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	<title>THE LOCAL OF BRASIL</title>
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	<link>http://www.thelocal.com.br</link>
	<description>Life as a foreigner in Brazil</description>
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		<title>Annoyed.</title>
		<link>http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/annoyed/</link>
		<comments>http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/annoyed/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:58:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>venusasaboy12</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cultural differences]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[malu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[max]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[motherhood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rants]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thelocal.com.br/?p=336</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>I don&#8217;t know if it&#8217;s just me or another cultural difference.</p>
<p>But I am annoyed.  </p>
<p>Ok, let me backtrack a bit.  I have a blog for my daughter {kinda like a baby book for her} documenting all of her growth, stories, and photos.  TONS of photos.  I plan to make it into a book for her <p>Continue reading <a href="http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/annoyed/">Annoyed.</a></p>

]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I don&#8217;t know if it&#8217;s just me or another cultural difference.</p>
<p>But I am annoyed.  </p>
<p>Ok, let me backtrack a bit.  I have a blog for my daughter {kinda like a baby book for her} documenting all of her growth, stories, and photos.  TONS of photos.  I plan to make it into a book for her to have as an adult.  It is a PRIVATE blog, for only friends and family.  I have set it so it wont come up on google, and it has a password.  </p>
<p>Well me being the freethinker I am, allow my ONE year old daughter to romp on the beach and in the house nakey.  As a matter of fact she is naked 99% of the time.  It&#8217;s so HOT here and well, it&#8217;s probably the only time in life we can run around naked without being judged. {I wish I could join her!} </p>
<p>Well apparently NOT.</p>
<p>My sister-in-law seems to think different. {yes she looks at Malu&#8217;s blog and NO I don&#8217;t post photos with her VAG showing, if you were wondering.  But yes, some naked photos.}  </p>
<p>She makes a point to tell my husband EVERY time they talk on the phone that we shouldn&#8217;t let Malu run around naked.  That we should at least put undies on her. Her theory is, that it is dangerous.  That she heard a story in school of a girl that had a caterpillar crawl up her bum.  </p>
<p>WTF?!?!  </p>
<p>Ok, I know it can happen. But seriously how often do you think a doctor sees a patient with a caterpillar in their bum?!?  {<a href="http://daniellebrazil.blogspot.com/">Danielle, </a>your boyfriend is a going to med school, ask him for us!!}  I mean if it&#8217;s about that, a caterpillar could just as well crawl in your ear or nose.  </p>
<p>So then in turn, my husband comes to me and says we should put undies on Malu more often. {and this came after telling me I should spray our whole room down with Raid bug spray, clothes and all, because of some bugs in the room.  Arrrgghh!}</p>
<p>I told him that I think his sister has some serious issues with nakedness and it&#8217;s not really about a caterpillar crawling up her bum.  I just think it may be that us in the US are a little more laid back about nakedness in general.  </p>
<p>Which may seem strange coming from a country like Brazil, when you go to the beach and see every woman wearing practically nothing but a string in her bum. But god forbid you should flash a boob, or let your 1 year old run naked, you may get the evil eye.  Or better yet, a scolding from your sister-in-law.  </p>
<p>Arrghhh!!  </p>
<p>What do you think on nakedness?  How were you raised with it in your household?</p>
<p>**{{Yes, I know that in this world lurks perverted people as well, that like to look at children.  That is why my eye never leaves Malu on the beach and in a years time she will be in a bikini.}}**</p>
<p>Beijos, Tanya </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Pssttt .. stay posted for Writer&#8217;s Block Wednesday tomorrow.  I have some great photos to show you.  And no, they are NOT naked ones!</p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Taking down the &#8220;Beach Favela&#8221;</title>
		<link>http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/taking-down-the-beach-favela/</link>
		<comments>http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/taking-down-the-beach-favela/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:56:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>venusasaboy12</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beach]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[current events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[justice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[malu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[police]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thelocal.com.br/?p=327</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Just recently here in Pipa, the Polícia Ambiental {Environmental Police} took down all the barracas {stands} that sold food, drinks, etc.  in one of the main beaches of Pipa, Praia do Madeiro.  And it set off HYSTERIA!!  </p>
<p>Praia do Madeiro has always been my favorite beach.  Beautiful, big, and one of the less crowded beaches {in terms <p>Continue reading <a href="http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/taking-down-the-beach-favela/">Taking down the &#8220;Beach Favela&#8221;</a></p>

]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Just recently here in Pipa, the <em>Polícia Ambiental {</em>Environmental Police} took down all the <em>barracas {</em>stands} that sold food, drinks, etc.  in one of the main beaches of Pipa, Praia do Madeiro.  And it set off <strong>HYSTERIA</strong>!!  </p>
<p>Praia do Madeiro has always been my favorite beach.  Beautiful, big, and one of the less crowded beaches {in terms of vendors}.  It&#8217;s also the best beach for laid back surfing, meaning the waves are forgiving and quite chill.  The best beach to learn surfing, if you ask me.  </p>
<p>Three years ago when I arrived it had one main restaurant with a hotel at the top of the cliff, a few barracas selling drinks etc, and one other small restaurant and two surf schools and that was <em>IT</em>.  It was wonderful because you could go and lay in the sand with your sarong on the end of the beach, and not be bothered by numerous people trying to sell their goods.  You also had that choice to lay in the sand and not spend R$20,00 on a beach chair for the day.  I mean really, people that live here don&#8217;t have R$20,00 a day to spend on a beach chair rental!!  </p>
