Olympic Torch passes through Chester!

Yesterday the torch came through Chester, as I have lots of spare time on my hands at the moment, I volunteered to help marshal the event. 

I was stationed by the race course, where there was a huge show, which unfortunately I didn't get to see any off.

However I did mange to get a glimpse of the torch as it went past, but as I was technically supposed to be managing the crowd, my photos weren't that good.

 Here are some borrowed from various websites:

 

Inside the racecourse

 Fortunately I did actually get to hold one! So it was worth standing in the scorching heat in a highly attractive high vis jacket for 5 hours!

 

 There is also a local news video here.

After being placed on the reserve list for the PGCE, I received a letter saying that I been offered a place.
So, as of September I will be a student again! It is nice to have a plan for at least the next year and will hopefully bring me better career prospects long term and all that grown up stuff!

As my summer job hasn't started yet I have a lot of time on my hands. I have made all the birthday cards I need for the rest of the year, made all my Christmas cards and started ideas for Christmas presents. I figure that the PGCE is going to be pretty stressful and I know we have a deadline after Christmas so might as well get on top of things now!

I have also started the couch to 5k running plan (let's see how this goes!) and went for a walk up Helsby Hill at the weekend!

Also, today it is 7 years since I went to Brazil and volunteered with Cross-Cultural Solutions!
I have said many times on my blog about it being a life changing amazing experience and it really was.

I have been extremely fortunate and lucky to have had some fantastic experiences and meet so many wonderful people!

Let's hope my luck and adventures continue........

Shizzle Dizzle!

Since I have been reunited all with all my  crafty materials and have a lot of spare time on my hands, I have set up an Etsy Shop -

While having a mammoth clear out I found lots of old coins from my travels, and buttons so put them to good use.
I 'opened' the shop yesterday and within 5 hours had my first sale of a key chain to New Jersey!!
Have a look - Shizzle Dizzle!

So I had my PGCE Post-Compulsory Education and Training interview at Sheffield Hallam on Friday.

First we had a group talk. There were 5 of us, of very mixed age range and background. There was an older lady in her late 40's, 2 guys straight out of uni and a girl in her mid 20's. First we were told about the course and the placements etc and given a chance to ask questions.

I had my interview first, while the other 4 stayed in the room together to do the numeracy and literacy test. We were told that they would have no bearing on whether we were selected or not but were to identify where/if we needed support in the course.

I had prepared 5 pages of questions I had researched off the internet, that covered pretty much every questions I thought I could be asked. Things like how does your degree relate to the national curriculum (try answering that with a retail and exhibition design degree!), what are current issues in further education. I had swotted up on the Department of Education website, the TES website, memorised all the Education Ministers and all kinds.

The 20 minute interview was actually really easy. It was more about personality and showing them your passion for teaching. They are not there to test you on your knowledge of higher education/legislation etc.

The questions I can remember are:

• what qualities make a good teacher?
• what qualities do you have as a teacher?
• why did you decide to become a teacher?
• why have you decided to do the course now?
• why Sheffield?
• what are your weaknesses?

 They did emphasis that the course is very stressful and one of the questions was to give an example of when you had to be emotionally resilient and what you did to cope with it. They also asked what type of placement you would want. You have to be really specific here as they will need to sell you to a placement, as they need to know what you want.


The numeracy test was supposed to be 15 minutes, was 10 questions and was pretty easy. Questions like 'It is buy one get one free on fish fingers. They are £1.20, you have £5 how many can you get?

The literacy test was a sample of writing from a non native speaker, you had to identify excess words, insert missing words, explain mistakes and the meaning behind the mistakes. Then there were a few questions about the different tenses, stress and phonemes in words.

All in all, it was really not that stressful (especially after some of the interviews I have had coming back to the UK!!)

As I am hoping to specialise in ESOL, if they do accept me I would have to have another interview with the ESOL department as well.

They said they should let me know within 3 weeks. You either get a yes, no or a reserve. A reserve is they want you on the course but can't guarantee you a placement, so are looking for one.

So let's see.......

Journey Home

After 34 hours of travelling I have made it back to the UK!

My flight path was pretty long and hectic with loooong layovers. I flew from Joinville into to Congonhas and my flight out of Brazil was from Guarulhos.   

