hollie_g_harrison@yahoo.com
the other one got deleted by the server
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
News!!!
But you should know that I will return home June 27, 2010.
Here is my Itinerary:
27 JUN 10 - SUNDAY
AIR TAM LINHAS AEREAS FLT:3345 ECONOMY SNACK
LV BELO HORIZONTE 320P EQP: AIRBUS A320
01HR 20MIN
AR SAO PAULO GUARULH 440P NON-STOP
ARRIVE: TERMINAL 1 REF: 5HPN7S
27 JUN 10 - SUNDAY
AIR AMERICAN AIRLINES FLT:946 ECONOMY MULTI MEALS
LV SAO PAULO GUARULH 1150P EQP: BOEING 767 300
DEPART: TERMINAL 2 10HR 35MIN
28 JUN 10 - MONDAY
AR DALLAS FT WORTH 825A NON-STOP
ARRIVE: TERMINAL D REF: CRLMBK
AIR AMERICAN AIRLINES FLT:310 ECONOMY FOOD FOR PURCHASE
LV DALLAS FT WORTH 1035A EQP: MD-80
02HR 10MIN
AR JACKSONVILLE FL 145P NON-STOP
REF: CRLMBK
See you June 28th!!!
Here is my Itinerary:
27 JUN 10 - SUNDAY
AIR TAM LINHAS AEREAS FLT:3345 ECONOMY SNACK
LV BELO HORIZONTE 320P EQP: AIRBUS A320
01HR 20MIN
AR SAO PAULO GUARULH 440P NON-STOP
ARRIVE: TERMINAL 1 REF: 5HPN7S
27 JUN 10 - SUNDAY
AIR AMERICAN AIRLINES FLT:946 ECONOMY MULTI MEALS
LV SAO PAULO GUARULH 1150P EQP: BOEING 767 300
DEPART: TERMINAL 2 10HR 35MIN
28 JUN 10 - MONDAY
AR DALLAS FT WORTH 825A NON-STOP
ARRIVE: TERMINAL D REF: CRLMBK
AIR AMERICAN AIRLINES FLT:310 ECONOMY FOOD FOR PURCHASE
LV DALLAS FT WORTH 1035A EQP: MD-80
02HR 10MIN
AR JACKSONVILLE FL 145P NON-STOP
REF: CRLMBK
See you June 28th!!!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Leaving for Nordeste - 25 days of gorgeous beaches - A Viagem Dos Sonhos
I just wanted to say goodbye one last time.
I leave tomorrow very early for Belo Horizonte, where everyone is meeting to get on the bus that will pretty much be our home for the next 25 days.
We will visit all of these places in around this order: Rio De Janeiro, Vitoria, Arraial D'Ajuda, Itacare, Ilheus, Porto Seguro, Lencois, Salvador, Porto De Galinhas, Recife, Natal, Fortaleza, Canoa Quebrada, Brasilia, and Cidades Hospedeiras.
If I can find internet, I will try to update on here about my journey through the northeast (=Nordeste).
If I can't, I will when I get back!
And If I can't, that means you won't get to talk to me or see me on skype for my birthday. I hope that doesn't happen, but that doesn't mean it won't. But keep in mind you will have me for MANY birthdays and you have had me for all of my previous birthdays. [= Brasil will only have me for one.
I will miss all of you a great deal on my birthday. I am hoping it isn't as hard for me as it was on Christmas and New Year's... But I will see. I am hoping the beautiful beach that will be laying in front of my eyes will distract me! haha!
I love you all so incredibly much and miss you even more. I can not wait to be in my mom's embrace again and to give my dad those kisses he used to beg for. And to be Anna's slave again by making her coffee, being her experiments in makeup and hair and getting her whatever she wanted. And to be playfully bullied by Michael and his scary dog. And to hear Julia say "Yum" and "Yuck". And for Vit to rub in Julia's face his lucky coin. And to see Kaitlyn, Christian and Rachel. I miss those three very much. I miss watching them grow up and change. It amused me. I miss each and every one of you so much. Love you all! I hope all of you had good holidays!
Love,
Hollie
--yours forever
I leave tomorrow very early for Belo Horizonte, where everyone is meeting to get on the bus that will pretty much be our home for the next 25 days.
We will visit all of these places in around this order: Rio De Janeiro, Vitoria, Arraial D'Ajuda, Itacare, Ilheus, Porto Seguro, Lencois, Salvador, Porto De Galinhas, Recife, Natal, Fortaleza, Canoa Quebrada, Brasilia, and Cidades Hospedeiras.
If I can find internet, I will try to update on here about my journey through the northeast (=Nordeste).
If I can't, I will when I get back!
And If I can't, that means you won't get to talk to me or see me on skype for my birthday. I hope that doesn't happen, but that doesn't mean it won't. But keep in mind you will have me for MANY birthdays and you have had me for all of my previous birthdays. [= Brasil will only have me for one.
I will miss all of you a great deal on my birthday. I am hoping it isn't as hard for me as it was on Christmas and New Year's... But I will see. I am hoping the beautiful beach that will be laying in front of my eyes will distract me! haha!
I love you all so incredibly much and miss you even more. I can not wait to be in my mom's embrace again and to give my dad those kisses he used to beg for. And to be Anna's slave again by making her coffee, being her experiments in makeup and hair and getting her whatever she wanted. And to be playfully bullied by Michael and his scary dog. And to hear Julia say "Yum" and "Yuck". And for Vit to rub in Julia's face his lucky coin. And to see Kaitlyn, Christian and Rachel. I miss those three very much. I miss watching them grow up and change. It amused me. I miss each and every one of you so much. Love you all! I hope all of you had good holidays!
Love,
Hollie
--yours forever
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Frutal(a city) Para(for) Natal(Christmas)!!!
I'm dreaming of a place that I love
Even more than I usually do
And although I know
It's a long road back, I promise you
I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Christmas Eve will find you
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
If only in my dreams....
This Christmas was a huge change for me, as well for my family. Not only was I not there, but the times have changed and sadly for the worse. None of you have any remote idea how much I would like to come home and help you as much as I can. But I can't. I came here on exchange and I tend to stay until it finishes, but as soon as it is over, I am all yours.
