My New Obsession: Pao De Queijo

When you go to live in a new country, there are so many new experiences and things that you must try. I have to admit that during the first year, I eat and drink too much, stay out too late, and seem to forget about exercise. My social life takes over and I find that I need to make changes. BUT... there are always some things that I just can't give up. My obsession and love in Brazil is pao de queijo. I am not able to eat gluten, and I stay away from any type of bread, but to my surprise, I found out that pao de queijo was safe for me. The ingredients are so simple: olive oil or butter, water, milk, salt, tapioca flour, parmesan cheese, eggs and sometimes garlic. They are round, cheesy puffs of heaven. When I am at a cafe, store, airport, anywhere in Brazil- my senses take over and I have to have one puff to take away my craving. They seek me out. I have stopped buying the frozen pao de queijo because I can't stop at one. As they are heating in the oven, I am impatiently waiting for them to finish baking. Recently, I found out that not everyone loves them as much as me. This makes me happy because I know that no matter where I go, somebody somewhere will have one puff of heaven-  hot and ready for me!

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Antarctica-My Last Continent

The Polar Plunge

Happy Crabeater seal

Friendly Humpback whale

Conversing Gentoo penguins

I reached a huge goal on January 10, 2012. My feet touched Antarctica! This was my last continent and it is hard to believe that at 40, I was able to reach this goal. On my trip, I met the most interesting people who are following their dreams of travel. I have never met so many people on one trip that have been to so many fabulous, dreamlike places in the world. I felt like the one "less traveled." From boarding the Antarctic Dream, passing the Antarctic Polar Circle with a special kiss, walking with the penguins, admiring the seals and humpback whales, rides on the zodiacs, going in the frigid water in my bikini, meeting new friends, surviving the Drake's Passage- this goes down as my most missed trip. I was in my own mini depression after the trip and I wanted to go back on the boat and be back on the coldest, windiest, driest, highest and most isolated continent in the world. My impression and memory of breaking through the ice patches will be forever on my mind. The bright blue contrast with the white glaciers is unexplainable. Later I will share an iMovie that will show all of the journey, but for now here is a preview.

Top 10 of 2011

10. Watching baseball with my Dad

9. Pandas in China

8.Resting in Bali

7. Motorcycle ride in Halong Bay

6. Turning 40 and fabulous

5. Alcatraz, Napa and Muir Woods with Melissa

4. Relaxing at all of the beaches with my friends

3. Hiking in the South Island of New Zealand

2. Seeing Cristo in Rio

1. Hiking in the Himalayas of Tibet with Mary and Marcy!

My Year in Review