The house is on fire

My husband did it again. He burned another electronic device...well, this time it was a power strip that we brought with us from the United States. Honestly I don't know why he plugged it in, or where he plugged it into, because I wasn't looking. But this is the third time. You'd think he'd learn. I get the voltage difference "system" and I'd explained it to him on more than one occasions, but ::whoosh:: over his head I guess.


Anyway, you can imagine what an electrical fire looks like and I sure can you tell you how it smells. It burns. Inside your nose. The smell lingers and when I walk into the kitchen where the strip has been exposed of, it stinks even more. No fun. Boo hoo. I saw that fire and heard the noise when it sizzled and burned. And of course the smell was worse.

The first thing that was "burned", or destroyed, in this house was our cordless phone. We don't have or need a house phone in Brasilia; the only reason we bought one was to use with our Magic Jack. Luckily for us, it turns out that our neighbors found an extra phone in a closet in their apartment when they moved in and since they're not using it we've got it. All we had to buy was a phone cord and that cost less than 50 cents (American).


What fried next was a real disappointment to E because he loves to listen to music, as do I. It was our iPhone speakers. It's too bad because those bad boys worked really well. What I don't get then is why E plugged in everything immediately - as soon as we arrived in the country. I mean, you'd think it'd be a better idea to check the voltage before doing anything, right? That's what I did. Our laptops and battery chargers work (either with our without an adapter), and frankly, that's what's most important. Our apartment was furnished and came with all of the appliances we need. All we need a transformer for, really, in the kitchen, is our rice cooker. 


So we no longer have a cordless phone or speakers for our iPods/iPhone. But these were fried within the first day or two of being in Brazil. Now it's been three weeks and E still plugged in the power strip, which is now lying to rest in the trash can. I'm hoping that that's it. We got a transformer today so we can finally hook up our wireless adapter (thank goodness!) and we can both use our laptops at the same time as well as clean up the mess of cords that were like vines hanging from a tree all over the living room. Our apartment will eventually cease to smell like fire and we'll get back to normal, just with less electronic equipment. 

It's crunch time

It's definitely crunch time over here in the "Bound for Brasilia" household. We only have a few days left and are not ready to walk out the door at this time, though we're pretty darn close. Our upstairs is cleaned, vacuumed, and ready to vacate with the exception of our mattress/box spring that we're selling in a couple of days; we're also still using that bathroom since it has the shower. Sebastian's "stuff" has been moved from the downstairs bathroom (so I could clean it and shut it off) and moved upstairs. So I'm sharing a bathroom with two boys during our last few days in this apartment. We brought down one piece (our last piece) of furniture from the upstairs which we're about to sell in a couple of hours, and the rest of our clothes - those that are out because we'll either be wearing them the next couple days or the day of our trip. As I look around the first floor I want to say that there's still a lot in it, but that's because we're taking most of it with us. We're at 8 large suitcases, 2 carry-ons, 2 personal items, 1 trophy (that's too big to put anywhere), and 1 cat. The rest will be sold/donated/disposed of over the weekend.


I think, and hope, that I've taken care of all of the paperwork that it takes to move. I know it may seem that I'm organized and I believe that I am, but it's a lot to do. I'm VERY glad that I have my mom's support as far as her helping us with our mail. We're also very blessed to have such amazing friends that will take us to the airport and help us out once we sell our car. And now that we have a MagicJack we'll have a US phone number so we can make any calls to/from the US at no extra cost. 


Honestly, I'm afraid that putting into words all that I'm thinking and worrying about is just going to stress me out, so maybe I shouldn't. We've gotten everything done and will be ready to leave in a few days. I'm not going to stress out over things that are out of my control, and everything else we'll work itself out in the end. If we have any issues then we'll just cross that bridge when we get there. Moving itself is stressful enough; I don't need to worry myself. 


For now I just need to enjoy my last few days in the States and prepare for the fun adventure ahead of me. I love to be abroad more than anyone else I know (or close to it) so I need to feel excited and not worry because really, I can't wait to be in Brazil! [Oh yeah...and a special thanks to my new friend (really a friend of Renata's and now mine) who is going to take us all around Brasilia once we arrive. Yeah!!!]

Just another Thursday: July 7th

Outside my window.. it's hot and humid and sunny

Today I feel.. tired, overwhelmed, but content

I am thankful.. for good friends. In particular (today), for Zack, Emily, Aliah, Stephanie, Jelis, and Paolo

Tomorrow I am going.. to have a Greek lunch with a friend, a Japanese dinner with friends, and then to party on the last Friday that I'm in Orlando at Siberian Nights with a Brazilian DJ (from Manaus!)

