Evan:Let's try some more photos, ok?

Yep, those brown curly things are fried pork rinds--and I thought you could only get them in Texas!
Hiroko almost lost it when Paty urged her to try one (can you see the half-eaten pork rind on her plate, way off to the side?)  Of course I (Evan) liked them. And yes, those are orange slices in the guaranã. Paty hooked me on to drinking it that way.

 Meat, fried rice, veggies, fries, guaraná--what more could you ask of a great meal? (oh yeah, how about pork rinds!) As you can see, Obaachan couldn't wait a few more seconds before taking another bite.

The absolute best frozen treat I've had--toasted coconut popsicle from a street vendor (who was a lot older than me)--only 65 cents.

Another fun park. The sign said that this is what São Paulo looked like when it was first settled by us gringos.

Evan:
Since Joey and perhaps others have been unable to open our photos on the Picassa program I will switch to another one. Some people say that the best one to use is FLICKR, but that program makes you sign-up as a member before you are allowed to open the photos. It's free, but who wants to remember another logon and password, besides even I am too lazy to go through the sign up process just to see some photos--LAMO!
So I will try once again to upload photos on this blog and see if everyone can see them or not.
So here goes with 3 photos:

our apartment comples

my favorite park

my favorite park-2 

Dearest family and friends,

We usually would go to the Temple for lunch on Tuesday but our office people fixed lunch for people who were born in January.
It was hot dog again!!!
But today they fixed sloppy Joe with it so it was better. Elder Scudden made it. He keep saying "Yeh, I do have a great receipi!"But I do not like hot dogs here. I know I should be thankful but I much rather would liked to go to the Temple instead. Can't wait to go tomorrow.

We got the letter frrom grandkids and it was special. We really live for them!!!
But make sure to put the right amount of stamps. Should be less than $1.00!! for regular mail.
It really made me happy.

Evan met a guy who is a member when he went for walk. He told Evan that he used to be a counselor to the first Stake president in this area. He (first stake President in Sao Paulo, Bro Camarugo) is such a sweet man and he works next to us. And that member told Evan that he used to be his first councelor. So Evan asked Bro. Camarugo if he knows Bro______ who told Evan that he was his first councelor. But Evan could not remember his name. Bro. Camarugo looked puzzeled and did not recognized his name. And he said" My first councelor is dead already" Evan and I started laughing so hard. Yes, he can speak English!

We tried few hospitals in Liberdarge (Japanese town) but they do not speak Japanese and Evan did not quite understand either. Are we really supposed to come to Brazil????
No one speaks Japanese.

So We could not find the Hospital there. We will try more tomorrow.

Well that is all for today.

I miss and love you so much!!

I hope you enjoy my blog. Is it too much to read everyday? Let me know.

Hiroko

It is Monday and that means no lunch at the Temple!!
We went to across the street and took a look at Mc Donald. Filet of fish is.....$8.00 each! of course we did not buy it. Besides I am sure they do not taste the same.
Mayo, here , is so different.

We are on new thing right now and I had to find out about Food storage! They are not good at food storage here so they want to make them excited!!! Well, we will see. Our leader thinks we American members are doing super great job for a year supply!  We will do three year project here.

Perfect weather again!! I got two more gardinias. Evan said "Isn't that awful if there is a security video around the temple!"  I sure hope they don't. actually there are only 2 more flowers left.

Well that is all for today!

I miss and love you all.

Hiroko

Dearest friends and family,

We took bus and train and met with Patty and her husband. They took us to the hospital and we got the phone number of person whom we need to talk. On Monday, Evan will find out then if they need help, then we will contact Stake President of that area.

After the visit, Evan asked me if I am hungry so I said yes, thinking they will take us to lunch place right away. But instead, they took us to their place. It is a new building and very beautiful. It is only 3 years old and they have swimming pool and exercise room also. So I was getting so hungry. We went to the small restaurant , bakery next to it. I am so amazed whereever we go they have Sushi!.
 They are better than I expected they are Brasilian style. So since they took us around, we treated them for lunch.
Then they drove us home. I was so happy.

One thing about the city of Sao Paulo is that there are so many greens all over. And they have flowers on and they are beautiful. But most of the houses look very poor. So I am not sure if the city is considered safe and clean.

Other missionary couple told us that after we wash dishes, we have to rince with clean drinking water. But Patty said, she does not do that, so I think I will stop doing that.
I have been brushing my teeth with tap water and I have nopt gotten sick yet.

We are excited to find the hospital and hope this will work out.

It was so cold this morning but right now it is so hot! You never know how to dress here.

Joey thanks for the shoes. They really helped my ankle. Yes, they are ugly but I finally look like an old missionary with the ugly shoes!!!

Patty and her husband will be going to the temple for their own endowment and will be sealed next Saturday, We are so excited!!!  Tim, I wish you could be here!!!
Evan just went to the super market for the dinner tonight and food for tomorrow.

