Holiday…

As I´m  a Brazilian, people usually ask whether I dace the samba and go out on the streets half naked during Carnival. Well, it is culturally very interesting indeed, but I am not that kind of Brazilian. My brother is, he would tell more things on that. What many people might not know is that I´m also a Protestant, so I tend to be a bit more conservative in terms of party. That does not mean I dont have fun.

As the Carnival is usually a 4 to 5-day holiday, it is usual for people from churches to gather large groups and travel to resorts. Among the activities, we have bible studies and devotionals, and some spare time to organize ourselves in groups for presentations. People who organized the groups( 12 groups of 13 people average) tried to join persons that had nothing to do interms of relationship and age. That made  us know better people that we usually said “good morning” or “good evening”.

The Olympiad was our theme. We had to create a name, flag and brazon for each group.. all in Greek! Then, among the spare time there were some games… It was fun. And  the place was amazing as well. I returned home exausted. But heart is full of the words of God and the relationship  with people from church even better. I´d like to share some more pictures with you guys. More to come as soon as I get my new scanner.  As for me… that was a nice chance to get my energies back before classes start.

Here you are.. the resort. Not too far from São Paulo, but far enough for us to breathe some fresher air and see a deeper blue sky… Click on the pictures to enlarge.

People watching the carps..

The carps…

Oh, some radical sports…. hmmm….. I just took pictures

This is the place we used to go for meals.. Did I mention the meals were great!!!?

Presentation of the groups… Was fun!

Cool people talking in the afternoon… Very good friends as well!

And for those who wonder  why do I love green places… Just check the jungle where I live in.

Prom

Some time ago I talked of my Last year high school students. They formed a new group in the school last year, and was a challenge to us as teachers to gather different knowledge and prepare them to the test they are supposed to take in order to enter a University or College. 

Well, not only the work was well done by the end of the year, but we ( all of us from the school; teachers, director, coordinators) were proud of them.  What I didnt mention is that we also had an 8th grade group going to the first year of High School.  They also deserved a prom party, and it was on the same day as the other group.

Below, the High School kids…

The 8th Grade at school….

Here they are in the classroom. Can you imagine me teaching them???

Prom day. All the girls in blue. They were gorgeous…..

Most of them are already at College… Nice, isnt it?

The boys of the 8th Grade. Still 3 years to go before College….Phew!

Some of us. Teachers, Secretaries and coordinators. A student of mine has more pictures, I´ll get them later and post them.

Now the school year has begun. Lots of new students and old ones returning from long vacation( as we´re in the Summer here). It was a nice week, a week of introductions before the next holiday of Carnival. It was a pleasant experience. As it is my second year working for this institution, I guess I´ll have a much better year. Hope I have more to share soon.  For you all… see you guys after Carnival.  I´m travelling to a resort with people from church and I´ll sure have more to tell when I return.

Take care you all!

Três Corações

I didn’t take many photos but I guess it is enought to have an idea of the place. The city is about 5-minute drive away from the farm.

Below, the Statue of Pele. Ok, they dressed it in Santa Claus… I know, I know… Terrible…

magic…

I awaken to the sweet sounds of birds lazily chirping for the morning suns rise,
They do this everymoring as if awaiting some sweet suprise,
And the dews on the leaves of the maple sit stubbornly on its leaves holding everyones dreams,
And there i lay in a state of serenity, pure serenity, and I smile with a gleam in my eye,

Magical things happened last eve and I shall not forget the warm breeze,
The soft damp sand laying quietly under my feet as we walked so carefully,
Your hand draped loosely around mine so warm and right,
The feel of your damp salted lips caressing the nights air,

I shall never forget and never want anything more from that moment,
It felt like a sleepy dream on a king’s bed with gold all around you,
The warmth of your soul is still fresh in my head and revives my soul everytime i ponder about it,
And it leaves me longing for more, more of you, more of your love, and most of all more of your heart.

