It’s amazing to think, in 26 days I board the plane!  Even though I cannot wait for the end of the school year, May 31^st, the time will fly by!  There are so many things to do prior to my journey!  Things just keep swirling around my head…make one list and then realize many more items that need to be done.  This week has been productive though, which is lessening the anxiety.  Blue Diamond graciously donated almonds to take as gifts, and West Sacramento City Hall gave large pencils with the bridge logo and individual packets of sunscreen since we live in sunny California.  Truly amazing to receive the donations!  My students are frantically making friendship bracelets to be given to the Brazilian students I will encounter!  Thank you students for all of your efforts!  Still trying to figure out how I can bring everything I need for one month, including gifts and any teaching materials in one 50 pound suitcase!  Ugh! The travel immunizations are almost done.  Since I have never had a flu shot, being vaccinated for Yellow Fever and Typhoid were a bit creepy to say the least! 

My host teacher, Isabel, has been most helpful.  I will be in her city Taguatinga for 12 days and at her school, Centro Interescolar de Lingual de Taguatinga.   Taguatinga is outside of Brasilia (capital of Brazil).  The school is a public language school which teaches English, Spanish, French and Japanese.  I have begun creating a presentation on the California education system, and still need to work on 4 other presentations (that I’m aware of currently): reading strategies; information regarding California and our culture, tips for students on being successful while at university, and sports in the United States.  I guess for the sports I will need to mention the San Francisco Giants, Western States 100 run, and of course football.