Comments on: Knee Deep

By: Paula

Paula — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:32:42 +0000

We have an extended Brazilian family now. Way back when Luiz was here, his sisters and a friend came for a visit (a week or two?), and I remained pen pals with the friend, who was studying English. Many years later, Luiz, his wife and parents came to the US for a vacation and spent several days with us. Again, Luiz was the sale translator, but we all managed to communicate with a few common words and lots of hand gestures. The funniest thing? My brother was a bar tender at Chi-chi's back then, and when we pulled up to the parking lot, the Brazilians all burst into laughter and whipped out cameras. (As Luiz politely explained, "In Brazil, that's slang for….what you do on the toilet.")

I stay in touch with both Luiz and the former pen (now e-mail) pal, Luciana. And every so often we'll hear from one (or the other) of his sisters. Luiz is in Salvador. One of his sisters moved way north – I can't recall the name of the area, but the photos are all very beautiful and scenic – no beaches, though. Luciana was from Recife, but moved to Tokyo a long time ago where she still lives. When my sister and brother-in-law were in Japan a couple of years back, they met up with Luciana who helped them navigate the Tokyo subway system. They – a Brazilian ex-pat, an American and a Canadian – even spent New Year's Day at the Emperor's palace where he gave a ceremonial speech.

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 21:39:03 +0000

Anne, you're right. He wasn't upset in the least. I will pass along your namaste. :)

Wendy, the snow here is really high (and now really heavy to move). But it's outta my way for now! Until tomorrow, anyway...

I'm strong to the finish, Gabriella. LOL

Great story, Paula! We have someone here moving to Brazil, and the snow is no small part of the reason. Do you hear from Luiz? Where in Brazil?

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 20:42:06 +0000

I love the story of the monk who didn't know he wasn't in Philly… tell him namaste from me will you? Bet he wasn't even upset… meditation is wonderful… snow, maybe not so much.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 20:31:42 +0000

Shoveling is a great way to build some muscles. The problem comes when the snowbanks start to get too high, you start using more back muscles and less arm muscles. My back is still feeling the effects of the last snow we had here.

I feel for you having to shovel. I'm still glad that it's not me this time, though. Yea!

By: Gabriella F.

Gabriella F. — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 18:43:32 +0000

Glad you're lookin' on the bright side, Popeye!

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 17:17:52 +0000

I don't mind shoveling as long as it's not too cold. I, too, try to shovel mid-way through big storms. I have to admit when I saw the east cost was getting another major snow I felt jealous. We've had lots of piddly little snow systems, but no huge storms.

Your story reminded me of when I was little. We had a foreign exchange student due to arrive in Chicago, from Brazil, on December 23. There was a mega snowstorm, so Mom & Dad packed us all in the car early. We got to O'Hare to discover A) no other host families had arrived; B) no officials from the exchange program had arrived; and C) only one Brazilian student was fluent in English. (Thankfully, he turned out to be our student, Luiz.)

Luiz interpreted the situation for th other students (most were excited about the snow; few had proper coats or boots) and was able to get the other students' family information, and my mom and dad found some pay phones and started calling around. I believe my mom chewed out the exchange program organizers for not allowing for extra driving time because of the storm.

On Christmas Eve Luiz got a big parka, "waffle stomper" boots, and a crash course in snow removal 101. He loved it.

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 17:12:59 +0000

Success! I got the driveway AND the front walk done. Amen. Now I can concentrate on work. I think I remember that. 🙂

By: Eileen

Eileen — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:37:48 +0000

I actually enjoy getting outside and shovelling snow. But today, I don't have time. I'm hoping my big strapping 20 year old son will get inspired and go do it.

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:17:45 +0000

Gabriella, it's a ton of work, but my arms are looking incredible! I don't have to lift weights on days I shovel. I'm doing ten-to-twenty times the weight lifting on those days!

I'm scouring the ads for plowing services. It would take nothing for them to push this out of the way in five minutes. For me, it's an hour or more.

By: Gabriella F.

Gabriella F. — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:52:16 +0000

The photos are lovely--but the shoveling isn't! Take your time, and don't overtax yourself. Perhaps it's time to invest in a snow blower or shoveling service?!

On that note, my neighbors and I in our six-unit condo building finally hired a shoveling service to remove snow in front of our garages for $35 an episode any time there's more than 1" of snow.

We're all marveling at how wonderful it is not to have to worry about getting our cars safely in and out of the driveway!

Be careful out there!