Chicago Dec 2012

12:30 am December 21st 2012.  What will happen today???

7am Sunday December 16th Kerri picked me up and we headed to the suburbs.   She gave me a tour of her school and then we went for breakfast at the Blueberry Hill- or something.  We went back to her place to digest and relax.

We watched some DVR'd TV and then part of "the Grinch." Then we got ready and headed into the city to meet up with Kate and Dan Ferrario.

Kerri and I went up to Ravenswood and went shopping at Target while we were waiting for Kate and Dan. Then went to their place. It was great seeing them and Kate took us to a cute little shop nearby and I found some pretty cool presents and cards. I think the store is called "Hazel."

We didn't get to spend too much time with them as we were going to 5pm mass at OSP.  We went and I found my usual spot.  I saw many people and before I could run up to the choir and grab Megan, she ran down and found me.  I've missed her!!!   We said hi quickly as she needed to get back up to the choir and I greeted all the awesome people I haven't seen in 5 months.

Mass was good, as everyone was getting ready to go up to EM (Eucharistic minister), Keara came over and told me I could go up and distribute the bread, so I went up to the altar.  It was cool to be a part of the community again.

After mass, I made everyone walk over to Dylan's for food and fun.  I ordered their breaded mushrooms and chicken quesadillas.

It was nice to catch up and see people- which was the point of this trip.   After dinner, Kerri drove us back to  her place and I crashed before 11pm.  I must have been super tired.

So I could use her car, Kerri woke me up to drive her work early Monday morning.  I then ran a few errands and went to sleep for an hour before heading to the south side for lunch with my advisory girls at Portillo's.

I met up with Kaitlyn (new advisor), Margie, Mya, Michelle, and Yesenia and got to eat cheese fries and enjoy a shake!!  It was awesome to catch up with them and hear about how senior year is going.

We hung out for a few hours and then I drove over to UNO to see Ellen for a little bit and catch up on how UNO was doing. It was frustrating to hear what has and hasn't changed.  It was awesome to hear about some of my girls were doing and how much they had improved.

I drove back to Naperville and picked Kerri up for dinner.  We were meeting Erika at Homerun Inn- I've actually never been there before.

Since I was eating pizza the next night, I didn't order pizza there which doesn't make too much sense since it is a pizza place.  I ordered pasta and had mozzarella sticks as an appetizer.  It was good but a huge portion of pasta.  I also drank multiple hot chocolates as it is really cold in Chicago ( and surrounding areas).

Kerri and I picked up a pumpkin pie on the way home and enjoyed a few pieces once we were watching movies at her plae.   I fell asleep again before 11 - Crazy!!

5 months later

It's midnight the morning of December 12th.  In 72 hours I will be on a plane heading to Atlanta then onto Ohio to celebrate Christmas with family.  I fly back to Brasil in mid January a few days before school starts.  It is very strange to think about the time 5 months ago when I was first heading to Brasil.  Before I began working with my students, before I had a maid, before I met all the wonderful people I have been working with.

The past 5 months have been an incredible journey and I will miss being in my own apartment and having Maria clean my clothes and do the dishes.  I will miss talking with Teresa  and Kevin everyday about students and popping in to see Sue and Sabrina as well as randomly seeing Clarissa, Ashleigh, Emily, Kristi, and Yakshi in the hallway.  I will miss meetings with Kenya. I will miss hanging out with Danielle on the weekend and going over to Mark's for football.

I will not miss watching TV on my computer instead of an actual TV.  I will not miss the lovely bugs flying all over the place. I will not miss having to translate in my head before I start talking and still sounding like a dork. I will not miss cooking dinner for one.  I will not miss my night porteiro - I will miss Jackson (day porteiro).  I will not miss Math class. I will not miss my bed in Brasilia - soooo excited to go back to my king size bed.

It's very odd to begin to dwell on how my life has changed in the last few months and even odder to reflect on how it has stayed the same.

I'm nervous about living at my parents house for the next weeks and not having my own place to go to. We'll see how that goes.

