Feliz Ano Novo!!! Happy New Year!!!!

I am in Rio de Janeiro!!! And it's Janeiro right now (January)! lol. It is very beautiful. I am staying in Mamãe's sister´s apartment. It over looks the lake that is the accumulation of four joining rivers. In the center there is a big lit up Christmas tree that changes color, mountains surrounding the lake, and a huge statue of Jesus on the top of one. It is really very breath-taking. It is night so there are pretty lights reflecting in the water. The silhouette of one part of the mountain against the sky looks more like a part of the sky missing, like somebody took a bite out of it. It looks more like absence than substance, which is strange because the sky is just air and the mountain is rock. It is funny how nature can play with the eyes.
Yesterday I arrived in Belo Horizonte and then today drove to Rio. I stayed with Mãe's other sister. She has eleven siblings, what can I say? Lol. It is really awesome though!! There is at least one hundred people on her side, I can't wait to meet most of them. Tomorrow I will go out to see more of Rio de Janeiro! It's really exciting for me.
The day before yesterday I got my legs waxed, armpits, and...yes....a bikini wax. I knew it had to happen eventually, I mean, I am in the country that invented it and not only that but going to a city full of beaches where I will wear my new bikini. The bikini which I chose not for the pretty colors but for the fact it had more material to cover my behind. It is bigger than all the other ones but it still shows part of my white- (as white as I can ever get lol) Canadian-bum. LOL. The bikini wax really didn't hurt as much as you'd think, thankfully.
When I was still in Paracatu Matteus talked to my Mom and brother on msn. My mom explained what knock knock jokes to him are and told him some. I had to explain when the pun-line when there was a play on words etc. I never understood before how it was like to speak another language, and how to communicate fully with somebody who speaks English as a second language. You have to think how each thing could not make sense, and then how to explain it using another thing. I love how I use the word "thing" it is really very helpful in explaining this lol. Afterwards we watched videos on youtube, one guy said a knock-knock-joke. Today Matteus said to me that he thought it was cool when the guy had told it. When I asked why he said it was because he thought just my mom had invented knock-knock-jokes! LOL.
I just remembered this other funny thing that happened. We were eating and my host cousin needed the knife. He speaks English. He said, "Could you pass the knife, I need to cut the cheese." I giggled and told him what that phrase means in English. He replied, "but I really need to cut the cheese." English expressions can be so strange. I dunno if you find this amusing, but I really do. Heheh.
I need to mention that there was a baby in the apartment in Belo, his name was Enrique and he was adorable with enormous eyes. He is my host cousin too I guess. Lol. I have a lot of those. It rained when we were driving today and when we got close to Rio there was lots of fog. we could only see the lights on the car ahead of us. It was really...exciting. But not as exciting as the sign that had the monkey on a vine, warning people to be careful of monkeys crossing the road on vines!! That gave me a thrill.
Anyway, I will write more later about Rio!! Boa noite (good night)!

<3 Emily Rose

P.S - Oh yes, I almost forgot....HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!! Oh, oh...and MERRY BELATED CHRISTMAS!!! :)

