Natal está chegando!!!

Today I took a picture with Santa Claus (Papai Noel), informing him that I wouldn't be spending Christmas in snowy, upstate New York and instead would be on a beach in Brazil.  Now he knows where to bring my presents, wouldn't wanna confuse the old man about something as important as this.

It is hard for me to believe that Natal is actually just around the corner because usually the signs that Christmas are coming include the first snow storm, hot chocolate, repetitive and premature Christmas carols, cold noses, and a cozy fire lit in the wood stove.  Here the signs seem to be the weather getting warmer, the fruit getting sweeter, and the school year coming to an end.  This flip-flopped weather and change in customs is definitely messing with my Christmas countdown habits.  And while I will miss my white Christmas dearly, it couldn't hurt to spend one Christmas on the beach.