View Larger Map

As both flights were Tam I could get a free transfer bus from the airport.

TAM operates a free shuttle service between Congonhas (CGH) and Guarulhos (GRU). Details and the schedule can be found here and here. There is also an Airport Bus Service that everyone can use.

TAM shuttle service

When walking out of baggage claim  at CGH you literally walk straight ahead down the ramp, following the signs to the bus/taxi area. The TAM buses are the first you come to when you cross over the road. There isn’t a sign but the buses were red, blue and white GTA ones. I just  asked a TAM pilot who was also waiting for the bus. There is one for the crew and one for passengers. The journey took about 1 hour and 10 minutes bearing in mind it was a Thursday morning, so no rush hour / holiday traffic. It drops you right outside TAM departures where you check in. 

It was all super smooth and easy, I think I wasn’t stressed as I had a 14 hour layover in SP! I was told I couldn't check in my baggage in until about 5 hours before the flight. So  I had 7 hours sitting by the check in desks. I think I asked the wrong person and probably could have done it earlier. Fortunately I had 254 hours of music, 344 books on my kindle and 6 movies to keep me occupied!

I slept for nearly all of my 12 hour flight to London and then had a 7 hour layover in London. It was originally 30 minutes but there is no way I would have made that and have no idea why TAM even put me on that one!

So back in the cold UK trying to figure out next steps!!

This weekend was spent at the beach, drinking beer, sunbathing and cooling off in the sea!

Fabio and I in the sea cooling off!

Happy Birthday Joinville!

On March 9th it is Joinville's 161st Birthday. In true Brazilian style it is a holiday! They need no excuse!

We are going to stay with friends again at Porto Belo Beach and this time round the weather looks like it will be sunny!!

An a completely different note. I won a competition today with I heart Vintage Button Bouquets. I looooove all of her work and she had a competition where you had to end in a colours and a theme. I chose red and cream with a Brazilian Carnival theme - and won! So now she is making me something with this information!

Have a look at her stuff!!

Yesterday was Lila and Nelson's first wedding anniversary party. I was really happy to go as last year I was also in Brazil for their wedding. I also met Fabio at Nelson's birthday party, so the couple have played an important part in my Brazilian life!


There was lots of beer, a band and lots of espetinhos - or kebabs.  I also got to wear my new 50% off shoes as well!

It was a really good party, one of the highlights for me was talking to new people. Despite the fact I have been here for nearly 6 months now, my Portuguese is HORRENDOUS. I understand nearly everything. But my speaking is so bad that I don't practice,I don't practice, so I don't learn - it's a vicious circle. The past couple of weeks have been a little difficult. I miss not being able to properly communicate and express myself fully. I feel like people here only now half a Jocelyn and not the full scintillating Jocelyn I can be because of the language (and cultural sometimes) barrier.

However it is my fault, I am in a foreign country, I should be speaking their language, so as much as I mope and despair it is my own fault!

I have had a couple of unfortunate incidents. One being at Angelonis. I asked for Pão de queijo. (cheese bread)  That little hat/ nasal sound over the a is very important. Unfortunately I haven't got the nasal sound yet and asked for pau de queijo..... d*ck bread. :( I  also still can't hear the difference between coco  (coconut) and  cocô (poo!)

On the plus side I was in Angelonis the other day and this girl was badgering me to get an Angelonis card. I politely told her no and she was going on about all the offers you get etc. I told her no again and she still went on. So I broke out my rubbish Portuguese and told her 'Eu sou Ingleasa, nao morro aqui' (I am English I don't live here) she was super surprised to see a gringa in Angelonies and left me alone!!

So I am going to try and speak more Portuguese.... we'll see how it goes....

News in Brazil

This weekend was carnival in Brazil, as Fabio was working we didn't go away. I feel like I should make the most of carnival and one day go to Rio or Salvador for it but all those sweaty drunk people rubbing up against you and groping you kind of puts me off!

This carnival was spoilt by some riots in Sao Paulo  Most Brazilians I have spoken to are really embarrassed and ashamed by this especially with the world cup happening here next year.

