January

January

When people are feeling down people channel their emotions differently, some people drink and smoke, others shut themselves away watching TV; I channel mine into my work and for this some people may even call be workaholic. On my free days so far I have worked solidly on reading papers and writing my introduction and methodology on my project. However now I’ve reached the point in which other than minor corrections the first draft is done. I’ve finished this quicker than I expected and this should be a good thing. It’s not. With a reduced workload, my days off from the field are completely free to do what I please. Anyone who knows me well enough unless I am kept busy with either work, socialising with friends or just hanging out with Joe and my family, I am completely lost. When I am not kept busy my mind wanders to thinking about home and the familiar. Safe to say the lack of structure to my days is bothering me a little. This being said, things should start getting abit more exciting here. Starting next month I have something planned almost every month. February I have Carnival in Rio for a week, end of March Joes parents here are visiting which shouldn’t affect me too much, April I have booked Iguassu Falls for a few days!! This is something I’m seriously excited about I am even seeing the Argentina side. May I have Pantanal for a week!!! Something I am equally excited about, largest wetland in the world alongside some amazing wildlife spectacles. June I will be solidly working on my report writing. And July My Joe from home is hoping to come visit and we plan to go to the Amazon Rainforest together !! I hope this keeps me busy until I go home J.

My family and friends continue to be supportive and my friends sent me a brilliant Christmas present. A moonpig card with some crazy unusual writing in it and pictures I am thankful for your consistent support J

Christ The Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain

On the 20/1/2015 I decided to do some of the tourist stuff in Rio, I could have done this during my week in Rio during Carnival but I figured it will be too busy. Nether the less the Christ was still super busy and R$61 which is quite expensive to enter; I expected nothing less being a tourist attraction. To get to the Christ we took a train up through Tajuca forest, when we reached the top the statue was larger than I thought and the view was spectacular.  It was very crowded with people though and everyone with cameras taking pictures of the view and the Christ. Being crowded the nice but over-priced café the top was worth it as in 33 degree heat was beginning to take its tole. Sugar Loaf Mountain was cheaper entrance and personally I think was better than the Christ. We went up by cable kart and the views of were spectacular; you could honestly appreciate the beauty of Rio from the angle. There were shops and restaurants at the top so nothing beat having a nice cold beer and some lunch with this view, and it was no way near as crowded.  It was also cheaper entrance than the Christ as well and from sugar loaf you could see the Christ overlooking the city. Overall both attractions were good and the view of Rio from above should be on everyone’s bucket list.

Apart from this January has been a pretty quiet month compared and its given me time for reflection. Reflection to me usually means listening heavily to my Ipod, so heres a song for youJ

To Joseph Christopher Scholes – “and all that I am you let me be, I will remember you. For all that you’ve done and given to me. Oh love will remain this I concede now and forever more. Because of you now I believe” – Alterbridge (A wonderful life)

To Joe and everyone I love:-  some search, never finding a way,  before long , they waste away , I found you, something told me to stay, I gave in to selfish ways And how I miss someone to hold when hope begins to fade… a lonely road, crossed another cold state line, Miles away from those I love, purpose hard to find- Avenged Sevenfold (Dear God)

To my best friends:- How do you measure, measure a year? In daylights, in sunsets In midnights, in cups of coffee In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife, In five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes How do you measure, a year in the life? It's time now, to sing out, Though the story never ends, Let's celebrate. Remember a year in the life of friends-  Seasons of Love (Rent the Musical).

To my mum and dad, whom have always supported my dreams no matter what and taught influenced my taste in Music. :- “I wont stop running I’m only getting closer, To getting off the ground this time The sky is calling, the wind is at my shoulders, Won’t let this chance pass me by. Mama, I’m bent to fly” – Slash

To Evie,  Isobelle, Delilah  and Amelia’s Bump- (Forever young) 

Happy New Year! Bringing in the New Year in Brazil!