Just Light Something On Fire

I have this weird habit that I do, well it is more like an obsessive compulsive thing. Whenever I am in a situation and I think of something bad that could happen I have this rule that since I had the thought it would be too coincidental to actually occur. For the most part this theory works, 99/100 times. Sometimes though it causes freaky coincidences to occur, only ever usually small ones though.
So I was at my host Mom's work Christmas party (she works at a bank) and I was walking around with my host sister Carol. We went over to see Matteus who was sitting with some friends. There was a candle in the middle of the table and I remembered how I say sometimes that if a party needs livening up, just light something on fire. Of course I thought that because I had thought it in my mind Matteus would never actually light something in the candle.
We walked away and then when we came back Matteus was lighting stuff on fire. I was like: oh weird, this is like the 1 in 100 time that my whole "thought cancellation of reality" doesn't work. This kinda put my mind at ease because it meant that it couldn't happen again for about another 98 thoughts. Haha I sound so crazy.
I went outside of the club thing with Matteus and his friends (Olivia and a girl from Rio de Janeiro named Debra). Carol came out later too because she was leaving to go with some friends. Olivia's Mom came over and told us to go see something. I didn't completely understand what she said.
So we went around to the other side and saw this man holding two fire torch type things. He wasn't wearing a shirt and had alcohol on his chest because he would spit alcohol into the fire so it looked like he was breathing it. Ammediately I thought how terrible it would be if he caught on fire, given the fact that he was drenched in alcohol and all. I thought that if it happened I would need to use something like a blanket to throw on top to cut the oxygen supply. Of course I didn't have a blanket so I imagined myself taking off my long flowy strapless shirt and using it. After I thought this I was happy because I thought it could definately not occur because of my whole theory.
The guy bent down to get some more alcohol and then blew into the fire. He did it again and apparently some flame touched him because he lit up like a Christmas tree. At first it was a small area and he tried to pat it out but then when he was unsuccessful he started to run!! Exactly what you are not supposed to do when you are burning alive. Of course it was because he was panicking though. So now his whole torso, neck, and chin were in flames. I was so shocked. I ripped off my shirt and started running in his direction with about four other people. He was smart enough to drop to the ground and smother the fire. Then he just stayed on the ground while everyone stood in relief. I realized I was shirtless and put my blouse back on.
The guy's skin was all pink in the front, he left with somebody to drive him to the hospital.
Afterwards everyone went inside and danced for the rest of the night. The party really livened up. My whole "Though Cancellation Theory" is probably wrong, but it works most of the time. It is not like a premonition, it is more like an "Em-inition", I have to be careful when I get those. The moral of this experience is if you are going to light something on fire make sure you don't light yourself on fire in the process, also make sure to have something to put it out (example: water), try to not have flammable things near or on yourself (example: alcohol), and if you witness somebody on fire don't take off your shirt until you are actually close enough to use it, because if not you are just a shirtless idiot adding to the chaos. Lol.
The rest of the party went well, I didn't get home until 2:45am.

A Post For My MOM

Random pic I accidentally clicked...it's of Brazil though so whatever

Matteus' friends cheering at the musical festival

A ghecko that I was awe struck by on the wall of this computer room...heheh I named him Bugsy..because he eats them :)


Sunset in Uberaba (City where my host sister Carol is going to school to be a doctor)

Hello Mom!! Okay I am making this post for you because you said I haven't been writing in my blog enough. It's just that I haven't been doing too much lately!! School ended so now I am on the equivalent of summer/Christmas holidays. I have just been hanging around the house, watching T.V, and playing guitar. Hahah just regular stuff I would do in Canada lol.
Today I woke up and there was a man trying to figure out how to fix the bed I broke. I did it by accident when I slid because of my fuzzy socks I was wearing, yep, split the leg in half. If I ever do something I make sure to give it my best. I told Mamãe that I would pay for the damage but she said not to worry about it. Still.
Then today when I was bringing dishes to the sink I broke a plate. While me and Matteus were cleaning it up I cut my finger. I really don't know why I am so clumsy but I really don't like it. My goal is to not break anything else on this exchange.
Yesterday Leo came over to practice a song on guitar with Matteus. He is the same age as me and is from A.E.C (the kind of youth group thing). He tried to teach me some stuff on guitar but I eventually just kinda gave up. For some reason I am embarrassed when I can't get it right away or when I don't know the chords, instead of just focusing on learning it.
I gave him a Canada pin and he put it on his shirt. Later I showed him videos on Youtube. There are these ones that Matteus likes where there is a man dressed up as Amy Whinehouse who goes crazy, screaming down the street hitting people/things. I have to admit that it is amusing but at the same time I feel bad that Amy has such problems and also that people make fun of her.
Matteus wanted me to show Leo "Salad Fingers" so I did. Even though it is really disturbing and my Mom told me to stop watching it because she thinks the person who created it must have something wrong with them. Sorry Mom. Lol.
It also rained really hard yesterday, as well as the past couple of days. I don't think it really rained that much today though.
Afterwards we watched some video trailors and then we sang to music. Leo put on "Breaking Free" from "High School Musical". I think it is really cute how kids here like it so much. I'm not sure if everyone does, just the people I have met. I did here it on the radio in Brasilia though!! Lol. I sang the girl part and Leo and Matteus sang the guy part. Then Leo left along with Pai's brother, his wife and their son Eduardo. Eduardo who tried to climb over the balcaony when Matteus pretended we were locked upstairs. I held on to him really tight and pulled him down. Mãe, Pai, and Carol went to sleep. Matteus and I watched a movie on T.V, then Ugly Betty and then went to sleep. I think it was 1:00am.
The Christmas tree is up, it looks really pretty. There's no snow though (obviously) so I do miss that. As much as at times I hate it when I actually have it. It is just one of those things, ya know? I hope everybody who has it is enjoying it! Although I can't complain about the weather here, I mean it's nice to not have to layer on clothes like an onion. HEHEHE Shrek; "Onion's have layers". Lmao. I love that movie.

