Well another week has come and gone - the time just flies here. I cannot believe I've been here in Brazil for 2 months (a couple days short). I can remember getting on that plane in Calgary thinking that I'd made the biggest mistake of my life-quit my job, moving to a foreign country not knowing the language, moving to pursue my passion that had taken a backseat to other priorities in life. I must be honest I was scared and cried on the plane ride to Houston. The ride from Houston to Rio was crowed and cramped and the whole time I was just wanting to be home. Getting to the Airport in Rio and not being able to find Carlos (the cab driver sent by Dennis) and almost getting accosted by another taxi driver that would not leave me alone. The drive here and realizing the enormity of not only the city but what I had just done.
Here I was a nobody from Southern Alberta in Rio chasing my dream. Not only that but being of Native descent most people dont expect much other than to become an alcoholic living off of the system. And here I was proving them wrong - a two time University Graduate who moved to Rio to try and turn his part time passion into something beyond just a part time passion.
Those first few days were lonely as hell and it's had it's up's and downs since then. But I guess when you give it all up and go off to chase that rainbow in the hopes that someday you reach the end and find that pot of gold it will not be easy and there will be lean, scary, times. But I've made it this far and I've proven to myself that I can do what I want - I just need to go out and get it. The trick is to stay strong and not get discouraged when you run into road blocks.
NO RETREAT, NO REGRETS!
That said, I must say that I will be happy to be home - probably my parents for awhile - and just knowing that my parents are there and I can see them again. Just my family and friends in General.
On the Rio Front:
1. I got really sick last Friday night - food poisoning. Needless to say it was a really rough night and Saturday was no better. yuck!
2. We went to see one of the black belts from the Academy fight on Sunday. I'm happy to say that Zorro won his fight. It was a back and forth war with a guy from Brazilian Top Team. In the end Zorro won via tko from strikes on the ground. But in all honesty it was more due to the other guy being more exhausted than Zorro. Great fight either way.
3. Same night - I lost my favorite sweater (hoodie) - that being my Gaslight Anthem hoodie. So somewhere out there somebody has a piece of me with them and also a great sweater. I hope they rock it with as much pride as I did. Although it would be much better if I were to somehow get it back....wishful thinking.
4. Well the house is almost full again. Jordan left last Sunday, Steve moved out and is staying with Pablo (another guy who trains at Gordo's), Alpar left awhile back to live with his girlfriend, and phillip left back to Germany today. In there place we have a young fellow from the UK named Thomas and another guy from the USA (his name escapes me at the moment.) so in total we have Jeremy, Jason, Sam, Thomas, USA guy, and myself for a total of 6 people in the house at the moment. Most nights now are pretty quiet - which is fine by me.
5. Anyone who stayed in the house for the month of October got a brand new Gi from Connection Rio (Dennis) and Pride fight wear. It was absolutely unexpected but totally appreciated - I would have never expected to get something like this. New Gi's run at least $150.00 back home. Being on a very strict budget meant that I could not afford a new one while down here. All thanks to Dennis and Connection Rio- Dennis is one of truely nice guys who seems to be finishing first. He deserves all the best. If you plan on coming to Rio and training Jiu Jitsu Connection Rio is by far the best option for anyone. Here is the website:
http://www.connectionrio.com
please give them a holler if you plan on coming to Rio to Train JIu JItsu - they will treat you right.
6. Training seems to be going up and down. The previous two weeks I felt that I was making strides but this past week (thus far) I feel like a newbie again. Not sure why - i hope it's just because of the fact that I was sick and feeling sluggish all week.
7. I think the language barrier is what's making it hard to meet gals here - it's easy enough to say hi to them and start those initial sparks - but them not speaking English and me not speaking Portoguese means that the sparks die out pretty quickly. I'm trying to make the effort to learn the language alot more. We'll see how it goes.
Well as is customary I'll end with a tune copied from youtube - in this case it's a song by the band Left Alone entitled "Porcelain." The song starts off with the lyrics:
"Never thought she'd ever want a piece of my love, 'cause blue eyed girls never want to talk. Never thought she'd ever want a piece heart, 'cause guys like me never end up on top."