In Brasil, they have a Christmas Dinner on Christmas Eve typically around midnight. Where all the family gathers, they pray, hug, kiss, eat and laugh together. It was during this dinner that I had a meltdown. I lifted my head up from the prayer, and everyone went around to family members saying loving things and hugging each other. I watched this, almost as if from above. Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face uncontrollably. All I could think was: What am I doing here? Where is MY family? I should be hugging and kissing them. Telling them just how much I love and adore them. This was when it truly clicked that I won't have you guys for the next 6 months. 6 more months. Missing my birthday, mom's, Anna's and Mike's birthday.... Dad's birthday was already hard enough. I cried in bed for weeks over him. But Christmas, this was so much worse. This meant not only seeing my direct family: Anna, Mike, mom and dad, but also grandmas, grandpa, my aunts and uncles and cousins, especially Uncle John, Aunt Nancy, Julia and Vit- they never come down to visit. But this Christmas they did. And this Christmas I wasn't there to see them. That just killed me inside. I wanted to run home. But I have to hang on... Already half way there and I can already seen that I have grown mentality quite a bit..
“When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”
~Franklin D. Roosevelt
“Fall seven times, stand up eight.”
~Japanese Proverb
Key idea: I can't give up... At least, not now- not after all I have been through thus far.
But you will be happy to know that I had a sort of 'epiphany' during Christmas. I never realized how spoiled I was.. Do you know that normally, in Brasil, kids only get one present from their parents? I was shocked. But the more I got to think of it, the more spoiled I realized I was. Christmas isn't supposed to be about presents. It is supposed to be about honoring the birth of Jesus. But we never did anything to honor Jesus. Why is that? Because that's how materialistic everyone has become. We should go to church during this time and be with family. It shouldn't be about how big your christmas tree is, how many presents, how many lights you have- it should be about family and honoring Christ. Though in a way, the christmas tree and lights brings families together by spending time together. But sometimes it can still get in the way because it makes us more materialistic.
Since I last wrote, I went to my first ever soccer game since I was 5 years old! haha! I watched my team (Cruzeiro) win! I went with my Rotary Counselor (Flavio). We had a lot of fun!! Now, my team is going to the championship finals. Where only the top 4 teams of Brasil compete and also (I think) a team from Argentina. After the soccer game, my counselor rushed me to get dressed and then to take me to a Jason Mraz concert. I was very disappointed with this concert. It was only about an hour and 20 minutes! I paid 100 reais for this concert! And on top of that, I paid for a VIP ticket and the VIP area SUCKED. My friends and I were so angry. But we still had fun in the little time that the concert lasted. We asked if concerts in Brasil are usually this short. They said normally yes, but the time varies a lot, so you never know. And Brasilian concerts are different from American concerts in that, there is no assigned seatings normally- just assigned areas (because of alcohol and views). People normally stand around and dance the entire time and drink! hahaha!
Later, since school was ending here in Brasil at the end of November, I went to a Formatura (graduation) and a Formatura Party (we don't really have this in the USA). It was a lot of fun! Many of my friends were graduating. So it was nice to see them. The Party was kind of like Prom but less formal and families were invited. Each graduate was allowed 5 guests and had to pay for extras. There was dinner and desserts and entertainment. It was great! It was very different but exciting.
On the way to Frutal for Christmas, we stopped in this tiny city called Araxa. It had this gorgeous hotel and had local artists there. I bought a few small trinkets from the local artists. One was a keychain to add to my Rotary blazer! My host mom told me here that since I have never been to Sao Paulo, she will take me there. She will also take me to Ouro Preto, Tiradentes and another city with a very complicated name. She said we might be able to stay in this beautiful hotel in Araxa too! I am so excited! I will get to know Brasil very well by the time she gets done with me!!
On the 29th, I left for New Year's on my mom's farm. Two of my friends went and almost 20 of my sisters' friends went. It was a lot of fun! Something I learned about the Brazilian New Year's: you know how colors also have symbolism? Like red is for love, green is for money, white is for peace.... Well, each person wears the color with the symbolism that they want for the next year! Isn't that neat!? I wish we did this in the USA! Normally, people here just wear white though. But sometimes people change their minds... After talking with my family and Rick Feezor about just how horrible the economy is in America, I decided I will wear my green and white dress for money and peace. I wanted to wear hope and money, but I don't have a yellow and green dress... I had a lot of fun though, but at New Year's, when the countdown was finally zero and it was the new year... Everyone was hugging their loved ones, calling their friends and family wishing them a New Year's, I couldn't help but cry like on Christmas. I was again without my loved ones. I couldn't help but think, "Why am I here?"
When the world says, “Give up,“ Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.”
~Author Unknown
But I have friends here and family here. They just aren't as close to me as my family and friends back home, and I don't think they ever will. Because sure, they have helped me get through all that I have gotten through here, but you guys possess my past and my future. You know me better than anyone. You know the old me before I came here, and soon you will see and know the new me.
“God places the heaviest burden on those who can carry its weight.”
~Reggie White
Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.
~Garth Brooks
(I don't understand the last one, but maybe you guys do since you are older and wiser than me...)
But I just want to say to everyone back in the USA: keep trying! I know the economy is making you guys depressed, but you have to hang in there! And, as much as everyone hears this and hates hearing it, things really could be worse.... I love you all! Don't loose faith! Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers here in Brazil!
I know many of you were worried that I was near the mudslides in Rio de Janeiro, but look on a map at Betim, Minas Gerais and compare it to Rio. It is a good 10 hour drive away! So don't worry so much! I do know someone who was in Rio at the time and escape, but his friend wasn't so fortunate. I love you all. Never forget that!
Starting January 11th, I begin my 25 day journey in Nordeste (Northeast of Brasil). Since it is 25 days, I will be there for my Birthday. I will visit the most famous beaches in Brasil! I will also visit its national capital, Brasilia. I will try to keep this updated. They told us to bring our laptops, so I guess we will have internet. So you can try to skype me on my birthday, but I still don't know how much time I will have because they have a specific schedule for us each day. If you guys get a facebook, you can look at my photos on there! I have at least over 300 photos of brasil! I have 6 albums on Brasil..... So get one and check it out! And it is an easy way to keep in touch with me. That is how my mom and Anna are keeping in touch.
I'm sorry, I would upload more photos but it just takes too long....
It's a strange world of language in which skating on thin ice can get you into hot water. ~Franklin P. Jones
Language is the blood of the soul into which thoughts run and out of which they grow. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
What words say does not last. The words last. Because words are always the same, and what they say is never the same. ~Antonio Porchia, Voces, 1943, translated from Spanish by W.S. Merwin
Even more than I usually do
And although I know
It's a long road back, I promise you
I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Christmas Eve will find you
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
If only in my dreams....
