Luciana's life

Atlanta, GA

2009-06-22T06:17:00.000-07:00

Activities with my kids!

2009-05-07T06:48:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we get bored staying all day long at home...
So we try to find good places for the kids!! My host parents told me some places to go with them, and other places I found on the web.

Actually I forgot to take pictures in the swimming pool at YMCA and the Chunck 'n Cheese.

ADAMS FARM PARK

Ellen and Mohamed (below) swinging in the Adams Farm park. 03/31/2009

GREENSBORO SOCCER SCHOOL

Ellen plays soccer like Brazilian players... be careful Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Kaka and Robinho!

She did 2 goals (playing against some boys - hehehe)

Mohamed was doing some goals, too. 04/19/2009

Mohamed was getting annoying with this orange thing on his arm. 04/05/2009

His was so cute wearing this big T-shirt, lol...

They are champions!! Last soccer class, they won trophy.

GREENSBORO CHILDREN MUSEUM

They were pilot on this airplane, I loved this picture :D

Ellen was pulling the rope and making this big bubble around her and another girl.

My UPS boy!! Do you have any letters for me?

She was making food in the restaurant, yummmy!!

Ellen dressed up of physician, in front of the health center. She looks her parents!!

Hello Jamestown, NC

2009-04-20T19:49:00.000-07:00

March, 20th 2009.

I was sad, afraid and excited... my feelings were mixed. Mark and Gabriel drop me off at the airport, fortunalety I met Marcia there, because she was returning from California (she was studying during two weeks there), and I didn't know if I'd see and say good-bye to her.

I came in Greensboro, NC around 2 pm. Elwaleed (host dad) and Mohamed (3-years-old boy) picked me up at the airport.

Hind (host mom) was picking Ellen (5-years-old girl) up from the school. We meet at home in Jamestown, and then we had a lunch in a restaurant.

The kids were lovely, but I was so tired, after lunch I slept all day long...
I like my new life here, and I miss my old life in Rochester.

Bye,bye Rochester

2009-04-20T18:44:00.000-07:00

My host family threw a surprise farewell party! it was very nice :D
Jully, Marina and Stefany went to my party. Other girls were invited, but Noelia was in Canada, and Jenita, Martina and Robin were helping Jenita's host mom - She broke her leg in a skiing accident.

One week later, we went to Boulders cafe, Jenita was leaving to Germany, and I was leaving to North Carolina. Our friends were there, we're celebrating our farewell party together - dancing on the stage... uhuuuu!!

Gabriel the cuttest boy!

2009-04-20T17:45:00.000-07:00

Gabriel is the cuttest boy I ever met. He is very smart and friendly. I remember when my friends came over, he took their hand and invited them to play with him.

Story Time - very focused..

playing guitar gracefully!

smiling during potty training.

He was making his own song in Portuguese... I was teaching him some "presentation tricks".

Funny moments!

2009-03-30T16:13:00.000-07:00

Having fun in the Vinyl!!

Au pair moments with Noelia and Jully. (Vera's B-day)

Wake up Jullyyy...

That's me!

I was trying to fix my lashes in the Boulders Cafe.

My "boluda" Noelia (Argentina)

Crazy Vera (Costa Rica - Pura Vida)

This machine stolen my 25 cents, and it didn't read my hand... Lol

Christmas and New Year 2009

2009-03-29T12:56:00.000-07:00

I spent my Christmas and New Year in the Silvio's family house

Silvio is my cousin by marriage - says Natalia

Isabella youngest daughter, Marcia his wife and Natalia oldest daughter.

We spent our money in the Cassino :o

We went to the zoo!

In the Christmas we went to their friend's house - they are from Minas Gerais, uai!

We had "comida mineira".

Natalia was my tour guide and my partner during my stay in NYC.

We went to Statue of Liberty.

We had bus tour around NYC.

In this place was the World Trade Center (Twin Towers).

Let's go to Broadway!!!!!

Times Square at night! In the line ot buy tickets for Broadway Show.

We went to the Broadway to watch - The Phantom of the Opera.

