Hallooooo,
How's things across the Atlantic? Over here we are slowly getting baked alive by the Indaiatuba sun, to the extent that we've actually used the pool and garden which we spend hours a day maintaining, to cool down. Meanwhile Berry has become increasingly ungovernable, so we've had to spring for a steel mesh to reinforce our long-suffering fence (fingers crossed it works), and I've booked a rather odd side gig writing complimentary blog articles about Paraguay.
At the weekend, we went into São Paulo for Michelle's long-delayed graduation party, which was the first real party any of us had been to in years (my work do doesn't count). I was expecting a civilized affair with speeches and diplomas and throwing hats in the air, but it turns out graduation parties in Brazil are a huge deal and this was more like an all-night rave with finger food.
For a start it was held at the Espaço das Américas, one of the biggest concert halls in town, crammed with thousands of people all dressed to the hilt. Almost as soon as the doors opened a Michael Jackson tribute band came onstage, and it only escalated from there - having availed ourselves of the free buffet and bar, we were treated to a raucous funk set from an MC who's apparently famous with the youth, and all the graduates waltzed with their parents and significant others, which is apparently A Thing as well.
That same night, Gaby's parents were invited to the fancy-dress birthday party of a big soap opera star, which sounded fun although unfortunately there is no record of it because phones were confiscated upon entry. We met up on Sunday to compare notes, then headed home to catch up on sleep.
And that just about brings us up to date. I've made another playlist should you be so inclined (RIP Mr. Loaf), and my phrase of the day translates as "mare's wee", and is used to deride particularly weak beer. I've never had cause to use it to be honest, but thought I'd leave it here for posterity.
Hope all well, and speak soon!
There By The Grace of Frod