This Christmas was a huge change for me, as well for my family. Not only was I not there, but the times have changed and sadly for the worse. None of you have any remote idea how much I would like to come home and help you as much as I can. But I can't. I came here on exchange and I tend to stay until it finishes, but as soon as it is over, I am all yours.
In Brasil, they have a Christmas Dinner on Christmas Eve typically around midnight. Where all the family gathers, they pray, hug, kiss, eat and laugh together. It was during this dinner that I had a meltdown. I lifted my head up from the prayer, and everyone went around to family members saying loving things and hugging each other. I watched this, almost as if from above. Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face uncontrollably. All I could think was: What am I doing here? Where is MY family? I should be hugging and kissing them. Telling them just how much I love and adore them. This was when it truly clicked that I won't have you guys for the next 6 months. 6 more months. Missing my birthday, mom's, Anna's and Mike's birthday.... Dad's birthday was already hard enough. I cried in bed for weeks over him. But Christmas, this was so much worse. This meant not only seeing my direct family: Anna, Mike, mom and dad, but also grandmas, grandpa, my aunts and uncles and cousins, especially Uncle John, Aunt Nancy, Julia and Vit- they never come down to visit. But this Christmas they did. And this Christmas I wasn't there to see them. That just killed me inside. I wanted to run home. But I have to hang on... Already half way there and I can already seen that I have grown mentality quite a bit..
“When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”
~Franklin D. Roosevelt
“Fall seven times, stand up eight.”
~Japanese Proverb
Key idea: I can't give up... At least, not now- not after all I have been through thus far.
But you will be happy to know that I had a sort of 'epiphany' during Christmas. I never realized how spoiled I was.. Do you know that normally, in Brasil, kids only get one present from their parents? I was shocked. But the more I got to think of it, the more spoiled I realized I was. Christmas isn't supposed to be about presents. It is supposed to be about honoring the birth of Jesus. But we never did anything to honor Jesus. Why is that? Because that's how materialistic everyone has become. We should go to church during this time and be with family. It shouldn't be about how big your christmas tree is, how many presents, how many lights you have- it should be about family and honoring Christ. Though in a way, the christmas tree and lights brings families together by spending time together. But sometimes it can still get in the way because it makes us more materialistic.
Since I last wrote, I went to my first ever soccer game since I was 5 years old! haha! I watched my team (Cruzeiro) win! I went with my Rotary Counselor (Flavio). We had a lot of fun!! Now, my team is going to the championship finals. Where only the top 4 teams of Brasil compete and also (I think) a team from Argentina. After the soccer game, my counselor rushed me to get dressed and then to take me to a Jason Mraz concert. I was very disappointed with this concert. It was only about an hour and 20 minutes! I paid 100 reais for this concert! And on top of that, I paid for a VIP ticket and the VIP area SUCKED. My friends and I were so angry. But we still had fun in the little time that the concert lasted. We asked if concerts in Brasil are usually this short. They said normally yes, but the time varies a lot, so you never know. And Brasilian concerts are different from American concerts in that, there is no assigned seatings normally- just assigned areas (because of alcohol and views). People normally stand around and dance the entire time and drink! hahaha!
Later, since school was ending here in Brasil at the end of November, I went to a Formatura (graduation) and a Formatura Party (we don't really have this in the USA). It was a lot of fun! Many of my friends were graduating. So it was nice to see them. The Party was kind of like Prom but less formal and families were invited. Each graduate was allowed 5 guests and had to pay for extras. There was dinner and desserts and entertainment. It was great! It was very different but exciting.
On the way to Frutal for Christmas, we stopped in this tiny city called Araxa. It had this gorgeous hotel and had local artists there. I bought a few small trinkets from the local artists. One was a keychain to add to my Rotary blazer! My host mom told me here that since I have never been to Sao Paulo, she will take me there. She will also take me to Ouro Preto, Tiradentes and another city with a very complicated name. She said we might be able to stay in this beautiful hotel in Araxa too! I am so excited! I will get to know Brasil very well by the time she gets done with me!!
On the 29th, I left for New Year's on my mom's farm. Two of my friends went and almost 20 of my sisters' friends went. It was a lot of fun! Something I learned about the Brazilian New Year's: you know how colors also have symbolism? Like red is for love, green is for money, white is for peace.... Well, each person wears the color with the symbolism that they want for the next year! Isn't that neat!? I wish we did this in the USA! Normally, people here just wear white though. But sometimes people change their minds... After talking with my family and Rick Feezor about just how horrible the economy is in America, I decided I will wear my green and white dress for money and peace. I wanted to wear hope and money, but I don't have a yellow and green dress... I had a lot of fun though, but at New Year's, when the countdown was finally zero and it was the new year... Everyone was hugging their loved ones, calling their friends and family wishing them a New Year's, I couldn't help but cry like on Christmas. I was again without my loved ones. I couldn't help but think, "Why am I here?"
When the world says, “Give up,“ Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.”
~Author Unknown
But I have friends here and family here. They just aren't as close to me as my family and friends back home, and I don't think they ever will. Because sure, they have helped me get through all that I have gotten through here, but you guys possess my past and my future. You know me better than anyone. You know the old me before I came here, and soon you will see and know the new me.
“God places the heaviest burden on those who can carry its weight.”
~Reggie White
Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.
~Garth Brooks
(I don't understand the last one, but maybe you guys do since you are older and wiser than me...)
But I just want to say to everyone back in the USA: keep trying! I know the economy is making you guys depressed, but you have to hang in there! And, as much as everyone hears this and hates hearing it, things really could be worse.... I love you all! Don't loose faith! Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers here in Brazil!
I know many of you were worried that I was near the mudslides in Rio de Janeiro, but look on a map at Betim, Minas Gerais and compare it to Rio. It is a good 10 hour drive away! So don't worry so much! I do know someone who was in Rio at the time and escape, but his friend wasn't so fortunate. I love you all. Never forget that!
Starting January 11th, I begin my 25 day journey in Nordeste (Northeast of Brasil). Since it is 25 days, I will be there for my Birthday. I will visit the most famous beaches in Brasil! I will also visit its national capital, Brasilia. I will try to keep this updated. They told us to bring our laptops, so I guess we will have internet. So you can try to skype me on my birthday, but I still don't know how much time I will have because they have a specific schedule for us each day. If you guys get a facebook, you can look at my photos on there! I have at least over 300 photos of brasil! I have 6 albums on Brasil..... So get one and check it out! And it is an easy way to keep in touch with me. That is how my mom and Anna are keeping in touch.