<p>But it seems in the last year it has exploded with people.  People coming to the beach and setting up shop to sell their goods and rent their chairs.  Leaving no room for others to lay in peace without renting a chair.  It really started to look like a mini-<em>favela</em> {slum}on the beach.  It was quite unsettling to me and many others whom live here.  It was getting to the point where I didn&#8217;t even enjoy going to that beach anymore.  </p>
<p>So, they put a stop to it.  They came in and destroyed all the barracas. As reported on <a href="http://pipa-tv.blogspot.com/">Pipa Tevê  </a>blog {I will translate here}</p>
<blockquote><p>The barracas were knocked down by Police and Environmental officials, claiming irregular work{people without permits}. People that arrived to the beach this Thursday and today came across this scene:  coolers with frozen items, frying pans, freezers, and cut up pieces of tents strewn across the ground.  </p>
<p>Gradually people climbed the stairs leading to the beach with what could still be used, the only work that remains.</p>
<p><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="Indignados com tudo que estava acontecendo, funcionários e proprietários viram anos de dedicação serem destruídos em algumas horas.">Angry with everything that was happening, officials and owners have seen years of dedication to be destroyed within hours. </span><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="Nem o mais antigo e famoso bar do Jegue permaneceu de pé .">Neither the oldest and most famous Bar do Jegue remained standing.</span><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="O dono passou mal e precisou ir embora do local.">The owner fell ill and had to leave the site. Some people have complained of violence that has been addressed.</span></p>
<p><span style="background-color: #ebeff9;" title="Algumas pessoas se queixaram da violência com que foram abordadas."><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="Na última segunda-feira foi informado aos comerciantes que a retirada seria feita em quarenta e oito horas, prazo determinado pela justiça.">Last Monday vendors were informed that the withdrawal would be made within forty-eight hours, a deadline set by justice. </span><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="Os barraqueiros alegaram que sempre tiveram autorização para exercer a função no local, desde as administrações anteriores, tanto que alguns estavam aqui há oito anos.">The vendors have always argued the authorization to practice in this place, since the previous administrations, some that were here for eight years.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="background-color: #ebeff9;" title="Algumas pessoas se queixaram da violência com que foram abordadas."><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="Os barraqueiros alegaram que sempre tiveram autorização para exercer a função no local, desde as administrações anteriores, tanto que alguns estavam aqui há oito anos."><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="Uma escolinha de surf também foi derrubada.">A Surfing school was also taken down. </span><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="Essa é uma das principais atividades eo grande atrativo da praia que sempre tem algum surfista deslizando nas ondas do mar.">This is one of the main activities and the great attractions of the beach, that always has a surfer gliding on the waves. </span><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="O professor sempre quis regularizar a escola com a atual administração da prefeitura, mas mesmo sem conseguir, e depois de tudo que aconteceu, ele vai permanecer trabalhando.">The teacher always wanted to get a permit for the school with the current management of the municipality, but even without this, and after all that happened, it will remain working.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="background-color: #ebeff9;" title="Algumas pessoas se queixaram da violência com que foram abordadas."><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="Os barraqueiros alegaram que sempre tiveram autorização para exercer a função no local, desde as administrações anteriores, tanto que alguns estavam aqui há oito anos."><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="O professor sempre quis regularizar a escola com a atual administração da prefeitura, mas mesmo sem conseguir, e depois de tudo que aconteceu, ele vai permanecer trabalhando."><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="No total eram quinze barracas .">In total there were fifteen barracas. </span><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="Algumas bastante tradicionais e conhecidas na região.">Some very traditional and well known in the region. </span><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="Uma parte foi derrubada ontem a tarde ea outra hoje pela manhã.">A portion was overturned yesterday afternoon and another this morning. </span><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="Agora os funcionários desempregados pedem justiça.">Now the unemployed workers plead for justice.</span></span></span></span></p></blockquote>
<blockquote><p><a href="http://pipa-tv.blogspot.com/2010/03/barraqueiros-sao-retirados-da-praia-do.html">source: go here for original post and videos{in portuguese only} and photos of the mess </a></p></blockquote>
<p> In Brazil, they have local laws and permits that people must get in order to set up a barraca on the beach and sell goods.  Of course no one abides by this, and after a period of time they just send in the Environment Police to take order.  I have no doubt that within a month&#8217;s time people will start setting up shop again.  As I have seen before on other beaches here.  But it really is sad.  They take over the whole beach.  I have no problem with a few, but 15, come on .. its <strong>TOO MUCH</strong>!!  </p>
<p>I know what you may be thinking, that I am heartless and not considering the families that are trying to make a living here.  But I see it from a different point of view.  In Pipa, we are lucky.  There are <em>NOT</em> a lack of jobs.  There are a <strong>TON</strong> of jobs.  For all types of people, even those who may be uneducated.  We are a huge tourist destination, with a large year round international community.  So there are jobs to be had, that pay the normal monthly salary.  I think that people do this because it&#8217;s easier.  From what I have seen in Pipa, people are lazy here.  They don&#8217;t want to work all day, nor do they want to have set hours.  They want to do as they please.  Come and go as they please.  So I guess that is the risk they take with setting up shop on the beach, potentially losing all of their stuff.  Meh.  It seems like a bit much for me.  I don&#8217;t know that I would risk that.  What do you think?  Am I not seeing another perspective?  Am I heartless for thinking this?  I would love to hear others opinions.  </p>
<p>I was searching through the 1,000&#8217;s of photos I have, to find a good shot of what Madeiro <em>USE </em>to look like, and for some reason all I could find was ocean shots!!  So I will work on getting more photos for you.  But for now, I will end with one of Malu on Madeiro, you can see just how beautiful the beach really is.  Ohh&#8230; and Maluzita too <img src='http://www.thelocal.com.br/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';-)' class='wp-smiley' />   </p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-328" title="Praia do Maderio " src="http://www.thelocal.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/maxfrancisco07-300x225.jpg" alt="Praia do Maderio " width="300" height="225" /></p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Our Visa Hell .. ahemm .. I mean Journey !!</title>
