Colorful Walk Downtown

Downtown Lisbon is still decorated with colorful garlands from its annual PARTAY on June 13th, St. Anthony's day. My friend Sofia and I went for a walk and bought supplies for our new hobby of embroidering. It's awesome to have a street just for "retrosarias", shops with everything you need for embroidery and sewing, in your downtown area. 

Gifts galore

I got a birthday card in the mail yesterday. Thank you Ginny and Harrison family! 

I am SO lucky to regularly get little surprises in the mail. I leave the card out in my living room and it brightens up the whole week. 

No really, YOU are a blessing and a joy! 

I have also been admiring my kitchen window full of... orchids! My boyfriend's mom gave me a second orchid for my birthday, this one is purple. She has been introduced to orchid number one and they are getting along just fine. Orchid number one must take steroids at night while I'm not looking because not only does she bud and bloom non-stop, but she sometimes tips over because she can't support her own weight! Crazy orchids. Aren't they beautiful?

Finally, my incredibly nice landlady has been offering me plums this week from her tree. I love plums. They're such great summer fruit. I especially love plums that are from people's trees and even more if they're gifts. 

Happy Birthday America

A few reasons I'm proud to be an American today...

• I had the happiest, most fulfilling childhood and adolescence there, full of sleepovers, trick-or-treating and rollerblading with neighbors.
• I am the way I am largely due to the place I grew up in... I don't think I would've developed my individuality and personality as well if I'd grown up in Portugal (sorry Portugal...). 
• Americans are super creative. Luckily, I can understand American movies, music and culture really well.
• Luckily, I am also creative and that's largely due to the weekly piano lessons, extracurricular activities and value placed on creativity while growing up.  
• Americans are really good at sports. And sports are valued as good for your health, good for friendship and good for learning about life. Luckily, I'm also athletic and appreciate sports (also due to playing sports while growing up). 
• We have the best constitution ever, and the shortest and simplest too.
• It's a place where people really do stand up for what they believe in, start revolutions and change mentalities. 
• Greeting cards. Homemade cookies. Gratitude. Welcomes. Customer Service. General friendliness. 
• Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness: I think people really work toward protecting life, really understand what freedom entails and really do try to pursue happiness. And for the most part they understand the role of the government... it's there to protect you, it's not responsible for your happiness. 
• "I woke up in America for the love of God. I woke up in America for something bigger than myself..." (from "I Woke Up In America" by Matt Maher, see below)

Boat trip

Last Sunday my boyfriend Daniel and I went on a boat trip to Arrabida with his friends. And I must say... WOW. It was beautiful and it was really fun. It reminded me of the Azores. Except not as beautiful of course. ;) And the water was a lot colder...! 

Born in the USA Birthday Picnic

Last Saturday I had a wonderful birthday and I felt super loved. I am so thankful for all the people, near and far, who I am privileged to share life with. 

The decorations for the party didn't go as planned. I had lots of plans that didn't go through and the wind ruined my plans for a fringe garland. Everyone was really nice and said it looked good anyway...

Everyone brought something to share, like this delicious quiche for example...

I made veggie burgers... 

And flag cupcakes!

Everyone sang happy birthday to me... including myself... in Portuguese and in English. Happy birthday to me...

The wind didn't let us light the candles but I pretended to blow them out anyway... 

Even though I said no presents, everyone brought one anyway. My friend Sofia was SOOO thoughtful and spent the whole week EMBROIDERING for me. I was touched. 

My friend Helena got sweets made with the American and Portuguese flags...

I really loved just hanging out and talking to really special people...

The day ended with a special mass where a couple that helps me and my boyfriend professed their final vows as missionaries for the Verbum Dei congregation. It was like a second wedding...!