Soccer

I have really never been a sports fan. I mean, it's all well and good, but I just can't pay attention to a bunch of people running around after a ball for very long. I just can't! The sound of sports games makes me sleepy.

Last night, the Corinthians played. For those who are not familiar with Brazilian soccer, the Corinthians are a national team and are currently in the finals for the "copo do brasil"...Brazil Cup. It's kind of like a superbowl for soccer. And it is also Joaquim's team. The game started at 9:45 last night, so after church, Joaquim was all eyes on his watch. We went to the night market and got some dinner (ka-bobs and pastels...a pastel is like fried dough filled with meat or cheese. Deliiiicious.) There, we met Tio Zé, Tia Adi, Carol, Samuel, Gabi, and Barbara. (Uncles, aunts, and cousins.) We were there informed that we could eat dinner there, but save room for dessert because Tia Adi and her "assistant" Gabi made dessert. Mmmmm.

So, we made our way over to their house and had some delicious strawberry pie (for which I now have the recipe, much to Joaquim's joy and delight) and guaraná. Of course, we HAD to leave in time to get back for the game, haha. Joaquim herded us all out and we got home at 9:47. Phew.

Well let me say, I've never watched a Corinthians game before. It was certainly an experience. I fell asleep within about 5 or 10 minutes, but woke up every once in a while to loud clapping, "woo hoo!"s, "VAI FELIPE!!!" (yelling for the goalie to make some good saves...which he did, the other team didn't score) and, of course, "GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!" and then someone vehemently rubbing my back and waking me up.

All of these loud loud loud noises came from none other than my darling fiancé, Joaquim.

So, now I know what I will be committing a life to: loud soccer game watching. :) I think I can handle it! There are worse things, that's for sure.

By the way, the Corinthians won, 2 x 0. Joaquim went to sleep a happy man.

This morning I woke up and headed over to Lar for breakfast, and then about an hour of dish washing. Phew...all the dishes from last night and from breakfast were piled up because the water main for the kitchen had been interrupted, and there was no water with which to wash dishes! Thankfully, very soon after, the water came on and we got to work. It was a nice time of conversation with Cheryl and Evan and Kathryn.

Cheryl comes to Lar every summer and brings a team and stays for about a month. She's been coming for 7 or 8 years and just loves this place! This year she brought a young man from the high school where she teaches, and he decided to stay the whole time she is. He loves these kids, for sure. And Kathryn came with Acácia and Eric to learn Portuguese, or rather just sharpen it up.

Anyway, it's been fun to talk with them and certainly made the dish washing pass more quickly.

Last night at church, we sang a hymn called "Amor Fraternal." Brotherly love. It was all about the unity of the body, and not holding grudges, everyone working together. I think that is something we all could really remember. Why are we here? What are we doing? Are the things that bother us really such a big deal? I know I was convicted while singing that. I hope everything I do is for the good of everyone.

So for the rest of the day, there may be more cleaning in my life. Cleaning here is REALLY difficult. The dirt and dust here is red, so after a day or two, the freshly mopped and sparkling floors are disgusting. Cleaning it involves a giant squeegee that they use as a mop, draping a cloth over it, lots of throwing of soapy water, and then they push all the dirty water out the door and let it dry on the pavement outside. That would just not work in the US, that's for sure. Swiffer wet-jet, anyone? :)