Boo!

Even though the kids are in a foreign land and in high school, that doesn't stop them from celebrating Halloween. Jackson, in particular, has always been really "over the top" with this holiday with some pretty memorable costumes. My attention-craving boy loves any chance for people to look at him! Hannah took a more low-key, "I'm a freshman" approach this year with fangs and a pumpkin t-shirt. Tonight, we're going to celebrate my last night in Brazil with two other GM families. We're going to go to a local churrascaria to eat piles of beef and drink some Brazilian rum cocktails (caipirinhas)! Should be fun.

This week has been a good test for me. Ro and the kids have gone to work and school everyday. It has given me a chance to try my hand at nesting (clean, clean, clean!) and also work long distance. Timing was good too since Ro was able to schedule some deliveries from the rental company and repairs for the computer/telephone while I was here.

I think I'll go a little crazy alone all day but if I mix it up with enough e-mail and phone calls, I should be able to stay busy. With the daylight savings time change (they "spring ahead" here below the equator while Detroit "falls back"), I'll have a three hour time difference for a few months. I should be able to get a good run in everyday before the Motor City even wakes up. Lots of hills here. While I don't think I'll ever have Brazilian buns of steel, it is a good workout.

Jackson has a baseball game tomorrow at the Nippon Club. The Blue Jays are supposed to be really good. It'll be fun seeing him interact with the Japanese kids at the game. Ro says it is hilarious watching them find a common language between English, Japanese and Portuguese. I leave around 6:00 p.m. for the airport. Heavy sigh!

So Good to Be Here

I've been in Sao Paulo for 48 hours and I'm already dreading leaving on Saturday. It is fabulous to see Ro and the kids. They are doing great. The apartment is a bit of a train wreck since they don't have any of their stuff yet but they are doing amazingly well with the bits and pieces they've been given by the rental company and the many trips they've made to Extra, the Brazilian equivalent of Target. Supposedly, the air shipment is a week or so away. Brazilian time is "whenever they feel like it."

The kids are amazing. They seem to be adjusting well to their new school, making friends, cracking jokes and teasing each other like always. It is really cool to think about them in the same school. I never envisioned they would be at the same high school helping each other out. They even have their "Portugese for dummies" class together. They also gave me crap for watching them get on the bus this morning. They are so independent and grown up.

I worked today. This morning, I met with a Brazilian publisher that is helping Automotive News and this afternoon, I was at the Sao Paulo Auto Show. It is just like every other auto show, but without a lick of English anywhere. I made it through. When I get back to the D, I am going to get really serious about learning Portugese.

Here are two images of my day that I captured with my cell phone: a girl in a skimpy bikini shaking what her Momma gave her at the auto show and a grocery store worker on roller skates (check out the magazine titles at the checkout!). Other than that, it was a normal day.

Fiber Madness

After weaving for a few hours this morning in my class at CCS, five merry souls busted out of the D and took off for the Western pastures of Forma and the Michigan Fiber Expo in Ann Arbor. It didn't matter that we were headed knee deep into the heaviest traffic of the year destined for the Michigan-Michigan State game. Football, who cares? We're after yarn. What fun! I didn't do too much damage (a book and a couple skeins of yarn I couldn't leave behind), but it was so freaky to be in a place where there were llamas and bunnies that people used for their fur (alpaca and angora). Check out the size of this bunny. I head for the airport after church tomorrow. Last week, all the family needed were dryer sheets, a power cord, phones and a calculator. Suddenly today, we've added fangs, a cup, paint ball supplies, Skittles, Tiger jersey and an alarm clock to the list. I think I have everything. I can't wait to get on the plane tomorrow and finally get to Sao Paulo. The visit will be short but I think it will do me a world of good.

Pink Parties

After a crazy day at work yesterday where everyone was lamenting the stock market, Kwame's text messages, falling advertising and Chrysler laying off 5,000 workers, I hit two big parties. The first was for my niece Lauren. She turned five. Everything was pink and featured princesses. That's what life should be all about. It was great to hang for a little bit with Dan's family and just celebrate how cool kids can be. My sister-in-law Carrie has a really fun brood too.













I left Waterford and went to a "Girl's Night Out" at my friend Trish's house. Boy, put 10 women in the room together with a little wine and the volume goes way up. Trish has an amazing perspective on life and the city so it was great to talk with her. I was home by about 11:30 but I can't remember the last time I went to two parties in one night. Granted they were very mellow but it sure was nice to see everyone and forget the gloom and doom of the economy for a while.

Next stop: Brazil. I leave tomorrow at 4 p.m. Woo hoo!

Need Thai Food in Sao Paulo

My spoiled daughter is missing Thai food. Where do we go in Sao Paulo to find it? I am going to be there next week (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and I want to treat everybody to their beloved pad see ew. If not, I think I'll have to deliver the farthest carry out that Sala Thai in Detroit has ever experienced. Help me out, you expat readers!

