Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Home Sweet Home

I love coming back to the States. It's always SO nice here. Clean, cheap, fun.

We've covered a lot of ground in three days in Houston. Highlights include:


  1. poptarts

  2. frosted mini-wheats

  3. Life

  4. egg mcmuffins

  5. the Houston aquarium

  6. chucky cheese

  7. real milk

  8. real ice cream

  9. target

  10. walmart

  11. old navy

  12. swimming 3 or 4 times

  13. spending too much money


I love needing something and just being able to go to the store to get it. No, hmmmmm, do I have a friend who's going to the States anytime soon? When is Guapo going? I guess I'll just add it to my list and get it 3 months from now. Nope, I just get in my car, drive to the store, and I know they'll have it. (and 14 other products I don't know how I live without).

(picture me doing cartwheels)

My maid is doing fine, and I am doing fine with her here. Once I made it past security in the Brazilian airport I was wondering how I ever thought I was going to do it without another adult. Pedro alone requires about 1.5 adults. He only slept 5 of the 12 hours on the flight, despite the fact that I doped him with dramamine (I'm sorry if you think that's child abuse. I don't have a problem with it.). It wasn't exactly fun, but it's over now and I don't have to do it again for 6 1/2 weeks.

So far (it's only been 3 days and we've still got 3 1/2 weeks to go) it's nice to have her here too-it's like bringing the best of the 3rd world home to the 1st world. Everyone has a maid in Brazil, so I don't think I appreciate it as much there, but now that she's here, in a place where I don't normally have help, I am enjoying the benefits. It's like I have two of me and I get to choose the things I prefer to do and give her the other jobs. I have taken a couple of naps, and even gone shopping once by myself.

She is just a tad shutter happy. She has pictures of EVERY.THING. The plane, the wing of the plane, the bags being loaded onto the plane, the airplane food, the parking lot of the Houston airport, various shots on the shuttle bus to the rental car office, the rental car, etc., etc..

She told me today she is saving her McDonalds receipt so she can show her kids. Target was, as you can imagine, overwhelming. She had her cart filled in no time and I had to explain the new airline baggage rules to her and that we have Target in Colorado that has the exact same things.

The kids are like, "Vanessa, look, a tree!" "..a bird!", "...look at this elevator, have you ever seen an elevator like this?" which is pretty cute.

Tomorrow we head for Colorado!

11 comments:

Awesome Mom said...

I am all for drugging my kids when appropriate and that includes when it makes traveling easier. Harry does not take naps on long road trips and when he was a baby he would cry but not sleep. We would give him benedryl and everyone got some peace.

Have fun on your trip and try not to spend too much money.

Karla said...

Hee hee! Sounds like you are taking your maid on the adventure of her lifetime!!! Glad you survived the flight.

Janice said...

I am jealous you will be in Colorado. Yes, I live in the States but home will always be Colorado.

Lynne said...

Bryan has a former boss that just took a job in Brazil with a new airline. It's interesting to think about what he will have to look forward to. I wonder if his wife realizes everything? I'm glad you're having fun!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you are having fun! As you said, 3 1/2 more weeks to go so enjoy!
I am looking forward to my own vacation in Houston in a few weeks!

nikko said...

I'm just smiling at your whole post. Sounds like you are enjoying your time in the States and glad that Vanessa is having quite the time.

I think I took pictures of everything on the plane the first time I flew, too. (I was 18 -- so maybe not, LOL!)

marine's words said...

So gald you made it!! your muchachas has me laughing taking pictures of everything you must tell me what she thinks of the sates?
I wish I could have meet you I am so close to you .. but much like you we have gone swimming what do you think of all thes heat?? all these week shopping one trip to walmart another to Target and wroking out but its making me so hungery Hmm something wrong hear I should want to eat less.
I am so happy for you that you are back home for awhile and I can't belive the plane ride is 10 hours I thought it would be at least 8 boy you really are far away.
hope you have lots of fun,marina

Kari said...

Great start! That is a long flight. Now you can block it out of your mind and have fun, which you are doing!

(LOL at the photo-taking: that would be ME, from the day I got my first camera at age 10, to TODAY. With digital, it only got more ridiculous for me: if one photo is good, 100 must be fabulous!)

Ballerina Girl said...

Sounds like all is going well my friend.
I am setting off tomorrow, Monday, for my long haul...
9 to miami, then to Chicago, then to the 'burgh!
Miss you! Email me!
BG

marine's words said...

Yes the dears are real I live 4 miles out side of the city and all they do it eveything our grass and if you have a flower bed for get it that is candy for them. I think when we put up a fence we well be able to have a flower bed. The babies let you touch them they are so cute that picture was taken the first year we move out hear and my husband notice the bambie alone so he pick her up and put her on the chair my son wanted to keep her but we told him we can't keep a dear the mom will be coming around soon to get her or him.And I am not in to anmial on my lawns me please I am more in to what you said having to of me's one for cleaning and cooking so that I can be doing the things I like to do.
shop, working out,reading, lunch,swimming, but it's getting to expense to have full time help hear in the states some of my friends pay 300.00 a week and that is cheap.anyway I am gald you stop by I haven't herd from you in a while and I am happy you are having a nice time and you are in the states at least for awhile.hugs,
marina
PS. you still haven't told me what your maid thinks of the state's? :)

Unknown said...

I'm sure the flight was long, but yay it's over now and you're already having so much fun! I'm glad having your maid with you is working out. What a great experience for her and like you said, you're enjoying the benefits of having her around. Enjoy!