Evan makes my oatmeal breakfast every morning. It taste almost like McDonald one. Yes, raisen and apples.

Well that is all for today.

I still miss you so much. Joey and Amy send me a card with Punkin's face and her hair attached. I look at them all day long!!!

I love you tons. and I miss you all!!!!

Hiroko

It was one of the best day because we got the package from Joey and Amy.
I just ate your lemon bars and they were good!!! And See's candies!! They are same as a gold!!
And the picture of you two. And best of all. the birthday card from Punkin with her hair attached to the card!!! I know it sounds crazy but I kept stroking her hair.
Thank you so much and thank you for the letter from Moe and Brandon!!!

Thank you for the patch also. I will keep them until the flight to home.

I hope it stop raining tomorrow because we have to take a bus then subways twice.
Hope we can find the hospital.

I miss and love you!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

We just got back from the Temple. I ,of course, used the translation earphone but Evan can go through without it. He is amazing. Temple was so wonderful and I was thinking about Tim being in that same room years ago.

I saw a lady at the temple from Bishop's warehouse and it was nice to see some one you know. She is amazing. I don't know how she can work in that condition. Summer is going to be horrible!!! Especially shoes room!!!

We went to the temple for lunch again and got two gardinias.

After lunch Evan and I worked together. He translates the projects then I enter what he says. He is amazing !

Then we left the office at 5:00 then went to the temple cafeteria to get dinner. It was almost same menue as lunch but was good. Then went to 6:00 scession. I cannot believe that I can continue getting up early then go to the temple at night. I was not even tired. Remember I was not even stay at Wendy's house after dinner more than 10 minutes!

Tomorrow we are going to try to find some hospital and old folks home (Japanese) to see if we can do anything. But we are giving a baby shower for one of the office girl at 12:00 so I am not sure if we can go or not. They are fixing hot dogs, Brazilian style. They said they put mash potatoes, corn and beans!!!
Well that does not sound great so  I rather go to the hospital, I think.

Evan just left for the store to get more passion fruite.

For some reasons, Evan's socks comes all way down to the bottom of his feet while he is walking. It looks so funny and we keep laughing when it happens. He had to pull it up so many times! We did take picture of it so hopefully he will send it to you soon.

I miss you all and love you so much!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

It was an Anniversary of something for the city today. So we did not have to go to work.
I did not do anything and try to rest my ankle. And seems to be a little better.
Walking on the rough surface of streets on my heel did hurt my ankle. I guess. I am going to wear flat shoes from now on. At this point, I don't care how I look!!

Evan went for a walk for almost three hours!!! He was quite tired!

I made another Passion fruite jellow dessert and we loved it. We had a frozen Lazania for dinner and it was pretty good also.

Not much to write today. The best part was that I slept in late.

Now two more days to go until Saturday!!!

Hope all is well and you guys are getting more moisture!!!

It is getting warm here finally! I hate that!

I miss and love you tons!!!

Hiroko

Dearest friends and family,

After lunch, I found several gardinia!!! It started blooming again.
I am so excited!!

Much Love,

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

It was a very special day for all of us. Brother Ballard came to visit us. It was a short devotional but was so good to have him in the same room!!!

Tomorrow is a National Holiday !  That means I can sleep in late!
I worked on the Bishop's warehouse sheets for the December. So you can see that some works are still behind. It is such a tidious work but somebody has to do it, right? They write numbers so differently that it is hard figure it out sometime.1 and 7 are almost same.

Had lunch at the Temple. The big bus brought so many people from far away and the lunch room was full. We are so lucky to have temple so close!

My ankle is still hurting so we left office early. I cooked salmon tonight and it was good!!! Evan really liked it.

I don't think we will do anything tomorrow. I need to rest my ankle for a day.

Jonathan are you getting my E-mail?or do you have a new one? Let me know.

I made passion fruite jello and it was good!!! Evan just left for a walk. He is so good!!! Better come back before another rain storm. Clouds are building up quickly!

We found out that we cannot use hot water in the kitchen sink while we are using clothes dryer. So I had to turn it off so many times. Little inconvienince!!!

Well, hope all is well!

I do miss you all and love you so much!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

It was a busy day! We had a devotional at the office and I was working on the ordersheeets for Bishops warehouse. Then Evan and I took a bus and two trains to Reberdarge, kind of Japanese town. But the restaurant we wanted to go was Closed today!!! So we went to another restaurant but it was so much more expensive and not that good.

We went to Japanese market store and got two boxes of chocolate cookies for the  couple missionaries who have been so good to us. And I got two books, this time I made sure that they are NOT comics. But they were soooo expensive. It is so expensive here in Sao Paulo. I don't know how people can afford anything!

We were walking all over so my ankle started hurting again. So I came home and Evan went to the office.

He went to the store to get few things right now. I hate it when he is gone.

It is already8:30 so I'd better get ready for bed. We are trying to go to bed before 10:00.

It was a hot day!!! Fortunately it rained hard to cool down.