I'm excited to visit friends and family and want to get updates on their lives.  I'm excited to go to mass at OSP again.

I'll keep you updated!
Meghan

HSBC Caixa Automatica

I have not blogged in quite awhile.  I'm sorry.  However, I had to blog about tonight.

So my life in Brasilia has been bumping along fairly well.  Nothing amazing to report but also nothing horrible to speak of so I haven't posted.  It got to be some time and it just kept going by so oh well, I'll get to it this weekend. Then the weekend would arrive and the daunting task of updating you on my life for the past 3 months just seems insurmountable.

Oh well.

December 4th 2012.

It was an "F" day at school which means I taught my "F" period, then "G" period, Physics for "H" period, lunch, then "E" period.  After school I worked with students until about 6pm then headed home at 7pm.  Let me back up to lunch today.

During lunch, I grabbed my purse and walked down to the HSBC ATM, caixa automatica, because I needed to pay Danielle back for dinner and to get money for Maria since it is Tuesday and she will come tomorrow morning. I had attempted to get money out yesterday but they were fixing the machine.  I went to the alcove and the ATM doors were open - obviously again not working.  As I left for the day, I went to check one more time and the machine looked ready but it wasn't turned on.  At that point, I also realized I did not have my debit card - only my credit card.  Luckily, I discovered that before I biked in the other direction and realized it when I got to the store.

I headed home to check for my debit card and eat dinner while there.  I took a little longer than I planned and at about 9pm headed to Pao de Sucar and the closest ATM.

They were closed.  I am shocked and don't know how to have a full conversation but ask the lovely gentleman *sarcasm* blocking the door where the closest ATM is from here.  He tells me it's right behind me and assures me it will take my card.  Sweet, no big deal.  I get into the ATM area of the bank and my card is rejected.

There are 2 women (mother and daughter) also using the space and I ask them if they know of an ATM which will take my card. Pao de Sucar is the answer. I explain (in not fantastic Portuguese) that it is closed.  They begin Google searching for the closest ATMs I can use.

As they continue discussing my options, a man walks into the ATM area as well - it's a very large space and has about 20 ATMs lined up next to each other.  They explain the situation to him and he begins giving multiple directions and options in very quick Portuguese.  They then also explain it's for me and I only understand a little Portuguese.

He asks where I am from in English and I tell him Estados Unidos.  The younger woman says, English, I could have been using English.

We spend quite a bit of time on Google with no results discovered. Then they decide to take me next door as the "Garcons," waiters, know everything about the bank options.  The waiter we speak to says he doesn't know but there is a possibility of an ATM in 304/305 Sul.

Reminder of my life in Brasilia and where things are.  I live at the star and work at the arrow.

 So I had ridden to Pao de Sucar in 207/208.  The women (Louisa and Elena) asked if I had a car and I let them know I had a bike and would be ok.  All 3 of them were worried about me biking over/under the Exio (bright yellow street between 200/ 100s). Elena then drove me in her car.

I was a little worried but am very glad I took her up on it.  Louisa was with us and they were trying to figure out where to go once we discovered the waiter had not given us good advice.  We asked someone else. They pointed us in another direction and went to another gas station which did not have an ATM.  We continued driving to a 3rd gas station and no luck.  As we left there we saw a Pao de Sucar and went there knowing they had a cash machine.  They had Banco de Brasil and my card is not accepted there.  We asked for more directions and got back in the car. We stopped at a 4th gas station and they said no but the next one over has a 24 hour ATM.  We drove 2 blocks down and there it was in 306/307.

I went in to get money out and everything was great until I got to the part when the money is dispensed and the machine said -translating here - you card cannot do that at this time.  It took my pin number and then after I asked for money it accepted my alphabetic password but once it got past that NOW MY CARD CANNOT DO THAT!!   Freaking out a little at this point.

I try again.  This time almost right away it says my card doesn't work.  I CANNOT give up.  These nice women have driven me around the area for over 25 minutes THIS HAS to work.

