One Great Week

Thought I would post a few of the photos from this week's festivities at the Nippon Blue Jays team party in the country, the Gringo Thanksgiving party at the Wares and the Thanksgiving festival at Graded School (yes, that is that largest blow-up turkey bouncer in South America and yes, Jackson had his hair spray-painted a bunch of colors). Good news, I met a weaver at the school festival and she gave me the name of the yarn store, Aslan, in the 25 de Marco district. Guess I can move.

I miss everybody already.

Departing the SP (Again!)

It feels like I just got here but it is time to go home tonight. Heavy sigh. We're going to spend the day today over at Graded School for their Thanksgiving Festival. It is supposed to be a true turkey dinner and a mini-parca (vendor marketplace). I'm anxious to meet some of the kids friends, parents and teachers.

Yesterday was a big day in Apartment 142. The air shipment arrived. Twelve boxes filled with clothes, sports gear, markers, computer and Hannah's guitar were quickly unpacked and distributed throughout the rooms here. I rushed and got the computer set up yesterday. (I am the Geek Squad!)

We also finally got the kids cell phones yesterday. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to get them here. Ro had to first show a bill with our name and address on it. Oh wait, we have to prove it was paid. Another trip. Then he had to have his RNE, CPF and passport documents. Oh wait, it can't be a temporary RNE at one store. Another trip to a different store. We had to have a phone number of someone with a land line who spoke Portuguese. (Thanks Morio.) More delay. The last store, Claro, finally coughed up the two phones and service. It wasn't cheap either. It took three hours yesterday alone, not counting the two other times Ro ventured out getting them. If they lose the phones, I think I will kill both kids.

It has been a great trip with lots of memories. Good (filling) dinners with lots of laughs with the Robbins and the Lawlesses. Fun shopping with Nandita and Satchko at Morumbi. I even got fingerprinted at the Federal Police station so I can come back in January. We had an interesting Gringo Thanksgiving dinner at the Wares that kicked off with Jackson nearly walking through a clear glass panel and breaking the bowl with the shrimp and pasta salad I had made. Not only was it a huge crash but the salad had glass and blood in it and made a big mess. (Luckily, Jackson only had a small cut.) They won't forget the Robars at that complex.

Here's another weird one. We were walking around the other night and met this nice couple from Texas and their two small kids who just moved to SP into the same building as ours. He had read my blog! Talk about a small world.

Most importantly, this trip was a great time to be together as a family. I'm getting pretty anxious to be in Brazil full time. But in the meantime, it will be wonderful to have Dan and the kids home in three weeks for Christmas too. They are getting so grown up. You'll be impressed.

Getting Along Swimmingly

I love this shot that Nandita sent me of the kids at Beach Guaraja last Friday. In my mind, they are giving each other a high five. In reality, they are probably picking on each other. I'll keep my dream alive.

It is funny, I asked the Sao Paulo trio at dinner what they missed most about home. Jackson's quick answer was ROTC, Hannah missed her friends and Ro replied that he didn't like not making things. Not so bad. Of course, after they gave me their answers, they tried to recover with "Oh yea, we miss you Mom" but it was too late. :)

Trip is going well. I am on my way soon to go meet Nandita at Morumbi Shopping. It is a huge mall with 400 stores. We're going to have lunch and get caught up. Her family is still in the hotel since they are waiting for their apartment. That would be tough. Since I don't have wheels yet, I am going to take a taxi to the Mall. Should be interesting.

Here's another few beach shots to make those of you shoveling snow jealous!

Made It!

It is amazing how you can be at work one Friday morning and be in Sao Paulo, Brazil the next day. No problems with the flight...the powers of Tylenol PM never let me down. I was able to get 5-6 hours of sleep between NYC and Sao Paulo and was ready to go when Dan and the kids picked me up.