Just got back from a whirlwind two days in Chicago taping some readers and employees for the crain.com web site. It was a fast couple of days but I was working with a really nice crew so that made it fun. Can't wait for the site to finally go live.

Run Baby Run

Today was the Free Press Marathon. The "Moms on the Run Again" relay team was a stellar group comprised of Lisa, Linda, Suzanne,Patrice and I. (Lynne is in the photo too but she ran on Compuware's team this year. It was a disaster. She'll be back where she belongs for next year's race.) We each had a leg of the race that ranged in length from 3 miles to 7.1.

After not sleeping very well, I was up at 5, picked up Patrice at 6 and started running the first leg around 7:20 from the starting point of Washington Blvd. and Grand River. (I went to the bathroom before the race at the new Westin Book Cadillac at that corner. Beautiful!! No porta potties for this diva!) It took me a sad 85 minutes to run my 7.1 miles. That is just under 12 minute miles. We had to walk on one part of the bridge that was under construction so I know that slowed me down. Ugh! But I feel pretty good that I did my part. It was the longest distance I've ever attempted in my life. It was also a really pretty run over the Ambassador Bridge and down Riverside Drive in Windsor.

Get ready Jackson. I want to try a half marathon and the Sao Paulo Marathon happens in late January. I'm going to keep training.

The marathon goes through my neighborhood so we had a really fun Van Morrison cover band on our lawn and my neighbor Pat outdoes herself every year cooking the most amazing quiches and fresh breads. Oh my God. I don't even like eggs but I drool for her quiches. They are amazing. So we were going big guns until about 1 p.m. She probably had 40-50 people there throughout the morning. Burns is on Mile 21 of the race so it is really important to cheer on the marathoners at that point. We watched one guy blow out his knee right in front of us. (That's him borrowing Tom and Taylor's phone to call for a ride.)

Secret Life of Bees

I really want to go see this movie. But I want to see it with Hannah. We listened to the book on tape together during a long, long ride to Indianapolis a few years back. She re-read it this summer. It is a great story and I am a big fan of Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson. Now I'm torn. Do I go to the movie without her (and probably get very blue) or do I wait until we can see it together? I'm not the type to go to movies alone anyway so I will probably wait. I wonder if it will be in Portuguese with English sub-titles or be in English with Portuguese sub-titles if we see it in Sao Paulo? Maybe I'll just wait for the DVD.

Fishing in Brazil

Ro sent these photos from their 12-hour fishing charter excursion in the Ocean on Sunday. Jackson caught a hammerhead shark. This great time was definitely the highlight of the male Brazilian Adventure so far.

Moms and Dads

On Saturday, I got a chance to see all my Moms and Dads. After weaving, I went over to my in-laws. (This photo is from Sue's house a few months back.) My father-in-law had a minor stroke the day before Dan and the kids left for Brazil. He's doing really well. He's getting around like a champ with a walker. The thing that is affected most is his speech. He's working with a speech therapist twice a week repeating tongue twisters like "nine newsmen need nectarines." I don't know if I could do that.

While I was in the burbs, I went over and did a check on my Mom and Dad's webcam. It was all a ploy to get a steak dinner out of them. They have this new charcoal grill, the Big Egg, that was so amazing. Man, dinner was good. (The webcam worked fine and is all set "for action" as soon as the Brazilian trio get their computer from the shipment.)

I am so lucky to have two sets of amazing parents. More than lucky. Blessed. They are all worried that I'm going batty so it was nice of them to chill with me for the afternoon.

Dan and the kids are supposed to move into the apartment today. No word from them yet.

Chirp! Chirp!

Java and I have a new friend bunking with us in Casa Robar. It is a cricket. She has moved into the sunroom somewhere and is a happy sort, chirping all the time. But can I find her to show her the door? No way. I wonder if she'll pay rent or at least do her share of the chores!

TGIF!

The weather in Sao Paulo is on its way to summer levels. (They are below the equator so everything is backwards.) So, the kids are hoping to meet the Japanese baseball teams and start playing on Saturday. Looks like Hannah might be able to be on a team too. On Sunday, Dan and Jackson have found a fishing hole and are headed out at 4 a.m. with a friend from GM. I'm just glad to hear they are getting out of the hotel a little bit. The apartment is supposed to be ready early next week so that will be one more step toward normalcy.

LATE UPDATE FROM SP: No baseball, but fishing is a go!

Guilt Feelings

I am trying to keep myself sane in the D. The Portuguese is being studied, the miles are being run (I did 7.5 on Tuesday night) and the weaving piece is nearly done. I'm getting through the final home repair projects and starting to pack up the last of the rubble. The roof repairs begin on the 20th and I got the locks fixed on Monday. But I keep thinking I should be with the kids and Dan in Sao Paulo. Heavy guilt. They are going through a whole bunch of new things and feelings that I'm not experiencing with them. Dan is starting a new job in a foreign country. He shouldn't have to deal exclusively with the kids too. Don't the kids need their Mom anymore? Probably not since they are strong independent teens but maybe I need them more than I know.

