What's your plan?

I've made plans... I left Canada with a plan. Most of them haven't worked.

The one plan I really had was: I WANT TO LIVE IN RIO.

Every day when I wake up and realize I'm in Rio, I'm happy.

Someone I know came up to me on facebook and asked:
"How long do you plan on staying there?"

"I dunno." I replied.  

"What do you mean you don't know? You can't stay there forever..." The person says.

It's rather funny how people seem to think they have the right to think about what you can or cannot do.

I love being here, right now. I can be here right now. I don't think of it as having an expiring date.

This is what I chose and I'm continuously choosing. 

Back to Square One.

Jobless and Homeless again.

BBQ in Santa Teresa

I got up for breakfast as per usual. I'm still wearing my best sunburn.
I spent hours on the phone with RBC, because even thought I told them I'd be away, they still decided to block my card.
By 5pm, I got an invite to go to Santa Teresa for a BBQ. I left at 6pm... I managed to take a wrong bus and end up in Villa Isabel. Then I took a taxi there.
Saw my awesome Lapa friends. Then made it back home in time to go the Funk Party. I came home, I slept 2 hours and I'm working in my PJs. Only about 4 hours of work to go... Then I'll take a shower, head down to Lapa again... today there's Samba at Pedra do Sal!

Goodbye Alex & Charlie

At the place I am working & staying I met two really cool roomies.

Alex - From Australia. He's into yoga. He teaches English. He is talk and looks Swedish. He's very peaceful and funny. He was awesome to meet.
Charlie - From England. Worked at the bar. Looks like Elijah Wood. Is fun and funny.

Today they both leave. I'll miss them. They were like short term brothers.

Day OFF.

Today was my first day off since I`ve began working at the hostel.

A guest (Zach) and I had breakfast and went to Copacabana beach. We sat there for about 45 minutes, then walked to Ipanema... then we had some fish n' chips at post nine.

I am so happy to be livin' in Brazil. :D

We walked around some more. I got a MEAN sunburn. Then I came home to shower.

Now I'm taking a shower, having some beers and going out. Yessss!!!

Negative Job Aspects

As I eat ANOTHER plate of rice and beans for lunch, I figured I should probably write some of the downsides of working at this hostel.

Yup, so breakfast is the same thing everyday.
Lunch, if there is any, it's rice and beans (without any flavour) and meat that's full of nerves.

Because I live at work, it's hard to leave work. I'm not able to finish my shift and not see any stupid guests. They seem to think that once you're done working, they can continue to ask you for things. They constantly ask you for favors. 

The maid's constant complaining about the boss is annoying.
But the absolute worse... is the maid's religious music that she plays realllly loud out of her smartphone!!!

Another Opportunity

I returned to an address in Ipanema that I had been to 3 years ago. I had written asking for a job as a receptionist. Haha. The coolest part about applying for jobs in Brazil is that I get call backs because the majority of people actually find my CV interesting.. hahaha...

It's a small hostel, but it's clean!
Also this guy's verbal contract is that I should only work 4 days a week!
This new place doesn't have a 'varal' to dry my clothes, nor does he promise me breakfast.
However, it's EXACTLY where I want to live: Ipanema!
To me, it's the world's coolest beach... and I might be going to live there.
I'm just waiting for the guy's approval (he said he would interview other people...)

I also went for an interview to greet people that come from cruise-ships... Except that job will only start in December... The interview went great though! :)

The Past Few Days...

I sit here listening to certanejo (Brazilian Country Music). Marcelinho from Santa Catarina would be so proud!! haha..

It's my fourth (rough) morning where I work from 8-4. 

The past few days have been so ridiculously fun, sometimes I almost feel guilty. 

Except this was what I chose. Haha. And I'm lovingggg it!

Friday to Saturday I didn't sleep, just got home, showered and put on some different clothes.

It's hard NOT to have a crazy schedule living in Brazil. There's ALWAYS something to do. Either with guests or with the friends I've made from different hostels.
Yesterday I went to the Favela Funk Party. It's a huge party in a warehouse far from here. It's an "organized tour" where hostels basically put tourists in a van and take them there to party.

