August 2019 ~ Agosto 2019

Oi Everybody!

  So sorry for not posting more often, but I've fallen back into my habit of being busy every second of every day! I also heard that the pictures on my previous post were not showing up for some people. I'll attach some to this post, and if it doesn't work then I will try to figure something else out.

  My first day of school was August 20. I'm not gonna lie, I was so nervous to start school. I knew no one at the school, spoke virtually zero Portuguese, and didn't know how to be "normal". It turned out that everyone was right, making friends was easy. I started my first day with an English placement test (hahaha), and people were coming into the office and interrupting my test just to introduce themselves! I quickly found a group of friends to eat lunch with and still eat with them nearly everyday. These girls have taken me out on the weekends and have already shown me so much love. Most of the teachers at my school speak English and they're all very welcoming. I love my school and everyone in it.

  The weekend of August 24/25 was Rotary Orientation weekend. Sixty of us new exchange students spent the weekend at a hotel about 30 minutes outside the city. I met so many fascinating new people that I'm now lucky enough to call my friends. We spent time getting to know each other at meals, going to the pool, and having a dance party. Unfortunately, meeting and giving hugs and kisses to 60 strangers is apparently not very good for one's immune system. I was sick with a fever and aches all of Monday BUT all is well because my wonderful host family took very good care of me.

  PORTUGUESE is difficult. That being said, I have improved both my speaking and understanding tremendously in the three weeks I've been here. I'm able to find my way through conversations with almost anyone at this point. My friends at school speak only (95%) Portuguese to me and I'm able to understand them. I try my best to respond, but usually end up speaking English. This is one major benefit of going to an international school because everyone at least understands English. I had my first day of Portuguese school last Wednesday. The class meets twice a week after school, and I look forward to it every time. Right now I already know most of what is being taught, but the people in my class and the teacher are so entertaining that I still love to be there. 

  Rotary is taking very good care of me here. I have been to a couple meetings for dinner and attended a couple events organized by Rotary. On Saturday, we all went to a Rotarian's house and prepared what seemed like hundreds of pounds of fresh food (onions, lettuce, oranges, etc.) for Sunday. We were preparing for a feijoada. Hundreds of people met for a lunch of rice, beans, pork, farofa, salad, etc. It was great to spend time with so many new people. I often see my future host families at Rotary events, and I'm glad I'm already getting to know them.

  Life is good. I feel like I've known my host family for my entire life. My exchange and Brazilian friends are all amazing, hilarious people. I'm making so many mistakes and learning so much everyday. I'm already so much more confident in myself and learning what I'm capable of. I already feel like I have a home here in Brazil. I've fallen in love with this beautiful country. Life is soooo good!