Saturday, 22 September 2012

EAT Dosas, PRAY with Uncle Fritz, and LOVE your Cousins!

Oi!

As I write this post, I am starting to pack for the U.S.A! I must admit I am a bit homesick, so the prospect of returning home is quite desirable. Yet, I have thoroughly enjoyed my month long stay in India. The memories made here have made indelible marks in my mind and I will miss all the bustle, silliness, and dancing!




Hanging out with cousins was a blast! Vanessa took me everywhere (thank you, Ness!). She debuted her Les Mills class, Sh'bam, which was a mix of Jazzercise, Zumba, and other dance aerobic classes. I also suffered through her spinning (RPM) class...so hard! On a non-health related note, I had a chance to experience the vibrant nightlife of Bangalore (despite everything closing at 11:30...how Footloose of this city!). I got to see R3hab perform live; he is apparently Afrojack's latest DJ. I had a ton of fun pretending I was into house music and meeting Ness' friends. I was so happy to spend time with Danny boy, my BCF (Best Cousin Forever). We played tons of Ludo and got into plenty of 9-year-old fights--usually revolving around the presence of scary dogs in our great aunts' houses. Leah, my smarty pants, was my shopping companion. I was her project artist and embellished her economics and computer science portfolios with rupees, sunflower oil, and money trees. Lara and Chiara were my confidantes...who didn't always keep things confidential! 





My period of observing a primary girls' school proved to be fruitful. I learned the importance of discipline and attention to detail. I also learned that I prefer a teaching style that encourages, even when children make mistakes. I am not a proponent of embarrassing students in front of their peers or any sort of disparagement. My teaching philosophy is ever-evolving and it is experiences like this that shape my views and mold me.

 The 1st Standard teacher, who has about 30 years of experience, graciously allowed me to teach for a few days. Together with the students, I created human math problems that tested the girls' ability to add and subtract simultaneously. We worked on proper grammar by writing a story--each girl could only say one word though! It ended up being about a teddy bear who went home to dance! I also did mad libs with them after teaching the parts of speech. When the Kanada teacher was out sick, I took the opportunity to teach a little Spanish. I couldn't help but put on some Spanish tunes and teach them salsa as well!  I miss those little girls who welcomed me with their cheerful spirits and innocent humor! They begged me to play doctor with their cute faces, and I had to acquiesce! Of course, I was appointed worried and wacky mother of the patient...

I will never forget time spent at the orphanage. I absolutely relished every moment spent with those little angels. Their loving hugs, mischievous grins, and thick Tamilian accents made my heart melt everyday. I played "Skiddle Diddle, Cornel Pop!" with them in an effort to practice numbers. I would call out a number in English and the round would end when one announced that special number. I also created number books with them. Lastly, I practiced English words that emphasized the alphabet. Getting the orphans to pronounce an "N" was such a challenge! They are used to saying "yen" instead....which was too cute! One of my favorite memories was getting a chance to work with the 17 year olds on Pre-Calculus and Algebra. So much fun! I wish I could see all of them perform to Vengaboys for Children's Day on November 14th!



On the 12th of September, I packed a bag and flew to Bombay (more officially known as Mumbai). Bombay and Bangalore are poles apart in terms of atmosphere, people, and overall culture. Bombay was alive and kickin'--just as I had remembered it! I spent time with my adorable grandma and took every chance to crack a joke; I asked her every so often if she wanted me to get her lace shorts. On her 88th birthday, I suggested we party it up at a club and persuade some young lads to buy her shots! Instead, she opted for some lipstick and whiskey! My Uncle Frank, my dad's younger brother, was so sweet. He covered all the bases, from airport pickups to topping up my phone. I have much gratitude for all he did for me! 




My dad joined me in his hometown, Byculla, a day after I arrived. It was SO great to see him! It made my homesickness much more bearable. Together, we painted the town red! We relished mutton baida (egg) roti, shopped in Colaba, and went to a part of town that sells beautiful leather bags. I also got a chance to spend time with Uncle Frank's daughters, Emerald and Pearl, and his wife (another gem!) Ruby. 

My cousin Jana took me out a few times to see a singer-songwriter gig and experience a Ladies' Night at a local bar. We also trekked to Karjat, which is 2 hours outside Bombay, for a friend's birthday. Karjat was absolutely stunning. I felt like I was in Bali! The lush greenery and rolling hills were breathtaking. This was the first time I experienced a rural setting in India. Back in Bombay, I enjoyed spending time with my Canadian friend Viren! I joyfully ate some TGIF food at Phoenix Mills and shopped at Zara...oh, how I love American cuisine!




