The last few days have been amazing!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA (it was on the 15th) I finally got to talk to my parents on the phone and it was sooooo great to hear their voices. They sound like they are doing well and dealing quite well with my rather neurotic cats. I also got to talk with my best friend Lisa and it was so wonderful to hear from her!! It is amazing how much I miss old familiar voices. It is equally amazing that we are able to talk from so many miles away.


I went to karaoke on Wednesday night. I had such a great time and howled, "I'm every woman" on the mic with several of my girlfriends. Needless to say we were the most enthusiastic, albeit tone deaf group to grace the stage. But, we had fun.

Yesterday I went to my first Capoeira. For those of you who don't know what this is...


Capoeira - a Mischievous art form

Many people see it as a martial art -- others as a dance, and there those who believe that it is their religion and cultural identity. It is a native Brazilian Indian word given to a small partridge whose male is very jealous and engages in fierce fights with its rivals. Capoeira blends elements of dance, music, rituals, acrobatics, and fighting.

Brazilians call Capoeira a game. Capoeira is "played", not fought.

The Roda

A circle is made, called a roda. Music is played, and everyone sings and claps while two players interact in the center. The leading instrument is a berimbau. Also played is a drum called an atabaque and a pandeiro (tambourine). A berimbau is a one stringed, bow shaped instrument with a gourd attached to one end to give resonance.

It's subtle blending of gymnastics and dance moves make the capoeira game unique in the world of martial arts. The challenge for the player is to harmoniously meld together in a powerful flow the balance and flexibility of acrobatics, the grace and strength of dance, the speed and cunning of the fight, and the rhythms of the music. If these components are isolated, the essence of capoeira is lost

A Brazilian Martial Art, Capoeira was born in the "senzalas", the places where the slaves were kept. It consists of a stylized dance, practiced in a circle called the "roda", with sound background provided by percussion instruments, like the "agogo", the "atabaqui", etc. It incorporates "maculele", done with blades, and "maracatu", done with sticks. Highly acrobatic, energetic and difficult to master.


I had so much fun!!! It is such a good workout and the people are really great. The aerials that these guys can do are amazing.

Last night we went to see "The Syringa Tree" what a wonderful performance. It is a one woman show and really was phenomenal. I am sure there are reviews online if anyone is interested.

Well, that is about it for now. Take care!