Another new apartment

I finally just got re-connected to the internet after moving into my apartment, what a God send. The router and connection seemed to be working fine but my computer just would not connect. It was such a tease for the past couple of days, but I finally am back into the real world and can Skype and get on FB again. (Sorry guys for not being able to hop on Skype yesterday and say hey to everyone at the annual St Patty's Day party)

The apartment is great, but tiny. The amenities here make it all worth it though so the size of the apartment doesn't really bother me too much. I won't be in here very much between work, traveling on the weekends, classes and studying but still nice to have a place that resembles home. I get valet parking, a party room for rent, chef, maid, in apartment laundry, queen size bed, internet, cable tv (although its crap because 90% of the channels are in portuguese), and a gym and pool.

So I seem to be getting some repeat posts about things down here so hopefully this will put a few things to rest:

• The women down here are beautiful but I am in the part of the country where some of the women look exactly like some women back in Chicago (fair skin, blond hair etc), but the rest of the women are very dark skinned, dark hair, and green or blue eyes, absolutely amazing.
• I am taking Portuguese lessons and started last Friday night after work. I have met a few girls that speak English and Portuguese so that makes things easier.
  
• I haven't taken any pictures yet because I don't have a camera. I took some with my Blackberry, but I haven't uploaded them yet. They will probably be uploaded sometime soon so keep checking back.

A couple of specific prayer requests for this week. Not sure if there is an issue with my work visa but pray that it all gets ironed out between my HR department and the team assisting us with the visa, and of course continued safety while I am here. I have not felt unsafe since I have been here but found out on Friday that after 7 pm the stop signs and red lights become optional if there is no traffic because of the muggings and thefts that take place when cars are stopped.

One last thing to note is that my niece started talking this week!!! She is saying baba, dada, and mama, but my sister says she says dada because it's easier and well she is a daddy's girl. I can't wait to see pictures or a video (Sarah if you're reading this, get on that and Skype).

I love and miss everyone back home.

Tchau

Adam