Ah, Spring Break. An absolutely necessary week off for teachers so we don't dropkick students off our buildings. YES YOU NEED A PENCIL. It's funny how different Spring Break is now that I'm a 30 year old teacher. When I... Continue Reading →
One of Ryann’s dreams that happily provided the impetus of further travel in Argentina was to drink copious amounts of Malbec wine (her fav) in Mendoza (where it's from). We looked on a map, looked up flight prices and bus... Continue Reading →
I just looked down my shirt and realized I had forgotten about the papertowel I had stuffed in my sports bra to soak up the sweat a few hours ago. It's hot in Brazil. Sometimes when I get undressed at night, these paper towels just fall out, and I realize I'm turning into my grandmothers far sooner than I expected, tucking kleenex and toilet paper away in clothing/skin pockets.
People often ask me what has changed since I've moved to Brazil. There are things that I notice, things maybe others notice more than me. I'm not sure. But here are some basics: My most intense conversations are with bugs. For example:... Continue Reading →
After turning Ry's brain to mush through a carefully calculated package plan of sun, drinks, sand, and a diet consisting solely of meat/cheese/starch, and no hurries, no worries here in Rio, we boarded a plane to Buenos Aires. Fun fact... Continue Reading →
We live in a changing world - my first big trip through Europe I was scrambling for Euros whenever I spotted an internet cafe to quickly write error-laden emails home (due to whatever language keyboard quirks I was dealing with)... Continue Reading →
My first visitor! I think a place truly starts to feel like "home" when you have someone visit and you get to play tour guide. I'm fulfilling a lifelong dream of mine to be one of those "Jungle Cruise" guides... Continue Reading →
A few weeks ago, desperate to get out of dodge and with an inviting four day weekend ahead of us, we rented a car for a mini-holiday. Being on the road in any capacity in Brazil is an adrenaline rush... Continue Reading →
This weekend I went on my first backpacking trip in Brazil. It was something I had signed up for in September, when everything sounds like a good idea. The trip was postponed, and rescheduled, and then it was rainy season,... Continue Reading →
maybe the best part about any job are the unspoken parts. the bits that aren't explicitly written into your contract. the subtext you create. for me - I am thankful for the many times each day I am reminded what... Continue Reading →
I'm sharing in Chapel next week. Our theme is "Missionaries" and mission trips have completely shaped my life for the last seventeen years. In case some of you don't know the story, I thought I'd practice my chapel share a bit here.... Continue Reading →
Think of Brasil and what comes to mind? Quick word association: beaches, waxing, caipirinhas, bottoms, futbol, bikinis, Carnaval, Big Jesus. <-- those were the super scientific results gleaned from my roommates. I don't think it's a coincidence that many of... Continue Reading →
Sunglasses Always Fit 