I'm sorry, I would upload more photos but it just takes too long....
It's a strange world of language in which skating on thin ice can get you into hot water. ~Franklin P. Jones
Language is the blood of the soul into which thoughts run and out of which they grow. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
What words say does not last. The words last. Because words are always the same, and what they say is never the same. ~Antonio Porchia, Voces, 1943, translated from Spanish by W.S. Merwin
Thursday, November 26, 2009
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
This Thanksgiving, I have a lot to be thankful for. I have to admit, I do feel very homesick for some of my mom’s wonderful Sweet Potato Casserole on this day!! And to see all of the familiar faces that I know and love, but I realized that I have familiar faces that I know and love here too now. I wish very much to there with you, my family., but just know that I love you very much and miss you tons! But, I am very excited and enthusiastic to share my cultural traditions and to learn new and different cultural traditions for the holidays.
First, thank-you Lord for all you have provided. This time last year, I was praying very hard for you to grant me this opportunity, and a short few weeks later, you answered my prayer. This year, I have been praying for your guidance on this exchange, which you have also granted. I have many friends here that have introduced me to more great people and have taken me on many ‘adventures’ here in Brasil, and I know that you are to thank for that. Thank-you for leading me to these wonderful people. I don’t think I could have made it this far on my exchange without them. You have blessed me with safety, food, great people, many opportunities, etc. I can not thank-you enough for your continuing love, guidance and protection.
Second, I’d like to thank Rotary, once again, for this amazing opportunity. Without you and your support, this wouldn’t be possible.
Third, I like to thank my family and friends back home in the United States. I know it took a lot of courage and love to let me go on this exchange, especially for my family, David and Tyler. You guys are sacrificing a year without me there, and I know it is very different and hard because to me, but it has also been very hard without you. But know that I love you and never stop thinking about you. I wish you all were here to share these experiences with me, but I know you will be there with open arms when I return home. Last, but certainly not least, thank you for your support while I am over here. I have truly appreciated all of it.
Fourth, I’d like to thank my new friends here. Without them, these first four months here would have seemed immensely more hard (I will have been here for four months on November 30!!). They have helped me create my home here, and I couldn’t be happier for that. They have helped me push through all of my many struggles here and have helped me when I make a complete idiot out of myself because of cultural differences. They are patient with me through my difficult times, and I couldn’t be happier that I was so lucky to find such great friends. Today, I finally get the opportunity to repay one of them by being there for her like she has been for me, and I couldn’t be happier that she has turned to me for her problem. I just hope that the Lord shows me the way to help her.
Now back to catching up to today, with the last entry, I had ended on September 26th:
On October 7th, I left my high school (Colegio Tiradentes) here to start at a local university (PUC). My class, Turma 303 made me a going away party. Everyone brought food, and they all made a toast and sang a song to me. At the end of the day, I made a speech in Portuguese for them, and I read it in the last 5 minutes of school that day. Many of them cried as I read about my first day there and all of our memories. This class meant a lot to me because they were my FIRST friends here in Brazil. They were the ones that were patient with me and my Portuguese. They were there when I was so frustrated that I wanted to scream and punch someone. They were there when I was so sad that I cried because I missed you guys. They were there for it all and did their best to help me.
That weekend, we had a holiday, so we had school off Monday. So, I went on a trip to Juiz de Fora with the Araujo family, a local Rotarian family. Juiz de Fora is a big city, so it was fun and interesting to me. I hope to go back there someday. It was very pretty.
October 17th, my friends and I organized a little hangout at Logan’s (the exchange student from Belgium) house. We all brought something to eat. We ate, swam, watched Sex in the City, sat in the sauna, etc. It was a lot of fun! Afterwards, many of us went over to Aloisio’s house for dinner and just to talk. It was good- pizza! haha.
October 23rd, Ludimilla had her sweet 15 party. It was fun! It was themed 1001 Arabian Nights. There were these dancers there. I now want to learn how to do this dance!
October 27th, my main group of friends and I celebrated Babita’s birthday at a restaurant called Habib’s. It is like a burger joint with milkshakes!
October 30th, after my Portuguese class in Belo Horizonte, my host dad allowed me to go out with a group of guy friends around the city! He wouldn’t let me go with any girls because he says it is “very dangerous”. So I went to Aloisio, Marco Tulio (aka Princess), and Celio! I love these boys! They are hilarious. In this photo, Princess fell asleep on the bus ride back to Betim from Belo Horizonte, and NOTHING wakes him up. So we were having fun with him on the bus. hahaha.
October 31st, Aloisio made a Halloween party. I went to help him, Princess and Celio set up for it. Aloisio’s mom got so into it! She made all of these Halloween decorations and foods! It was great! We watched Friday the 13th during the party.... Oh goodness, I HATE scary movies....
November 1st, I went to Sarah’s Grandpa’s farm with her and Logan. Her grandpa started Betim Rotary, so that was interesting to meet him. We rode horses, had a churasco (barbq), swam, talked, etc. It was a lot of fun!!! I STILL wish I had a horse!
November 7th, I went to my friend Arthur’s Birthday party. It was soooo much fun! I tried these weird pizzas that we should SO have in the USA. Both were desserts pizzas. One was chocolate brigadeiro pizza and the other one (mom, you would like this one) banana with like caramel pizza. It was so yummy! haha!
November 21st, I went to my friend Flavio’s birthday. We went to a pizza place, and I again had brigadeiro pizza. hehehe.
