Just a reminder…

I found this on a blog I was reading and absolutely LOVED it!

Feelings on Employment

Ummm…

 

I LOVE IT!

 

Yesterday was my first day as an English Teacher! Sunday when we got home from vacation, in a slumber induced coma, I got a phone call from the coordinator, asking if I was still interested and if I could start the next day. Heck yes I can! I was so excited. Before we went on vacation, I had went to interview with her again, take an english placement test-which is really just protocol since obviously my english skills are advanced being “native” and all.

Anyway the kind of crappy part is that I teach in the evenings. Which I didnt want to do since that’s what Sidnei comes home, but I also really wanted to get my foot in the door. So right now I am working 8 hours a week. Mondays and Wednesdays 5:40-7:40 and Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:45-8:45. I am teaching the business english class to some professionals from the big steel company here called Usiminas. In my class yesterday I had 3 men in their late 20’s, early 30’s, who were engineers and researchers. Meaning they are geeky and eager, which I love!

It was absolutely thrilling to start yesterday. Really we just did icebreakers, and then some exercises. On Friday and Saturday I have my official training which will certify me as an ESL teacher for anywhere in Brazil (which is great since the company is paying for it..it costs $600 reais!)

I figured out that I loved yesterday SO much because I was the one teaching. Not learning. I’m tired of learning. I like to be in charge. I have been in a constant state of learning since I arrived and it was nice to flip gears.

Sidnei is not really thrilled..I mean he’s happy that I like it and that I’m working. He just doesn’t want me to feel like I have to or need to work. He wants to take care of me-- Fulfill his masculine, bread winner, head of the household duty. But he understands it’s not really about the money (although let’s face it, extra money is ALWAYS a plus), but I need to have a little direction, a purpose, even if it’s only 8 hours a week!

Anyway so tonight is my second night with my second group of students! I have 4 in this class and I hope they are as much fun as the students I had last night! They were so cute! They all said, “bye teacher” when they left! It made me want to laugh out loud. And just as another side note, I really, really love the coordinator and director at the school. They are both women, have been incredibly flexible, and seem to have nothing but the best interest intended for me!

Let’s hope it continues to be such a great experience! Good stuff happening all around! Love you all!

Vitória, Espirito Santo

On Saturday night, we made the trip from Ipatinga, Minas Gerais, to the coast of Vitória, Espirito Santo!

In light of recent events (the death of some members of our church who made the same trip) we decided it would be safer if we took the bus instead of driving. The road to Vitória is two lane most of the way with many, buses and tractor trailers. But we are so glad we did! The buses are VERY nice, comfortable, and VERY air conditioned!

Our bus makes an overnight trip so here we are at 11, getting ready to leave the station! The bus was SO COLD, we ended up using our oversized beach towels as blankets! Next time I’ll remember to bring a blanket!

A little after 6 AM, we arrived in Vitória, though not well rested…it’s not easy to sleep on the bus..not for me anyway. We took a Taxi to our hotel, checked in early, and slept most of the day away! Not before taking some pictures of the view of course!

For the next couple of days, we took in the beach…

We played in the pool…

   

We had a great 2 year anniversary dinner at a stuffy Italian Restaurant (we both agreed that we miss Carrabas!)

 

We also did things like eat pepperoni pizza (which I can NOT find in Ipatinga! It was so greasy delicious! Sidnei opted for catupiry (a soft cheese, very good!) and ham)

We were giddy at the fact that Vitória had a Sam’s club! I thought maybe they would have some American things, and they did have some, but it was mainly bulk Brazilian things, which I should have expected. We were excited none the less! It also happened to be Women’s Day, so I got a rose too!

We also went to Vitória’s big shopping mall, that had a BIG Cinemark! Woo hoo! (we have a theater in Ipatinga, it’s small, and we’ve just never been) We went to see Avatar in 3D! As a bonus, it was in English with Portuguese subtitles! It was a really good movie and we both really enjoyed ourselves!!

On Wednesday morning we checked out of our hotel, and headed for a town about 20 minutes from Vitória, called Serra. Sidnei’s aunt lives there. We stayed with her and her family until Saturday night, when we had to take the bus back home! Since they had to work, it was pretty low key, but we had a good time!

