Lots of stuff

Try this for a cultural experience - transexual AIDS convention. Our class voted and decided to go to the convention instead of class on Wednesday. It was certainly interesting - even though I probably understood about half of the actual speaking part. It was at a local hotel along the beach. You went in and upstairs to this long room and suddenly all the women were REALLY tall. There was a panel of speakers at one end and about twenty or so rows of chairs. We sat down quickly (as if that would help us to blend in.) Some women came up to us and introduced themselves and said we clearly were real women so why were we there? First of all, that is not a sentence that I really ever expected to hear (and in Portuguese no less) so I thought it was pretty hilarious. But the women were really nice and really excited to see us there to learn about their culture and the stigma and health problems associated with it. The presentations were interesting enough but I was really more interested in what was going on around me. Some of the women in front of us turned around to talk to us during the presentation and thanked us for coming. One then took the bracelet off of her wrist and put it on mine as a token of appreciation. Another woman pulled a bunch of pins commemorating the fight against AIDS and handed them out to all of us. Instead of feeling like an outsider I felt like an honored guest. We then were invited to attend a luch catered to the paticipants. In line for the buffet I can honestly say I have never felt so short in my entire life. These women certainly dress and act the part of women but they can't change their height and the fact that their hands and feet are quite simply huge compared to mine. So there we were, a group of eight or so smallish girls, standing in between two groups of women who were at least six feet tall. I felt like a midget.

On a completely different note...the music at the Academia where I work out cracks me up on a daily basis. On an average day the ATeens, Bon Jovi, U2, Britney Spears, Bob Marley and techno all play. And not in any particular order either. Apparently Brazilian music is not deemed worthy for working out, except for when boxing or capoeira class is in session.

As of today I am finally legal to stay in the country. After six hours in transit and then at the federal police (in which time I did absolutely nothing except smile and nod and verify that I in fact am Elizabeth) they are taking care of the confusion over my visa. Which is good because I like it here. And even though I have been missing home a little more as of late, I haven't been missing it enough to want to get deported.

Oh and apparently spring is coming! Woo hoo because winter here is SO cold I can't stand it. Parkas and boots all the time.

And I am getting a little sick of Brazilian men. Yes, I am white. Yes, I am American. No, I don't want your number and you aren't getting mine. And NO we are not getting married/going to the US together/going out tonight. Also, I am pretty sure God himself did NOT tell you we were destined to be together. If it turns out otherwise, I'll apologize to him myself.