Loving and Missing

I am loving being back in the US but at the same time I am missing a few things from Brazil.... here's the list :)

Loving
1. Family and friends being so close. This is something that I missed even when I lived in Houston. I would have dreams of coming home and working close to family. Now that we have a little one on the way I feel the tug to be close more than ever. I know that I will be crying at the airport this time around!

2. Driving a car around. I feel so free. If I want to visit a friend then I can go and not have to plan my day around walking and what the weather might be.

3. Good pedicures. I try and try to like them in Brazil but I can't. Even though they are cheap nothing compares to what you get in the US. In Brazil they cut off all your cuticle to the point where you are bleeding then paint your entire nail including the surrounding skin then dig a green stick dipped in nail polish remover around the nail and into your bleeding freshly cut cuticles. Of course I have told them before to cut only a little but somehow I always end up bleeding. Then they don't take the calluses off which is the main thing I love about pedicures. Basically I just don't go because I cringe each time. Plus I don't see the tools coming out of an autoclave so who know how many other people have been bleeding on them....

4. Understanding everything everyone says. It always takes me a few attempts to respond to someone in English at the Rio airport. It's like I am so surprised to be spoken to that I don't understand my own language! There are only a few people in Brazil that I speak English to so if your not that person then I get confused. A guy in my building asked me and the Aussie a question in English and we both just stood there unable to speak. Eventually non-English/Portuguese sounds came out of my mouth but I am sure the guy was really confused! I still haven't run into him again to say I am sorry.

5. Good roads. I am really going to get a speeding ticket this trip home. I found myself going 80mph in a 65 and I didn't even feel like I was going fast. I have had to put the car in cruise control just to manage my lead foot. First I am not used to driving and second to see open roads feels like a dream. I can't even imagine how Nate feels when he comes home. I bet not one spout of road rage comes out of his mouth.

6. Thick Yogurt. In Brazil I cannot find any for the life of me. The watery stuff will just have to do which make a great addition to the smoothies I make but not to eat by itself. When I went to the grocery store with my mom that's one of the first things I bought.

Now for the missing stuff.
1. Warm weather! I miss getting up and not having to worry about jackets, slippers, and a blanket. These days I have to psych myself up to take a shower because I am so afraid to take off my warm clothes!

2. Fresh fruit. I miss my mango, passion fruit and papaya. Not to mention all the watermelon and pineapple that are making my mouth water right now. I know that this 'miss' will never go away. Of course when we move back I will get used to the weather but the fruit I will also long for. I almost bought a small papaya at the grocery store the other day for $3.15 and I couldn't. Maybe if I wasn't returning to Brazil in a few weeks I would have but I can hold out and all that fruit will taste so much better!

3. Walking everywhere. I know that I complain about not having a car in Brazil but I really think I would still walk a ton. I miss my morning walk along the beach and the peace it brings. I could walk here but let's be honest I am sorta lazy so it's not going to happen. Kind of like my study Portuguese while I am away.

4. Not Understanding everything everyone says. I know that I put the same thing as love but I think it's a love/hate relationship. I enjoying hearing what people say when they are talking to me but I don't love overhearing someone's phone conversation. Do I really need to hear that you are getting bunions taken off tomorrow? Plus in Brazil I feel that every conversation I have in Portuguese helps me. My brain is always working which can also be a bad thing! I tire easily :)

5. The calming sound of the ocean. I didn't realize that it help me sleep. The sound took me awhile to get used to when I would wake up in the middle of the night and think that someone kicked down the door. Now I find myself tossing and turning longer than usual. I downloaded an app for my iTouch but it doesn't run all night long so I wake up when the sound stops. Weird. I hope that Belle won't get this attached because we will be toting around a sound machine everywhere!



Of course the list's on both sides could be dragged out to the point boredom but I won't do that to you all.  Enjoy the life you have and try not to take for granted the good things. If you let negative thoughts run your life then you miss out on so much.

Tchau,
Sara

Chicken Farm

I come home to find my mom is trying to raise chickens again. The first attempt ended tragically with total destruction of all chickens by various factors. This time around she bought a heat lamp and made an amazing chicken palace for the back yard. They are still to small now to go outside in the palace so they reside in a water trough lined with wood chips and a heat lamp in the barn. Eventually these hens will produce eggs and some will make it too the slaughter house. Good idea if it works and for 2$ a chicken it's worth a try!

Good luck mom :) I still think we should number them... Number 4 and 5 are down while 6 is trying to escape!

