- Copo = cup
- Janela = window
- Camisa = shirt (T-shirt)
- Nordeste = northeast
- Graus = degrees
To be honest, this is a entry is just a post to post. Nothing particularly exciting has happened since I last wrote an entry, about a week and a half ago. I think the best thing that happened was going for a 3-5 kilometer run three times this week without dying. By dying, I don't mean out of breath--instead, I mean getting hit by a car/motorcycle/bicycle, falling into a hole, or simply tripping over rocks. It is so difficult to run in my neighborhood because the majority of the streets are paved with asphalt, with concrete sidewalks, which isn't great for running. I try to stick to the unpaved dirt streets, but those tend to have lots of holes and pebbles, which is also a homemade recipe for a sprained ankle. On top of that, I usually go after work (around 17h), right when the sun is setting, and people are heading home for work. So, therefore, I would prefer to go to the university and run on the track there. Plus, it's also fun going there with the other American, Kevin, and beating him at running! (true story)
At work, I have been working on social media, flyers, and videos. So far, I've made two videos (which you should all watch!). The first one is promoting the classes that Instituto Amar offers, which can be found here. The other video is a scrapbook of Dia da Feijoada, which can be found here. Now, Fatima, the other trainee at Instituto Amar from Peru, and I are working on a proposal for Instituto Amar to work with Univille, the private university of Joinville, regarding "Projecto Esperança," a plan to bring proper dental care to neighborhoods in need.
This past week I was feeling a bit homesick and missing the USA. It was the Fourth of July, and I don't think I've ever craved a burger as much as I did that day. Actually, I think I was craving anything but rice and beans, which I have everyday for lunch. Lunch at work is good, but it's more or less the same everyday. One thing I miss about the US (and I was thinking about Taiwan this week too) is the variety of food. Even on GW's Foggy Bottom campus, there is still a large variety of cuisines--from Thai to Indian to (fake) Chinese food to Italian. But here, there isn't as much of a variety. The Fourth of July was nice because I celebrated it with the other Ruhy and Kevin, the other two Americans here, and the French and Tunisian as well, and we made "as-real-as-you-can-get-American-burgers" with bacon and cheese. I'm pretty sure I gained three kilograms from that meal, which is probably why I felt the need to run so many times this week.
Speaking of things back at home, I've learned that it is rather difficult to plan a conference while abroad, but that is another story. I also just finished a video for Delta Phi Epsilon (DPE), the professional sorority that I am in that promotes the participation of women in foreign service, for potential new members. You should all click here to watch it!
On the weekends, we still try to travel as much as possible (since, let's be real, there's not much to do here in Joinville). This weekend we were planning on going to São Francisco do Sul, which is a beach town about forty minutes from Joinville. However, given that the weather forecast was "frio e chuva," going to the beach was not the best idea. Instead, we stayed in Joinville this past weekend. It was also Fatima's birthday. We celebrated by having dinner at Mango, a Mexican restaurant in the center of Joinville. Mango, with the Mariachi band and tequileira, never disappoints.
I believe those may be the most exciting things that happened this week. I'm sure next week will be far more exciting. Dani and Natalia (the Colombians who are going back to Colombia at the end of the week), Ruhy, and I are going to Foz do Iguaçu/Puerto Iguazu in Argentina then taking a flight to Rio de Janeiro for the week. Speaking of which, we really do need to book the bus from Joinville to Foz do Iguaçu...oh Brazil, why do you require a CPF for booking a bus ticket?! We probably should book a bus/plane ticket back from Rio de Janeiro via São Paulo as well. Or just staying in Rio de Janeiro is another option. More details to follow.
Beijos!
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