I don't know, it's getting late, I have to go...

This time tomorrow we should've landed in Brasilia. It seems that this trip's been a long time coming; we arrived back here three years and two months ago. It's seemed a particularly long time this week, since I've been absolutely desperate to leave. Work has dragged all week, most of all today, which seemed like it would never end. But we're leaving tonight (or 3:45 tomorrow morning to be precise).

I have great plans for this holiday which include shopping; going to the beach; visiting places in Brasilia that I didn't get to see last time (that includes carnaval!); reading lots of books and generally relaxing; getting a boob job (hopefully - Beth, if you read this please don't mention anything to Mum!) and trying to learn to type again (or at least get faster). But most of all, relaxation.

I'm looking forward to spending hours with TB in the park across from Grandma's and to letting him see a real beach. I want him to spend time with all our friends and family who have loved him over the internet since we left. I want him to start eating things other than Hula Hoops (I don't remember being able to get them out there) and bread, something like a proper diet with fruit and vegetables. I want him to start speaking Portuguese; seeings as none of us are able to get him speaking it here, maybe exposure will be what he needs. I don't want him to grow up as one of those kids that only speaks one half of his native languages.

I on the other hand, friends aside, am looking forward to Grandma's pao de queijo, catiupiry, diet guarana in copious amounts; ice-cream buffets; churrasco, rodizio pizza and habib's. As you can see, the list mainly revolves around food. I want to visit the market stalls outside Patio Brasil, and find earrings for R$1; a new pair of studs (the ones they use to pierce your ears) and plenty of funky danlgy earrings. Maybe some to replace the last pair I broke. I want to find new rings, and maybe a bracelet or two. Hair accessories maybe. I want a new pair of ballet pumps but wonder if I'll be able to find some. I want to get TB kitted out for summer; Yuri some new clothes too. I want us to come back feeling like we've been living in luxury.

But most of all I'm looking forward to the rest. It feels like I've been running on empty for so long now. I know Yuri feels the same way too. This is our first holiday since our honeymoon four years ago. We are ready for it. All three of us.

Just to give you an idea of the sort of place I work...

We don't have various items of stationary because apprently we don't use them (despite the fact we frequently ask if we have any of said items - because we need to use them).

All the glasses are now conference room use only, leaving us to drink out of plastic cups like untrusted small children.
The aircon is broken so it constantly pumps cold air into our section, leaving us freezing. But, because the people who could arrange to get it fixed are in another section where the aircon is not freezing them, they see no need to get it fixed.

Just a normal day at the office...

"Have they stopped burning bodies over there now?"
"Looks like it. The black smoke's gone anyway."
"Burning bodies?"
"Yeah, didn't you see that huge black cloud of smoke coming from that
chimney?"
"But burning bodies?"
"Well yeah. What else would they be doing?"
"They burn them so there's no bodies left."
"Wouldn't acid be a better idea?"
"But acid eats through whatever you put it in as well."
"But there's absolutely nothing left for identification."
"I guess there is that..."

Earlier today I stopped at the bank to find out how much they'd charge me to use my card while we're in Brasil. They couldn't tell me there and then because despite the fact I KNEW I could use it there, they didn't, and had to find out. (Lets ignore for a second the fact that my card is probably more readily accepted in Brasil than here) So, I left my number and they promised to call and let me know.

When they called, they happily let me know how much they'd extort every time I wanted to visit McDonalds (that's £1.50 for a meal that probably wouldn't cost £1.50 in total) and dropped in as an afterthought that they'd need to know when I was away so they could unblock my card.

Hang on a minute, why would my card need unblocking? Had I done something to block it? No. It's just the moment you try and use your card abroad, they freeze it. Thanks for giving me loud and clear warning over the years.

So all in all, if I use my card while we're away it'll only be to withdraw the maximum amount of cash. A good thing I checked though, otherwise we could've been completely screwed.

"I know it's been some time since you contacted us, but I was wondering if you were still looking for a new role?"
"Yes, it was quite a while ago..." Like almost two and a half years ago. Do you not think I'd have given up if I'd still not found a job? And why do you still have my details after not speaking to me for so long. Hang on a minute, I don't recognise your company name. Why didn't you try and find me a job when I actually wanted one?

"Look, it's awfully dark along here. One of us could toss the other over the bridge and no-one would ever see it..."
"Don't you even think about it! I mean, who would you get to do your typing if I were gone?"

Happy New Year

We were undecided as to what to do yesterday. V & C were off to Derbyshire, Y was working at 7 the next morning and Mum & Dad were staying in for the first time in history.We toyed with the idea of going into town to see the fireworks (the original idea was that Mum & Dad would have come too) but decided that it was too much effort for just us. Then Y said that her and M would do whatever we were doing, so all change and off to the fireworks.

We met at Waterloo at 10:30 (can you imagine, we were actually on time for once) and it was absolutely heaving! We originally thought we would head to Waterloo Bridge, but by the time we got there it was closed off and we were herded round the side of the Shell building to find an amazingly nice spot pretty much under the London Eye.

By 11 o'clock TB had his hands placed firmly over his ears because it was 'too noisy', although it was more to do with the crowds of drunken revellers screaming rather than the still absent fireworks. Once we'd coaxed his hands away from his ears he happily played around for a while longer, until the noise got louder and he decided that it would be best to hide under my coat.

I dragged him out in time to see the fireworks, but he spent the show with his face pressed up against mine, hands over his ears, whimpering, but at the same time his eyes were absolutely glued to the show. Towards the end he started trying to hide again so I put him down and he crawled back underneath my coat, hands still over his ears. When the fireworks had finished, he was virtually asleep, standing up, with his hands still over his ears.


Our next problem was how to get home. At any given time I could tell you numerous ways to get home from where we were, whether by tube, train or bus (or a combination of). No amount of forward planning could've got us home with ease last night. First problem was the crowds. It wouldn't matter which way you wanted to go (in our case, out to the side to wait for the worst to pass), there was no way those crowds were going to let you. Try to stop and you'd be pushed over by those desperate to get out. What for, not a lot really, but I'll get to that later. So we got swept along with the rest of London in the direction of Waterloo. Luckily we wanted to be there, because there was little chance of heading anywhere else.

With TB rapidly falling asleep whilst sitting on my shoulders, we trekked round to the back end of Waterloo, only to find the masses had stopped moving whilst they closed the station off. After about half an hour of not moving and with TB now fast asleep, sitting on my shoulders and slumped over, snoring in my ear, we decided to break from the packed crowd and attempt to walk some of the way. We walked to Vauxhall as TB woke up, although he refused to walk on the basis that his legs had gone all 'roughy' (read: had pins and needles). Surprisingly enough, we easily got on a train by 2am and even had a seat between us. We managed to keep TB awake on the journey home (although he did his best to try and sleep) and he got home and decided he wanted 'TV on'. Cue much bribery on our part with promises of exciting next day activities and he happily went to sleep. Just like me.

And he only woke up at 11 this morning!