Tchau,
Sara

Flying and 1st Baby Shower

This past Saturday was a whirlwind of traveling and waiting. The flying didn't bother me at all but I couldn't get comfortable. Each person wouldn't let me do anything, from taking my bag down from the overhead compartment to get them off the conveyor belt. I heard the phrase, "in your condition you shouldn't be....". Cracked me up a few times because I am not dead just pregnant! By the time I made it to Tulsa I almost starting crying in line to rent a car because the country boy in front of me ask the lady how small a compact was and I knew it would be a long wait. It was noon at that point and I had two to three non-consecutive hours of sleep under my belt so I just wanted to get home. 

That night I had my first baby shower to go to thrown by a couple of my sorority sisters that I have now know for 11 years. Wow. I really can't believe that we have all been friends for that long! There were about 15 of us and some flew in from Dallas and others drove from OKC to be there. I really couldn't have asked for more. It honestly was just amazing to see everyone together. 

Here are a few pictures from the shower.

Look at the name above the mantle!! Can I be in love already?

 You can really see them great in the picture but to the right my are cake balls. Sounds terrible but tastes so good! From what I hear they are super hard to make so thanks Emily!

Random shot from around the room. 

 Just with some of the girls :) You can sorta see my belly in this photo. I need to get better at it. Notice I am wearing a dress. The temperature decided to drop to the 40's and I froze but it's all I had that would fit and work so I suffered through. 

 With the hostesses! Thanks girls you are amazing and I miss you everyday I am away.

 Now all the loot back at home. I have to catalog it all too make sure that we get everything that we need before our return. I cannot believe how much stuff there is and we still need so much more! I sent Nate the picture and he was overwhelmed. 

Well off to write the much need thank you cards to all the girls and I am probably going to get a pedicure too. Hey, the babycenter calendar said I should treat myself :)

Tchau, 

Sara

City Life

This week I have spent my time in Rio. Seeing the ultrasound guy, a little bit of Nate, hanging out with friends I haven't seen in awhile and walking around the city. I have to say that I might have a little crush on Rio. There is so much more to do here than in Macae. It's a real city with real stores and real restaurants.

I find myself dreaming of moving here and taking all my friends from Macae here too. I just don't get it though. Macae is the oil capital of the state of Rio. The National oil company Petrobras is stationed in Macae as well as every other major oil producer and supporter. So why does the city have nothing? Maybe it's because our mayor has a castle in Europe....

The point is that Rio is a city that I could really like and enjoy. A city where life doesn't get put on hold until  we get transferred back to the states. The possibilities are endless! Who knows. Maybe we will never get the chance to transfer to Rio and that's ok too. If we do then I will put a big smile on my face because things will be looking up!

I get ahead of myself. Even though I have friends here in Rio we wouldn't be able to live close to them because of Nate's office. In Macae a short walk and I have so many wonderful people to have lunch with, walk, workout, grocery shop and have girls nights! I guess it's a catch-22. Close to friends or live in a great city.

Good thing I don't have to make that decision now or ever. The company will tell us when and where we move. For now I will focus on enjoying my time here and losing sleep over my upcoming trip home :)

Tchau,
Sara

21 Weeks and Counting

Yesterday made for a very long day. It started with an early morning trip to the lab to drop off a urine sample which only cost only 30$ US bucks! In and out with no complications. Although the girl couldn't figure out why I needed it done since I told her I didn't have any problems. I thought it was pretty apparent that I was pregnant but I guess not. She finally said your not pregnant are you? I laughed and said yes... should I have considered that a problem because I think it's the greatest thing in the world!

Then Nate and I made the long dreadful drive to Rio which I has become very old. Checked into the Windsor, since it was the only hotel with an availability this week, not the Sheraton. I find it so weird that Rio runs out of hotel vacancy so fast. I am sure that we could find somewhere to stay in a random hostel but that's not our style when your here for business. Anyway, I digress. We had to bargain with the hotel taxi who said they were giving us a special deal with the hotel car..... for double the price of a yellow taxi! The guy said I give you a ride for R50 and we said no. Then he said well I usually charge R100 and that's when I started laughing at him! Yellow cab took cost us R35. Ahhh I feel so bad for tourists who think they are getting a good deal.

