Remember that time (like 20 seconds ago) when I wrote about eating SO much dessert? Well, on our way home, Kaitlyn and I decided that, even though we were still so full of ice cream, we needed some sort of real food.
Well, the store we decided to explore didn't have any good food food..but they DID have something even better:
Manioke/macaxeira/yucca chips!!! We used to eat them in Tonga and I loved them...and they have them HERE in Brazil! In a store a 2 minute walk from my house!
They even have them salsa flavored, and they are delicious. It makes me so happy! :)
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
"Welcome to the Mission"
Yesterday, we (Katilyn, Lisa, and I) went to our friend's house. She's the ward chorister and is really nice, and randomly invited us over for ice cream! Of course we said yes, because who's ever turned down ice cream?? Heehee. Anyway, we went over at 3pm, and figured it'd just be a small bowl of ice cream and some chatting.
That was where we were wrong.
The "small bowl" of ice cream was a SOUP BOWL full of scoops of ice cream, a piece of cake, and some pudding stuff. It was really good, but boy was there a lot!
We ate, we talked, and eventually finished our bowls.
At which point Vera told us to eat more.
So we did.
When she brought back my bowl with even MORE stuff on it, Kaitlyn and Lisa both sort of chuckled and whispered to me, "Welcome to the mission!!" Haha.
I've been in several situations in various countries where I've chosen to eat more in favor of not offending someone. But I think yesterday was the funniest to me, because Vera wouldn't eat more! After scooping us all seconds (despite our attempts at turning more down), she took her plate over to the sink. Lisa was like, "What? You're not going to eat more?" And she looked sort of sheepish and confessed that she didn't have room.
Say whaat?
Yeah. Seriously.
Hahaha. It made me laugh.
Then we finished our second bowl, topped it off with some fresh juice (nothing like orange juice to compliment chocolate ice cream...), and then talked for another hour.
I sure like her. And everyone, really.
People are so nice. I like them.
I'm not sure how to end this post....so...the end! :)
That was where we were wrong.
The "small bowl" of ice cream was a SOUP BOWL full of scoops of ice cream, a piece of cake, and some pudding stuff. It was really good, but boy was there a lot!
We ate, we talked, and eventually finished our bowls.
At which point Vera told us to eat more.
So we did.
When she brought back my bowl with even MORE stuff on it, Kaitlyn and Lisa both sort of chuckled and whispered to me, "Welcome to the mission!!" Haha.
I've been in several situations in various countries where I've chosen to eat more in favor of not offending someone. But I think yesterday was the funniest to me, because Vera wouldn't eat more! After scooping us all seconds (despite our attempts at turning more down), she took her plate over to the sink. Lisa was like, "What? You're not going to eat more?" And she looked sort of sheepish and confessed that she didn't have room.
Say whaat?
Yeah. Seriously.
Hahaha. It made me laugh.
Then we finished our second bowl, topped it off with some fresh juice (nothing like orange juice to compliment chocolate ice cream...), and then talked for another hour.
I sure like her. And everyone, really.
People are so nice. I like them.
I'm not sure how to end this post....so...the end! :)
Monday, October 8, 2012
I Hope They Call Me on a Mission!
Wow. Did you hear General Conference?!? Can you believe they changed the mission age?!! I heard rumors that they might last conference, but wasn't even thinking about it this time...and then, they did! My mind is a little bit blown... in a good way :)
Honestly, I'm not sure how this applies to ME yet, but I am so excited for all the changes it means for the church. I have SO many friends that are starting their papers right now, and here I am, in Brazil, wondering what I want to do.
I've already decided that I am going to serve, the question is when. And right now, I'm still planning on waiting till at least the end of winter semester, maybe later, depending on what else falls into place.
But I am so excited about this change.
ALSO:
I just loved General Conference!!! I think I've gotten a lot better at listening with a purpose and actually paying attention during conference over the last few years, and this year was amazing. Despite a lack of sleep and spending almost the entire 2 hour break on Saturday running around with two kids, I didn't fall asleep, or even come close, a single time.
