Estou ficando estabelecido: Building a Brazilian life

I feel as if I have been living in Brazil for 10 years and 10 minutes all the time nowadays. Some things are starting to feel so normal and comfortable to me, like having my leite com chocolate every morning or taking taxis here. But almost everyday I experience something different, and I get to feel like it's my first day all over again. I feel so blessed for this.

I have recently engaged in several new and exciting things here. I started school, which was daunting and I was nervous to do. In the United States, when a new student joins a class, the new presence is noticed and sometimes acknowledged, but for the most part seen as indifferent. Since students here all have the same classes with the same people, getting a new student is extremely exciting to them. When I walked in, I was received more warmly than I think I ever have been. Everyone was fighting over who got to sit by me and talk to me; it was an amazing feeling. School days here are short (7h-12:30h) and the class schedule varies by day. They learn a lot of the same things we do, including quite a substantial amount of information about the United States. I was speaking with my school friend nathalia about this. She said they study so much about the world, and try desperately to learn enough English to get a proper job. But, they don't learn enough about their own country. This saddens me that they are so focused on us and not appreciating the culture and knowledge of themselves. It's so opposite of America, where I don't think half of the people even know the Capitol of Brazil or what language they speak (along with many other countries), but could name many of our own presidents and history facts. Just a little food for thought.

And speaking of food (nice segue I know), my pallete continues to increase here. I have eaten chicken hearts, every fruit known to mankind, and so much chocolate and candy. Although I love the food here, I am missing it back home. Sometimes a girl just wants a box of Mac n cheese with some hot dog cut up into it, which I simply cannot find here.

I've endulged in more of Brazils fantastic nightlife here in the past two weeks. I have done more dancing and socializing since getting here than I think I did in two years back home. I'm absolutely loving it. I tried a type of traditional dance here called forró. I was dreadfully bad at it, but it didn't stop me from meeting great people and having a wonderful time. I hope to do it again soon. 

My Portuguese is starting to improve I have noticed, which has made it so much easier for me to connect with locals here. It's hard to make friends with someone with whom you can't properly communicate, so I'm thankful I'm getting closer and closer to being fluent as the days go by. 

As for now, I am snuggled up in bed after another great day here. It is O dia dos Pais, or Father's Day. I met all of my four grown siblings, their significant others, and my two beautiful host nieces. We had a giant lunch, talked, and laughed. My host father seemed so pleased and I could tell he was very proud to be the parent of such wonderful people. I attached a picture we took today below. It made me think of how lucky to have such a caring father here, and a caring one waiting for me at home as well. I love them both dearly.

For now, beijos lindas.