to cool. Giggles and chatter could be heard throughout the ranch, as we waited for everyone to arrive and get settled for the movie. Popcorn was passed around, and the joy of that special night could be felt in the air. Little Bruna sat close to me, and we shared a bowl of popcorn with a few other girls around us. Although we didn’t exchange any more words, I knew what a huge impact this simple act of putting on a movie night had had on Bruna. And I pray that she would know not only the love that I have for her, nor that the rest of our staff has for her, but the love that the Father has for her. He gave her that movie night, as a sign that He loves her. And He will never abandon her.

*Her name has been changed for her protection.

I still hate coffee

But I have to admit I hate it less than I used to. Perhaps it's because it has come to my aid on days when I had barely slept the night before. Or maybe because it relieved a headache I had had all day long the other day. Regardless, I am hating it less. And I think the best thing about coffee in Brazil is the size of the cups! :o)

Everybody loves taco night!

...even Brazilians!

On Saturday night, I had some people over after church - Tiago, his brother Diogo, Natalia, Mariana, Flavia, Marcos ("Kinho"), and Zé - for tacos and a movie. I ran home after service was over to start cooking and finish up what I wasn't able to get done before leaving for church. It wasn't long before everyone arrived. Tiago and Natalia helped me in the kitchen, cutting tomatoes, grating cheese, and making fruit salad, while I got the meat going and finished organizing things for dinner. The rest of the crew transformed my apartment while we were in the kitchen. They moved the couches and took things of my wall so we could set up a projector, connected to a laptop and watch Batman on "the big screen."

When it came time to eat, I had to teach them how to put their tacos together! About 5 of the 7 had never eaten tacos before!! These poor, deprived people. Now I know why God has brought me to Brazil... to bring the good news to them about tacos! haha... ok, ok, maybe there's more to His plan than that.

I think all of them asked at one point or another if the fruit salad went inside the tacos or not... haha! Even though I told them no, Natalia and Mariana both tried strawberries in their tacos. They said they liked it, too... I don't know about these Brazilians...

A Birthday Gift

So my birthday was a month and a half ago now, but I just came across something I wanted to share.  It's a mad lib entitled "Guess what your birthday gift is!"  My mom wrote it, and we as a family filled it in before I found and opened my last birthday gift.   Enjoy!

Guess what your birthday gift is!

Here are some hints about your birthday HOOK:

It is too big to SPLASH in Buddy's SIBERIAN HUSKIE. 

It is too INFLATABLE to hide in a THICK warehouse. 

It comes in a package of ONE HALF.  It SQUATS. It TAKES A PICTURE.

It loves to DANCE.  It is colored like a PINK, bleeding OSPREY. 

Any guesses?  Well, ask your FEROCIOUS CLOWN or MR. ROGERS.

They both know because it is from them. 

P.S. It is in the LEASH in a GOOD POOP just the right size for hiding there. 

If you're still at a loss as to what I got for my birthday - or where it was hiding - here's the real story:

Here are some hints about your birthday gift:

It is too big to hide in Buddy's crate.

It is too small to hide in a huge warehouse. 

It come in a package of four.  It zips.  It rolls.

It loves to travel.  It is colored like a chic, bleeding zebra. 

Any guesses?  Well, ask your mom or dad.  

They both know because it is from them. 

P.S. It is in the shed in a box just the right size for hiding there. 

NOTE: The update on this blog was just to fix a few typos I noticed after I posted it.  I guess that's what I get for not reading it before I posted it.  

And she hits the ground running...

Friday night: rodeo in a neighboring city with a few friends - Tomas, Wagner, me and Vitor

Saturday: Hippie Fair with Aunt Donna and Jennifer, an unsuccessful search for 2 dogs to adopt for the girls' ranch, back home, dinner, exercise, and to bed

Sunday: pick Jennifer and Donna up from the girls' ranch, lunch with Donna while Jennifer met with some friends, a successful search for 1 dog to adopt for the girls' ranch, a lot of happy girls with a new dog, dinner, church, out with friends, and to bed

Monday: my first full day back in the office, an outing with the birthday boys from Hope and with Donna and Jennifer, and back home and to bed

Tuesday (today): another full day of work, a 10-minute nap, house cleaning, dinner, dance class, and blogging. :o)

I already have more invitations for stuff to do this weekend than I know what to do with.  I'd say I have two lives... in two different countries and two different languages.  Life is crazy.  And our God is so good to bless us with fun adventures!

A long trip

As I told people before I left, I was super excited to come to Brazil but dreading the trip itself.  And rightly so... haha.  I got up at 4:45 on Thursday, was at the airport shortly after 6, my plane left at 8:40, and I arrived in Atlanta about 1:30 (Eastern time).  I had an 8-hour layover in the Atlanta airport, which is always fun (not.)  So I came up with a way to help pass the time. 