We got some information for Nursing homes in Japanese community so I hope we can help someway.

Every time I speak Japanese, they don't speak it. They look at me saying "HAAA?"

Well, hope you guys are doing OK. I washed sheets for our bed today and it is taking 2 hours to dry. While we are using dryer, we cannot use any other electricity such as hair dryer, hair curler, iron, microwave oven and toaster!!!

I still miss you and love you all!!!

Hiroko

Dearest Friends and family,

I had a great dream last night. Evan bought me a gray puppy and a gray kitten. They were so cute and I kept telling myself "Hiroko, for the moment, you can enjoy them instead of Pumkin!"
I was at the summer house in Karuizawa and They left for other places and could not find them. I was so worried !!

I also heard Amy's voice this morning. Evan was watching her video in Tahoe. But it sounded like real and I thought you were here!!! It took me few minutes to figure out what was going on!!! I had a horrible night last night. I wanted to go to the bathroom and finally found one. But it was a small pool and several alligators and snakes were swimming there. I was wondering how I am supposed to do my business. And kids before me were all swimming in that pool! Then I woke up, TG!!!

Went to the church. Evan kept telling me we have to take 8:30 bus but we got there almost 10 minutes early. 10 Mininutes early for LDS is really really early. don't you think?
On the bus I was looking outside and I was amazed that everysingle house or shop have graphitis!!
Lot more than NY subway!! Whatever they say, it does not bother me becuse I have NO clue what they are saying.

It rained few minutes ago and now the river is gashing down so fast on the street.

We had translators for RS and Sacrament meeting so it was nice.
We never have Sunday school but we all English speaking people are in a class and just talk and talk!!!
I saw a lady who told us that she remembered Tim. So I went up to her and asked her name in Portugues!!! Her name is Rosana Scisci. Do you remember her? I think she is in
RS presidency but who knows.

I just asked Evan what the meaning of certain phrases. I just copied the sentenses from the black board but he thought I was able to listen and wrote it down. He was so impressed and excited that I was able to do that so I had to tell him that I just copyed the sentences on the black board..

I ate rice and tuna for lunch  oh and boiled egg!!! And fruite roll for desert!!! Thank you Amy!!!

I loved all the video from Tahoe. I am so glad that finally snowed. Prayers truely work!!!!

Well, hope all is well and I miss and love you so much!!!

Hiroko

Dearest friends and family,

Yes!!! it is Saturday! Got up at 9:00!!! I love it.

Then around noon, we went to lunch with Patty and her husband. Evan was translating but you know how it is. He was having so much fun that sometimes I have no idea what is going on.
The restaurant we went was Brasilian restaurant. Their meet was baked to XXXover done so Evan was loving it. But to me it was too much! They also served fried Pork skin!! I had to eat a little but no thank you!!!
Since they drove, we paid for the dinner of course.

Jan Chase found Evan's shoes. Can she send them to Amy E or Joey? I hope I get a box from Joey on Monday. When did you mail them? I am worried. Do you have the right address?

I am glad that Incline had some snow!!!  I put "Snow in Incline!" on the prayer list. I hope that was OK. At lease it worked.

We watched Smou at night. I don't know what we are going to do after Sunday since it is the last day.

Raining hard again!

I cleaned the bathroom but don't have the right solution.

I love you guys and miss you tons!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

Evan just got back from hair cut and it was the guy Tim tought lesson.
He remembered Tim and even remembered his mother is Japanese.

Hair cut for man here is R$ 50 normally (about $25.00) but he gave Evan a discount for R$5.00.

Evan took his pictures so he will send it to you when he feels like it.

That is all for today!!!

I miss you and love you!!!

Hiroko

Dearesr friends and family,

It was a nice day. I am sorry to hear that you guys had another fire in
Reno. Are you expecting snow or rain? I know it has been raining in SF according to the weather report.

I got birthday card from Barbara and Sis Lanning. So nice to receive mail!!!

Evan and I went to Carrefour(huge super market) to return the rice cooker we bought. Then when we came back to the office, we got a new rice cooker from Amy with treats. I just ate my last fruite roll so I was so excited. Thank you. And letter from everybody was so special!!!

After the lunch we tried to find out the hospital which we can visit. Most of the injured guys are motor cycl accidents. People are waiting to get in to the Hospital waiting for days. But we found out that hospital is operated by the government so we can`t visit. We have to find another private Hospital. Pray for us to find out where to go.

You should see the motor bikes here. As soon as Signal change to green, the about 20 motor bikes all start like a big race and going so fast between cars. It is amazing.

Evan went to have his hair cut today. Hopefully the guy is whom Tim baptised. I sure hope that is the same guy!!!

Everything in here is so expensive. I had to pay over $300 for my hair cut and color and highlight. I`d better find the cheaper one. Or maybe I will do my hair color by myself. Evan`s haircut is first time is $35 and after that $50.00. Why goes up????  Strange.