Reflections:
I’ve been living with my new host family for about a week now, and I have already seen how completely different they are from the first host family. For this exchange program. you really have to be an adaptable person or be able to become one. I used to hate change. I always ate the same foods at the same restaurants, went out with the same friends, the same everything. Here, I have been exposed to completely new and different people with different dislikes and likes that I have had to figure out. I have been exposed to foods I have never even heard of and ones that disgust me just when I hear their name, but I had to at least try them in order to not offend the people or the culture I am in. I even had to eat pig’s ears, which believe me, is more disgusting than it sounds. I had a burning, gross taste in my mouth for 2 days! I couldn’t get rid of it! I brushed my teeth probably once an hour and drank everything we had in the house to get rid of the taste, but it stayed in my mouth and I disdained it!!! This program really is about becoming independent too and with that, not spoiled. I have to admit that this is working too. I used to be one of the brattiest people out there, but now, I can’t be or I will be proving many American stereotypes right. I’ve learned how it isn’t socially acceptable and that you have to do things you don’t like most of the time. I’ve learned that I can’t have everything. “I can’t have my cake and eat it too,” as much as I would LOVE to. I still have a small spending problem, but that is getting better the longer I am here. I can honestly look around me and see who people are more clearly. I can see who I am more clearly as well. This has been an eye-opening experience to me. This really is the experience of a lifetime, and I really have made myself a new home in a new country like Rotary said...This is home...
“As the end of another holiday draws near, I’d like to take a moment to list all the things I’m thankful for: I’m thankful that no matter how dark things might get, old relationships can still be rekindled. I’m thankful for new relationships that help us realize how far we’ve come from who we were and how close we get when we can really be ourselves. I’m thankful to know that no matter what they say, you can go home again, whether it’s your home or not.” --Gossip Girl
Beijos e Abracos,
Hollie G. Harrison
First, thank-you Lord for all you have provided. This time last year, I was praying very hard for you to grant me this opportunity, and a short few weeks later, you answered my prayer. This year, I have been praying for your guidance on this exchange, which you have also granted. I have many friends here that have introduced me to more great people and have taken me on many ‘adventures’ here in Brasil, and I know that you are to thank for that. Thank-you for leading me to these wonderful people. I don’t think I could have made it this far on my exchange without them. You have blessed me with safety, food, great people, many opportunities, etc. I can not thank-you enough for your continuing love, guidance and protection.
Second, I’d like to thank Rotary, once again, for this amazing opportunity. Without you and your support, this wouldn’t be possible.
Third, I like to thank my family and friends back home in the United States. I know it took a lot of courage and love to let me go on this exchange, especially for my family, David and Tyler. You guys are sacrificing a year without me there, and I know it is very different and hard because to me, but it has also been very hard without you. But know that I love you and never stop thinking about you. I wish you all were here to share these experiences with me, but I know you will be there with open arms when I return home. Last, but certainly not least, thank you for your support while I am over here. I have truly appreciated all of it.
Fourth, I’d like to thank my new friends here. Without them, these first four months here would have seemed immensely more hard (I will have been here for four months on November 30!!). They have helped me create my home here, and I couldn’t be happier for that. They have helped me push through all of my many struggles here and have helped me when I make a complete idiot out of myself because of cultural differences. They are patient with me through my difficult times, and I couldn’t be happier that I was so lucky to find such great friends. Today, I finally get the opportunity to repay one of them by being there for her like she has been for me, and I couldn’t be happier that she has turned to me for her problem. I just hope that the Lord shows me the way to help her.
Now back to catching up to today, with the last entry, I had ended on September 26th:
On October 7th, I left my high school (Colegio Tiradentes) here to start at a local university (PUC). My class, Turma 303 made me a going away party. Everyone brought food, and they all made a toast and sang a song to me. At the end of the day, I made a speech in Portuguese for them, and I read it in the last 5 minutes of school that day. Many of them cried as I read about my first day there and all of our memories. This class meant a lot to me because they were my FIRST friends here in Brazil. They were the ones that were patient with me and my Portuguese. They were there when I was so frustrated that I wanted to scream and punch someone. They were there when I was so sad that I cried because I missed you guys. They were there for it all and did their best to help me.
That weekend, we had a holiday, so we had school off Monday. So, I went on a trip to Juiz de Fora with the Araujo family, a local Rotarian family. Juiz de Fora is a big city, so it was fun and interesting to me. I hope to go back there someday. It was very pretty.
October 17th, my friends and I organized a little hangout at Logan’s (the exchange student from Belgium) house. We all brought something to eat. We ate, swam, watched Sex in the City, sat in the sauna, etc. It was a lot of fun! Afterwards, many of us went over to Aloisio’s house for dinner and just to talk. It was good- pizza! haha.
October 23rd, Ludimilla had her sweet 15 party. It was fun! It was themed 1001 Arabian Nights. There were these dancers there. I now want to learn how to do this dance!
October 27th, my main group of friends and I celebrated Babita’s birthday at a restaurant called Habib’s. It is like a burger joint with milkshakes!
October 30th, after my Portuguese class in Belo Horizonte, my host dad allowed me to go out with a group of guy friends around the city! He wouldn’t let me go with any girls because he says it is “very dangerous”. So I went to Aloisio, Marco Tulio (aka Princess), and Celio! I love these boys! They are hilarious. In this photo, Princess fell asleep on the bus ride back to Betim from Belo Horizonte, and NOTHING wakes him up. So we were having fun with him on the bus. hahaha.
October 31st, Aloisio made a Halloween party. I went to help him, Princess and Celio set up for it. Aloisio’s mom got so into it! She made all of these Halloween decorations and foods! It was great! We watched Friday the 13th during the party.... Oh goodness, I HATE scary movies....
November 1st, I went to Sarah’s Grandpa’s farm with her and Logan. Her grandpa started Betim Rotary, so that was interesting to meet him. We rode horses, had a churasco (barbq), swam, talked, etc. It was a lot of fun!!! I STILL wish I had a horse!
November 7th, I went to my friend Arthur’s Birthday party. It was soooo much fun! I tried these weird pizzas that we should SO have in the USA. Both were desserts pizzas. One was chocolate brigadeiro pizza and the other one (mom, you would like this one) banana with like caramel pizza. It was so yummy! haha!
November 21st, I went to my friend Flavio’s birthday. We went to a pizza place, and I again had brigadeiro pizza. hehehe.