We went straight from the airport to the end of the year party for the Nippon Blue Jays (Jackson's baseball team). The affair was held not too far from the airport at one of the player's second family home. It was set in the countryside and had several buildings on a pretty piece of land. There was a big open-air gathering space where the guys did the BBQing and the ladies set up the sides. There were a couple smaller buildings that had sleeping quarters and bathrooms. There was even a small chapel and a pool. Everyone was really nice and tried their best to speak whatever English they knew and us Robars all sounded like dopes with our elementary-school Portguese. The food was amazing. Great steak cooked on wood chips, lots of Japanese dishes and over-the-top desserts. Everybody brought food. All the Brazilians (even the teens) kiss you on the cheek hello and goodbye. It was a really warm group of people enjoying time together amidst a few raindrops.

Dan and the kids are doing well. Hannah and Jackson went to the ocean on Friday with another GM family. (Dan was at work.) The outing really seemed to give them a peek at another side of Brazil, the beach! They swam, bought puka necklaces and ate out of coconuts. They said people approached them and offered to cook fresh shrimp and cheese on BBQs while you wait. Sure beats a hot dog vendor in Detroit. I am so glad they got a chance to go. (Thanks Nandita!) You should see their striped sunburns. They swore they put on sunscreen but I guess they missed the part about covering yourself thoroughly. Jackson, especially, looks pretty comical.

The apartment still looks the same. Our air shipment hasn't arrived yet so they are still wearing the same clothes they brought in their suitcases. Unbelievable. They told us 10 days. It has been two months! We are hoping it arrives while I am here this week so Dan doesn't have to leave work to wait for the delivery. We'll see...I am not too hopeful. The sea shipment (with all the furniture and supplies) probably won't make it until 2009.

Sorry no photos. I took some with my camera but I can't download them here. I'll try to take some today with my phone.

We are going to try to go to church today. They haven't gone here yet...can you believe that?? :) There is an English mass near the other international school so I am putting my foot down amidst the protests from my family.

Tchau.

48 Hours!

My flight leaves Friday at 4:40 p.m. I can't wait to get to Brazil and see everybody. Jackson's baseball team has their end of the year party Saturday afternoon right near the airport so we're going straight there after Ro and the kids pick me up. This crowd is used to smelly teenage boys so I hope they don't mind a woman who has been on a plane all night. Better pack a toothbrush in my carry-on.

We are going to spend Thanksgiving with a group of GM Design ex-pats. Everybody brings a dish and they have an annual "Turkey Egg" hunt according to the invitation. Should be interesting.

I have spent the last two days with the Congressional hearings on my computer while I am working. Those idiots are using statistics and a mindset from 1978 as they are grilling Nardelli, Wagoner and Mulally. Would any of those Congressional types work for a $1 a year? After all, the government is running a deficit. I have a feeling that nothing will result from these hearings. It will take until February when my hero Obama gets into office. Hope I am wrong because I don't think a lot of businesses will make it until then.

I have my Berlitz language CD going now. Man, Portuguese is difficult.

Tchau.

I'm going to Brazil

Just got word that my Visa is leaving the Brazilian Embassy in Chicago today and will be at the RenCen tomorrow. Woo hoo!! Here's to a Sao Paulo Thanksgiving.

Patching Up Holes

This was our roof on Monday. Now it is all fixed. We have a tile roof so it is really expensive to fix it so we patch and we patch.

I have tried really hard this week to think about all the people who are separated from their families for long periods of time. Military families do this for months and sometimes years. I am pretty lucky that I've only been away from Ro and the kids for a few weeks at a time. I learned today that Thanksgiving is looking questionable. My flight is November 21 and my visa/passport is due back in Detroit on the 26th. Our GM contact said many of them come in early and is going to update me everyday next week on the status. I bought flight insurance so maybe I can change my flight to a little later in the week. I don't want to jinx things by making calls and doing too much research. If not, the Turkey Trot 10K is where I'll spend my holiday.

If it doesn't happen, it will be a little easier because the Sao Paulo trio is going to be home for three weeks over the holidays. They arrive December 21 and will be here through January 9. Yea!!!!!!!! I leave for Brazil for good on January 30.

I'll spend tomorrow at my weaving class with some hand-dyed chenille and then off to the Urban Craft Fair at the State Theater. This single life is pretty wild and crazy.

