tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123111722012-01-29T00:58:42.313-02:00...writer, poet, shoe person, dabbler in all things creative...--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.comBlogger6751100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-54393823711909423382012-01-28T12:01:00.000-02:002012-01-28T12:01:00.514-02:00

As an American citizen overseas, I occasionally get ridiculous emails from American Citizen Services (apologies to anyone I know who works in this department). Worldwide Caution!!! Well, the last email was actually "Worlwwide Caution" which must be even worse, what with all the w's floating around.There are places in the world where it is genuinely unsafe for citizens of particular nations, or

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-92162743826537254712012-01-27T09:55:00.004-02:002012-01-27T10:17:14.336-02:00

I did another massive Facebook overhaul today. The rainy weather helps me organize, I think! It's not easy to delete people now, which makes trimming down another 62 names blastedly difficult. Reloading pages instead of just clicking a button beside each name. So I will probably have a little more clean-up work to do until my FB account accurately represents my actual life and social network, but

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-56486343679331737032012-01-23T11:37:00.002-02:002012-01-23T11:43:02.378-02:00

Excited about the World Cup in 2014? Don't get your tickets quite yet. It shouldn't be a big surprise that Brazil is not ready for the World Cup. According to the AP on ESPN.com, the FIFA secretary general, Jerome Valke, is on record stating that not only are there no stadiums ready, but that Brazil also needs to change their laws to accommodate the World Cup. You see, Brazilian soccer fans get

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-41142893143937733302012-01-20T11:00:00.003-02:002012-01-20T11:14:41.024-02:00

My baby sister is in town! So far, Rio has decided to play nice, and the weather couldn't be more perfect. So I imagine by the time she leaves, we'll both have some lovely tans to start the year off, as the blue skies just scream "Get your booty to the beach!"Yesterday, we were approached by one of the beach vendors who was ridiculously insistent that we wanted his dried out popcorn, bland Globo

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-7300268149640523552012-01-14T17:42:00.006-02:002012-01-14T18:12:11.373-02:00

Now that the creature in my belly is looking less like Skeletor and more like a human on the ultrasound pictures, I decided it was about time to go ahead and tackle one of the decorating projects I'd lugged back with us from the United States.See? Here's the pre-Christmas 3D photos:Stuff of nightmares. Cool nightmares, but still...not someone you feel like decorating for.And last week's picture:

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-58037485837962542412012-01-13T13:15:00.003-02:002012-01-13T13:30:44.285-02:00

I have a confession to make. When I was about 12 years old or so, I stole the Kama Sutra from the library. I wasn't stealing it indefinitely, understand. I just wanted to read it without the librarians (or my mother) finding out. Young Jenna was a strange child, yes, we know. It was an interesting tome, to say the least. When I was done, I slipped it back into its proper, Dewey Decimal-ed place

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-23291319081787907792012-01-12T15:32:00.006-02:002012-01-12T16:22:06.490-02:00

Recently, I visited a physical therapist who will be present at the birth of our son. She's obviously an ambitious, creative and successful woman who is helping to bring certain aspects of European (specifically, French) childbirth and post-childbirth techniques to Brazilian medicine. Google "post-partum physical therapy" for more info. I am not having any pregnancy related issues at the moment,

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-25551088606302333902012-01-10T10:22:00.001-02:002012-01-10T10:22:00.061-02:00

No resolutions for me this year, just some reflections and ideas for tiny, yet significant changes. 2012 is shaking things up for us, what with the coming addition of a tiny new one with more passports than he'll know what to do with. Like all major life events, there are people out there wanting to sell you a gazillion different things that are really not necessary but which at the time, you

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-32208654724962039312012-01-09T11:00:00.000-02:002012-01-09T11:00:03.107-02:00

Lessons learned from this past vacation, in no particular order of importance:1) I will always take too many items of clothing in my suitcase, no matter how hard I try to pare down. On the other hand, I can pack one mean, every-square-centimeter-utilized suitcase! 2) An iPod and a bluetooth keyboard, while very versatile, are not the same thing as a netbook. Next time, I'll deal with the weight

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-6004747966935557222012-01-06T17:20:00.005-02:002012-01-08T13:39:46.133-02:00

So you probably realized we were traveling over the holidays, what with the total absence of posting. It was hard find time or a place to scribble down my end-of-the-year thoughts, so they'll be spilling out belatedly over the course of this week. Christmas in Indiana, the New Year in Texas. We managed to squeeze a lot more visiting and family time into this trip than previous ones, and it was

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-63737741354949204642011-12-13T09:29:00.002-02:002011-12-13T09:47:28.341-02:00

Dear Lord and Taylor,Thank you for your impersonal form letter. Although I appreciate the information, I doubt that is the true cause of the issue, as I have not changed or altered the billing address for my card since it was opened, and have used this card multiple times in the past few weeks for internet purchases without incident. Instead, I must point out that when placing my orders, for some

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-71239314252435310182011-12-07T11:13:00.001-02:002011-12-07T11:13:00.322-02:00

I'm not going to name the restaurant, but I had a simply appalling luncheon experience the other day. Our large group had prearranged an event; we'd ordered our food ahead of time, given exact head counts, and showed up punctually. Because the menu was pretty simple and could be prepared ahead of time, I wasn't worried about the 2pm lunch reservation, because I figured we'd sit down, order drinks

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-60679491256443661322011-12-06T10:32:00.000-02:002011-12-06T10:32:00.513-02:00