Reflections:
I’ve been living with my new host family for about a week now, and I have already seen how completely different they are from the first host family. For this exchange program. you really have to be an adaptable person or be able to become one. I used to hate change. I always ate the same foods at the same restaurants, went out with the same friends, the same everything. Here, I have been exposed to completely new and different people with different dislikes and likes that I have had to figure out. I have been exposed to foods I have never even heard of and ones that disgust me just when I hear their name, but I had to at least try them in order to not offend the people or the culture I am in. I even had to eat pig’s ears, which believe me, is more disgusting than it sounds. I had a burning, gross taste in my mouth for 2 days! I couldn’t get rid of it! I brushed my teeth probably once an hour and drank everything we had in the house to get rid of the taste, but it stayed in my mouth and I disdained it!!! This program really is about becoming independent too and with that, not spoiled. I have to admit that this is working too. I used to be one of the brattiest people out there, but now, I can’t be or I will be proving many American stereotypes right. I’ve learned how it isn’t socially acceptable and that you have to do things you don’t like most of the time. I’ve learned that I can’t have everything. “I can’t have my cake and eat it too,” as much as I would LOVE to. I still have a small spending problem, but that is getting better the longer I am here. I can honestly look around me and see who people are more clearly. I can see who I am more clearly as well. This has been an eye-opening experience to me. This really is the experience of a lifetime, and I really have made myself a new home in a new country like Rotary said...This is home...
“As the end of another holiday draws near, I’d like to take a moment to list all the things I’m thankful for: I’m thankful that no matter how dark things might get, old relationships can still be rekindled. I’m thankful for new relationships that help us realize how far we’ve come from who we were and how close we get when we can really be ourselves. I’m thankful to know that no matter what they say, you can go home again, whether it’s your home or not.” --Gossip Girl
Beijos e Abracos,
Hollie G. Harrison
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
2 months in
Do you hear me,
I'm talking to you
Across the water across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky, oh my, baby I'm trying
Boy I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard
Happy LATE Birthday Daddy! I tried so hard to get the longggg video I made you uploaded on the internet..
but each website says it is too long and right now, I don't know how to shorten it and all that... still figuring out my mac. but i will try to show you a major important part of the video! [=
HOLY COW!
It doesn't feel like 2 months, but strangely, it is... Being 2 months in, my English has gotten seriously dreadful, so please bare with me here... haha. My family never forgets to remind me of how awful it is now.
Anyway (yes Riley, I did it correctly this time), life here has been so wonderful and amazing yet so stressful at the same time! But I am sure that is as many would imagine! All the changes that my body and I had to go through had its toll... I lost weight... I kept loosing weight... It got very scary to me... I became very paranoid about how I looked because people asked me all the time if I ate anything... and I was, just my body wouldn't let me digest it. However, now my body is only cruel to me sometimes... It still acts ups what you would consider frequently, but to me, it is NOT frequently... It is very nice now... I am so excited for the new few months when it won't act up at all!!!
But I am adjusting, slowly but surely... I can remember when I first arrived and I had to consciously think about where I put the toilet paper after I used to (they don't flush it here, you have to throw it away). I would ALWAYS throw it in the toilet even with me consciously thinking about it and then think "shit! SHIT, SHIT!" (sorry mom and dad but its the truth). Now, I don't even have to think about it... It's natural to me now to throw it in the trash. It's so nice. No more me getting mad at myself for that! [=
Soon after I arrived, it was my host mom's birthday! In Brasil, family is extremely close. So, naturally, all of our family was here for my mom's birthday. Though that wasn't hard because like most families in Brasil, family lives very close to each other and our family is big! My mom knew that family was coming over, but she didn't know we were going to make it into a bigger party by inviting friends, having cakes (yes cakes) and other yummy goodies! The party was a lot of fun! Many of the guests had me teach them American phrases like "much love"... it was hilarious. No one could say moon right! They kept saying it like mewn! hahaha! But yeah, it was a lot of fun!
So, my second week in here, I went to Rio de Janeiro. It was so amazing! I loved it! You have no idea how sad I was to leave... I wished so much that I could have lived there, even with my extremely painful sunburn. We went to this mountain thing where there was a cable to go up to the mountain. On that cable thing was a elevator type thing.... I tried to hard to get on and go... But when it came time, I just couldn't. You have no idea how much I wanted to bottle up my fears for my host family, to show them that I am brave and I could weather the storm. But I just couldn't. I tried so hard. I started to step on, but my foot just wouldn't step. My body shook. All of the stress from my exchange just hit me right there on top of my fear from heights and I couldn't do it. My host dad told me I should because it was about adapting yourself, but I had told him previously and so had Rotary that I have a very bad fear of heights, and you just don't force someone to do that... He understood and they went on and left me there on the safe, wonderful ground. We went to ...**="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UW7yIX_mv1Q/SsOebwZcVRI/AAAAAAAAADI/8-V96u1Rw9s/s1600-h/P8140078.JPG">
I'm talking to you
Across the water across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky, oh my, baby I'm trying
Boy I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard
Happy LATE Birthday Daddy! I tried so hard to get the longggg video I made you uploaded on the internet..
but each website says it is too long and right now, I don't know how to shorten it and all that... still figuring out my mac. but i will try to show you a major important part of the video! [=
HOLY COW!
It doesn't feel like 2 months, but strangely, it is... Being 2 months in, my English has gotten seriously dreadful, so please bare with me here... haha. My family never forgets to remind me of how awful it is now.
Anyway (yes Riley, I did it correctly this time), life here has been so wonderful and amazing yet so stressful at the same time! But I am sure that is as many would imagine! All the changes that my body and I had to go through had its toll... I lost weight... I kept loosing weight... It got very scary to me... I became very paranoid about how I looked because people asked me all the time if I ate anything... and I was, just my body wouldn't let me digest it. However, now my body is only cruel to me sometimes... It still acts ups what you would consider frequently, but to me, it is NOT frequently... It is very nice now... I am so excited for the new few months when it won't act up at all!!!
But I am adjusting, slowly but surely... I can remember when I first arrived and I had to consciously think about where I put the toilet paper after I used to (they don't flush it here, you have to throw it away). I would ALWAYS throw it in the toilet even with me consciously thinking about it and then think "shit! SHIT, SHIT!" (sorry mom and dad but its the truth). Now, I don't even have to think about it... It's natural to me now to throw it in the trash. It's so nice. No more me getting mad at myself for that! [=
Soon after I arrived, it was my host mom's birthday! In Brasil, family is extremely close. So, naturally, all of our family was here for my mom's birthday. Though that wasn't hard because like most families in Brasil, family lives very close to each other and our family is big! My mom knew that family was coming over, but she didn't know we were going to make it into a bigger party by inviting friends, having cakes (yes cakes) and other yummy goodies! The party was a lot of fun! Many of the guests had me teach them American phrases like "much love"... it was hilarious. No one could say moon right! They kept saying it like mewn! hahaha! But yeah, it was a lot of fun!