A building collapsed a few weeks ago  giving people even more concern about hosting the world cup here.
The airports are not ready to receive the amount of fans and football stadiums are still not ready.
The Police keep going on strike because of low pay.  (They are paid about £335 per month, so I agree with them striking about pay)

I am a pretty seasoned traveller so if there are problems in the airport etc, I am pretty calm about it, but take hundreds of football fans and a cancelled flight... not sure it will end up so well.

I really want Brazil to do well with the World Cup and the Olympics in 2016. I want them to show the world that they are capable and I think it could really improve the economy and life for people here. Brazil has so much potential and so many under used resources that if it all went well, Brazil could really boom.

On the up side, some people are starting to realise the potential of Brazil as they are starting to change immigration laws. Because of the lack of jobs in Europe and bad state of economy, apparently a lot of workers are coming over to Brazil. Because it is sooooooo difficult to get a work visa in Brazil, people are working illegally. Because of this people coming in on  tourist visa have to have a return ticket and 170 reais (about £63) per day. The average weekly wage of a worker here is about 250 reais (about £93) per week, so 170 a day seems a bit steep!

Brazil does have it's problem but it is an amazing place with a fabulous and vibrant culture, welcoming and friendly people. Despite it's problems, it stole my heart 7 years ago!

The weekend was spent pretty much the same as last weekend. Hanging out with friends, sushi and going to the river. I was so excited to go to the river as it was 40c. So I sat.. in the river.. with a cold beer and ate water melon for about 3 hours!!

 As I said the weather has been realllllly reallllllly reeallllly hot!
I was in the supermarket food court, as it is near my house and has air conditioning. When I was walking over, the sky looked pretty black. Then just as the lesson started, there was an almighty clap of thunder and all the lights and electricity went out. The generator kicked in, but then that went out too.

All the buildings were out including the traffic lights. When I left it was still raining but not as hard but it was complete chaos with the streets flooded.

3 hours later it is still thunder and lightening but the rain has eased off a bit!!

It was totally flooded down town though!!

Most of last weekend was spent eating!

On Friday we went to Fiji which is a sushi place. They had a buffet for about £10 with all you can eat sushi, pasta, fried shrimp and 10 slices of sashimi. It was really good and I never thought I could get full from sushi but I made sure I got my 30 reais worth!

Saturday, we went to a friend's house to hang out. It was their neighbour's birthday and they were having a huuuge churrascaria (BBQ) and presented us with a massive plate of meat.

 Still happy to be vegetarian!!

On Sunday I went to a friend's parent's house and we ate povo (octopus), with rice, accompanied by lots of beer.

Then we headed to Piraí River. Last time I had been here it wasn't summer. This time is was really busy. If I being a slight snob, with equivalent of Brazilian chavs playing loud electronic music!

Saturday was really hot, so we decided to spend the afternoon in Pirabeiraba, on the River Fleith. Just as we were leaving Joinville it started to rain and thunder.

Pirabeiraba is about 30 minutes from Joinville so we hoped it wasn't raining there.

 Unfortunately it did start to rain after about half an hour but by that time we were wet from being in the river already.

Then some people left who were using one of the shelters, so we hung out under that.

FINALLY, I have my e-ticket sitting in my inbox!

Talk about a Palava though! I spoke to a TAM representative from the US on Saturday. He said I need to call back on Monday to speak to the special department.

I called back on Monday and put in the request to change my ticket and was told to wait 48 hours.

On Wednesday I got an email saying to call the International Reservation Centre. They didn't actually give me the number to call and Google couldn't find it for me either. So I called a Brazilian number using the house phone. The Brazilian Guy I spoke to said it was impossible for me to change my ticket and I had to go to the airport to change it. When I asked could I go to Joinville airport, as it was a smaller aiport. He replied 'yes you have to go to the airport. I cannot change your ticket because it was purchased in the UK. You cannot change your ticket'

I ended up calling the UK call centre  on skype and spoke to a rep there who told me the details of my new ticket and took my credit card details to pay for the change fee. Again the line was really bad but Lu was really helpful, changed my ticket and charged my card!! Silly Brazilian man knew nothing. Wonderful Lu said that I would get an email in 24 hours with my new ticket. If I didn't to call back again.

