Epilogue

I went to bed very late. I know that I would have only 3 or 4 hours of sleep. One more time, if I could stay wake up it would mean more time to enjoy!  But I finished packing while I was listening songs and I was very tired and a kind of sad. Of course I wanted to come back to Brasil, but we had such great time and it was so fast. =/

Anyway, in the morning I woke up and I had the last breakfast: beagle with peanut butter and jam and some cereal. I couldn’t say goodbye to Parker because he had already left, It was SAT’s day, so he had to woke up early and be ready for the exam. Me, Jeanette, Maryana and Cindy went to the airport together. During the way we were listening Nando Reis e os Infernais, the cd I gave to Jeanette in her birthday. I remember feelling almost crying all the time. I don’t know when I will be able, or even if I will be able to see Boise again. It was the perfect canary for all these days. Nando Reis is also a very nice soundtrack for this city. “Esperei por tanto tempo/Esse tempo agora acabou”. When we arrived my bag made the big favor of breaking. Amazing, isn’t it? We had to sit on it and beat the strap[the part that had broken], it was horrible, embarrassing, but in the end we could close it. Now I don’t have how to carry it, but, anyway my things are all here. I made the check in, took my boarding tickets and nothing else to do.  Sun Valley’s group also arrived and made their checking. I was missing them, really. I felt we had so much to talk about. But it had to wait because we were in time. So the only thing was missing was say goodbye.  It’s not really a goodbye because my host is coming to Brasil [and she is going to stay for a ENTIRE month] but  I was feeling sad because it was awesome. I couldn’t keep my tears inside and they came out.  I had no words to say how grateful I was for all my host family had done for me and also for being great and welcoming and all. I hug Maryana and Cindy. Jeanette didn’t want to hug me, not because she doens't like [well I hope not] but because it would mean the end of the end. I run to buy two more shirts[they are good and cheap]. Dudu was angry with me because we were in time. But I ran and I got it. Then no other way. I hug Jeanette and she said “Look up” [doing it we suppose not to cry] and I answered "yes, keep looking up!". I  got in the line and walk through the x-ray machine. The last wave, some smiles and now we have to wait until June 4th. But I’m sure it is going to be fast.

Thank you, dear reader I really hope you like it. See you soon.

Kisses Milena

Saying see you later :)

Hi everybody!

Well, I know I'm late, since we came back on Sunday.
But I would like to say that I've been so happy in those two weeks! I've met people that I will never forget, now I'm really missing everybody.

My last day at Riverstone International School couldn't be better. We went to a field trip in Idaho City, a city near to Boise, but very small. We were participating of a History project of a judgement of Genghis Khan and we went to a real court, which was awesome, especially for me (I want to be a lawyer).
The worst part was to say goodbye to who we wouldn't see anymore, I mean, for a while.

    

Drew and Robert, I'll miss our "soccer games", waiting for you to the World Cup

Then, after school, we went to the movie theater and watched The Avengers, and I need to say that is such an amazing movie!

At night Lisa and Jenny took me to watch a circus show, with dance and rock n'roll in a huge theater. I just loved it! I've never seen nothing compared to that show.

When I came back home, I had to pack up my baggage and it was not easy. Lots of things were in my mind and bed. I wished I could stay for more two weeks haha. Time flew.and I didn't see.

On Saturday, I went with my hosts to have breakfast and we planned to meet again as soon as possible. I didn't know how to say thank you for  everything they've done for me in two weeks. When we said goodbye in the airport, tears rolled on my face and I was thinking about everything I did there and realized that it was truly worthy.        

                               

                                                    

I miss them so much.

Well, I think that's all. I'm missing my hosts, my new friends, everything. That was an incredible experience, I learned with them and I know they could learn with us. It is important to say that our school is something unique, I think you should know that. The experience was totally worthy, but is time to come back, senior year is now, vestibular is here to a few months and time is flying fast.

See you!
Warm hugs,
Larissa :))

Chapter 6: Last moments.