I think I'll be much better once I get to see them again on October 26 (17 days!) They should be leaving the hotel shortly and moving into the apartment. I know Hannah is tired of eating meals there everyday.

I had a nice lunch with my brother yesterday. We work about a mile apart everyday but we only do this a few times a year. It was great to catch up with Tim yesterday.

News Flash

The Sao Paulo Tech Police contacted me this evening to verify that Dan Robar sent a text message to his children in their hotel room from his office at General Motors Brazil. He even used cute initials at the end, GTG. How did this happen? Until today's incident, he had spent his life text-free. Obviously the South American air has gone to his head.

What's next? Could his first CD purchase be far behind? Or perhaps, now I'm getting really crazy, an I-Pod?

Do They Have A Moose Tree in SP?

This is one of our favorite Detroit icons. The "moose tree" is located in one of Detroit's poorest neighborhoods near Mack and Mt. Elliott. My camera phone photo is not very good but the tree has a pair of eyes and is usually adorned with a necklace or two of the season. A year or so ago, the house behind the moose burned to the ground. We were kind of worried about this tree. (Ro even thought about moving it to our backyard.) But lo and behold, new construction sprung up behind the tree. This is Detroit survival at its finest.

The report from SP is that the trio got in a taxi today and found a mall. Hannah's e-mail said it was a great spot but that it is no fun shopping with guys. We'll have to visit this mall again when I get there. A picture menu at a sushi restaurant made it so they could eat. (I am doing the Rosetta Stone again at home. Hopefully, I'll be able to speak a little by the time I get there for good.)

I'm trying to stay busy so I don't get too blue so after church, I went for another good run (5 miles). I am feeling mighty confident that I'll be able to get through my Free Press Marathon leg over the Ambassador Bridge just fine. Besides Patrice will be waiting for me in Canada and she can't start until I get there! Also went over to CCS and worked on my double weave piece a little more. It is almost done. I sure am glad I was able to squeeze into the CCS weaving class at the last minute. Without a loom at home, it makes it so I have somewhere to go and something to do.

Getting Away With It

Java has always slept in a small doggie bed at the foot of our bed. As soon as Dan and the kids left, she claimed a new home....Jackson's mattress. Too funny! I wonder how our goofy mutt will do in Brazil.

Hannah's First E-Mail from Brazil

This cracked me up. I love the whole 14-year old line of thinking:

OMG!!!! I am so confused!!! We are here!!! WOO!!! the plane was nice and comfy in bussiness class. the airport was insane!!! the customs line was like a battlefield of who could get in line first!!! once you were in line it moved pretty fast but not while you were trying to find the end of the line! The drive was soooo long....i fell asleep for like half of it. those motorcycles are so crazy!! The driver dude was nice but his english wasn't very good (dad said he was the guy that drove you to the airport). so now i am chillin' about to take a nap after a nice shower. now i think i should've done more of that rosetta stone. I dont' know what anyone is saying!!! IT IS SO FREAKIN ANNOYING!!! Sorry i think that i am just venting in this email. How are things there?? I miss you! love yah

Hannah

Exit

I can't say it enough. We have the best friends in the world. Not only did we have a blast on Saturday at our goodbye party, but a hearty bunch came over yesterday evening to wish the family well. Lots of laughs and hugs were exactly what we needed. Hannah's pals gave her an incredible scrapbook of photos through the years. Jackson, Delle and Denzel got in one more game of pool. Pat made the most amazing lasagna, Helen brought soda bread, Sean and Amber shared their wedding cake top (one year anniversary) and Lynne blew my diet with the world's largest bag of M&Ms.













After a hearty lunch at Sala Thai, the Sao Paulo trio left this afternoon. I miss them already.

















P.S. Dan's Dad did have a small stroke but he's one tough soldier and looks like he'll recover. This is his second stroke so I hope he takes his time coming home so he can get stronger. I'm glad Dan and the kids got to spend some time with him this morning. Thanks for your prayers. They helped!

Prayers

Send it up for:

Dan's Dad, Wayne, was admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon. He just wasn't feeling right. (We found this out late last night when we called the house to say goodbye.) We are going to stop at St. Joe's on the way to the airport today. Pray that this fabulous man is on the mend.

My Colorado pal, Corinne, is having surgery this morning due to complications from reconstructive surgery after she kicked breast cancer to the curb. She is an amazing single Mom to two fab teenagers and deserves prayers everyday.

The Sao Paulo Trio....Dan, Jackson and Hannah fly out this afternoon. They are in for a roller-coaster ride of ups and downs as they work to get acclimated to new schools, jobs and friends (and three months without me!)