24 and half hours later, I got another email saying the credit number was wrong. I called the UK line AGAIN from Skype and explained it another Rep. He accused me of giving them the wrong number to which I replied ' No I didn't but the line was very bad so she could have misheard me.' After 10 minutes of being on hold and him taking my details again. He said it should be processed and I should get an email in about 10 minutes with my new flight.

Lo and behold 10 minutes later I FINALLY had my new ticket in my hand!!!

I will be back in the UK on March 30th!!

Extending a Tourist Visa in Brazil 2

So we trundled back to the Federal Police with all my photocopies of my bank balance, my entry card, my credit card and all the forms and payments.
The guy asked Fabio a few questions.
Why was I staying longer - to be with him *sigh*
How long did I want to stay? 82 days.
Why 82 days? Because I had a wedding to go to.

He  took the Requerimento de Prorrogacao de Prazo DPF - 270 and the payment form, disappeared for about 10 minutes then came back stamped my form and passport and that was it!! Didn't want to see my bank balance, ticket or anything!

Turns out that was the easy part!

I now have to change my flight. Called Cheaptickets and was on hold for about 10 minutes, then skupe cut off just as I finally got to talk to someone.
Called again, on hold for 13 minutes, got to talk to someone, skype cut off!!!
Called again, on hold for 23 minutes, finally got to talk to someone at cheaptickets, who transfered me over to TAM who put me on hold AGAIN!!! Well at least it didnt cut out this time!

After 50 minutes on the phone they found out they had to work out the cost of the difference in my tickets manually because I had changed my flight. Everyone kept saying this to me but I hadn't!! Turns out the 'involuntary' changes the airline had done 4 times, made it impossible to work out the difference. A request has been sent, for it all to be done manually and I will find out in 48 hours what the cost is..... The good thing is that there is space on all the flights.... or there is now.. who knows in 48 hours!

I guess I will just have to sit and wait with my credit card in hand....

But looks like I will be in Brazil until the end of March! :D

Extending a Toursit Visa in Brazil

I had found out that the school I was working at in the UK was having problems with student numbers (for a change!) and also that I was unable to move back to where I had been living in Leeds. I took this as a sign that I was meant to stay in Brazil for longer!I wanted to extend my Tourist visa until April, when I have to be in the UK for a hen party I am organising and also a wedding in which I am a bridesmaid!

The process seems to be pretty easy. This website was extremely helpful.  So I printed off all the appropriate forms, photocopied a few things and printed off a bank statement. Fabio had decided it was better to say that we were just friends and I wanted to extend my stay to see more tourist things.

After taking a few buses, walking in the afternoon sun we finally got to Joinville Federal Police. We  said that I wanted to extend my visa and the guy (I am not sure if he was an officer as he was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and didn't look very professional!) looked through my passport. He mentioned I had had Brazil a lot by looking at all the stamps. Fabio responded it was because we were 'namorar' or dating. So much for not saying we were together!! He seemed pretty satisfied with that. But told us to come back next week. They would renew the visa from that day and seeing as I still had time left on my current visa it made sense to do it later to make the most of it. He gave us the 'Requerimento de Prorrogacao de Prazo DPF - 270' to fill out.

'Requerimento de Prorrogacao de Prazo DPF - 270'

Requerimento de Prorrogacao de Prazo

If you look at Official Use part it has tickboxes for:

• Means of subsistence
• Plane ticket
• DARF - the Guia de Recolhimento da União
• SINPI- I am not sure what this means, I think it maybe something to do with getting your finger prints or 'biological data'?
• Financial capacity - how you will support yourself while in Brasil
• Work Contract - to show you have a job back in the UK
• Proposal by the lecturer - I think this is my reason for staying?

So anyone looking to extend their tourist visa, it is probably a good idea to have evidence of these.

We then headed to a Banco Do Brasil to to pay the 67 reais with a  Guia de Recolhimento da União, so we have everything ready and will head back on Monday to complete it.

Fingers crossed it shouldn't be a problem..... More updates on Monday!

A very WET New Year

Thursday
We went to stay at a friend's small 2 bedroom apartment for New Year. There was Claudia, her boyfriend and dog who own the apartment. Her mum, Dad, Brother, brother's girlfriend, brother's girlfriend's son, 2 of Claudia's friend's and me and Fabio!! So there were various mattresses all over the place and various games of musical mattresses! We got a couple of buses and arrived about 4pm. Claudia was working so we headed to the beach for a bit.
When we got back Cluadia was home and it started to rain, and rain and rain....