The rain last night was so strong that the street was like a big river. But today is nice and cool. You never know.

Tomorrow Patty and we might go to Reiverdage. If not we might go to Anmboo(??) with the Scudden. We will see. Anmboo is where they sell arts. I am trying to get Nativity  set for each kids, if not so expensive.

Today, the fat guy was trying to cross the street and we were so worried for him. Good thing he made it OK!

I really really miss and love you so much!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

The last day of Employment class for Evan and he is so happy. I did not go again and was able to sleep in late!!! But tomorrow I HAVE TO get up early to go to the office.

I did go to the temple to have lunch. I saw several sisters I knew so it was nice. They all spoke English of course.

I tried to clean up our apartment. It is hard to sweep carpet with broom. We do not have vacume cleaner!!!

Weather is same as everyday! Still cooler but I can tell that it is getting warmer.

Tomorrow we have several projects to close that means Evan and I will be working together creating the forms. We might go to Japanese town, Reverdarge(?) Or if we don't have time to do it, we are going there with Patty's family on Saturday.

Evan saw 49ers in news and he was happy!!!

It is only 7:30 but since I have to get up early tomorrow, I'd better get ready for bed.

I found the very last gardinia at the temple and was so happy!!! They are the best!!!!

On the way home from the temple, there were NO cars and it was the best chance to cross street bu Evan made me promise not to, so I was tempted but I did not!!!

Have anyone found a stuffed animal looks just like Pumkin? I have been looking but no luck!!

I really miss you guys and love you so much!!!

Hiroko

Dearet friends and family,

Thank you for lots of Happy Birthday wishes.
It is 6:00pm and dark clouds are all over.
Evan went for a long walk and he had to take his unbrella!

They went to another employment meeting and I stayed home again. And guess what, I was able to go to the Temple to have lunch, all by myself. It is so complecated but with Evan's instruction, I was able to go all by myself.

We have to take the elevater to T(Ground level) Then walk to the other building (they all look exactly the same!!!) and take elevator to I level. then cross the street on the crossing place  and walk to the temple. My first trip all by myself!!!
Then stopped by at the Japanese store after that and got Tofu.

Tomorrow is the last day for the class. That means the last day to sleep in. Evan said it was so long and boreing!!

Our clothes dryer was broken and the guy came to fix it while Evan was not home. I finally figured out that he is getting a new one from the next door and exchanged it. Trust me it was not easy.I did not understand one ward!!! Amazing isn't it? I asked him to write down what he was saying. I can ask that much but no idea what he wrote.

Evan stopped by at the Japan town after the class and got tons of our favorite cakes.
I went to the temple and requested rain in Nevada!!! So you will get it soon!

Evan said the taxi driver who took them to the class told them that this is very unusual summer being so cooler.
Thank you Heaqvenly Father for this weather!!

I tried to memorize one phrase a day. Today I learned "Cheira tao bem!" (It smells good!) I did find the very last gardenia today and of course picked it even though there were so many other people around!

Well, I miss and love you tons!!!

Hiroko
Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

Thank you for your birthday wishes. Today marked one month in Brasil! 17 months to go.

It  was special employment classes this morning. we are supposed to go but they told me that I do not have to go!! Evan went and he is glad I did not go. Even he had a hard time understand and it is just a waste of my time to go.
So my birthday present was to sleep in late!!! The best present. I spent all day in my apartment. One missionary couple brought me a cake. It was so nice of them but I think she tripled the amounnt of sugar. It was so sweet, I almost fainted.

So my birthday came and went. Tomorrow and next day will be the same classes so Evan told me not to go.

I probably will go to the temple tomorrow for lunch. I promise I will not cross the middle of street. We don't anymore. I promise.

I miss and love you so much!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

It is Monday and was another slow day. We were going to visit Japanese retirement home but we found out that it is too far!!! So we stayed at the office trying to look for things to do.

For lunch, since the Temple is closed, we went to Carrehore, the big super market and had tuna sandwiches but it was not good.

We had family home evening tonight with other senior missionaries and it was so boring that Evan told me that we will not go again. It started at 7:30 and we did not come home until almost 9:00. It was too much for me. I was getting so hungry and shaky!

Because of that we did not get to see Sumou!
Tomorrow, we are supposed to go to the Employment Center but I am not going. Becuse it will be all in Portuguese so  Evan wanted me to stay home. The class will be 8:00 till 1:00!!!

It did not rain today but it is getting warmer and warmer!!!

I still miss you guys and love you!!!

Hiroko

Dearear family and friends,

Sunday! Last week there was a translator for RS but not today. I had absolutely NO idea what was going on!!! It is so frastrating!!!!Can you picture me siting at the class not knowing what is going on?

There were few sisters who knew Tim at the church. It was nice to know that but once again, I have no idea if they were baptised by Tim or they just knew him. It is so frastrating not knowing anything!!!

