Monday, September 23, 2013

Weekend in Rio...Pão de Açúcar

When we went to Rio we really didn't have lots of planned. We wanted to just relax on the beach and enjoy the vibrant beach life together.  Most the weekend was spent lounging on Ipanema, stuffing my face with açai, quickly putting our feet in the freezing water, and enjoying the views. 

The one thing we decided we would do was head to Pão de Açúcar right before the sun set to get the raved about view of the city and beach. I'm so glad we did this, it was breathtaking and perfect. It started with not having to wait in line at all, I'm talking buy our tickets continue walking right onto a moving vehicle (what are those things called?). It is very well planned, there are two stops with restaurants and bars at each one, lots of overlook points, and tons of benches and tables. 


Once we got to the first level we took a couple pictures. We thought this view was great, little did we know what was in store for us.  Don't you love when that happens...you think things couldn't get better and then they do!

My handsome hubby, how did I get so lucky? 
The Christ Redeemer is in the background
I'm not gonna lie, as we headed up I was a little scared. I couldn't help put think what if the car whatever they're called fell or slipped off the itty bitty cable holding it.  Jess tried to calm my fears  teased me, and we finally made it. 

The views were stunning...while I wasn't too pleased with my pictures, I think the beauty comes across.  Next time I can try for better ones, I'm still teaching myself on my camera. 





After Pão de Açúcar we headed back to our friend's apartment to relax a little (like we hadn't already!) and then went out to dinner at this cute little pizza joint. The food was okay, nothing too great, but we did love the ambiance.

On our walk Jess ran into an old friend of his

Monday, September 9, 2013

Lately...

This school year has been so busy, and it doesn't look like my life is going to slow down anytime soon. But I'm completely fine with that and am enjoying this season of my life.  September 1st was Jess' birthday, we had a little Sunday Funday birthday get together for him. I'm proud to say I made all the food and also didn't eat any of it (Whole 30--two weeks in). I think it turned out really well and had fun doing it for Jess. 


Saturday night before his birthday we went into Sao Paulo to dine at a fancy schmancy restaurant, Kaa. It was good, but I think I'm more of a laid back eating girl. I like my food to take up more than a quarter would on my plate.  Jess was happy and we had a great time with our friends, Cory, Marcos, and Jason.



This past weekend was a long weekend for us. It was Brasil's independence day so we got Friday off. I headed to Campos do Jordao for a girls weekend. It was great to get away and experience a different (colder) part of Brasil. I went there last year, but wanted to go again with some fun ladies.  We spent the whole weekend laughing, eating, and shopping.  Not bad...




When Jess and I were here last year we went to this restaurant three times, of course I had to bring the girls. We loved it and the wonderful family that owns it. 

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

September Goals


Take more photos 
Write a blog post weekly 
Fully flip my math classes 
Plan a fun, quirky date for Jess
See the Christ Redeemer, Sugarloaf, and the Rio stairs 
Make it through the Whole30 challenge (currently at day 8) 
Work out at least four times a week 
Snuggle more
Host a book club at our apartment 
Make a new recipe every week
Last more than 10 minutes during yoga 
Be in the word daily 
Look for the opportunities in the ordinary 
Show Jess how much he means to me more
Pay it forward