		<link>http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/our-visa-hell-ahemm-i-mean-journey/</link>
		<comments>http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/our-visa-hell-ahemm-i-mean-journey/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:49:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>venusasaboy12</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[greencard]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marriage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[max]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rio]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USA Immigrant Visa process]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thelocal.com.br/?p=316</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Max and I got married on July 31st 2007.  A mere 6 months after we met.  Soon after we got married we discussed what our plans would be.  To stay in Brazil or leave was the big question.  Of course, I wanted to stay and he wanted to go!  {the grass is always greener on <p>Continue reading <a href="http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/our-visa-hell-ahemm-i-mean-journey/">Our Visa Hell .. ahemm .. I mean Journey !!</a></p>

]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Max and I got married on July 31st 2007.  A mere 6 months after we met.  Soon after we got married we discussed what our plans would be.  To stay in Brazil or leave was the big question.  Of course, I wanted to stay and he wanted to go!  {the grass is always greener on the other side, right?!?}  </p>
<p>We then started to do a bit of research about getting his visa to the USA.  Of course, I had already applied for my visa here in Brazil but I will save that story for another time. We found many sites and community forums {which I will list below}  From there and based upon what we read, we thought it would be wise to start the process right away, as it would take a good bit of time.  {we never thought it would take 2 years though}  </p>
<p>First let me note a few things {to my knowledge} on filing for an Immigrant Visa to the USA.  You need to be married {here in Brazil is fine} first, or engaged.  If you are engaged you need to file for a fiance visa and marry within 6 months of arriving in the USA.  You {the US citizen} can either file your petition here {for your spouse} at the US Consulate {I believe the Consulate in Rio is the only one that deals with Immigrant Visas}  or print out the petition online from the US Immigration website {listed below}  and mail it to the USA and file from the USA.  Or you can go to the US {like I did}  hire a lawyer, like a did {stupid move, more on that later} and file from there.  From what I heard from others, it&#8217;s faster if you file through the US Consulate here in Brazil, but I wouldn&#8217;t know anything about that personally, as we did not go that route.  </p>
<p>Back to the process.  So after we married in July and did research, in August we went online and printed the CR1 Immigrant Visa application and filled it out.  We got all our required documents together.  If I can remember correctly that included our marriage certificate from Brazil {translated into English.  Remember all documents must be translated into English by an official, notarized translator before submitting documents.  You must submit the original document and translated document.  This part gets pricey.  I think in total we spent around R$600.00-800.00 translating documents *gasp*}  Both our birth certificates, our lease from our apartment here in Brazil {as a proof of our union, but you may also use bank statements or official testaments from friends}  and I think that was about it.  I may have missed something, but on the Immigrant visa website, it gives you all the info you need.  I will list it below.  One reason why we chose to file outside of Brazil was for the fact of getting around the &#8220;setting up domicile&#8221; part when he did get the visa.  As neither of us had jobs in the US and this could get a bit tricky.  You can read all about that on the site as well.  </p>
<p>In September of 2007 I went to NYC alone, took all our paperwork, application, application fees, found a lawyer, and started the process.  In October 2007, the lawyer sent out our application for his green card petition from NYC.  We chose to get a lawyer because I heard that the US Govt.  can be a real pain in the ass with the applications.  So if you check male instead of female on your application, and they catch it, your paperwork gets sent back and the process starts all over again.  We thought it would be wise to have a <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">dumb idiot </span> professional lawyer, whom deals with this daily to check over all our things before sending out.  She ended up being a nightmare and I ended up doing all the research myself and correcting her work on various occasions.  Not the greatest experience.  Maybe we just picked a bad one, who knows, but it did cost us $2,000.00 for her fee.  *ouch*   If I did it again, I would do it on my own.  There really are so many resources out there to help you along the way.   </p>
<p>In March 2008 we heard from the Visa Center that his petition was approved and we could go ahead and file the second application and pay more fees.  We did this and waited, and waited and waited.  My memory is a bit hazy now on all the exact steps but I know after the second application was filed we waited quite a bit of time. Then in December 2008 we were given the go ahead to file our affidavit of support.  This is required by all immigrants going to the USA.  And usually the spouse is the one to do this, but in our case this is where things got tricky.  In this part you need to show your tax returns for the last 3 years and meet the poverty guidelines.  Showing that you can support your spouse, shall they become unemployed and have no income.  Basically so they wont sit back and collect welfare.  And if they do collect welfare and the government catches them, you are responsible {the sponsor}  to pay back the government.  Well for us it was tricky cause I had been living in Brazil for the last few years and not paying US taxes.  So we had to find a co-sponsor.  Which is allowed.  But because of some family issues, no one in my family could do it, and it took us some time to find someone.  In the end we found a great friend of mine to do it&#8230; Thank God!  Thanks Samantha!  So she will be responsible for my husband, so to say, until he becomes a Naturalized US Citizen.  Which after 3 years of marriage, coming up this July .. woo hooo .. we can apply!  Now as in responsible for him, not in the sense if he gets sued or in trouble.  Only in the financial sense shall he not find work.  Of course, it will never come to that but with all the people on welfare in the US, I can understand why they do this.  </p>