This whole event was free for me... but the best part is the networking because I get to know various different tour guides.

Working at this Hostel

Working at the reception of a Hostel is awesome. 

1. It's an easy job.
   I check people in, answer the phone, surf the internet, socialize and push a buzzer so people can open the door.
2. I'm beginning to learn what activities in Rio are on what day.
   I know when and where the markets and good parties are.
3. The job has perks.
   If I sell a certain tour, I can go with them for free. (I can't wait to hang glide!)

At this particular hostel, I am four blocks away from Copacabana Beach. It's located on a quiet corner. The owner used to be in the army and carries himself with alot of pride. He has friends over almost every night. They watch the game and drink. His wife and son are always around. His other kids always call.

Then there's Camilla. She's an interesting character...
This is a lady from across the street, in her late forties who comes visit the hostel with her dog Malin (a boxer that always wears a bow around her neck).
She speaks French. She used to travel by boat with her father. She has many many stories.
She came over to read me about 1000 pages of poetry she wrote.
Most of her poetry revolves around the fact that she feels like she wasn't truly loved by a man, and never had children. She uses metaphors of the ocean and of storms in order to depict what she feels. Awesome, but repetitive.

Day 1 @ "Work"

Today I internet-ed all day. I don't hate it yet.

Anddddd, other places are starting to respond my emails.

Half Way There.

It's funny how it seemed as if finding a place to work without my legal Brazilian documents seemed hard.

I am now working at a hostel in Copacabana in exchange for a room, so I don't need any documents...

I decided not to stay at the apartment I had found because the internet the lady advertised only worked in the hall, there was no reception for my phone and she takes care of her brother whom has dementia.
Therefor when she leaves to run her errands (as she did when I was there, for about 3 hours), she asked me to attend to his needs.
I didn't plan to pay to be a care-taker, so I left that same night.

I have been moving from hostel to hostel because the ones I like fill up with reservations.

I spent days calling and making appointments with people in order to see apartments.

Majority of the time they didn't show up at the scheduled time or didn't answer the phone. This is something extremely hard to get used too. They lack so much responsibility and respect, it's rather disturbing.
If they do show up, they'll walk you into an apartment that smells like urine and has pots with rotting food on the stove. These are just not livable conditions.Call me a princess if you'd like!

Meanwhile I've been staying at the BEST hostel in Rio (Bossa in Rio Hostel) in Lapa... and have been looking for a place to live.
My Italian friend Samuel who lives at Bossa in Rio too went for an interview and was told that they were looking for two people, so he called me and now I have a job at a mediocre hostel in Copacabana.
This is most people's dream come true... but I'm starting to capture the "Zone Sul" vibe. It's different... I can tell.. People from Lapa/Santa Teresa are more pleasant.

I got the job I wanted. I am the hostel receptionist, but this place isn't like Bossa in Rio... where the staff are pleasant and the owner's vision is to provide the best hostel in Rio. This place emphasizes other ideals...
I plan to hang on for the experience and till Rock in Rio passes... because in the end, this'll be the best place to enjoy it.

Working at the hostel comes with perks: I get to see sights for free... and I plan on having a blastttt!!!

Now that I have a stupid desk job, I can reddit all day.

Back in it! Second milestone!

It feels so good to be back in Rio. 

There's no place I enjoy landing more at, than SDU.

With the paranoia of having the possibility of being robbed. With the noise. With the pollution. With the smell of urine in Lapa. This place makes me happy. It's the vibe. It's the carioca culture...

Now that I have my documents, I'm back in it to win it.

I began yesterday by looking on easyquarto.com.br/ for a place.
I can't stress enough how convenient and efficient this website is. Yes, even if one has to pay to use it, it works for finding a location in Rio de Janeiro. This time around I received more decent offers than last time. Rent has gone down and it's rather reasonable now.