Yuki, Japanese sister in our ward, and her husband took us home by their car. It was so nice!! Evan found the barbar where non-active brotheren work and Tim knew him. So Evan will go there when he needs his hair cut.

We are in charge of devotional tomorrow morning and I am going to say the prayer in Portugues!!! Wish me good luck!!! Only 4 sentences but.... that is a lot for me.

Our mission president's wife and daughter were there at church today. Also president and sister Costa.  Check on LDS.org about President Costa.

It was good to talk to Tim and Amy and thank you for giving us the status of 49's!!!! I really needed that!!! It was so interesting!!! Jen you are as beautiful as always!!!

I missed talking to kids!!!

I miss and l.ove you so much.

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

My favorite day, Saturday!!!

It was so loud outside right under our window last night , people were talking and laghing so loud around 2:00am.

I woke up around 10;00am this morning and I love it!!!

Then we went to the shopping center to have lunch. My favorite, Chinese and Japanese rewtaurant. (At food court) Then we took a bus to the other Japanese store but they didn't have anything special.

Then I had a hair cut, color with highlight. It is right across from our apartment and so close. It was much expensive but they did a good job so I am happy. I was so worried but I like what they did.
They did my nail but they only do nail polish.
After that we got home and ate junk food and watched Smou wrethring.

And I am already tired so will get ready to go to bed.

I am cooking rice with our new rice cooker tonight. I hope it works!!

It rained heavily for 5 minutes but other than that it was nice. But it is getting hot!

Miss and love you!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

It was another beautiful day. Evan and I continued to work on the report together.

I went to the temple for lunch and Evan went to the store and bought me "Rice cooker"! The best birthday present!!!

At 5:00 our mission president and his wife picked us up and I got the temple recomend renewed. Then they took us Brasilian BBQ restaurant. It was amazing and we ate and ate. They were so good. I had such a great time with them. They are of course wonderful and we are lucky to have him as our mission president!!! I did speak some Portuguese like "Where are you from?""How many  children do you have?" "i have 5 children and 9 grand children. And maybe more.Thank goodness they understand.

President told me that long time ago, mission was 2-1/2 years. Because they did not even have MTC so they knew it will take missionary to be able to speak 6 months. He told me to be patient.
I have been studing it every day.

TGIF!!!!  I can sleep in tomorrow!!!! Can't wait!!!!
TGIF did not mean anything before but now yes, I know what TGIF means more than ever.

I miss and love you all!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and friens,

Yesterday we had an amzing experience at the temple. It rained so heavy and thunder was so loud but we decided to go to the Temple after work even though it was pouring!!.

It is such a beautiful temple. Of course I listened in English.

At the celecial room, Evan was talking to the lady. She was at Tim's ward and she had him over for dinner a lot. I cannot believe that Evan remembered her!! Her name is Sister Aurineide. Tiny little old lady. She goes to your ward so we are looking forward to seeing her at church. She knew Marta very well. It was a miracle that we met each other there.

She was in tears when she talked about Tim and of course that made me cry. Even though I had no idea what she was saying.

Another interesting thing was that my temple dress and Sis Scudden's were the same style!!! Interesting, isn't it?

Slowly but surely HF is letting me know that I was supposed to be here.

It rained so hard and my clothes were completely wet. I pray for rain in Nevada!!!!

Tonight we are going to meet our Mission President for the temple recomend and he is taking us to dinner!!!

Weather today is perfect and no rain YET.

I miss and love you all,

Hiroko

Yes, I did go to Portugese class last night. But it ended at 8:30. Thank goodness!

Last night Evan wanted to go to Habibes so we went their. I though it was Iranian food but it was regular humberger and pizza place. They were very good. Evan was very happy. But for some reasons, he did not get what he really wanted.

Today was lot warmer than usual. around 10:00 Taxi took us (two missionary couples) to Bishop's warehouse. We were there few hours trying to stuff the shelves. I hate to say it but the room they kept shoes had the worst smell. I don't know how they can work there day by day. I guess you get use to it. But it is amazing what our church do to people in needs!!

Then taxi took us back to the temple and we had lunch there again. Very good lunch. There were so many Brasilian missionares, so young and refreshing to look at!

We are going to continue the report on the three projects we worked on yesterday. Then we will go home to get the temple cloth then to the 6:00 scession tonight.

I found the last gardinia at the temple. It smells so good and I am so happy. I hope I will not fall aleep during the scession!

I miss and love you so much!!!

Hiroko

We got the first letter this afternoon. We were so excited!! Thank you grandma!!! We really loved it. Please call grandma and thank her for us. 415-564-8554

We love to get mails also.

Thank you grandma! You are the best!!!

Hiroko

Dearest family and Friends,

It rained all day again. It rained so hard yesterday and street was flooded all over.  I wish we could send this rain clouds to Nevada.
We tried to find the orphanage we can visit around here but there is none. So now we are going to look for the nursing homes we can visit.