<p>In June 2009 we sent off those papers and that was the last and final step before his interview.  It was then approved in August 2009 and his case was finished with the Visa Center in the USA, closed and sent to the US Consulate in Rio.  We heard from the Rio Consulate quite quickly following that.  I think within 1 month and his original interview was scheduled for September 31 2009.  But we contacted the Consulate and changed the day of his interview for a later date, November 27, 2009. {which you can do by the way, and they were very cool about it}  We needed a bit more time to do his medical exam.  As that needs to be done before going to the interview, from a US Consulate appointed doctor, here in Brazil.  That cost us another R$600,00.  Then the flight tickets to Rio and oh yeah we had to pay a fee for the affidavit of support application too, I left that out.  So the whole process cost us about $4,000.00 more or less!!!   </p>
<p>The day of the interview.  We woke up early around 5am{let me remind you we had Malu in tow as well, at nearly a year old} nervous and happy at the same time.  We had to bring all documents, photos, emails and such of our relationship.  Basically proof that we are &#8220;legit&#8221;.  We also were informed to bring Max&#8217;s military ID/form, showing proof of his service or exemption, in his case he was exempt from serving. We arrived at 7:20 {call time was 7:45} to a huge line, filed inside the Consulate, was given a number {hint the earlier you get there the quicker you get out, first come, first serve basis}  and told to take a seat.  A very nice lady then called each number in the waiting room area and went through each person&#8217;s paperwork making sure all of it was there and in the correct order.  After that we waited another hour and was called into a little room with a window, to then which another nice lady took all our paperwork, interview letter, etc.  The same paperwork that the previous lady had just checked,  we were then told to sit back in the waiting room.  </p>
<p>Another hour passed and then our number got called. {thank goodness for a big toy area and a few other kids, Malu stayed happily busy the whole time}  We went into the small office with Malu.  Sat down in front of this tall, big black man sitting at a desk.  He was of course American, and very nice!  He didn&#8217;t speak one word of English with us. Which I might add, I speak Portuguese fluently and love to speak the language, but it&#8217;s VERY weird to speak with a fellow American in Portuguese!!!  I guess there is always a first for everything!  He asked if Max spoke English and if I spoke Portuguese.  He asked us if Malu was our daughter, and said she was beautiful.  He asked us our plans of going to the US, when, what we would do upon arriving {which we have no clue. Well kinda, but not really} and then went on to ask us how we met.  Which is a funny story, that I will share another day.  I know a few are interested in hearing.  And that was IT!!!  He then took Max&#8217;s fingerprints and said when we left the office to go to the lady at the SEDEX desk to fill out the address to get his port of entry slip and passport mailed to him.  He also informed us that we had 6 months to go to the US and upon entry to the US, Max&#8217;s green card would be sent to the address there.   He didn&#8217;t ask to see one photo, email or anything regarding Malu {birth certificate, etc} or our marriage.  I was amazed it went soo smoothly and quickly.  Max was sooo nervous.  We left at around 11:30, paid $R60,00 for the SEDEX and were on our way.  2 weeks later he got his passport with his visa stamped inside and a little yellow, sealed envelope {port of entry} which must be left sealed and in perfect condition for his entry into the US in May.  </p>
<p>On a side note :  his visa is a Permanent Immigrant Visa valid for 10 years.  When we applied for the visa we applied for the CR1 {conditional relative visa} which is for persons married less than 2 years.  Which means after 2 years you have to do more paperwork, file more applications and pay more fees.  Also another interview to see if you are still married.  But since the process took so long, and at the time of the interview we had been married for 2 years he will get the IR1 visa {immediate relative visa}  which means no more paperwork, fees, or applications unless he decides to become a citizen!!!! WOO HOO!!  Which he will in July.  But I have heard it&#8217;s quite easy, that we have already done the hardest part. Let&#8217;s see.  I will be sure to write about it when we do start that process.  And take notes, so this time its clearer in my head!!  </p>
<p><strong>HELPFUL LINKS </strong></p>
<p><a href="http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1326.html">US Government Immigration Site  </a>{tons of helpful info, all downloadable applications and forms you will need to start the process, list of all fees, as well as step by step instructions on how to file.  Also helpful numbers and sites to check out.}  </p>
<p>A few community forums with TONS of helpful info from others going through the same process.  I went to these forums various times throughout our process from little questions or to just read others experiences.  I found more info here than what my lawyer provided us. <img src='http://www.thelocal.com.br/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_sad.gif' alt=':-(' class='wp-smiley' />   I believe some of these are world wide, so if you are not from the US but going through an immigration process somewhere else, you may also find info on these sites.  </p>
<p><a href="http://visajourney.com/forums/index.php?act=home">Visajourney</a></p>
<p><a href="http://">Immigration forums</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.immihelp.com/forum/index.php?s=c1cf2abc57f17e0a9ea08e3a45c1753f">Immihelp</a></p>
<p><a href="http://familybasedimmigration.com/">Family based Immigration</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I hope this info helps someone, somewhere out there.  I know <a href="http://daniellebrazil.blogspot.com/">Danielle </a>wanted to know about some of this info.  She also asked me if she plans to move to the US with her hubby/boyfriend in 2013, when should she file?  Danielle if i were you I would start in about a year.  Give yourself at least 2 years time.  But its never to early to look at the documents you need, start organizing them now, and translating stuff. Its a LOT of friggin paperwork!!!!  </p>
<p>Good Luck to all who endeavor this journey.  It&#8217;s a long one, but rewarding in the end! </p>
<p>If you have any questions, please feel free to email me or comment away! </p>
<p>***** In no way am I a lawyer, this was written from my experience to help others.  I am not trying to give legal advice, and if you aren&#8217;t sure about something you should seek professional advice.  Although I can&#8217;t say from experience it worked for me.*****</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Beijos, Tanya</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Food Friday ..</title>
		<link>http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/food-friday-2/</link>