The end of the spectacle.

December 31st, 2008

I went to wax museum.

I will be the next American Idol hehehe!!

Shakira was watching me :D

Hilary and Bill were there, too!!

It is the famous ball that goes down in the Times Square during New Year celebration.

I was with Silvio and family celebrating New Year in a Brazilian party!!

It was very nice!! There was Roberto Carlos cover, Brazilian food, lots of Brazilian - I was in Brazil again...

Rodrigues' family - thank you so much for this moment - I didn't know how would be my vacation without your hospitality!!

Polarware Snow Tubing

2009-03-29T12:25:00.000-07:00

Polarware Snow Tubing - Batavia, NY

Jully (Brazil), Noelia (Argentina), Martina (Switzerland).

March 1 st, 2009

It was my last au pair meeting in NY State.

Kim always asks us, where would we like to go.. then, Martina had the idea to go to Snow tubing!! It was dangerously funny!!

In Brazil, we don't have snow tubing (of course).

I will explain.. tube seems a big donut made of rubber, in Brazil we call bóia.

There were a high hill with four trails, you can choose in what trail you prefer to slide down (sat on your tube), you can slide by yourself or with your friends.

Later Kim gave me a bear with a pen. The girls wrote lovely messages on my yellow bear!!

Brazil

2009-03-29T10:52:00.000-07:00

November 23rd, 2008
I arrived in Brazil at 1 AM.

My brother, sister-in-law, sister and mom were waiting for me at the airport in Guarulhos.

On Sunday my family threw a surprise welcome party for me!! It's very good :D

Luciana - You're welcome.
"Prefer the tears had not succeeded, that the shame of not having tried."
You can count on us, you are already winner.

We love you - friends and relatives BRAZIL.

My sister, uncle Sergio, cousin Daphne, aunt Vera, Uncle Donizete and I.

On weekdays I was with my parents in their company.

On Monday we went to a restaurant in Santos.

We ate chocolate pizza with a scoop of ice cream.

Friday, my brother, his wife and I went to a new theather in my city.

We watched some students from a dance's school - dacing popular music (samba), street dance, and ballet.

Later I went to a bar called Paro Piro, to meet my ex-band (Pentakapta).

I couldn't resist, I sang many songs with them! :D

Niagara Falls

2009-03-29T08:49:00.001-07:00

September, 6th 2008

Martina, Maribel, Stefanie and I went to Niagara Falls!!!

Parking lot.

Martina, Stefanie and Maribel.

Tour boat between the falls.

This building is the entrance to Canada!! The other side is Canada.

Good Times!!

2009-03-29T07:43:00.000-07:00

Emma super happy, and I was so afraaaid, lol. (skiing)

Learning how to ski with Martina, Emma and Kristien.

Tracey (Australia), Joanna (Poland) and I. (Ice skating)

Ice Skating with Joanna, Carolina and Caterine.

Dinner time in downtown !!

September - Limousine through Buffalo to celebrate Tasha's B-day!

Joanna, Mily and I
September, 2008 RIT English classes for aupairs!!

August 30th - My birthday celebration in the Soho- very druuuunk...

August, 24th - Vella and I having fun (with Guitar Hero) in the FYE music store - Eastview mall.

July, 12th - Sara and I enjoying the swimming pool in the club!

Miami, FL

2009-03-29T07:06:00.001-07:00

July, 2008 - I spent my first vacation in Miami, FL - I met three Brazilian au pairs (Veronica, Janaina and Daniela) in the internet and we planned this vacation!!

the first day - we stayed in South Beach (SoBe)

The second day we did a boat trip, to see the dolphins.

This is the Brazilian Bar in SoBe. I'd drunk lots of "caipirinha" there, hihi...

We went to Key West (Southernmost Point in US) - this is the nearest point between US and Cuba (only 90 miles of distance).

Last day Janaina and I went to the World Erotic Art Museum. It was funny!!

Halloween 2008

2009-03-29T06:34:00.000-07:00

October, 17th 2008

I went to a au pair meeting in the haunted maze.

This is the haunted house in downtown...