You may have noticed an recent lack of posts on this website. It's because my body has been invaded by the creativity and energy sucking monster known as little Bugigangas, most probably of the male persuasion, due to arrive in this world in May. !!!!!!!!!!Yup. I've become yet another expat-blogger-mama. Apparently, it's a trend!An unexpected side effect of pregnancy has been the complete lack of

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-5172588863756072472011-12-05T20:23:00.000-02:002011-12-05T10:45:08.950-02:00

I'm going through a massive decluttering of my Facebook at the moment. It's interesting to see where people from my past have ended up, but I'm starting to feel a bit like a voyeur. If I'm not willing (or simply don't have the time) to expend the effort to actually keep in touch with them, what right do I have to snoop through their photos, coo over their new babies, sigh about heartbreak and

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-60083327392111597162011-12-05T08:24:00.002-02:002011-12-05T10:01:21.252-02:00

It's been a week of massive socialization for little old recluse me! Wednesday, I took a road trip with the ladies up to Petropolis and Itaipava, towns tucked away in the mountains just an hour or so outside of Rio. I highly recommend the drive, especially as the days get hotter. It's perfect for a weekend getaway. Here's a peek at some amazing architecture: We visited an incredible orchid farm,

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-47172527519937793062011-11-28T14:29:00.002-02:002011-11-28T15:07:53.320-02:00

1) When I was a child, my mother had an expansive herb garden just outside the basement door. Unruly with sage, thyme, mint and other delights, it was one of my chief culinary pursuits to create potions from the her herbal bounty. And by potions, I mean that I gathered handfuls of every plant that I'd been assured was edible and dumped them into a big pot. Then I added water, lots of sugar, and

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-77648892122874316062011-11-28T05:56:00.003-02:002011-11-28T06:23:29.813-02:00

I've been reading a LOT these past few months. Some really great books have come my way and I've been meaning to share.My most recent read, which helped me through a torturous 2 1/2 hour bus ride back from the Federal Police, was "The Dante Club." I'd picked it up at the Anglican Church's book sale (always going on, books are about R$2, lots of trade paperbacks in English, yippee! And children's

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-40301309285140469782011-11-21T11:50:00.004-02:002011-11-21T12:14:31.281-02:00

Finally! I'm nearly done with the writing room redecoration. When the mothers were here, they mixed their own paint color and did a fantastic job on the room. It went from being blah white to a soothing collection of blue and blue-green shades that really works to give the room some needed personality. Leaving the pillars white was a stroke of genius I stole from my friend S; it not only breaks

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-13833833596483361002011-11-13T18:42:00.002-02:002011-11-13T19:10:23.359-02:00

I've been doing my once-yearly online shopping extravaganza, wherein I purchase (or plan to purchase) nearly everything I need for a year that can't be found in Brazil. This is known as THE LIST. It's on a document on my computer, which is updated when I remember to clear out my index cards and notebooks from my office and purse, which are often filled with scribbles like "cream of wheat" and "

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-35520743798512478922011-11-13T18:28:00.005-02:002011-11-13T18:41:53.609-02:00

It's been quiet on the blog front for me these last few weeks. The end of the year is always hectic, and yes, for me, that starts in November! We had a good friend staying with us for about two weeks, and it was so good to catch up and hang out. One night we went to The Maze, a semi-underground once-monthly jazz club in the pacified favela of Tavares Bastos, near Catete. This was our second visit

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-68262056003400034132011-11-11T10:20:00.002-02:002011-11-11T10:40:12.842-02:00

The new Casa Pedro on Olegário Maciel is great: the first one I've been to whose snack area actually has tables and chairs and the aisles are wide enough one can actually browse! Some interesting and noteworthy finds:Mexican chili powder, arrowroot powder (araruta), what I think might be brewer's yeast, dried French lavender, much more affordable pine nuts (pinoli, though they use another name as

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-45632748626886036052011-11-03T20:22:00.004-02:002011-11-03T20:32:14.264-02:00

Medicine via email. What's not to love? My doctor sends me a lab request as an attachment in her email to me. I print it, take it to the lab and have blood drawn, all without running around to three different neighborhoods in Rio before noon on an empty stomach. For some inexplicable reason, nearly ALL blood tests here "require" fasting. Even when they don't. I've had techs who didn't want to

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-12858726383866990682011-10-31T09:35:00.003-02:002011-10-31T09:44:00.083-02:00

Rio can't decide if it wants to move towards summer or not. The chilly, rainy weather has set in yet again, though you won't find me complaining. Not having to run air conditioners all day and night, not sweating rivers down the back of my legs, not feeling as though eggs could fry on my kitchen tiles...that's a good feeling.We did get a little sun this weekend, and used the window as an

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-88732572172265129262011-10-19T11:15:00.002-02:002011-10-19T11:30:01.324-02:00

La Boticella, tucked away in Barrinha, is a charming place. The owner, a man who looks like he's been chosen especially for the job by a top-notch casting agency, bespectacled and friendly, speaks enough languages for a small continent and is apparently Argentinian, though he's Italianized his name for the good of the restaurant. It wouldn't do to be a mere Jorge when you're serving up helpings

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-56961368862355880122011-10-16T19:53:00.000-02:002011-10-16T19:53:00.517-02:00

One of our adventures with the mothers was also a chance for us to pick up a few Christmas presents and some art for the house. When we leave Rio, someday, we'd like to have some unique and memorable items to remind us of our stay here. To that end, we decided that the mothers needed to check out the rock shop.Hidden away in São Cristovão is a well-kept secret: Shop dos Cristais. Any visitor to