Bangalore welcomed us back with a bang! My cousin Divya was getting married to Gui and the hoopla was in full force by the time we arrived. I reunited with her sweet cousin, Andre--who gave me odd looks as a baby but was now a chatterbox of a 3-year-old! Dancing and laughing with so many 2nd cousins was so much fun. We Mascy's know how to have a good time! It was also amusing to hear all the gossip from the generation before us. So many of my aunts and uncles pulled endless pranks and blamed the holy ones (my mom and Aunty Lila) for making them look bad in front of Uncle Fritz!







Divya's roce and wedding were simply amazing. I must say that you can't beat the colors of India. Divya's house (which originally belonged to my great-grandparents and was a summer vacation spot for my mom and her cousins) was adorned in beautiful marigold flowers and lit with bronze candles. The floor was a rich red and took quite the beating from our dancing feet! I busted out whatever capoeira and samba moves I could muster! I just returned from the wedding an hour back and it was incredible! Divya looked stunning in a lace dress. And Gui...what a charming, sweet Gui, I mean guy! 





Speaking of Gui, his family, relatives, and friends were SO lovely. I feel that the amalgamation of the Indians and Brazilians resulted in a fun-loving, warm bunch that did not stop partying until the Windsor Manor Hotel kicked us out! I can't wait to visit them in Brazil and the newly weds in Melbourne!




So, as I close this post, I feel bittersweet. Stoked to go home, but sad to leave such a beautiful country with the most loving people behind. I offer my deepest appreciation to my amazing Nana and Papa for all the attention they gave me! I am blessed to have them in my life. I thank Amudah and Kavitha, the greatest servants anyone could ask for, for making me coffee and dosas each morning and folding my clothes. I thank my grandma for having me in her home and for smiling that precious smile! I thank the wonderful children who made my teaching and observing experiences so valuable. And lastly, I thank my parents for allowing me to come to India in the first place! 

Like I said in Brazil, all good things must come to an end...

Tuesday, 4 September 2012

Dr. Radhakrishnan is the Man!

Greetings from my Nana and Papa's home in Bangalore, India! I have been here since the 24th of August and have really enjoyed my time thus far. While I have been to India many times, this visit marks the first time that I am without my family. In addition, I am not only here to spend time with relatives, but to observe primary school pedagogy and teach orphans basic English and Algebra. 

I am having an amazing experience! However, I do really miss my family; whenever we visit Bangalore and Bombay (usually around Christmas), we have great fun with our inside jokes! Besides this one element, I am happily embracing the new activities I am involved in and the quality time spent with cousins, aunts, and uncles. The fact that it is not Christmas time also strips Richmond Town of the hectic chaos...it is certainly more of a low-key atmosphere (I do miss those star lanterns and the Indian version of Away in a Manger though!). 

Along with more frequent and intense exercise and a better diet, one of my small goals is to learn some Indian choreography that I could integrate into my Zumba routines. To my pleasant surprise, I unintentionally grasped some moves while watching young schoolgirls perform for their assembly on Indian Teacher's Day!



Speaking of teachers, the national holiday honoring teachers celebrates the life of Dr.Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, whose birthday is on the same day. The holiday came about when his students requested permission to honor him on his special day. He selflessly replied, "Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if 5 September would be observed as Teachers' Day." Along with one of the most famous scholars in history, he was also a brilliant philosopher. To top that, he was the first Vice President and the second President of India. What a resume!

The 2nd Standard students also led a prayer service for the student body. This reminded me of my childhood! In grammar school, each grade was assigned a certain time of year to plan a prayer service, giving each child a special role. Similar to my class's experience, all members of the 2nd Standard sang, recited prayers, or presented a poem. Among the qualities that represented a teacher, were impartiality, patience, and love. These are certainly characteristics that I hope to embody in my classroom!



The teaching style in India is quite different. My mother used to help me with my homework when I was little, so the techniques used to teach simple math and English were vaguely familiar to me. Teachers focus on being practical in their instruction. They are very particular and detailed about diction and penmanship. Print is only covered in preschool. Once 1st standard starts, children are expected to write in cursive, with every curve and loop in the right place. 

