a song to bring me home

I am sitting by the window in Natalia's bedroom looking out at the beautiful blue sky cluttered and scattered by various puffs of white nothings all while sweating. It is extrememly hot outside and rightfully so - I am in the middle of their summer. In Brazil, no one has air conditioning. So, days like this seem to be quite a challenge for my spoiled American tastes.

Despite sweating while typing this, I cannot help but to feel so greatful for what I have back home in the US. The other day, Mila and I set out for the beach in Santos, Brazil. This place is only about a 50 minute drive, but on the way I got to see some of the worst living conditions. Brazil is home to some of the poorest people in the world. And regardless of how much material items these people contained, or if they even had a real roof over their heads, I would see smiles on their faces. It made me feel like I have been living above the possibility of pure happiness. That only things that I buy or have could make me happy. These people had nothing, but were still happy. How is that?

Love.

There is so much that I love about my life. So many people, so many places, so many activities. All of which are obvious to my personality and I really don't feel like putting them all out for a permanent entry. But, rather, allow them to be transperant in their exsistance.

I miss the ones that I love. Especially my family, bffs, and my bluebird.

My song to come home to lies in a journal.

-Marko

you have crazy eyeballs

Last night was one of the best times I have had while in Brazil. Camila, Natalia, Mari, Ju and I went out to one of the hottest clubs in Sao Paulo called club Royal. It was in the middle of down town and it was packed. This time we actually got in! However, this club was really expensive. Mi, Na and I ended up spending 350 reais which is about 150 dollars in the USA.

We woke up early to go to the park and work out. We were all really tired, but when we came home food was on the table. Now we are getting ready for the MADONNA concert!

Pictures soon, as always...

-Marko

bar aurora

Coming to Brazil has been a whirlwind of experiences, thus far. Batting an ice storm, killing time with music, etc. On my international flight from Atlanta to Rio de Janeiro I had the emergency exit seat, so I was able to extend my legs to its fullest extend. I slept okay, but I was more interested in the "Delta OnDemand" which allowed me to watch the Dark Night, and countless other television shows. This was nice because it made me forget I was on a nine hour flight. 

I was in for a rude awaking when I arrived in Rio, it was cloudy and they lost my main luggage. Despite the gloomy weather, I was optimistic in my attempts to search for my bags, but after an hour of waiting I called it quits. My bag was gone. At this point language became an issue for me, however, I was lucky because one of the workers knew a little English. He informed me that the bag would be reclaimed but would have to be shiped to Camila's house. Thus, I preceeded with her address and tried to figure out where to make my connecting flight. Upstairs, I saw.

Once, there, I checked in my one bag that was not lost and headed towards my gate. This was after I waited in line for thirty minutes only to discover I had to go to a different check in because I was international. At the gate, I waited for my departure that was set at 12:35. Just as I was getting excited the power goes out. No prompter with flight information, no lights, no intercome. Gone. All of it. My thoughts where filled with trepidation. I was afraid to fall asleep or grab something to eat because I didn't want to miss my flight to Sao Paulo. So, I just waited. Two hours later, we leave. I get to Sao Paolo around 15:45

This is the part where I was introduced to Brazilian traffic. It was bumper to bumper for an agonyzing two and a half hours. Luckily, I was able to fall right to sleep and missed the majority of it. I was so exhausted. At his point I had been traveling for exactly 24 hours.

Once home, I napped while everyone ate. I woke up and had the delicious pizza that everyone was chowing on earlier. It was so good! 

We tried to go to two clubs, but they were all too full. Everyone is out for the holidays and it was clearly evident last night: we were almost trampled by the eager teenage clubers. We then settled at a bar called Aurora. We got completely drunk.It was a blast. We did not make it home until 4:30. :]

-Marko

ragged wood

The world is alive now, in and outside our home
You run through the forest, settle before the sun
Darling, I can barely remember you beside me
You should come back home, back on your own now


I am set. I will be in Brazil until January 10th. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I send my love to those special to my heart and those who wish to be near it. Here's my winter to summer travel clothes:

- Marko

deer head, please come back

- Marko

seven days....

In several days I will be on a plane debating sleep all while watching some foreign movie with subtitles or reading my

 "Portuguese for Dummies" on my way to Sao Paulo, Brazil. It has been approximately six months sense I have seen my best friend, Camila Santos. She last came to the States over the summer to spend time with my family and then in Arkansas. Now it's my turn to return the favor. 

I will be in Brazil from December 17th through January 9th, which obviously covers Christmas and New Years. This will be the first year that my entire family will not be together over the holidays. Its odd. I really don't know exactly how I feel about it.

For now, I'm sitting at Alex's house trying to figure out what to write for my final letter in writing class, but I am not interested. All I can think about is how I am going to be missing the ones I love while I am gone. I know my time with Camila is going to be fantastic, but I cannot help but be somewhat selfish in thinking this. 

I will miss the simplest things while I'm gone such as cooking with Boobie, Marley trying to get on the bed, laughing, hanging out with my closest friends[BAM!], sitting around the house with the family, etc. It's strange because, on a daily basis I take these things for granted and I don't recognize their individual significance. Yet, now that they are going to be temporarily gone, I cannot help but feel that I am loosing.

I have no idea where this is going. I need to study for philosophy, but I can't. All I can think about somehow carries a shade of blue and I am distracted by overwhelming happiness. I have that test at 8:00 in the morning, closely followed by a critique for drawing at 10:00, all before I have to turn in a paper at 4:30.

Hooray for finals.

Friday, I pack my shit for home! But, only for three days.

- Marko

currently watching: Waking Life with Ben, Alex, and Daniel [its his birthday! hello 20 years old!]

time is fading away

I am sorry for another short entry, but I wanted to let everyone know that I am almost finished with my drawing final. Thank goodness, because I have not been getting to bed until around 3:00 am! I am so tired. 

More updates soon.