Calm down calm down

Ok so since it's been about 10 days that I've been here I'm going to do a bunch of bullet points not necessarily in order of how everything has happened:
- My host mom, Zenaide, is adorable. She doesn't speak much English and Rachel and I don't speak much Portuguese so it can be hard sometimes but so far we're having a lot of fun and every time we don't understand each other she starts laughing really hard and says, "calm down, calm down". So cute. She's also a ridiculously good cook so that's been really nice. Also her dog, Preta is equally as cute as she is.
- My classes all seem like they're going to be really interesting. Tourism and environment we went on a tour of the different carnaval floats and they explained what the theme of each samba school's float was. The class should be pretty amazing- we get to go on a lot of field trips which always makes it easier to learn, and more fun.
- Beginners Portuguese will definitely be my most valuable class here. I definitely have a long way to go with the language but my teachers seem really cool and eager to help. I have two different teachers for that class because I have it twice a week.
- Cultural anthropology class I'm going to love. Our teacher seems really cool. We're basically supposed to keep a journal of our experience here and use it as field work to present at the end of class. We wants to take us on a bunch of field trips as well, teachers here definitely know how to keep their students engaged.
- The last class I'm taking is ethnicity and culture. Once again, lots of field trips and I think I'll really enjoy the class. The only bad thing is that it's every other week, one day, for 6 hours. But at least it seems really interesting, right?
- No flushing toilet paper in Brazil- interesting adjustment.
- Rachel and I got a samba dancing lesson from our host mom and some of her friends- looking forward to more of those.
- So many stray dogs here, and much like the men in Brazil as soon as you give them any attention they won't leave you alone.
- Everyone has been so nice and willing to help, although they could be saying something terrible about me and I really wouldn't know the difference.
- Overall the experience so far has been perfect. I'll update more later.

My host families house:

Joaquina Beach- 10 minute walk from our house:

Preta!