Jamie's Here!

So I kinda fell off the face of the blogging earth, but it's because I have a visitor! Long-time friend Jamie is here visiting for the holidays!

Her trip has been grand. Dear Buddy Bruna whisked us around Sao Paulo for a couple of days, taking us to all the tourist-y spots and helping me get Jamie drunk on caipirinhas (who am I kidding? We were all drunk). The two friends got along swimmingly, of course, because they're both pretty easygoing fun-loving gals with the same sense of humor.

One thing we did in Sao Paulo that I hadn't done before and that I totally recommend was going to the top of the Banespa Tower at the end of 25 de Março Avenue. It's free, you get to go up 36 flights, and you can see the whole city!

Alexandre is STILL working on residency test/interview stuff, and he missed out on all the fun. :(  I'm so sad. I freaking miss that guy. He MIGHT come home tonight, but depending on one place, I might not see him until the 23rd. :(  We're not going to officially know our new place until the 18th of Jan (!!) but I'll probably end up telling you guys what's happening beforehand, because I'm too excited.

Anyway, Jamie and I are back in my small town, lounging and going for walks and eating a lot of meat (not much else to do!). After her first churrascaria do interior, Jamie said, "Jesus, these Brazilians are so spoiled with their meat! They're like, 'Oh, it's a Monday. Let's go have some cheap and life-changing steak for dinner, no biggie.'"

Gatinha has also latched onto Jamie like an adorable little leech. She follows Jamie wherever she goes (even into the bathroom), and refuses to sleep anywhere except for on Jamie's sweater and the foot of Jamie's bed. Jamie is helpless to resist her, of course.

So yes, another Christmas away from home. I'm having a good time and trying to make the most of it. I'm sure I'll pull a Rachel on Christmas day, because it's what I do on every American holiday that I spend in Brazil, even if it's only for a few minutes.

Happy Holidays!