I am wearing.. yoga pants and a tank top (I've packed all of my good stuff)

I wish.. that my 8th suitcase won't exceed 70 lbs and that the airline will look away if E decides to take a BIG bag as his personal item

This weekend.. will be my last in the States (for awhile)

I am reading.. "1984", "Committed", and will soon be reading "Of Mice and Men"

I am working on.. packing and moving to Brazil

Yesterday I.. cleaned the house, threw away garbage, donated food and other items to our friends, made arrangements to sell our car, read, and packed

I am hoping.. for a smooth trip to Brazil with NO issues (please, please)

I am hearing.. E's techno music and a knock on the door. My shoes arrived!

I bet you don’t know.. that I'm about to go out and get a pedicure

One of my favorite.. things to do lately is sleep :)

Wordless Wednesday: High School Books

As I prepare to move to Brazil to teach high school English, I'm spending some of my time (re)reading books that I'll be teaching starting next month.

Remember these from high school English class?

Vet Visit #2

Today we took Sebastian to his second, and final, veterinarian visit before moving to Brazil. For more information regarding taking a cat to Brazil ,read on here and then about my first vet visit just click here. This morning's trip to the doctor's was at the ungodly hour of 7:30 a.m. Apparently I thought when I made the appointment that since I was a high school teacher my body would be accustomed to waking up when it's still dark, regardless of the fact that the appointment was on a Saturday during the summer. Not the best idea, especially after a late night. E went along, but he was sleeping until the vet started including him into our conversations - she was good like that.

Note: If you're taking a pet with you to Brazil I suggest reading the consulate's website and calling the USDA for more specifics, as well as your airline. 

This final exam was to get the International Health Certificate, make sure Sebastian is still in good health, check his weight (gain?), and ask the doctor some questions about his imminent trip abroad. Sebastian IS in good health; the vet said that his teeth are beautiful and his lymph nodes are healthy. He IS 15.5 lbs (only .1 lb more than his May visit), but he is a big boy - tall and long from head to toe. However, this vet said that she'd like to see him lose a bit of his belly...maybe just a pound. 

The vet today was excellent. She was friendly and informative and knew how to talk to pet owners. She gave us the certificate, which I verified and signed, and then she even filled out a health certificate in Portuguese/English. I don't know if that's standard procedure or if she just did it to be kind, but I'm glad I have all of the forms completed and signed, and that she is an accredited veterinarian (otherwise the USDA won't accept her signature). Nice touch that there is a bilingual form, if you ask me. She also noticed that the rabies certificates that we showed her were not signed by the first vet, Dr. Hart. Hence, my trip back there to see that doctor later in the afternoon. I had noticed he didn't sign it either but didn't think much of it since it does have his name written on it, but it's better to be safe than sorry, especially with Brazil so I stopped by his office. It's too hot for that. With that being said, it wasn't so bad stopping by his office because it was nice to see a pet owner so grateful for all that that he has done for her pet. A lady there was thanking him and his secretaries a million times. He was also a good vet and Sebastian really seemed to like him.

Dr. Krampotich (from today) took her time to talk to us and answer our questions, despite the fact that it was before 8 a.m. on a Saturday, and to be honest, that is what I appreciated the most. Oh yeah, and that she called Sebastian "munchkin" - so cute :). My first question was about Sebastian's behavior on the plane. Turns out we have an 8 and a half-hour flight from Orlando to Sao Paulo and then another 1 and a half-hour flight from SP to Brasilia (and that doesn't include our layover which can be up to 5 hours, if not more). I was thinking about buying a spray that is made to calm cats. The only issue with that is that each cat is different. What if it didn't work on Sebastian? What if he went crazy(ier)? So what did the doctor suggest? Sedatives. Sure, I'll take them. She gave us a bottle (of 5) and told us to try one out today. Which we did. Sebastian is sleeping like a baby now; he looks and acts like he's all drugged up and I think it'll be best to travel with him like this. I only gave him 1/2 a pill which I mixed in with his wet food. We'll do this again next week before we leave for the Orlando airport.

By the way, the vet told me that she likes male cats to eat wet food because it's good for their urinary tract. And I know that males are more susceptible to getting said infections and that it's very painful for them. I'm happy then to make my little guy happy since he loves to eat wet, canned food.

My other major question to the vet was regarding how much/when Sebastian should eat and drink before traveling. I really don't want him to use the bathroom on the plane, nor do I want him to have to but then not go because he's uncomfortable. (Cats tend to do that). The vet suggested since our flight is at night to give him breakfast that morning and then not feed him until we're on the flight, only giving him very very small portions at a time. She said that as he is a big cat and has fat in his body, his body would attack his fatty liver if he didn't eat food and we don't want that. 

