Monday, February 4, 2013

Segunda semana / second week update

So, I am approaching the 2 week point here in Sao Paulo! There are indeed some things to share. Firstly, tying in with the last post partially about the tragedy in Santa Maria, I kept busy for a while working on writing or translating various writeups about the incident and the Episcopal Anglican Church in Brazil's (or IEAB for short) response to it. I had the distinct pleasure of writing a piece in summary that has been posted to the blog of the Episcopal News Service website (click here for the link) - and hopefully soon the Anglican Communion News Service will also have a similar writeup about the IEAB and Santa Maria.

Bishop Francisco de Assis (second from left) of the IEAB diocese of Sul-Ocidental based in Santa Maria, at an ecumenical service (Catholic, Lutheran & Episcopal presences) in Santa Maria days after the tragedy.
Slowly yet surely, I am getting used to aspects of life here in Sao Paulo. Then again, I know I can't run before I can walk! It's still a foreign country, a foreign language -- but I'm really enjoying myself. My new church family at Paroquia Santissima Trindade (Church of the Holy Trinity) is absolutely wonderful. The neighborhood in which I'm living and working is great, too. (Pictures at the end of the post!)

Things I like a little less are things I don't like much about life anywhere -- shortly after arriving, one of my wisdom teeth that had bothered me some months back decided to act up: perhaps a perfect storm of a few months' worth of problems in the making, tied in with airline travel (pressure changes), a change in altitude (Seattle's at sea level; Sao Paulo is some 2,500 feet above it)...who knows. So last week, I had the problem tooth extracted, and so far, no problem. Then I got stung by a bee on my day off... (not allergic, and local reaction is finally waning, so all is good).


Or as another YASC-er said to me, "Nina. You know, you CAN have times in life that aren't that crazy.."

All of that aside, things truly are really great. Everyone whom I've met here has been absolutely wonderful, and I feel comfortable in adapting bit by bit to Brazilian culture as I learn more. I'm also slowly yet surely learning more about my neighborhood (Santa Cecilia) and bits and pieces of Sao Paulo beyond. Here are a few pictures I took over the weekend:

      

Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Location: São Paulo, Brazil

2 comments:

  1. So where do you live? Do you live in an apartment? Housing? I've noticed some other YASC'ers are in houses, or at churches. I'm going through the Discernment Weekend this weekend and I'm super excited for the adventures I'm about to embark even though at this time it is just the Discernment Weekend. I know Cameron through Happening and I'm a friend of his, so I ended up subscribing to everyone to see how God is working with them in their lives.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Hi Mandie! So, Brazil is a brand new placement, and since it's the task of the host country to find housing here for YASC placements, plus the fact that housing here in Sao Paulo, or even in Hong Kong is very different than say, Tanzania or Kenya or the like. For now I'm staying with the Provincial Secretary, but that might change at a later point. So clearly, flexibility's a big thing! :)

      I hope that discernment weekend goes well! it was a great experience. Do stay in touch, and I know that the staff from 815 who will be present will say this, but also share with everyone else -- that us YASC-ers in the field now are more than happy to be of help in any way we can!

      Delete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)