Happy birthday Tim. My little bro turns 41 tomorrow. I think he's going to the circus. Gotta love that. Some kids never grow up.

It's Snowing in the D

(This photo is shot from the balcony off Hannah's room. Hope you can see the snow on the rail.) They aren't expecting any accumulation here but it is a scary sight of things to come. Hard to believe it was 70 degrees here last week. I spent the 40 degree day today getting the backyard ready for winter. I chopped, raked and put Dan's pond to bed. The hoses are away and the main valves to the outside lines are off. I guess it is good I didn't wait until next weekend. After all this work today, I have an even higher regard for my husband. Yardwork is usually his territory but it was kind of peaceful taking care of it all today. Trust me, I like weaving better...but it wasn't horrible.

Time to get to the warmth of Sao Paulo.

Keeping Busy

In my pursuit of sanity while my family is away, I'm keeping way busy. Last night, I went out with the Barrows, O'Mearas, Maucks and a bunch of the St. Clare crowd and saw "To Kill A Mockingbird." The local YMCA has a great theater and the production was first rate. But, it is not a very cheery story. Truth should win out. Guess, we'll see a comedy next time.

I built yet another slideshow this week for tonight's performance of the Dearing Detroit Dance Company at St. Charles. It honors my friend Sue Wenrick who died this past year. She built the dance company up from nothing and is really missed. Steve Dearing is the dancer who makes it all happen but it was Sue who really had the vision of what dancing can do to help all these inner city kids stay focused. (Steve is in the front and Sue is in the middle in this picture.) The performance is tonight so I'll be there behind the scenes crossing my fingers that the computer and projector work as planned.

The auto industry is so scary now. Provided GM can stay in business, I think Brazil will be a good place to hang out for a few years while North America gets back on track. I start Portuguese lessons with Berlitz next week. The instructor is going to meet me at a conference room at Crain during my lunch hour twice a week for two hours. I thought that would be easier than having the teacher come to the house in the evenings.

Off to weaving now!

Meriva?

I think the Chevrolet Meriva is the car Ro and I are going to order for me to drive around Sao Paulo. What color should I get? Red or blue? I am American after all.

Back in the D

I'm killing time this morning so I can get to the polls right when they open at 7. Usually I'm at the office before 7, so this seems very strange to me. I sure hope the large turnout they are predicting comes true. In Detroit today, they are expecting one of those freakishly fabulous 70-degree November days so I bet there are long lines. Awesome! No secret who is getting my vote. Gobama!!!

It feels weird to be home and back at work. My heart and mind are in Sao Paulo. Life is tough for Dan and the kids there (especially with the language barrier) but they seem to be sludging through it all well. I do know that when I get there for good, I will be a help to them so I can't wait for the next few months to fly by. I turned in all my paperwork (and passport) yesterday for my two-year Visa. Hopefully, it will get back in time so I can go visit at Thanksgiving. They said it takes 15 working days and my flight is November 21. I give it about a 50/50 chance. Brazilian time is not fast. Say a prayer!

HACKED BY HANNAH!!

Hello! BON DIA!!!

I didn't actually hack on my mom's blog, she said that if I wanted to I could post a 14 teen year old's point of view on life in a foreign country! SO HERE I AM!!! I thought I would just share one of my dumb american trying to speak portuguese moments. I recently learned that when you want a coca-cola you should only say "coca" because if you just say, "may i have a cola please." Then in portuguese you are saying, "may i have some glue please." Aparently if you say cola it means glue in portuguese. My teacher Cleber recently told me that. I wondered why when i said "Cola, por favor" they looked at me kind of funny. My teacher got a good laugh out of that.

So far, i like Sao Paulo. It is very different than the states, one with the language, two with just how the culture is. Everything is much more free and laid back. I'm not sure if I like that part of it yet.


I apoligize for any spelling and grammatical errors, my english ad portuguese could use a litte work.

Well there is my first blog post! Sorry I didn't tell you mom! Maybe I will post again sometime.

Peace and love,
Hannah<3