Tonight I am going to Portuguese class I hope! But it will be 7:00 till 9:00 so I am not sure if I can handle that but I will try. The teacher is Sister Scudden and Evan said she has horrable pronounciation. And we are learning pronounciation tonight. Evan laughted so hard when I told him that she is the teacher. But better than nothing. One of the members who just got here about same time as we did said "I decided to think that I am having a bad dreams. And I will keep dreaming bad dreams for 18 months" I love his attitude. He is a doctor so he really has to learn.

I cooked Japanese rice last night in a pan. It did taste great!! but I will continue to look for a rice cooker. I left the pan on the stove and burn them. So sad.

We have been here almost three weeks!!!  \I guess I should not expect to learn the language well. I am too impatient!

I tried to look for the gardinia to pick today at the temple but they were all gone. I was so disappointed!

Northern part of Brasil is having a heavy floods and Southern part they are suffering with drought.

I am glad to hear Jonathan is doing better. I am so proud of him.

I am still homesick. Well I wonder how long it will take to get it over with.

I love and miss you all!!

We did not see Brasirian Steve this morning. We were little bit late. I hope I can see him tomorrow.

Hiroko

Dearest family and friends,

Another cooler and rainy day. I wish we can send this rain to Nevada!!! No snow yet?

Another day at office. It has been taking so long to set up the computer and finally our computers are connected with SL.

We had another wonderful lunch at the Temple!!! Then afternoon was long and tiring.
I just made an appointment with Mission President to renew my Temple recomend. We are going to his house for dinner also.

This morning on the way to the office we saw Brasilian Steve! He was jogging and Evan and I was so happy to even look at him! I miss you Steve!!! He run liked you!

After we came home, we watched another Sumou games and we absolutely love it.

It was a very quiet and slow day. Still half of the people and our boss are on vacation!!! They get three week paid vacation!!!

Have a great evening!!!

I love and miss you guys so much!!!

Hiroko

It was another beautiful day! Flowers are just like the ones in Hawaii and temp is just like Hawaii also.
There are tons of Gardinias at the temple ground. I try to look for the one getting little bit brown.(Just a little!)And pick it to keep and Smell it all day long. I remember my girls use to buy a corsage whever we went to SF for shopping at Nieman marcus and lunch. Lots of wonderful memories.

Today was Monday so we went to the shpping mall across the street. Temple is closed! Don't worry we were with older couple so we did cross the right place! They were so slow!
We ate at Chinese and Japanese store. We take whatever you want to eat and weigh the plate. And pay accodingly. Amazingly Sushi was very good. I am excited!!!

Then Evan and I worked together to enter the information for the Wheel chairs all afternoon.

Yesterday at the Church, President Costa, area President in Brasil was there. He is a general authority and such a great man!!!Everybody told me that he is just like President Manson in Brasil!

Guess what! We have piano at our apartment so I have been practicing playing Hyme. It is fun.

Now we can watch Sumou wrethring on TV. We come home from the office and watch it together. It is so fun!!!

Well, I'd better get ready for sleep. I still have hard time getting up!!!

I love and miss you all!!

Hiroko

We promise that we will not cross the street.

Today is Sunday. We road the Thunder Mountain bus again. Church was great. 2nd counceler's wife is Japanese and has three kids. It has been so long since I spoke Japanese.
Most of the members there seem speak English.
For RS I listen the ear phone just like Temple translation. But it is hard to understand to listen the translation. Then Sunday School, I went to English speaking class and the teacher did not show up. Evan went to Portugues class.
It was fast and testmony meeting and I used the translation machine. Guess what!! I bore testmony in Portugueses. Just kidding. I just told them I don't speak Portuguese. And they understood!!! Then I spoke in English.Pople there really liked me doing it and they all came up to me to say hi. The Stake president bore testomony also and told us what a great missionary Tim was!!!! There were few people remembered Tim. I think we will be going there from now on even though we have to ride Thunder Mountain. Today's driver was worse!!!

We ate left overs and were happy. I miss Mexican and Indian food!!!

Today when we took elevator, people had a dog. Of course I pet him and felt so good!!!

One the way home, we saw a dog looked so skinny. So I tried to give him crackers I had but he did not eat it. So I guess he is not starving to death.

I do miss you and love you all. We will call you later.

Mommy

It is Saturday!! I wanted to sleep in until really late but got up by 8:30. Took shower and washed my hair. But it is so hard to share the electricitywith Evan. We have to make sure that when we are doing the washer or dryer , We cannot use shower. I cannot use hair dryer when Evan is using iron. We cannot use curler when microwave is going. So for the morning we have to plan everything.
So washing my hair, dry and curl are very time consuming!!!

We finally went to Liberdade ,which is a huge outside market. It was Saturday so there were millions of people and it was so hot!!! I thought Liberdade is just like Japan town in SF but it was nothing like that. We got lots of goodies and ate obentou  Salmon lunch and it was great. And I realized how much Japanese rice is good!!!
First we had to take a bus which is just like I was standing on the Thunder mountain in Disneyland. Then took Metro which was nice and clean and much smoother.