I want a stable address. I've come to understand that this is the start for anything.
In Rio it's hard because of the seasons/festivals/soccer games/celebrities, so prices sky-rocket overnight.
I managed to find a place where I have my own space (a very small room), a sink and a toilet. I share a shower, kitchen, living room and a washing machine.
It's located on the southern part of Copacabana. Yes. COPA-freakin'-CABANA.
(It's almost at my dream location: Ipanema... )

Finding this place is my second milestone. I did it.
It's cheaper than my hostel, it's clean and I have privacy. I'm so excited!

Teaching, Santa Catarina

I finally received my carteira de trabalho. It's kind of like a life passport? It's a small card that gets stamped with your personal information about work. 

The next step is the medical exam. Yes, I need to do one in order to be employed. This is still rather awkward. It's pretty personal.

Up to now I've collected about 20 hours of teaching, from substituting other teachers. It's the end of the year and in August I'll get my own groups. 

I've taught different age groups. People ask which I would like to teach and I've realized it's not really about age...

It's about the group's desire to learn. 

I have taught kids who want to learn and doing the exercises is fun because they follow. 

Then there's the teenagers, who are only there because their parents pay for them to be there. They don't put in the effort and expect the language to just be acquired through their physical presence. 

Essentially, the quest becomes finding a way to create a comfortable environment. Not only for the image of the school, but for the student to learn. 

My personal technique has been being myself- haha. 

Majority of students just want to interact with me in order to ameliorate their pronunciation. I love this, because I can see them improve as I correct them. Being able to help them and see the results is the rewarding part about teaching. 

I've very happy teaching here in Santa Catarina. 

I'm giving this place a decent chance. 

The two places I have my eye on are Florianopolis and Balneario Camburiu.

Very briefly.....

Florianopolis is awesome because it's an island and it has 42 beaches, sand dunes and a lake. 

BC has a few beaches, but it's smaller and easier to navigate.

Speaking of navigation: my biggest regret in life is not knowing how to drive manual. 

I hate that I didn't learn. I feel crippled and dependent on the city's transport or worse, on lifts from people. 

Did it.

Sometime last July I began taking online TESL classes.
I wanted to try being an English as a Second Language teacher.
Today, I did it.

It wasn't meant to align so well. My first day was suppose to be Saturday AM.
I went in today to get some coaching from Lea in order to give her classes on Sunday, except she wasn't feeling well, so she asked if I could replace her today.

So 30 minutes before class started, she plugged in the USB keys and that was it. She gave me her last three classes, to teach.

3 classes, back to back? Sure, I'll take it.

Did I enjoy it, yeh... I really did. It was awesome. :)

I've been in a Funk.

I haven't posted in the past few weeks because I've been in a funk.
The weather here has really got me down. I had just recently left a Canadian winter.
It's not that I can't handle 14-16C degrees of Brazil winter... it's the humidity that's taking an emotional tole on me. Everything's always soaked. There's condensation on the walls. Things grow mold on them! I didn't come equipt for this climate and what angers me is knowing that back home I have all the resources: rain jackets, boots (the black and white ones everyone hates!!), warm pjs, more socks... and sweaters!!!

I've been trying to look at the bright side whilst I tough it out. There's only about 1-2 months left of winter. This'll be as worst as it gets. Summer is coming and it'll last 8 months!

Everything's sort of going according to plan.
I got my carteira de identidade, my cpf and now I'm waiting for my carteira de trabalho.
I'm even in the process of getting hired as an English Teacher at one of Brazil's most recognized schools.

I've gotten all that I've wanted in about a month- it's just not in Rio de Janeiro.

What's so bad about Itajai? It's kinda boring.
That's my only complaint.
Why have I decided to stay here?
It's an awesome place to start. There are jobs here!
I have nothing Brazilian on my CV. Toughing it out here in the start, will give me something legitimate to put on my CV. I'm biting the bullet and doing it.

Yup. 6 day work weeks, here we go!
The idea that on the 7th day I'll be able to go to the beach... soon... keeps my spirit alive.