Manja (Germany), Gunn-tove (Norway), Ina (Germany) and Mily (Peru).

Coffin for 3 dolars - Do you wanna ride?

I was in love with this guy!!

Marina , scary people and I.

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Another day my host family, Edna and I went to a "Pumpkin farm".

Jack-o-lantern = pumpkins carved with a lantern (light) inside.

Gabriel says : Jack-o-lento.

I was taking care of a cute pumpkin.

Gabriel, Pumpkin, Pumpkin... and more ...pumpkin.

Daddy and Gabriel feeding some animals.

Mommy and Gabriel in the parking lot.

Summer Festivals

2009-03-07T21:55:00.000-08:00

ROC FESTIVAL
June 29 th, 2008

Stefanie and I went to Roc Festival, the day was sunny, a lot of tents selling diferent kinds of food, we tried cheese and wine ice cream (free, of course), there were some belly dancers dancing.

The rock band (The Meddling Kicks) was awesome!! but unfortunalety it started to rain during their show... and then we went to a bus stop, and we saw some kids running away with a cardboard on their heads, it was funny.. haha

The Maddling Sucks.

In the bus stop.

Where is the cardboard??

East ave Festival

August, 8th 2008

This festival was great, it looks like the Roc Festival, but bigger than its. I was with Jenita and there.. we met Tasha and her friends Jennifer and another friend (sorry, I don't remember her name).

Jennifer, ???, Tasha and Jenita.

Red Robin Restaurant

2009-03-07T21:29:00.000-08:00

June 21st, 2008
We went to Red Robin (Jefferson Rd), they have the best hamburguers!! yummy..

This picture was shooted in the Red Robin Restaurant.

Marina (France).

Sara (Spain).

Stefanie (Germany) and I.

Bowling and coffee time!

2009-03-07T20:05:00.000-08:00

June 20 th, 2008

I met more au pairs in the bowling, I was with my crazy friend au pair Valerie (French).
But, Valerie went home during the bowling, she had something to do.

Valerie and I.

This day was so happy! I couldn't imagine how many au pairs had in Rochester.
Most of the time I was talking to Sara and Vella in the TIM HORTONS coffee store.
After meeting, Jenny took me home.

Ausdis (Iceland), Emma (Sweden), Renne (USA -she's not au pair) and Marina (France).

Stefanie (France), Vella's host mom, Vella (Namibia), Suzanne (Germany), Erika (Sweden), Jenny (Namibia) and Sara (Spain).

Rochester International Jazz Festival

2009-03-07T13:29:00.000-08:00

July 15th

My friend Stefanie (Germany) and I went to Jazz Festival in downtown. We enjoyed the nice weather and live music!!

The best perfomance was this guy below, he was really enjoying this festival.

This guy ROCKS!!!!!!

There was another one with a very weird style..

My new friends

2009-03-07T12:37:00.000-08:00

Jenita, Moria and I.

Moria and Jenita

In June I found an ex-Brazilian au pair from Rochester in the Orkut http://www.orkut.com/
and I told her that I didn't know anybody here in Rochester. Maria Clara (Brazilian) gave me Moria's phone number. Moria is from Namibia (Africa), she was finishing her au pair's program here. I called Moria as soon as possible and she introduced me to the others au pairs.
I met Jenita (au pair from Bosnia) and Stefanie (from Germany), we went to a club called THE BAR. Actually I didn't like this club, but I had a great time with my new friends.

Stefanie and I.

Summertime in Rochester / 2008

2009-02-28T08:24:00.000-08:00

June 6th, Gabriel and I were enjoying this summer :) I was playing with him in this little swimming pool!!

Traveling with my host family to NYC.

2009-02-26T18:02:00.000-08:00

New York City here we are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey folks! Memorial day was a nice holiday (may 26th), we went to NYC!!! I was so excited :)

This is the American Museum of Natural History, New York City
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/New_York_State/New_York_City-841252/Things_To_Do-New_York_City-Natural_History_Museum-BR-1.html

I loved the polar bear from Zoo in Central Park.