All the talks felt personal. All of them were powerful. And all of them taught me something.
I also had the unique experience this conference of watching with nonmembers. 5 of the other students that are here in Brazil with me from other universities in the US are members of other churches, but they have been increasingly interested in the gospel, and also in being willing to talk about general church-related principles, etc. They attend FHE with us almost every week, and all of them watched at least one talk with us (Pres. Monson being the favorite...of course!). They watched his talk at the end of the Sunday morning session, and then kept coming in for the rest of the afternoon sessions, trying to catch bits of his talks and even listened to talks from the other members. They seemed sincerely interested, and actually focused...I don't think any of them were watching just because they wanted us to be happy at having been able to share the gospel with them; it was like they really WANTED to listen, and that they were interested in what was being said.
We also had a good talk between sessions about why we have general conference, why we take notes (it never occurred to me that they would find note-taking during church strange haha), and who the different leaders are that speak.
It was so neat.
I love Conference. I won't share all the really personal spiritual experiences on a public blog, but I did have them. I am so grateful for President Monson and the Priesthood and that we have a living prophet on the earth today! I love the gospel, and I love my Savior, Jesus Christ.
PS. I came to the conclusion yesterday, while on the immediate post-Conference spiritual high of wanting to save the world and be better in every possible way, that if Conference coincided with New Year's, I might actually be able to stick to my New Year's resolutions. :)
Honestly, I'm not sure how this applies to ME yet, but I am so excited for all the changes it means for the church. I have SO many friends that are starting their papers right now, and here I am, in Brazil, wondering what I want to do.
I've already decided that I am going to serve, the question is when. And right now, I'm still planning on waiting till at least the end of winter semester, maybe later, depending on what else falls into place.
But I am so excited about this change.
ALSO:
I just loved General Conference!!! I think I've gotten a lot better at listening with a purpose and actually paying attention during conference over the last few years, and this year was amazing. Despite a lack of sleep and spending almost the entire 2 hour break on Saturday running around with two kids, I didn't fall asleep, or even come close, a single time.
All the talks felt personal. All of them were powerful. And all of them taught me something.
I also had the unique experience this conference of watching with nonmembers. 5 of the other students that are here in Brazil with me from other universities in the US are members of other churches, but they have been increasingly interested in the gospel, and also in being willing to talk about general church-related principles, etc. They attend FHE with us almost every week, and all of them watched at least one talk with us (Pres. Monson being the favorite...of course!). They watched his talk at the end of the Sunday morning session, and then kept coming in for the rest of the afternoon sessions, trying to catch bits of his talks and even listened to talks from the other members. They seemed sincerely interested, and actually focused...I don't think any of them were watching just because they wanted us to be happy at having been able to share the gospel with them; it was like they really WANTED to listen, and that they were interested in what was being said.
We also had a good talk between sessions about why we have general conference, why we take notes (it never occurred to me that they would find note-taking during church strange haha), and who the different leaders are that speak.
It was so neat.
I love Conference. I won't share all the really personal spiritual experiences on a public blog, but I did have them. I am so grateful for President Monson and the Priesthood and that we have a living prophet on the earth today! I love the gospel, and I love my Savior, Jesus Christ.
PS. I came to the conclusion yesterday, while on the immediate post-Conference spiritual high of wanting to save the world and be better in every possible way, that if Conference coincided with New Year's, I might actually be able to stick to my New Year's resolutions. :)
Monday, October 1, 2012
Read ALL the blogs!!
What's that? You don't think I've been faithful enough in posting on this blog? Okay, okay. I admit that once a month or so is a little pathetic.
I'd like to promise that I'll change and be better....but the fact is that I might not.
It really just depends on what's happening.
Check it out:
I'd like to promise that I'll change and be better....but the fact is that I might not.
It really just depends on what's happening.
And what mood I'm in.
And if I feel like telling you about stuff.