We arrived at the ultrasound place with all my nerves intact. The ultrasound guy did half the consult in Portuguese which wasn't hard because it was just listing off the body parts he was talking about. Most of the medical terms are very similar in Portuguese so I had no trouble following. Then he switched to English when I didn't understand Renal Arteries. Hell, half the US population wouldn't know what that was in English :)

Isabelle is doing great! (We switched from Isabella to Isabelle since we want to call her Belle. Just makes sense). She is still a girl which is something that I was worried about. When we found out at 14 weeks it seemed kinda early to be 100% sure but I guess our guy is that good. Right now she is completely average and is measuring for the same due date given on our first doctor's appointment. August 1st is her date and we are planning on staying in Rio for the last two weeks of July until she is born.

She has all 10 fingers and 10 toes, four chambers in her heart, two kidneys, ventricles in the brain look normal, all the bones are appropriate length, no cleft palate, two eyes, and that's about it! It's so neat to see her heart beating inside of me. You can see all the chambers working together and you could even tell where the foramen ovale was!  I always loved see the echocardiograms done in the hospital but now it's even cooler that it's my baby!!!

I have a ton more photos to post for you but I don't have a scanner here in the hotel. They will all have to wait until this weekend when I get to my parents house. I really cannot wait to get home and see my whole family and all my friends. I might just cry when I see them. Ya, that's the emotional part coming out. Well off to a movie with a friend!

Tchau,
Sara

Fishing Tourney

This morning I awoke at 7 am to the sound of music and firecrackers. I looked out the window to see people scrabbling to get their fishing gear in order. So far I have yet to see them catch anything but the beach is littered with fishermen and women! I would not personally eat anything off my beach but then again I probably already have :)

Tchau,
Sara

Pool party and cook out!

It's a beautiful day here in Macae! After the past few weeks of rain all of us have been taking advantage of the sun... What not a better way to do it the have a pool party and cook out! I asked my friends to bring their pool floaties and drinks while the boys rant over work and cook meat :) Here is a photo of me at 20 wks 6 days!

Happy Saturday
Tchau,
Sara

Awkward!!!

Well the most awkward situation just occurred. The owner of our home is trying to sell his house. That means we have random people coming to look at all our shit. If they are coming to look at our house to buy then more than likely they have more money than anyone person I know personally. This house could easily sell for over a million. So people coming to look at the house is not a problem. The problem is photos being taken for a listing on the internet.

Today started and I knew that people were coming to look at the house. Well, it turns out that they were here to take photos of the house to put on the internet for a listing. The minute I found out I texted Nate who then turned into the Hulk. Knowing that my Portuguese was not good enough to explain the legal aspects of the situation and be able to understand the response I put them on the phone with a co-worker of Nate's.

Not sure what was said but the men turned to leave. I then told them I was sorry and it's just not safe to have photos on the internet with our address. During this conversation Nate called and asked if they deleted the photos.... ummm no I didn't see them. Then I was told to make sure they delete them before they leave. Oh no. How am I am going to do this. Then Nate said take the camera away and delete them or wait for him to get home to take care of the situation. This just took a turn for the worse. Oh no oh no oh no I don't want to do this.

So I sucked it up and told them that for security reasons I need them to delete the photos. I am five months pregnant and I don't feel safe having the photos out there. Sem problem, eu entendo (no problem I understand). Holy! O my that was easier than expected! Then I had to watch him delete all the photos one by one in front of me. When he was leaving I told him to try to have a good day :)

Wow. This would have been awkward in English but it's really awkward in Portuguese! Nate and I can both laugh now at the situation but it was really weird. Nate said he can just picture his pregnant wife wrestling away a grown man's camera. Ha, that would be funny but it wouldn't ever happen! Ahh. The weird crap that happens day to day.

I don't think I need to explain the safety situation here. Hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday.

Tchau,
Sara

T - 1 week until I leave for the US!!

Hate me please!

Here to all you guys suffering through the winter/spring... Today I am going to layout by the pool since it's too hot anywhere else! Thanks Kari for the new pool chair- lord knows it's worth a few hundred bucks here :) I would also love to thank my new awesome pool guy who goes above and beyond my expectations!!!

Tchau,
Sara

Door guy??

Dear Didi (gg),

I used to appreciate your presence but now I can't stand the sight of you. I am not sure what you do all day because you are not working. You have changed and not for the good. Once upon a time you opened the door for me but now you let me dig through my bags in the rain and watch me clumsily enter the gate. Each time I come down stairs your not there. Where could you be? I know: taking your two hour lunch, walking down the boardwalk, staring at girls on the beach, talking on your phone, banging the girl on the second floor who throws dirty dish water from her window onto our car, or watching other people work. The two pictures above are you caught in action. The first photo I am actually proud of you for having your shirt on but your playing with a stray dog instead of helping the guy who is in the second picture. The second picture is the guy who has been trying to fix the front gate for over a year now. I don't even want to talk about that subject. Even Claudia can't stand you and together we secretly make fun of you behind you back when you enter my house, walk all over my yoga mat and put your dirty hands on my white walls. Where ever the old Didi went please bring him back. That's all I ask.