		<comments>http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/food-friday-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:11:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>venusasaboy12</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bananas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Food Friday]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Recipes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thelocal.com.br/?p=306</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>It&#8217;s been awhile since I have posted a new recipe on Food Friday!   </p>
<p>Well I am back .. with B-A-N-A-N-A-S  !!!! </p>
<p>My friend and neighbor Laura, has about 5 banana trees in her yard.  In the past month all the banana stalks were ready at the same time.  </p>
<p>You can only imagine how many bananas that <p>Continue reading <a href="http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/food-friday-2/">Food Friday ..</a></p>

]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It&#8217;s been awhile since I have posted a new recipe on Food Friday!   </p>
<p>Well I am back .. with B-A-N-A-N-A-S  !!!! </p>
<p>My friend and neighbor Laura, has about 5 banana trees in her yard.  In the past month all the banana stalks were ready at the same time.  </p>
<p>You can only imagine how many bananas that leaves us to eat up or use for cooking.   </p>
<p>HUNDREDS!!! </p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-307" src="http://www.thelocal.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/green-bananas-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></p>
<p>So me being me, started cooking away.  I made banana bread with cashews, froze some for smoothies, ate some, used some in oatmeal, made banana pancakes, ate more, and then got fancy and made a banana cream pie. </p>
<p>All I gotta say is .. YUMMMM !!  </p>
<p>It was delicious.</p>
<p>And since bananas are soo cheap here, I thought I would share this one with you to impress your friends <img src='http://www.thelocal.com.br/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':-)' class='wp-smiley' />   </p>
<p><strong>Banana Cream Pie Recipe:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Ingredients: </strong></p>
<ul style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">
<li style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">3/4 cup white sugar</li>
<li style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">3 tablespoons of cornstarch { maizena, amido de milho}</li>
<li style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">1/4 teaspoon salt</li>
<li style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">2 cups milk</li>
<li style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">3 egg yolks, beaten</li>
<li style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">2 tablespoons butter</li>
<li style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract {aroma de baunilha}</li>
<li style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked {i made my own, recipe to follow beneath} </li>
<li style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">4 bananas, sliced</li>
</ul>
<p>Directions:</p>
<ul>
<li>In a saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Add milk in gradually while stirring gently. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is bubbly. Keep stirring and cook for about 2 more minutes, and then remove from the burner.</li>
<li>Stir a small quantity of the hot mixture into the beaten egg yolks, and immediately add egg yolk mixture to the rest of the hot mixture. Cook for 2 more minutes; remember to keep stirring. Remove the mixture from the stove, and add butter and vanilla. Stir until the whole thing has a smooth consistency.</li>
<li>Slice bananas into the cooled baked pastry shell. Top with pudding mixture.</li>
<li>Cool by an open window for 45 mins or so. </li>
<li>Chill in fridge for at least 3 hours, the longer the better.  If you can do it overnight, I highly recommend it.  </li>
<li>I topped with whipped topping  {In Brazil you can purchase Chantilly Cream in a box, its basically their version of Cool Whip.  Its great.  You can either purchase it in a large box, or small.  Its a bit pricey, a large box is about R$10,00 and small being about R$4,00.  I bought the large to be sure I had enough, but a small one would&#8217;ve worked.  You can find this in the baking section of the store, on the shelf.  Upon returning home you must put it in the fridge for 8 hours or you can do it like me and put it in the freezer for 2-3 hours and then it will be ready to use.  Throw it into the blender, blend until thick and creamy, and smooth on top of your pie!}  </li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<div id="attachment_309" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 235px"><img class="size-medium wp-image-309" title="Chantilly Cream " src="http://www.thelocal.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC055511-225x300.jpg" alt="Chantilly Cream for topping" width="225" height="300" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Chantilly Cream for topping</p></div>
<p><strong>Directions for pie crust :</strong></p>
<p>Ingredients: </p>
<p>1 small package of Maziena cookies crumbled {shortbread cookies, you can either do vanilla or chocolate, I used vanilla}  </p>
<p>6 tablespoons of Butter melted </p>
<p>1.5 teaspoon of Cinnamon {canela} </p>
<p>Crumble your cookies first { I do this in a blender for a few secs.} Mix all ingredients in a bowl.  Then press into a pan or pyrex dish and bake on 200 Celsius for about 5-7 mins.  </p>
<p>On a side note:  this would be really nice with some melted chocolate drizzled inside the pie shell. I think I will do that next time <img src='http://www.thelocal.com.br/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';-)' class='wp-smiley' />  </p>
<div id="attachment_310" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 310px"><img class="size-medium wp-image-310" title="Banana Cream Pie " src="http://www.thelocal.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC05472-300x225.jpg" alt="Banana Cream Pie " width="300" height="225" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Banana Cream Pie </p></div>
<p>*** Yeah I know the pie looks a bit messy in the pic, but well I was so anxious to eat it and didn&#8217;t chill it in the fridge for soo long, hence the fact it&#8217;s falling apart <img src='http://www.thelocal.com.br/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':-)' class='wp-smiley' />   But it didn&#8217;t affect the taste ONE BIT !! ***</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Writer&#8217;s Block Wednesday</title>
		<link>http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/writers-block-wednesday-7/</link>
		<comments>http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/writers-block-wednesday-7/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:09:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>venusasaboy12</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Writer's Block Wednesday]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coconut water]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[malu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[photos]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thelocal.com.br/?p=300</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Coconut water, the liquid found inside a young coconut,  not to be confused with Coconut milk. </p>