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-51389542396932845312011-10-15T20:07:00.003-03:002011-10-15T20:19:07.868-03:00

That's the look, anyway, the taxi driver who picked us up from the Christ Statue gave me when he realized that the two women in the back seat, chatting away furiously in English, were my mother and mother-in-law. Together. With us. For two weeks.He found us very amusing, particularly as I spoke Portuguese and was unwilling to be bullied into not using the taximetro. (Darn tourist spots and their

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-35554967831902741112011-10-11T11:42:00.005-03:002011-10-11T12:16:39.941-03:00

I have been waiting expectantly to read "Daughter of Smoke and Bone" since way, way before it was even finished! My short stint as a librarian back in 2009/2010 was a great introduction to the up and comers of the YA and children's literature market, and my fellow librarians and I were avid readers of a particularly quirky and wonderful pink-haired author. I was positively horrified and dismayed

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-90289117766587281672011-10-05T11:02:00.004-03:002011-10-05T21:31:53.858-03:00

Hubby's been working overtime to put together a website for me, a nice place where all my assorted web presences can coalesce into one convenient address. Before, when someone wanted my info, I had to scribble down the blog location, Figment name, Twitter handle and so forth on whatever paper was handy. Not very professional. Now, I have snazzy new business cards and a single web home that just

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-80722662148273742062011-10-04T08:32:00.003-03:002011-10-05T10:57:21.816-03:00

Olegário Maciel is going to be home to...Casas Pedro!They've put signs up but the store itself isn't ready. This is huge, wonderful news for Barra people. If you've ever wondered where to buy spices, bulk flour, nuts, and stranger things like orange flower water, tahini or cream of tartar, Casas Pedro is your place. Most of their stores are in Centro, Tijuca and Copacabana, which makes it hard to

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-86635841459313054512011-09-27T20:12:00.004-03:002011-09-27T20:16:38.576-03:00

I asked the hubby to grab some eggs on the way home from work tonight, as I was stuck at home all day with arthritis malaise and assisting the handyman. Imagine my shock when I pulled them out of the bag and out fluttered a receipt for R$75!!!That's R$7.50 PER EGG. (Because a dozen barely exists at the supermarket anymore. And they say there is no inflation...)Of course, then I looked more

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-63520493235584500202011-09-26T20:01:00.002-03:002011-09-26T20:59:24.852-03:00

A friend and fellow blogger and I decided to do some hard, hard journalistic blogging work for our Rio readers. We went to a day spa.There are lots of places in the city offering spa services, which can range from massages and baths (because most apartments do not have bathtubs, and so it's a major luxury!) to facials, body scrubs, and all the way to funky machine treatments for cellulite and the

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-42022055311303449302011-09-17T23:24:00.006-03:002011-09-17T23:56:45.082-03:00

Oooh, I love gifts! September has been a gift-y month for me. Hostess gift from the lovely ladies at the INC, from Sobral. I've already gotten so many compliments while wearing this bright, spring-ish piece. Turn your head sideways to fully appreciate...Mr. Bugigangas had to go to Colombia a few weeks ago for business. He returned with two bags of Colombian coffee and a hand grinder. It takes a

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-21959938748404044722011-09-15T17:00:00.004-03:002011-09-15T17:20:42.998-03:00

I grew up in a Christian church and floated around the Quaker and Reformed sets during college. I never got along well intellectually with the latter, which is why I still squirm when I hear people throwing around words like “total depravity.” So when our study brought up this little tidbit, I started doodling: “Natural persons [meaning unbelievers] have no means by which to be truly victorious

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-32895960409973939092011-09-15T16:05:00.001-03:002011-09-15T16:07:05.450-03:00

First, I am so NOT an anti-Bether. Just to clear that up! But thank you all for your book suggestions and encouragement. I appreciate it greatly!During Bible Study today, I got flummoxed when trying to explain myself. Something in the study rubbed me the wrong way, but I wasn't sure how to verbalize it and I think I just managed to say stupid things while trying. Oops. So be prepared to find a

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-16567171207916071812011-09-14T09:10:00.003-03:002011-09-14T09:43:53.215-03:00

We're only into our second week of my first Beth Moore study and I'm already chafing. My heavily hand annotated workbook is running out of margin space. I've crossed out and reworded whole passages. I've been tempted to call the author some not very nice names for her treatment of Scripture.This frustration is partly my own fault. I chose to do this study because of the women, not the material. I

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-9887254069238210192011-09-13T10:00:00.000-03:002011-09-13T10:00:17.434-03:00

I'm thinking that I need to bring a little recipe book with me, in Portuguese, to teach the Brazilian bartenders how to make non-alcoholic drinks. Because there are lots of reasons why one might not be drinking and sometimes, a Coke just does NOT cut it.Was out with a friend a few weeks ago at Sawasdee, which has been delish every single time I've eaten there. They've got several really excellent

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-66726187015969281472011-09-12T08:51:00.002-03:002011-09-12T09:19:15.225-03:00

I got so many fun responses the last time I posted about this subject, I just couldn't resist doing it again!Rachel Held Evans posts links every weekend on things of note around the blogosphere. Whether you agree with all the articles or not really isn't the point; she introduces us to a wide and wild range of thought and controversy. Reading Tony Jones' articles on "There are Two Marriages," I

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-64983392694457413262011-09-11T21:51:00.003-03:002011-09-12T10:09:47.388-03:00

