Ive had over 3 months to observe and talk to Cariocas (I don't want to say Brazilians because Rio is a small piece of the pie) and I've found both interesting and strange things. There are some ideas or concepts that I love but others that quite frankly, I don't know if I can ever understand. The list is endless to be honest, but I chose a good chunk just to give you an idea.
Things I'll never get used to:

• They love Justin Bieber- really?! This ridiculous bee-bopper who has barely hit puberty? His fame has seriously reached all the way to Rio? And I'm talking adults not kids... They must have a serious lack of taste and entertainment if they're listening to Justin Bieber?
• Strikes- the post office, the bank, almost the federal police. I understand there is corruption and poorly designed systems. I'm all for improving things BUT the problem lies in the fact that these strikes don't help. Basically, the employees stop going to work, clients are screwed (and pissed) and government officials take their precious time to find a bulls*** bandaid for the issue
• Bus "schedule"- I cannot emphasize this enough. How can you have a work schedule or a school schedule if you have no idea when the bus is going to pass? It's like a sick game, playing with my head. "Guess if your his will come!!" maybe you'll wait 5 minutes or 20, but there's no way to know... It takes the fun out of surprise.
• Paying at bars AFTER you're drunk- in Rio, when you enter a bar or club, they give you a small piece of paper. Essentially this is your tab- whether you buy something or not. So you spend the night dancing, sweating, drinking and then at 3,4,5 perhaps 6am, you're exhausted and/or drunk and now have to search for that small, wet, smudged paper and wait in a long line of dumb drunks. Even if you didn't buy anything, you gotta wait to get the stamp. This is not pleasant nor logical nor sophisticated.
• Its So hot out yet no iced coffee- yep, you read this one correctly. No iced coffee. Some places mix ice cream and coffee and chocolate but that's just a big dessert. I just want coffee... In ice... As simple as that. Nope. They don't do that. Twice I've asked and they actually didn't have ice!!! What?! One coffee shop is called California Coffee.. If there's no iced coffee nor flavored syrups like vanilla and hazelnut, I have bad news: it's not California coffee.
• Grades for progress reports- so my boss was a total pain in the ass about grades and making sure I filled out every paper (5 pages for the same info) for homework, quizzes, parricipation, etc. I dont mind doing this but then he says "And if their grades are not so great... You know, you can "tweak" them if needed ..." Ok so what was the point then? If youre just going to give everyone good grades to keep their parents and bosses happy, why did I even grade or keep track of anything??
• Schools that Ask for legal papers but don't really care- the work visa for an English teacher doesn't have any value... Because we're all working illegally! Schools want native speakers, done. They try to scare you and say that they prefer you have papers but a minute later they offer you a job anyway. Not to mention if I was working legally they would need to do a lot more paper work, pay more taxes, etc. All talk no action.
• They say "Beijos and abraços" to everyone- "kisses" or "hugs" is a way to say goodbye on the phone. Its like their version of "see ya later". But its strange cause even to strangers or men to men, "kisses!" I feel like this takes the cuteness out of it when you really mean it, when you really send kisses of affection.
• They Translate when I dont need it but don't when I do- this is one is obvious, no explanation necessary. I ask what bus I need and someone responds, quatro cero seis... Four oh six." Thanks for that incredible translation... Now if they could only give me a translation when I ask for directions and they go on and on and on, THAT would be nice. I just look like a deer in the headlights as they say,"Bla bla blu blu... Isso esso blabby blab" with their hands flying in every direction and then they always end it with the "ta?" (got it?) Uuum.... Not exactly.
• No breakfast- that's it. This place seriously missed the memo... They have like a piece of fruit, maybe bread... Coffee and that's it. It's baffling to a Continental-American-breakfast-lover like myself. The funniest part is, Brazilians always ask me,"You're American? Do you like bacon?" YES people, I love bacon and theres nothing funny about it! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, havent you heard?! Eggs, bacon, toast, milk, juice, yogurt, PANCAKES. Now that's what I'm talkin 'bout.
• Giant neon colored platform sandals- (cringe) I can't give details, they're just horrible. Thats it.

Ok so before you assume its all just negative and I hate Brazil (Dad Im talking to you), there are some
Things I could get used to and will miss:

• Juice places and cheap acai- I already loved açai before I went to Brazil but here you can find it on every corner at these great "such"(juice) places that also sell salty snacks and things like pizza mini sandwiches or pastries. Plus it's more than half the price it is at home!
• Pao de queijo- oh the sweet goodness that is the genius invention of Pao de Queijo (cheesy bread that's NOT gluten! The flour is from yucca). They are mini balls of light and fluffy puffiness with a hint of cheesiness but it's soft and smooth. It needs not butter nor jelly nor ... nothing else. It's a perfect creation in it's innocent original form (wipe my drool).
• Engagement and wedding rings- here they have 2 great concepts I love. 1 is wearing a ring on your right hand when you're engaged or seriously committed (both the guy and girl) and 2- once they're married, it's on their left hands same as us but they're not fancy diamonds or flashy. Both men and women both wear just a basic gold (sometimes silver) ring and I like that. Because it serves it's purpose: to present your commitment and as a circle it has no beginning or end. It's not about who has a bigger, shinier, more expensive rock.
• My Lazy Monday's- I only have a 1 hour class then since its in Copacabana,I walk to the beach. I'm able to write in my diary, listen to music, every once in a while I rent a bike just to feel at home. Then I have the rest of the afternoon to run errands, play tennis with Ricardo, plan classes or watch a movie. I love it!
• Always Seeing Christ up on the hill- especially at night when he's all lit up and changing colors. Sometimes the chaos and horrible smell of downtown makes you forget "you're in Rio!!!" and so it's a sweet reminder when I see good ol' Jesus poppin outta the clouds.
• Girls night with Kim and Fanny- where would I be without my precious few hours of girl talk and laughing and sometimes, venting?! Add some Chilean wine and let me tell you, it's definitely something I'm going to miss. We can write, skype and chat on Facebook but it just isn't the same.
• Guaraná- this is actually a Brazilian fruit that they use for delicious juice but also, they have their own soda line of the fruit but carbonated (and I'm sure much more healthy ingredients, not!) and it's delicious. I don't drink Coke or Pepsi or soda in general but I love this!!!
• Playing tennis at Botafogo Beach- hot sun out, smell of bay water and the famous Sugar Loaf in sight. It's not very often the weather is good AND we both have enough free time, but that makes it that much better when we can.