I was trying to make a good video, lol, at the end I was saying we are riding a cart in the Central Park. (Why I didn't say coach instead of cart?) "vai ser caipira para andar de carroça, ha, ha"

I met Karla au pair from Brazil, she lives in NYC. We went to a bar (I don't remember the name..) , we watched with her friends an awesome band.

I was walking in Manhattan and I found a curious street, LITTLE BRAZIL STREET!!!

In this street there are many Brazilian stores, restaurants... I thought that I was in Brazil.

Marcia's Birthday

2009-02-25T21:47:00.000-08:00

May 17th was Marcia's birthday. We had a nice breakfast in a restaurant, I ate waffles wow....

I remember that Gabriel was very cute eating strawberries... At night we celebrated Marcia's birthday! Happy birthdayyyyy....

For more details visit Mark's blog :

http://pospesel.blogspot.com/2008/05/happy-birthday-mommy.html

Mark's parents

2009-02-25T21:26:00.000-08:00

May 7th, Howard and Carmen arrived in Rochester. I had a great time with them. We went to Lilac festival, Canadaigua, Ben and Jerry's in Pittsford, Camille's in Pittsford plaza.

You can check Howard's blog telling about their trip in Rochester: http://howardpospesel.blogspot.com/2008/05/rochester-trip-day-2.html

He writes better than me (of course, lol), and I was learning something very interesting about Rochester from Howard's blog. Thank you Howard!

My first au pair meeting...

2009-02-25T20:22:00.000-08:00

April 26 th, Kathy (Chinese au pair), Dana (area director) and I went to the pottery paint (actually I don't remember the address exactly). I never saw a pottery paint in Brazil, I think this kind of store there is only in U.S. So, I will explain for you, pottery paint is a place were you buy a ceramic piece (can be a mug, plate, picture frame..) and you paint it, according to your creativity. If you see the picture above, there is a soccer mug in my hands (I did it by myself !).
We have au pair meeting once a month, the goal of the meeting is to know how is the adaptation of each au pair and to meet some places around our neighborhood.

Easter 2008

2009-02-25T16:25:00.000-08:00

My host family showed me how is the "American Easter"!

Saturday morning we went to egg hunt at the YMCA's Camp Arrowhead. There was a clown making balloon animals, arts and crafts, and breakfast. But the highlight was the Easter egg hunt in the woods outside.

March 23rd was the Easter, they gave me a basket with a lot of plastic eggs, in the plastic eggs there were mini chocolates, they were delicious. In the afternoon, we painted and decorated some eggs and then we made some cookies (sand tarts), even more delicious...

Bye, bye orientation

2009-02-22T07:15:00.000-08:00

My welcoming cake

Well , in March 20th, 2008 was my last day of orientation, I was so eager to meet Marcia, Mark and my little boy Gabriel. Kathy (Chinese au pair) and I were waiting for our flight to Rochester-NY, unfortunalety it was canceled, we're in stand by ... But we got another flight at the same day :) We met our new host families in the airport, it was so good.

I am a lucky girl for having this wonderful family, seriously I can't describe how nice they are.

Gabriel's 18th month birthday

They helped me a lot (they provided me English's classes, driving's classes) and they understood every little mistake that I did. I am very thankful, because they taught me a lot, now I feel more mature.

My arrival in the US.

2009-02-21T12:53:00.000-08:00

I came in US in March 17th, 2008, and then I had 3 days-orientation in the Sheraton hotel in Newark. The orientation started at 8 AM until 5 PM (we had luch time and 2 breaks), it was boring because I understood English, barely.
The best thing was to meet au pairs from all over the World.
I won't never forget these moments.

Starting my first blog

2009-02-21T12:13:00.000-08:00

Saturday, February 21st 2009

Today is my day off, I was organizing my pictures in my laptop and I decided to make my blog.
I remember when I came in the US and Mark recommended me to write a blog telling about my experience in the States.
Actually I will finish my first year with them in March (I am a little late, lol). I don't know if I will extend for one more year, so I will summarize my wonderful story in the USA.