Hello readers.
First of all, I will do a bit of virtual shopping:
Again, I am at Lush buying a couple of interesting products. Hummmm… lets see…. I want:
And its a bright sunny day here, in Rio – 30C. (Cam mentioned its been raining very strongly in Whangarei)
Anyway, as I said, a bit of real winter weather would be nice. I mean, I feel sick and tired of the sunny summer weather all the time! There is no difference whatsoever. Its Summer ALL THE TIME. I am sick and tired.
Yesterday, at work, the supervisor I work with told me the judge isnt very happy with the other supervisor and she is really considering fire him and get me to be the new supervisor in his place.
When my supervisor told me the news, I started to cry. Because I feel scared and hurt with the previous experience I had as supervisor, at the court I worked for 8 years. There was lots of painful stress and agony…. At first, I told my supervisor that I wouldnt accept it. At second glance, after my supervisor and the director were talking to me about it, I decided to let things happen…. if the judge really wants me as supervisor, I can give it a go. I am not enthusiastic at all. But I just cant run away from a challenge without, at least, give things a little try, before I am able to know for sure I dont want something. Well, the judge didnt make a final decision about who will be next supervisor. I wont bring the subject myself. We will see what happens….. Cam and I could make good use of this extra income (supervisors get an extra R$ 2.500,00 on the regular salary – although taxes would take like R$700,00 of it).
Thinking about it too much now is giving me a bit of headache… I might as all go for a little walk and try to clear my mind.
And, also, I have been having such strange dreams lately. Absolutely spooky dreams. And when I wake up I feel strange.
Missing my husband very much…. We both downloaded OOVOO to our computers and its a very good option (even better as we can make conferences with our friends and it will be real fun!
Ok….. going for a walk and then having lunch at my aunties place.
I have been wandering around people´s Blog and I have to say most of them are boring….. Not to say our Blog is better or anything. What I mean is that, at the end of the day, almost all the Blogs talk about people day to day life and experiences, diets or stupid jokes. Example: Brazilian Blogs are pretty much boring…..
I understand I am a dificult person to please. Many times I dont laugh at jokes (while everybody is laughing) and find strange things funny (when nobody else does).
The self help books, for instance. They are SO STUPID! They are made for depressed people with lack of self steem. Or they talk about the obvious or are just nonsense. Women love those self help books to fill the void inside them because they cant stand being single – they would even sell their mothers as slaves to find a husband.
Unlike many women (in Brazil at least), I hate beauty saloons. I think its just a stupid way to spend money (probably the reason I hate it so much is that they always charged me much more than the regular price because my hair is “too long” and they had to use double the prducts…. Another reason is that I would hate to spend the whole day locked inside a saloon when I spend 5 days a week locked inside a court, doing boring work.
I have celulite, I dont starve and I dont spend hours of my day inside a gym club (90% of the carioca women pay more money than they can afford exercising in those gym clubs or just spend the day there, just walking round trying to get a man with wonderful body). I do look after myself, I eat salads and fruits everyday and take vitamin tablets. But I want to eat cheesecacke and chocolates when I feel like. I want to try different foods.
I live in Rio and, unlike 95% of the cariocas, I never go to the beach and I dont like the sun. I hate beer and feijoadas (beans cooked with meat, rice, slices of orange and some green vegetable that I hate and I dont know the name in english).
I hate Brazilian soap operas (unlike 99% of the Brazilian women).
I HATE HATE samba as much as I hate Brazilian music in general.
I HATE Carnival.
I am happy to read and listen news about whats going on around the world – EXCEPT for the Brazilian news (because theres only corruption, poverty and other sad stupidities).
Here is always SO darned HOT but I insist on buying scarfs, winter coats, winter hats and gloves. I even turn my room´s air conditioner to maximum cold and put my gorgeous winter coats and imagine I am walking around Vienna.
I work in a civil court of law and I hate law and lawyers.
I am graduated in Architecture and Law but dont have any interest in any of them.
I hate soccer.
I always felt like I was born in the wrong country.
Maybe this is why I married a wonderful man from another culture.
Who knows?
Changing subject, yesterday I took off like 9 jeans trousers because they dont fit mr anymore. And, for the first time in my life I dont get anxious about dieting of starving to fit in them. I gave them to the maids instead. PS: in Brazil, middle class can afford to have a maid.
Dear readers,
I must confess that, although I LOVE our Blog, I feel so lazy when it comes to write a post. [Cam here: I'm worse.] But in my defence, I have to say I dont have much time to write. Every work day my husband wakes me up my 7 AM and I leave home around my 9:30AM – 10 AM to work, and be back from work around 7:30PM. So I talk to my husband, have dinner, shower and its pretty much bed time. This is a pity becaude this Blog is great and I do believe that one day it will be FAMOUS! 
[Cam: Yes. We need more people reading our blog. We'd love to have have your comments, just login.]
