Q & A and Funny Stuff

Q & A

1. Why are you in Brazil?
      I have been dreaming of coming back since the last time I was here. It feels like a second home for me, and I can't really describe it. Many of you know that I have just come through a very difficult time in my life, and part of that difficulty was being unable to travel. But God is good, and He brought me through. This trip is my proof that He is able to provide financially, emotionally, and relationally. He has showed me that I am not powerless. The second reason is to help out with a church mission trip. The last two weeks of my stay, I will be traveling with a group of people from my church, working and translating for them.

2. What are you doing while you are there?
     I have some really good Brazilian friends that I met in Dallas, and they are hosting me and taking me places. For the most part, I'm just "being a Brazilian." I have my own little room in my friend's apartment because her sister is currently studying in Dallas. I wake up every morning and have breakfast with Daniela, and then she goes to work. From there, I have been hanging out with some of her other friends, including the cute little kids whose picture I posted on Facebook. I've been tirelessly working on my Portuguese so that by the time the mission group arrives, I'll be able to do whatever they need from me.

The Funny Stuff

Conversations I have had: the making of maple syrup, pancakes, Title 9 (why it's mostly women playing collegiate soccer), bipartisan politics, HOV lanes, "No, I don't just 'kind of' live in the desert. I live in the actual desert," the difference between a canyon and a valley, Justin Bieber and One Direction, Paula Dean and the "n" word, public schools and uniforms, snow, track and field, whether or not Pretty Little Liars and Gossip Girl count as soap operas, and can I please bring back a play-do machine the next time I come.

Trouble with greetings: Here, you greet with a kiss. It's simple enough. I have known that for years. I've visited before. And still, there are situations I have no idea how to navigate. For instance: in a car between people in the front seat and the back seat, when the other person is at a distance, if the other person is wet from rain, or getting into a car. To complicate matters, the locals try to be considerate of the fact that Americans don't typically greet with a kiss, and a 23-year-old habit of shaking hands is hard to break. So when I go to greet someone new, it's almost guaranteed to be awkward in some way or another. I have gotten my arm all twisted around, been kissed on the forehead, had to crane my neck really far to reach the other person, and once, I ended up in an awkward combination of the manly handshake/hug/pat-the-back ritual and a kiss. Lucky for me, nobody really seems to care.

Things I have learned:  

Dogs can be trained to sneeze on command.
The Portuguese word for "charge" as in "charge a phone" is dangerously close to a curse word. Oops.
Brazilians will, in fact, be honest with you once you get to know them.
Someone falling on their face is funny in both languages.
There is a place called the "Museo da Lingua Portuguesa." (Museum of the Portuguese Language) In case you were wondering, the answer is yes. I am most definitely going. Be jealous.