Christmas, New Year, and 5 months!!

The Brazilian culture is very family centered and the holidays are celebrated accordingly.  Christmas here is celebrated similarly to what I am used to in the USA; Christmas tree and lights on many houses, pictures with Santa Clause in the shopping mall, and Christmas lunch with the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  The biggest difference for me was having Christmas in summertime! 

BBQ on Christmas Eve with the family!

Celebrating Christmas lunch at the house of my avo(grandma).

Bea and I with our Christmas tree.

There is one new Christmas tradition that I was able to share with my family, Christmas cookies! We got a bit creative.

New Year's on the beach was a first for me and it was one of the coolest events I have ever seen!  The beach was loaded with people! When the count down came everyone cheered and the fireworks started.  A tradition here for New Years is to wear white and to jump seven waves on the beach for good luck.  The New Year festivities in Brazil are definitely something to come see.

My church set up a tent so anyone could stop by and fellowship.

Fireworks on the beach!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and that the year to come brings many blessings!
Tchau,
Sarah

FOUR MONTHS- THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving is a holiday that is not widely celebrated here in Brazil... Considering the reason why we celebrate Thanksgiving in the first place(our history); this makes since.  That doesn't mean I didn't miss it: the family, food, and days off of school.  I was given the opportunity to share with many people about our "Day of Graces" which was rewarding in itself! Here are some highlights of my Fourth month in Brazil.

Thank you mom for sending us matching fuzzy socks!!

While winter is starting in the USA, summer is just beginning here

On our way to a church retreat.

Found some tortoises

Playing some Texas hold'em in Brazil

Sfiha

I showed my family chocolate chip cookies.

Futebol

When I was giving presentations to all of the students at my school, this little guy drew me a picture of the American flag.

At school they had a small celebration on Thanksgiving Day. The teachers talked a bit about the history of the holiday and why it is celebrated. Each class led a presentation representing their thanks to God. This class led the school in praise.

My class read verses from the Scripture.

When it rains here, it pours!

More cookies!!

Home

BOO!! Happy three months!

Happy Halloween to everyone! Please go out and do lots of trick or treating for me, because I won't be.  Halloween is one of several holidays that is not celebrated world wide. It's not that Halloween is unheard of; Brazilians have seen how we celebrate in movies and have the general idea down but it isn't commonly celebrated.  So no haunted houses, no cool decorations, and no big bags full of candy. There are some parties though, where you can dress up, but that's more for teenager/young adults.  There is another holiday in October that sort of replaces Halloween in the Brazilian child's life; the name in English is the Day of Children.  The Day of Children, from what I understand, is sort of like Halloween, Christmas, or Easter in that the kids receive presents and/or candy.  In my experience we had a huge get together (around 200 people I was told) with my church and ate some delicious Brazilian cuisine that my mother cooked! It's very enjoyable!

On Day of the Children helping my mom in the kitchen!

Ballet recital

All dressed up for the recital

Indonesia, Brazil, Germany, USA, and Turkey

I never want to take for granted that I live within walking distance of the beach.

Friends from school

Food!

My city

This is a game where you flip a bottle cap and you have to do whatever the bubble you land on says like do a silly dance.

My sisters

Brazilians :)

AFS party!

He took about 5 minutes to paint this!

Coconuts!

Sharing some of my culture was so much more difficult without the same measuring cups, but we managed. Grandma, your recipe was a hit!

Carrot Cake

Tabasco sauce is in Brazil!

Last day with my friend until he goes back to Bahia

The kids in this condominium have a great idea!

Tchau,
Sarah