One stark difference in the school day, compared to the American system, is that Indian teachers teach to the entire class the whole time. There is no opportunity for small group work or more importantly, differentiation. I worry that this will gradually create a mini achievement gap among classmates and if it goes unnoticed, will hinder the intellectual growth of lower-ability students. I must say, though, that my teacher does an excellent job of keeping 60 small 6-year-olds under control. 



Control is a key component of a teacher's strategy. Students must stand when they talk to their elder. They must respond with three statements, "Good morning, teacher," "Thank you, teacher," and "I'm sorry, teacher," when called for. This sort of formality makes the school day efficient and encourages utmost respect. 

I was really impressed with the vocabulary introduced through the literature workbooks. Each story is read through choral read-alouds. Students use their fingers to follow along. Student are not allowed to drag any words...every nuance must be accented! Words such as suspicious are part of their spelling lists. I feel that this is advanced compared to American standards. The teachers take full advantage of scaffolding, especially in the department of comprehension. In the arena of math, students are exposed to numbers up to the 500's. If I recall correctly, I don't remember learning such high quantities when I was a little nugget! 

Anyways, I must bring this post to a close, as I am off to the orphanage. I cherish my time there--the kids are too cute and equally as naughty! For my next post, I will discuss some of the activities I am doing with both the school children and orphans (many of which are ideas and lessons from college and my own early school experiences). Also, I will talk about what I have been doing outside of hanging out with the kids!

Peace out (Gandhi style!),

Arlene Aka

Sunday, 5 August 2012

Summer Salads!


Egg and Eggplant

Thinly sliced eggplant
2 eggs
1 cup of mix: equal parts Italian bread crumbs, parmesan, dash of red pepper flakes and pepper
8 cloves garlic (or one whole garlic)
1 large tomato, 1 box of red grape tomatoes
1 canned small sweet onions in sugar water
1-2 Spanish onions
Ginger paste
Ice water bath
1 hot chili
Salt to taste
1 tablespoon sugar
vegetable oil for frying
Coriander
1.     Thinly slice eggplant and place in ice water bath; add salt and refrigerate for 1 hour (this will remove toxins, and prevent grease from overwhelming the dish. The center with be moist and soft while the outside will be crispy)
2.     Heat oil (coat pan) with some salt
3.     Add chopped chili…fry for 5-7 minutes
4.     Pour hot chili oil over finely chopped garlic; roast in oven at 300 degrees for 20 minutes
5.     Fry 1 large Spanish onion in remaining chili oil
6.     Add coriander, a little bit of salt, and a tablespoon of ginger paste
7.     Cut tomatoes and keep in separate bowl; add remaining onions and chopped small sweet onions
8.     Coat bowl of tomatoes and onions with olive oil and add salt/red pepper flakes
9.     Add fried onions and roasted garlic to tomato and garlic mixture; refrigerate
10. Douse each eggplant slice in egg, then bread crumb mixture, then egg again…drop in the center of pan…turn over after about 3 minutes; add more oil
11. Once all eggplant have been fried on both sides, add in extra fresh garlic and coriander
12. Toss around with more oil
13. Done!

The key ingredients are the fresh garlic, coriander, and the sweetness of the fried onions. Also, frying it three times over provides the crispiness. Funny how I used to hate eggplant before I tried it Israeli-syle in Brazil! This will be a sensation for anybody’s tastebuds!

Summer Lovin’ Salad

1 box Strawberries, sliced
1 Mango
2 Avocado
Sliced Grilled Chicken
Balsamic Vinaigrette
Mint
Hot chillies

I tried this amazing salad (with lovely, bright colors) in Paris' Hard Rock Cafe. The eclectic ingredients come together so beautifully! 


Island Love Salad

2 Mangos, cubed
1 box Trader Joe’s Coconut shrimp
Yellow and/or Red Cherry Tomatoes (2 small boxes), cut in halves
Candied Walnuts
Goat cheese
Mixed Greens
Balsamic vinaigrette
1 tsp honey

I ordered this at an island-inspired restaurant at the Miami Airport before leaving for Brazil. They put feta in the salad, but I thought it was too strong of a flavor to accompany the other ingredients. I think goat cheese might be a better match.

Colombian Creation

1 large watermelon
Olive Oil for dressing
2 Red onions
2 cans Black Olives
Feta

My Aunty Patty and Uncle Mike, her brother, brought this to my 18th birthday Memorial Day picnic. Sounds rather strange, but I assure you that the combination is EPIC. 

