I was looking through old photos and found some pictures from last year! I love you all so much and I am missing you and your Christmas spirit this year! Christmas is definitely not as commercialized here in Ipatinga. In bigger cities they do more, but there are no town decorations. My in-laws, I have since found out, belong to a church that doesn't believe they should commemorate Christmas, because we should be celebrating his life everday. I say that's hoo hocky. But only because they are ALL about their own birthdays. And shouldn't we be celebrating our lives every day if we are going to have that attitude? In my oh so humble opinoin. Anyway my MIL was fine with me decorating. I put up a nativity, a couple of santa clauses, our really cute stockings (Thanks Kim! Sidnei loves his still!), and just a few things here and there. We bought a table top tree and didn't use the big one because of my nephew, we were afraid he'd be into everything. It is pretty, I am just really missing all the good Christmas spirit we have. I made sugar cookies, which helped me :) and my in-laws loved them! I also made them for the ward party and people went crazy over them! I was so proud of myself. I made a little over 150 sugar cookies this year!!
I just want you all to know how much I miss you. Sometimes I dont feel like I convey it very well. I feel like sometimes I clam up on the phone, but honestly, it's only because I'm usually choked up. I get so emotional because I just have so much 'saudades' (the portuguese word for missing someone or something...but this word doesnt translate well, because it is so much deeper than missing...maybe a mixture and missing and yearning) I am so grateful for all the support you have given me these last couple of years. I would never have done as well as I have without you all. I don't want anyone to be upset either. I have been here for almost 7 months (next week!) and things are going really well. I am so proud of myself for how well I've adjusted, how quickly I've learned, and how independent I am already! I grow by leaps and bounds every day and we have a good life here. I am grateful to be with Sidnei. He is my best friend, he is so wonderful to me, and I couldn't imagine my life without him.
Merry Christmas to you all. Of course I will call, but I wanted to express just how much you all mean to me. Love you all more than you can imagine!!
Here are pictures from last year! This was the weekend before Christmas!
There are things that happen in our lives, that alter the way that we think. Sometimes they are BIG and sometimes they are small, but the completely change the direction of our lives. They make us stop at think, they help us to remember to be grateful for what we have, and more importantly who we have. And life continues on. We fall back into routines, go on about our daily lives, forgetting to stop and remember. To stop and think. For Sidnei and I, it has been almost seven months that we have been back together. Already there are times when we grate one another's nerves and forget about how much we longed to be together. How much we longed to have the opportunity to simply be together.
Why am I saying all this? Today I ran across Stephanie Nielson's story. Please if you have a little time, go and read her story. I am reeling, thinking and remembering about how moments and instances change the directions of our lives. I am also recommitting myself again to remember the things which I am truly grateful for, to remembering how quickly the direction of our lives can turn, and to live in this moment, as happy as I can be no matter what the circumstances...simply because we can and we deserve.
Okay here we go.... Let me just say this was a good idea. I love reading Stephanie's posts and Jaime's was very touching. Because I'm getting close to the end of six months away from home, I'm really missing my family! I just want to go home and snuggle with my mommy! Stephanie, I wish you were going to be there. You always make everything so much fun. I miss you, Syd, and Gracie so much! I just want to play with her! Haha, but according to everyone I've got a nice miniature pony waiting to see me in Myrtle Beach. (Alright, everyone but Rach and Steph already knows this part; So if you want you can skip to the next paragraph feel free.) Life out here in Orem has been wonderful. I'm really close with my roommates and I still keep up with my friends in Provo. One of the girls I'm closest too has my name. We always play around that we have a Chelsea connection. She's from southern California and took a bunch of us down there for Halloween. AMAZING! The pacific ocean is dang cold, but once I lost all feeling in my body, it wasn't that bad. I haven't written yet because nothing really notable happens up here. A lot of working and laughing going on, but that's about it. Though this week something worth mentioning actually happened. Grandma and Papa Radvansky were in town this week and it was really nice to see them. It was like a little preview of my trip home. They let me tag along with them all day Wed and I got to meet some of their friends from their first mission in SLC. They are the cutest older people i have ever met. They were singing songs and telling stories. This one woman was from England and I was amazed to hear her stories of growing up in London during World War Two! Being the history buff that I am, I loved every minute of it. Then later that night they took me to see the forgotten carols. It was a really sweet day. Most of my life lately has been work (though not nearly enough to compete with you adults) and it was nice to just kick back with my family. Well I don't know how regular I'll be, but I'll try to keep up with the rest of you. Stay safe! I love you!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Well, my dear Family, I do not know yet if I am doing this right yet or not, so I may be wasting a lot of time doing it, but, it leads to a bit of reflection. If.... it posts correctly, then I will start posting a bit of myself everyday. I feel it is important for you to know, what is in my heart, and it is really important for me to know and feel what is in yours..... after all, you know how nosy I am!