Read this first: Original article, in Portuguese, hereIf you don't read Portuguese, this basically says that one of the poorer communities in the city of Rio de Janeiro is set to have its own community bank (not bad) and currency.You read that right. A separate, local currency.This isn't an unknown phenomenon. Time, USA Today and others have done feature stories on local or alternative currencies

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-55835734744287337062011-09-10T22:12:00.003-03:002011-09-12T10:09:47.388-03:00

This is not easy. First, you check the internet, to discover that everyone posts photos of products they can't sell you because they are "sold out." So you must check out brick and mortar stores, which is okay. We're thinking this should take 25 minutes, then lunch, and still leave time to take a walk on the beach or something.Stop One: Walmart.The Walmart isn't that far away, and the last time

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-16187693292269977552011-09-10T21:49:00.005-03:002011-09-10T22:28:31.300-03:00

I get the sensation that Brazilian stores all secretly are mafia fronts. Seriously. People just DO NOT WANT to sell you their products. It's like they have an allergy to profit. Case in point illustrated here, at Walmart, but also re-emphasized by a friend the other day, who was complaining that every time she goes to the store for fresh milk, they're out. (Most milk is UHT, which comes in boxes

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-13797556527327019412011-09-09T14:25:00.000-03:002011-09-12T10:09:47.389-03:00

Living in the Southern Hemisphere, our seasons are the opposite of where I grew up. This makes for occasional confusions when talking to other people, as I’m never sure if I should refer to summer as November-February or June-August. In addition, it makes clothing shopping a bit of a headache. You see, we like to buy our clothes in the US, for the following reasons:1. They’re cheaper.2. They

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-81320923657679523532011-09-06T17:48:00.004-03:002011-09-12T10:09:47.390-03:00

So tomorrow is Independence Day in Brazil. It's not quite the shindig that the 4th of July is for Americans, I think there might be a parade.What I'm sure of, though, is that if the sun is out, most of the city will converge on the beaches. As I have yet to don a swimsuit since we moved to the new digs (come on folks, it is WINTER here!), maybe tomorrow will be a good time to do that. Tomorrow is

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-188025373729888072011-09-04T12:11:00.002-03:002011-09-04T12:17:49.895-03:00

Tomorrow...now that's a great word for a procrastinator like myself. Today I will eat chocolate cake, tomorrow I'll start my diet. Today I don't feel like writing my daily word minimum, but tomorrow I'll make up for it... Yeah. Tomorrow is wonderful. It's the near-future, so close you can almost touch it. You can plan it, dream about it, make promises on it. And yet it is absolutely useless if

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-63936869095196473952011-08-31T15:39:00.006-03:002011-09-12T10:09:47.391-03:00

So we hit new heights of hick-ish-ness today. The bed broke this morning. Again. Stop thinking that. This is a family friendly blog, well...most of the time. At least the breaking happened after the alarm went off, and not in the middle of the night. Still, it seems that the low quality particleboard used to support the mattress frame was NOT strong enough to handle two full-sized adults.

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-88190570907534043222011-08-27T12:29:00.004-03:002011-09-12T10:09:47.391-03:00

We went all Carioca and had a nice weekend breakfast at Chacara Tropical in Itanhangá (Barra da Tijuca), this morning. Our good friends R and A suggested it, and as usual, their recommendation was spot on. It was great to see them again, be over-fed (the single person breakfast could just about feed 3 people!) and look at all the amazing art and plants for sale. Highly recommended! This lion's

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-51440067783780515682011-08-25T15:14:00.004-03:002011-08-26T16:28:39.594-03:00

Photo from GourmetSleuth Nope, it is not something to be smoked, chewed or worshiped at dusk in the desert. (Though I agree with you, Anne. It does sound a little sketchy!) Chuchu, as they call it in Brazil, is a great, cheap vegetable. Like a cross between a cucumber and a water chestnut, it seems to keep a little textural resistance even when cooked and absorbs the flavor of whatever it's

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-6572270608344215672011-08-24T19:25:00.006-03:002011-08-26T16:29:06.791-03:00

Our dinner tonight included what just may be my favorite new side dish. Even better, it's totally vegetarian but doesn't taste like it, which is good news for meat eaters on a budget and better news for my vegetarian (or vegan) readers. It's a riff on my new favorite condiment: homemade giardiniera, which I made roughly according to this recipe. I think my big changes were that I added whole

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-41028357900964396792011-08-24T06:37:00.006-03:002011-08-26T16:29:46.168-03:00

Two things you really don't want in Rio de Janeiro: A) To need an ambulance during rush hour B) To be handicapped and require public transportation Someday, I'll write about that first one. But today, I'd like to talk about item B. A few posts back, I put up pictures of our excellent Barra sidewalks. I was meaning to write about an experience I had the other day, but kept forgetting. Plenty

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-87246147679515229522011-08-22T16:51:00.004-03:002011-08-26T16:30:10.642-03:00

We can't seem to make it more than a few days without something going wrong in this house. It's like it's a zombie...little body parts falling off occasionally. Still functions, but with a limp. Last week, it was the ceiling lamp that for no reason decided to fall out of the sky. As I have had enough falling ceilings for one lifetime (see Chicken Little for an illustration), I was only slightly

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-53706697918552135052011-08-21T13:48:00.003-03:002011-08-21T14:35:41.405-03:00

It is Mr. Bugigangas' birthday today and so now I can reveal the grand culinary surprises he received. He specifically asked for a repeat of the first meal I made him...and then I decided to go all out and do a waffle breakfast. Yeast-risen Belgians, to be precise. Waffle-makers are difficult to come across here (and horribly designed--took me 25 minutes to clean the dang thing afterward) but