Marla’s Sister’s Sensation

1 can of corn
2 Red pepper, 1 yellow pepper, and 1 orange, chopped into small pieces (Roast red pepper in olive oil for 15 minutes at 350 degrees)
1 can Black Bean
2 avocado
Feta
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
For my Cinco de Mayo potluck, my dear friend Marla brought this simple dish. So tasty and quite addicting!
Berry Blast Salad (Whole Foods recipe)

Goat cheese
1 box Blueberries
1 box Raspberries
1 box Black berries
Mixed Greens
Candied walnuts
Dressing: ¼ cup balsamic vinegar, 2 T lemon juice. 2 T honey
Yellow cherry tomatoes

Basic Brazilian Salad

3 cups cooked and softened carrots
1 choko
Canned beats
Green Beans
Coriander

At my homebase, we had this salad every other day. This salad is satisfyingly simple and sweet.

Roasted Red Peppers



5 red peppers (you can add in yellow or orange peppers, mushrooms, baby carrots, etc.)

Olive oil spray (healthier!)

Trader Joe's Everything Seasoning (I would not survive without this gem! Mixture of red pepper flakes, paprika, mustard, garlic, salt, pepper...)

Low-fat skim mozzarella cheese OR Low-fat Mexican cheese mix

Fresh shavings of parmesan

Red pepper flakes

Garlic paste (sweet or savory)

Sea salt

Mix all these ingredients together in a bowl and douse in olive oil; marinate for 20 minutes. Spread out on a baking tray (foil makes cleanup easier) and roast for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Add more parmesan 5 minutes before you remove from oven. A healthy but delicious dinner!

Friday, 3 August 2012

All BOM Things Come to an End...

30 Things to Do in Salvador

1. Pelourinho on a Tuesday night
2. Buy soccer jersey
3. Beach!
4. Run along beach
5. Find a park and picnic
6. Cook seafood
7. Samba class
8. Capoeira class
9. Portuguese class
10. Pretend fieldtrip through Salvador with little nuggets
11. Caipirinha
12. Caipiroska
13. Modern Art Museum
14. Historic Center
15. Watch sunset at café
16. Watch sunset at lighthouse
17. Complete mural on 3rd floor
18. Buy earrings for Allegra
19. Powerpoint lessons
20. Powerpoint final presention for CCS
21. Rio Vermelho
22. Igreja Sao Francisco
23. Bale Folclorico da Bahia
24. Nosso Senhor do Bonfim Church
25. Market
26. Eat green corn ice cream
27. Dique de Tororo
28. Elevator Larcada
29. Pierce my nose!
30. Try that weird cheese stick stuff
 This post marks the last time I say Oi and Tchau from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil!

So sad to leave such a beautiful, warm, and friendly environment behind as I return to the U.S.A. Today at school, I almost broke down as the children presented me with a card and star earrings. The card read "Arlene, Time to Say Goodbay. We will be friends forever. We love you Arlene". I brought them a strawberry and creme cake (moranga) to celebrate the end of our journey. You should have seen one of my favorite kids (due to his chubbiness and chic red watch that he totally pretends to read) eat the remains of the cake. He licked the plate clean...literally! I couldn't help but think of the movie Matilda when that chubster gobbles up that blood-infused chocolate cake. 

These kids are the cutest I have ever met, and I am not too sure how I am going to get through next week without them saying "Chee-ah!" or "Taank U". I will also miss practicing my soccer juggling skills with them at recess. I wish I could take the kids home with me. I will have to figure out a way to visit them next summer! Pamela, the naughtiest of the bunch, started crying when I said "No mais...fin". I think she was the only 3-year-old that realized this was my last day. It broke my heart to see her this way, because usually she is tough and just loves to spit on people. The teachers were really sweet and thanked me for all I had done. 

On Wednesday, I presented my findings on the Brazilian education system. I discussed the guidelines that stemmed from the 1988 Constitution and the 1961 National Educational Bases and Guidelines Law; they overlap in some ways and clash in others. I talked about the tiers of education: infant (optional), fundamental, intermediate, and higher education and the different criteria for entrance into the next stage. As a future teacher, I outlined the process of both obtaining and maintaining a teaching certificate. Then, I mentioned an article I read in The Economist. I spoke about how the education system has gone from "disastrous" in 2000 to "very bad".