So, my second week in here, I went to Rio de Janeiro. It was so amazing! I loved it! You have no idea how sad I was to leave... I wished so much that I could have lived there, even with my extremely painful sunburn. We went to this mountain thing where there was a cable to go up to the mountain. On that cable thing was a elevator type thing.... I tried to hard to get on and go... But when it came time, I just couldn't. You have no idea how much I wanted to bottle up my fears for my host family, to show them that I am brave and I could weather the storm. But I just couldn't. I tried so hard. I started to step on, but my foot just wouldn't step. My body shook. All of the stress from my exchange just hit me right there on top of my fear from heights and I couldn't do it. My host dad told me I should because it was about adapting yourself, but I had told him previously and so had Rotary that I have a very bad fear of heights, and you just don't force someone to do that... He understood and they went on and left me there on the safe, wonderful ground. We went to ...**="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UW7yIX_mv1Q/SsOebwZcVRI/AAAAAAAAADI/8-V96u1Rw9s/s1600-h/P8140078.JPG">
^look you can see the elevator thing ^^look you can see the cables and where it ends
^^beach in Rio (for both)
^Corcovado with my host parents ^Corcovado with my host sister (Ludimila) & some random guy
^Corcovado ^different area of Corcovado with city in background!
***to forewarn you, I don't have my personal journal guiding me in writing this entry... So I am having trouble remembering everything... I would have it with me but I have it stowed away somewhere because I don't want people reading it.... So I may have to come update this...
August 22, 2009
Lorena's surprise going away party.... it was so much fun! Almost all of my new friends were invited because they were also friends with Lorena! I tried Brigadeiro (s/p?) here... it is like a little chocolate ball with little chocolate sprinkles on the outside... it is SO good! The richest chocolate I think that I have ever tasted. I remember I bit into it and went WOW that is STRONG but SO GOOD. haha!
^everyone holding up Lorena at the going away party ^^my new friends & I!!<3
^minha nova melhor amiga (my new best friend) ^^ Romulo & I-my new best friend also!
^Isabela, me & Julia<3>
August 26,2009
I went to my first Rotary meeting in Betim Rotary. This isn't my sponsor rotary club. My sponsor rotary club is in Belo Horizonte... about a hour drive because of traffic.. I met the governor of rotary for our state (Minas Gerais). I met Logan from Belgium & ever since, we have been good friends! I love Logan & I can rely on him so much because he is going through a lot of the same stuff as me! Sadly, we are seperated by schools and are on the opposite side of the city from each other...
^my first rotary meeting in Betim & met the Rotary Governor ^^Logan & I (he's from Belgium!)
August 29,2009
The day after my first meeting in Betim Rotary, Logan and his mom called to invite us to Logan's birthday party! Logan was only here for a little less than a week when his birthday came... so they were calling exchangers & friends he would make at school to come to the party! It was fun though! I know Logan had a blast even with the short time of being in Brasil! After Logan's 18th birthday party, Aloisio invited us to a churrasco (Brasilian barbq) at his house. We went to that and had a lot of fun! Everyone kept asking Logan and I about our cultures and we had fun getting to know everyone else as well as each other's cultures...
^At Logan's birthday party! ^^Ludimila (my host sister) & I
^Flavia, me & Natalia ^^Everyone again + Aloisio's mom (Katia)
^Logan & I at his b~day party! ^^blowing out the candles!!
September 1,2009
Number 1 is a very popular school for languages in Betim, but there are many others. When people in Brasil want to learn another language, they typically learn it at a language school like this one... I have made many friends in Number One, but this is my favorite class & I love everyone in it! They are hilarious and so nice!
^At Number One (a popular language school in my city) in a my *favorite* english class!<3>
September 3,2009
Just a random day at school... decided to take pictures for you... like our really HORRIBLE
uniforms??? ugh! military schools!!!!
^Julia & I before school ^^Isabela, me, Lorena & Julia in English class
^my boys & I ^^my class - (minus) Karen + English teacher
September 5,2009
^MY ROOM!!!!
September 6,2009
A Day in Belo Horizonte with my Favorite People:<3
I went to Belo Horizonte, and Babi's cousin Pedro drove us! He brought his girlfriend & I am glad they came because they were hilarious!! We had so much fun! They tried to teach me a song in Portuguese! yeah that didn't go over too well... We went shopping & I finally got some much needed clothes! We also went to Walmart in search of American food... but sadly, there was only American candy, but I'll survive with that! They didn't have much American candy, but the point was that they had some!!!! I can not describe to you how happy I was when I found that candy... I had been so sick... I couldn't eat anything without running to the bathroom afterwards, and then I found this, I felt like heaven opened up... I wanted to cry I was so happy! Something I knew! Something from HOME! Oh, THANK YOU GOD. He was with me in Walmart, I am sure of it... haha. After the mall & Walmart, we drove back to Betim, where we went to Laranja Atomica. A popular restaurant here in Betim. OMG IT WAS AMAZING! I was like OMG this, & OMG that... Nutella milkshakes (by the way) are the best!!! Then, the amazing day had to end... boo. I had too much fun this day!!
^Queen Babi, Romulo & I ^^Brasilian Walmart!!! B, her cousin & his girlfriend
^me and all my fattening American candies! ^^all of us in the car
^Bem vida a Laranja Atomica! (welcome to.. yeah you know) ^^mmmm! milkshakes!
^nutella milkshake & weird frango queijo thing.. SO GOOD THOUGH ^^retards!!! haha love them
^all of us at Laranja Atomica ^^acai!!!! SO GOOD!
^me & my acai! haha diggin' in!
September 11, 2009
This day started out crappy but got better fortunately.. I woke up thinking of Mike & wondering how he was doing... wishing I could be there with him in the USA. On the bus ride to school, "Where is the Love" came on the radio & I knew why (because it was September 11th that's why!). I started crying... I couldn't help it. I wanted to be home, so desperately. I want to hug Michael & tell him that I'm not leaving him, that I'm fine- cheer up- life goes on. But I couldn't. I kept thinking about September 11th, 2001... and what I was doing... and how it was completely different from then... I am in a whole different country! Then, I found out that many kids here wondered how people in America thought of September 11th... Well, they found out by just looking at me. They all apologized and said they understood. All of them hugged me & told me I'd be home soon enough, but they love me and want to see me happy. So I cheered up soon enough. Later that day, I got home and (that means) I got out of my school uniform and put on my USA shirt, my USA colored earrings.... I was decked out. I went out to dinner with my friends & they cheered me up even more! We went to my favorite place, Laranja Atomica! I was so happy, even more happy that I was with my friends. I love them so much...