There were tons of Japanese but none of them spoke Japanese.
We walked around about 4 hours and I was so tired. I personally did not like it there. It was completely different from what I expected.

I got one book and but so expensive. But I was so excited then when I got home I realized it was a comic book! Can you believe that?!

We got home before it started raining. Taking buses and metro are very stressful for me. Now I understand how Evan must felt in Tokyo. He kept saying "I can read here!!!"

Tomorrow we are going to the church which the councelers wife is Japanese. and She is having very hard time adjusting. So I am looking forward to talking to her.

We have to take two buses and hope we can find it tomorrow since we could not last Sunday.

I am already tired so am going to get ready for bed. Evan just left for his walk! He is so good. But I do worry whole time until he gets home.

Last night I noticed a guy was sleeping on the street across from our building. and I told him that. Then he said, I'd better go down to see he is ok. I had to beg and beg not to do that. Please tell him not to do things like that.

At Liberdade, there was a man looked so hungry. So dad gave him money. He is such a sweet guy but I don't think it is good idea to go out at night to talk to homeless people. Please tell him not to do that.

When we are on the bus or train, people always give us their seats. I guess we do look old!!! Bus is free over 65 and they never asked for  our ID!!!!

Well, I'd better go now. I miss you and love you guys so much!!!

Hiroko

        

This is Evan: Today was Hiroko's third day in a row that she was up for 14 hours without taking a nap!!!!
Amazing.  When you go on a mission the Lord really helps you out.
The person under the Area Presidency whose in charge of all the welfare in Brazil asked Hiroko to get involved with the Japanese community organizations here. that sounds like a really cool thing to do--sounds like fun to me. We've also been asked to be on the lookout for ways we can help local organizations who care for the poor and invalid and people with real needs. So we will!

We had a little rain today again with thunder. But very little.
We were little late to work but only 5 minutes.  
we have to cross big street to go to the office but it is very dangerous. Sis Scudden still does not cross street and only at the signals. But we always cross street because it is quicker. But the timing is very difficult and we always do it when she is NOT  around or with us. Because she told me never to do it. So we are always laughing when we cross the middle of street saying "We better do it now before Sister Scudden comes"
Dangerous but so much quicker.

We went to the temple again for lunch and today was excellent.
Then returned to the office and did office work until 5:00!
So far we are only helping Elder and Sis Scudden entering the information and it is discuragging. I hope everybody in the office is back and we will be busy.
Right now we are looking into the Nursing homes and orphanages for Japanese people.
Tomorrow is Saturday so we can sleep in!!!! Can't wait!!!!
We have no plan to do anything. I think I will do some cleaning of the apartment.

Could you please find out if Janis is getting my E-mail and Blog?
It was so good to see the Starley's on Face book. Tim why did you have to go to Philadelphia again?

Please be careful for talking to strangers. I worry about you. Don't argue with strangers.

I almost bought stuffed dog today but did not because she didn't even look like Pumkin.
Evan said "Aren't you too old for that?"

I love and miss you so much. Please let us know what day and what time we should talk. I miss that. We will be back from the church by 1:00 or 2:00 I think. We are going to the new ward and Malta might be able to come!!!

I looove you and miss you. Let us know how Jonathan and Brandon are doing.

Mommy

Cicillia, please E-mail me the addresses of our Visiting teachee sisters. I want to continue the relationship. Especially non-active ones. Thank you! When you visit them please give my love to them.Tell Evey I love and miss him!. If you have Joanne's E-mail, let me know, too.

Rained and thunder all afternoon.
Morning was perfect. I was trying to organize Portuguese lessons all morning for me to study. Then we went to the temple again for lunch. Today was Temple missionary day and there were so many young missionaries. They look so young since we are surrounded by old people all day long! It was so wonderful to see young missionaries.

Wow! Big thunder right now and it scared me to death. I'd better finish doing this before the electricity goes out.
Lunch was wonderful. They had a best fish!!!! I love their rolls so Evan and I bought two extra and took them home to make sandwiches for the dinner.

In the afternoon I was helping sister Scudden to enter the forms again. Then rain started heavy so we left around 4:30.

I found the horrible fact today. It is leap year this year! That means I have one day extra here! Evan was happy of course.

Today we met our mission president or leader of Welfare unit, who used to be one of the General Authority (Seventys) They sure have special aura!!!!

Send me More E-mail with pictures!!!! I love the video of Lily spitting like an old man at the beach!!!!

I love and miss you!!!!

Hiroko

Another morning! He was rushing me like crazy but we got to the office 7:45!!! I could have slept 15 more minutes.

We had a members' meeting in the morning and I have Nooooo clue what is going on.

Yes we did have lunch at the temple. Great lunch. Then I helped Sis Scuddin for the entering forms. We are getting our own assignment soon so we will be busy!!!

