Mini Reunion

Just as we were driving down Duvall in that far off land of the Conch Republic, we spotted her nearing Sloppy Joe's as she made her getaway from the little nippers and their parents as they petted the sharks in the Key West Aquarium. We pulled up, hugged, and then whisked her into the back seat and away from the madness of Old Town. We had lunch at our favorite Cuban restaurant, El Sibonney, as you can see, on the corner of Margaret and Catherine. It was short and oh so very sweet. Just enough time to catch up with each other a little and then return her to that glorious Marriot Beachfront Resort. She flys back to Jacksonville tomorrow, and we hope she will return again soon with Brandon for a little R & R at our condo whenever they can fit it into their busy schedules.

Just some quick pics from Sao Paulo, look for the center flag in the one picture - it proves I am in Brazil.

Also, I am lucky to have a window in my shower, but maybe the lucky(?) ones are the people in the high rise down the street a bit. Not much privacy! My Hotel room and the requisite "picture from the the hotel window".

Some quick impressions. I was warned that there would not be many english speakers here and they were right. Pretty much the only place has been the hotel. but I am getting by. Good thing I am not a fussy eater. I Ordered Bisteak at lunch and got a pork chop, with rice and beans with a fried egg draped over the whole thing - very good. The waiter gave me a bottle of hot sauce and gave me a thumbs up...I tried it and it was very good! Then at dinner I had a number 3 pizza - it had Ham, chopped hard boiled Eggs and green olives. Not what I would have ordered at hungry howies - but it was very good!

I watched Brazil and Equador play soccer on TV last night - I was happy to hear the announcer call GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL for about 30 seconds when Brazil scored. Pretty cool to be HERE, and hear that....

Gotta go! Wrok starts in 40 minutes!

Another Rathbun is going to South America!!

So today I just got a packet from USAC (University Studies Abroad Consortium) with a shirt and some more important documents. I've been accepted to study in Santiago, Chile at la Universidad Nacional Andrés Bello for the coming fall semester (or what will be spring for Chile)! There's still quite a bit of paperwork to do but the important thing is that I'm going! I'd better study up on my Spanish before I get down there, word is they're the fastest talkers in the spanish-speaking world!

And as an added bonus, I found out at a Study Abroad meeting (about visas and credits) that one of my Broomball teammates just happens to be going to Chile too!

¡Hasta luego!

Como Vai Voce?

Muito Bem, E Voce??

It looks pretty certain I will be going to Brazil next week.  I have every thing set to go, except no Visa in hand.  The company that arranges our Visas says the process is complete and it just needs to be mailed from Chicago - I'm not saying I'm for sure going until the visa - (along with my passport!) is in my fat little hands.

I don't know what I am getting into - The Country manager has quite a reputation - (IE. he's a bit of a jerk!) and he does not want to help our department out at all!  

My task is to build an Amway Store in Sao Paulo and Rio.  The stores are a new concept for South America.  Right now our sales in S.A. are awful (esp. Brazil), so we are trying some new ideas to increase sales.   With out the support of the country Manager, I may not have an interpreter,  so life may be rough...I may have to dig one up!  Or keep my google translator handy!

I am looking forward to traveling there.   I'll be eating big hunks of beef straight from the skewer and Cafe com Laite!   I will be in Sao Paulo for 3 days and  and Rio  for 2.    It's a quick trip, I need to get back for Shawn's Nephew's ( Aaron ) wedding.

So look for some pictures on the blog - and on Facebook, I'll try to keep you informed of my travels and travails...

Tchau cats!

 

At Home On Stage

And there she was down at Sunset Park, singing at the afternoon concert under the tiki hut with Bobby Holloway. She did a great job singing "That's Life" by Frank Sinatra and the crowd was quite impressed. Before that, she danced up a storm with her big sister doing the stroll, the twist, and even the cha cha cha. We were quite the couple kicking up our heels in the sand. Fun afternoon and lots of laughs for all of us.

Look Who I Got!

Sue and Ron arrived yesterday, just in time for a dolphin show on the ocean by our beach. They were chasing a school of bait fish and wandered close to shore. Sue took a million pictures, but they are hard to catch above water. We have a fun-filled week planned, but our fishing trip for tomorrow is on hold because of the wind. I am so lucky to have my baby sister AND her husband here. And Bill sure likes having his email pen-pal here in person. Sue is trying to set up the ichat on the dueling Asuses, I think it's called "Pidgin" so they can chat from the recliner to the couch or the beach, but so far, it's not quite up and running yet. Wish you all were here.

Lucky number 1313!

Getting ready for the Irish Jig today!  Best of luck to our favorite leprechaun!