It is Saturday 3:30 PM. I should be doing many things in this day, but I decided to take a moment; there is not too many of those lately. I came to the office to work in a couple of proposals that I promised a couple of days ago, but circumstances kept me from completing them. Today is quiet, the phone only rang about 10 or 12 times, so it is a really good time to seat down for a minute and try to say something coherent. Kim is at Church in some in service training, I know she is "loving" it, poor thing she is being pulled from a hundred different directions every week, and lately she did not have any significant time off to speak of.
The holiday season is coming fast. You all know how much I enjoy all the shopping and decorating, and all the coming and going brought about by Christmas and such....but, enough sarcasm. This will be a different one I think; lately I been feeling different, I cannot put my finger on it, I wonder if it is because I am slowing down, because I have had a "annus terribilis", with the condition of the economy and other things that this year has brought, or because finally I am getting some sense into me. The truth is, that even me, sooner or later will grow up and get some sort of common sense, at least I keep hoping. I feel surprised about how I am taking on things, I am not letting things get to me as I once did. For example, this week, we were out of funds, and amazingly enough, came friday and I was as calm as a pond. A miracle ocurred. Yesterday morning, I discussed with Suzie the condition of our accounts and what we needed to collect and what we needed to pay, I realized that, ooopps! we are in trouble, but I kept on going. The people whom owed us money, weren't going to pay, is not the right week for that. I said a prayer like I ussually do in the morning in my office. I took my frustration to The Lord, I was a bit blunt, maybe. I told him that I felt I deserved better than suffering as much.... I repented of that feeling a few minutes later, but I pleaded, I did all I could do, and knowing that I could not do anymore, I left it up to Him. Well, in the afternoon, late, I got 2 phone calls from some of our customers whom offered me to pay me ahead of schedule if I wanted to come pick up the checks. I was speechless, it hasn't happen before, I usually have to plead with them, and threaten, and argue to get some relief, this time, the relief came to me without asking.... to them. Like I said, a miracle, and proof of the power of prayer and faith. Great lesson for this week.
As I was saying, this year seems so different, Steph is "really" away, Rachael will be "really" away soon enough, and so will Chelsea once she is called to her Mission. Poor Ashlee is the only one left to hear "my opinions" as so elocuently Stephanie put it in her post. Thank goodness she has a good network of friends to give her relief from concentrated parenthood. The fact is that Rachael will be here before Christmas comes, since she has to work very early the day after, and in Christmas morning will only be Kim, Chelsea, Ashlee and I. Like I said, it will be different. I hope one day, we can all be together again, including Sidnei and James of course. I guess I will be feeling some of the same thing Abuela feels every year.
Anyhow, I don't think I am making any sense, but is ok, I will learn. I had a talk on Church last week, but the Missionaries spoke over their time and I only had time to give my testimony, so, a very opportunistic Bro. Guskewicz asked me to speak this coming week about "The Light of Christ". I feel is a good subject, and one appropiated to the time of the season. I take any advice, materials and ideas you may wish to contribute. I am not too concerned, I hope I can teach something worth listening to. ( I think I am not suppose to end a sentence like that, but you will forgive my lack of english knowledge...no?)
I am suppouse to go home and paint the room over the garage..... I feel a wave of procrastination coming over me. I also need to go to Gtown and put my eyeballs on Southern Cross. She's been by herself for a long time now, I got all kind of goodies to put into her, but it will have to be next week.... maybe, like I said, the procrastination thing, plus the weather is not good for the umphteen week end on a row it seems like.
I enjoyed the thanksgiving holiday. Of all the times of the year, besides Easter, I feel it is the most special. I wish to express to you my gladness and gratitude for each and everyone of you. I know you have been raised at this time of creation to help me and guide me, and to make my journey in this life more meaningful and full of joy....warts and all! Thank you. I am glad to have such a wonderful life. When I take the time to look back, indeed realize how magnificent it has been so far. It hasn't been perfect, but I do not think any life is. I feel that unless we try and work hard and fight for the things we want, and gain a testimony of the need of sacrifice and develop the faith to keep on pushing on for the things we want, then the journey is not nearly as meaningful as it should be. I keep remind myself, that The Lord will not put in my way any more that I can stand and deal with. I just need to keep believing and asking after all I could do is done, and He will take it from there, and if it doesn't happen the way I envision, there is learning in that too. I have been shown many times that there is not coincidences, just consecuences to decisions we make and opportunities that present themselves to us. We just need the map, the compass, the guidance.
