Have you seen the show, "Man vs. Wild"? We had never heard of it til we went to the States this summer and Guapo and the kids were instant fans. This guy, named Bear of all things, is dropped into remote parts of the world with nothing but a few survival tools that can use while he searches for civilization.
We watched episode after episode of Bear eating nasty creatures like still-wiggling snakes, grubs, spiders and raw fish. For me the grossest thing ever was when Bear peed into his canteen and guzzled it down like it was Country Time lemonade.
EWWWWWWWWW.
Anyway, I've been thinking a lot about Bear lately. I feel a lot like Bear lately.
"THIS WEEK ON MOM VS. WILD: MAMA BEAR IS DROPPED OFF IN DOWNTOWN BIG CITY BRAZIL. SHE IS LEFT IN A SMALL APARTMENT (NO AMENITIES) WITH HER 4 CHILDREN. SHE HAS NO FRIENDS. HER KIDS HAVE NO FRIENDS AND THEY ARE BORED TO TEARS WITH THE FEW TOYS THEY BROUGHT. TO FILL THEIR DAYS THEY HAVE TAKEN TO TEASING, SCREECHING, AND BRAWLING. MAMA BEAR DOES NOT SPEAK PORTUGUESE. SHE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO FIX FOR DINNER BECAUSE THERE IS NO COSTCO. HER HUSBAND IS TOO BUSY WITH HIS NEW JOB TO BE OF ANY HELP.
HER OBJECTIVE: TO SURVIVE (MAINTAIN HER SANITY AND NOT HURT ANY OF HER CHILDREN) UNTIL THE KIDS START SCHOOL"
Luckily I, like Bear, have a few tools to help me survive.
Tool #1: My Sister-In-Law
Guapo's sister, who served a mission in Sau Paulo, came down to help me the first two weeks. How nice is that? And helpful? You can't imagine how helpful-she plays with my kids, lets me go do stuff I have to do, teaches me Portuguese.
She's the bomb.
We took the kids to the beach this week-here she is with Pedro. Her face doesn't normally look like this, but she was helping me spot men in speedos to take a few pictures for the ole blog.
She was telling me that I was missing this guy running by us:
On that tangent, here are some other men we saw:
Tool #2: The Beach
Long-lasting entertainment for the kids. They just don't do the coutry-club type apartments here like they do in Mexico City. Thank goodness we have the beach. And a beautiful one it is.
Tool #3: Wireless Internet and My Laptop
No explanation or picture necessary
Tool #4: Club Penguin
Ok, I'm not a fan of video or computer games, but my kids have no toys (our stuff doesn't arrive until the end of August at the earliest). So, I let them play Club Penguin and they leave me alone for a while.
Total addicts, but we'll deal with that later (just picture Bear drinking his pee-I'm desperate!!!)
Tool #5: Harry Potter
We left the states on the 16th and I was so sad I was going to miss the unveiling of "Deathly Hallows". Guapo's boss came in to town on Sunday and he brought me a copy!!!
Loving it.
School starts next Thursday.
Bear always makes it, so I'm sure I will too.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Just Call Me Mama Bear
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13 comments:
wow! I haven't been in bloggy land in months! I had a flashback of when we first moved to mexico and had no internet, tv, or toys. I didn't speak spanish and I was depressed to say the least. I hope you pick up "portanol" (I don't have and enyay) soon so you don't feel so lonely. Atleast you have the beach. Miss you!
Gariella,
You are hallarious. It is sad though mama bear in Brazil!! ILove the ocean!!!!!
I will pray for you as you adjust to your new life. Just do not resort to drinking your own pee lol!!!
Hey I will come help you out in Spain for a few weeks as well!! I have always wanted to go to Brazil. I love to hear all about it!
I meant Brazil!!
Holy Cow girl, I don't know how you do it. You do have a few very helpful tools, I might add.
I'm trying to finish Harry Potter, right now, but am finding that I don't have many reading opportunities.
Totally love the beach. That is one thing I really miss about Cali.
Yikes on the drinking pee thing.
I don't know how you're surviving but my hat is off to you. Hope your stuff hurries.
Not all those Speedo guys looked that bad. ;)
Wow- you weren't kidding about the speedos! Eeew!
Love Man vs. Wild. How funny (because it is so true about Mom vs. wild and I'm not even in a foreign country!) Brazil is awesome. I am sure you will love it soon.
It sounds like you are doing the best you can! The beach and Harry Potter sound great to me! Hang in there.
Gabs...
It is so good to have you back...and I know why I kept you on my list of links!
My heart goes out to you, and to your kids as you adjust to Brazil. Is this move fairly permanant...or are you looking at another move in a short period of time?
To not have a Costco is a very hard thing, but harder still is the language barrier and the lack of people to associate with. I hope that within a very short time you will have others to reach out to...meanwhile, my prayers will be with you.
I'm glad you're back to the blogging world. I missed you!
Dear Gabriella,
I've been trying to follow your adventures for the past few months. But I am too in one of our moves again. I am in Paris, but I am originally from Brazil. I am going back to Sao Paulo next week.
Well your are living in RJ. It is a beautiful city, but way too dangerous for me. And as for the pictures, you are living in the South Area. You can give it a shot on the West Area (Barra da Tijuca, Recreio dos Bandeirantes). In those areas they do have country-club type apartments and beautiful beaches of course. As for supermarket, there is no COSTCO, but you can give it a shot at Carrefour and Pao de Acucar.
Well, I wish I could be more helpful. I speak really good English, so if you need any help ; )
Fabiola
we LOVE bear!
I LOVED the Deathly Hallows!!
Sorry for the long summer...yea for school starting.
Yea for you blogging again!
Brazil! What an adventure!
Ok, whatever you do, no matter how desperate, DO NOT drink any pee.
I have always said you are a tough woman. You are awesome!
And how cool is you SIL? She rocks.
Speedo Men! Speedo Mennnnn! Yikes.
That beach is gorgeous :)
Be safe ok? Stay sane, you can do it.
You are Super Woman!
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