Tchau,
Sara

The Visit

Here are the promised pictures from the past week!

Kari and I at dinner in Buzios at Don Juan's.... I know a argentine restaurant in Buzios for their first meal. Such a bad host!

Casey and Nate at the restaurant. The rain at this point was a steady sprinkle. After a few drinks for the group they had no problems.... as for me, I won't melt :)

After a late night out stumbling the cobble stone streets of Buzios and listening to bad English rock we managed to all pull ourselves out of bed and grab lunch. Of course that morning I work up around 7 am finished a book I was reading, got breakfast, got ready for the day. These late night trip to the bathroom are killing my sleep!

At Fishbonze eating Moquequa (sp). It's a brazilian fish stew and usually found in Bahia Brazil. Nate and I love it though so we always get it when we find the chance.

More food! We sat at the beach under umbrellas to fight off the rain.

At least we had some entertainment while we hung out by the beach. I would like to think that the two guys in the mini mankini's (sunga's) are famous soccer players. They had crazy muscles in their legs and well everywhere!

After our trip to Buzios we returned for some fun in Macae. Basically we just took them around our tiny city. The usual grocery store trip and walks on the beach. The sun actually came out for two days and they were able to leave Brazil with a tan!

Friday morning we woke up early and headed to Rio for all the touristy stuff. You have to see these things while you are in Rio. Who know when you will ever get the chance to visit again? 

Nate and I on our way to Christos by bus this time. The line to take the train was ridiculous! Of course the driver from the hotel kept trying to talk us into doing this private for us. We declined because initially she wanted R50 to even take us one way to Christos. We laughed in her face and said we would grab a yellow cab.... then she came running back to tell us she would lower it. So when she wanted to take us to up to the middle we just didn't want to deal with her! In the end we wished we would have listened to her :( but everything turned out great anyway.

Good thing we took the bus because it stopped halfway to the top and let us all take pictures. Normally this wouldn't be a big deal but with all the clouds we wanted to be sure to get a great picture of the city!

My favorite: Sugar Loaf. 

Playing around in the bamboo forest.

Check out the ant in this photo on the wood in the left of the picture! It's huge... and I would hate to see that guy in my house.

At the top of Christos and the clouds moving away briefly to catch a glimpse of the city below

Well this is better than the first time we came with Nate's sister Amy.... beggars cannot be choosers and we will get our good day at some point!

The classic pose. Check it off the list.

Drinks in Copacobana across from the famous Copacobana Palace hotel.

I feel like I have to show the boys every once in awhile!  The two of them together stuck out like never before. Each of them are 6'4" and are not small by any means. I don't think the entire time I have seen a bigger Brazilian than the two of them. Definitely makes me feel safe.

I am surprised he is still smiling because I made him take so many pictures!

Back at the hotel. We are actually standing by a railing to lead down to the beach but it's so dark you can't tell.

Sitting out by the fake fire they had. This is where Nate starts to protest the photos.

The next morning we traveled to Sugar Loaf

This day I was feeling really pregnant. You can see the belly band sticking out from under my shirt and I probably will not be able to wear those shorts any more. A little to tight for me.

It started raining while we were on top of Sugar Loaf so we put my scarf around our heads- look at the ladies behind us. They thought is was great idea too!

One last photo of Nate being the funny guy to end the trip.

Afterward we took them to eat and then dropped them off at the airport. I can't even tell you how exhausted we both were. I don't even think that we spoke on the drive back to the hotel. The next morning we each got massages and called it a day :) 

Now I am preparing for possibly spending next week in Rio because I have an ultrasound and Nate has a safety course. Then Friday I leave to visit home! I am so happy and the usual 'I know that I am going home soon homesick'. I just can't believe I go home again already....  I do need to buy things for Belle though!

Tchau,

Sara

Halfway there!

Yesterday marked the halfway until Belle makes her way into the world. I say this all the time but I really cannot believe that I am this far along already. Time seems to be flying by but I am trying to enjoy every minute. Each day I can feel her move around more and more. When Nate puts his hand on my belly she immediately stops! He thinks this means that she will be calm with him.... time will tell for sure.