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-55293111943675410842011-08-17T08:45:00.004-03:002011-08-17T09:02:32.091-03:00

My Blogger dashboard tried to tell me I was "popular" today, and that because of that popularity, I should "try AdSense!" I have a feeling that the little popularity I have painstakingly accumulated over the five years or so of writing this blog would quickly unravel once strange ads started popping up all over the place. Personally, I try to ignore advertising as much as possible. Good online

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-89960118360030158502011-08-12T21:27:00.003-03:002011-08-12T21:41:15.877-03:00

So, it's no big surprise that I have been lusting after Kate Spade's book clutches. And if they weren't US$300 plus, I might have splurged. But that is just too darn expensive for something soooo small. And that could get accidentally forgotten, you know, because you thought it was a book instead of your purse. So on our journey to Centro today, we went to Berinjela. I recommend--good quality

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-9667707188926673282011-08-11T13:50:00.002-03:002011-08-11T13:53:39.573-03:00

Here is a visual...local sidewalks, if you can call them that: Thanks, Google Maps!

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-39143040742563656272011-08-11T10:44:00.004-03:002011-08-11T11:00:41.398-03:00

I'm sitting here eating warm pumpkin bread with cream cheese. Go ahead, hate me... Today was a "must clean out the fridge" day. After defrosting the freezer earlier in the week, we discovered lots of things that needed using up. Plus, I had leftover ingredients from several of our earlier meals: roasted pumpkin, a half container of plain yogurt, etc. This was loosely based on a recipe I pulled

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-26643194161541450452011-08-10T12:42:00.003-03:002011-08-10T12:47:30.608-03:00

Oh, glory! It's been one of those days that I pray for as a writer. Where everything goes swimmingly, where words come out like I've got a typewriter attached to my neurons, and where loose ends start knitting back together. It's been too long since I've had one of these days. Last night I whined to my husband about my writerly woes, in real adult style, whimpering about my general stupidity,

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-876105343895339652011-08-09T19:58:00.003-03:002011-08-09T20:09:35.337-03:00

My best, oldest Brazilian friend, her fiancé and her mother came for lunch on Sunday. It's their first time at the new place and they were a little shell-shocked. Coming from their last visions of me in a pea-in-a-pod house to this monstrosity...that's to be expected. We had a phenomenal time, and at one point, my friend picked up "The Lonely Tourist..," my poetry book. Not being an

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-54432570277974241702011-08-09T09:05:00.004-03:002011-08-09T09:20:51.246-03:00

I went to visit my "grandmother" on Friday. She was my neighbor back in the favela days, and we were quite the goofy pair. When bullets zinged down our street, she'd stomp on the floor and I'd bang the ceiling with the broom handle--our little Morse code for "All okay!" She's one funny, strong, beautiful lady. To get to her place, though, has become somewhat of an ordeal, taking nearly 2 hours

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-35083380547355189012011-08-04T11:33:00.001-03:002011-08-04T11:36:10.513-03:00

We don't often buy cereal, but I splurged on some granola the other day and had to laugh. New ideas are good, sometimes they work better than what we're accustomed to, but this closure system for a plain old cardboard cereal box is kind of silly. And it doesn't work all that well. Score one for the take-a-step-backwards team!

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-30258062740587099652011-08-03T09:03:00.005-03:002011-08-03T13:29:37.731-03:00

Photo from this site; awesome use of punctuation! I want one of those rings!I come from a family of grammar fiends. My mother once took a short story I’d written and illustrated when I was a very young child, marked it up with red pen and handed it back to me, graded. Graded! We are editors at heart. I still have a collection of old love letters written by hopeful suitors. I keep them not for the

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-50989953692390975612011-08-01T19:22:00.003-03:002011-08-01T19:43:47.450-03:00

A few weeks ago, the Bible study group I'm joining had a meeting. One of the ladies is a missionary and so when the email said to bring toiletries and small things for gift bags for the homeless, I automatically assumed that they'd be going to her to distribute. Ooh, was I wrong.We were going to distribute them. Individually. And so I left the meeting with three bags full of snack food, soap,

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-75298576978615429852011-07-29T16:29:00.005-03:002011-07-29T16:39:44.480-03:00

Are they not adorable?Sometimes, sometimes, the Delishoes at CittaAmerica has Kate Spade. I also saw a pair of Cole Haan boots, but they didn't fit. If you're the sort of woman who saves her shoe shopping for the US, you might want to check them out. The shoes are sorted by size and right now they are offering a buy 2 get 1 free sale. However, if you have big feet like me, be warned, there aren't

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-33415787962897397512011-07-28T13:06:00.004-03:002011-07-28T13:21:32.380-03:00

I'm a Christian. So when I say that I support gay marriage, most people are either going to assume that I'm a "liberal" or faking the whole Christianity thing. It's like there isn't a middle ground. I don't know where I stand, honestly. The liberals don't even want me! What I do know is that there are some verses in the Bible that say homosexuality is a sin. There are also verses that say gossip

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-81141385806056165422011-07-28T09:48:00.003-03:002011-07-28T09:57:57.096-03:00

I've been more focused on writing in the past year than I have been in a long time. Given both free time and the freedom to work, I've found a lot of joy in letting my imagination run free. I'm currently learning how to write longer fiction. Stops and starts and frustrations abound, but it's good and challenging. Poetry comes easier to me and I need to learn how to write fiction with the same

