Strange Day

Today was.....well.....odd. Why? For several reasons.
-DREAMS: Every night since I have arrived in Brasil I have had the most vivid dreams - from missing a flight to Russia, to my exboyfriend calling me and telling me about his new wife, to two former high school "frenemies" becoming good friends. Last night I had another incredibly realistic dream that had me waking up some what out of sorts, it involved serial killers and home improvements. I blame the dreams on the incredibly hard mattress that is status quo in Brasil.
-WORK: I got to work a little late today - as I was walking I ran into two students. They just got out of school and were headed home before going to Gotas de Flor com Amor. It was great to run into them but them didn´t seem to realize that English and Spanish are not the same lanuage - they asked me to teach them Spanish. Once I got to work I was excited to learn that we started computerizing our very basic bibliographic records (in essence author, title, and date). Meetings are often held in the library and today Umparo - 2nd in command - hosted some college students that were interviewing her about Gotas (just yesterday reporters were filming the library). When she saw me she said she wanted to talk later. When Rose heard that (the librarian) she leaned over and whispered that I was going to get invited to something on Friday and I had to refuse and say I was working in the library because Rose hadn´t gotten invited. I did get invited and I did refuse. I mean - I really want to go to the "mini-fazenda" but Rose has been great to me and next time I will just pretend I didn´t understand.
-BANK: I left Gotas early, and the apparently world over work drama, to go to the bank and get some money. Now - this took some courage. Brasilians have this AMAZING ability to tell the scariest most fear inducing stories prior to an action. My aunt has reportedbly told me how dangerous it is to get money from an ATM each time we drive by a bank. Addtionally, on Sunday, at my uncle´s very fancy luncheon, my aunt related my desire to go to the bank and my daily walks. This brought up the story of my cousin Rodrigo and his wife Carol. Two weeks ago they were held up. This included a revolver being held to Carol´s head, their watches, credit cards, and cellular being stolen. Even scarier, they were held by one thief while the other went to the bank and accessed their account. They were eventually released - with more emotional trauma then physical (thank God). This happened on Republique do Iraque, a street I walk on everyday. They tell me this for what reason I don´t know. Now - before my beloved ones worry, Rodrigo´s watch is worth more then my credit card, cellular, digital camera, sneakers, and backpack put together. My cousin Flavia seconded my thoughts by verbally confirming that I am not a target like her brother. I´m happy to relate that each ATM was occupied when I went to the bank and no one was held up while I was there.
-SIDEWALK: As I walked home from the bank I saw a little boy - 4 or 5 - with his mother. What made this strange? He was peeing in a bush with his underwear down by his ankles on a VERY busy street (Jose Diniz). Even odder? No one seemed to notice. My initial thought was I wish I had a camera to take a picture of this but then I realized if I posted that type of picture I would probably be arrested for child pornography. Trust me when I say it was flagarant and obvious - there was no attempt to move behind the bushes or by the mother to camoflague her son.
- EX: Almost two months after I broke up with my boyfriend and I still have days where I suffer a lot. Today was one of those days. I want him to be happy and find love and I want him to never get over me and get down on one knee and propose. I´m excited to meet someone Catholic and interested in travel and yet I feel like I never want to hold someone else´s hand. Strange day indeed.