Since other volunteers were present to see what I had accomplished during my internship, I shared with them the powerpoint presentation lessons I used to teach the children some vocabulary. I also shared my lesson plans and experience with the students at Portinari Colegio Candido, using much of my blog entries (thank you, Jing!).  This was my first presentation that consisted of 44 slides...boy, did I need water after 30 minutes!

So, since it's my last day, I am going to chill on the beach. Other than bumping into potential husbands--clad in speedos-- and soaking up the Brazilian sun, I kind of want to get my gym, tan, laundry on! I will stay until 5 so that I can watch the sunset at the lighthouse. Then, I will proceed to finish the lighthouse mural upstairs. For the night, I will go see the ballet that everyone is raving about! In the night, Ashley, Talia, and I will live it up in Rio Vermelho one last time! There is where it all begin...the craziness, the laughter, the samba sounds. All MUITO BOM (very good) things must come to an end...

Muito prazer (Pleasure to meet you), Mr. Brasil; mutio obrigada para todos!

Arlene 

P.S. I spent an hour trying to add in some powerpoint slides and  pictures but for some reason this blog website was resistant to visuals this time around....Desculpe!



All MUITO BOM Things Must Come to an End...

30 Things to Do in Salvador
1. Pelourinho on a Tuesday night
2. Buy soccer jersey
3. Beach!
4. Run along beach
5. Find a park and picnic
6. Cook seafood
7. Samba class
8. Capoeira class
9. Portuguese class
10. Pretend fieldtrip through Salvador with little nuggets
11. Caipirinha
12. Caipiroska
13. Modern Art Museum
14. Historic Center
15. Watch sunset at café
16. Watch sunset at lighthouse
17. Complete mural on 3rd floor
18. Buy earrings for Allegra
19. Powerpoint lessons
20. Powerpoint final presention for CCS
21. Rio Vermelho
22. Igreja Sao Francisco
23. Bale Folclorico da Bahia
24. Nosso Senhor do Bonfim Church
25. Market
26. Eat green corn ice cream
27. Dique de Tororo
28. Elevator Larcada
29. Pierce my nose!
30. Try that weird cheese stick stuff
 This post marks the last time I say Oi and Tchau from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil!

So sad to leave such a beautiful, warm, and friendly environment behind as I return to the U.S.A. Today at school, I almost broke down as the children presented me with a card and star earrings. The card read "Arlene, Time to Say Goodbay. We will be friends forever. We love you Arlene". I brought them a strawberry and creme cake (moranga) to celebrate the end of our journey. You should have seen one of my favorite kids (due to his chubbiness and chic red watch that he totally pretends to read) eat the remains of the cake. He licked the plate clean...literally! I couldn't help but think of the movie Matilda when that chubster gobbles up that blood-infused chocolate cake. 

These kids are the cutest I have ever met, and I am not too sure how I am going to get through next week without them saying "Chee-ah!" or "Taank U". I will also miss practicing my soccer juggling skills with them at recess. I wish I could take the kids home with me. I will have to figure out a way to visit them next summer! Pamela, the naughtiest of the bunch, started crying when I said "No mais...fin". I think she was the only 3-year-old that realized this was my last day. It broke my heart to see her this way, because usually she is tough and just loves to spit on people. The teachers were really sweet and thanked me for all I had done. 

On Wednesday, I presented my findings on the Brazilian education system. I discussed the guidelines that stemmed from the 1988 Constitution and the 1961 National Educational Bases and Guidelines Law; they overlap in some ways and clash in others. I talked about the tiers of education: infant (optional), fundamental, intermediate, and higher education and the different criteria for entrance into the next stage. As a future teacher, I outlined the process of both obtaining and maintaining a teaching certificate. Then, I mentioned an article I read in The Economist. I spoke about how the education system has gone from "disastrous" in 2000 to "very bad".

Since other volunteers were present to see what I had accomplished during my internship, I shared with them the powerpoint presentation lessons I used to teach the children some vocabulary. I also shared my lesson plans and experience with the students at Portinari Colegio Candido, using much of my blog entries (thank you, Jing!).  This was my first presentation that consisted of 44 slides...boy, did I need water after 30 minutes!

