It's Christmas?

Christmas season has officially started... almost three weeks ago. With no Thanksgiving to get hyped about before, its understandable that the Christmas season starts early. Don't get me wrong, I like Christmas too... but its odd to be reminded of how many ridiculous American christmas songs there while abroad. Rudolf the rednose reigndeer was playing at the drugstore, followed by here comes santa claus. Also, I am pretty sure a saleswoman at a candle shop who was setting up the Christmas display was singing jingle bells. This Sunday we helped set up Jordana's Christmas tree... listening to Celine Dion Xmas songs, I've forgotten about them, but they're actually good.

My mom would be proud, I am totally taking advantage of having a pool in the backyard. I'm no Michael Phelps (thank god) but I've gotten better. Joao was telling me that last year no one went in the pool. This I find hard to believe, but sad if its true. I guess its like most luxuries, once you have them they lose their appeal. I am still in the phase where I'm loving it.

I'm starting to entertain the idea of traveling on my days off. I've been sort of a chicken, but after the internship is over, I'm most likely going to be traveling on my own, at least for a little bit. I wish it were easier to come here, Brazil is an amazing country- apart from the corrupt bureaucracy and annoying visa and taxes you "have" to pay. I have secured a place to stay in Rio over NYE... some IAESTE kids are going to be in the area as well... we have an email group and I've been talking to a few. A lot of people are in Belo Horizonte, far away from me. I like it here though- truly. My Brazilian family, as they call themselves- is great. We're always joking and having a good time; they are just fun to be around.

On the work front... I love doing details. Call me crazy, but its true. I even took a picture of a building because I detailed the kind of window it had. Yes it gets tedious, and sometimes difficult, but once you have it all drawn and put together in a set... its almost like finishing that model you started 30 hours ago with plenty of time to spare- something that never happens in architecture school. Carolina, (one of the architects) assures me that it is the same in Brazil... no sleep, faulty glue and hours of crits and reviews. It's always down to the wire. Also, a new admiration and fascination of sketchup. Some are against it, and its not the most technical of programs, but you can make a lot of cool stuff. Now in the days where the image rules, making kick ass perspectives to hook your clients is always a good thing.

I learned this weekend that cachaca, cerveja and tequila is a terrible idea together. I got a casa de cachaca shotglass as a souvenir, as well as one of the worst hangovers ever... I have to be careful with that stuff- but its a truly Brazilian thing, though I'll admit not my favorite. At least I wasn't the only one messed up, we found Bruno asleep in his car on the way back to ours... he told us the next morning he slept there until 5am, when his brother called from the bus station to come pick him up. Aiai. Loucura. My Portuguese is getting better, though I'm still sort of shy to speak it, Fabio makes fun of me for not talking more. Punk. I'm starting to forget how to say things in English, its so strange.