Keeping Perspective...

  As time in the motherland winds down for Graham and me, I am looking forward to being reunited with Jason, so our little family of three can be together again.  Jason's time away is always hard enough; but, it has been extremely difficult (especially for Jason) with Graham in our lives now.  The plan is for Jason to return to Louisiana within the next week or so in order to fly back to Brazil with Graham and me a week later.   Graham and I will return to Louisiana in late September and November for his 4 and 6 month immunizations.

  In the meantime, I have begun prepping for our return to Brazil, which usually consists of making long checklists of goods to bring with us and combing through pages of suggestive "What and What nots" on the Macae Expat Facebook page.  It is no secret that our lifestyle in Macae has been quite a humbling change from the luxuries we were so accustomed to in Singapore.  Recently, one Macae Expat, Catharina Laporte shared her "parting" perspective on life in Macae on the Macae Expatriate page--her post really hit home for me.  Needless to say, Catharina Laporte's musings have renewed my appreciation for the opportunity life abroad lends.  I  thought I would share her fitting posting with you.

Below is her post.   

Catharina Laporte

"Leaving again tomorrow…some parting thoughts…

I’ve been coming back and forth to Macaé for many years now – the first time I came the Hotel DuLac in Lagoa was the biggest and fanciest place to stay… and the road along Cavaleiros beach was a dirt road… and the kiosks at Lagoa were grass huts run by dope smoking hippies. My how things have changed… Here’s some lessons I have learned about this wonderful place that I want to share:

 • Even if you don’t think you have the body… buy a tiny bikini (or budgie smuggler if you’re a fella) and walk down the beach with pride… strut your stuff, head held high, love your body no matter what age or shape you are… wearing a bikini on the beach in Brazil is the MOST liberating feeling in the world. (Ok so this one is out of the question...lol!)

 • Anytime you are in the grocery or Horti-fruiti and you see a vegetable or fruit you don’t recognize --- BUY ONE and try it! This way you discover and experience the amazing flavors of Brazil: I discovered graviola (soursop), maracuja (amazing passion fruit), pinas (sugarsop or sugar apples) and some amazing leafy green vegetables this way --- broaden your horizons!

 • If you can’t find it in the store… make your own or grow it! We make yogurt, cheese, sourdough bread, bagels and crumpets… we also grow a lot of herbs ourselves… if I had the space I would also grow veggies. What a great opportunity to teach your kids where food comes from and the pleasures of gardening --- in the climate here everything grows!

 • Don’t pine and crave for those things you can’t have (which in my opinion are few and far between)… instead delight in those things you do have --- you are in a different culture, a different climate, a whole different world --- embrace the experience and use this time to experiment with the new flavors, the new culture, and the new ways of thinking.

• Be a good ambassador for your country but be respectful of the host country as well. You are their guest. If you have kids, this is a wonderful opportunity for them to learn how to be respectful multi-lingual global citizens.

 • The only way to learn the language is to get out and speak it --- every day! Be brave and fearless --- speak to anyone who will speak to you --- store keepers, people in the streets, bus drivers – everyone and anyone. Locals love it when you try. Turn on the subtitles on the TV and learn to read the language. Pick a tune you like on the radio and learn the words (Ivete Sangalo or Paula Fernando are excellent for this). Laugh at your mistakes and realize that there will be good days and bad days – but everyday you’ll be better.

 • Be streetwise and safe… because of the huge disparity in income we can expect crime. Dress down and don’t flaunt wealth. To put it in perspective: the guy sweeping the street probably supports his entire family for a month on less than you sometimes pay to have your hair cut and colored.

• Enjoy!"

How appropriate...

On a lighter note, here are some recent photos of our little Graham-Graham...growing way too fast I might add!

He didn't quite think he had the best seat in the house to watch the Olympics...

                                                                                  

I love bath time!

Graham even had an estate sale outing to New Orleans with my mom, aunt, sister and me this past weekend. 
Jason's mom made his little outfit.

Graham and his buddy Hayes Leitner

                                                                                                                                                                                        

Blogging from Brazil

Oi! (One of the few words in Portuguese I know...)

  So our new adventure in Brazil began Monday.  Departing from New Orleans Sunday evening, we arrived in Rio early Monday morning by way of Houston. I must say that the 10-hour flight from Houston is a much easier flight than the long, arduous one to Singapore. Not to mention, there is only a 2-hour time difference between Louisiana and Macaé, so we should not have a problem with jet-lag. The only downsides of the trip were the long wait to clear customs and the 3-hour drive to Macaé from Rio. Fortunately the drive seemed to pass quickly as our English-speaking driver, Marcello enlightened us on the Brazilian culture and answered a slew of questions we had about the area.

  Today we were taken on a tour of Macaé. Our guide, Maria took us around to the hospitals, shopping markets, residential areas, a Catholic church, Wal-Mart (Wally-World may be our saving grace!), the oil and gas area, seaside restaurants, and schools. Maria helped to ease our minds about some initial concerns and shared many insights about living in this part of the world.

  Tomorrow, Jason heads to the office to meet his new colleagues and learn more about his position.  So, I plan to spend some time learning Portuguese; and,  if I get brave enough, I may venture out.  Thursday is a house-hunting day for us, thus, we are both axnious to a find a suitable house and neighborhood as this may be home for the next few years. 

  Riding from the airport to Macaé on Monday, it became quite evident that the lifestyle we were accustomed to in Singapore would be a far cry from the life we will have in Brazil. Jason pretty much summed up our thoughts when he leaned over and jokingly remarked, "Alaina, we aren't in Kansas anymore!" Though Singapore probably spoiled us in many ways, Jason and I agreed that we would keep an open mind. And so, aside from the language barriers and primitive ways here (yes, we did see a few donkey-drawn carriages during our tour of the city today), the beaches are nice; the weather is tropical and breezy; the food has been tasty; and the locals have been most pleasant. While adjusting to our new way of life and surroundings may prove to be a challenge, I am sure in time we will grow to love Macaé and all it has to offer. If nothing else, this assignment has already made us appreciate the American way of life that much more!

We will keep you posted on the house-hunting adventure on Thursday...so stay tuned!

Drive-by view of Rio on Monday.  Due to the haze I was not able to catch a glimpse of the Christ the Redeemer statue

View of Macaé from our hotel



The building in the background is the Ensco office

Fish market

Houses like the one above and below are typical residences for expat living.