So, since it's my last day, I am going to chill on the beach. Other than bumping into potential husbands--clad in speedos-- and soaking up the Brazilian sun, I kind of want to get my gym, tan, laundry on! I will stay until 5 so that I can watch the sunset at the lighthouse. Then, I will proceed to finish the lighthouse mural upstairs. For the night, I will go see the ballet that everyone is raving about! In the night, Ashley, Talia, and I will live it up in Rio Vermelho one last time! There is where it all begin...the craziness, the laughter, the samba sounds. All MUITO BOM (very good) things must come to an end...

Muito prazer (Pleasure to meet you), Mr. Brasil; mutio obrigada para todos!

Arlene 

P.S. I spent an hour trying to add in some powerpoint slides and  pictures but for some reason this blog website was resistant to visuals this time around....Desculpe!



Sunday, 29 July 2012

Bittersweet Symphony: Dexter, Aksie, and eating little children for lunch!

I can't believe Monday will be the start of my last week here in Salvador, Bahia! This "Land of Happiness" feels more like the "Land of Sadness". I really wish I could stay here longer and experience all Salvador has to offer in the summertime.

With that said, I am also excited to get back to the States. I really miss my family and my friends back in Philly. Upon return, I will party it up in NYC with my family friend, Sheila. On the weekend, my close friend Nicole (and future roomie!) will celebrate her 21st in Philly...finally. She is the baby in the group and I can't wait for her to be able to party like a legal lady! I can't say that I am too eager to chill in Jersey, but there certainly is no place like home!



Watching three of my close friends leave yesterday was really difficult. They are all equally a pleasure to be around...when together, much laughter and smiles are guaranteed! Thankfully, Aksana lives in NYC; I will definitely get to see her sometime this month. I purposely let her take this dress I got in Camden, London so that we would have to meet up! Before Aksana, Polo, and Kasia left, we finished the mural in the courtyard downstairs. The pencil sketches of Aksana came to fruition at last. The 70's retro-like colors are beautiful in all their geometric glory. At the moment, I am working on the design and execution of a mural on the 3rd floor. It features the lighthouse, Farrol de Barra, and the Cross-Cultural symbols climbing up the cliff (I guess, rappelling in the opposite direction). There is a ship, named Cross-Cultural Solutions, Salvador, Bahia. Lastly, the light streaming from the lighthouse will be the space where Jack (Reed Timmer) will spray paint "Brazil".


Friday was such a (Brazilian, Bahian) blast! We spent it at Rio Vermelho. It was relaxed relative to our usual weekend activity. We sat in yellow plastic chairs and drank beer and relished cheese, meat, and fish pastels (or little empanadas). I learned a little bit about rugby formations and terms from Reed Timmer. I couldn't help but order a caipiroska as well.



This past week was hectic and hard to keep up! My stomach was out for half the time...it makes me detest some of the food I love to eat. Alcohol never improves the situation....nor does raw beef. My philosophy sometimes is no pain, no gain. My roommate made fun of me for craving sushi whilst having stomach issues. Since we are talking about food, I had the chance to do some cooking in an attempt to de-stress...and of course to satiate my hunger! I fried aubergines with coriander (cilantro), fresh garlic, yellow onions, and a bit of salt. This is quite comical because I used to hate eggplants! I also made fish, trying to mimic the amazing one I had at Praia de Forte (the turtle place). I cooked it with loads of lime, roasted garlic, tomatoes, salt, coriander and chillies. It was delicious!




As an excursion, a bunch of us visited the market. This place is expansive and is home to all types of vendors. They sell fruits, vegetables, woodwork, spices, medicinal herbs, and raw, dried meat. My stomach, already upset, underwent new trauma as we walked past broken cow limbs and dark liver parts. I couldn't help but laugh thinking about Dexter and how this would be the perfect facade for the "Ice Truck Killer"...or Bynie--that SICK JERK.

Speaking of sick, I hate to say this, but I am starting to get a little sick of Dexter. We literally have watched at least 30 episodes thus far, ranging from Season 1 to Season 4. One of the guys felt the urge to continue the saga and so he went to the mall for two hours and came back with Season 4--that's it. As I speak, the season finale of Season 4 has culminated. It was crazy intense and my heart cries for little Harrison sitting in that pool of blood. John Lithgow, you might have made the little kiddies laugh as Lord Farquaad in Shrek, but your character is just effed up in this show (excuse my....Portuguese! But that was a euphemism of sorts). You are one scary old guy with this creepy charm that fools the masses.