The lines from this song just hooked me from the first time. I mean cause really coming from southern Alberta the blonde, blue eyed girls never seem to want to talk to guys like me - you know Native, tattooed - I.E. not white. I thought i'd found the one beautiful blue eyed girl who would take a chance on me - see past skin colour that 99% of people in Southern Alberta cannot seem to get past. At least in terms of Natives. Because lets be honest you don't ever see many couple of White and Native backgrounds in Southern Alberta - they are few and far between. But i guess somethings are just too hard to deal with. OH well, what can you do? till next time - stay safe and love life....
Here I was a nobody from Southern Alberta in Rio chasing my dream. Not only that but being of Native descent most people dont expect much other than to become an alcoholic living off of the system. And here I was proving them wrong - a two time University Graduate who moved to Rio to try and turn his part time passion into something beyond just a part time passion.
Those first few days were lonely as hell and it's had it's up's and downs since then. But I guess when you give it all up and go off to chase that rainbow in the hopes that someday you reach the end and find that pot of gold it will not be easy and there will be lean, scary, times. But I've made it this far and I've proven to myself that I can do what I want - I just need to go out and get it. The trick is to stay strong and not get discouraged when you run into road blocks.
NO RETREAT, NO REGRETS!
That said, I must say that I will be happy to be home - probably my parents for awhile - and just knowing that my parents are there and I can see them again. Just my family and friends in General.
On the Rio Front:
1. I got really sick last Friday night - food poisoning. Needless to say it was a really rough night and Saturday was no better. yuck!
2. We went to see one of the black belts from the Academy fight on Sunday. I'm happy to say that Zorro won his fight. It was a back and forth war with a guy from Brazilian Top Team. In the end Zorro won via tko from strikes on the ground. But in all honesty it was more due to the other guy being more exhausted than Zorro. Great fight either way.
3. Same night - I lost my favorite sweater (hoodie) - that being my Gaslight Anthem hoodie. So somewhere out there somebody has a piece of me with them and also a great sweater. I hope they rock it with as much pride as I did. Although it would be much better if I were to somehow get it back....wishful thinking.
4. Well the house is almost full again. Jordan left last Sunday, Steve moved out and is staying with Pablo (another guy who trains at Gordo's), Alpar left awhile back to live with his girlfriend, and phillip left back to Germany today. In there place we have a young fellow from the UK named Thomas and another guy from the USA (his name escapes me at the moment.) so in total we have Jeremy, Jason, Sam, Thomas, USA guy, and myself for a total of 6 people in the house at the moment. Most nights now are pretty quiet - which is fine by me.
5. Anyone who stayed in the house for the month of October got a brand new Gi from Connection Rio (Dennis) and Pride fight wear. It was absolutely unexpected but totally appreciated - I would have never expected to get something like this. New Gi's run at least $150.00 back home. Being on a very strict budget meant that I could not afford a new one while down here. All thanks to Dennis and Connection Rio- Dennis is one of truely nice guys who seems to be finishing first. He deserves all the best. If you plan on coming to Rio and training Jiu Jitsu Connection Rio is by far the best option for anyone. Here is the website:
http://www.connectionrio.com
please give them a holler if you plan on coming to Rio to Train JIu JItsu - they will treat you right.
6. Training seems to be going up and down. The previous two weeks I felt that I was making strides but this past week (thus far) I feel like a newbie again. Not sure why - i hope it's just because of the fact that I was sick and feeling sluggish all week.
7. I think the language barrier is what's making it hard to meet gals here - it's easy enough to say hi to them and start those initial sparks - but them not speaking English and me not speaking Portoguese means that the sparks die out pretty quickly. I'm trying to make the effort to learn the language alot more. We'll see how it goes.
Well as is customary I'll end with a tune copied from youtube - in this case it's a song by the band Left Alone entitled "Porcelain." The song starts off with the lyrics:
"Never thought she'd ever want a piece of my love, 'cause blue eyed girls never want to talk. Never thought she'd ever want a piece heart, 'cause guys like me never end up on top."
The lines from this song just hooked me from the first time. I mean cause really coming from southern Alberta the blonde, blue eyed girls never seem to want to talk to guys like me - you know Native, tattooed - I.E. not white. I thought i'd found the one beautiful blue eyed girl who would take a chance on me - see past skin colour that 99% of people in Southern Alberta cannot seem to get past. At least in terms of Natives. Because lets be honest you don't ever see many couple of White and Native backgrounds in Southern Alberta - they are few and far between. But i guess somethings are just too hard to deal with. OH well, what can you do? till next time - stay safe and love life....
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