home for almost 2 days then...

Hi everyone!

We are back from the northern coast....it was beautiful!  We had a great family vacation....there is so much to write about but as you can see by my title, I only have a day and a half before I am off the the US!!!!

We got into our house at about 5 Saturday night....and my grays were showing a little too much, so off I went to the salon at 6.

Little did I know that it would take 4 HOURS to complete my hair!  AGH, I do not have that kind of time right now....nor was my stomach too happy!

I don't ever know what happens with our hair dresser (our being Gabriela and me) We always end up spending way too much money on this treatment and that rinse and spending HOURS in the salon.  It looks good, but....

Then there is the washing and repacking which is what I started last night and continue on with today.  Not too bad because it was only a week, but it is all the same clothes that we will need in the US.  Luckily the weather is dreary here today so there isn't the temptation to go outside and enjoy the day!

Finally there is:

THE US LIST

This list is never ending.  As soon as I return from the US from a trip, start to unpack, I realize that there is something that I forgot or just realize that I, or someone in my family, "needs".

There is a piece of paper magnetized to the refrigerator that I write on as things come to mind.  Then, on a day like today, (aka, the day before I leave)

I put it into the computer, sectioned off for places to buy the item, like Target, Costco, Best Buy or just a general section,

and I print it out on the computer.

Now, my list always has a few of the same products every year, such as, 

(ok, don't laugh)

Tide, (yes there is plenty of detergents here, but they are just not the same as my Tide!)

Toilet paper, you know, the "squeezably soft Charmin"....trust me on this one, t.p. has a whole new meaning in your mind when you have to use the paper that feels like the sand paper that we used in high school art class to make our own frames!

Paper towels, once again, they just do not have the same type here!  The ones you find here seem to melt as quick as snow on a sunny day, leaving small annoying pieces stuck on your fingers.

Then there are the usual treats....

Honey Nut Cheerios, Nestle chocolate chips (in so many flavors now!), Peanut butter, disinfectant wipes, some candy for the kids, (ha, don't believe that "for the kids" part), Goldfish, pretzels (which you just can not find here nor in Venezuela!) ((and I am a Snyder's hard pretzel girl....I grew up loving

pretzels....pretzel rods, pretzel nuggets, the big hard type, AH, I just can't wait!))

Well, I could go on and on, but I think you get the jist....

the US list is something that we expats (or at least a few that I know of)

are never without!

I will post more next week on our vacation to Salvador and all the goings on in the US!

off to the northern coast

Friends I just wanted to let you all know that I am off for a week to the Northern Coast of Brazil....pictures and stories to come soon!

Happy Brazilian Valentine's Day!

Brazil, home too many cultural ethnic groups celebrates every festival in an extravagant way and Valentine’s Day in Brazil is no less than a mega social event. Gala carnivals and parades are an inherent part of this South American country which is diversified into various regions uniquely displaying the colorful historical heritage of the country. Though Valentine’s Day traditions in Brazil, are marked by a difference as in Brazil they celebrate 'Lovers Day' on June 12th, the eve of Saint Anthony's who is believed to bless people with good marriages and young couples thus celebrate their love in the same way as other people do in other parts of the world.

Valentine’s Day celebrations in Brazil is known as "Dia dos Namorados" when young lovers exchange gifts. Like other countries, people look forward the day with anticipation, for it ushers in an ambience of joy, happiness and gala celebrations every where. All over the country, hectic arrangements are marked to make this occasion a lot more special and eventful. Valentine’s Day festival in Brazil features the colorful samba dance, and lives performances by popular rock bands and singers.  Hello my friends, this excerpt above was taken from a random info page on Brazilian Valentine's Day.... Just wanted to wish all my friends a life full of love because I feel that love is the center of my world!

Tiger

You would think that she was born and always raised inside a house with love and care....

not found in a club in Venezuela where she had to fend off about 8 other big cats, search long and hard for food (or just wait until I have some extra leftovers from our meals there), no mother in sight, only receive lovin' from me and another lady, and even get over a fight that left her with an open sore on her hind quarter!

Thank you to my husband for letting me bring her to where she belongs...

inside my home with a lot of love and care!

Our school

Now that there are only 3 days left of school, I just wanted to share some of the pictures from it....

It is in a beautiful location, set in the beginning of a forest...

My kids get to see beautiful flowers:

Trees:

A Waterfall:

Monkeys:

and even toucans amongst other birds, though I do not have any pictures.

We are looking forward to our weeks of vacation, but they are both excited about coming back also!

Tagged

Hello All!  Marina has tagged me and this one seems fun and fairly simple!  Enjoy....

1. What was I doing 10 years ago:

• I was ending my career as a professional ballet dance with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.  
  
• I was also 4 months pregnant with our son and moving to Houston, Texas...(better known as: our first foreign assignment :)
  

2. Five things on my "to do" list:

1. Exercise
2. Eat less junk-y food (see below)
   
3. Get ready for summer (consisting of: packing for travels, going over my US list, (more to come on that in another post), etcetc
   
4. Find a dance class that I like
   
5. Read 
   

3. Snacks I enjoy: I have two categories...

• junk-y: cookies, chocolates (especially Godiva), nutella, donuts
  
• good for you: mango, nectarines, peaches, bananas with peanut butter, cheese with crackers
  

4. Things I would do if I was a millionaire:

1. Put away more money for the kids college (read: afraid of the prices in 10 years from now!)
   
2. Give to a charity that I really feel is worth it (to be disclosed later)
   
3. Travel (even though we do not skimp on this in our day to day lives, I would really love to go diving in Australia, money and time not being an issue!) I can't buy time can I?
   

5. Places I have lived:

• Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  
• 6 weeks at age 16 in Philadelphia at a summer ballet workshop (trust me, at 16, 6 weeks living on your own, in a big city, it's worth mentioning :)
  
• Houston, Texas
  
• Maracaibo, Venezuela
  
• and currently living in a big city in Brazil
  

Now I have to tag 5 people....here goes:

1. Gabriela
2. Sonja
3. Tracey
4. PJ
5. Jodi

time to make the donuts...

I felt like my Grandmother this weekend.  She always made everything from scratch and, wow, it was always so yummy!

When you live overseas, or anywhere that is away from whatever is your home cooking, you have cravings.  Not like: 

• I want some Krispy Kreme donuts but am not going to because I am on a diet craving....or 
• no, no Godiva today because it is a little expensive and we are trying to save this year...or
  
• even though I am pregnant, I am not eating for two, but eeeeewwwwww, I want that fourth helping of ice cream

Cravings that CAN NOT be satisfied because you just CAN NOT get the item....

You just have to start making everything from scratch......

hence, my 3rd time making donuts!  Yummy, and we all love them! (there goes the diet!)

Look, Grammy, my homemade donuts :)