Ok so I've been holding this blog in for a little while and mainly keeping it to private messages to my close girlfriends. This is because 1- it's 100% girltalk and I know my audience is not 100% girls (almost) and 2- before departing for my journey my dad left me with his wisdom, "Remember, this isn't Eat Pray Love. This isn't a movie." With that said, I wasn't in a hurry to tell him that I met someone... A special someone. I also have worried a bit about the fact that this is typical me and that to everyone it might seem like "yet another foreign love adventure." I know it doesnt surprise anyone that I would come to Brazil and find romance, but that also means it most likely won't be taken seriously. I decided to get over my own self-judgements and worrying about what other people think. The truth is, I don't have a journal and although this blog is to share my experiences with others, it's also my own documentation of my memories, challenges and lessons. And now that it's been about a month, I think this is definitely a special part of my trip that I want to remember, no matter what it ends up to be. I'm so giddy with butterflies in my stomach and on Cloud 9 right now, I want to remember this feeling later.

So I met Ricardo on my second night in Rio at the CouchSurfing social event in Copacabana. We talked for an hour straight (he speaks perfect English) and I knew I should socialize and mingle more but I didn't want to end our conversation. Eventually I did, and I went to meet other people and I actually never saw him again that night to say goodbye. The next day he called and invited me to walk around the bay at Urca after he got off work. After some overprotective phone calls between Paulo (my Brazilian dad) and Ricardo, he picked me up and we went. It was really nice, similar to Mission Bay Park with a sidewalk around the bay water and a view of the houses and city lit up. We talked for hours (I missed my skype date with my mom, sorry mom!) and kissed goodnight.

Since then we continued talking everyday, even though we couldn't always see each other because of school and work and gym. Over the weeks we had great conversations about our travel experiences, our families, our interests and goals, etc. We went for walks at Copacabana Beach, hiked Sugar Loaf, visited Paquetá Island and rode bikes, watched the Brazil Mexico soccer match, and met with other friends and hung out with his family.

Once I decided to stay in Brazil (which truly had nothing to do with him because we hadn't discussed anything seriously and I knew that he is leaving soon for Colorado), he helped me look for an apartment. Most places were either expensive or in dangerous areas. After going to his house several times, he asked why I don't just stay with him. I told him it was a crazy idea because we were just starting something romantic and that could make it go super speed to something serious or it could go bad and then I'd be back to searching for a place to live. He talked to his mom about it (who loves me and has 3 sons aka no daughter to do nails with) and she said I was welcome to live there. She said she could just use a little money to help out with bills but wouldn't ask for real rent per se. I thought about it for a few days, still searching my other options and asked a few friends' opinion. Basically the pros weighed out the cons. It's a lot cheaper, which means I dont need to stress about working a ton, I have a Brazilian family that cares about and helps me, and it's also good for my Portuguese. The only issues were not being close to the beach and feeling pressure or rush with Ricardo being together so much and in such a close proximity. But so far I've been more than open and up front about all my concerns and expectations and so has he. We agreed that we still have our own lives and friends, need our space sometimes, and that although everything is going great in our blossoming relationship, it hasn't been very long yet so we understand that it may not always be so easy. Eventually the honeymoon phase has to end! Once you're comfortable, busy, stressed, etc. people are not always so sweet and charming. So like always, I've overthought and worried about plenty of little things that I ultimately cant control or change. Yes, I know I know. I need to stop thinking too much and enjoy the moment. But don't worry, I'm definitely having a great time and since I'm able to be honest about my worries with Ricardo, they pretty much go away right after we talk.

So... Ricardo :-). Where to begin. He's almost 24, from here in Rio de Janeiro, currently studying physical education (he was an assistant PE teacher at an elementary school and wants to be an actual certified teacher), works with his dad who's an electrician and works on houses and commercial buildings. He's been doing Kung Fu for 14 years and sometimes teaches it, he also does Tai Chi and together we like to hike and bike ride. He's also an amazing photographer, I swear he should sell his pictures as postcards. He's very mature and responsible. The youngest of 3 brothers, he's the only one who works, has a car and saved money and organized his papers last year to get a work visa. He went to Colorado and worked in a resort for the winter season and also volunteered teaching handicapped kids to snowboard. He's very outgoing and talks as much as I do. The thing is that when we talked about our expectations I explained that I did not want any long distance relationship, with difficult culture and language differences. I also learned enough from my last relationship that I explained that I have no patience for jealousy and drama. But truth be told, Ricardo couldn't be more different from my last relationship. So we concluded with the fact that there is no language barrier, he likes American culture more than me and has actually lived there, he's GOING there at the same as I am so realistically we wouldn't need to have distance.

To rap it up, I didn't eat too much and I certainly havent prayed but I might possibly be falling in love (sorry Dad!). And even though I'm a little nervous of going too fast, repeating my Costa Rican drama or getting hurt in the end... I don't think I would change a thing. I'm just trying to follow my heart, enjoy the moment and live by "You never know until you try!"