Monday, September 28, 2009


We spent another weekend at the beach. I took over 700 pictures in 2 days. I feel bad for Mike who will have to see all of them :)

A lot of these were taken while I was in the back seat of my uncle's truck. Kind of hard to take a good picture, but I did what I could. Brazilian drivers are insane - my uncle is among the worst. Worse than Europe or Africa. I won't miss that.

I went to a waterfall with my aunt and uncle and he threw me in the water, clothes and all. I should have known. He's the youngest of 4 kids and seriously never grew up. He still takes naps everyday from 1pm - 2pm. No joke.

And people wonder why I don't want to go home.




Sao Jose dos Campos





Party at the Pinda Yacht Club



At the waterfalls...











My uncle's sailboat - Jambock

Monday, September 21, 2009


We went to the island of Ilhabela for my birthday in Brasil. BIB. Here are some of the pics. I could go back and take pictures all day, but this trip is about family.

Pinda is the yacht club that my uncles keep their boats at. The server at the restaurant remembered my sister and I, and the last time we were there was 7 years ago. That guy has a goooood memory.

Enjoy.















Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Everything here is just better. To the mango I had yesterday, can we hang out again soon? Brasil 2009 is well on its way. I've also discovered why the majority of my life my friends have called me the "random one." It is all to do with my Brazilian heritage. Doubt it? My uncles are sending us on a two-hour night bike ride with 100 Brazilians tonight. Most of you can probably answer the question as to how many times I've been on a two-hour long bike ride: ugh, never. This should be a story to tell.

My uncles are just really BIG kids. Two of them live on the top floor of separate high rise apartment buildings in downtown Sao Jose. One building overlooks the other. They can literally wave to eachother out the window. Now that's family we're not used to.

I spent time with Vovo yesterday (my gma). She's hilarious and feisty like my mom. I love being with her even though half the stuff we say gets lost in translation.

Another weird story? So I have a 13 year old cousin who used to love witches and is a mini GQ model but he doesn't know it. He's a looker. Yesterday he told us he hates babies so much that when he plays Sims he always burns the babies or lets them drown. Uhhhhhhhh?

Sometimes my type A personality and care free spirit clash. It's a constant battle to who will win out. Yesterday, Type A, today, riding the wind. Probably why the anxiety kicks in.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Family at dinner

Mountain City - Campos do Jordao


Sunday, September 13, 2009

Brasil, 2009







Drinking Fountain
Brasil, 2009

The smoke is from burning trash.
Favelas below Sao Jose dos Campos city life.





Tuesday, September 8, 2009