Adapting

Today feels like a good time to blow the thick layer of dust off of our blog and let everyone know that we are all, in fact, still alive and well. J  It’s hard to believe that it’s already been nearly a year and a half since we moved away from the US, yet at the same time, I feel as though we have lived in Brazil for eons!  Apparently I have still not managed to camouflage well enough to seem Brazilian, as everywhere I go I am still asked “Where are you from?” or more accurately, “De onde você é?”  I must still have an American accent hanging around… (Yes, I'm sure that's their only clue. :)) When I tell people how long we’ve been here, they are always anxious to know how we are adapting so far, how we are enjoying their country so far.   (They are mostly curious about Lissie and I, of course, as Tiago already knows a thing or two about living here. J)  So I do my best to answer in my broken Portuguese and tell them at least a bit of the following information:

I feel more or less adapted to life in our ‘little’ city now.  I am proud to say that in most conversations, I am able to understand about 80-90% of what is being said, and USUALLY I am able to come up with a somewhat coherent response.  Luckily most people are pretty forgiving of incorrect verb conjugation and fill in the blanks when I get stuck trying to think of a certain word.  I’ve also discovered that if I don’t know a certain word, I can usually find a way to describe it or a different word that has a close enough meaning.  Or when all else fails, I play an impromptu round of Charades as I attempt to act out the word.  So hey, communication has improved a lot since we arrived here!  

Lissie has a blast with the neighbor kids.

People often ask how Lissie is doing with her Portuguese as well, particularly when they ask her a question and she hides behind my leg instead of answering.  I’m sure it’s pretty typical for most kids her age to hide behind mom when asked questions by strangers or less familiar acquaintances, so I explain that she understands a lot of what they are saying to her, but she is a little shy about responding in any language.  She’s actually quite impressive when playing with other children, as she automatically starts spouting the kid Portuguese vocabulary and phrases as she runs back and forth across the room. “Laurinha, vem ca!  Olha la!  E o gatinho!” etc. (Fine, here’s the translation:  “Little Laura, come here!  Look over there!  It’s a kitty!”)  So anyway, how is her Portuguese?  I would say she knows a lot more than she let’s us hear.   (Note to self:  Someday I should write an entry on what I have observed about bilingual babies/children.) 

Another way in which I feel I am more adapted now, is I can usually find my way around our city.  I am getting more comfortable with the layout and how the roads are, and I feel less and less terrified about driving into town by myself!  Which is a big deal for me! J  Have I explained in other blog posts about how confusing the road layouts are and how traffic signals are often difficult to see or have been knocked down and also how most of the roads here are cobblestone so that the very vibration of the car as it rolls along adds a whole new element of “Is this how it’s supposed to feel/sound?!”  and how people often just don’t stop at stop signs and pass other cars on single-lane roads and….  How about if I just say that public transportations isn’t really that bad of an option here?  Well, now when there is an errand to run, as long as I have a car, I run it!  Need to pick up a pharmacy prescription?  No problem!  Out of milk?  Not for long!  I still do not drive in or to other cities, but I’m beginning to feel more and more like maybe, just maaaaybeeee I could. If I had to.  If my life depended on it. 

Also, I feel like I am becoming a pretty decent  Amerizilian chef!   (See what I did there?)    I recently received the Brazilian equivalent to the “Better Homes and Garden” red and white checkered cook book, and I am really looking forward to using it.  Rice and feijao (black beans) have become staple foods and appear on the table a minimum of once per week.  We also eat a lot of Shepherd’s Pies, chicken casseroles, and Bife/Lombo Milanesas.  I’ve really enjoyed learning new (to me) traditional Brazilian recipes and cooking techniques.  At the same time, my very American recipe for Brownies has become famous with our fellow church members here, and is often requested for any upcoming activity.  We’ve also been known to enjoy an occasional banana bread, cupcakes, and other miscellaneous recipes I feel like trying that I’ve pinned on Pinterest.   (By the way, Cream Puff Cake = AWESOME!!) 

"Giddy-up, Daddy!"

One other area requiring some adaptation:  the ‘backwards’ weather!  I’ve gotten used to it now (after experiencing all four seasons first-hand last year), but it definitely throws me for a loop to have to wear sweaters and coats in June and July, and break out the short sleeves in time for Christmas.  Just think:  Right now, you’re probably enjoying a nice hot, sunny day, maybe on the lake or swimming at the town pool…  We’re coooold!!   I have on 3 layers while typing this, and am still thinking of grabbing a thick blanket off the couch and wrapping it around me like a cocoon!   Have I mentioned before about the general lack of heating and air-conditioning units here?  Sure, the bigger stores and most restaurants usually have something installed, but on a cold day here, the best way to stay warm is to assume there will be no heat wherever you go and dress accordingly.   I’ve seen cashiers at the grocery store sitting in full winter gear – hat, scarf, mittens, the whole deal - as they slide those items across the counter.   And don’t even get me started on what we wear to church in the winter months!  But pretty soon, you’ll be putting your jackets and long sleeves back on, and we’ll be shedding the extra layers again.  (In case you are worrying, we are one of not too many families here who have a heating/air-conditioning unit in our home.  Now.  After spending most of last winter shivering and huddling together under thick blankets, I’d say this was one of our best purchases yet!) 

There have been so many different things to learn and experience since we got here, and you know, the list only seems to get longer!   So are we adapted?  Well, there are new aspects to adapt to every day.  But as long as everyone can figure out what word I am acting out next, I think we’re okay. J