1/28/13

To capture a typical, chill Monday in Brasil...

Woke up in a great mood to a beautiful sunrise, made a small breakfast of granola and yogurt, and caught up on my Facebook messages. Some from locals I've met here, in Portuguese/broken English, and others with my friends back home. Portuguese is so much fun, especially now that I'm getting the hang of it. It's always nice to hear from people back home, too. Makes my day.

Had class in the park today, hanging out in a circle in the grass, watching the clouds roll by. The classes we are going through are surprisingly intellectual... there are a lot of brilliant people with very intriguing world views in my class. Can't say I'd rather do class any other way. I'm actually getting a lot out of our discussions about poverty, political economics, and the rise of Brasil. This place can and will be a superpower in the near future, and I'm so happy to be here to watch this phenomenon.

Walked to the mall with Alex and Dallas, trying to return our tickets to Planeta because it got rescheduled to honor the victims of the deadly nightclub fires. God bless those families and friends, so tragic. Had a great Caesar salad at the food court... much classier food courts than in the US. Did a little shopping, and we walked the 20 minutes back in the warm Brazilian sun.

Went to work out with Mitch, Dallas, and our teacher Chris. The place we go is by a track, equipped with monkey bars, pull up bars, a wooden sit-up bench, and two sets of dip bars. Did a great Cross-fit style body weight exercise rotation a few times, getting a solid sweat and pump going out there. It's oddly refreshing to not be in a gym, lifting weights for a change. A funny old lady, probably crazy, hung out with us the whole time we were there, talking about how much she loved to dance. She was a total crack up.

Took a shower, and hung out with a few of the people watching Game of Thrones for a while. Picked up some stuff at the market for sandwiches, made a few, and downed them fast. Ever since, just been hanging out. Picked up a fine bottle of Brazilian wine for 14 reais (about 7 dollars) and a massive manly wine glass, and have been sipping on it for the last few hours, hanging out with friends by the hammocks.

You could say life sounds fun here. I would say that this is my definition of happiness and satisfaction.
~ 1/28/13