BUT, never fear! In case you're feeling neglected by my lack of diligent blogging, here's a link to my friend Kaitlyn's blog, complete with videos of our attempts at sandboarding, cooking, and a few other adventures. [Note: Her computer is the bandwidth hog/reason I can't upload pictures...so hers has the added bonus of visual aids!]
Check it out:
Aren't you so excited to read more about our adventures? :)
I LOVE HOSPITALS!!! :D
Actually, that's a lie.
I don't really love hospitals.
But I AM grateful for them!
I have now been to hospitals in 3 different countries on 3 continents, and although I hope I get to travel more....I would certainly be fine stopping the list of hospitals there :)
This time it wasn't anything serious; I just needed a blood test. Another girl in our group has had a weird/sharp/constant pain in her side for a few days and wanted to get it checked out, so yesterday she and I went with Lisa and Geovana to the hospital.
And by "hospital" I mean "hospitals" because we ended up going to 4.
The first one had a waiting time of several hours.
At the second one, they told us there were only four people in front of us in line. After about 20 minutes of waiting, Geovana came and told us we were leaving, because not ONE of the four had gone. (Turns out, they were on some sort of shift-change or something, and the doctors weren't actually going to start seeing patients for another half hour, or something like that...) So we tried again.
The third one was ridiculously expensive.
The fourth one was a success!
All I needed was a blood test, but you need a doctor's recommendation. So after a short talk with the doctor, during which he informed me that he didn't think my problems were serious enough to need a blood test, but he'd go ahead and give me one just to be safe. Oh, and he said that the pain and stuff I've been having will just come and go for the rest of my life.
Awesome, right?
Well, I still haven't gotten the results from the blood test, but I'm pretty sure they'll come back normal. At least, I hope they do! Either way though, I'm in a surprisingly good mood. I wish there were something they could do to stop the pain (or that I could just not be a baby about it ;), but life is good.
I have two legs. I can run. I can throw a ball. I can breathe and eat and think for myself. They seem like little things, but they really are huge blessings.
And I think that makes me pretty lucky :)
I don't really love hospitals.
But I AM grateful for them!
I have now been to hospitals in 3 different countries on 3 continents, and although I hope I get to travel more....I would certainly be fine stopping the list of hospitals there :)
This time it wasn't anything serious; I just needed a blood test. Another girl in our group has had a weird/sharp/constant pain in her side for a few days and wanted to get it checked out, so yesterday she and I went with Lisa and Geovana to the hospital.
And by "hospital" I mean "hospitals" because we ended up going to 4.
The first one had a waiting time of several hours.
At the second one, they told us there were only four people in front of us in line. After about 20 minutes of waiting, Geovana came and told us we were leaving, because not ONE of the four had gone. (Turns out, they were on some sort of shift-change or something, and the doctors weren't actually going to start seeing patients for another half hour, or something like that...) So we tried again.
The third one was ridiculously expensive.
The fourth one was a success!
All I needed was a blood test, but you need a doctor's recommendation. So after a short talk with the doctor, during which he informed me that he didn't think my problems were serious enough to need a blood test, but he'd go ahead and give me one just to be safe. Oh, and he said that the pain and stuff I've been having will just come and go for the rest of my life.
Awesome, right?
Well, I still haven't gotten the results from the blood test, but I'm pretty sure they'll come back normal. At least, I hope they do! Either way though, I'm in a surprisingly good mood. I wish there were something they could do to stop the pain (or that I could just not be a baby about it ;), but life is good.
I have two legs. I can run. I can throw a ball. I can breathe and eat and think for myself. They seem like little things, but they really are huge blessings.
And I think that makes me pretty lucky :)
Just life.
Hmm, yet another of Michelle's blog's bites the dust.
Just kidding. I'm not quitting blogging, I just haven't had much to blog about lately. Plus, I still can't get pictures to upload at an even semi-reasonable speed, so you'll just have to wait for those.
Anyway, for those who still check this blog or want to know what's going on down here, here's some of what's been going on:
Bipolar weather. Actually, not so much bipolar as just cold. When I got here from the north, it was obviously colder (given the geography), but now as it moves into "summer", you'd think it would be getting warmer, right?
