It's been too long since I've written in my blog - this one will have to be a quickie, but better an inadequate post than nothing, right?
I'm down to the final crunch right now. I have 10 work days left, and my plane leaves for Brasil 28 days from now. Yesterday, I managed to make one last pilgrimage to my favourite Brazilian restaurant. Well, I'm not sure if it's the last one, I might try for one more. After all, I have to say a proper goodbye to the Brazilian food in Canada before I say hello to the Brazilian food in Brasil.
Christmas is going to be different than any other I've experienced. Because I'm leaving before Christmas, my family will be celebrating next week, on November 25th. Then, on December 24th, (when Brazilians have their big celebration) I get to do it all again. My friend Natalia has been kind enough to invite me to spend Christmas with her and her family - and as such, provide me with my baptism by fire. I'll be surrounded by 40 or so Brazilians, most of whom I understand don't speak any English. I've got a pretty good idea that Natalia isn't going to bail me out and translate for me either - but I think it's better that way - I need to start speaking the language some time, right? I've also been told that I'll eat until I'm sick - well, if I have to be sick, at least I get to enjoy making it happen!
New Years is going to be something else too! I'm going to spend nearly a week in Rio de Janeiro with my friend for New Years. Any of you who know the song The Girl from Ipanema, Ipanema beach is in Rio.
If I had to pick a foreign location for New Years Eve, I think Rio would have to be it. The Brazilians have many charming qualities about them - and knowing how to celebrate is definitely one of the ones that they are famous for. Here's a clip from Reveillon no Rio (New Years in Rio):
Now, I need to hurry up and prepare. Sensible shoes. Presents for a handful of people in Brasil. Clothing that I won't bake in. Packing. That's enough on its own, but I also need to quickly spend some time with the people I'm leaving behind. A month - or two weeks after I'm done work - is not enough time to say goodbye to people. Hopefully some of the important people will find their way to this blog, and know that I've got them in mind.
Even with all the celebrating aside, I am quite eager to go. I think this will be a great opportunity for me learn and grow as a person. I've lived in a foreign country before, but the LDS church took care of all the details for me - failure to make the transition and survive in France was never a real danger. I've got friends to help me out as I transition to Brasil, but this will also be an opportunity for me to stand on foreign soil, and be responsible for my own success. I will also get to spend time with a people that I am already starting to admire. Brasil has plenty of its own problems, as any third world country does. But for all the things that we have, that they don't, Brazilians seem to know how to be happy and generous people. While I have definitely known some generous Canadians and Americans, the great wealth we have does not seem to lend itself well to generosity, and the people who can most afford generosity often seem to have the least of it.
I am also looking forward to the opportunity that Brasil presents me to stand on my own in my religion. In Southern Alberta, it's always easy to be surrounded by other LDS members. In France, I was never far from other missionaries. Brasil has plenty of members of my faith for those who choose to look, but being surrounded by members won't be something automatic. I am also really looking forward to learning more about God and religion from people of other faiths. I have already made friends with Brazilians who are not LDS, and it is refreshing to see how strong and firm they are in their beliefs. In particular, I'd like to mention my friend Talita, and my friend Jessica - I'm very impressed by how important your religious beliefs are to you! I am sure that I will also be presented with many challenges to my faith, but I hope and pray that I will be equal to every challenge.
Well, as I have 2 weeks of work left before I leave, I suppose I should go to bed, and get some semblance of sleep. But on a less serious note - my friends, you have 1 month left to take me to dinner, and properly say your goodbyes! However, I hope people will continue to stay in touch, and I will make sure to share my news and experiences here for everyone to see!
Ficam com Deus meus amigos. Se cuidam e dormem bem!
Tchau tchau!
