So I am finally back to the blogging world with a new post before the weekend hits. So far, for me anyway, it's been a very mild winter compared to the single digits, snow (neve in Portuguese), and blistering wind that hits you in Chicago at the turn of every corner. In Brazil I've experienced winter days climbing into the mid 80s although most days consist of days in the 60s and 70s, absolutely nothing to complain about. I have spent the past few weeks getting back into the groove of returning to my life in Brazil after spending just under a month in the US for the 4th of July, family vacation, and most importantly my nieces first birthday.
I arrived back in the states on July 2 and spent that day with my mom, sister, and niece relaxing having lunch and then heading to the dentist. Not a clue why I planned a trip to the dentist the DAY I arrived back at home, but got a good report from him and don't have to return until October or December when I am back in the states next. The 4th of July was a great time and I got to see all of my friends, had a giant 4th of of July BBQ complete with American beer and food from Brazil. The night was topped off with the annual human pyramid and glad to say that no injuries were reported and everyone had a great time. I got in 36 holes of golf over that weekend and then returned to work in Chicago on Tuesday. I spent the next 4 days in the Chicago office working from there, catching up with friends over dinners and drinks, and then left on Saturday the 10th for Florida.
I spent the next week in Tampa Florida with my family and managed to get in 72 holes of golf despite slicing my foot open on day 1 in the ocean and having to make a quick stop at the emergency room to get 5 stitches put in one of my toes. It was however the fastest visit to the ER that I've ever had and one of my nurses said if I had come the day before I would have been there for 4 hours. They had one stroke, one heart attack, a car accident, and one renal failure but I guess it comes with the territory of having a hospital in a place where the average age is 70+ years old. All in all it was a great vacation but not too much to report other than relaxing with my family, a few dinners out, walks on the beach with my niece, playing with her in the water (although her mom dropped her off her shoulders face down into a wave in the ocean, way to go Sarah) then it was uncle Adam to the rescue ;)
The last day was spent with the adult kids where my sister, George, and myself spent about 10 hours on the beach hanging out, having beers, and braving the afternoon storm in the ocean because it was warmer and the past 25 years of experience proved correct in that the storm only lasted for about 20 min and then the sun came back out. We returned to Chicago on Saturday and then on Sunday I headed to Philadelphia for a week of work at my old division, caught up with more friends, and got in a round of golf with the co-owner of the company in Philly. Spent the last weekend with my best friend John at his lake house relaxing, boating, and catching some sun. Returned to Chicago on Sunday morning and had Madeline's first birthday party and man did that kid rake it in again. She got of course lots of money, tons of clothes, a sand box from her polish uncle and other grandma, and then a play house from uncle (tio) Adam and her grandparents. Last report has it that George has not yet setup the playhouse so he better get on that so she can play outside before it turns too cold.
I returned to Brazil at the end of July and spent a 4 hour delay in the Miami airport while they repaired one of the doors that had broken on landing. Of course had to deal with all of the angry people etc, but hey if need to get a new plane or take all night to fix a door be my guest. That is one of the last things that you need to have break when your 30,000+ feet in the air. Finally got an upgrade into first class for my return trip but was only able to get about 3 hours of sleep so it made for a long day when I finally got back to my apartment. My bags arrived with no issues, and the one loaded with all presents and gifts made it through customs with no issues.
So far I've settled back in well, started with classes again for Portuguese and kept up with my running routine of 15-20k on the weekends and then shorter runs 7-8k during the week nights. I still haven't joined a gym and I think I am going to hold off since they are so expensive and even the coldest day here in the 50s is like running outside in Chicago on a fall or spring day so nothing close to what I've had to deal with in the states. I had a new maid start when I came back and she comes every Monday morning at 7:30 am to cook, clean, iron clothes and do the laundry. She's been great so far, an amazing attention to detail, cooks good food so no complaints so far. Funny to me that things here still seem opposite. You'll go to McDonalds and spend R$20 for one person (US$12) or spend R$50,000 (US$29,000) for a car that will cost you US$16,000 in the US (Honda Civic for example) but to have a maid come to my house for close to 12 hours costs me $28 per day. Services here are so cheap compared to goods, but it gives me a real appreciation for my job and the living that I make.
Not too much else to report as of right now. I am continuing to meet new people that are new to the area, a girl that went to Iowa and graduated from a different school in the college just moved here to live with her Fiance and she recently created a group called on a site called Meet Up for English speakers and expats living in Campinas. There are 5 new teachers here from the US who are taking Portuguese at my school, there was a new guy that moved into our building that I met and a bunch of us went to the American School last weekend for the pancake breakfast to get some American food and the school was opening a new gym for the kids. A group of us is planning a trip to the Northeast of Brazil in September over the US Labor Day (Brazilian Independence day) so that is going to be a lot of fun. We are heading to Sao Luis and then to a national park that has natural clear ponds and sand dunes and you can only enter the park on foot or in a 4x4 vehicle so we are going to look at renting jeeps or dune buggies to drive around the park.
I returned to the English speaking church this past Sunday and worshiped there but have really been struggling to get things out of the services. The church is only 20 people if that and there is only one or two couples (of course) that are relatively close to my age. Everyone there is extremely nice so I am going to continue to go back on Sunday's but praying that I start to get more out of the service so it doesn't just feel like I am going to go to church. I always (well not always) went in the past because I felt a connection and I am just not getting the same experience here. I am hoping that once the Portuguese language for me comes farther along I can find a larger church and get more involved with a community.
Things are still progressing slowly with my application for a visa in Brazil so please keep that in your prayers. My 180+ days is coming to an end in October and without this visa I will not be able to return to the country which means no job so I am hoping that things progress in a more timely manner and I can get it approved so it's ready to be picked up at the consulate in Chicago when I return in October. I spoke with my aunt this week and she was having a good week but still continuing to struggle with cancer. Please continue to pray for her and the treatments.
I hope all is well with everyone back home. I miss you all very much, stay in touch via email, Facebook, and I have my US cell phone on here in Brazil so don't be afraid to pick up the phone and give me a call.
Tchau
Adam
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