It's County Fair Time!!

It is county fair time in the Midwest from what I can tell.  First there was the Sikeston Rodeo then the Southeast Missouri (SEMO) County Fair, then the Altenburg Fair.  Now, prior to my moving to the Midwest for the second time (the first being when I went to Purdue) I had been to only a handful of county fairs.  The most memorable for me was the Greeley Stampede when my mom, brother and I went to watch Faith Hill and Tim McGraw play.  More specifically Mom and I went to the concert and my brother hating country music opted to stay at the hotel and watch TV.  Regardless we spent the day enjoying the festivities of fair life.  For my brother and I that meant buying a wrist band to ride all the carnival rides we could handle and try our best to talk Mom into buying us funnel cake, cotton candy, and anything else that can be battered and fried.  I remember that weekend fondly. 

Up first: The Sikeston Rodeo

This was a fun event because it was in fact a rodeo and not a fair.  Meaning they had all the standard events: calf roping, calf wrestling, barrel racing, bronco riding, and my favorite: bull riding!  It was a small event (albeit it is one of the largest rodeos in the country) but it manages to attract quite a crowd.  There was a concert at the end as well where Gretchen Wilson and Big & Rich played.  If you are a country music fan you will know those are some HUGE names to be playing a small town rodeo.  

Calf roping!

I believe this is calf roping as well..

I think that is a bull running but I might be wrong.

Next up: SEMO County Fair

This was a true county fair in every imaginable way.  It takes place in a giant field, you park in the grass in long rows, there is fried EVERYTHING, carnival games, stock showings, an area for the tractor and truck pull competitions, and plenty of families running around enjoying it all.  As always - pictures are better than words. 

Nothing like some pork butt to fill your belly!!!  LOVE a good turkey leg though.

See - LOVE a good turkey leg.  No matter how graceful you are, there is no good way to eat a turkey leg.  You end up with oil all over your face and hands and you generally just look like a glutton... but they are oh so tasty!

Tractor Pull:  Basically a show of  "my tractor is bigger/better than your tractor."  The gist is people modify their tractors to be these super pulling machines.  A variable weight is attached to the back of the tractor and as they progress down the track the weight increases until the tractor can no longer move.  It is a LOUD and dirty (see the exhaust) event that is surprisingly popular.  I was warned to bring ear plugs for the event - thank goodness I did!  It doesn't get much more hick than this I don't think!

Stock showings!  At county fairs and showings like this, it is easy to see that barnyard animals are in fact beautiful.  Cows are stunning when they are clean ans washed... but when they are lazing in the mud pits... not so much.

The quintessential ticket booth to buy tickets for the super unsafe carnival rides

Standard carnival games with the huge stuffed animals luring in small children and show-off men.

The best ride ever - the Ferris Wheel!  Its size and spokes all lit up is the beacon of the Carnival.  Seen from afar it calls the young and the old towards it for some good old family fun.  Love a good Ferris Wheel.

Lastly (for now): The Altenburg Fair

Now, some fairs have things they are famous for and the Altenburg Fair is no exception.  The Altenburg Fair is home to world class mule jumping and some of the best grilled cheese ever made.  There was also rumor that they served chocolate covered bacon which might be the most perfect fair food ever made, but we were sad to discover this year they were not selling it...  The mule jumping, however, is very, very real and the grilled cheese tasty.  

Like the SEMO fair, there was a small stock show.  How cute is this goat?  I never thought I would want to cuddle a baby goat but wanted to take him home - cutest kid in the pen. 

Baby sheep!  Awww

Little lambs - oh the cooing from all the girls was almost too much to take.  I wanted to scoop them up and take them in my purse.

PIGGY! Lazy lazy piggy at that... but small and also too cute for words.

The famous grilled cheese stand!  Notice the two crazy long lines... we are talking about grilled cheese here people!

 Ok... so after getting our cute fix with the small baby farm animals, getting our grilled cheese and drinks we headed down to the arena to watch some world winning mule jumping.  At first I was not sure if the mules were jumping or if people were jumping over mules in a monster truck style event.  You know "how many mules can this man jump?  Line them up and lets see... oh my!! did you see that?  That man just jumped 7 mules!  Ladies and gentleman, we have witnessed history here tonight with a 7 mule jump!!"