Then we got back at 4:30. I went to Portugues class from 7:00 till 9:00. Everybody studies at least 30 minutes a day and I do nothing. So I am motivated to study more.

!!!!

I do miss you all and love you. Brazilian Reed is back to office so it is nice to see him again. He is so nice!!!
SP
 Brasil
I don't know which address I gave you but please use the office address below.

Sis and Elder Ray
Assoc. Brasil IJC S.U.D.
Fundo Perpetuo de Educaciao
AV Francisco Morato 2430
05512-300 Sao Paulo,

Thank you!!!

It was one of the best weather today. I know it will not last forever but we are enjoying this tropical weather!

Today we got to the office at 8:00 as usual and worked until 5:00. Yes, I was tired. The computer and printer were working so we were busy printing graduation certificate. These are for the people who borrowed money for schooling and finished the school and finished paying the loan. So we are very proud of them.
But their names are so different and it was not easy. It was hard with the special marks like ^ and others!

We did go to the Temple for lunch. Today was not the best but better than Panda
Express for sure.

Every morning is a war! Evan kept saying hurry up! Hurry up. But I cannot move faster than that.Of course we were the first one to be downstairs again!

We had a meeting this afternoon and got the goals for this year. We are aiming to provide 3,000 wheel chairs!!! Maybe I get one for myself! Then goal will be 2,999.
We did provide about 2,800 last year.

I miss my family and great friends!!! and of course Pumkin!! I am looking for the stuffed animals but no one has it.

Can you guys send me my ugly black shoes and Oolong teas?

One of the sisters got us the candies I really liked.
They are the first sweet I like. Brasilian deserrts are extreamly sweet and I cannot eat them.
But this candys are really good!

Well I love and miss you all.

Much Love,

Hiroko

It was a slow day again. Half of the stuffs are still on vacaion. They get 3 week vacation.
We had  assignment to work on but the printer did not work so we had to wait and wait.
For lunch we tried to go to Japanese store but it was closed. So we had lunch near by "Panda Express" I thought of Brandon but they were not good. Not even close! I now miss that place. Brandon, we go together when we come back ok?

It was our family home evening night but we were too tired to go. Going to the office everyday at 8:00 is not as easy as you think!!

I hope the printer is going to work tomorrow!!! We need to print graduation deplomats for students who paid loan all back and graduated!!! We have about 80 needs to be printed.

I just found out that it will get soooo hot in March!!! And so cold in July!

Amy let me know what day and what time is the best time to call you guys?

I sure miss you and love you so much.

Please send me E-mail!!!

I do miss and love you so much!!!

We had a left over dinner from the New Years Eve party!!! Good stuff.

Hiroko

 Paty is next to me, her mom is next to Hiroko, and Daniel, paty's husband is next to Paty. Everyone else is a relative of Daniel.

Paty, Daniel, Bruno (Paty's brother), Elisete (Paty's mom), paty's niece, and Camila (Paty's youngest sister) 

Fruta de Conde--really good. you eat the white flesh off the large seeds

a white guava

the one i"m holding looks old, but it isn't--it's pretty good

This is a good one too

a graviola.  we haven't tried it yet.

Here's some photos of the party from last night, plus some of the new fruits I've been trying:

Happy New Year to all of you!!!

Yesterday, two other couples and we went to the big mall (Eldorado Mall) to go to Outback. Guess what! They were closed. I wanted to eat Pizza Hat but no one did so we had regular buffet. It was OK.
Then we got home to rest before the party at night.

We were invited to Patty's house. She is the one Tim baptized. They were supposed to pick us up at 4:30 then called us that it will be 6:30. Then they finally picked us up near 8:00Pm. By then we were so tired. Fireworks went on all day long and they were no specutaculer but beautiful!
Patty's entire family were there and we did not start eating until 12:00!!!They are such a wonderful people  and I really loved them. When we left I started crying. I felt a bit of what everybody is telling me that it will be so hard to leave the mission. Of course I had no idea what they were saying but I tried to speak as much as I can. Like"How many children do you have? How many boys and how many girls? How old they are? Do you have grand children? How many?" Basic basic things but I really forced myself to speak. At lease they answered so I guess they knew what I was asking.
Patty converted her husband and they are getting sealed sometime soon and they invited us to go! Can't wait!!
Tim, good work you have done!! Patty's parents got divorced few years ago so Evan was disappointed not seeing him again.

They did not start eating until 12:00!!! We were so hungry and so tired. But I made it through!!!!
Tim, I was so proud of you!!!

1-1-12

Got up around 8:30 to go to the Church. Evan wanted to go to the new one so we took bus but.......
We could not find it!!! I was so upset not making to the meeting.
And I went back to bed right away around 11:00. Guess what time I woke up!! 7:00pm!!!!

I hope I can go to sleep tonight. Joey and Amy, it was so nice to talk to you!!! and thank you for the great news!!!

Can you believe that fireworks are still going on?
I love you and miss you all!!!

Hiroko