I started reading!! Yesterday I read all “Lucy Sullivan is getting married” (Marian Keyes) book! This is a victory to me! This is great! And I´ve just started reading “The undomestic goddess” (Sophie Kinsella). This is making me feel so good. I enjoyed Marian Keyes´s book and there is a chance I will read it again. I found out about Sohpie kinsella by chance at Borders (Queen St.) because of the title “Shopaholic” got my attention… I discovered that reading will help me cope with the depression that stings me painfully all the time for being distant from my beloved husband. Nothing like keeping the mind occupied. And time does run fast this way. I promissed myself I will continue this task and plan to start reading all Harry Potter´s starting this week. I am going to keep on reading BIG TIME. My husband brought me two boxes of nice tea (Ginseng and Hops) wich makes a very nice combination with the books.
Anyway, my husband came to Rio for a ten days honeymoon. It was GREAT as usual. It was just so great being close to him again. Every time is wonderful. He arrived on a Thursday evening.
Next day we went to a city near Rio called Buzios and we were expecting something like Paraty but it was rainy and cold so the only thing we could do was walking around on Saturday, feeling cold and spending money eating at local restaurants. 
The hotel (www.solardopeixevivo.com.br) wasnt what we expected. There was quite a lot of dust on the floor so before going to bed we had to wash our feet. The shower was OK, but once the hot water disappeared and Cam had to finish his shower under cold water. Breakfast wasnt bad, but for the price we paid (R$ 315,00 for two nights) iwe were expecting a “delux” meal… ( and because of the cold weather, I think we deserved a cooked warm breakfast). At the hotel there was a tiny portuguese guy who didnt give us much assistance. He didnt seem to be expecting any guests (although the hotel was booked much in advance and I called them to comfirm if everything was OK……). 
I have to say, Samantha, the hotel cat, was the better hostess we had. She was the only one trying to welcome us. 
On the first evening, we were hungry and, even if it was raining SO MUCH, we needed to eat. We ended up having dinner at the little restaurant at the hotel where we eat two small meals, two desserts and two glasses of wine. We were charged R$ 146,00 and we had to pay cash because the visa machine wasnt working. [Cam: Great décor but way too expensive. We got shafted that night], 
The portuguese guy should really have told us that just next door we would be able to eat good food for a MUCH better affordable price….. On the way back to Rio (at the bus) we felt relief!
[Cam: One thing you forgot to mention my love were the mosquitoes. So many! What was funny though, was that although they keep you and I awake all night each night, they only bit you. It's such a shame the hotel didn't seem to give a hoot for their guests. Especially because of the atrocious weather we experienced while there. They didn't bother asking us if there was anything we needed, or even offer the temporary use of an umbrella. They just seem to be relying on past nostalgia. The rain on the way into Buzios was so bad that the metal stormwater covers had been popped open by the strength of the water. The streets were flooded.
I have to laugh about my hair in these photos. Was it bed head? Or, was it that I forgot to brush my hair after the shower? Thanks for telling me baby 
Even though the weather was so bad, it stopped raining when we needed it to, which was while we walked around the town. It really is a lovely place and I'm glad we went there. It was too touristy for me. Too slick. I preferred Paraty. Even with all the tourists there, it had LIFE. Buzios is dead in comparison]
I only worked part time (from 8AM – 12PM) while Cam was here and we had the opportunity to watch Narnia, Indiana Jones and Sex & the City, wich was quite good since we dont go much to movie theaters. Also, Cam did a wonderful job here on my PC and laptop. I am so happy!
Last Saturday we had this great wedding to go.
The party was amazing!! 
(although we both agree that OUR wedding was better!!!
[Cam: This was a pretty impressive wedding though. Sixteen best men and sixteen bridesmaids. The church was filled with flowers. They had placed six trees in the church by the alter, the trees bare, but onto each branch had been stuck dozens of white roses. A white carpet going up the steps of the church to the alter. There must have been 250 guests at least. And then the reception! How many people my love? Five hundred? More? It was held at the National Art Gallery. Waiters in white suits and gloves constantly bringing us a selection of drinks from Champagne to Water. It's a shame we didn't take our camera as I wanted to take photos of the food. They had three buffet tables spread throughout the venue initially with a selection of cheeses and pates. Later these changed to a more substantive meal choice. They also has three Sushi tables complete with two Geisha's in full regalia at each table. The Sushi was the best I've ever had.
Last but not least were the desert tables. One table had an incredible selection of the most delicate hand crafted sweets. Tiny white roses, little tiny glasses with tiny spoons tied to the sides and the glasses filled with passionfruit brulle. TIny teddy bear grooms and brides. So many shapes and tastes. Last were the Chocolate fountains, light and dark, with the giant piles of strawberry's and grapes.
They also gave out white jandals to the ladies who were getting tired of walking around in their high heels.
But, I do agree with you my love. Our wedding was better. For all that food, ours was nicer. We've got some photos we should post some time.]
