So I woke up this morning wondering where I am. No, I wasn’t drunk or hung-over. It’s been seven weeks here now, and I both feel at home and wonder why I did this. I don’t have any regrets, but sometimes I wonder how many loose screws I have, jumping head-first into a Masters in a language I don’t (fully) comprehend!
My bachelor’s degree was hard enough already in a language (English) in which I am fluent. I am finding it increasingly challenging to try to keep up with what’s happening, but at the same time I am trying to slow down a bit, not trying to take everything so dead-seriously. It’s just really hard for me because, given a chance, I will work by seatmeat off. I have a hard time deciding when something is more than tender, so I keep cooking my work until it probably ends up charcoaled. Or until I end up charcoaled.
Anyway, in a few weeks’ time there is a short holiday here, which I look forward to, when my Portuguese class (just foreign people) is planning a trip to either Rio de Janeiro or Vitória. I’ll probably go with them. Apart from that, there aren’t any major holidays until December, when the 2½-month summer break starts. It’s a pity no longer holidays happen right now, since I don’t really have time to travel much with the other foreign people who also really would like to travel around in Brazil.
On another note, I have been ill for the first time in Brazil. So up until now, I haven’t actually had any stomach problems or gotten dengue or such. In these parts of Brazil, it’s pretty chill with the diseases, though, so I don’t even need special vaccines. You do need to get some shots if you travel to some other parts, though, such as in the north and north-eastern parts.
Some of you may remember my blog post on why I am really in Brazil from some weeks ago. Perhaps one or two of you wonder how I’m doing on that part. I can tell you this much: it’s going better than expected, but my social phobia is persistent and ahead of some things I’ve done, I’ve had to take some time to prepare. Also on one or two social occasions, I’ve had a high level of anxiety which is really annoying, since I either withdraw into the background (and stop following what’s happening around me) or need to take a timeout somewhere else. But I know it’s part of my life and I am trying to hide it less, but it’s difficult when I’m so used to covering it up. Anyway, just wanted to let you know I’m making it!
Anyway, until next time! Até mais!
September 13, 2014 at 4:46 pm
You don´t need that many vaccines, I just got Yellow fever, Typhoid and Rabies (because I got it for free 🙂 ) Apart from that everything is fine. Against Dengue there is no vaccine anyhow and apparently the malaria in Brazil is the good malaria, from which you cannot die (at least that is what a Brazilian doctor told me last year). The bad malaria from which you die is only in Africa. So everything should be fine. Just take insect protection spray with you when you travel up north. Although when I went there I had no problems at all. I had everything with me, but I didn´t have to use it.
September 13, 2014 at 5:13 pm
Yeah, UFV told me that too, that there’s not much to worry about. Yellow fever I know about though, but I prefer not to take it unless I have to since I know I react pretty annoyingly on vaccines with virus proteins or immobilises viruses. Malaria here is indeed not the same as in Africa, so I’m not worried about that. I’ll just take some shots when I plan to travel to some other places.