As soon as I arrived at the airport, I posted a message on my Facebook page for all to see: So here's the game: I have about 7 hours in the Atlanta airport until my plane leaves.  (9:20 pm eastern time).  Help me pass the time by leaving a comment which lists an item I must find and take a picture of while I'm here.  (you know, like a scavenger hunt)  Ready, set, GO!  

Within a minute or two, I had about 10 responses.  So I got my camera ready and set out on "The Great Atlanta Airport Scavenger Hunt," as I dubbed it.  I can't post all of the results in this blog, but I will share some highlights.  If you want to see the full results, you can visit Facebook. 

"an elephant of any size"

"a lady with three children" (the third one is in the stroller in the front..)

"a moose!"

"a he-mullet"

"a 'car' backpack"

Awkward!

Emery was over last night, and, as is common to do with a 2-year-old, my mom at one point said, "Emery, I'm going to check your diaper," as she pulled the back of her diaper open to see if Em had left any "presents."  While she was doing that, I said, "Hey, Emery, say, 'Awkward!'"  And she promptly repeated, "Awkward!"  I just about died laughing!  We kept practicing, and I told her any time someone looks in her diaper to say, "Awkward!"  She got to where she would do it without even being prompted, but the later it got, the more difficult it was for her to remember her new vocabulary word.  I was a little worried that all our hard work wouldn't be paying off just yet... 

This morning, however, I got a text from Kevin when I arrived in Atlanta: We asked Emery this morning what she says when we check her diaper.  She said, "Awkward!"

'Atta girl, Emery! :oD

still on the go

Well, I kept with theme of "going out with a bang" until the very end, I'd say...

Monday night, my friends convinced me to go salsa dancing.  We had fun!  Definitely glad I went!

Tuesday, I worked all day, went to the eye doctor, from there to the Stone Age for 45 minutes of climbing before my "body sculpting" class, then straight to Staci's house for an excellent dinner, on to swing dancing, and out to Frontier after.  

On Wednesday, I did what I needed to for work and then got to packing.  My dad picked me up about 5:30 and we went to get my new glasses.  

Then I convinced him to get his first pedicure with me. :o)  (He enjoyed it despite the fact that he has VERY ticklish feet!)  

We grabbed a bite for dinner at Fuddruckers.  Then we stopped at Walmart to get some odds and ends before I finished packing.  We raced the clock:

Then was Albertson's for a 3-month's supply of Jelly Belly sours.  We also raced the clock there:

Then it was home again, home again.  Emery was over, so we spent some time with her.  Then I finished packing and was in bed in record time!  10:25 pm!  I have NEVER gotten to bed that early the night before a trip to Brazil.  The sad part is, I didn't get to sleep until about 1 am. boo.  Then up at 4:45 and on my way...

"Going out with a bang"

This was my last weekend in Albuquerque... until August, anyway.  I'll be back in the States at the end of August for a good friend's wedding (yay!).  It's always nice to "go out with a bang," as they say, and I think I managed to do that.  

Friday night I hung out with some friends, mostly from church.  We went to my friend Ricky's house and had a little barbecue and played some games.  There were about 10 of us, and it couldn't have been better.  A great mix of people and a great time.  

I got to spend all day Saturday with dad and Kevin.  Jenn and Em started the day out with us but had to leave early because Em wasn't feeling well.  We went to Sandia National Lab's Family day and got to see some pretty cool stuff.  Security is very high at SNL (employee's can't even take their cell phones on campus), so it was a treat!  Kev, dad, and I went to a movie afterwards.  You should definitely see it, if you like action movies: Taken.

In the evening I went to a party for the Christian fraternity (KYX): The Stache Bash.  As I'm sure you can deduce from the pictures and name, the theme was mustaches.  Everyone was supposed to wear a mustache, although not quite everyone complied.  It made me very thankful I don't have a 'stache!  but it was fun while it lasted. :o)

After that, I went out with some Brazilian friends.  Fernanda just finished her master's at UNM, graduating yesterday.  And of course that calls for a celebration.  Brazil Night at one of the bars was just the place for it - samba, capoeira, and all!

Sunday was church in the morning, and nice, relaxing afternoon with Kev, Jenn, Em, and mom at home, and then church in the evening and to bed.  I was exhausted!  

I am trying to economize my time this week, so I worked from 5am-1pm today and will probably have a similar schedule the next couple days, so I can get as much done as possible.  The countdown to Thursday morning seems to be moving very quickly!

It's all lies, obviously...

This is definitely old "news," but I think it's still worth sharing...  When I came home for Christmas, I had a lot of lying to do in order to keep my visit a secret from my parents.  Since I am usually online to talk to them over the weekend, I decided my alibi would be that I was going to Iguassu Falls for the weekend (since I would, in fact, be traveling).  I thought it would be fun to post a blog, including pictures... to really have them fooled!  I wound up not posting it after all (since it's pretty easy to tell they're not real), but I had a fun time doing the "photo shoot" in my living room at my apartment in Brazil.  I used Photobooth, which allows you choose a background for your picture to be on top of when you take it... if that makes sense... Here are some of the highlights... (notice it even got "windy"...)