My beloved Cameron made me feel like the MOST IMPORTANT WOMAN in the Universe: he sent me lovely roses (as you can see, pictures below) for brazilian valentine´s day and our 2 years and 5 months married anniversary.
Thank you, my darling.
This means the world to me.
I love you.
[Cam: My love. You ARE the most important woman in the universe! You are the love of my life. If only I could give you roses every day.]
1 – 1/4 oz. pkg. active dry yeast
1 t. unbleached cane sugar (or white sugar from sugar beets)
3 to 3 1/2 cups unbleached flour
1 t. salt, divided
1/2 t. freshly ground black pepper, divided
1/4 cup cornmeal, divided
olive oil, for focaccia and oiling bowl
1 cup shallots, thinly sliced
1/4 cup garlic, thinly sliced
2 T. freshly chopped parsley
1 T. freshly chopped rosemary
1/4 t. crushed red pepper flakes
2 T. vegan soy parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast flakesIn a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir to dissolve the yeast and sugar, and set aside until bubbly, about 10-15 minutes. In a large bowl, combine 3 cups flour, 1/2 t. salt, and 1/4 t. black pepper, and stir well to combine. Add the yeast mixture and stir well to form a soft dough. Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and knead, adding additional flour if needed, until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Place a little olive oil in the large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, give it a twist, and turn the ball over to coat the other side. Cover, place the bowl in a warm place, and leave to rise for 1 hour or until doubled. Using a little olive oil, lightly oil a 15 1/2 x 10 1/2-inch pan, sprinkle with 3 T. cornmeal, and set aside. When the dough has doubled, punch it down and transfer it to a floured work surface. Knead the dough a few times. Sprinkle the work surface with the remaining cornmeal and roll the dough in it to coat the surface. Transfer dough to the oiled pan, and stretch it, as needed, to fit the pan. Using your fingertips, make “dimples” across the top of the dough. Brush a little olive oil over the top of the dough, then sprinkle with the sliced shallots, garlic, chopped parsley and rosemary, remaining salt and black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Allow to rise uncovered for 45 minutes. After the focaccia is well-risen, sprinkle the vegan soy parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast over the entire focaccia. Bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until slightly golden brown. Transfer the focaccia to a rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature, and cut as desired.
I decided to become a healthy girl. (obs: I would love to try these health raw bars: Larabar)
So I bought a book at Amazon US called “Vegan with a Vengeance“, buy Isa Chandra Moskowitz (a.k.a. America´s most awesome vegan chef).
I will write some recipes:
1) Gourmet Green Salad Raw and delicious!
Ingredients:
large handful endive leaves (buy the “frissee” kind – it looks like curly leaf lettuce and is dark green)
1 broccoli crown
a handful of raw sunflower seeds
1/4 cup sweet fruit (raw raisins, apricots, peach, mango, avocado, etc) chopped if necessary
dressing of choice (I use balsamic vinaigrette, but oil and vinegar will suffice if you use balsamic vinegar)
Directions: Frissee is a kind of endive that is not as bitter as the traditional Belgian endive, and therefore does not need to be cooked. It looks like kale, or curly leaf lettuce, and comes in a bunch that has a common stem but long, curled leaves. Fill a large bowl with cold water. Place the endive leaves on top, and dip them under the water with your fingers, very gently. (this is called “floating” the leaves. It cleans the leaves without bruising them or making them wilt). Place the leaves in a drainer and set in the sink.
While leaves are draining, chop broccoli (rinsed, of course) into small pieces and place in a large bowl. After broccoli is chopped, shake each piece of endive (to remove excess water) and tear into bite-sized pieces and place in the bowl with the broccoli. Add your toppings: seeds, fruit, dressing; toss with two spoons to gently coat the leaves. ENJOY immediately!
2) Pumkin Bread 
Ingredients:
1-1/2 cup sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup water
egg substitute equivalent to 2 eggs
1 2/3 cups flour
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cloves (scan’t)
Directions:
Combine first five ingredients in a small bowl and beat well. In a separate bowl, combine remaining ingredients and mix well. Gradually add to pumpkin mixture and beat well.
Use a non-stick 9x 5 loaf pan (or a non-teflon pan *very lightly* sprayed with Canola Oil cooking spray). Pour batter into loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 65 to 70 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in the pan before moving to wire rack.
3) Eggplant Lasagna
Ingredients:
1 package lasagna
1 large eggplant
1 cup bread crumbs
1 jar tomato sauce
1 pound soy-cheese (optional)
Directions:
Slice eggplant, and sprinkle with alot of salt, and let dry. Dip in oil or water, and then breadcrumbs, and fry. Set aside. Boil lasagna in pot, until soft. Layer lasagna in pan. Then sauce, then eggplant, until gone, and layer with 1 layer of soy-cheese (optional) Bake for 30 min. – cut, and enjoy ! (Makes a great midnight snack, cold!)
Serves: varies Preparation time: 30 min.