 I really want Debra and Quinn (who reminds me of Paul Walker) to get together! That poor girl has been to hell and back, what with the recent Lundy shooting and her fiancee-turned killer. Also in the love department, Batista and LaGuerta are too cute together! I hope that Dexter can find someone as amazing as Rita.

Sorry that this post has turned into a venting session about Dexter. Moving on to another topic, I cannot fathom how hard it will be to leave my little nuggets at the daycare. Everyday, I become more and more infatuated with how cute they are. They are so affectionate and open with their feelings. Seeing a little, chubby 4-year-old argue in high-pitched Portuguese is too funny. I can't help but laugh at this soap opera, starring little children. The fat kids are my favorite, because I love to pretend to cut their cheeks off and eat them for lunch. The children always find this funny and try to do it to me.



Anyways, that's all for now! When I started this post, I was just looking for an excuse to release some creative juices INSTEAD of watching Dexter...AGAIN. I will write again in about 4 days, so that I can write my closing chapter for the amazing novel that is Arlene's Adventure in Brazil!


Wednesday, 25 July 2012

Mr. Brazil, a man of great charisma!

Hello everyone!

Here is the post I promised about all things cultural! In an attempt to strip this post of any boredom-inducing paragraphs, I will break up topics in sections and use bullet points instead.

Quick Guide to Portuguese: some random words that end up coming quite in handy!

Portuguese is similar to Spanish in many regards. In my opinion, there are three distinct differences in terms of phonemic pronunciations. For one, a "r" is pronounced with a "h". Also, a "d" in the middle of a word is expressed with a "g" sound. Lastly, "t" sounds like "c". This makes for interesting pronunciations for some of my students. For example, Arthur sounds like "Ah-two"; Victor is pronounced "Vee-toe".
  • Obrigada/o   Thank you (instead of choosing gender based on subject, it is chosen based on who you are. So, for example, as a female, I solely use "a" at the end)
  • Bom Dia                  Good Morning
  • Pousada                  Hotel
  • Onde                       Where?
  • Desculpe                  Sorry
  • Beleza                      Cool
  • Voce                         You
  • Tenho                      have (in terms of age)
  • Pare, agora             Stop, now (comes in handy in the classroom!)
  • Pastel                       An empanada-like pastry snack
  • Oi                             Hi
  • Sim                          Yes
  • Como te chamas?  What are you called?
  • Vermelho                 Red
  • Bom                          Good
  • Forte                         Strong (foe-chay)  
  • Tchau                        Goodbye                   

Factoids and Interesting Aspects of Bahia Culture
  • A popular street snack is fried tapioca balls (similar to Indian bhel puri) filled with shrimp and an orange, grainy ragu.
  • Farofa is a flour-like powder that is used during almost every meal to add texture to curries, grilled and salted meats and rice (Pictured).
  • Chillies here are super hot! At every meal, a pico de gallo filled with these hotties is offered. 
  • In Brazil, the "A-ok" sign means something entirely different. Let's just say that the sign and the middle finger are good friends!
  • In addition to the ever-so-popular samba, capoeira is the main dance of Bahia. The dance combines rhythmic samba and salsa with tae kwon do-like moves. The choreography is choppy, yet graceful at times. 
  • There is a misconception about Africans coming to Brazil and settling. Slaves were not the first inhabitants here. Instead, African explorers were the first to arrive. Centuries later, Salvador is the center of Afro-Brazilian culture. 
  • Tuesday's and Saturday's are big in Salvador--especially in regards to live music. Usually on Tuesdays, we visit Pelhorino and eat and drink from local vendors in the square by the church. We then attempt to samba our way to the front of the stage. On the weekend, we enjoy chill-axing at "The Red River" (Rio Vermelho).
  • Another common snack, usually sold on the beach, is cheese on a stick. It kind of looks weird though, like a bit spongy and the color of a milky, washed out yellow. It is heated on the spot upon hot charcoal. Have yet to try it...
  • An amazing cheese in Brazil is called catupiry. I would say it is a combination of alouette, cream creese, and goat cheese. A really nice local pizza place offers this, accompanied with green olives and palm hearts on a thin crust. Muito (very) amazing!
  • Caipirinha is to Brazil as Mojito is to Cuba. This drink of sweet goodness has very simple ingredients: Cachaca (rum), muddled lime, and sugar. It is my new favorite drink! Replacing the rum with vodka gives it a smoother taste (Caipiroska).
  • Elevador Lacerda connects the two main sections of the city, Cidade Alta (Upper City) and Cidade Baixa (lower city). The view from the top is incredible!
  • Farol da Barra Lighthouse is a mere 10 minutes from my house. The sunset from the hill where it sits upon is exquisite!
  • Salads here love to feature beets, cooked carrots, and green beans. It's delicious and refreshing!
  • Acai is ultra popular here! Matched with various fruit syrups and sugared granola, it is a healthy dessert treat. It can be compared to the popularity of fro yo in the U.S. 

