things i take for granted

here are just some random thoughts about realizations i´ve had about things that i take for granted, both here and in the u.s. (note that they´re different sometimes and the same sometimes):

in the u.s.
-having people around me (or close to me at least) that have known me since i was born and that i´m still close to
-speaking/writing/reading/understanding english (and all that goes with that, which is a lot)
-knowledge of my surroundings and how to get around
-a car (and so mobility independence)
-my family
-my boyfriend
-my friends
-financial support
-my culture
-my routine and habits (ie working out, buying my favorite foods, etc)
-credit cards and debit cards that work everywhere
-blending in
-familiarity with temperature and distance
-my music
-personal accessibility

in brazil
-my uniqueness
-the newness of everything and the adventure that comes with it
-financial support
-the beach!
-the pace of the culture (everything and everyone is super relaxed)
-my opportunities to learn
-the power of words (i think i lost this appreciation doing an engineering degree for 4 years, ha ha)
-the love i feel from everyone back home that seems to mean so much more because it comes from so far away
-my music
-discovering new food, music, dances, ideas, etc
-meeting new people
-the amazingness of the people that have helped me so so so much here
-the internet (its how i keep in touch with a lot of people and things going on in the world)
-skype!!!

there´s more, i´m sure, for each list, but i think these give you a good idea of what´s up. i feel that i´ve learned so much more about myself, about the culture here, and even more about my own culture since i´ve been here. as sean once described in his blog, too, i´ve learned more about other people, not just becasue i´ve met such a variety here, but about people at home...actions in the face of adversity (in this case location and communication) can tell you a lot about a person and your relationship with them...i´d have to say that i´ve only seen positivity in this area :D i´m also glad that i didn´t line up a real job for myself to start after this experience ends, becasue i´m just now starting to realize what i want to do (i´m not for sure yet, but i finally have a direction) as a result of lots of factors here...i very easily could´ve made myself miserable in a job i didn´t like, and i´m glad i didn´t rush. i´ve learned to relax a little more and to not be afraid of my thoughts, my words, and my emotions when i´m alone (which isn´t often yet always here), and being comfortable with yourself is one of the most important things to being happy, i think.

you don´t have to think you´re perfect, but you have to accept things.

wow, i just rambled a lot. if you made it this far, i hope this made sense :)