During this time I definitely feel a shift in emotions. I find myself caring even more for babies and families. When I read or see a family story on tv I have to hold back my tears- it doesn't even have to be sad but just about a mother's love. It pulls on my heart strings. So far I have not given in to the tears and I fear it's only a matter of time before the flood gates open. Nate Run!!

Nate's really been great through the whole thing. Despite his recent venture of wanting to make a board game out of his pregnant wife involving food.... Nate- I regret to inform you that I might be 5 months pregnant but you still out weigh me by over 100lbs so ha!

With us being in Brazil I feel that we both go through everything together. He has to come to all my appointments, ultrasounds and even most of the lab work. With him being front and center I think it helps because I know he's clueless about physiology. We can leave him to his physics and other stuff I pretend to listen to :)

Oh- Here is something he did to me the other day. I wanted to discuss his role while I am in labor and I told him that he needed to be my advocate. Which involves sticking up for me to the doctor if she is pushing something I don't want. I really want to try to have a Natural Birth (scary I know) and I need him on my team. He then proceeds to pinch the back of my arm and just hold that pinch. I knew that he was tying to determine my pain tolerance but he took it to far. I didn't say a word and I just stared at him while he held the pinch. Eventually words were said and he let go. Seriously Nate. That pinch is supposed to compare to natural childbirth... I couldn't help but laugh because that's just Nate. He then told me that later in the pregnancy he was going to make me eat a carebear and see how it felt coming out the other end to prepare me since the pinching didn't work out so well. I told him that he was the one going to be eating a carebear so he could empathize with me!! God I love that guy because he always make me laugh!

Below is a picture of us on Sugar Loaf and you can see my growing little belly!

Later when the photos are done uploading you will get the rest from the week! 

Tchau,

Sara

Falling behind!

Our friends made it here and have already left to go home! I can't believe how fast the time went which leaves me so many things to post and share. Right now Nate and I are both still in Rio recovering. Tomorrow I have my third doctor's appointment and I am so excited. Each day she moves around more and more. When we return to Macae I will upload all my photos and catch you up on the appointment for tomorrow.

Tchau,
Sara

Spider!!

A friend of ours found a Brazilian Wandering Spider on a wall at his house... the pictures that were taken happen to be on facebook so I couldn't post the actual pictures taken. Gross!! So when surfing the net to find a picture for the blog the article below popped up. Crazy huh.... Tulsa Ok of all places. Our home town... Weird. I hate spiders and this one freaks me out. 

A Brazilian Wandering Spider | World’s Deadliest Spider found at Whole Foods Market, Tulsa

The World’s Deadliest Spider “Brazilian Wandering Spider” or also known as “Banana Spider” was found in a bunch of Honduran bananas at a Whole Foods Market in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Brazilian Wandering Spider is extremely lethal venom use to kill its prey. A single bite could kill a person within 25 minutes.

The Brazilian Wandering Spider can grow to 10-13 cm or 4 to 5 inch leg span, body length ranges from 0.7-1.9 inches, hairy, with strong spindly legs. Their distinctive features are red jaws which they display when angered. The Brazilian Wandering Spider wander the jungle floor at night, rather than maintaining a web.

Fortunately, the employee was able to capture the Brazilian Wandering Spider in a glass and it is now at the University of Tulsa’s Animal Facilities Department.

Tchau,

Sara

Exhausted much?

Wow. I didn't realize how tired I would be having friends visiting down here. I feel like I have managed pretty good but my body is rejecting the late nights!

It started on Saturday night staying out until 2-3am in Buzios with dinner and drinks, not for me, and watching all the random bloco parties pass by. Of course my sleep is then interrupted by bathroom trips so I end up waking pretty early in the morning. Then Sunday comes along and repeats Saturday and then Monday comes and repeats Sunday. Ouch.

I am pretty sure that today is Tuesday but I know for sure I will not last the rest of the week like this. I do have to be thankful that we are in Brazil because if I was in the US showing up at all the late night things I am sure someone random would give me advice that I don't need to be out that late. Please, I am pregnant not dead!!

Once again I am up earlier than everyone because of the bathroom trip..... deep breath and get ready for the day :) Today we are planning to watch a little OSU vs Nebraska basketball at a friend's house and then see where that takes us. The good thing is I have no problem stealing a nap this afternoon at their house!

Bom Carnaval!

Tchau,
Sara

Ahhh

Friends made it ok on Saturday and we all made it ok to Buzios. It rained the whole time but we had an awesome time! No we are back home getting ready for a cookout at our place. I just got done eating a pack of skittles and life is good. Tomorrow I will try to get some photos up of the weekend.