<p>Did you know that Coconut water is&#8230;</p>
<p class="wp-caption-text">Malu drinking coconut water  </p>

99% Fat Free
Low in sugars
an all natural isotonic beverage to re-hydrate your body
loaded with potassium much more than a banana
naturally sterile- water, permeates through the filtering husk
containing lauric <p>Continue reading <a href="http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/writers-block-wednesday-7/">Writer&#8217;s Block Wednesday</a></p>

]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Coconut water, the liquid found inside a young coconut,  not to be confused with Coconut milk. </p>
<p>Did you know that Coconut water is&#8230;</p>
<div id="attachment_302" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 210px"><img class="size-medium wp-image-302" title="Malu drinking coconut water " src="http://www.thelocal.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/IMG_19821-200x300.jpg" alt="Malu drinking coconut water ;-) " width="200" height="300" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Malu drinking coconut water <img src='http://www.thelocal.com.br/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';-)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p></div>
<ul>
<li>99% Fat Free</li>
<li>Low in sugars</li>
<li>an all natural isotonic beverage to re-hydrate your body</li>
<li>loaded with potassium much more than a banana</li>
<li>naturally sterile- water, permeates through the filtering husk</li>
<li>containing lauric acid, which is present in human mother&#8217;s milk</li>
<li>less sodium than sports drinks</li>
<li>very high in chloride </li>
</ul>
<p>It&#8217;s basically the BEST rehydrating beverage out there.  Here we consume them fresh from the coconut with a straw poked through, and very cheaply {about $1.00}</p>
<p>We will <a href="http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/how-i-got-here-how-i-will-leave-and-everything-in-between/">miss</a> drinking coconut water on a daily basis.  Its Malu&#8217;s absolute favorite. I am aware it is available in the US, but for a hefty price tag.</p>
<p>Not to say I wont buy it.  </p>
<p>As I will.</p>
<p>But  it will be a treat, rather than a daily habit <img src='http://www.thelocal.com.br/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_sad.gif' alt=':-(' class='wp-smiley' />  </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Beijos, Tanya</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>How I got here.. How I will leave.. and Everything in between&#8230;.</title>
		<link>http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/how-i-got-here-how-i-will-leave-and-everything-in-between/</link>
		<comments>http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/how-i-got-here-how-i-will-leave-and-everything-in-between/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:48:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>venusasaboy12</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Beginning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[malu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[max]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[timeline of events]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thelocal.com.br/?p=292</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Three years ago January, I got offered 2 ESL teaching jobs.  One in Poland and one in Brazil.  I came to Brazil {Canoa Quebrada, Ceará , one state  North of where I am now, to be exact} I had no idea what I was in for.  I didn&#8217;t speak a word of Portuguese, not even Obrigada, <p>Continue reading <a href="http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/how-i-got-here-how-i-will-leave-and-everything-in-between/">How I got here.. How I will leave.. and Everything in between&#8230;.</a></p>

]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Three years ago January, I got offered 2 ESL teaching jobs.  One in Poland and one in Brazil.  I came to Brazil {<a href="http://www.strandvilla-iguape.com/images/ceara-map.jpg">Canoa Quebrada, <em>Ceará</em> </a>, one state  North of where I am now, to be exact} I had no idea what I was in for.  I didn&#8217;t speak a word of Portuguese, not even <em>Obrigada</em>, thank you. {on a side note:  I am proud to report I am fluent now}  I arrived at the end of January, settled into my new home with the owner of the school, started classes, and meeting my students.  I was already in love with Brazil, from the moment I arrived.  Soon after I started teaching, <a href="http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/02/carnaval-carnival-2010/">Carnaval </a>started and my <a href="http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/birthdays-and-bikinis/">Birthday</a> was nearing.  I decided to take advantage of the 2 weeks I had off and travel a bit.  I hopped on a bus to Praia da Pipa to spend my two week holiday there.  I then met my husband Max, upon arriving the first day.  I spent a blissful 2 weeks in Pipa and then returned to <em>Ceará</em> .  A month later Max came to visit me and it continued like this, back and forth,  until my teaching contract was up a few months later.  It was a very temporary job, due to the fact I wanted to travel as well as work.  Well let&#8217;s just say I didn&#8217;t get much traveling in.  In April I moved to Praia da Pipa with Max and the rest is history.  I will make a brief timeline below of major events that took place over the course of the next 3 years.</p>
<p>Up until now I have kept my blog quite light, avoiding exposure of my personal life.  In light of some recent changes that have taken place and me feeling the need to write about these events, I have changed my mind and decided to write away.  So&#8230; the recent changes that have played a part in this&#8230;.. well, Max got his Visa {greencard} to the USA in December!  After a looong two year journey we thought we would never see the day.  But it has arrived and we were informed we must go to the USA within 6 months of the issuing of the visa, which was December.  What does this mean for our family&#8230; yes, we are moving to the USA!!  In April we will go to Rio to spend two weeks with Max&#8217;s family and then May 8th we are flying to NYC.  It is our hope to find jobs, settle in with my family and then see where we would like to live.  If we have troubles finding jobs, settling in, etc .. we have already said we will return to Brazil.  As my husband has a good job here, and is leaving on an open-ended agreement, shall we decide to return.  Where does this leave my blog and writing?  Well I have decided to back track a bit, since I just started this blog 6 months ago,after two and half years of already living here.  I have been through a lot of ups and downs and huge experiences here.  I am really feeling the need to write about some of them in hopes of helping another.  And others for the pure, selfish reason of getting them off my chest, kinda like closure in a way.  I also plan to still write about Brazil current events, and all things Brazil related.  I wish to continue <a href="http://www.thelocal.com.br/category/food-friday/">Food Friday</a> as well, although I haven&#8217;t posted about that in a while, I will continue.   </p>
