"Little" Brother

Although he is quite taller than me, he'll always be my little brother...

Today is Richard's bday... and, since I'll have a very busy day today, I thought that maybe it could be a good idea to post my bday wishes early this morning, so I don't miss it! :o)

Rich has always been a great little brother...I know he's the only younger brother I've got..but it feels great having him as family...too bad we live so far away from each other! But, as I said on his wedding luncheon: Rich, you'll always be in my heart and thoughts! I love you, buddy!!! And I'm really happy you found the perfect girl for you!! Have a amazing bday!!!!

Dad's bday!

There are a few things really amazing about having two dads: celebrating their bdays, celebrating Father's day twice, being certain they'll always stand for you (no matter where you are) and your kids - maybe someday for me!, and some others...

Today's my 2nd dad's bday! And there is only one thing that I'd love to say: Dad Mark, I love you!!! You're the best American dad someone could ever have!

And here's one of my favorite pictures of him:

Cookies

Here I am again...

Sometimes I feel really embarrassed coz I wish I could post a bit more...I wish I had enough to talk about...

We had a great family weekend at my uncle's ranch. It was gr

eat

being around family. Since my aunt died about three months ago, my uncle feels a bit lonely, so we are always trying to be near him, specially on the weekends when he goes to the ranc

h with his son and daughter-in-law and grandkid. They usually stay there coz that's the place he feels the most comfortable. We also love spending the weekends there... Unfortunately I had to go on Saturday morning, so I spent less time that I really wanted

to.

We are planning now a long holiday to get some more peop

le

together and make a "Survivor" weekend...that was my cousin's idea...one day, the married women cook all meals, the other day, married men cook all meals, and on the third day, single people cook... Well, not only cook, but do all the work: cooking, serving, cleaning...That will be fun!!!!!

Btw, today I taught my students to cook! Yeaaahhhh....we can

teach that to them too!!! We made Chocolate Chips cookies!!! Isn't that amazing??

Check out the pictures!!!

New projects

Hi everyone!

Before I start watching the film "The Others" with Nicole Kidman, I decided to post something...People told me that is a good movie...so, I've to give it a try! I'm pretty scared by this kind of movies, so I turned on the lights before pressing play...

Another thing I'd love to share with you...after reading JJ and Rich's (Kiki's???) post...I felt really bad for myself since my little brother is able to sew and I've never touched a sewing machine before...for that reason, I've decided to learn patch-working... would that be too much for someone who can't sew? Well, I'm pretty good at cross stitching...maybe it will work for me, right?

So, that would be lovely if you could share your experience on patch-working...I've already bought a magazine which teaches us how to make wonderful things...but, those kind of magazines are pretty hard to find around here...patch-working is not a Brazilian thing, you know...

I've also found some pretty amazing small projects on the Internet and printed them already...I just can't say whether I'll be able to make them...

I'll try to buy some fabric next week to start...I really want to make an apron for myself and I was trying to find a project of a chef or something related to kitchen so I can print/copy and put it on.

Well, the movie is about to start...

Miss you all!

Really busy week!

Tomorrow is still Thursday and I wish it was Saturday!

We have a very busy week and I've been really tired!

First of all, it was dad's bday on Monday...well, I don't think Monday is the best day to celebrate a bday....specially a 60th bday! But, we had about 40 people over for dinner! And, guess who cooked! My mom and I! I had worked the whole day (from 6:30 am til 6:30 pm) and still had to cook for all those people! I don't complain about cooking for so many people...but at the end, I couldn't feel my bones anymore...

Tuesday I usually work in the mornings, but not in the afternoons...however, a friend from work got sick, I mean, really sick...and I was asked to replace her in the afternoon...so, I did...another 12-hour-shift! Lucky me I love teaching...

Today, as usual, teaching in the morning and in the afternoon...wishing I could go home and rest...at least I was able to do my job...

Well, my friend hasn't recovered yet, and I've been asked to replace her again...and I still have to teach private tomorrow evening...will I handle all that?

I'm glad Friday I just have a meeting at lunch time and my group starts at 6pm...I will have plenty of time to recover myself from the week...and get ready for the weekend (which will be as busy as my week!)

Dad's bday is coming!

Wow....dad is becoming 60!!

Tomorrow is my dad's bday...he's not the kind of guy who enjoys partying as much as my mom and I do...but he has agreed to celebrate his 60th bday...last year Bruno convinced him to do so, but he was a bit reluctant...