Anyway, I will write again soon and hopefully put alot of pictures on. The reason why I don't have that many is because all I have is my camera phone, I take pics with it but I was stupid enough to leave the connecting chord in Canada. I will try to see if I can buy a new one. I am allowed to use my host family's camera though so that is good. And other people take pics too, that I can steal. HAahha kinda stupid of me to go on exchange without a real camera. But I brought a camcorder. I will eventually buy a camera though so it is all good. :P

Is that enough writing Mom? I dunno what else to write about so if you want to give me some ideas...leave a comment!! Or e-mail, or whatever. I can't believe I am actually out of stuff to write about. It's strange. I'm pretty sure something juicy will come along soon though. :)

I miss everybody!! Hugs and Jingle Bells,

Emily <3

P.S - I love you Mom

Photos! At Denise's House and Pool

I love red mud, it is kinda like play-dough

Tomorrow I will have been in Brazil for two months. Wow I am really moving along here. Life doesn't stop for anyone. I personally think my Portuguese is getting good and other people tell me it is too so I am not completely dillusional. Or maybe they are just humoring me. Anyway, I am satisfied with my learning curve of the language.
Saturday I left for my family's farm. I believe it is an eight hour drive away. All I know is that the drive is very lonf and very curvey. When Matteus fell asleep his head would slowly tilt to one side and then get whipped in the other direction when the car turned. Carol put a pillow on her lap for him to rest his head. Carol arrived on Friday night from Uberaba. She took the bus to Paracatu.
When we arrived at the area where the farm is located the road turned into a dirt road. We went to this one woman's house where we picked some cherry-like berries that tasted more like a tomato/apple. They are called acerola and have more vitamin C than oranges. Here is a link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acerola if you are interested in tropical fruits. Lol. Or are in need of vitamin C.
After that we went to a mango tree where there were many bulls standing around. I hope you know what mangos are so I won't provide you a link for that. The bulls are docile and will just stare. It is a little strange because I feel like they are watching me. They probably were thinking, "my mangos.....". They eat the mangos. I had two mangos, they were very succulant and juicy so I managed to get the juice all over my hands/face. Everyone else did too so it is okay.
We arrived at the farm. It is located at the bottom of a hill/mountain. Mountains here do not have snow so it is hard for me to tell the difference. I am thinking it was more of a hill though.
The farm and the road were really muddy because of how moist the weather has been and also because of the rain. When I walked later on with Matteus and Pai to visit another house I got mud all over my feet and flipflops and also stepped in a bull paddy. Then on the day we left the car got stuck in the mud going up a hill and pai had to get shovel to dig it out. The mud is really red (makes sense because the dirt is red too). I asked Pai, "why is the dirt red?", only to have him respond, "because that is the color." Makes sense.
A family lives in the house on the farm, a husband, wife, and their three daughters. They are really lovely people and very hospitable. They take care of the farm. In another house quite nears lives another family, some the people lived in the United States for two years so understand English and speak a little. Although I spoke very very little English with them.
The farm has bull, chickens, roosters (that woke me up at 5:00 am), pigs, horses, cats, and dogs. I rode a white horse with Amanda (the eldest of the three daughters) it was very nice, I can't remember the last time I rode a horse. It is almost like sitting on top of the world. The landscape was so beautiful, everything is a lush green, contrasted with the red mud. Everything is different here, the smells, the colors, the plants and animals. Also I don't think there are palm trees on farms in Canada. Or goiba trees. I have a question, has anybody seen chickens in trees before? Because these chickens just liked to hang out there. Lol.
When nightfall came I saw this "spark" flying through the air. It was a pulsing light. Eduardo (the little boy who lives in the other house) was with me and we were both following it. It turned out to be a firefly and the man who lives in the house caight it for me. I put it in a cup. He caught another one as well. It was so beautiful to see all of them flying, they looked like stars, or fairies. I don't think I have saw fireflies before, but I have always wanted to. Anyway I will write more later, right now I am going to go watch a novella (soap opera).