<p>So what is to come?   Take a look at my brief timeline of events here ..take note, these are only the major events and I will cover various other things.  </p>
<ul>
<li>January 2007: Arrive in Brazil</li>
<li>Feb. 2007:  Met Max</li>
<li>April 2007: Move to Praia da Pipa with Max</li>
<li>April 2007: Trip to Bahia </li>
<li>May 2007:  My first trip to Rio</li>
<li>June 2007: A friend arrives from NYC </li>
<li>June 2007:  I get stabbed in my neck twice and stomach once, nearly die</li>
<li>July 2007:  The judicial process starts for my case </li>
<li>July 2007:  Max and I get married</li>
<li>August 2007:  I apply for my Brazilian Visa</li>
<li>September 2007:  I go to NYC for 3 months</li>
<li>October 2007:  We apply for Max&#8217;s Visa to the USA</li>
<li>December 2007:  I arrive back in Pipa from the USA </li>
<li>March 2008:  My daughter, Malu is concieved</li>
<li>September 2008:  My sister and best friend come for a visit</li>
<li>September 2008:  Max and I go to Rio for a visit</li>
<li>November 2008:  We drop the attempted murder case/s we have in the courts {civil and criminal}</li>
<li>December 2008:  Malu is born </li>
<li>April 2009:  Malu and I go to the USA for 2 months </li>
<li>June 2009:  Malu and I return to Pipa</li>
<li>July 2009:  The Federal Police make a visit to our house to see if our marriage is legit, for my Brazilian Visa</li>
<li>September 2009:  Max and I go to Rio to baptize Malu </li>
<li>November 2009:  We go to Rio for Max&#8217;s visa interview at the US Consulate</li>
<li>December 2009:  Malu turns 1 </li>
<li>December 2009:  Max gets his visa in the mail</li>
<li>Feb. 2010:  Max and I  3 year Anniversary</li>
<li>Soon to come &#8230; April 2010:  To Rio for 2 weeks, May 2010:  To the USA </li>
</ul>
<p>So these are a just a few stories I will cover.  Please, I would love to hear your input and/or if you are really interested in hearing about something.. comment away.  I want to know what you would like to read about and/or find more interesting.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Writer&#8217;s Block Wednesday</title>
		<link>http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/writers-block-wednesday-6/</link>
		<comments>http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/writers-block-wednesday-6/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:53:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>venusasaboy12</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Writer's Block Wednesday]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nature]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[photos]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thelocal.com.br/?p=289</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>We have another visitor folks&#8230; look who dropped by our backyard to visit us the other day &#8230;. </p>
<p></p>
<p>We gave him a bit of bread to capture a few photos .. had no fruit on hand!!! He seemed to enjoy it  </p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We have <a href="http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/01/writers-block-wednesday-5/">another visitor </a>folks&#8230; look who dropped by our backyard to visit us the other day &#8230;. </p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-290" title="The little Mico " src="http://www.thelocal.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC05376-300x225.jpg" alt="The little Mico " width="300" height="225" /></p>
<p>We gave him a bit of bread to capture a few photos .. had no fruit on hand!!! He seemed to enjoy it <img src='http://www.thelocal.com.br/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Birthdays and Bikinis ..</title>
		<link>http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/birthdays-and-bikinis/</link>
		<comments>http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/birthdays-and-bikinis/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>venusasaboy12</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Celebrations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[birthdays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shopping]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thelocal.com.br/?p=286</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>So I had a Birthday last month.  Yeah I know, I never blogged about it, but it wasn&#8217;t a huge deal.  But I was gifted {from my wonderful girlfriends} a beautiful bikini, from my favorite bikini shop, Maracuja, here in Pipa.  I had had my eyes on it for a while and apparently one of <p>Continue reading <a href="http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/03/birthdays-and-bikinis/">Birthdays and Bikinis ..</a></p>

]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>So I had a Birthday last month.  Yeah I know, I never blogged about it, but it wasn&#8217;t a huge deal.  But I was gifted {from my wonderful girlfriends} a beautiful bikini, from my favorite bikini shop, Maracuja, here in Pipa.  I had had my eyes on it for a while and apparently one of my friends caught on.  Thoughtful friends I have, I must say!!  </p>
<p>Well today I was on my way to throw away the cutsey little bag it came in, when I noticed they had their web address printed on the bag.  SOooo .. I thought I would share it with my lovely ladies that read this blog, or those really good boyfriends that are looking for something nice to get their special someone.  Although a bikini is a hard thing to shop for for a lady.  Their bikinis are made from a lovely soft material, and they fit the best I have ever tried in Brazil.  They are a bit pricey, running around R$ 120,00 for top and bottom, but in my opinion totally worth it. They sell the tops and bottoms separately {as is the norm here, which I love cause my size differs from top and bottom}  so each piece is priced differently.  </p>
<p>Their bikinis really are top quality.  And they also have a children&#8217;s line.. I picked up Malu the cutest star bikini the other day <img src='http://www.thelocal.com.br/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />   </p>
<p><a href="http://maracujabrasil.com/">Go check them out</a>, they have stores all over Brazil and an online shop coming soon to their website so you can buy online.  I promise you won&#8217;t be disappointed.  If you are on the hunt for a bikini {as it seems I always am, hence the fact I have nearly 20 of them} go visit.  </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Psssttttt&#8230; And no I am not getting paid to advertise for them, although it may sound like it and I wish I was. But no,  I just really *LOVE* their bikinis.</p>
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		<title>Carnaval {Carnival} 2010</title>
		<link>http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/02/carnaval-carnival-2010/</link>
