school is a place to learn

yesterday ---

I woke up super early because i wanted to get ready and look cute for the festival! Lucas told us to be ready by 9am and then it went to 930 to 10. So good thing he came later because I was able to work on my video! At first I had a difficult time to finish the video because I forgot how to use it! But then I kept on playing around with it and figured how to use it again! Dislike how I used it every other semester :( We went to the plaza to buy souvenirs for friends back home but there was not as much as the market place. maybe there was but I could not find that many. I got some stuff like shirts, purse, necklace made out of acai [type of fruit], etc.

OH MY GOSH! did i mention patrick ate a CAT! bleh. Lucas told me it was cat but who know the "BULLY" might be kidding with me, but i know it was not pork or beef! haha.

We went to the Boulevard Shopping Mall. According to Vivian, Lucas' girlfriend, "Newest mall here in Belem, Brazil and it opened in October 2009." We decided to make life easier by going inside the elevator and there was 10-12 of us in there and the elevator wouldn't go up! Like i freaked out because I used to be stuck in the elevator once and it was tramatizing or maybe because I was a kid I got scared. However, the elevator went down and lost its alignment so some of us decided to get out of it and let the other 4-5 go up first. They made it upstairs, while the rest of us walked to the escalators. It was big pain in the hind....

Ordered food at Spoleta, I believe that is correct. Choose your type of Pasta and up to 8 ingredients like mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, mozarella, eggs, bacon, etc. I never tasted any thing better than this pasta! It was heaven on earth! If America was this healthy, I believe we would not complain about the obesity or the fatty food everyone has been "trying" to decline. Brazilian food is super healthy no fatty oils or junk food, especially frozen foods. Everything here was awesome!

Last BUT NOT LEAST! we went to a sports bar or a regular bar. WOW music was awesome and I wish i stayed there longer but i was way toooooo tired! Absolutely, best night i ever had in quite awhile :) we met new friends from SIFE organization at CESUPA suzy and "ale... ale...alejandro" last night was totally amazing especially the rain!!! the rain felt so good especially when we have been in the hot weather all week long! Brazilian people are super friendly and there are those creepers here and there but people are very friendly and always willing to help you!

today ---

Not much happened besides Tracy and Marisol's presentation about the readings, down below. We all went to Yamada, it is similar to Walmart just two-levels, to buy nail clippers and didn't find any. Unfortunately, I was only able to get nail polish. We were going to go to the Cathedral by the Heart Museu we went last week, but they were closed; however, we ended up going to the park for ice cream. BUT IT WAS ALSO CLOSED! My assumptions are they work hard all week long, especially sunday [stay open later] but close on mondays because they need rest. There are some places that are open, like your typical markets or laundry places, otherwise everything was closed. I was really excited to get my ice cream, but it was a mission failed!!! i want acai with tapioca! that is LEGIT ice cream!

Patrick and I went to do laundry! Damn 10 pieces of stuff for me was 54,90 reais, which equals $25 just to do laundry! like ugh, but whatever i just picked out the cute clothes haha! rest i pretty much got under control :) I felt accomplished because I was speaking portuguese/spanish -ish! haha. Finally got my darn laundry done for past week that I have wanted to get done!

readings:

ch. 30 - technology and engineering

This chapter talks about technology and engineering, especially how to write about it because if the writer does not have accurate information for the readers, then s/he will not gain a lot of interested readers. Readers want to know about technology and engineering and how the economy will decrease or rise. The author discussed about six topics: oversimplify, look for everyday units, fish for analogies, a little expertise is a good thing, draw on experience, and provide context. Reader's are highly interested in how the product will gain or help the economy. It also helps to research or asks researchers more information.

ch. 32 - the environment

On the other hand, this chapter covers about the environment. The challenges in overing environmental problems today are far greater, for a host of reasons. Some relate to the complexity or subtlety of most remaining pollution and ecological issues now that glaring problems have been attacked.

A little reflection is useful. Most journalists of my generation were raised in an age of imminent calamity. Journalists should communicate with various scientists in order to receive accurate information. Some journalists do not cover but briefly explain the issue or the problem of the product without scientists consent. Scientists are one of the people who help us with the environment; therefore, we rely on their sources.

good bye blogger! i will see you manana!

ps. realizing that we have less than 1 week left until going back to the US we will really miss all of our friends :(