I try one more time and have NO difficulty at any point - Go figure.  I take my money and leave.  I hope back in the car and Elena drives me back to my bike in 207/208.  I try to give them money and say thank you ALOT but they say no problem and head on their way.  I biked back home and realized I have been gone almost 2 hours on this crazy adventure to get money.

WOW!!

Phone calls and then bed to start a new day tomorrow.  10 days until I fly back to the states.

Boa noite!

Real World Pirenopolis

VACATION IS HERE

I got ready for Pirenopolis the night before so everything was ready to go.  We were meeting up at the taxi point close to my place in the morning.

When I woke up the next day, I realized I had quite a bit of time before I had to get out of bed and get on the way.  I began reading a book.  I received an email from Debra (trip coordinator) to pack sheets and towels because the place we had rented did not have them. The sheet was fine, but trying to fit the towel in my small suitcase didn't work so I had to upgrade to the medium one and repack.
I got halfway to the taxi point when I realized that while I repacked to fit my towel in the suitcase I had never actually put the towel in.  I texted Kristi to let her know I was late and then went back and grabbed my towel.

Debra, Krisit, Leah, and Ashleigh were waiting when I made it over the taxi point.  They had called for a taxi and when the guy showed up he said he wouldn't take all of us because it was too many, but we must have looked pathetic enough because after a minute of us figuring out who would go now he said ok all of you can go to the airport.

Hertz Shuttle
Drive to Pirenopolis
LOST!!!!
no cell service
5 hours later
Real World Style!!
Maria - amazing
Sunburned
No money
drive home

Football with Mark

Brasilian Independence Day and American Embassy Party

September 6th 2012

School has been passing by with a fairly recurring theme.

Portuguese Teacher - Maurico

Mondays - Wake up at 6:50, shower, dress, walk to school, teach students, meet more people, attend Portuguese Class, walk home, do some work, and go to bed about 1am or so.




Tuesdays -  Wake up at 6:50, shower, dress, walk to school, teach students, meet more people, coach girls basketball, walk home, do some work, and go to bed about 1am or so.




  
 Wednesdays -  Wake up at 6:50, shower, dress, walk to school, teach students, meet more people, attend Portuguese Class, walk home, do some work, and go to bed about 1am or so.

Thursdays -  Wake up at 6:50, shower, dress, walk to school, teach students, meet more people, coach girls basketball, walk home, do some work, and go to bed about 1am or so.







Fridays -  Wake up at 6:50, shower, dress, walk to school, teach students, meet more people,stay at work for some reason, walk to Libanhaus, walk home, read, and go to bed about 1am or so sometimes later since it's Friday.



 
 Saturday - Wake up at 8, shower, dress, coach basketball, go to Aguas Claras with Vanessa or go to Taguatinga with Clayton and his family (friends via friends), get dropped off at home, read or go out at night,  head to bed at 2 or so.




Sunday - try to find a place to go to church (I've gone a few times with Danielle - another newbie this year, or with Vanessa) so far it's been in Portuguese each time. I'll keep trying.  I might spend the day with Vanessa or the Santos'.  Then is it super hard to get to bed anytime before midnight as I have stayed up later each night before.


Repeat and refresh....

Back to what's going on.   Thursday September 6th, EAB celebrated Brasil's Independence  from Portugal (which is Sept 7th).  The school day was a regular day for the Upper School (6th - 12th) until the last hour.  We escorted the entire school to the auditorium and watched our students present on Brasil and how and why they gained their independence.  Much of the ceremony was in Portuguese, so I was only able to glean a few parts but it was a very cool ceremony and all the grades were involved.

Students were dismissed from the auditorium and the campus was soon deserted as we did not attend school the next day.  Many teachers were leaving right from school to begin their three day weekend.

I went to basketball practice until 6:30, after practice I worked a little in my classroom and then about 7:30 or so headed to the American Embassy for their Brasilian Independence Day Party.

