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So, I am officially a member of the Lins women's futsal team. Joining was simple; I just replied "yes" when asked if I wanted to play futsal on Sunday. I showed up not knowing what to expect and was given a bright red uniform, about seven sizes too large. The team consists of girls aged nineteen to twenty eight, all with dark hair and measuring in height from 4'11" to 5'3". You can imagine how ridiculously I stand out in the team huddle. Only one other member of the team speaks English so she stands by my side and acts as my own personal translator. When asked what position I played, I replied "defense or midfield," and added "in the back or in the middle" when they looked at me with confusion. "Penalty" they said as they pointed towards a line about ten yards away from the opposing goal. "You. There." Apparently I was playing forward.

The teams we played were not very good as we went on to win our first two games easily. I managed to score five goals from my new position, each of which received a standing ovation from my team members.

Between each game, players on the team would attempt to speak to me and laugh hysterically as I stared blankly at them as if they were from another planet. "Voce pode cantar?" they asked meaning "Can you sing?" "Nao," I replied "Eu terible." "Cantar a cancao nacional estados unida" they begged me. "Claro," I gave in. "Oh say can you see, by the dawn's early light..." I began, my voice cracking with each note. "Quero ouvir a música de Brasil?" they asked. "Sim" I replied, relieved that my singing time was over and excited to compare the Brazilian national anthem to the American one. The team started clapping and bursted into the most exciting national anthem I have ever heard. "Opa," (or "wow") I exclaimed when it was over, embarrassed by the slow pace of the American anthem.

Our team went on to win the semi-finals easily and the finals after a 3 on 3 shootout (luckily I did not have to take a shot!) When the winning goal was scored, the team sprinted towards the shooter and began jumping and chanting. Apparently, this was an important tournament. As we lined up to receive our medals, the team asked me if I would be at practice next Saturday morning. "OK," I replied as I took my spot in the back of the team members and smiled for the local newspaper photographer.

On another note...

- The people of Lins (or Lins-ians which i will call them from now forward) have been brainwashed into believing that air conditioning can make you sick. When asking why the gym doesn't have air conditioning, I was explained that the sudden change in temperature makes Brazilians sick, so they avoid air conditioning in most places. I guess heat stroke doesn't bother them...

- Driving a motorbike is even more exhilerating than riding as a passenger. Especially when the owner informs you as you are driving that the breaks haven't been functioning properly...

- Brazilian country music, or Sertenejo, is very catchy and I have a feeling it will be appearing on my iPOD once I return home.

- I have grown to love tomatoes, when smothered in a flour-like salt, drizzled with oil and the juice of a lime.

- Gerard Butler just isn't as cute with a dubbed Portuguese accent.

- Brigadero is the most delicious chocolate snack I have ever eaten (Okay, perhaps tied with New Zealand Moro bars).