One day we took a bike ride. I LOVE this picture below. I was hot and sweaty and did NOT want to take a picture. Is this not the perfect picture of my disgust?

 

Followed by my fake smile…

We went to a beach called Jacaripe, which we’ve both decided we like better than the beaches Vitória and will be coming here next time!

   

We had SUCH a great time! I was so sad to come home! I have missed the beach so much! We definitely spoiled ourselves and it felt so great! Sidnei’s is much more rested and the quality time we spent together was much needed! Needless to say we thought about you all a lot, especially since the beach is so similar to back home! (We are still on the Atlantic and not quite far enough south to be that pretty blue color..the water was cooolldd!) Hope you enjoyed our vacation recap! Sorry it was so long! We love you and miss you all!

Driven to Distraction…

I love getting my nails done here in Brazil. While I don’t do it as often as I should, mainly because I’m lazy and it takes the better part of two hours, it is definitely an experience. Here I get my hands and feet done for 10 reais…or about $6 give or take. Usually I’m pretty boring. I like french manicures. It’s simple, it’s safe, it goes with everything. Today I got a little crazy and told the girl to do whatever she wanted.

And she did just that.

I got hot pink, decorated with flowers, topped off with a healthy coat of color glitter, and toes to match! I have a hard time not looking at them, they are the busiest thing in the room! I feel so very…Brazilian. Though maybe I should say Minera…or Ipatingian…Is it just here? Everyone seems to have VERY busy fingers here. Here More is More. And Less is Less. Though I must say I am impressed with her hand painting with her teeny tiny paint brush! I think though next time I’ll stick with my boring french manicure…I’m so easily distracted….

New Cell Phone!

Hi Everyone! Sorry, no photos today! But I have made a comittment to blog weekly, so here is my latest!...I have a new 3G Motorola Click with ALL the Bells and Whisles! It is so up-to-date that I am in the learning curve "warp"!
At first I was "wigging out"! Fearing I would never figure out how to use my phone! Even the simplest of things seemed far beyond my reach! Thanks to Chelsea's encouragement that "I would figure it out in no time" and tech support from T-Moble encouraging me!

Well, I have to say, It is getting better with each new day! I have learned how to make calls, add contacts and groups, added some new apps and even some widgets! Yes, it is an Android phone! It combines all my facebook, twitter, gmails and everything you can ever imagine! Now the only problem is...I don't have a facebook and have never "twittered"!

So, here is the bottom line...I have bought the phone that I want "to become" not the phone which fits the "who I am"!! Ha! Ha!

I think I am going to love it, but the key word being "think"!
However, all the guys on tech support for my Motorola Click (I think It is spelled, clique?) they tell me how "awesome" my phone is and give me tips on how to show it off and tell me the latest widgets and apps to add to make my life easier! For example, it has a voice search for Google! I can just say, "pizza" and all the local pizza places suddenly appear on my phone with phone numbers, addresses and even the latest reviews of each! Talk about Information NOW!

I think I am falling in love all over again! I hope by the year end...I will be able to REALLY impress all you young techno savy "chickies" all my new skills! Ha! Ha!

Yes, you just wait and see! I will continue to have all the latest and Greatest with all my continued updates and gizmos on my new phone!
Now I know you all impressed with my ambition...don't be...because I am still doubting! I guess I am still of the "wait and see" kind of girl!

But I am also holding out hope for becoming the technologically savvy woman of 2010! So, if you find any great widgets or apps that I absolutely have to add...just let me know!

Today I added "imusic and a movie app" I LOVE them!
This little phone is becoming my little hand held computer!
OH!! I almost forgot...it also has a 5 mega pixel camera AND an excellent MP3 player! Can't wait to start downloading all my music!
The camera is pretty awesome...it has all different options for photos, backgrounds, sending live postcards and printing. So very cool!
I am officially giving Jaime the old camera now that I have my own--as soon as we download all the current photos on the old one!
Well, enough of my braggin! It is time to start downloading some songs....I love you all...See you on Facebook soon!