I've been thinking....how many people in the world is as blessed as me? Who in the world can say that he/she has two amazing fathers? And, three mothers? That's true...I have so many people watching for me... I love being someone's daughter!!! :o)

Well, tomorrow will be a loooonggg day!!!

Why learning a language requires so much effort?

Nothing really interesting has happened in my life since my last post...I haven't done much either...

Well, until this week...Since my job requires a really good English, I decided to join a study group with people who will take the CPE exam (Certificate of Proficiency in English), which is definitely not my case. As I've already posted, I took the CAE exam, and the CPE would be the last one.

I've always felt that despite all my efforts to have a good English, that wasn't really enough. And, somehow I was right! We had two meetings this week, and I felt kind of dumb near some people who hs been studying for the exam for the past two years...I know they've been studying since then and that was my first week...but I felt a bit frustrated...Should I be reading more in English? Writing more? Watching more movies without Portuguese subtitles? I even borrow a book from the school's library ( Master of the Game by Sidney Sheldon) to start my journey on keeping myself a bit more updated!

In case you have more suggestions how I could learn even more...be my guest!!!

Father's day!

Here we go again....another Father's day!!!! My dad doesn't really enjoy Father's day...for him, it's just another Sunday...and, since his bday is coming quite soon, he'll only get ONE gift this year...on his bday!

It will be his 60th bday and mom and I don't want it to

pass without a nice party! So, last night we decided to do something...We've got t

wo weeks to get everything done!!!

By the way, my mom has just told me that the missionaries came to bring the DVD the missionary from the Temple Square promissed us. One of them was Brazilian and the other Sister was from Provo!!! My mom spend quite some time with them (I was working at the day) and told them all about our trip...the wedding...the kids...and so o

n... They even offer help cleaning the house!!! Can you believe that??? Poor girls!!! I'm glad mom said "no"...otherwise, they would leave my house before midnight!!!!

Well, I've to go now...we're going to have lunch out today!!!

Happy Father's Day to all!!!

Back to work and kids...

I just love being home again...traveling is a great thing to do...but I really enjoy being back home...and, specially, being back to work! A weird thing to say...but I do love my job! Not to many people can say that, right?

While at the hotel in Provo, I took some time to watch TV...you know, practice a bit more of English...and there was this advertisement from a certain college...and this girl is saying that not too many people could actually say that they loved their jobs...and then I thought that I was glad I was one of these people who actually liked what is doing!

This semester I got one single group of kids...they are about 7-8 years old...and...oh my...they are soooooo smart!!! I love having them around!!!

By the way...I already miss the kids...too bad I couldn´t catch up with Julie and the kids...I´d love talk to LL about soccer (and maybe, play a little!!!).

My mom was really impressed about the kids...and she keeps talking about them all the time!!! I bet she misses the kids as much as I do! She kind of felt what it is like to be a grandma with Claire and Sydney! So funny!

Well, Bruno is trying to convince Mom and Dad to join him for Xmas in Montreal...he says that December is not that cold...should we believe him? That would be fun!

Just one more thing...I´ve sent a file with all pictures from the wedding that I took...Have you all received it? It´s a zipped file, so I´m not so sure if you could open it...If you didn´t get it...or couldn´t open...just let me know....email me so I can check if there was something wrong!!!

PS: Although I felt myself back in Idaho, I found this truck parking in some small town in the way to Toronto...isn´t that awsome?!?!!

Home sweet home

I still don´t know the real reason why I got so sick...since I boarded on that plane in Montreal to return to Brazil I haven´t felt more than a running nose! No fever...no body aches...no coughing...no burning eyes...just this stupid nose that insists on running!

I was quite happy today to go back to work...am I workaholic? Oh my...

I won´t spend too long today posting anything...I just want to say that everything went perfectly...and I miss SLC and Montreal already...and, of course...pictures from Montreal (just in case some of you couldn´t see my pics on Facebook!)... There are about 400+ pictures...so, I really have to choose just a few...

Time to go home!

I can't really tell whether I'm happy or not for flying back home...

I just got this flu that is making me feel awful! It's not the swine flu...thanks God! But still, I got high fever for the past couple of days...

Everything is ready for us to go home...we had some trouble packing coz my mom decided to buy a few too much stuff at Dollarama ( everything for 1 dollar!)...she even bought a wok pan at Ikea!!!!! Bruno helped her packing so everything could fit in her baggage!

