No more day dreaming

My flight is scheduled to leave TOMORROW at 4:15PM. Tonight mom and dad are having a get-together at our restaurant to celebrate birthdays and wish me a happy farewell. To be honest, I am more excited about the party right now because I cannot fathom what I am about to embark on tomorrow. I am scared, excited, nervous. Yesterday I needed a lot of hugs from mom to calm me down. The good news: I am packed.

Yesterday was my father's birthday. He worked almost completely through it. Exactly four days before that was my sister's birthday and she had three full-length exams to take. My family is always working for the better, an influence that has lead me to this trip. I want to take the birthday people in my life for all their love and I wish them all the luck in the world.

Jessica and I went out for one last American meal yesterday. We went to the Bad Waitress. The hostess was pretty rude, and I'm not sure if that comes with the theme of the restaurant. After my family and friends, I am going to miss food the most. Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Indian and new age vegan/vegetarian cuisine is super exotic in Brazil, and it costs a pretty penny. I'm holding on to a giant tub of peanut butter with all my might. Mark my words, I am not eating rice, beans and eggs for the full four months I am there!

My itinerary? Minneapolis/St. Paul -> Atlanta -> Brasilia -> Belém. I arrive in my final destination 9:45 AM Central/10:45 Eastern on Tuesday. Belém is three hours ahead of central time.

I'm nervous. But I'm happy.

Today's Mission:

Find something that absolutely frightens you and participate in it!

Did you know?

That my mother is published?

My mom's thoughts about raising children in a foreign country were recorded in this book. It's now being re-published to serve as a tool for SEED and college classrooms. I vaguely remember this from my childhood. I was eight when it came out. I never gave my parents as much credit they deserved. When I was little I thought they were dumb because they weren't American. It's funny, because now I thank whatever force in the universe for my cultural heritage. My folks a pretty progressive for their time and they instilled such beautiful values in their kids. I am forever grateful to them for giving me such open eyes.

Speaking of childhood, I found some pictures while cleaning my room. This one is from my very first trip to Brazil. I was two and mom decided to have me baptized in her mother's homeland. Mom is proudly holding me to be blessed by the priest. My godparents are seen in the background talking to the man with big glasses. My mom's oldest brother is my god dad and her old boss is my god mom.

Here I am with my godmother Teresa, eighteen years later:

Here's a cute pick from my second trip to Brazil. I was seven and decided to climb a guava tree on the property of some relative's restaurant. I'm smiling in this picture but only a few minutes later I would be bawling because I couldn't figure out how to come down. Look at that chubby little foot!

Here I am eleven years later, back up a tree. It was my first year at New College and I totally joined the tree-climbing club. Some things never change.

Thanks mom and dad for the beautiful memories.

Today mission: Be grateful for your cultural heritage.

Belém do Pará

Most of my trip will take place in the northern city of Belém. Belém is one of those places that you should know about, but have never heard of. Most Americans know of Rio de Janeiro and São Paolo, the tourist destinations in the south of the country. A few more will know Brasilia, the capital city. However, Brazil is the fifth largets country in land size and there are even more amazing places than the biggest cities.
Belém is the capital of the state of Pará. It is located in the Amazon river delta. As early as a hundred years back, this city was still considered part of the jungle. Now it is a thriving metropolitan area, as advanced as many cities in the United States. Many of the European and North American explorers started their journey into the Amazon from this city, including Theodore Rooselvelt. (There is a river named after President Roosevelt in the Western Amazon called the Teodoro. He um..."discovered" it.)

My journey will be one of great contrast as I move from the "gateway" city of the Amazon to the forest proper. It is going to be extremely exciting to see so many different lifestyles in such a short span of time.

Some good news- I was selected to be a travel correspondent with Reach the World. This non-profit organization offers travel experience for at-risk youths. I will be blogging about my trip on a separate web-page so that elementary school students can see the world through my eyes. Being a student who never had a strong multi-cultural mentor outside of my family, I am very happy to do this. Hopefully I connect with the kids and they can see a world worth saving.

I just have a few more days in the States and I'm not sure how to live it up. Lately I have simply been lazy, watching television at home. I need to figure out a way to be active for the few weeks I have left here.

Wishing you all the best and will update more frequently.

Today's mission: Skip one of your luxuries and give that money to someone who needs it.