 Delightful Destinations around Salvador

Praia de Forte
 All turtle reserves make me think of is Dana Carey in one of my fave flicks, Master of Disguise! This place is a charming village dotted along the beach. It is hugely commercial but in all the right ways. Areas that look like baby pools are home to all sorts of turtles and tortoises. Whale watching is also an option here. I had probably the second best fish I have ever tried, ever. Digging into it on the beach where it was procured by fishermen helped make the little guy more amazing. Accompanied with lime (limao), garlic (alho), olive oil, and sea salt (sal) and combined with the spicy pico de gallo aforementioned....this was a 1st-rate meal (and it showed in the bill, unfortunately!). 

Morro de Sao Paulo
This island is incredible and should definitely be an item on any traveler's bucket list! A quaint and spirited beach town, the destination is home to several beaches. Fresh seafood is ubiquitous, as is adventurous activities such as ziplining, banana boating, and diving.  Hotels are everywhere and are fairly inexpensive. However, the 3 hour boat ride from and to Salvador is deadly--and pricey! I made up a new adage: no nausea, no island!

Everyday Entertainment
So as aforementioned in an earlier post, I am here with an awesome group of people. Because there is a mish-mosh of so many personality traits, we never go a day bored. The two Jacks' 18-year-old selves are rubbing off on us, senior citizens.   Polo's constant optimism inspires us to live in the moment (#beleza). Talia's smoky, soulful voice serenades us everytime and we can't help but urge her to start a music career. Jack Weber's rendition of Outkast's Hey Ya is haunting and we love to join in. Anderson's obsession with the number 43 (hence, the newly-inked tattoo on his wrist) causes all of us to seek out the magic number (so far, we've encountered a disco club and a Brazilian whiskey!). Tyler and Hannah's daily runs makes us envious, while Aksana's artistic brilliance puts us all to shame. Kelsey's laugh is so contagious, putting a smile on everyone's face! As for me, I think I am the goofy one in the group--and I think I'm ok with that!

Here are a few things that we do everyday in our free time:
1. Ice cream down the street
2. Visits to the mercatto to relish mini-pastries
3. Walks down to the beach (day and night!)
4. Watching the sunset at the French's school cafe!
5. Zumba classes....by Arlene!
6. Samba and capoeira classes
7. Movies (MAGIC MIKE IN PORTUGUESE. GOLDEN.)
Yes, of course this is an excuse to show off my future hubby, as bad boy and saucy as he is!
8. Painting murals on our homebase walls
9. Watching Dexter...OBSESSIVELY (often we get in fights because one of us [cough, cough Timmer] will watch episodes without the other, skewing the whole plan to follow the show together....meanie!)
10. Attempting to watch Meet Joe Black and not get distracted by 1. other convos in the room 2. Brad Pitt's beauty 3. the fact that Anthony Hopkins looks like Frank Sinatra's twin! (Next time I watch will be Attempt 3)
11. Getting sarongs near the light house
12. Jamming to samba and sipping caipirinhas in Pelorinho
13. Going to La Barra, the local mall
14. Taking Portuguese classes
15. Catching up on Bachelorette/Bachelor Pad/Pretty Little Liars/Baby Daddy while chilling on the hammock
16. Visiting CAASAH, a home for patients with HIV and AIDs. Makes you SO grateful for the health God has given you!
17. Jam sessions....ER' DAY, ER' DAY.....WHAT ANYBODY SAY....YO...WHATUP (Yeah, Drake, that's OUR motto.) We love singing and arranging to The Beatles, Ingrid Michaelson, Don Mclean, and Amos Lee!
18. Girl talks (no. boys. allowed. obvi.) with Hannah and Talia!
Ok, that's it for now! It's hard for me to remember everything I want to say...I have unfortunately not been writing in a daily journal. 
Hope everyone at home is doing well!
Muito love!
Arlene