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-15900461395641048892011-07-26T19:39:00.003-03:002011-07-26T20:02:34.446-03:00

On the heels of the last post...I haven't always had the glorious luxury of a washing machine, so I shouldn't be as irritated as I am with the ancient critter that died in the maid's quarters. I love being able to talk about my home as if it had quarters. And wings. But I digress.Today I scrubbed laundry in the shower, which was a much better place to do handwashing than the tiny scrub sink

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-72226071278636246052011-07-26T13:26:00.003-03:002011-07-26T13:48:56.501-03:00

I've been slacking at this blogging thing, haven't I?Confession: my life is perfectly wonderful right now, but it feels rather...boring. I was talking with my siblings the other day (Skype rocks) and laughing about some of the bizarre occurrences that seem to surround my family, as if we are destined to appear in some reality television show or best-selling memoir. Unfortunately, I can't share

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-92023436723483031632011-07-10T18:04:00.002-03:002011-07-10T18:16:01.767-03:00

After a long week of chilly temperatures (18 C most days, but a low of 12 C one night!), this morning brought some welcome sun. I know it sounds crazy, but we've actually been wearing sweatshirts, wool socks and the husband even started wearing flannel pj pants instead of the cargo shorts. You KNOW we've acclimated to South American temperatures when a Canadian starts bundling up at 54 F! However

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-25461346811390639092011-07-03T11:02:00.000-03:002011-07-03T11:02:00.143-03:00

Italy was a bit of a rollercoaster ride. We spent about two days in each city, returning to Rome at the end. First stop, Rome. V, as you may remember, used to live in Rome, so he has friends still around and so we got to stay free of charge on the most comfortable sofa bed I've ever met.Day one, we were tourists, bustling around the historic center for pen shops (we are quickly becoming fountain

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-43685638526179784282011-07-02T10:56:00.000-03:002011-07-02T10:56:00.512-03:00

Over May, we took just about every kind of transportation possible, minus donkeys and camels: plane, train, car, and boat. Here are highlights, in no particular order:1) American Express cards will get you into the GIG lounge in Terminal 1. They have food, Nespresso coffee and comfy sofas, making it a much better place to spend pre-security time. It is outside the customs area, though, so you

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-44998673217127044682011-06-22T21:20:00.004-03:002011-07-01T10:56:42.423-03:00

There are still photos and stories from the honeymoon, but I haven't even gotten to my journal entries yet, or properly sorted through the pictures. Instead, I'll tell you about renting in Brazil.It can drive you to madness. As documented on the blog, I visited dozens of apartments, with multiple agents. In Rio, at least, it appears that apartments might be "listed" with several agents at once.

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-32181498385403443202011-06-20T18:15:00.005-03:002011-06-20T20:58:51.924-03:00

Nasty bruise, huh?These are the aftereffects of a minor, elective surgery to fix a SLAP lesion in hubby's shoulder. He'd been having pain for a while and a contrast MRI showed the problem. We discussed surgery options with our doctor, decided on a hospital and chose a date. I've never had surgery nor went through the process with anyone in the US, but I have a feeling it's a bit different here.

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-30754134041924438672011-06-14T17:18:00.002-03:002011-06-14T17:57:52.243-03:00

I've been collecting recipes and ideas for mocktails for some time now. Technically, with all the medications I've been taking for arthritis, I should only drink occasionally, so this is a pertinent subject. But I also have friends who are pregnant, or who can't/won't drink, and I know some cute kiddos too, who don't need to be left out at dinners because they're not yet 16 (or 18, or 21,

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-36321374286105434142011-06-12T22:17:00.003-03:002011-06-12T22:54:41.649-03:00

Basically, our honeymoon was all about the epicurean delights. Sensuality in the best sense of the word. So once we'd enjoyed the chill breezes and smoky drinks of Scotland, we were off to Italy for pasta and wine. Wine is sadly expensive in Brazil, which made us squeal like teenagers at a sample sale when we were served excellent house wines that cost a fraction of what we were expecting. To

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-68693669649478840432011-06-10T17:24:00.003-03:002011-06-10T17:43:19.886-03:00

Sorry for the absence. It's been a busy two weeks. First, we arrived back from the honeymoon and went straight to packing. Then there were complications with the lease, which is its own soap-opera saga, but suffice to say at one point the realtor was saying something about going to court and we were being asked why we couldn't just borrow money from V's company to pay an extra down payment the

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-89714448489658128282011-06-04T22:21:00.000-03:002011-06-04T22:31:21.971-03:00

We are moved into the new place, which may be a surprise to non-Rio dwellers. Details forthcoming for those out of the loop...Still no internet hooked up yet, so posting is on hold for a few days but will resume with more European vacation stories, the full house saga and a litany of the wonders and woes of this strange, giant apartment we'll be calling home. A preview: Surprise! There is only

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-53044703420948450602011-05-29T18:31:00.006-03:002011-05-29T19:59:10.076-03:00

After almost a year of marriage, we finally got our honeymoon! It was split between two countries, Scotland and Italy, and two goals: photographs and food. We succeeded on all counts!Here are some of the highlights (when I am less jet-lagged, there will be better posts):We drove from Glasgow to Kennacraig, where we caught the ferry to the Isle of Islay. The ferry was a bit chilly.Scotland is cold

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-55558107370880356512011-05-11T17:38:00.004-03:002011-05-11T18:04:24.497-03:00

