This week has been a week of learning new things - how to get to the Area Office, how to cross the street and not get run over by a motorcycle (Don't cross at the crosswalks on little streets, because motorcycles come roaring around corners - cross in the middle of the street, where you can look way up the street and way down the street to make sure no one is coming. On big roads, ALWAYS cross at the crosswalks and walk very fast because the time for crossing is very short!)
I learned that things people told me about uneven sidewalks are true-
but some sidewalks are just like in Portugal - very pretty!
The birds here have different songs than I am used to - I hear them singing in the early hours of the morning and they are beautiful, but strange. Definitely not robins!
The food here is really good - very fresh and you can find lots of food that doesn't have the preservatives that our food does. I am seeing fruits that are new to me.
I had my first açai ice cream. And I have seen bananas of all sizes, from very long ones (nearly a foot long) to little tiny ones, the size of my thumb!
There are some neat things here that I haven't seen before - like really cool countertops with edges, so you never have water running onto the floor. And you can dry your dishes without having to worry about where the water will run.
At the Area Office Building, I have my own private office, which is wonderful. That is because I need privacy for counseling. But the other senior missionaries are nearby and I love talking to them. They are really nice and fun to be with. We had a Sister's Luncheon on Thursday, where we all brought our own lunch and just talked with each other.
The Brazilians in the office are so friendly! One, Claudio, worked for Dell Computers and lived in Austin, Texas for 18 months. He misses speaking English and loves practicing by speaking with me. Gislene works here as an administrative assistant and also wants to practice English. She is really nice - so we may have a lunch once a month that is for practicing English. What fun! (Of course, we may have a lunch where we only speak Portuguese - that's just regular lunch!)
Next week, I hope to start seeing clients. It has been a good week!
Comments14
Sounds like a great week!!…
Sounds like a great week!! All of these pictures brought back lots of memories. You are doing great! Keep up the good work. We love you!
Sidewalks
Sidewalks are a bonus. Watch out for the edges turned an ankle on one
We're commenting
Yes we can see it! Glad you're doing ok a week in. Stay safe, especially on those streets!
Love the culture comments !
Sounds like crossing the street could be an act of bravery! I’m sure people who visit downtown Salt Lake City might feel the same way. So happy to hear that you’re making friends in the office and getting acclimated to your surroundings.
Thanks for sharing your blog with us.
Brad & Lorie Bauer
You have that missionary glow
Looking good Sister Cheek!
Eu gosto
I like the countertops! One thing I miss about the bathrooms in PH are that they all have floor drains with edges at the doorway so you can just squirt the whole thing down without worrying about leaving water on the floor. Sounds like your countertops are similar!
Observationd
The sidewalk creations are really interesting; but I agree with needing to watch where you are walking. The stone layers got really creative with bumps and ridges in the ground when laying those stones!
The acai fruit is pretty good--pretty yummy in things like puddings and ice cream like things.
The counter edge would be great here--many times. Then my feet wouldn't get wet and I wouldn't have to hurry to catch the round tomatoes from rolling off!
I'm really glad you've got a lot of positives there. Hopefully the work that is still coming will bring blessings to you and the missionaries. Best wishes to you.
Your first post
I enjoyed reading your first post. Fascinating insights! Please keep them coming. It all makes me dream of touring Brazil!
We’re proud of you!
So fun to hear from you, Cheryl! Sounds like your first week has been a lot of learning and lots of fun! Sounds like a wonderful mission for you. What type of counseling will you be doing with people there in your mission?
We love the pictures in your description of various new aspects of the Brazilian culture that you’re learning. We are very proud of you for serving this mission and stretching yourself like this. We are sure will be a fantastic experience for you.
Diane spoke with Education Week this past week down in Provo. She had chosen to speak on Monday and had four consecutive classes that she taught Monday early morning through about 1:30 PM. She was in a room that seated about 450 to 500 people. It filled up early before her first class began and went into an extra overflow. For a second class there were two overflows and by the time she start her third and fourth classes they were for overflows being used! She was really gratified by the support she received it to her beautiful job with all of her presentations.
Diane and I leave this coming Friday for a week and a half in Germany on a German castle tour. Then we fly directly down to Zambia, Africa to start an African train tour with a new tour group for three weeks. We end up in Cape Town, and fly home from there. It promises to be an adventure! We’ll be back on September 28. We send our love and hope you will thoroughly enjoy your mission experience. We are grateful to be able to read your blog and look forward to more in the future!
Love, Rob and Diane
You look great!
It makes me so happy to see and read how happy you are!!! What a wonderful mission and adventure. The people you will counsel will be so blessed you chose to serve! Be safe and well!
First Week
Sister Cheek! What wonderful experiences. Thanks for sharing them! I know you are doing a great work in Brazil and I am praying for you!
-Brigham
Crossing the streeets
Your experiences there in Brazil sound so much like crossing streets in Vietnam. Please stay safe and sound as you serve the Lord! Our prayers are with you--love from Elder and Sister Seawright
Brazil seems cool
Hey Grandma! It's good to hear from you. It's really interesting hearing about the cultural differences in Brazil, it makes me want to know more about it. Maybe one day I'll decide to live in a foreign country.
The banana!!! Hahaha looking…
The banana!!! Hahaha looking beautiful grandma!!!!