Tchau!
Sara

Visting Friends!

Kari and Casey come today and right now Nate is struggling through the airport to pick them up. He just called to say that both the international and domestic parking lots are completely full and people are parking on all the curbs. The parking attendant even made him pay when there wasn't anything available and of course he tells her there was no parking and he shouldn't have to pay.... thats not what he really said but you get the jist.

As for now I am hoping that our two guests make it through customs and immigration fast and then turn on there cell phones. If they don't then there could be a problem. If Nate can't be there to meet them- Surely they will right? Then after the pick-up they are driving back to Macae to drop off bags and pick me up for us all to go to Buzios! So excited!!

The clouds and rain want to grace us with their presence but the spirit of Carnaval in everyone will prevail!! No matter the weather fun will be had I can promise you that.

Tchau,
Sara

Cavaleiros Beach

The waves have been so strong recently that two days ago they washed the beach walk away on Cavaleiros beach. Last year during this time the surf allowed for so much beach to be available. Now it looks as though not one person could layout. It amazes me how much the beach changes here from day to day. It only affected a small area but it is still very sad to see. You can even notice an uprooted tree laying on the ground :(

Tchau,
Sara

Ps- sun I am still waiting for you!

Sueste

Eating out at a brand new restaurant in Macae! The first place in our city that has Thai food :) I am so excited. I hope I can report something great! Wish us luck.

Tchau,
Sara

Electrocution

On this dismal drizzly day I fear that a man will be electrocuted in my home. Each time that we have someone come to fix a breaker or wiring or change the voltage, it never fails that they don't turn the power to the apartment off. The guy at my house now is working outside in the rain to fix the electricity running to the pool which is another story for another day. Needless to say the electricity in the house is live. Fingers crossed that I don't have to use my CPR skills. What a day!

Tchau,
Sara

Married life

This week has been the ultimate week of being married, eating at home, bed before 11, and some tv watching. It's not just the rain but I think we are both just tired of running around all the time.

Lately I have been sick of the food when we go out to eat, contributing to the married life. It's overpriced and not as good as what you can cook at home. Besides, all the restaurants in town get their food from the same places we get ours... if you go early in the morning you will see all the guys running around with seven carts full of eggs, meat, yogurt, fruits, veggies and cheeses. So when you really think about it what's the point of having them cook your food? One of our favorite places to go has an amazing patio but the spaghetti, just plain meat sauce spaghetti, goes for R30 which is about USD $12. If I was in the US I would laugh at this price and order something different. Down here though ever single restaurant is the same and half of them are owned by the same guy. We still go out to eat but not as often as we used to now that my cooking level increased this year!

Since the dinner's on the table at 7 when Nate comes home from work we end up watching tv together after eating at the kitchen table. It doesn't take long for us to get sick of watching the same commercials over and over again before we turn the tv off, I turn on my book, and Nate plays a video game or two. Then off to bed we go.

Not a bad little routine but I cannot imagine doing this forever! I am sure that once Belle comes things will be different. For now I know that we both can't wait for our friends to be visiting and for life to pick up the pace again!

Tchau,
Sara

Go away rain!

Reasons the rain needs to go away:

1. Keeping track of all the leaks and which buckets need to be emptied is annoying. We have 4 at the moment and yes we have called someone about them. The guy is waiting on materials.... it's been 3 wks.

2. Resetting the clocks is annoying. Basically you have to ask yourself how many times can the power flash in a week before I stop resetting them all together. Whatever that number is, I am at that point.

3. Power going off in general gets on my nerves. Every time it even threatens to rain the power goes off on our strip. The rest of Macae can have power but we can't. Most of the time the whole city goes blank and we end up eating by candle light. Keep in mind these are not terrible thunder storms. These are your everyday kind of rain.

4. I have no car so when it rains I end up staying inside. All day. All night. It's not really that bad for me because I would do this in the US too even when it wasn't raining but just a day off of work :) A couple days in a row though and I get a little stir crazy!

5. Finally, because we have friends coming down this weekend! This weekend is also Carnaval and I want Brazil to shine for them :) We are planning to be in Buzios this weekend to celebrate and then head back to Macae for some home town love. The hotels are booked and we are ready for them to come. Maybe Brazil just wanted to clean the streets a little and give the grass a break before all her guests come to visit. I am ok with that!

Rain go away!!!
Tchau,
Sara