Aerobics- Take One

Recently while visiting with Sidnei’s Aunt, she mentioned that she was starting a water aerobics class. Since I have been feeling rather homebound lately, I decided I would join and invited my MIL to come with us as well. I figured that this was a good thing for me, as I have been rather inactive lately. (Read: Couch potato) Not only that, but it’s been HOT, and I couldn’t think of anything better than getting in a pool!

So this past Monday, we all dragged ourselves out of bed…Israel’s Mom now stays home with him, so he hasn’t been here…and thus we have taken full advantage by going back to bed after the men go off to work. It has been full of wonderful, heavenly, lay in the middle of the bed spread eagle, sleep. But never mind that, off we went because our class started at 9. We arrived, stripped down, and hopped in the pool. The water was absolutely delicious at that time in the morning. I was thoroughly enjoying myself as it has been quite a while. Though the pool rapidly became FULL, we had about 30 people in the water. Almost everyone was 50 or older.

So first, let’s start out with the obvious. I am WHITE. And everyone here notices and is always concerned. Did I put on sun block? Where is my hat? I really need to shade my face. And my eyes are sooo beautiful, but my light eyes need to be shaded from the sun, I need to use sunglasses! Okay, they were right about the sun glasses, I completely forgot and was pretty much blind with the rising sun. I did use sun block…70 spf. And for only being in the pool for one hour, I still burnt my shoulders and back a little. At 9 AM. Now don’t get me wrong, in the states I burnt pretty easy as well, however, it was usually after a couple of hours, and somewhere between the hours of 12-3.

The actual workout was not challenging AT ALL. Which is alright, it was challenging for a lot of other people there, including my MIL, and I am glad. Part of the problem is the teacher. She only had about 5 different exercises, which we just repeated over and over and over. And over. So I was pretty disappointed by that. She rode in on her motorcycle (literally), she is very fit, and looked very promising. Maybe she doesn’t do more because the women are older? That is very likely, but I still think she could have included some different exercises. Really the only thing we did, was running in place. To the front. To the back. To the front again. And then the opening and closing of the legs…all the while using our arms to push the water.  And I am sorry I don’t know more technical terms for these exercises.

Anyway, truly I was slightly disappointed. I had done water aerobics back home and it had surprisingly (for me my first time) kicked my butt. I was hoping this would do the same. But anyway like I said, it helps my MIL who has a lot of back pain, and if I go, she’ll go. And plus on Mondays and Wednesdays, I get to play in the pool. When it’s over, everyone scurries out, I do a couple of laps, play around like the little fish I used to be and climb out happy!

Fast and Testimony Meeting

Yesterday, after trying to explain what the Godhead is and how the Holy Spirit helps us in Portuguese to a 2 and 3 year old, helping color and glue, stopping tears, getting snacks, singing songs, I was tired. Not only was I tired, but I was alone. (Poor Sidnei had over worked himself all day and night Saturday and when I tried to wake him up on Sunday, he literally just didn’t even stir. Not even a little bit. So I let him be.) Walking up the stairs to the (hello I am drawing a blank here..the more I learn Portuguese, the more I forget English words) place where we take Sacrament (isn’t there a word for that room?) I had decided that I would just take the Sacrament and drive home.

As I was sitting in Sacrament, I was watching the same little boys that I had just taught, running up and down the aisle…and I thought, I should pull him aside and ask him if he thought the Holy Ghost would like him running around during Sacrament. And then what do you know, that all knowing little voice said, “Maybe you should ask yourself the same question.” Meaning, should I really be taking off after Sacrament? Crrraappp.

So I stayed. Honestly, I’m so glad I did. Every month I’m always pleased that I listened to everyone’s testimony. I love watching how eager the kids are (primary and YM, YW) to get up and share their testimonies. I love the simple, yet profound statements that come from them. I honestly, really love listening to these people, so different from myself in so many aspects, who know and profess the same things I know and believe.

I am so grateful to have the gospel in my life. This gospel that creates similarities, that gives me a home away from home. It creates a love and friendship that I wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else. And I take comfort knowing that no matter where I am, no matter where I go, the gospel will be the same and I will always have instant family and friends.