We left the vet's office with the health certificate in hand (in English and Portuguese :), Sebastian's pills, a healthy cat who had one more car trip under his belt, and a number of questions answered in a professional manner. Sebastian came home and is now sleeping soundly. In three more days we'll go to Gainesville to make a visit to the USDA, sans the cat, and he'll be ready for the following week and his first international flight.

The boys

Crazy cat

Nosy

Sleeping beauty

If you're looking for a veterinarian in the Orlando area, I'd highly recommend the following doctors. I hope that someone does find this information useful because I know when I was looking for a vet to help with this process it was difficult for me to find any information on-line. 

Dr. Roger Hart, DVM

8219 S John Young Parkway

Orlando, FL 32819

(located in PetSmart)

Dr. Eva Diana Krampotich, DVM

7424 E Colonial Drive

Orlando, FL 32807

(VCA Animal Hospital)

Wordless Wednesday: Sebastian is ready to fly

Sebastian and his fancy schmancy self is ready to fly on an airplane for his first time ever. He even got a new carrier just for the occasion, and it's blue because he's a boy. He's tried it out and given his approval. 


Meow,

ANOTHER visit to the Brazilian consulate and *Miami*

I know I have mentioned our multiple visits to the Brazilian consulate again and again and again because before today I think we took three trips there between December and May. Without these accomplishments, we wouldn't be bound for Brasilia so they were all necessary. Oh yeah, and and it would have been more if we hadn't mailed the application to renew E's passport (versus driving down and dropping it off and picking it up). That's too many. And guess what? We still had to come back (I'm still here) today. But this is it. No more. I promise.


The thing is that I get really nervous before and during our time at the consulate. I worry that I'm missing a document, that something will go wrong (on their end), that even worse, that we'll be told that the consulate won't be able to give us back whatever it is we went there to do and that we'll have to return the following day. We've never had time for that. I live more than three hours north of Miami and I had to miss work twice to go to the consulate. I can't return the next day. Plus, that's a lot of gas, waking up early, missing work, driving, money for food and tolls. It adds up.


Today's visit to the consulate was to have a document legalized. A document that will save us lots of money. E had to complete a form (except I always do everything because I know what needs to be done, and maybe I'm a bit controlling? But he doesn't mind that I take charge) stating that he's lived outside of Brazil for at least one year; this way he - well, we - won't have to pay taxes on his personal belongings when he returns to Brazil. Easy enough. The form is called declaracao de residencia no exterior and it's short and to the point. The Brazilian citizen just needs to write a few examples of the proof that they have of living outside the country and then will need to present these upon arrival. They don't need to be presented to the consulate. For instance, a phone bill (or any other utility bill), a lease agreement, stamp in their passport, and/or proof of paid taxes in the country of residence will prove that the Brazilian has not been in Brazil for at least a year - whether legally or not, it doesn't matter. I thought that the letters/receipts from Homeland Security that are regarding residency and citizenship would do, but the woman who helped us wasn't convinced so we came up with a list of four kinds of "proof" and that's what we'll show. Now we just need to print out the last 13 months of our phone bill since they're in E's name. We've sold our printer so it's not as easy as it sounds, but we'll figure it out. If our phone company mails them to us then they'll charge us $5 a copy. How sweet.


We dropped off our form and were able to pick it up about two hours later. All that needed to be done to the form was to be legalized by the Brazilian consulate. That meant a couple stamps and a sticker. Nothing really. But it still cost us $20. We were also going to "regulate" E's CPF (like the American SSN) and change my surname on mine, but we were told that it'd be faster to do it in Brazil (versus the 3-month wait time here). That was only $5 a piece so I figured it'd be quicker and cheaper to take care of it here, but I was mistaken. I also wanted to do that now so we don't have to take care of it later, but oh well. So we're done with the consulate. At least before we leave. But we're not done with paperwork forever. There is still a lot to do once we arrive in Brasilia, like register with the federal police, register at the America consulate, get E an American passport, make sure our CPFs are in order, get my "work card"...and that's all I can remember off the top of my head.


As we were finished at the consulate at 1:15 p.m., we decided to head to Miami Beach to relax on the warm sand, sunbathe (at least I did), and swim in the salty water. VERY nice. After about two hours there we were ready for dinner and revisited the local Bolivian restaurant for some delicious food. We had to buy a hair brush and wait in the world's longest line at CVS since we somehow forgot mine this morning, and then we drove to the hotel. 


It's been a long day, it'll be a long one tomorrow, and I have a king-sized bed for the night....so...
Boa noite,

Wordless Wednesday: Packing for Brazil

An excuse to go shopping

How could I ever move abroad and survive without certain items? Now I'm used to living without while in South America, I mean, isn't that kind of the point of going abroad? If everything were the same "there" as it is "here",  then why even leave? I've loved being overseas ever since I first step foot onto the Bolivia ground years ago. I like what's different, what's foreign....so why the "need" to shop for what I'll miss from the United States? There is no need, but it is nice to have certain things with me.


