What's a holiday without a trip to the ER?

Overall, this past week seemed very strange to me...

First off, Sheralynn and I celebrated Thanksgiving a day early in Brasilia with Betty and Otis. We took the bus into the city and then went with Otis for some fun in the sun by the pool while Betty stayed back to prepare the meal. This whole idea of going to the pool on Thanksgiving was in and of itself very strange. While I very much enjoy relaxing by the pool, watching little lizards run around, and being able to pick fresh mangoes off the ground if we so pleased, it just didn't feel the same without the unpredictable northern Indiana weather that I've grown so accustomed to. I may dare say that a little part of me missed it... but not too much. After the pool, we went back to the apartment for a fantastic meal and a very relaxing afternoon.

Then, on actual Thanksgiving day, things went by just like any other regular Thursday. I was up by 8:00, teaching an English class at the church by 9:00, and then back at night to teach a Spanish class at 7:00. It was very likely the least involved Thanksgiving day that I've ever experienced.

The next day, Black Friday in the US, was equally as uninvolved (which I didn't mind one bit). I am very happy to say that I wasn't forced awake at 5:00 am to join in on any type of consumer frenzy. I can also happily say that, to the best of my knowledge at least, no store workers were trampled to death under the stampeding feet of crazed shoppers here in Brazil this past friday. It just felt really wierd to be detached from all the going ons in the States over the holiday weekend but to still hear about it from lots of friends and news articles.

Overall, the holiday weekend was very relaxed and enjoying for me here in Brazil. I've got nothing to complain about. This current week has gotten off to a pretty normal start. The end of the school year is nearing for many of my younger students here. Sheralynn and I will continue to give classes for a full week after summer vacation is in full swing, so it should prove interesting to see how that affects our attendance rates. After that will come Christmas (something that I've already experienced once here in Brasil but don't recall much of), possibly a trip with Betty and Otis, and then it'll be time to say goodbye to my good friends here in Gama.

Well, I think that pretty much wraps up any updates from the (American) holidays here in Gama. But oh wait, did I mention the part about the ER yet? This is probably pretty important...

So when Sheralynn and I were coming home by bus from Brasilia there was a little accident. The bus pulled up to our stop and we started making our way back to the exit. I got out first and started walking, but apparently the bus starting taking off before Sheralynn was completely off the bus. For the sake of time, we'll make a long story short. Sheralynn tripped on her way off the bus and hurt her ankle. She toughed it out for the walk home, but was greeted back at home by a very typically overprotective host mom who took her to the ER to get everything checked out. As I'm typing this, Sheralynn is probably at home with her whopper of a foot and lower leg cast elevated in some way or another or walking around with her crutches. She was told to stay at home, preferably in bed, and since the accident I have only seen her at her house or at church. The cast will hopefully be able to be taken off next week and she will be able to return to teaching with me. So, for the last couple of classes I have been acting as the lone teacher, but everything has been going smoothly. With all of this being said, I'm sure that Sheralynn and I both would appreciate your prayers for a speedy recovery on her part