Well, Bruno has download the pictures form my camera to his computer, so, I'm posting some pictures now:

Back from Utah

What a weekend!!! We surely had a busy weekend...but if there is something I could complaint about is that I didn't stay longer...

I'd waited for this weekend for the past two or three months...or whenever Rich announced he was going to marry Janae and I bought the flight tickets to go...

I still can't post any pictures coz I've to download them from my camera to my computer...unless I download all pictures I have ( about 400) to Bruno's laptop...which I don't think would make him very happy...

My mom is still talking about the kids and how lovely they are...

She has a bunch of stories to tell everyone...I could even mention some...but it would take me hours and hours coz there are plenty of them!

It was great seeing how big the kids are...and how this family has grown in such peaceful and beautiful way...

This family is such an example!

I really wish I could stay a bit longer...

I really want to thank all of you for being so friendly and for being so patient with my mom (and me!)...
And...a special thank you to Lyndon who spent most of his time talking to her in Portuguese and translating everything people said around her (I was starting to get a little tired of translating)!!

Rich and Janae, I'm really happy you found each other and I wish you two the best! Sorry for crying at the luncheon!!! hahahahah... Luv ya!!!

Back from Toronto

Here I am again....

On Monday we went to Toronto to sight see a little...the weather forecast said that it would rain during this week here in Montreal and would be sunny in Toronto...so, we didnt even have second thoughts...we woke up on Monday morning and headed to Toronto...a 8-hour trip...

We had walked a lot on the day before our journey, so my legs were still hurting and I could barely walk...resting my legs for 8 hours sounded really nice...poor me! When we finally arrived at our destination, I felt even worse...it seemed like my blood was cold and so that my muscles were lazy...

Well, I;ve got great stories to tell...no doubt, but I'd rather tell them in person!

Tomorrow...SLC here I goooooooo!!!

Montreal- day 2

Hi everybody! I know most of you haven't got the time to read my last post, but I gotta do this before I miss all stories.

First of all, my body hurts!!!!!! Yesterday morning we walked for hours and hours! Bruno, dad and I went for a long walk at the Mont Royal, where you can see the best view of the city ( pictures in my camera still)! My mom stayed home because since we arrived she has a fever! I bet it's more emotional than physical. At least this morning I can see she is much better.

In the afternoon we all took a bus and went to the Cirque du Soleil to see the show OVO, which celebrates its 25th anniversary!!! What a show! It was quite amusing realizing that most of the songs played were from Brazil, and they even sang in Portuguese! That's my second time watching gás shows! And I always feel amazed for the things they do on stage!

After that, mom and dad were too tired to do anything else, so we walked home with them and then left to walk a little more in the city. Bruno and I decided to see Transformers...in English, of course!! It was around 10pm when we arrived home under a heavy rain. We gás planned to see the firework festival,but because of the rain we had to do that from his balcony. Not bad,right?

Gotta go... We still have plenty to walk this morning !!

Montreal- day 1

Hi everybody!!! Here I am in montreal!!!! We had a terrific flight!! We arrived yesterday around 11am local time. I have some great stories to tell about this!!!! Ahahahaha
Well, first of all, I really thought I'd take some advantage on being one of the few people around here speaking Portuguese... Shame on me!!!! We were at the bagage claim area trying to get our luggage back and we couldn't find my mom's. I started teasing her saying that she would have to buy new underwear. Not my surprise, the guy from the airport started speaking Portuguese to me!!!! I was sooo embarrassed!!!
Then, we took a taxi to come to Bruno's apartment. He's got a fine place to live. Since it was close noon, we decided to have lunch. Near bis place there are some great restaurants to choose. We chose a Greek place! My dad used a Visa travelling card. That was his first time using it and we thought everything went just fine. Well, when we tried to use his card again in other stores,we realized that it was blocked and the waiter hadn't seen it!!!! We came back home quickly and returned to the restaurant to pay again our bill!!! The waiter's face and gratitude were priceless!!! The owner just couldn't believe that someone could actually return to pay such bill and that was the first time a costumer did that at his restaurant!!! We left the place quite happy (and surprised, I must admit) for being honest!!
I've already taken some picture, buy I'm using my brother's ipod to post!! I promisse to post some of them soon!!!

Here I am....