Trip

Oh, yes, about my 7-day trip to the farm…. Third year in a row that I spend Christmas and New Year´s there. I don’t get tired at all. Each time there´s something nice to know about, to learn about and also something nice to to. This time I could get my mom to join us for the New Year. I could also realize  how the teens grow fast, most of them were already dating… I also got convinced that I do need a better cam or even a digital camera. My pictures are so blur! So sad I have been living by myself and now things are too much more expensive. I´ll see what can be done about that. Anyway, Our Christmas was sunny as usual. Eventual rains to freshen up air and put away bugs were welcome.

Below, two pics from the view I had where I used to read. On the first picture you can see Duke, the farm dog. He´s sooooooo adorable….

The Christmas tree full of gifts….Hehehehe

My friend with the bell to let us know dinner was ready. On the left, her husband. Funny man!

Everybody….

Duke and Maggie

The men cooking… I could only enter there to “steal” some wine and take this picture….

A part of the living room. Some people playing cards…

Before the Christmas dinner we all sat together for a Devotional. On Christmas, we talked about what it means to be Christians in a world like this, and the main reason we were there together. We mentioned the importance of the birth of Christ and His death, what many people ignore or don´t even know about. Before New year´s our main idea was to think of the importance and the difficulty of living as Christians. Hard task if one has not got the understanding of God´s words, that  may answer why I´m hooked on it.

And I could rest a lot. I had a very stressing year, and this one won´t be different. The difference is that I kind of know what is to come, so that I can be more prepared.

Next blog I´ll post more pictures of the city near the farm. It is the city where Pelé was born, that might interest a bit.

Take care

Simple

This was a for sure a special year to me. Unfortunaltely I have been so busy till now that hardly did I have time to blog. But I´m traveling tomorrow and finally I´ll get some rest. I will be back in a week with news and a more constant blogging. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a new year full of Blessings.

Take care, you guys

Thanksgiving

One bad thing about not owning a digital cam( yet) is the fact that I have to wait till people send me pictures for me to finally post. These for example…

We do not celebrate Thanksgiving as people do abroad, but we take the opportunity as English School, to teach some culture and get students and friends together. As Christians, we also feel like thanking God for every grace throughout the year.

This year, the meeting was in my building and that was great, because it was a larger place and every year we get more and more people coming… Anyway, let me show you all..

Below, that´s my boss. We usually start events like this by making people interact and also have a chance to know each other as we gather the whole school.

The result…

Before showing the food, allow me to say that we did pray before eating. But as it is a solemn time, no one took pics of that time. So…. I show you the food!

Boss cutting the turkey…

People serving themselves while….

Others steal desert in the kitchen????

Let me count….

That´s all for now.

 Releaf.                                                   Saint Peter   

Last week of classes, and I still have a bunch of tests to correct. But I finally managed to go out after a  long , long time….. I went there and could have my favorite meals ever..

Hmmm Bliss….

Photos later!!                                                               

   Frozen Yorgut                                                                               

Graguation….

These guys are graduating soon. They are my firts group of 3rd year High School. Their graduation is in about 2 weeks now. Las week was my last class before the final tests. I told them I´ll never forget them because they were my first chalenge and also because they were one of the coolest groups I´ve ever had… Will Miss them all!

Love you; Juliana A., Nathalia, Juliana Star, Andressa, Janaina, Joyce, Ju, Danilo, Malu, Bruna and Bianca…

Where I hide

One good thing about living in a city like São Paulo, is that everything is practical. Everything´s near, I dont even need to go far for anything I may want.  I got subway, bus terminal, drugstores, markets, malls, gym, restaurants, bars, schools and all sorts of facilities close to me. I got nature as well, as the part of the city where I live in is surrounded by  Cantareira ridge. What I actually i dont have is time to unwind and recollect my energy. I love doing that by traveling! And it feels even greater when I´m able to do so with friends. I have got some special souls here. There´s my friend Chrysane who has recently moved to a city close to here. She is not that far, but she manages to live in a very nice place. It is a farm, and a pleasant place too. I must say she and her family are special enough to make their home even more special. There are some pics of her place and its surroundings… Already one of my favorite places to hide…

 a closer look at her home:

Sharing…