My summer vacation was perfect. I am so sad that it is over but I've missed you all. And I am so excited because I LOVE the fall. The brisk cool air is so refreshing. We have moved home to Minnesota and Husband went back to school yesterday. Life is falling into place and I am so glad to be back.
While I was away, I received an interesting comment that inaccurately corrected my valediction, tchau. Allow me to present you with a brief back to school lesson. :)
Tchau is, indeed, the correct way to spell the word meaning goodbye, if you are speaking Brazilian Portuguese. Americans would pronounce the word chow. Multiple languages use this word with different spellings. If you were speaking Italian, you would say ciao.
There. Lesson over.
So, now that we all agree with the accuracy of my valediction, let's discuss its purpose and incorporation into Charmed, I'm Sure.
*eh hem*
Why I love Brazil
By Brittany Iverson
My love for Brazil began shortly after I met husband. I know, I know. She's a regular Maggie Carpenter. Next she'll say she like's her eggs scrambled. Alas, it's true. Husband 's love became my love. Oprah has Africa and
I have Brazil. I hold it so dear to my heart. Husband spent two years there as a
religious missionary, working, living and being immersed in the dynamic Brazilian culture. It had become a part of him and he promised to take me back someday. I was in complete shock when we stepped off the airplane about two and a half years later. Yes, I understood that Brazil is a third world country, but I don't think that can really register until you see it first hand. The poverty was so vast and so intense, never letting up. The further we traveled the harder it hit me.
The shock transitioned into sorrow late one night on the streets of Rio de Janeiro. We were exhausted from a long day of swimming on Copacabana Beach and sightseeing, and I was lost making plans for a perfect night's sleep in my air conditioned American Marriott Hotel room. I was rocked to the core as we passed a doorway to a seemingly abandoned rundown building. Its step offered shelter for a young mother who was blankly rocking a fussy baby in her arms. Her face was cold and her eyes were lifeless. It is certainly not uncommon to see homeless people in Rio, but she was different. I saw myself in her. Her babe was only a few months younger than my own. Becoming a mother had challenged me and stretched my patience. I was tired from nightly feedings and could only imagine how sleep deprived this woman must have been with the constant commotion of the city to add to her infants routine feedings.
I suddenly felt ashamed of myself. I had been oblivious to how comfortable and excessive my life was. Tears filled my eyes and I was flooded with gratitude. I wished that I had more than a few reais (Brazilian currency) to offer her in exchange for the lesson of gratitude she had given me. I've looked at things differently since then. Her image stays with me. What courage.
Here are a few of my favorite shots from our trip.
The edge of the Amazon Jungle.
Yes, that is a
Piranha and yes, I caught it.
She holds crocodiles, too? Who is this girl?
We bumped into a school field trip on the tram on our way down from
Sugarloaf. The kids thought that it was so fun to be filmed so we went around and had each of them show off their English skills by saying "Hello, my name is ___" They were so sweet.
Our little friend, Manuela, before church on Sunday.
Sugarloaf
Apparently Shakira (the monkey, not the performer) isn't very fond of females. The staff at our resort neglected to tell us this until after she bit me. Thanks.
Christ The Redeemer
I hope you enjoyed your trip to Brazil! If you ever need a tour guide, we've got you covered.
Just copy and paste the code. Voilà!
This would be perfect for book club...
Maybe we could squeeze in one more BBQ here...
I'll finish my last summer novel here...
...or here...
...or maybe here...
I'm not sure that I am ready to say goodbye to "Those su-ummer Na-ights" (Name that movie)
The edge of the Amazon Jungle.
Yes, that is a Piranha and yes, I caught it.
She holds crocodiles, too? Who is this girl?
We bumped into a school field trip on the tram on our way down from Sugarloaf. The kids thought that it was so fun to be filmed so we went around and had each of them show off their English skills by saying "Hello, my name is ___" They were so sweet.
Our little friend, Manuela, before church on Sunday.
Sugarloaf
Apparently Shakira (the monkey, not the performer) isn't very fond of females. The staff at our resort neglected to tell us this until after she bit me. Thanks.
Christ The Redeemer
I hope you enjoyed your trip to Brazil! If you ever need a tour guide, we've got you covered.
My Inspiration Board:
Everyone should play along... but be sure to make your board clash or to add some bridesmaid dresses from the 80's that feature puffed sleeves and neon purple taffeta. I really want to win!
Photo Sources: Martha Stewart, Point Click Home, Living Etc., Traditional Home.