No no - it is the former, the mules do the jumping in a type of reverse limbo.  Instead of the bar being lowered it is raised until the mules can no longer clear the bar.  There are 3 classes of mules separated by height and my favorite by far was the smallest mules.  They all stood 47" or less at their withers (where the neck meets the back.)  The winning small mule jumped 54".  It was awesome.  The mule, named Stingray, gets behind the rod and curtain so you can barely see his ears and all of a sudden he leaps into the air and over the bar.  It is so playful!  The larger mules are not as exciting but those are the ones I got pictures of, and a few very short videos.  Enjoy!

Leaping mule!

I sung the praises of the Ferris Wheel at the SEMO fair but at the Altenburg fair... I could only laugh.  This Ferris Wheel I believe might be the world's smallest Ferris Wheel.  My guess is it is about 15 ft in diameter.. maybe... with only 6 swings and a maximum capacity of 12, it was like the baby goat... just too adorable for words.

Wow it has been forever

I have gone over a month without a blog post... that is crazy.  I try not to let it get that out of reach to recover from, but this time it all just slipped through my fingers.  Work is busy.  Life is changing.  Heart is healthy and breaking over and over.  Smiles are forming.  Tears have flowed but not in the volume I was expecting.  Lessons have been learned and are being learned every moment.  Most importantly, I am growing.  

This move to Cape has been different from any I have done to date, but in many ways it has been the "easiest."  Perhaps I have gotten good at moving.  I am learning to be my own best friend and I am okay with the first few minutes of extreme awkwardness when you are out and about by yourself.  Perhaps it is because I have found friends faster than in any other move I have done.  Perhaps it is because I am back to the familiar.  Whatever the reason, things are good.

I am loving my work - although I am not sure it is what I want forever.  It is a remarkable next step in my development.  

All this good news aside, I think what has made the biggest difference is being back close to the people I love and who love me unconditionally.  I am talking to my parents with greater frequency.  I am connecting with old friends more often.  For the first time in almost all of my moves, I don't feel like I left my greatest friends behind with my move back to the US.  I kept my wonderful Brazilian friends, and I hope beyond hope that I am able to keep up with that.

Life is good.

Much has Changed

A few weeks back I uprooted again and transplanted myself in Cape Girardeau, MO as I previously mentioned.  I have been here for just over 2 weeks now and I can safely say, I am surprised with how much I enjoy it.  Now, please remember that I am coming in with all the expectations a super small town can demand, basically zero.  Best way I can describe it is Cape is a small town that does not believe it is a small town.  They have a small but decent mall with a Macys, JC Penny (containing a Sophora!!), Victoria's Secret, The Buckle, Barnes and Nobel (with Starbucks), and a few other smaller clothing stores as well.  There is a Best Buy, Target, Walmart, Sears, Lowes,  a few movie theaters, and a handful of strip malls containing delis, dry cleaners, small boutiques etc.  Over all, Cape has pretty much everything you could need without having a lot of extras.  

When you drive down the interstate you feel a bit like the big box stores decided there should be a town, they set up shop and as the adage goes "if you build it, they will come."  I think there is a small ring of truth to that.  However, as you venture to the "historic" downtown, you find some small town charm, the Cup and Cork coffee/wine shop, the small antique stores that never seem to have anyone inside, and the roaring Mississippi River.  There is a surprisingly beautiful bridge that crosses the river to Illinois which is a striking landmark.  Unfortunately the only thing on the other side to greet you are a few seedy looking strip clubs that are open until 4AM (unlike the Cape bars which close at 1:30AM). 

I think I will be find here, I have met some great people through an old Purdue acquaintance of mine who has been invaluable in helping me feel welcome.  I get to move into my apartment next week (the Holiday Inn is home currently) and I am very excited to start setting up.  I have made two big purchases since arriving, my new leather couch:

I bought a matching chair too but am debating the ottoman vs coffee table...

and... the biggest purchase of my ENTIRE LIFE (and the biggest reminder that a signature really can change your life....) my new 2012 Ford Focus Hatchback!

Isn't she pretty?!?

This coming week I have training, all week!  Over the weekend I will finally get keys to my new apartment and I will start to move in, buy all the necessities, and prepare for the movers who are hopefully coming on Monday!!  Fingers crossed!!

Tchauzinho!

The tag line for my blog is "In an attempt to keep my roots while desperately using my wings... these are my adventures."  Sometimes I think that is odd as all I seem to do is uproot and never maintain them.  However, it is intended as a metaphor for trying to keep in touch, keep my family and friends close even though I tend to wander.  I find I do the most growing during these moments of transition.  While I am struggling to say goodbye (see you laters!) to those people who have put their hand prints on my heart (cliche, I know) I am simultanously trying to start over.  It is a conflicting state to be in, when you are saying goodbye with one side, and hello with the other.  Just a few days ago I was hugging and crying as I wished many people the best, and today I am trying to prep myself to meet a new group of potential friends.  That is a lot for the mind, and particularly the heart, to adjust to. During these moments, I find myself relying on the cliches, the words of wisdom of those around me to get me through.  "Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened."

