Yes, I am still alive and in Brazil!! Sorry I haven't updated in forever - I'd like to say that I've just been wayyy too busy getting tan and playing with monkeys, but the truth is I have just been too lazy. My problem with writing stuff like this is because I get a sort of writer's block. It's not the kind where I can't think of anything to say, but rather I have so much to say that I don't know where to start or how to keep it organized and then I get frustrated and end up not writing anything. Anyway, I'll try not to let that stop me anymore!!
There's a lot of new stuff to update you on, so I'll make a list rather than going into detail:
*I have a job as a translator for a tourism company called Blumar. I was going into the office but now I'm just working from home (which is reeeally convenient) and I do translations of texts from Portuguese to English. I also work with another guy who's starting up his own company joined with Blumar and he has me do a lot of cool creative work reaching out to travelers looking for an off-the-beaten-track kind of travel.
*It's hard to stay in shape with the winter weather here (it's not snowy winter, but it gets pretty cool and rainy) but I think summer's coming back and I've already started running again and I'm determined to get back in shape before going back home!
*Next week I'll be going to a state in the northeast called Maranhao. It's where Petroleo is from so we're going to go visit his family (who he hasn't seen in 8 years!) and eat fish and acai and tons of good stuff.
*I'm still doing capoeira! But with the rain and all that I mentioned, it's hard to have consistent trainings since we train outdoors. I'm still loving it though and I feel like I've improved a lot.
*There's a new group of exchange students (most of my exchange friends from last semester already went home) and I've met some cool kids, some of whom have started doing capoeira.
*I also met a really cool girl named Carla who Crystal knew from the US. She's great and we've been hanging out and having good times.
*Crystal came to visit and do some traveling of her own, and we had a great time together. It was good sisterly bonding :)
*Margaret also came to visit for about a week so the three of us ladies had a bunch of fun eating delicious food and dancing with interesting boys and going to the beach and whatnot. Margaret is a hit with the Brazilian men ;)
*Today I might be going to a soccer game but I'm not sure yet cause I still haven't bought tickets. Soooo I should get going and see if that's going to happen!
I miss you all and I will write more often from now until December when I will see you again!!
