All Hallows Eve...

Just like I love fall, I love Halloween. I love the crisp fall air, the sometimes dropping temperatures, football on the weekends, and big ole bowls of warm soups and Chili. It is one of those holidays where you forget who you are and enjoy being someone else. Which if we are being honest, is just nice sometimes.

Brazilians don't really celebrate Halloween. And, it is a shame. They love parties and get togethers and costumes. It is the perfect holiday for them. The Embassies and the American School celebrate it but that is about it. However, every year the Collins' host a shindig on "All Hallows Eve," this year we decided to go to make it a double whammy and go to the Marine Corp house afterwards to check out their Halloween party as well.

Since I refuse to wear a rented costumes(yuck) and buying a costume here might break my bank, I always go for the "make your own" costume route. Last year I went as Minnie Mouse, the year before that, a Greek Goddess. This year, I was kind of stumped. After I watched the Avengers, I had an epiphany...WONDER WOMAN! I know, I know, she is not an Avenger. It was more the superhero idea that inspired me.

So, I gathered all my supplies: blue fabric, paper stars, red t-shirt, Christmas ribbon, TNT, and boots. Put it all together and this is what you get. :)

I used Christmas ribbon to make a belt, bracelet, and crown. I didn't have enough for a lasso. :(

The Collins'party was so much fun. We have snacks, chit chat, and marvel at each others costumes. It is always great to see what people show up as. This year we had Mr. T, Jack Sparrow, a chef, Greek Goddesses, doctors, jack-o-lanterns, sloppy Joe, pirates, cross-dressers, and a nudist on strike.

The Marine House party was um...different. I noticed that there was something "interesting" about this party when I saw that all the music was coming from 2 Jettas, yes...as in the car. I kind of felt like I was back in college. I take that back, I definitely felt like I was in college. There was a definite "frat house" vibe. There were some great costumes there as well. But, I called it an early night and headed home about 12:30.

It was nice to pretend I was someone else for the evening and had "super" powers. Taking time out of your weekend to spend with friends and family really is what it's all about. Who knows what Halloween 2014, will hold. I just hope it is spooktacular!!!!

Is this Beyonce or Niagara Falls?

Rock in Rio brings some big name celebrities to Brazil. And, occasionally those big name celebrities decide to make pit stops in other cities. My first year in Brazil it was Rihanna, this year, Beyonce! As soon as word got out that Beyonce would be stopping in Brasilia, word got out that some people wanted to go.

We bought our tickets online and after a lot of confusion on how to pick them up, they were finally in our hands. I was pretty excited that the concert would take place at the highly controversial new stadium. I was even more excited that it would take place before the rainy season, so there was no need to worry about the rain putting a damper on the evening.

The new Stadium.

On the night of the concert we were pretty stoked. We left early to avoid traffic and hung out till the show began which was supposed to start at 8:30. By 9pm, there was still no Beyonce. By 9:30...yep you guessed it...still no Beyonce. By 9:45, were just getting annoyed. Mrs. Carter obviously didn't realize there were teachers in the audience. And, that is when I heard Amanda say, "Did anybody else feel that?" As soon as she said it, I felt it, rain.

Jackie, Amanda, Suzanne, Me, and Jonathan. Pre-rain picture.

Rain drops kept falling.

When this guys started climbing the tower we knew the show was gonna start!!!!

At first we thought that it would be a quick little rain and it would move on. It is the dry season after all. Before we knew it though, that little trickle turned into a full fledged storm. We saw that some people were opening ponchos. The lady next to us said, she got one for R$10. So, off Amanda went to save us from the torrential downpour and retrieve us each a poncho. Best $R10 I've ever spent.

The Show.

The concert was great and Mrs. Carter put on quite a show. She is an amazing performer. At several points she was out in the downpour with us, leading her to say, "If you're in the rain, I'm in the rain." Got to love that!

I love these sorts of experiences that I get to experience while I am abroad. It is a little like being at home for the evening!