It's called a "stereotype" for a reason

I think that yesterday was the first day that I felt like I was doing some sort of a routine with my "new life" here as a Brasillian resident. At least thats what I'm going for. Maybe some people would say that during my time here I should do the things that I don't ever do on a daily basis back at home, since its a "once in a lifetime" opportunity that I'm even here. And even though I do agree that this has been a great opportunity and that I'm really lucky to be here under the circumstances that I am, I also feel that it's not once in a lifetime. Or maybe it is, but because they say it is, I'm going to make sure that it's not. And according to a neurobiology professor from Stanford University, this type of behavioral characteristic is the main thing that sets humans apart from other species...including other primates. I recommend viewing this lecture!! His name is Robert Sapolsky.

Each day keeps getting better and better. Better and better in terms of feeling like a local, like I belong here, like I could make it here!!! I went into a couple of stores and was able to describe, in my broken portuguese, that I aware of how bad my portuguese was and that if they spoke slowly I could understand them some...I also, know how to ask if someone there speaks English...I want to learn portuguese, and they either want to learn English or not talk to me. Which is sad :( Today is a good day to represent how I want to live here. The key is to do the things that make you who you are no matter where you are. I like to drink my coffee every morning, that is the first thing I do. I could really care less about where I am...I like to have coffee with sweetner and cream or milk first thing in the morning :), I like getting up and going to school or work after my coffee, followed by going to the gym all the while trying to eat as clean as possible. So that's what I'm doing here...it's what I do in the states as well...these are the things that keep me at in even keel emotionally and mentally and have no relevance to where I am physically. The one thing that I had no choice but to conform to is mainly a cultural one. Their eating/coffee schedule, which I've come to really like and may even consider doing in the states.

My American eating schedule: Coffee in the morning, fruit or bar in the mid morning, light lunch, maybe another piece of fruit or something, then a big meal (with or without carbs depending on if I worked out or not).

My Brasillian eating schedule: Coffee in the morning, fruit/bar/nuts in the mid morning, big paleo lunch, expresso break, light dinner and possibly some more espresso :)

Since I've been in Brasil, I've joined a gym, gone on coffee dates with new friends, gotten really familiar with the local grocery stores, and anticipate loving the work that I will be doing while here. It's only with these things in place that I feel I will be able to take full advantage and truely appreciate Brasil. It's not so much where you go that makes the impact on your every changing every evolving life, its the relationships with the people you encounter that will make the most drastic, significant, and lasting difference. It is not always true that the wonderful relationships you form with people throughout life will remain indefinately...most people just come and go, but the ones whom have allowed you to grow and mature will stay with you forever.

On a much, much lighter note, the wikipedia definition of a "stereotype" is a commonly held public belief about specific social groups or types of individuals. You know the stereotype for what most people think someone from brasil would look like...although it is alot more diverse than I ever thought possible, it's called a stereotype for a reason, that being that brasillians are incredibly good looking. Well, this realization came to me real quick and kinda out of no where...The local fitness center that I joined recently in the heart of Lagoa, down the street from where I'm living...Dear, God, I've never been so "put in my place" and insecure in my entire life!!!!! Exotic, tall, slender, but curvy all at the same time, dark skin, light eyes, and overwhelming sexual...yeah...I didn't want to go back there and also felt that now would be a good time to stop eating. Period. It's called a "stereotype" for a reason...only problem is that the food here is amazing...and I love food...

I could totally look like those girls though...