Procrastination

I am starting to lose my good habits of blogging. I can already feel it, and I've only been a consistent blogger for about a month.

I keep putting it off because there are so many things that I need to post, that I think too much about what's next instead of just doing it. The times I can actually wait for things to load are pretty few and far between as well, since the computer I use is shared by many.

But a few things from lately: I accidentally contributed to Brazilian crime today, as my friends Fernando and Gabi made sure I was aware. I needed yet another watch because the last one I bought at the Paraguayan market stopped working after being immersed in water one too many times. When I told this to Taiza, she had no sympathy and chastised me for thinking I could by any sort of electronic item in Brazil. She said that everyone knows you get these kinds of things in the States. Today, Rach and I took a new route downtown and walked by this little old man selling watches. I had no intention of buying but peeked just because, well, ya never know. I found one that was obviously used, but it was sort of cute, looked like it worked, said it was water proof, and was only ten reais. So, I got it. Rachel said it was probably stolen, but I could feel good about it because the money would probably feed the man dinner. Later, Gabi and Fernando were both quite stern about how not good it was to buy anything from little old men on the street, even cute and hungry-looking ones, because it was supporting theft and enabling the problem.

After buying the watch, I hurried and washed it to get the second-hand grime off. I was doing this happily thinking I could soak it and it would be fine because it is water resistant. Well, it is obviously not water-proof, as the face has been foggy ever since.

I just can't win!

We watched our first Brazilian futebol game last night with Erico and Mindu, both of whom are quite fanatics about the Flamencos. Anyone know of this team?

We had stake conference this past Sunday, and it was really nice to be there. We sat toward the back (when do you ever sit anywhere else for stake conference?) and I liked seeing the sea of dark hair. Excepting, of course Rachel and the occiasional fake blonde. I wish I could adequately describe the social mannerisms of the Brasilians. I love watching them. They are so full of open affection for each other. Best displayed in big groups. Elder Didier and his wife came, and I tried to listen for Elder Didier's French accent in his Portuguese. He definitely sounded more like a true speaker than the Americans do. Despite his great accent, I lost concentration about halfway through and ended up playing dots with Erico and having him point out to me what kinds of girls are pretty in Brazil. Rachel, however, got a lot out of the conference because she is more attentive to spiritual things in general, and she is getting really good and detecting Portuguese words in church like, Yes, no, and very good. She actually is quite good and understanding phrases, which is helpful to both of us. For once, I am not the one doing all the talking.

On the way home, I drove for my first time in Brazil and got a ticket. Blast. What are the odds? There is basically no speed limit enforcement here, except at the one place I happened to go through a bit too fast. I hope the ticket arrives before I leave so that I can keep it.

We are both starting to look for jobs for when we have to come back and start our real lives again. Keep us in mind if you see anything you think we'd like!