Americazilan Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Its thanksgiving here in Brazil as well but just 5 hours earlier! Its okay when i was done with dinner and dessert, my family in the states was just getting ready. The first thanksgiving without my family, but with all my new and wonderful friends in my program. So we decided that we really wanted to have the holiday for us still, because it is a American holiday (even though it has many flaws pertaining to the indigenous tribes of north American) we Americans wanted to celebrate it as we do at home. So even thought we lacked many ingredients that we have access to in the states, we did what we could and made it work.

I made stuffing from scratch, my first time, and it was amazing. The worker at the store thought i was a little weird because i wanted to buy stale bread to use as breadcrumbs, and tried to get me to buy the soft kind, but it was all good and i got it. Then sauteed carrots and onions and with some chicken broth, oregano, and seasonings, it was perfect! I also tried to make yams (or a yam-like dish), Yams don't really exist here, so i used carrots and boiled them and put brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter on them. They were yummy too. Matt's dad got us a turkey and made the party so fancy and legit. He got out his good silver, and even insisted that we transfer some of the food into prettier bowls than the pots that we made them in. We even found sparkling cider. Overall it was a wonderful collection of food, everyone brought something and everyone was full and happy. For dessert, Haley even made homemade cookies. Even though when we were cooking in her kitchen, her maid was a little confused on what you do with it, and thought it was some sort of pancake and flipped it over and was going to put it back in the oven.

We even listened to Christmas music on my ipod, it was almost like i was home, besides the fact that it was hot and i was wearing a summer-like dress with flip flops on. Although this holiday gives us a reason to think about the things that we should be thankful for everyday, I am really so grateful for this opportunity, every time i go abroad i feel better about myself because i feel like i learn so much every time and that i should be truly grateful for the things i have in my life, and i am. Happy thanksgiving.

90th day in Brazil

Just a few moments ago Mollie reminded me that today is our 90th day in Brazil. I cant believe that i just spent the last 3 full months here, it has been amazing. I always under estimate the experience of living abroad. I think this is the last program i will do during college unless i do a summer abroad, but i want to travel soon after. I always get the travel bug after being away from home, even if it is always nice to come home after being away.

I know my sister is excited for me to come home because she wants her presents and wants me to make her food, because she is sort of incapable of making her on food, and that is why she eats chevy's a lot or making Joe's Crab shack has changed her and she now eats seafood, who knows. No, wait it is Stephannie, she isn't eating seafood. Although i do miss a lot of the food from the United States and am not that excited about that as i am to have to availability to work out and get back in shape. I have been wearing shorts and dresses for the last 3 months and now i need to go back to my jeans.

Yesterday we tried to have a little flashback reunion and go to Pelourinho and dance like we did the first week we were here. The first time was fun we all danced and got to know each other, and this time i wanted everyone to be like that again and just have fun. But because we have been here for 3 months, groups have formed and people that are closer to each other hang out with each other. And there is more of a division among the group. It sucks but it always happens, but i think it was a good effort, a lot of people went to Pelourinho, but not everyone went into the bar like we all did in the beginning. It is kinda suiting because i wanted it to feel like the beginning all over again, because i don't want it to be over. But the reality is, is that it is ending, and it will be over and it couldn't have been like the beginning because its the end.

The tourist season is coming in the Brazil and many Brazilians think that we have just arrived, but we have been here for what seems like forever, and we have grow comfortable and familiar with the city. There is a huge difference from visiting a place than living in it. You actually feel like you live here, and not totally out of place.

Tomorrow is thanksgiving, and it is going to be the first thanksgiving that i haven't been with my family, it will feel awkward but i don't think it will be that bad. I will miss some of the food that we cant get here in Brazil. But we are going to have a thanksgiving at our friend Matt's house and we will be all together so that it will be fun and we'll give thanks for having this wonderful experience all together, happiness and health. :)