(Maybe the tags will look like this?)According to the newspaper today and this site, all male and female underwear and bras sold in Brazil will come with a bonus: a mandatory warning label.Not "this product should be washed frequently" or "don't use as a headcovering except during Carnaval" but something much more public health friendly.At least, that's what the political babysitters would like

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-70356317980954562472011-05-09T20:20:00.004-03:002011-05-09T20:29:35.255-03:00

Or are they?I saw these on a blog or something the other day and couldn't believe my eyes. These sneakers will set you back much more than a week's pay. Try $860.00.They also look like something you could get at Dr. Scholl's for a lot, LOT less. But, you know, I'm kind of pleased.Arthritis shoes and velcro are in fashion?Excellent news.Unfortunately, I think they're still hideous. If you had 900

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-81520841067991288132011-05-09T12:57:00.002-03:002011-05-09T12:57:00.369-03:00

Did I mention that May is Arthritis Awareness Month? Thus this series on disease. This is the last installment, though!Medicines: The drawbacks, the benefitsObviously, cost is always an issue and RA meds can range from relatively inexpensive to thousand of dollars a week. Right now, we're using one I'd rather not be on, methotrexate, which is better known as a cancer drug. Yippee, right? Bad for

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-20148406361028752462011-05-07T09:25:00.000-03:002011-05-07T09:25:00.179-03:00

Continuing the RA post...EXERCISEMoving on...to exercise, and in particular, weight training. Because I have problems with my knees and my wrists are semi-fused and not flexible at all, most aerobic exercises are too painful or completely impossible. No group sports, either, as volleyball, basketball, soccer and etc all require running or use of the hands in ways I simply can't do. Walking is

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-12045164431746566852011-05-04T05:59:00.003-03:002011-05-06T09:45:59.980-03:00

I am in the best shape of my life. At the gym this morning, I looked in the mirror and a different woman looked back at me. I've had rheumatoid arthritis for over ten years now, and you wouldn't know it from a cursory glance in my direction. It's due to a combination of factors and a good bit of God/blessing/luck. For years, because of poor or non-existent health care, I haven't had access to

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-58198297586175742962011-05-02T17:51:00.006-03:002011-05-03T07:37:44.671-03:00

A Rio-dweller with big feet might enjoy knowing there is a pair of brand-new Kate Spade flats in a size 11 (I know! I know!) that I passed up at the Delishoes in CittaAmerica. At R$109, they're not cheap, but they're also a FAR cry from the US$200 plus that brand usually runs...Also, is anyone else wildly excited about the fact that Converse has an option for custom-designed Dr. Seuss sneakers? I

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-41819751636317720292011-04-29T19:13:00.002-03:002011-04-29T19:18:06.030-03:00

Country Visits to my book page:1. United States 802. Brazil 443. Canada 134. Malaysia 85. United Kingdom 56. Australia 17. Spain 18. Peru 1I wasn't even aware I had followers in Malaysia. Hi there! And a big "thanks for stopping by" to all my visitors. And readers. I'm in the process of experimenting with audio recordings, so perhaps in a few weeks I'll have some sound bites and poetry readings

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-31509048498405261332011-04-29T15:57:00.004-03:002011-04-29T16:19:28.575-03:00

With a European vacation in the works, I suddenly realized my need for a serviceable "travel" bag. It must have a zipper, it must have hidden inner pockets, it must be cute and it should be comfortable. A backpack would be ideal, but I hate the tourist look and little leather ones around here are A FORTUNE. When I went to the used clothing store, they had something adorable. For R$400. Oops, I

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-4848482305080755412011-04-27T14:37:00.006-03:002011-04-27T14:55:58.258-03:00

First, in response to some queries I received, I know of at least one place that offers "threading" in Rio, though I am sure there are others. It's known as "depilação iraquiana" and the depileblon on Ataulfo de Paiva, 566 on the ground floor offers it for eyebrows, upper lip, face and chin. Prices between R$28 and R$50.Below are the lists of male and female waxing services offered by a local

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-58173476106397216712011-04-27T12:53:00.003-03:002011-04-27T12:59:17.712-03:00

Made vanilla extract today with Smirnoff and a vanilla bean I've been keeping in the fridge. Note to self: pouring without a funnel is a good way to waste good alcohol. But the counters are now disinfected!Listened to NPR shows and Garrison Keillor while working out today. Laughing out loud is NOT recommended while bench pressing. Also, Brazilian gyms are unnecessarily cramped for space. And

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-58464451668413478342011-04-25T15:18:00.005-03:002011-04-25T15:50:22.348-03:00

There's a lovely secluded beach near the bed and breakfast I frequent on Ilha Grande, a spot where the water is clear and calm and so deep you can dive off the boulders surrounding the sand. It's pretty quiet in the mornings and afternoons but seems popular as a picnic spot for families in the afternoons. We were there mid-morning, with only a few other people around, and the sun was getting to

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-43777498849468596332011-04-25T13:22:00.003-03:002011-04-25T13:25:52.926-03:00

The winner by random (and totally impartial) computer generator is:KathiSend me an email with your address and I'll ship you a copy of The Lonely Tourist's Guide to Urban War Zones . Thanks to all the participants!