The day before the last started. I just knew that I have to enjoy as much as I could. It was what I did. English class we finish the discussion about Life of Pi. And we made some interview  with the lawiers about Genghis Kahn trial. All the project was really nice. Learning a little bit about Asian history was a experience that I didn’t expect. In the third period I finally finish my mug. It is a kind of fat and short mug, but I just love it. After the teacher and Jeanette help me making the handle. I’m looking forward to see how it will be when it is finished. In the lunch we had to go to the hospital because Jeanette needed to make a blood test. She was selected to take part in the “juniors volunteers” which is a project to be a volunteer in the hospital. Good job! However we had to wait half hour to make it since the lab was closed. So, we went to the mall, but ONLY because we had to wait and it was close to the hospital. I got some more things and we found Jeanette’s khakis’s pants, the ones she needs to work at the hospital. Time to back to school and do the math test part 2. When we arrived I realized that I had missed the presentation for the 9th grade. Anyway the group told me that they are very excited to come and to know about brazil. Well, the classes were finished, so we came back to home. It was the first Thursday of the month so at downtown would be  happening some art presentations and it suppose to have some special sales. I went, without Jeanette[bad thing], and it wasn’t better because she was not there XD. We first went in the official store of Broncos’ Team, the football team. Then we walked some time and we arrived at one of the greatest stores I have ever been. It is named Exchanging Records and there were lots of cut, interesting and different things. Really, I almost got crazy, I wanted to buy everything, cd’s, dvd’s, and other amazing stuffs. I spent more money than I should but anyway… We ate pizza and later we went to an amazing frozen yogurt store. The flavors were a kind of uncommon and a just love it. Time to go back home again. Jeanette was feeling better and I was happy because of that. We watched another Gray’s anatomy’s episode and the day ended. Sooner than he should, but he ended. I just need to say that the moon was beautiful and I knew that in one day I would miss that view.

                                         The picture is not THAT good, but the view was amazing.

Friday, the day of the trial in Idaho City, also the day of the circus. The last one of this trip. The way up to Idaho city was very beautiful. On true all the city is full of tree, but this way specifically was stunning because the mountains plus the curvy river plus the trees plus the red farm houses and some protests like “Keep our forests green”[written in a place that was probably cleared].



We arrived there. Idaho city is a very small and old place, cut and cold. The court where we were was similar from the one in the movies [again], and it was time to begin the Genghis Kahn trial. The prosecution and the defense of Bukhara’s and China’s case, at theirs respective moments, made theirs speeches. The judge also made questions and collocations. After that they were ready to look for another arguments and be prepared for the judgment’s day. It was early so we walked around the “city” and we had lunch. Talking about food again there is something interesting here. All the restaurants and cafeterias and stores and every place that sells food have a vegetarian or even a vegan option. We came back to school and we stayed sometime at Martha’s classroom. We took a picture together and it was time to begin the “goodbyes”. Sad moment.

Since it was the last day we wanted to enjoy it. So everybody, “hosts” and “Brazilian students”, went to the movie to watch “The Avengers”. However, everybody was so tired, so tired, that almost all of us slept during the movie. But the movie is very fast and full of big noises so the one who slept woke up startled [scared]. It was funny. Then, me, Jeanette, Larissa and Jenny went to a presentation of a circus. It was really nice, very colorful and stunts. The soundtrack was made of famous songs but remixed, really good. And the theater where it happened was amazing. Time to go home again, for the last time. We watched another episode of Gray’s Anatomy and we went to bed. I hadn’t started packing my thing so my night would be longer. We were very, very tired but there wasn’t another option. But before start something I wanted some  songs from Jeanette’s iPhone, so we plug my iPod in her computer. The problem was: we configured it in the wrong way so 16 minutes later my iPonhe was with ALL Jeanette’s thing, all of the, all. And I lose all my thing, photos, notes, reminders and voice recorders. So we had to delete everything and put only the songs again. It was good because when it was finished I also finished packing my thing. Last night at Boise. It was simply amazing, I sure I’m going to miss every second.

Next: Epilogue

Special Edition: Jeanettes Birthday and Chapter 5: Trying and Taking a test

        I woke up. "Happy Birthday, Jeanette" I went to her bedroom and jumped in her bed. She was really excited. Who wouldn't be? 16 means that she could drive at night and I don't really know what else but birthdays are good anywhere.

Anyway, it was time to go to school. In first period we interviewed the 9th grade students about the crisis and about we were studying in history class before we came. They hadn't studied it before so it was very generalized. On Friday we are going back there to talk more about it since they will have studied it more. We chose the 9th grade because they have been taking classes about USA's government, so  they would have a good idea about the topic. During the art class I broke my 2 pices of pottery so I made others 2 [much more beautiful XD]. I hope not brake these two right know. 