I know I'll miss American television and movies, so we're taking our DVDs with us, which means that we need to take our DVD player that will read said American DVDs. We'll also be taking our electronics and some appliances with us due to the cost and quality of them in Brazil. Scarcity of food and personal items makes one want to take peanut butter, BBQ sauce, tampons, English language books, and teacher resources.


And then there are the "fun" purchases like the TrueBlood Season 3 DVD set! And of course, I wouldn't have bought a Kindle if I were not leaving the country. And the new fluffy towels we got last night, the suitcases, and visits to the mall. I guess moving abroad just gives you an excuse to go shopping. Obviously you'd buy the suitcases if you needed them (like we did last year when we went on a cruise), but it's fun to go shopping regularly in preparation for the big move. We'll just have to pretend that it's not as expensive as it is. But in our defense, we hadn't shopped seriously for months knowing we'd be doing this right before we left.


I guess, then, with all of the shopping and preparations in moving that we will only need to buy what is necessary to settle us down and make us comfortable once we arrive in Brasilia. After that we'll be golden....that is, until our first trip back to the U.S., right? So although I don't need to watch TrueBlood, it's a show that I love and am glad to have an excuse to buy (I already own seasons 1 and 2). Plus, what girl doesn't want an excuse to go shopping?


Plus, I found out today that I don't need any dental work done before we move; I can wait until we get to Brazil to have my (partially) broken crown replaced. Now I just need to call TAM and do more laundry, pack, throw out boxes and maybe make another trip to GoodWill. Oh yeah, and stop by Walmart to get the MagicJack we need so we can make cheap calls to the U.S. Among other errands that need to be run...


But of course I have to wait for E to get home because we only have one car and one cell phone between the two of us. And of course I think that Lafayette is one of the best characters I've ever seen on a TV show so he'll keep me company until E returns; I can't get enough of Lafayette, his cousin, and these vampires and werewolves. And God knows I can't watch any more of these shows on the Internet - I got two viruses and had to restart my computer twice as a result.


So off I go....hookahs... 

Have a good day,

So what am I watching on TV?

I just wrote a post about cancelling my cable TV in preparation for our move to Brazil and it reminds me that I'll miss not only English language TV, but I'll also miss the regular TV programs that I habitually watch. (I feel like I should add that I've only been watching more TV recently for some reason; I wasn't always this into television. I do love to read. Remember?)

The question then is, what am I watching on TV?

Meet the Browns

Sex and the City reruns

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations <3

with Steve Harvey



These are my guilty pleasures....

Last weekend of grading papers

'Tis the final weekend before the end of the school year. Hallelujah! This has been a rough year for me. A busy year. A I-gotta-take-my-comprehensive-exams-and-graduate-from-graduate-school kind of year. A prepare-to-move-out-of-the-country year. And I'm relieved to know that there are only 3 more school days, and they're all final exam days so no teaching has to be done. I just need to clean my classroom, meet with my assistant principal to turn in all of my paperwork (lesson plans and such) and have her sign off on that. The biggest pain in the butt is all of the final grading that I need to do. I was quite productive today and graded my students' final quiz and extra credit assignment but I still need to grade their "Romeo and Juliet" test. That's saved for tomorrow, as well as making sure all of my lesson plans are ready to be turned in on Monday. And frankly, I'm tired of the tragedy of R & J and don't want to read any more timelines mapping out the untimely death of the star-crossed lovers. That is, until next school year :). Don't get me wrong, I love Shakespeare and the play and even enjoyed watching the movies I showed my students to help them understand, but I need a break from reading the play 6 times a day and talking about it. 


So even though I may be busy today, this weekend, and this coming week, I can relax knowing that next weekend I'll be home free. I'll still have to prepare for our move to Brazil and that includes yet another trip to the consulate in Miami, but I won't have to worry about returning home and getting enough sleep to survive my 6 a.m. alarm clock. Let's face it, I don't have to wake up early again unless it's to get us to the airport to fly to New York, but that'll be fun. I will still be busy throughout the month before our departure, but I'll have the luxury of sleeping in and that, my friends, is priceless.Oh the thought of it...


In the meantime, I will be staying in working during my last weekend grading papers, finishing a book (yeah! and necessary because I want to read and leave behind paperbacks and then just read my Kindle once I'm abroad), continuing to sell sell sell my belongings on-line, packing just a bit, and maybe sneaking in sips of my husband's Johnny and Red Bull drink while watching NBA games and UFC fights. (I need to try and live as much as an American as I can before I become an expat). Now if only my on-line grade book was up and running this could be an almost perfect final weekend before the summer is out and I'm done with public school teaching in America...perhaps forever...