Here I am...staring at my luggage...and wondering...shouldn't I pack some more clothes? I'm trying to take as less clothes as possible...and, after watching my mom packing...I got this weird feeling of packing too little clothes for a 15 days trip...

I've always packed winter clothes...I have no idea what to expect from the American/Canadian summer! If it's about the same temperature we're having right now, I should pack at least one more coat...

Tomorrow I'll get the dress I'll wear at the reception...I'm taking a scarf in case it gets a little cooler...

Hopefully I'll be ready by tomorrow...or Wednesday...

I didn't have much time to organize my life better...I just hope everything will end alright.

My flight is scheduled for Thrusday 9th, at 6:20 pm. Arriving in Montreal at 10am (+1 day). Heading to SLC on the 16th, around 12pm (I've to check that). And, arriving there at 7:54 pm. We'll stop in Washington,DC in the way to Montreal...and in Chicago in the way to SLC...I'm a bit concerned about the number of hours we'll have in these two airports...no more the 3 hours in each of them!

I wish I had more time to visit Twin Falls...it would be great showing my mom where I lived and studied...I'd love to see my old teachers...neighbors, etc. (I keep wondering, how old are those boys who used to live cross from us? They were really little...I still remember the cookies they made and the card wishing me good luck and a safe flight!!)...

Gotta go to sleep!

Hope to have some pictures soon!!!!

Few days left....

I've been counting the days to my trip...I'd be more anxious if I wasn't so busy right now. School is about to end the semester and I have plenty of things to do before thinking about packing...

Remedial classes for weak students, correcting tests, preparing classes and revisions for the finals, updating my teaching records...for my 6 groups...

I still haven't found a dress for Richard's wedding...but I promisse next weekend I'll find some time to finally buy one...

I actually thought about buying something after I arrive in Montreal, but that would be too risky.

Hope everything is a bit more organized around there than it is here!!! :o)

Valentine's Day dinner

As mentioned before...here are the pictures from our dinner:

Valentine's Day

Next Friday is Valentine's Day here in Brazil...and, as usual, me and some friends are going to celebrate it together...

It became a tradition for us...You've been celebrating Valentine's Day together since 2004 and we don't miss one single year... I usually cook for them...or we have a fondue (since it's almost winter here).

I always make sure we have something new to surprise my friends. This year I decided to make something so that they can all take it home, as a souvenir...here's the picture:

So....HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!

Sorry...I just couldn't NOT post

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frMz9s3OLwY

My new baby...

Cooking has always been a passion...something that I do for hobby..

Here's one of my new babies...Vanilla Ice Cream with strawberry jam and chocolate crust...except for the ice cream, it's all homemade! Check the pictures and tell me what you think!

Ready to go!!!

After almost 5 years...here I go againnn!!!!!!!!!!

Can you believe that?? I'll be able to attend Richard's wedding!!!!!!!  

I've talked to my boss and she allowed me to travel a week before the end of the semester...so, I'll be flying yo Montreal on the 9th, spend a week there before the wedding...and on the 16th (Thursday), I arrive in SLC around 8pm.

My mom has been so excited about this trip that I'm quite surprised!!! My dad decided to travel with us, but he's not attending the wedding...he decided to stay with my brother for the weekend instead...Bruno won't be able to go because of the work visa...he's trying to renew his visa and it takes a little longer than he expected and it won't be ready until the day of the wedding...so, he won't be able to leave Canada.

I really happy I'll be able to attend Missy's baby blessing (and my first American BBQ- will it be a traditional American BBQ?)... 

Just let me know if any of you want anything from Brazil...

Can't wait to post thousands of pictures from this trip!!!! 

Traveling plans

Hey guys...

We´re getting our tickets this month....probably in the end of this month, to be more specific....

My dad is not going anymore....Bruno has made a great offer to him this morning and he decided to travel to Italy in August instead to celebrate his 60th bday....so, it´s going to be only my mom and I...

We´ll leave on the 16th July, rent a car, go to the hotel, and then phone you to tell that we´ve arrived just fine... :o)

We´re trying to find a hotel near the temple, so it would be easier to all of us... I just need a car with a GPS device!! hahahaha...

We won´t stay too long coz we still have to fly to Montreal on the 19th...so, you don´t have to worry about us at all... :o)

I´ll give more details soon!!!!

I can't wait to see my other nephews and nieces!!!!

PS: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY EVERYONE!!!!

A time to remember....

Can´t wait to have more pictures taken....hope this is going to be pretty soon!!!!!