Wrong. So many fun plans have been foiled by the rain. Mostly because Florianópolis is a little bit lacking in cool cultural sites (as far as we can tell, anyway, and most of the people we ask seem to agree), so the main sources of entertainment are hiking and beaches, but it's been too cold.
We have been making a bit of progress on our research projects, and trying to keep on top of school and tests. Oh, the good news? Guess who got a perfect score on her first test in Portuguese? Lisa! Oh yeah, and me. Haha. We both got 10/10. (I think it would have been more exciting to get 100/100...but I'll take what I can get :) I suppose I don't REALLY have bragging rights, since I think he was a little more generous with my score, given the language barrier, but still! I didn't fail! :D
Ah yes, and despite the uncooperative weather, we did discover a rather cool ecological park last week. It's a combination of a zoo and a regular park, but more towards the park than the zoo... Lots of open areas, playground equipment, stands for popcorn and cotton candy, a few trails, and of course, the animals. I'm pretty sure nobody would be able to guess in 10 tries which animals they had in cages.
Did you guess?
If you guessed lions, bears, or anything remotely exotic.....you're wrong.
If you guessed rabbits, turtles, or guinea pigs, then congratulations---you proved ME wrong! :)
Funny, right? I think I mostly found it amusing because those animals were in cages, while the alligator just chilled in the pond and the monkeys were just free in the surrounding trees. (Caged guinea pigs and wild monkeys? Seems so backwards, but I guess that's the difference between Utah and Brazil!)
Portuguese kind of plateaued for a while, and while the progress is still sometimes frustratingly slow, it IS coming!
All in all, life really is good. I can't wait for the weather to warm up again so we can do more exploring and see more of the beautiful landscapes and beaches here, but I really am happy.
I am so blessed, and life is so very good. :)
Just kidding. I'm not quitting blogging, I just haven't had much to blog about lately. Plus, I still can't get pictures to upload at an even semi-reasonable speed, so you'll just have to wait for those.
Anyway, for those who still check this blog or want to know what's going on down here, here's some of what's been going on:
Bipolar weather. Actually, not so much bipolar as just cold. When I got here from the north, it was obviously colder (given the geography), but now as it moves into "summer", you'd think it would be getting warmer, right?
Wrong. So many fun plans have been foiled by the rain. Mostly because Florianópolis is a little bit lacking in cool cultural sites (as far as we can tell, anyway, and most of the people we ask seem to agree), so the main sources of entertainment are hiking and beaches, but it's been too cold.
We have been making a bit of progress on our research projects, and trying to keep on top of school and tests. Oh, the good news? Guess who got a perfect score on her first test in Portuguese? Lisa! Oh yeah, and me. Haha. We both got 10/10. (I think it would have been more exciting to get 100/100...but I'll take what I can get :) I suppose I don't REALLY have bragging rights, since I think he was a little more generous with my score, given the language barrier, but still! I didn't fail! :D
Ah yes, and despite the uncooperative weather, we did discover a rather cool ecological park last week. It's a combination of a zoo and a regular park, but more towards the park than the zoo... Lots of open areas, playground equipment, stands for popcorn and cotton candy, a few trails, and of course, the animals. I'm pretty sure nobody would be able to guess in 10 tries which animals they had in cages.
Did you guess?
If you guessed lions, bears, or anything remotely exotic.....you're wrong.
If you guessed rabbits, turtles, or guinea pigs, then congratulations---you proved ME wrong! :)
Funny, right? I think I mostly found it amusing because those animals were in cages, while the alligator just chilled in the pond and the monkeys were just free in the surrounding trees. (Caged guinea pigs and wild monkeys? Seems so backwards, but I guess that's the difference between Utah and Brazil!)
Portuguese kind of plateaued for a while, and while the progress is still sometimes frustratingly slow, it IS coming!
All in all, life really is good. I can't wait for the weather to warm up again so we can do more exploring and see more of the beautiful landscapes and beaches here, but I really am happy.
I am so blessed, and life is so very good. :)
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