6 Months in Rio...

We have lived in Rio for six months, rapidly approaching seven months. How has my life changed? What hasn't changed? In Colorado, I worked, worked out, took the dog to the dog park, went climbing at the Boulder Rock Club, ate Sunday dinners with my family, and hung out with a few good friends at CB&Potts regularly. Life seemed pretty straight forward. I started to get restless when I realized it made more sense to save for a down payment on a house than it did to continue renting. The idea terrified me. In many ways, I knew I would enjoy decorating a home, planting a garden (though I cannot keep house plants alive), and having a place to truly call my own. I think Jake and I could have made a good life in the U.S. I always would have wondered though... what would it be like to take the plunge and move to another country?

I miss seeing my mom and dad. My dad always made me give the cat a kiss, though it is quite clear the cat does not want a kiss from me. Have you ever tried to give an unwilling cat a kiss? The dog would snuggle against Jake and get him as furry as possible. For five years, Jake would accidentally wear black up to my parent's house every Sunday. Jake's more of an intellectual than a planner. I miss seeing the Rocky Mountains jutting out of the golden prairie as I drove home from work each night, the nights when the sunset was so spectacular, I almost wrecked the car. Honestly, one time I was craning my neck out the window in awe of the swirled palate of colors and I hit the curb. I never did tell Jake about that one, the car seemed okay. However, missing life in Colorado does not consume me. It is good to miss some things, it helps you to know what you value.

In Rio, I am not on the extended vacation people assume when they hear you've moved to Rio de Janeiro. People picture gorgeous babes in thongs on the beach. A nonstop party every night of the week. Endless samba dancing. Living in another country can be a lot like living in any country. After all, you are living a day to day existence where you have to find a way to feed and clothe yourself. In many ways, work is the same as it was in Colorado. There are petty frustrations, the usual bureaucracy, and long work days. The work week flies by, a mixture of every emotion. So what has really changed about my life? Why did we move to another country?

It all comes down to moments like last night.

After work, I showered, guzzled some caffeine, went to two stores to find xixi (pee) pads for our puppy and headed home. All pretty normal and boring. We grabbed the dogs and headed down to Ipanema beach to meet friends. Drinking beers, watching the sun set, and getting kicked off of the beach because of our dogs (this happens a few times a week), moving our beach chairs to sit by the board walk with the dogs... all pretty normal. Just some of the perks of living in a beach town.

Later on, Mark took Xuxa down to the water for a joyous run... he came back up and his flip flops were missing. I felt a little guilty since the flip flops had been within a few feet of me. Then, my eyes zoomed in on a homeless man wearing some navy blue flip flops with white straps, definitely Jake's. Our friend Chivas, a Canadian married to a Brazilian, offered to go and get Mark's flip flops back. They went over and started talking to the guy. The guy offered to give them back to Jake, he had thought some one had just forgotten them on the beach. This make sense, because few people hang out at the scene of the crime.

As the guys were talking, I took in a glimpse of this man's life. One ankle had a duck tape rigged cast. His feet were dirty with cracked and swollen heels. Over his shoulder was a black trash bag full of cans he was collecting. He had passed by our table a few times that evening and always been gracious and polite when he asked for our empty cans. Our lives were very different.

Then, in the same moment Jake look over at me as the guy was passing back the flip flops. A realization flickered across his face... he turned and gave the flip flops to the man. He needed them more than Jake did.

These are the moments...moments when I fall in love with my husband all over again. Moments when I see my life with more clarity. Jake and I have opened ourselves up to another culture and country. To new experiences. I hope I grow as a human being in my experience, compassion, and knowledge of the world's people. I am so lucky in so many ways. I have so much, so many have so little, I think I need to start doing more...

Why didn't I? The least I could have done was buy the man a cold beer on such a hot night. It wouldn't have been much, it would have been something so little, but maybe all of the little somethings could add up to a big something someday.