Acentos e Aviões

So the time is at hand and I have no idea what to say. The more I learn about Brazil, the more foreign it seems. The more Portuguese I acquire, the more expansively the language seems to stretch out in front of me. I want to be in my new home, unpacking my bag and settling into my new room. It's just such a strange sensation to be so tired of saying all these important goodbyes, but wanting them to last forever.

On a slightly lighter note, a few serious breakthroughs lately have included the following events:

-I learned to use my computer to insert accents (Santo André! São Paulo! Ômnibus! Check this stuff out!). Now I don't have to cut and paste.

-My room is completely empty and my mom may even now be sleeping in my bed. For those of you who don't know, June is moving into my room now that I'm gone. Goodbye fire-engine walls!

-There are a few Portuguese words that keep jumping to mind slightly more quickly than their English counterparts. It's a feeling of slight reassurance when I'm thinking enough about my new language that "obrigado" comes to mind before "thank you."

-I've weighed my bags and they're each less than 23 kilograms. I'm good to go, but I have less room since I added that 4 lb. jar of peanut butter... I guess I won't have room to bring a friend. Sorry Morgan :)

-Maddy and I had a GREAT going away party yesterday. So many of my best friends were there with their parents (who I now realize I will also miss a whole lot!). Maddy and I captained two baseballs teams, Brasil and España. The game was brutal and hilarious. España pretty much kicked our butts though...

-I definitely shed a few tears as we drove out of Anacortes today.

So pretty much, it's time to travel and I'm still as confused as ever. My head is actually pretty clear-- I'm feeling extremely zen about it all-- I just don't know how I'll feel tomorrow. Or the next day. I just ask that you keep me in your thoughts tomorrow. My flight takes off at 9 AM tomorrow morning. I fly to LA first. Then I fly to Lima, Peru. And finally I cross South America and land in São Paulo, Brazil.

I can't freaking wait. See you on the other side.

Até logo!

Kevin

Thoughtful Speculation and Noisy Family Affairs

So the big B that has been so long a part of the future is rapidly nearing the present. I gave my Rotary presentation today, I've begun to pack up my room, and I've made specific arrangements with my host family to meet me at the airport. As usual, I have mixed feelings about it all. I know that at this moment, it's very easy to be just plain excited about it all. But what about when all my friends come back home from college for Christmas and I'm still in the southern hemisphere? It's hard imagining them all hanging out while I'm so far away. I know that I'll be in pretty constant communication with many of them, but there's only so much that a phone call or e-mail can do. In no way have I ever had second thoughts about going to Brazil. I've just been thinking a lot lately about the emotional ups and downs of my exchange. I guess I get suspicious whenever anything feels as blissfully exciting as my upcoming adventure... but why should I? It's going to be incredible!!

I had a really great dinner at my dad's house on Saturday. Clara came, which was really fun, especially when Patti forgot to serve her dinner! Clara handled herself beautifully around my rowdy relatives. It was really a memorable evening. Dad and Patti were there of course, along with my sister Katie and brother-in-law Nick. My step-sister Jen was also there with Tyler, her husband, and my little nephew Finley! I can't believe how big he is. It's strange to think that he'll be two-years-old when I return from Brazil. The whole meal was one roller coaster of a conversation, as is usual when we gather in numbers larger than, well... one. We're all laughing and talking and interrupting one another, but somehow we're all hearing every word of each discussion taking place around the table. The food was delicious, a build-your-own pasta with delicious toppings and a beautiful salad, followed by a tasty homemade ice cream cake dessert. The whole experience was so characteristic of all my family's gatherings. I really love them and will miss them so much while I'm in Santo André. I'm glad to have a few more family evenings before I leave on the 25th.

The 25th? Ah! Only twelve more days!! I'll try really hard to have my cell phone on me at all times before I leave. So if you want to hang out or catch up before I take off, just give me a ring.

Um beijo,

Kevin