(This entry is originally from 14/08/08)

It was my first day of school today, so that meant I had to actually get up early for the first time all summer. So, to be safe, I got up even earlier than the suggested 6:15, so I think I got up at about 5:30! Since I took a bath the night before, I only had to just throw on some clothes and I was ready in about five minutes. So, with my extra time I went on the computer to go and find some more information about my school and bus route, but, of course, I can never stay on track when I go on the computer, so I just messed around until it was time for breakfast.

Soon enough, it was time to go. I thought that I had to take the bus, but I misunderstood. Fortunately, it would appear that either my host dad or host mom will be driving me to school in the morning, but I have to take the bus back.

Thankfully, spared from the walk and the nervous dread I would have to face in finding my stop, I hopped into my mom’s car and we were off. To my surprise, we stopped by a friend of Bianca’s, named Caline. I didn’t know we were making that stop, and I was wondering why we were going the wrong way!

Anyways, Caline is in Bianca`s class and she lives close, so I was simply supposed to follow her all day. Nevertheless, my host mom told me to pay attention in case I need to make the trip alone.

When we reached the school, we went inside and directly into the lion’s den classroom. I looked very lost, as I stumbled in quietly and hesitantly after Caline. The other students seemed pretty uninterested and didn’t pay me much mind other than a curious and brief glance as I passed by.

I tentatively took my seat, and sat there squirming with apprehension all the while. It was irritating. I like to be reasonably in control of things, but I’m here in Brazil—a country that I know very little about other than some shallow knowledge gleaned here or there from various sources before I left. But ultimately, I didn’t really know what to expect!

From what I heard, Brazilian school kids are loud, outgoing, immature, crazy, and unruly during school…yet here I was sitting with a bunch of quiet, well-behaved student, who were sitting pretty calmly and paying attention to the teacher and everything! Not really expecting that! Then suddenly, the teacher asked me something. I was not really paying attention, since overload of words I had never heard before was going straight over my head, so I couldn’t even try to piece together what she said since by the time I realized she was addressing me, she was done. But apparently the timing was humorous since when I said “que?” it set off a round of boisterous and over-the-top laughter, and just like that I was thrust into the spotlight. If no one realized the intercambista was here, then they certainly knew now!

Nevertheless, it was not nearly as crazy as I had been led to believe. However, the incident set off a fuse.

We continued onward through the Portuguese lesson—it was something about poetry. The teacher handed out copies, and pretty much read from it, verbatim. It was then that I noticed that noone seemed to be bothered about bringing books. It was a relief, since I had no idea what classes I had, and all the books in Bianca’s room looked quite burdensome to carry.

In any case, I read a little, and I think I got the general idea of it, but not completely, since there was apparently a composition we were supposed to do. Fortunately, I was excused on account of how clueless I was! Eventually that class ended and well…remember the fuse metaphor? Well, one of the girls gestured for me to come outside.

*KABOOM!*

It was all a big blur. I was being pulled every which way, introduced, hugged, kissed asked my name repeatedly and it was all very crazy. All the class breaks afterward went similar. And there were a lot of questions about celebrities and Britney Spears. Even in the classes were like this, most of the day I was surrounded by a group of girls trying to meet me.

The chemistry teacher spoke English, so she kept saying something to shut up the class before turning around and proceeding to talk to me, which I found ironic and funny. But she was nice.

After that there was another break and I fot the grand tour. It`s a nice school. It has sports, music, dance, a stage downstairs, a recording studio, a pool, a food court, a shopping center, a university, and even a travel agency!

Back in class there was a quiz on some book or story called “Minha querida canibal”. I never hear of it , so while I understood the questions somewhat, I put all kinds of nonsense answers like “Falsa, Europeans don’t eat people.” And “Eu nao sei!!! J Desculpa!”

Then there was lunch break. I didn’t want anything because I have little money left and I could always eat something at home for free. I met some more people like Bianca’s devoted boyfriend (he even wears a necklace with her name on it, how sweet!). Then a group of us hung out in the library a bit. Conversing was a mess, but at least I understood something every once in a while.

Oh, and my nailpolish got a lot of compliments. I didn’t realize, pinkish-purple was such a hit! And they liked my watch too.

The last class was quick. They told me that the teacher is very sexy, and then other told me that he is gay. Of course, not that it matters to me, he’s not my type anyway. (But if he’s gay, then I’m CERTAINLY not his type, lol!) Anyway, I’m not sure he realized that I was even in the class. It was very noisy and crazy, and I don’t think he bothered teaching. He just kind of sat down. I was laughing to myself because the girls, were moving their desks up close to the front. The boys stayed in the back and just talked and the remaining girls that were not infatuated just sort of sat back and played on their cell phones or iPods.

School ended and while out front, I handed out some business cards I had in my wallet which earned remarks of “Oxente!” and “que lindo!”

Then after buying my school shirt, I took the bus home with Caline and Flavia. I got a little more Portuguese practice, since she doesn’t know that much English.

After such a tiring day, I got home and took a nap!

Of course, I got up later and called my mom for the first time since I got here since my parents left for vacation in Grenada about the same time I left for Brazil, and they were pretty unreachable the whole time.

Tchau :*

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