Brasileiras

[Erik 0]

To all the ladies from Brasil that have recently arrived in the US, I was just wondering how the adjustment was coming along?

I'm trying to think of as many things as possible to do before Ananda arrives to make her as comfortable as possible, I know it will be a huge change for her. Any suggestions or anything that helped you a little with the adjustment? (or beginning of the adjustment).

[Ladylethal 12]

The tough part is having to stay home, no knowing anybody, not being able to drive, work, have friends, and just have the independence we're so used to. You should be there for her, try to take her to places, get her to know the surroundings, find her a course or a gym or something she can do to keep busy, and be supportive and not be upset when she starts feeling sad or homesick.

[Erik 0]

Thanks Luis

I will certainly never be upset when she gets depressed, or homesick. I completely understand what she is giving up (I can't say I understand what she is feeling, because I've never been in the situation). I am an extremely patient person, and have already told her not to fear, we will get through her adjustment day by day together.

She has never driven (well not a car), so I guess I'm the lucky one that gets to show her how (oh lordy, my poor clutch). She does want to work, but understands that could be awhile.

I've already got the Gym thing lined up for her, and shortly after she's here I'm going to get her into English Classes. She's almost as much of a music lover as I am, so concerts will be a great thing for us to go do. There are so many bands she's always dreamt of seeing live, but never was able to. I did surprise her recently by telling her I got tickets to see her favorite band of all time (Guns 'n' Roses) at the end of November.

I've already scoped out all the Brasilian restaurants in the area, and also found a little Brasilian store were you can buy authentic Brasilian ingredients. There is also Brasilian Cultural Center here that I'm hoping we can get involved in.

So, I've been trying to think of as much as possible... but figured someone actually going through it, would know much better than I. Even if it's something small... just anything to make her a little more comfortable (for example, she listens to music just about 24x7, so I bought her an iPod Nano, and loaded all her favorite bands albums on it for her, so she can use it to work out, or when she goes for walks, or whenever). Little things like that I guess...

[Ladylethal 12]

The advice was given by me, Laura, not Luis, as he wouldn't know how to help since he's the USC. You seem to be going the right way, and I am sure she'll appreciate all that you're doing for her. It seems like a great start. Hopefully she'll make friends and be busy enough to not feel down too much.

[Erik 0]

The advice was given by me, Laura, not Luis, as he wouldn't know how to help since he's the USC. You seem to be going the right way, and I am sure she'll appreciate all that you're doing for her. It seems like a great start. Hopefully she'll make friends and be busy enough to not feel down too much.

Oh yeah I figured, I just used the first name of the screen name... sorry about that

[MrMrsKnight 0]

OMG!!!!!! Guns N' Roses is the reason David and I met We absolutely love them!!!!!!

David got me tickets to see them in Ireland and France last June.... we met there after one year apart. It was amazing... she's gonna love seeing them!!!

[Ladylethal 12]

No sweat Eric.

[eclowjpd 0]

Hey Erik,

I PM'd you.

You may also want to check out the forum on this site for moving here and your new life in america.

Bill

[isleta521 5]

Thru the University here and also thru this website from other Brasilians that live here in NM, we found a Brazilian club that meets once a week to just talk at a local restraunt. Val really likes this and its nice to hear her talk to other Brasilians. We are always busy with our 4 kids (my two daughters 16, 14 and her two sons 16,13) who are in soccer, dance, cheerleading and Karate. And Val is also taking English classes. Yet sometimes she does get homesick so that will happen no matter what.

Other than that:

Go out to eat / dancing. Go shopping with her. Take here to a movie / rent a movie. Get her driving / drivers license. And it is really a blessing if your family is involved also.

PS-

When Your Fiance comes you can pm us and have Val email or call her if you wish for firsthand info.

Good luck

Edited November 9, 2006 by isleta521

[Nessa 23]

One idea is instead of keeping living your life as you're used to... you know... go to work, go home, bath, eat, etc., include her, take her out, go to a nice restaurant, to the movies, or spend some time cooking together, just don't leave her alone because she will be in a different country with different people and you'll be the only person she can count on.

[Erik 0]

Hi Eveyone!

Thanks for all the great advice! So, Ananda has been here for 2 days now, and I really do not know how I lived without her for so long. Everything has been incredible. It was a VERY long 2 days to get her here however.

I went to work Friday morninig at 6am, left at 3:30pm. Headed for O'Hare straight after work... my flight to Atlanta was at 9:00pm. O'Hare is about 27 miles from my work place... it took me 3 1/2 hours to get there!!! We were in the middle of a huge lightning & thunder storm... it was nasty (I'm sure Bill & Eulalia know). I got to the airport, and had to walk for what seemed like forever from the parking lot, to the terminal... so now, I am completely drenched... head to toe... fun.