Before leaving Brazil, my great group of friends there had a wonderful dinner for me.  It once again reminded me how many amazing people I have in my life.  While I cried when I said "see you later" to them all, it is nice to have these pictures of us smiling and laughing to remind myself of all the great times we had.  

Sandra and I - from the very first day (literally!) to the very last day, Sandra was there for it all.  Love her for that and many, many other reasons. 

Carol and I!  One of my favorite Brazilian memories (churrasco, soccer, volleyball, poker, Trucou!) I owe to Carol for bringing me along and including me in her world. 

The Girls!

Carlos and Pia, Camila, Sandra and I - Such great, great people.

Thank you to all my great Brazilian friends for an experience that was challenging in ways I could not have imagined and rewarding in quantities beyond measure.  Tchauzinho mas, realmente ate logo! Lembra que voces sempre tem um convite pra EUA, minha casa esta aqui pra voces sempre!

Beijos pra todos!

Recife - June 23-27

I love traveling!  I love being in new places, meeting new people, trying new things, and having adventures which will keep me laughing and smiling forever.  As my time in Brazil is quickly (too quickly for my taste) coming to a close, I wanted to take one last mini-vacation before starting the next big move.  My manager, and good friend Tatiana was recently promoted to a new role here in Brazil as the supply leader of our other powdered laundry detergent factory.  Her factory is located outside of the amazing beach city of Recife in the northeast of Brazil.  So I decided to take advantage of having a friend to travel with, and headed off for a long 4 day weekend to celebrate Festa de Juninha (Festival of little June).

The bright colorful balloons and flags (on the walls behind) that are typical of this holiday.

Forro is the typical dance for Festa de Juninha and the typical story of the dance always has a bride and a groom.

Tatiana and I in Caruaru - the Forro Capital!  It was about 3 hours from Recife.  We ended up spending all night, not getting back until almost 4AM!

The flags, and illuminated balloon of the festival - very fun!

We took a bus from Recife along with about 18 other people.  Tatiana and I made friends with a very sweet couple, Andrea and Lairson - here are the girls.  Tatiana and I are drinking what appears to be grape juice, but is really chopp vinho, draft wine.  It sounds strange, and is strange, but delicious.  It is wine (super sweet, almost juice wine) with a splash of the foam from a beer tap.  Basically it tastes like alcoholic grape juice that is foamy, we liked it!

After our adventure to Caruaru (and arriving back in Recife around 4AM), Tatiana and I slept in only to get up to explore the near by city of Olinda.  Olinda is maybe better described as a suburb than another city, but its charm and vibe is completly unique.  Recife is actually a Dutch settlement and Olinda still boasts a lot of Dutch architecture and city feel.  It is said that had the Dutch colonized Brazil, Brazil might be a contender for world leader.  Why is this?  Because unlike the Portuguese who came to Brazil and took the Brazilian goods and sent them back to Europe, the Dutch invested in their Brazilian colonies.  Thus, Brazil would have had a much stronger start and probably would have developed much faster (or at least be much further along in its development).  I imagine the Dutch would have liked that also, because at least then there would be one other country that speaks Dutch making their language not entirely useless... (just kidding!) 

View of Recife from the high hill in Olinda

 

Olinda is also famous for its many historical churches.

Tatiana and I in Se, the top of the hill in Olinda.  All other churches are built with their entrances facing this hill (and the large church on top)

Being silly in a traditional Festa de Juninha hat

Recife is also famous for its Carnival party.  While not as well known as the Rio samba parades, Recife has street blocos that would rival the best in Rio.  In the blocos people walk around wearing these GIANT doll costumes, Tantiana and I are sitting with one sure costume and you can see the other off the the left.  The waist of the doll is about where the head of the person wearing the costume would be.  Inside is a support system that reminds me of a giant drummer vest (think marching band) with the weight of the doll being held on the wearer's shoulders. 

Being silly

No one should be drunk alone, so I sat down with this poor guy to hear his worries, got a little tipsy myself (j/k)

Pretending it is Carnival - wearing another traditional costume head dress.  You can see the bodies of the giant dolls behind me, they are enormous!