		<comments>http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/02/carnaval-carnival-2010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:08:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>venusasaboy12</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Celebrations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[carnival]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thelocal.com.br/?p=282</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>As you may or may not know Carnaval {Carnival for all you English folks} just finished last week. Well here in Pipa we have a big celebration the day after the last day of Carnaval on Weds. Parades, dress-up {it is typical that men dress as women and women dress as men. But you see <p>Continue reading <a href="http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/02/carnaval-carnival-2010/">Carnaval {Carnival} 2010</a></p>

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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As you may or may not know <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_Carnival">Carnaval</a> {Carnival for all you English folks} just finished last week. Well here in Pipa we have a big celebration the day after the last day of Carnaval on Weds. Parades, dress-up {it is typical that men dress as women and women dress as men. But you see any and all costumes} Starting mid-day we got all dressed up {well I got dressed up as a man, channeling Elvis with the short doo <img src='http://www.thelocal.com.br/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  and well yeah Max went half and half  *boring*.. . opting out for surf shorts with one of my bikini tops stuffed with socks for boobies. And well my sweet dear Malu, we tried to make her a man too, but only made half of a beard on that sweet face, before she got annoyed} Then we headed to the street for festivities. We marched with the band for about an hour with Malu before she got tired and cranky. SO that was our cue she had had enough. We then swooped her over to her little friend Luisa&#8217;s for the rest of the afternoon with the <em>baba </em>{babysitter} while Mamae and Papai had a bit of Carnaval fun &#8220;sans&#8221; baby!! </p>
<p>Here is Mamae Elvis with sweet baby <img src='http://www.thelocal.com.br/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  </p>
<p>Tsk Tsk .. and just so you can get an idea of the people of Carnaval .. the one below us is the star of Pipa Carnaval {obviously a man dressed as a woman .. but I must say he or ahheemmm &#8230;should I say she, makes a darn good woman!!!} </p>
<p>And notice my chest hair .. teheheheeeee  :) </p>
<p> </p>
<div id="attachment_283" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 235px"><img class="size-medium wp-image-283" title="Carnaval" src="http://www.thelocal.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/DSC05512-225x300.jpg" alt="Malu and I " width="225" height="300" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Malu and I </p></div>
<p> </p>
<div id="attachment_284" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 235px"><img class="size-medium wp-image-284" title="Carnaval " src="http://www.thelocal.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/DSC05513-225x300.jpg" alt="The &quot;star&quot; of Pipa Carnaval " width="225" height="300" /><p class="wp-caption-text">The &quot;star&quot; of Pipa Carnaval </p></div>
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		<title>Ketchup, Mayo, Mustard or All ?</title>
		<link>http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/01/ketchup-mayo-mustard-or-all/</link>
		<comments>http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/01/ketchup-mayo-mustard-or-all/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 24 Jan 2010 01:34:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>venusasaboy12</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Food Friday]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[food]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thelocal.com.br/?p=278</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p></p>
<p>Yeah I know, I missed Food Friday.  So I am a day late.  Whatever.  Life happens. So I am making it up on Saturday.   Today I was eating a burger {mind you a Brazilian burger, already made as a patty in the meat factory, very thin and processed. *gag* ok, I know what you <p>Continue reading <a href="http://www.thelocal.com.br/2010/01/ketchup-mayo-mustard-or-all/">Ketchup, Mayo, Mustard or All ?</a></p>

]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-279" title="Burger" src="http://www.thelocal.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/iStock_000002690916-gourmet-burger-300x199.jpg" alt="Burger" width="300" height="199" /></p>
<p>Yeah I know, I missed Food Friday.  So I am a day late.  Whatever.  Life happens. So I am making it up on Saturday.   Today I was eating a burger {mind you a Brazilian burger, already made as a patty in the meat factory, very thin and processed. *gag* ok, I know what you are thinking, but it was great cause I had a few beers and I was starving and there was no other food around.  My husband had no clue what I was doing the first time I made burgers from &#8220;real ground meat&#8221; .. as they typically do NOT do this in Brazil <img src='http://www.thelocal.com.br/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_sad.gif' alt=':-(' class='wp-smiley' />  }</p>
<p>Anyhow, after watching for a few years how people dress their burgers here, I thought I <em>HAD</em> to write about it tonight.  </p>
<p>The typical way a Brazilian eats their burger is with the ketchup, and mayo bottles <em>VERY</em> close by.  Usually they do not use mustard, but I have seen it on various occasions.</p>
<p>The step by step &#8220;burger eating&#8221; process in Brazil &#8230; </p>
<p>1.) Take a bite</p>
<p>2.) Squeeze a line of ketchup and mayo on your previous nicely bitten line, soon to be your next bite.</p>
<p>3.) Eat said line with mayo and ketchup {side note: next 2 to 3 bites, eaten in a nice vertical line across burger} </p>
<p>4.) Repeat previous step, more ketchup,  more mayo, for next bites. </p>
<p>5.) Continue this until said burger is finished.</p>
<p>{does this process make sense to you?  Or shall I take photos?} </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Now&#8230; The &#8220;burger eating&#8221; process in America&#8230;.</p>
<p>1.) Get the burger and lift up top part of bun/bread</p>
<p>2.) Squeeze or slather a generous amount of ketchup/mayo/mustard {depending on person} on to the inside top of said bread/bun or burger.</p>
<p>3.) Put bun/bread back on burger </p>
<p>4.) Eat entire burger as is !  </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Now I don&#8217;t know about you, but this seems like the much more logical way to eat a burger.  Logical and easier.  No hassle of keeping the bottles close by, sharing and waiting for bottles and continuously applying new dressings!  Not to mention, it must make the restaurant owners much happier that you don&#8217;t use half of the f***kin bottle on <em>ONE </em>burger!  </p>
<p>So how do you dress you burger ?   If you live in Brazil, have you seen different?  Or can you tell me about some other wacky thing you have seen? {don&#8217;t get me started on putting mayo on pizza!  If you don&#8217;t know, I&#8217;ll save that for another post.}</p>
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