I'm in Brasil.

I'm in Brasil.  I'm actually in Brasil.  It has been almost three months that I have been living, breathing, and loving Brasil.  You would think that it would have hit me already, maybe when I arrived in the airport and heard the security announcements in Portuguese or maybe the first time I dreamed in a different language, but I am just now realizing that I am in Brasil and, even better, I am here for a whole year.  That's a pretty big fact to digest.  That's a whole year in a different language, a whole year away from my family, a whole year without my bed.

But wait.

That's just one year speaking another language, just one year meeting and getting to know these amazing people, just one year learning a new, beautiful culture.

I just have one whole year in Brasil.

While these two perspectives clash in my mind, constantly shifting my way of thinking, the one that always wins is the fact that the time is already passing so rapidly and that my one year in Brasil will be gone before I know it.  It is this way of thinking that saves me from the uncommon, but existent feelings of loneliness or distance from my family and my culture.  I have this year, and I plan to live it to the fullest.

I am so delighted and excited for this adventure, this adventure that I am already in the middle of.  I love how much I learn everyday- about everything, this culture, this language, my culture, and myself. There are things that of course are difficult, and at times feel impossible, but I am surrounded by amazing people and encouraged time and time again by every small victory I have.

Also, 

I am eating more fresh mangos than I can handle.  Now that everyone knows how much I love mangos literally in almost every house I go to or friend I visit, someone has a new kind of mango for me to try.  And there is nothing like a warm, sweet, juicy mango on a hot day.

I am living here, going to school, working on speaking the language and all this, but at the same time I have some extremely touristy moments.  I usually try to avoid the photo-snapping, white sneaker wearing stereotype, but sometimes I just need to embrace it.  For example, palm trees here are pretty common.  By pretty common I mean everywhere I go I see a palm tree.  But I still haven't gotten used to it and continue to shamelessly walk up to almost every palm tree I see and take at least 5 photos.  They are so beautifully tropical and foreign.  I'll wear those white sneakers with pride.

During my time here, for some reason, my emotions seem extremely exaggerated in everything that I do, and if you know me that may seem pretty scary because I already was fairly excitable.  But here, when I am having a good day- its an amazing day.  When I understand a joke- I laugh hysterically for a good amount of time.  When I like a certain kind of food- I freaking love it.  When someone compliments my Portuguese, I get so proud that sometimes I almost cry.  When I miss my family, I miss them unimaginably.  Its a roller coaster, but I'm loving the ride.