^all of us at Laranja Atomica ^^Romulo & I
September 12-13, 2009
We had our first Rotary Youth Exchange Inbound Orientation!!! We went to this city... yeah I don't know the name... haha... and then this museum called Inhotim the following day... The first day, they went over the rules with us.... Then we ate, settled in our rooms, went swimming, had another meeting (which then let us see some of Brasil culture including this dance called: capoeira... We danced that night...& there were some birthdays... I learned how to forro because a boy taught me how to do that dance, hehe. The next day, we went to that museum, which was REALLY weird. Me and this kid made jokes that it was owned by the mafia because it was so weird. haha There was one "artwork" full of "blood" and it was just freaky! Another artwork was "blood" and body parts.... SOOOOOO messed up...
^Josh (from Canada & I) at our first rotary orientation ^^Logan & I!
^my roomies in front of our little cottage ^^The German & I [=
^I love this girl!!!!!<3>
^weird art
September 18-19,2009
Babi's old English teacher, Kinko is in a band & invited us to his show... We went and it was so much fun! They sang english songs! I understood!!! hahaha! It was so much fun! Afterwards, I slept over at B's & we watched Gossip Girl (OH I was sooooo happy) & we ate yummy food... Oh i love her!!!
^going to Kinko's show...(B's cousin, B, Kinko,me) ^^B & I<3>
^me, B & her cousin (Camilla) ^^dancing
September 20, 2009
I spent all day with Romulo, Aloisio, Babita & her friend Fernanda! I love them! We went to Betim mall! We shopped and then watched the movie UP! & then did bumper cars! haha! I was the best because I am the only one that has ever driven before... The driving age here is 18.... [=
^"crash crash cars" (Portuguese translation of bumper cars!!!-hahaha)
September 24, 2009
The drawing below was drawn by Igor and is of me sleeping in class... hahaha. I was so tired! He has 2 other copies that he won't show anyone.... [= Later that day, I went to number 1 and there were 2 birthdays so we threw them a surprise party!! It was fun! [=
^picture of me by Igor ^me, B & Babita
^everyone!!
^the invitation (with my name hehehe) ^^the inside of the invitation! look how pretty Sarah is!
^what you needed to get inside...give the doorman ^^my alien hair before the party...
^READY. set. GO! ^^Aloisio, me & Romulo
^everyone! ^^[=
^my girls ^^aww, i love them!
^about to do the Valsa with 15 boys (they are lining up) ^^Sarah's cake & people waiting
^candy bar! haha (MY DREAM) ^Romulo, me & Babita in front of the candy bar
^Iccaro, Sarah (bday girl), Babita, (i dont know who the next girl is) & Gustavo..
((Romulo kind of kept my camera and took pictures of people i didnt know the whole night...))
Okay guys:
I cannot describe to you how much I am in need of my home-y, yummy, delicious, wonderful AMERICAN goodies! I miss them sooooooo much and the food here still makes me sick sometimes... Not to mention, whenever I do a presentation on the USA, I have to bring something American, and the only things I have that is American is the candy you send. PLUS, I move to my second host family today and have no gifts for them! Sooo American candy is much needed now and in big quantities! If you could send some flags and some other wonderful American things with the candy, that would be amazing because because THEN I could keep the wonderful candy to myself and my host family!!! [=
Oh and send some postcards with American things on them please! I am running out, and they are good thank you gifts to people!
I would say that all of you should ship or give this to my parents to ship, but that would be bad because then it would surely get stopped my customs... having so much candy in it. haha.
My new address as of today is:
Rua Sebantisao Melquiades, 236,
Filadelfia, Betim, Minas Gerais
BRASIL
As for the candy, my favorites areeee:
-Bottle Caps
-Peanut M&Ms
-Sour Jacks
-Sour Patch Kids
-Reeses
-HUGS [= mmmmmm!
-poptarts-s'mores flavor
-chex cereal - the plain one with the recipe to Muddy Buddies on the back
-PEANUT BUTTER
-(if you can) toaster strudel!!! (strawberry or blueberry please)
-Skor
-Butterfinger
-sixlets
-jelly belly
-mr good bar
-chocolate turtles
-sour straws!
-crunchy gummy bears
November 20, 2009
I must say, I love my first host family. We had a lot of problems, especially with them being my first host family and being new to the culture (and they have never had an exchange student before), but I love them now. They are very different from me and my family back home, but I adjusted to those differences and learned to love them in a way, which is what this exchange is about. We are supposed to learn about the differences and see how some of them are or can be good and better than some of our characteristics. I am starting to see faults with my own culture and faults of Brazil as well. I see each cultures strengths and each cultures weaknesses. There are things I like about both cultures, but still being American, I tend to have my American bias still. I have had more challenges here, than I could have ever imagined. I really didn't know what I was in for, and as hard as it has been, it has paid off in the end. There are still many, many problems, but I have learned to take them. It reminds me of when my mom used to give me that gross penicillin medicine. I used to HATE taking the medicine and gag all the time, but with time, I grew a routine and the medicine didn't affect me. Now, these problems aren't having much effects on me. I take them and try to make them better. If I can't, which is most of the time, then I tried. As long as I tried, I feel good because I know I did all I could. I can't even name to you all of the problems I have had here, because I have forgotten most of them because there have been so many. This experience truly is learning how to live on your own. Because being here, I have had to rely on only myself to get through the bad. My friends try to help, but again, there is only so much they can do, especially since you are still a stranger to them from another world. I have had to learn many things, but as difficult as it is, it makes me happy to know I have overcome ALL of that.
I go to this next family with open arms and an open mind. I know they will be different, not just because I have already met them, but also because they are different people with different values and characteristics. I am excited to live with them and learn about them and their way of life. I leave this family, sad to leave, but know I will always have them here. We made it through some difficult things and we still love each other. That is all you can ask...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!! I LOVE & MISS YOU.
I'm lucky we're in love every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday
As you can see, I started this post on September 30th and just finished. I know I am 2 months behind, so I PROMISE to do a new post on Thanksgiving with the last 2 months. As you can see, I have been very busy, and yet have become more lazy. haha-(adjusting to the Brazilian way, haha).
Beijinhos e abracos,
-Hollie
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