Friday
It was still raining, so we spent the day mooching around the apartment, eating, sleeping and drinking. One of Claudia's jobs is at the club Bali Hai  and she had managed to get us free tickets that should have cost about £30!

The club was pretty amazing and after climbing up about 4 flights of very precarious wooden steps we reached the top of the cliff that the club was set in. It was a huge open air club with a main arena in the middle with streteched canvas covering the dance area, various other rooms set inside the cliffs and lots of wooden terraces and palm trees.

Brazil has the most stupid and annoying way of using tickets for everything. You literally had to line up to buy a ticket for a drink, then go to the bar to redeem your token. But you had to make sure you went to the right bar that served your drink, that was normally on the other side of the club!
We danced lots and walked home and got in about 7am!

Saturday
It was still raining and we were all really tired from the night out, so again lots of sleeping, drinking and eating again.

 We were all awake and drinking champagne at midnight though. Unfortunately because of the rain we didn't go to the beach.

Sunday
It was STILL raining, so again, more drinking, eating and sleeping. We also played a lot of Pictureka
which really tested my Portuguese! There were cards with pictures on and you had  to name something or describe the picture. It got a little heated but was lots of fun. My arguing skills  in Portuguese are getting better!
In the evening it had stopped raining and we headed to Itapema for a look around the shops and something to eat.

We went to this amazing restaurant called Indaiá Restaurante
It was way up in the hills and had a great view of the bay.


Monday
On our final day, it stopped raining!!! So we spent the day at the beach!

Our bus back to Joinville was supposed to leave at 7. About 7.30 it turned up. The traffic was HORRENDOUS. It took us about 4 and half hours to get home, when it normally takes just under 2 hours.

All in all despite the wet miserable weather, it was a really fun new year!

Christmas in Brazil

In Brazil Christmas is celebrated on the 24th.. well midnight on the 24th.
On the evening of the 24th families tend to have a big meal and then will exchange gifts at midnight. There are fireworks, lots of drinking and the 25th is spent pretty much hungover!

We are each going to cook something for the meal. I wanted to make something traditionally English. I was going to make mince pies but they don't have mincemeat here and I was too lazy to make my own. Then I thought of trifle, but they don't have custard here. Or fresh cream. Or whole milk - only the UHT stuff. So I thought I would make fairy cakes and decorate festively.  However they only seem to sell teeny weeny cake cases for truffles in the super market.

Seriously Brazil!!! Why are you trying to stop me from baking?!

So I opted for a Victoria sponge cake in a ring tin as that was the only cake tin in the house, with butter icing and some festive decoration.

The cake slightly fell apart because of the ring, and then was undercooked, so I had to put it back in the oven. Then the butter icing completely melted and it was pretty much a disaster!

 We spent the Christmas Eve afternoon at a a friend's house by the pool.

 We then headed home to finish cooking dinner and to put the presents around the tree!

 For dinner we had salmon, Turkey, potato salad, tabbouleh and tuna salad.

 After dinner we opened presents. We didn't wait until midnight as Fabio's brother had to drive back to Floripa.

Neuci - Fabio's mum

Fabio with his stocking!

I bought Fabio some gliders but it seemed his Dad was more excited about them!

 Opening a present from Katy and Seb.
It was a union jack bag!

 Fabio was very excited over his water pistol, unfortunately us and the dogs who he kept using it on weren't!

 Charms Fabio bought me!

Feliz Natal!!!

Pool Day!

Wednesday, we spent the day at a friend's apartment, at the pool!

In 39c heat, drinking champagne and eating pastels.

It was such a nice, relaxing lazy day and  I could definitely get used to it!

Fabio, Me, Tiago - my 'brother from another mother', Tiago's Mum

Joinville Weather

Joinville weather is schizophrenic.

The other day is rained really heavily for about 3 hours. As a result downtown was flooded.

 

 Then again yesterday there was more rain and hailstones!!

 

 There was also an amazing lightening storm.



And the weather today... glorious sunshine and 30°C!!! for now anyway!


Well, they do say that Joinville is the 2nd rainiest place in Brazil!!