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