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-77810847512507627512011-04-25T01:22:00.002-03:002011-04-25T01:31:16.180-03:00

We just got back from a long weekend on Ilha Grande, an island off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. Today, the sun barely shone, as thick rain clouds rolled in over the mountains and we were deluged to the point where I considered wrapping our clothing in plastic bags so we'd have something dry to wear on the bus ride home.But all the other days of this gloriously long weekend there was abundant

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-42350670338839079502011-04-20T08:57:00.003-03:002011-04-20T09:28:28.440-03:00

Request for "The Side of Rio that doesn't make the News" is now granted. I'll add to my posting schedule a list of interesting Rio occurrences from the paper or personal experience. Here are the highlights from today's O Globo.1. 40 policemen, arrested for organized crime, extortion, corruption, illegal arms dealing and other crimes, were ordered released from jail by the courts yesterday.

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-5235665708829781952011-04-19T12:00:00.000-03:002011-04-19T12:00:14.333-03:00

I met OCD and it scared me.One of the realtors we've been meeting with told me last week that she had an apartment, a "wonderful place" with everything we were looking for, but that the owner was "a little difficult." She didn't elaborate, and I didn't press. After all, difficult people tend to like me, and I often prefer them. There's always a story with difficult people! Besides, finding a

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-79266144752481766782011-04-18T17:00:00.000-03:002011-04-18T17:00:02.393-03:00

Last week I was able to check another thing off the list of "things to do and see in Rio de Janeiro," thanks to some new girls I met. We'll call them the "Sex and the City" girls, because I like to protect people's anonymity on the blog. Besides, they're über-fashionable ladies!We went to the Sítio Roberto Burle Marx. You have to schedule a visit ahead of time; they're quite serious about that

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-69307927089924088702011-04-17T18:48:00.004-03:002011-04-18T10:13:39.772-03:00

After years of writing and months of compiling, revising and editing, my first "real" book is finally ready. OH MY GOODNESS! YAY!YIPPEEEE!MEU DEUS, CONSEGUI!I'm not sure how my heart is still beating inside my chest. Name in print, albeit self-published print, is entirely too thrilling.The Lonely Tourist's Guide to Urban War Zones by Jenna Pashley Smith | Make Your Own BookI want to share my

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-33731319377467853732011-04-17T08:00:00.001-03:002011-04-17T21:42:04.942-03:00

1. It was almost a no-brainer to choose the design of my new book. After long sessions of tossing out title possibilities, we settled on "The Lonely Tourist's Guide to Urban War Zones." I've only ever lived in one kind of urban war zone, the infamous favelas of Rio de Janeiro. And just down the beach from us is a landmark, one which you probably won't see in the "Rio" film: Vidigal. Vidigal

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-24527102870199447272011-04-16T14:52:00.002-03:002011-04-16T15:03:20.137-03:00

First off, a big thanks to all my new followers! Glad you're enjoying what you found here...I discovered the Stats tab on my Blogger dashboard yesterday. It's funny and bizarre to see all the numerical data related to my blogging lifetime. Here's one that combines both: my top search keywords. In order of popularity:jennainrio.blogspotbugigangashow to make fake taxydermyjenna riosmoking weed

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-4355602543518288362011-04-13T18:00:00.002-03:002011-04-13T18:18:09.314-03:00

As I've heard through the grapevine that several friends and family members are involved in a variety of writing projects, I thought I'd share a few of the tools that have been super handy for me in the last year or so.For freelance writing:Hands down, OneNote, which is usually packaged with the Microsoft Office suite. I love the two-window view, allowing me to copy and paste and type while

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-73318620567358449362011-04-11T10:36:00.002-03:002011-04-11T10:44:01.625-03:00

I get these things from time to time in magazines and my email inbox, but unfortunately, I can't hoard them until my annual US visit. So if you shop at any of these online stores, give these codes a try:The Container Store: RS34F4P5QQ (15% off any purchase, ends April 30th, potential multi-use code)MOMA Design Store: WP405(save $10 off a $100 purchase, good until June 30th, single-use code)Via

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-21112985254858173242011-04-10T17:33:00.004-03:002011-04-10T18:24:36.883-03:00

One. An article I wrote was the featured story for the month in ExpatWomen's newsletter. If you're an expat and a woman, you should definitely check out their site. They have blogs, stories, inspiration and information...Two. I joined Pinterest, which is a cool way to keep track of your visual interests. Think it's still invitation-only, but get on the waiting list anyhow. It didn't take me

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-20580405384915258172011-04-01T22:28:00.003-03:002011-04-01T22:45:54.510-03:00

...but which might pique your interest and creativity into trying something similar. Don't rip off, though. That's not cool.Supermarket is like the etsy of design. I just discovered it and am already tagging potential gift items. Here are some of the things that caught my eye.Ugly monster pillows. I just love ugly weirdness when it's soft and squishy. I'm kind of hankering for a sewing

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-24600908684914270452011-03-29T12:14:00.003-03:002011-04-01T13:27:56.226-03:00

Someone asked me what I do all day.It's a good question. Most of the expat women I know don't have jobs. We are "following spouses" who gave up our (real or potential) careers to follow our hubs to foreign lands. Those of us without kids, well, it's assumed we live pretty cushy lives. (Shh. That may be true.) Sure, there are women whose days consist entirely of massages, manicures, personal

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12311172.post-52813852311876130652011-03-27T13:36:00.001-03:002011-03-27T13:55:54.525-03:00

We had a very belated birthday party to celebrate my 30th, effectively turning the entire month of March into one long festa. You'll hear no complaining from me! It was a small party, with just a few friends, as the house doesn't really have space for a grand event. Maybe someday we'll get an apartment with a patio and we can go all out...As I am no food photographer, please pardon the

--jennahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613132276745441850noreply@blogger.com2