Tatiana and I outside one of the famous Olinda churches

 After Olinda and another much needed nights rest, we headed to Porto de Galinhos (Chicken Port) which is a beautiful beach town about an hour and a half from Recife.  It is a delightful stretch of beach filled with beach bars, chairs, umbrellas, and cute B&Bs.  The town itself is very sweet, albeit a tad typical tourist beach town with souvenir shops and nice restaurants. 

Tatiana and I took what I would call a Porto de Galinhas gondola ride (think Venice, not Steamboat).  It was really pleasant and our "driver" managed to catch a sea horse for us as the area is being preserved for their protection.  We of course let him go again after getting a good peak. 

Tatiana and I

After a nice day in the sun, I was ready for a rest in a hammock!  Thankfully Brazil is full of them, and no beach town is complete without an abundance!

A chicken, at chicken port..... lol

And that wrapped up a wonderful few days with Tatiana, and my last Brazilian mini-vacay (at least for now!) Such fun!!

It is cold in Brazil

"Hey Gringa, you are from North America, you are used to the cold.  Why are you in a coat?"

This is a beautifully summarized version of the conversation I have had with what feels like every single person in the Indaiatuba factory this past week.

It is cold in Brazil now, we are in fact in winter in the southern hemisphere and while they do not get snow, they do get cold-ish.  To give you an idea, here is what the next five days looks like in my neck of the woods.

 

Nothing scary right?  In fact I can even remember thinking to myself many times how AMAZING 77 feels after coming out of a really long winter.  I may have been known to wear shorts during such temperatures even.  I have no reason at all to say anything about it being cold in Brazil.  (Please note, lows in the 50s that is arguably coat weather, even if we are just talking the North Face fleece).

Now, here is the hour by hour forecast for Sunday (tomorrow) morning - not bad!  Getting to the 70s by mid day, just in time for a quick trip to the "feira" (weekend art/craft/food fair) for some homemade pasta and sweets!

However.... lets look at what happens at night.... 

 

Yes - the temperature dips to about 50 all night.  Again, not to bad right?  Nothing at all like the -20 degrees of Chicago or the snow filled nights in Colorado when it is a safety hazard to be outside.  

So... why do I say it is cold in Brazil?  Obviously it is not.  

Brazil does not have heat.  No joke.  Much like some homes (my own growing up) do not have air conditioning in the US, Brazilian homes do not have a furnace or heating system.  So, when it is 50 degrees outside, it is 50 degrees inside also.  So you wear a nice jacket at home at 50 degrees to get from the house to the car, from the car to the mall/restaurant/back to the house, but in between times you are greeted with a temperature controlled ambient temperature around what... 72... maybe 69 if you are cutting back for costs.  In all honestly the time you actually spend outside in that miserable, unbearable, frozen fingertips cold of below freezing is very very minimal.    When you have to go outside to bear this freezer of a world, you run (safely), make it as quick as possible, bundle up, and hurry!

Not here in Brazil.  If it is 50 outside, it is 50 inside, which means you are wearing your coat inside.   Ok, that isn't too bad right?  I wear my sweatpants and hoodies all the time at home, nothing unusual about bundling up a bit when it is chilly outside.  What is different is being at 50 ALWAYS.  I cannot go stand over the heating vent in the floor for 3 minutes to thaw out my toes (I can turn my hair drier on though...)  I crawl into bed in long pants, socks (who wears socks to bed really?!?), a sweatshirt, and last night, I wore my hood up!  Because at 50 degrees when you are trying to sleep it is like camping!!!  

Your body slows down, you aren't moving, you are not generating the same heat you once were.  No, you are actually participating in a loosing battle with thermodynamics at this point.  Nature wants you to be the same temperature as the surroundings (I believe that would be the second law... everything tends to chaos?) which means your body has to generate heat/energy to compensate for this continual "sharing" (more like nature taking) of energy.  When your outside temperature is colder, your body has to generate thermal energy faster (I am sure I could figure out the math on this and do a few quick energy balances, but my fingers are pretty chilly and I just don't care enough) because the rate of heat transfer is higher, so more energy, faster.

So the point is, you don't sleep so well when your body takes to shivering in an attempt to create more energy and thus heat.  When you roll over and your foot touches that cold spot in the sheets you try to become a fetus again and occupy as little space as possible. 

It also means that yes, Brazil is cold, and NO the Gringa from the North is NOT used to dealing with environments that are not controlled.... not for days on end.  Sure the first week was sort of fun (like camping)  but now, after a few more weeks... I am ready for a freakin' furnace and I am not ashamed to say it - BRAZIL IS COLD!

*Thank you weather.com for the forecast and graphs*