     The chemistry class was also amazing. The topic we were introducing was Limitan reactions so we had a kind of lab. But we did it with S'mores. We had to "react" a portion of chocolate, marshmallows and graham cracker "producing" S'mores. But one of the "reacting" wasn't enough which means that two of them were in excess. So we work with theses definitions. And, of course we ate everything. To give you a better idea I am going to describe it. We take a pice of grham cracker, put pice of chocolate on it, then the marshmallow a then another pice of grham cracker. We envolved it in metal papper and put it in the barbecue[it was an adaptation because we cannot make a fire at school] But the thing is: it was fired. So the chocolate was melted and so was the marshmallow. The graham cracker got even more crispy. When we bit it, it "explode" inside your mouth. It was amazing, really. 

       When we came back home Jeanette finished cooking her birthday cake. She choose a coconut cake, Cindy have already cooked the "basis" so she just had to put everything together. Funny and obviously delicious. We had a special dinner: salmon, brussels sprouts and rice. There were some colorful balloons on the table and also a band made by her mom. It was really nice. 

Jeanette and Cindy!

        Then we went to a presentation called the ED sessions where the founder of Kahn Academy talked about how he created it. The project is really, really interesting, go ahead and take a look:

http://www.khanacademy.org/

        In very simple words, the project is a new way to try to make education in a different way. I just love the idea, the videos are very funny and the important thing fot them is: you can watch it wherever you are whenever you want, it means you can go in your time. It is a very good project. Let's stop making a comercial and keep with the day. We came back home again and we ate the cake. I feel water in my mouth just remembering it. Jeanette opened her gifts, including the one I gave to her [on frame made by me and a Nando Reis e os Infernais' CD] and it was time to go to bed.

     It was already Wednesday. Wednesday means the half of the week. In our case the half of the second trip's week. Three more days to enjoy. It's a kind of scary because I wish I could have more time to enjoy everything here. These two weeks went to fast. Faster then they should go. At the same time I wish coming back to Brazil. Always this freaking duality. Coming back to Brazil also means twice more work. Anyway...

     During the art class we presented to the kindergarden and the first grade a video about insects at Pantanal. They were really cute kids and some were very smart. A girl called Nina went to talk with me. The picture:

       We took the first part of math test, the one without calculator. Here they always use the calculator on class, so they learn the definition and also how to "tip" and get it on the calculator. After Me and Jeanette went to the art class to finally do my mug! It was good, not perfect but good. I can't wai to be able to have some coffee in my on pottery mug. At home I watched Grey's Anatomy while Jeanette was sleeping on the sofa. She was very tired. These two weeks have been crazy, awesome and crazy.

      After we went to Cottonwood Grille for have dinner. The first problem was understand the menu, it is one of the things you have to know, it is vocabulary and only it, but I got it. I choose one plate and the waiter bring a different one. In the beginning I got angry, but I was so hungry and It couldn't be better. I ate brown rice with mushrooms in the roasted red pepper and a ratatouille with vegetables, salad, and  a kind of onion in the tomato everything over the sauce dry tomatoes. It really couldn't have been better. It was just amazing, tasting so good.

      You know? I think these days have been the most crazy days I ever had in my life during class time. I still thinking that I am in a movie all the time. And Bruno said a good thing: It is strange to think that we are coming back home soon, for a extremely different reality and also these people here are coming to their "normal" lives. But for us, sometimes it seems that these two weeks are part of a parallel plan. something created specifically for these situation. I cannot explain it very well, because I can't even understand. Well, if you are here, it means that you read it until the end. Thank you dear reader. I hope you like it.

Kisses

Milena

Ice Skating, Dinner, Club

        Good evening! 

      Today, besides the normal classes, we had a meeting with the kindergarten and the first grade. We got together with them to talk a little bit about the insects we have in Brazil, since "insects and how they help the Earth" is their main subject. Today was the "worker's day", so everybody was wearing some custom that represented a profession. Because of it, one of the girls was wearing an elephant custom, such a cute girl. 

         After school, I met Meredith! We went ice skating and we did have a great time in the ice rink! It was my first time ice skating, so I think I did a good job. I was doing pretty well and hadn't fallen anytime, so, as I was quite proud of myself, I fell twice. haha. Different from me, Meredith does it awesomely well, she can do everything wearing those ice skates, I was amazed. 