Em <3

Flooding In Brazil

There has been flooding in Santa Catarina state in Brazil. 1.5 million people have been affected. I thought it was important to post here because of how serious it is. I hope that everybody gets all the support they need and that this disaster ends soon.

Festa's

Carol Nunes and I at the Formal

On Friday I went to a surprise birthday party for Carol Denise. It was awesome because I have never been to one before. There was a pool there and most people ended up in it. They had to drag me in. It was night so I was pretty cold after that. When we started to eat the cake people put it onto other people's faces. Mine included. So I was sopping wet with a cake-face. Did I mention that soon after the party I had to go to a formal graduation party for the grade ahead of me in school? It's okay, I managed to get all the cake out of my hair.
I went to the graduation party with Carol Nunes. We got there at around 11:30pm and left at 3:00am. At first it was really awkward because we didn't really talk to the kids in the other grade too much and didn't know where to sit. We sat and waited for our friends from the first grade to come. I managed to spill pop on my dress while sitting on two different occasions. Luckily it was a black dress so it blended in quite nicely.
There was a bar there and kids just went up and got drinks. Mamae had told me not to so I didn't and I am not supposed to for Rotary. I don't like to anyways so it's not a problem. When I did try a sip of my friend's drink it tasted like nail polish remover....even more incentive. Lol.
There was a Brazilian singer there who is famous in the city. Lots of people danced and my friends showed me how to dance to some music. It is funny because sometimes there will be music in English!! All the people know the words and sing to it, except I am very doubtful that they know what it means. I tried to think of popular music we have in Canada that everyone know but is in another language. All I came up with is the Macarena.
When we left Carol filled a whole plastic bag with candy because it was just sitting on a table for people to take. Everyone looked at her when she walked out lol. She is gonna bring it to school to share with people. It was about 4:00am when I finally went to sleep.
Saturday I slept in until 12:00pm!! It is the latest I have slept since I arrived here. Felipe came over later on (he also came over on Friday and we went swimming) and then we went to the festival. I saw Charles there (the other exchange student from Austrailia) I saw him earlier at the rehearsal too. He played the saxophone in one of the performances. The festival was for the English school and each group of kids had to sing a song in English accompanied by guitars etc. Matteus and his friends played "Suddenly I See". It went really well! Their band was called "Riot" so they made purple and green shirts with the name on it. They also had pompoms. So we all cheered in the audience for them REALLY loudly.
Natalia asked me if I would like to go and perform and I was kind of like, sure....but I thought that I wouldn't be allowed because I didn't go to the school. Then Natalia came back and said, "Okay, they will tell you when to go up."
So I went up and played one of my songs on guitar. I said it was for all my friends in Brazil. I was nervous but it was okay once I got up on stage. Hahahha it was fun.
Matteus just came and told me that his group came in second!! YAY!! lol.
But yeah, it was a pretty fun weekend. Now I should probably get off the computer and get dressed because I'm still in my pj's. hehe hehe.

See ya later

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