Since I was at basketball practice, I assumed some teachers had gone over earlier.  I asked our security staff to call a cab for me.  When the taxi arrived, I let the driver know I wanted to go to the embaixada dos Estados Unidos. Thankfully, he knew where it was and I did not need to attempt the address in Portuguese.

Once I found the party inside the embassy campus, I couldn't find another teacher from EAB.  Ok,  time to make some new friends.  I wandered around and said hi to random people and everyone was very nice.

Eventually I made it over to the bar area - I had been avoiding it as many had warned students could be around and I didn't want to be drinking in front of them.

When I got to the bar, I found some people that I knew.  Last week, I had gone to an Internations event and met some other international people living in Brasilia.  It was cool to connect.

Tamam had been at the Internations event.  His son actually attends 1st grade at my school.  We spoke for a little while and he introduced me to his colleagues.

I finally decided it would be ok if I ordered a beer.  I began imbibing from the refreshingly cold Stella Artois and heard, "Ms. Burns?"    I mean come on really.  Didn't I just know this was exactly what was going to happen.  One of my 8th grade students said hello and we began talking about the cool events at the party and he introduced me to his parents. I had to switch beer hands to shake hands and began explaining how long I had been living in Brasilia.  They extracted themselves from the conversation after also admitting to only being in the country a few months.

I returned to the adult group and they laughed as I had only just moments ago explained my nervousness of having a student see me drinking.

Sue, Katie, and Jessica at August Internations Event

Someone joined our group with food in their hands and they pointed me to the food table.  The embassy had pastel de queijo.  Nirvana is how I would explain it, but it's fried deliciousness; a very thick layer of cheese between 2 thin slices of dough.  I walked over to order one and while there ran into Jessica.  Jessica was also at the Internations event and we talked for quite awhile.  Jessica introduced me to a few more international adults and then we decided to hit the dance floor.

The DJ was playing mainly Brasilian music but everyonce in awhile would play an English song.  We were dancing for awhile and "Sexy and I know it" by LMFAO came on.  While I was dancing to this fairly cool song, I was tapped on the shoulder and there was yet another student.  I said hi, we hugged, and then I left the dance floor.    It just seemed wrong to be dancing to that song while 17 year old student was grinding on her boyfriend next to me - AWKWARD.

Jessica and I went to get more drinks and then found another place on the dance floor.  We danced until after 11, but I really needed to get home.  So we called a cab and then headed out.  Since Jessica was going in the opposite direction it did not make sense to take the same cab.  When the first one arrived, I hopped in.  I told the driver my quadre and 2 guys also waiting overheard me.  They let us know they were going there as well and asked if they could just share.  I said sure.  We headed out and began talking.  They were both French and worked at the French Embassy.  They had been in Brasilia for about 6 months and were enjoying it.

We made it to my bloco and they wouldn't let me pay.  Cool.  Even though we live in the same quadre, I haven't seen them since.

I got upstairs, packed for my trip to Pirenopolis tomorrow and crashed.

Boa Noite!

Festa no Barco

School started August 1st for all staff and August 6th for all students.

 

The time went by very quickly.  The students are great and very helpful.  Lilian is amazing and a blessing to work with.

We use block scheduling of 80 minutes in the upper school (6th - 12th grades).  We do alternating days.

Monday August 6th we started with A B C and D classes.
Tuesday August 7th we continued with E F G and H classes.  We will rotate those days every day until the end of the year.

Every Monday after school we meet for faculty meetings.  Monday, August 13th our principal, Derrick let us know he would not be returning for the 2013 school year.  It seems early but in the international community you need to post positions much earlier than 'normal.'   They needed to let us know so they could begin posting to find the best candidate for next year.

My life settled into a routine where I was working on motivating and encouraging students at school and trying to figure out my personal life and this new language outside of school.

At the end of the second week of school, the school hosted a boat party!!!  After school they chartered a bus and it took us to the dock, we climbed on board and were able to partake of beverages and food until 9pm.

Festa no Barco

Safety demonstration  - I could watch but I had no idea what they were saying.

Boat Party to kick off the year!




Awesome and tiring.  Heading back to school!