         Then we got downtown and met Alex, hung out for a little while and got had to say: see you later, again! Alex and I came home and had dinner with all the family together, it was a good time, there were more jokes and I laughed a lot. When we were done with dinner, we went to the club to have a dessert. I had mini lemon trifle, such a good one. (: We hung out a little more there and got back home. At home again, I showed Natalie and Rachel some pictures of when I was younger and had a nice conversation about family and culture with Rachel. 

          This was a really good day, I had lots of fun and also did what I was supposed to. 

Warm hugs, Joao Vitor.

Getting high...

This Monday, we (Bruno, Caio, Robert, Milena and Jeanette) got really high... about 7000 feet (2150 m). The place is called Bogus Basin, Ski station in the mountains that is closed by this time of the year because it's spring here, but there's still a lot of snow. It was freezing cold out there, and so was the snow! We weren't wearing gloves but we made a snowball war - as result, our hands turned purple and we couldn't feel them. We had fun, took lots of pictures and came down just in time (a terrible storm was coming just after us). It was the first time that some of us (Caio and Milena) could get in touch with snow.

Snooooow!

Jaro and Parker going down the hills

Boise's skyline from the way back from Bogus

On tuesday during the science class, we did S'mores to introduce limiting reactant, thats a great excuse for eating chocolate and marshmallows :) We went shopping with Robert after class. We went to BestBuy, a HUGE electronic stuff store, they had products like video-games, TV's, coffee machines, micro-waves... We also went to two sport stores looking for snickers, but our search for it was in vain. That night we ate pizza :D

"And how do you like Boise so far?"

more S'mores!

Hunger under the African sun

Today (Wednesday) we did a presentation to the kindergarten about the Pantanal's insects. We loved it, the kids are very nice and cute, we had lots of fun doing that. "Uncle Dudu", (aka Eduardo Ferraz), the other teacher that came with us to The US arrived in Boise to switch place with Gloria, who's going to Sun Valley now. Another important thing - today was Pizza Wednesday! - we had that amazing italian dish for lunch at school. After the and of the classes, we went shopping again, looking for snickers and sunglasses, but this time, after a lot of search and boredom, we had success!
Tonight we - Bruno, Caio, Larissa, Jenny (Larissa's host), Jeanette (Milena's host) and Lisa (Jenny's mother) went to the Cottonwood Grille. We had characteristic local food. It was awesome, the dishes were very pretty and tasteful. After the dinner, we went to supermarket to buy the ingredients to make "brigadeiro" and Lisa drove us back home.

What an awesome half of week!

(Obs.: the sun goes down around 21:00, so we usually say it's always 17:00)

Lots of hugs!
Caio and Bruno

School, tennis, squirrel!

        Hey, everyone,
        Yesterday was a really rainy day. We went to school, as usually, spent the day there and got home early, because we had lots of things to do and Alex also had to finish his personal project. So we did all the homework, both of us finished reading "Life of Pi" and we had dinner at home. The dinner was the best part of the day, we laughed a lot and I finally could get the most of the jokes they were saying, yeah! Then, even though we only went to school and got home early, the end of the day was awesome.
        Today we had a normal school day, with all the classes and projects. Anyways, it was a nice sunny day and, right after the school time was over, Alex and I went to a tennis tournament. He's is a great player and I, what about me? I would say I am not very good at it, haha.
        Before the tournament had started, we played a little bit with two other guys, the number one singles and number two singles and I did a really bad job in there, it was embarrassing. So we got to Boise High to the real tournament and it took a long time to start. While I was waiting for the beginning of it, I decided to go to a gas station to buy some soda and candies, it was my first time walking alone in Boise, even though it was only six blocks away. On my way to the gas station, I saw other squirrel and I finally could take a picture of it, here it goes:

They are so pretty, I like them. 

      Then I got back to the tennis court and got to know some new people, it was a good opportunity for that. We met some people, but we mainly talked to two girls, Tara and Olivia. We hung out a little bit with them and got home. It was a good day. At home we did homework and made ourselves the dinner. Natalie did that, in fact. Just in case you are wondering: it was a really good dinner. 

Warm hugs, Joao Vitor