2012

This year, I spent New Years with the Buzellis.  It was cool.  In Brazil basically everyone shoots off fireworks.  Since the houses are much closer together, there are basically fireworks going off all around.  It was pretty cool.  Another tradition is people wear close based on what they want the next year to bring.  The majority wear white, for peace.  Most single ladies wear pink.  I did not know that white ment peace, or I would have chosen another color.  That comes from some experiences here as a missionary.  We would enter people homes and ask them if there was something they wanted us to ask for in our prayer. Nearly everyone would ask the same thing, for peace and health.  Thinking about it makes me laugh for some reason and always irritated me that everyone would say the same thing.  When I found out that I was wearing the color for peace, I thought it was pretty ironic.  I bet everyone that is reading this will think that Im weird, but thats ok.  I just think its funny that everyone wants peace in their lives.  Maybe its because its so generic, but whatever.  Maybe other return missionaries from Brazil will understand what Im saying.

I spent few days of the New Year sick.  Nothing bad, just tired, with a headache and loss of apetite.  I think it was something I ate.   Yesterday we went to Goiania to go to the mall and see a movie.  I also get in the pool everyday for a few hours, which I love, and have been relaxing a lot.  I also started looking for a job for when I come back to the US, and working on SEO and PPC marketing for the Accounting firm that Anderson owns.

Not too much going on.

The girls eating their favorite snack, McDonalds

Any thoughts on my hair?  I just dont feel like doing anything to it, so it stays like this a lot.

Another day in Paradise!

Yesterday we went back to Pirienopolis, this time we went on a hike that took us to 3 different waterfalls.  It was great to be in the water.  I was hoping to get some sun, but unfortunately it was cloudy, I continue being very white.

 

Fun Fun Fun Fun

Been a while since I posted.  In the last week and a half, Ive  done a lot.  Nothing glamourous, but Ive had a great time.  Its been great to see old friends.  I left Uberlandia Thursday Dec. 13th and arrived in Goiania early the next morning.  That day I headed to hang out with Regina!!  I met Regina the first week on my mission.  She has been a great friend ever since.  We hung out a while and ended up staying at her house for the night. Wilton, another friend from the beganing of my mission, we laid out some mattresses and slept in the living room.  I stayed between Wilton and Regina's house till Tuesday.  I went to the Christmas party at the first ward I served in and to Church on Sunday to another ward I served in.  It has been great to see so many old friends and visit with them!


On Tuesday, Anderson picked me up and I headed to Anapolis to spend plenty of time with who I call my Brazilian family!  I have been here ever since.  Its been great.  I've spent a few days getting ready for Christmas, resting, I went to Brasilia yesterday, and today I went to Pirenopolis.  It is a small city that is known for the country side and rocks that come from there.  We did a kinda rope coarse in the trees and tomorrow we are going to go back to go swimming in the waterfalls!

Regina & I

Regina, Wilton, and Me

Regina, Loyd, me

Wilton & I

Christmas Table

Thor & I

Katia, Anderson, Bruna, and I 

Me in Brasilia at the JK memorial

New Stadium being built for the World Cup

View of Government Building

Getting ready for a rope course and other stuff in the trees

Bruna with us even though she couldnt do much with a broken arm

Katia making her way through the course

What really matters

So far, this Vacation has been awesome!  I have been to a lot of cool places, and done a few exotic things and will continue to do so.  Tonight was different.  Some of my friends here in Uberlandia planned a Churrasco.  I went over to Lunier's house and a bunch of members came over for dinner.  Its really the simple things that I am loving.  I am so used to being a missionary in Brazil that it is great to not have to do anything or be anywhere.  It was great to see everyone and be able to enjoy myself.  There will be lots of things that I will remember from this trip. but what really matters is the time I am spending with friends and Brazilian family.