Over a Month

Sorry I have been busy so i have writen in a while.

The 2nd week I was in Brazil I went to a city called Araçatuba to meet the other exchange students in my district. That was really fun because I got to see a another city, meet new people, and make new friends. Some of my really good friends live there.

Now I am back in Dourados and my life has settled down. I go out with my friends almost everyday, I play soccer twice a week, and now one of my best friends (Pablo a mexican guy) are going to start going to the gym 3 times a week. Pablo and Talita (a Brazilian girl) are my best friends and I have a lot of really close friends too. I am starting to go to church which is nice because everyone there is really nice and some speak English extremely well so they are helping me learn Portuguese and they are like my family ( I have a lot of families). The weather is really nice a little chilly but its still nice. I need to go shopping but because I am close to Paraguay I will go shopping there and to see the place.

The school is sweet the teachers are really cool and they get along with the students great. They even go to school parties to hang out with the kids. Right now the students are taking the really big tests so school is cut in half. So sfter school I hang out with girls until the guys start playing soccer and then go home eat and go out. Thats actually my day most days.

Over all so far I am loving Brazil, the food is amazing, the people are great, the women are beautiful, the weather and landscape is nice, and I love my friends. I am having an amazingly great time.

This week I will be spending it with other inbound students from around the world. They are all fun to hang around with. While I am here with these other students we will be learning portuguese and seeing the Brazilian culture. I already feel partly at home here and I know once I become fluent in portuguese this year will go by quick and will be one of the best times of my life. A few of the big differences between the U.S and Brazil teenage life is school in Brazil its only in the morning and a few afternoon classes so you have a lot more free time. I dont believe any of my friends have jobs and as an exchange student everyone wants you to be everywhere. You also cant drive until you are 18 and you can also drink at 18 so thats when you become an adult. So in some way you gain responablity and in other ways you lose some.

I now know that Im not looking forward to the Brazilian summer which is going to be every hot when right now its winter and its in the 70´s or 80´s. There are always something to do around here for me so I cant wait to go experince everything.

A New Home and a New Place

Today will be my forth day of my exchange in Brazil. The first two days were horrible I wanted to go home so bad. I couldnt understand pretty much anything, I couldnt eat without feeling like I was going to throw up, and I had troubles sleeping. Now that i have started school here its a little easier because most kids my age are learning English and are trying really hard to help me learn Portuguese. Its coming along slowly but Im trying so its working out. I am becoming more comfortable eating but I still get a little sick but in time it will work out. School is boring but at the same time fun. I just sit there and my friends think of things to teach me when they arent doing anything in class. Everyone is extremely nice so I like being there because I feel more comfortable. Later day it will be my first time going out with my friends so Im looking forward to that. Brazil is so different but so similar at the same time. Last night I notice so many things that are impotant to me and effect me that I didnt notice before. So far I have mixed emotions on this exchange so I just have to suck it up and keep trying. I miss and love all my loved ones back home and i wish you well. Until next time I wish you all good health.

Josh

Last Day Home

August 7th, 2008

Today is the last day home before I leave for my exchange year in Brazil and it finally hit me  this evening that I was leaving as my family and friends started saying goodbye. My emotions are flying all over the place, I'm extremely excited and happy for it to start but at the same time nervous and sad to be leaving everyone at home. I know that this will be a great year and a huge part of my life so I just want tomorrow to arrive so I can truly start my journey.