Well, I overstayed my welcome here, I promise I will write again really soon. I love you all deeply. I miss you and think of each and everyone of you a lot more than you can imagine. I hope I am bless with the opportunity to be close to you... forever.
I know you have all been refreshing the browser every twenty minutes waiting to hear about my much anticipated appointment...so I apologize for the time it has taken me. Apparently we have entered into rainy season, which means the Internet is either VERY slow, doesn't work, or the power is going in and out. Oh the joys of living here in this third world country (that was for you Dad)!
So without further ado...it was not what I expected AT ALL. Which shouldn't surprise me. Things here rarely are what I expect, but of course that is as much with life in general right? Basically I felt like this guy, who is the general manager of a very big company in Ipatinga, wanted to talk to me so he could show off his great English skills, talk about his life in the states, and try to force his political views on me. He is a big fan of Michael Moore, he thinks he is BRILLIANT...which honestly, I have no words for. In fact when asked (repeatedly), I told this gentleman that Michael Moore was a little too left, a little to biased for my taste. Of course then he wanted to talk to me about how unfair it was that we (the US) treat our citizens so unfairly by giving the banks billions of dollars (because we were all gung ho for that right? and let's not forget avoiding a WORLD crisis shall we? is what I wanted to add in, but better sense has taught me not to involve myself in someone else's political agenda...girls (Rach, Chels, Ash...just leave the politics alone! Always! If you want good relationships with family, friends, and co-workers..let the thoughts remain with you!), that our health care system was absolutely ridiculous (preceded by ridiculous, false stories), and how up and coming a world power Brazil is. And all the while here I am thinking, yes, Brazil the big and mighty...your corrupt government, politically incorrect president, and your blessed impoverished citizens will dominate. (Am I being 100% fair? No, but neither was he, and I get hot headed now when defending my country. Everyone has an opinion and if you've been around Daddy enough, you know what opinions are like.
So anyway, despite me trying desperately to keep my hot headed mouth shut, I did learn some valuable information. His company is called Bairro Minas and they produce hair care products. They have just partnered with a company in North Carolina to produce ethnic products and over the next year they have lots of visitors/investors arriving from the states. His thought is maybe I could help with them. Actually he mentioned it in passing, not sounding as serious as I would have liked, because I think he would love to get another opportunity to talk to more gringos. Anywho, but it got me thinking, there are a couple of big companies here in Ipatinga (Ipatinga is very industrial) that have English speaking investors that come here frequently. I need to somehow find my way in and see if I can't play host with these people. Sort of like a hospitality supervisor. I'm not really sure what the official job title would be, but I'm sure they are in need for people who can do that efficiently. So that was my big idea, that I am excited about. I am still going to create and send my resume over to my GM at Bairro Minas. He also knows a couple of owners of English schools here and wants to see if he can't get me set up in one of the schools. I have also found out about a school that teaches English to children and I would much rather do that then teach adults.
So bottom line: I am still unemployed. But I am not without hope. I have ideas. I will keep plugging away! Thanks for all the comments and support! Things are going well. It has cooled off A LOT because of the rain, which I am thankful for and love! I have been busy this week and so has Sidnei! He didn't get home from work until almost 11 last night! But his business is going great and I am really proud of him! Gracie is doing well, she plays with Israel (my nephew) most of the day, chases bugs, lizards, and birds. And she sleeps A LOT. In fact she is passed out on my bed right now. Like this: I am getting in the Christmas spirit, though I am missing you all, cool weather, the Christmas commercialism everyone complains about-but truly loves, and decorating a big tree! We decided not to put up my tree this year because of my 2 year old nephew. He is here every day and into everything. So we are going to buy a little table top tree and some lights(my in laws have no decorations, they don't really celebrate...so odd to me! But most of the city seems to be in agreement! Thank goodness they have a real live Gringa to bring them a little holiday cheer! My goodness!)! I have put up other decorations (with my Disney princess Santa hat and Christmas music going!) and I am thinking about baking sugar cookies to decorate! I am missing decorating a ginger bread house like last year! We had fun last year :) Anyway more pictures another day! Beijos from Brazil!