2015 in Brazil

2015 has arrived! And how did I spend New Years Eve in Brazil, dancing around drinking beer/vodka to classic rock in a thunderstorm wearing a headlamp because as usual the power was out!  2014 for me has been the year for maturity, personal growth, hard work and going outside my comfort zone. Safe to say it’s been one hell of an emotional year which will continue into 2015. I have so much to look forward to as well in 2015, Including Carnival in February and hopefully booking Iguazu Falls and Pantanal soon and also a lot more field work followed by a 10,000 word report. Best yet even my Joe might be coming here for July! In 2015 I will also be returning home and catching up with everyone. In September starting final year at university with a whole new group of classmates! Scary and exciting stuff! To sum up my new year revolutions this year, be more charitable, try and learn more Portuguese! And tell everyone how grateful I am for the ongoing support through 2014-2015 J.

I have talked a lot about my emotional journey in previous blogs, but my physical journey is almost as difficult. Doing tones of 6 hour hikes when my body isn’t used to much exercise at all is taking its tole. First is the obvious aching muscles, I swear I ache in places that I didn’t even knew existed. Secondly my foot! In august I badly sprained my foot and it’s never fully recovered which mean it often hurts in the field and I am at more risk of re-spraining it. Another occurring problem is my knees; apparently this is a common problem among people who are abusing their bodies going too many down-hill hikes. The only solution is apparently aspirin, rest and some knee braces I have invested in. Not great as my research doesn’t take rest into account and I am therefore feeling older than my years.  Another consideration when hiking is equipment as you needs to take everything with you! Including my first aid kit (which has come quite in handy as I’m usually the person bleeding), Hydration pack, Fashionable waterproof pants and coat, which completely clash and best of all quick dry tops; because despite the sophisticated woman I am ;) women still sweat! But well I guess it’s all in the name of science right!

Despite all this the rainforest is now becoming my second home. I almost know every inch of my 2400m transect line including every loose branch and every slippery rock but it never seizes to surprise. Everyday spent in the field something new and exciting always occurs, keeping me interested whether it’s the diversity in bird choruses or the capuchins angrily throwing fruit at me. However at times the wildlife here tests my patience, trying to survey birds whilst dart around quick, struggling to grasp and position binoculars, and worse of all those darn Thrushes taunting me with their high chirped calls whilst they hide amongst dense vegetation. All this field work has given me a good grasp of on the direction of my project. I have decided that I am to investigate the importance frugivorous species in fruit dispersal and how this can be used in the development of ecological corridors and reduce the threat of fragmentation within the park. My paper aims focus on the distribution of species in relation to fallen fruit, how size and diet of the frugivorous effects distribution which interlinks which also interlinks with seasonal changes and the mutualistic relationship between fruit trees and frugivorous species.  This is something I am actually looking forward to investigating more.

One thing I think I should mention about how disorganised Brazil as a whole is or maybe how organised England is. Every time you do anything simple such as the supermarket or anything queing takes about 45 minutes sometimes just to buy one item and the till breaks every time. Technology here is terrible and that’s coming from someone who is a technophobe.  When you have a problem you have to go to five different places. Its hard to put into words but nothing is ever quick or simple here. Keeps me on my toes to say the least and my teeth are beginning to grind down to my gums at times.

Recently a friend said to me that I should forget about the once in the lifetime stuff as I can go to Brazil at any point in the future. But also consider the fact I’ve began to appreciate the people more at home, and he’s right in saying despite being so apart im more close with Joe, Friends and Family than ever before.  This is something I will treasure forever.

Finally one thing I want to add is how crazy the Thunderstorms have been!, it will be sunny all down and then the heavens will open. It sounds like the worlds going to end! and the flashes are light are surreal! although this is often comes with Blackouts and attracts insects, frogs and worst of all Snakes into my room! yes I found a snake into my room in which Joe had to guide out with a stick! alongside picking up the frog. I guess you can say our room is truly as wild as the rain forest itself

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams".- Eleanor Roosevelt

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney

"The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny".- Albert Ellis

In my blood- Black Stone Cherry < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ29Pw1P7DE>

 Last Hope – Paramore < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEm7q5feofk>