Adventures of Living Abroad

Saturday was such a great day! I feel like I talk so much about the big things that happen that I often do not write about the little things. So here goes... After sleeping in, I ventured out on the 30 minute walk down to the organic market. On my way, I stopped at a cute little bakery called Priscilla's Bakery and bought a cranberry muffin. I put it in my bag and continued my journey to the market.   I was not really looking for anything in particular at the market, but ended up getting some delicious food!  Organic eggs, green beans, figs, cucumbers, granola, and hummus. I was so excited to find hummus at the market since you cannot buy it here at the grocery store!  Next, I walked over and relaxed on a bench at the park across the street from the market since it was a beautiful sunny day. It was time to eat that delicious cranberry muffin and people watch. There were so many people in the park today...walking, running, riding bikes, playing so...

Two weeks ago I was in another dance performance. It was the same hip hop routine we did back in December. Although we had many extra practices and my body was sore and I felt exhausted, the moment I stepped onto that stage it all went away. The energy from the other dancers and the crowd cheering you on is an amazing feeling. I'm looking forward to the next one!  Here is the link for the dance that my hip hop teacher recorded that night. Hip hop challenges me because my body wants to move like a ballerina....graceful, flowing, pointed toes hahaha....

T he day after I took my mom to the airport, I was heading back there for my very first trip by myself! I was very nervous but excited about my trip to Buenos Aires. I have always wanted to go to this city and heard such wonderful things about it, but I was a bit nervous traveling solo. I minored in Spanish in college, but to be honest I forgot most of it. Pathetic, I know, but I haven't used it much and I forget things quickly. I was also a little worried about things getting stolen at the hostel. I'm so glad I did not chicken out because I absolutely loved the experience and felt so liberated! The hostel turned out to be fine. I stayed in a four bed girl room which made me feel safer. I used the locker to lock up all my personal items and all was well with the world :) So let's talk money...I knew I could get a better exchange rate if I went down the touristy Florida Street but  I still wanted to exchange some money for a taxi from the airport and a little extra to sp...

So my mom flew back to Brazil with me in January and we spent two weeks together. I'm so proud of her for coming to visit! It was her first time traveling outside of the country and her first time on a plan in many years. I truly enjoyed my time with her and I'm glad that she came! It took some time for me to relax though because I wanted to make sure everything worked out perfectly so as to not cause her added stress and with my limited Portuguese it was a little challenging. But in the end, I loved it and it was sad to see her go. We had a busy two weeks together... We stayed in Porto Alegre for a few days so I could show her around the city. My teaching assistant met us and drove us around parts of the city as our tour guide for one afternoon! He is awesome! My mom and I in front of the Internacional Soccer Stadium where a World Cup game will be played! Trip 1 - Iguazu Falls in Argentina and Brazil BREAKTAKING..it is hard to describe in words. I could have sat the...

Yes, yes...this trip was over two months ago, but I have been quite busy and have not gotten around to writing about my summer travels. And since I like to keep order in my life I need to start back with my trip home before I continue with anything else. :) It's just like how my pictures in my photo album have to be in order from the beginning to the end of the trip! Otherwise it drives me crazy! Ok so my 11 day trip back home was busy, busy, busy...It began with a moment of panic when I was not able to find my parents in the Newark airport at 11pm and thinking I may just be stuck there overnight since I did not have a working cell phone...but no worries we found each other in baggage claim :) It was so nice getting to spend Christmas with my family and relax for a little. I finally felt in the Christmas spirit being around family, seeing the snow and a beautiful Christmas tree. After Christmas, everything now seems like a big blur...It was just nice to be home and in the comfo...