**There may be those reading that don’t know me personally or know me well so if you are confused, I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. (I’m Mormon) Please feel free to ask me any questions or share any thoughts. However, I do ask, that all comments here and anywhere else on my blog, be respectful.**

Belo Horizonte...Take 1

Remember that trip I took back at the beginning of January to Belo Horizonte with my MIL? Well let’s just say, I will only be traveling as long as Sidnei is with me or unless I just go alone. We will leave the details to that. Because as Thumper said, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”

So here is the nice stuff.

We took a train on the way there and despite it being suffocatingly hot the scenery was beautiful! With the rolling mountains, blue skies, and the array of green everywhere, everything, it is a sight to behold. Truly.  I didn’t start taking any pictures until the sun was setting. Mostly because it was too hot to hold anything but water. In fact, I stripped down on the train. Next time we’ll be taking an air conditioned unit. This is Sidnei’s gorgeous cousin, Taina (ty-na), can you believe she’s only 14??

The train is SUPER long. Can you see it heading into the sunset on the bend?

One of the FABULOUS parts of Belo Horizonte is how much cooler it is than Ipatinga. I enjoyed that part VERY much. I even slept without a fan and I was cool in the mornings. I needed my jacket. Heaven people.

The other FABULOUS part was I got to meet Corinne! I was so excited to be able to hang out with someone and speak English to my heart’s content! And get tips and pointers on doing things! That is always a plus! And we went to Outback Steakhouse and had a blooming onion. It was REALLY good. (I’m going to be the girl that goes to visit home and comes back 20 pounds heavier. I miss my processed American food. So sue me. I want a funfetti cupcake people. And that’s not to say I don’t enjoy the food here, I do! But I want sour cream! Tortilla chips and salsa!…you get the picture) Anyway Corinne was fabulous enough to put up with the ‘guidelines’ that were given to me by my in-laws, give me lots of great information, and even extended an invite back! I can’t wait to come back, go see the sites, and partake in the big city fun! Thanks Corinne!

Here are pictures from my trip!

Here we are in Parque Municipal in downtown Ipatinga.

Me in Praca do Liberdade!

The view from where we were staying at night…

Day time…

Me with Sidnei’s Aunt Lete and cousin

The glorious dawn on the day we were leaving!

I am excited to go back to Belo Horizonte to be able to see more! Hopefully we’ll be making that trip soon! There is so much to do and see!

#26 Off to a good start!

First, thank you for all my birthday wishes! It was a really great day!

Sidnei woke me up at 1:30 a.m. to tell me Happy Birthday, which was sweet…but you know me, I’m good at 7 a.m. too. Sidnei went to work, so my day was pretty normal, got up, cleaned, all that good stuff.

My parents called (both sets) and sang me Happy Birthday. I can’t tell you how much I miss my family. I have a big, gaping hole and it just aches and aches. It makes me all weepy on holidays, celebrations.…even just sometimes when all of Sidnei’s family is together. My plan is to go home in August and I’m counting down the months. Hopefully the next 7 will pass as quickly as the first 8.

Sidnei came home at mid day and brought home a big bouquet of roses! They were just beautiful and made me feel special!

I also got a beautiful card filled with money! So I can go on a shopping spree for clothes (all mine are too big now)!

The rest of the day was filled with errands and shopping for my party! And of course a milk shake…or two…

True to form, I ran around like crazy getting everything ready, just to get all hot and sweaty. Let me just say…it was hot! But I really had a great time. We set the party for 8, so of course everyone arrived about 9:30. We had about 30 people there (all family except 2) and they were so cute. They sang to me Happy Birthday in English and Portuguese! It was so funny and terribly sweet!

Enjoy the pictures!

The new do

Gracie finally got her hair cut! She got her first one in October and her hair had gotten so long!

Not to mention the crazy heat all day…! Let me just say, it was time.

 

The people did a really good job this time. They used the machine instead of the scissors. In fact they did such a good job, she’s practically naked. Look! You can see her freckles!

 

Needless to say, she was not thrilled with me and would not “speak” with me upon her arrival. But she did give me the stink eye…see?

Of course I wasn’t very nice either. I think there was some comment about my dog now looking like a bobble head. But I have no idea who would have said such a thing.

Now ignore the mess and tell me these two aren’t precious?