After being there for about an hour, the started canceling flights... great, just what I needed. There was 5 flights from O'hare to Atlanta, 4 of them were canceled... by the grace of god, mine was the only flight that made it out that night... it was delayed for over 2 hours however.

So, I get to Atlanta at 1am, Saturday morning... Ananda is due to arrive at 5:40am. Finally 5:00 rolls around... I look at the flight board, and the flight from Rio de Janeiro is no longer listed... great... what now? Finally after 15 minutes, they rebooted they're system, and Rio was back up there... only now they were an hour behind... so ok... 6:40 it is.

The plane lands (accourding to the board), so I stand at the stairway and wait... and wait... and wait... and wait.... and.. well you get the picture. I stood there for 2 1/2 hours waiting for her to come up the stairs from Customs. I finally called Customs and asked what was going on, he told me that because of the flight delay, 3 International Flights had landed at the same time... so there was over 1,000 people being processed through Immigrations at the same time. He said, Ananda had just finished, and she should be up stairs in a few minutes. Finally, my beautiful fiancee came up those stairs.

Ok, so I had booked us a flight out of Atlanta at 10:00am... figured, hey... 5 hours should be enough of a lay over... well, I was wrong... very wrong. We went to get her back, a HUGE bright pink bag... I think you can guess what happened next... yep, they lost it. So, now it is 9:00am, only 1 hour to catch our flight back home. I told the lady to take my address, and send the bags to the Milwaukee airport when they found them, we didn't have time to wait.

So, we ran to get our tickets, go through security, and get to the Gate. We got there exactly when they were boarding... well... when they were suppose to board. The flight back to Chicago was now delayed, because of the fiasco at O'Hare the night before... so we waited another hour... finally we got on our flight, and headed home. Then, we drive the hour home from O'Hare. I had not slept the whole time... I was dead.

We drove up to Milwaukee last night at picked up her bags... so all is good now. She's already connected with a good friend of mine, and my friend is going to try to learn Portuguese, so she can understand Ananda. But, they went on just fine for 5 hours last night. They are going shopping next weekend, and were going there for Turkey Day, and X-mas.

My family is heavily involved with Ananda. My mother is already spoiling her to death. Box, after box of "surprises" and presents have been showing up at our door. Mostly from my mother and grandmother... and accourding to them, there is already many more on they're way. This morning, we were woken up to a door bell... my mother sent Ananda a huge vase with a dozen red roses, and a whole bunch of red, white and blue balloons... with a card that said, "Welcome home, we all love you very much".... I had no idea my mother was doing any of this. She also made a huge scrap book, all of pictures of me and my family throughout my life, and sent it here for Ananda. Ananda hasn't stopped smiling and singing since she's been here, so I am extremely happy she feels so comfortable.

I took the day off today, and made her Eggs, Bacon, and Toast for breakfast.. then made her some home made Chili, and Chocolate Chip Cookies this afternoon She's on the couch listening to her new iPod, singing away.... god I love this woman.

Next week we start the English learning, and she wants to start at a Gym.

Her interview was extremely easy she said. They only asked her a hand full of questions, the same ones as normal. They looked at a few pictures, and that was it. She was in and out of the Consulate pretty quickly. Thanks to everyone here, it went as smoothly as it possibly could have.

Ok, sorry for the long post, I'm a boy in love, couldn't help it.

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

awww after reading that i feel like the low man on the totem pole

[alix 20]

Hi Erik,

So good to hear about her arrival and that everything went ok, despite all the minor problems! And I'm glad that her first couple of days have been good and spoiled!! Hahahahahahahahahaha...

There's one thing I love about americans is their ability to make you feel welcome!! My husband's family has been great with me as well. His best girl friend has become a great friend of mine, we love hanging out together (without him!). I only have good things to say about every single person I met thru him, everyone has been so open and friendly and helpful. I've been truly blessed!

I just have one question...how long after the interview did she get the passport with her visa? Ohhh...and when is the wedding???

All the best for you guys!

Alix

[MrMrsKnight 0]

There's one thing I love about americans is their ability to make you feel welcome!! My husband's family has been great with me as well. His best girl friend has become a great friend of mine, we love hanging out together (without him!). I only have good things to say about every single person I met thru him, everyone has been so open and friendly and helpful. I've been truly blessed!

I just have one question...how long after the interview did she get the passport with her visa? Ohhh...and when is the wedding???

Isn't that true? I feel so welcome in their lives as well. His family spoils me to death, and his friends love me so much! They all ask about me every single day and even go to his house to see me on the webcam. I'm really really lucky and blessed! :lev:

And yeah, good question... how long did it take for her to get the passport back? Did she pick it up or had it delivered?

[Ladylethal 12]

Erik will rotten his fiancee! Good to hear all is well with you two and that she's home and safe!