You've Been Matched!

I was so excited to receive an email with the subject 'you've been matched'.  About 6 weeks after applying to sponsor a sister through Women for Women International I received the news that Alice Sifa Fumbo would be my sister.  Alice is from the DRC, is 21 and is married.  I believe she also has children but am not sure to date.

I wanted to thank all of you that supported my in my 30th birthday celebrations - odd as they may have appeared.  And I want to send a special thank you to those of you that also sponsored a woman.  I have not reached my goal to have 30 women sponsored ... yet, BUT 15 women are now better off thanks to you and you know who you are :-)

All my love and so much more x

P.s I would love to hear about your sisters!
Women for Women International: http://www.womenforwomen.org/sponsor-a-woman/sponsor-a-woman.php

Hello from Rio

So it has been awhile since my last posting and much has changed.  Including surprise, surprise, my location.   I woke up this morning with a thin layer of moisture covering my entire body, molding my hair to my head like one of those condom-like hats one has to wear for a school swim meet.  Hmmmmmmmm good morning Rio! 7am and the temperature is already climbing for the day....

Rio is an amazing mix of colors, races, cultures, tastes and sounds.

Unfortunately the clouds are covering Corcavado (the Jesus Statue you see in most images of Brazil) on the highest peak in the distance to the left.  The buildings in the foreground are of the roofs of a 'favela' (shanty town) which contrast so drastically the high-end mall we went to to take this photo!

Above is the view from a private yoga and pilates studio in Laranjeiras, an area in Rio.  This photo does not do the view justice as the studio sits midway up a mountain covered in vegetation that gives one the impression you are in the middle of the Amazon, save for the houses that look like they have been transported from Andalusia Spain.

At another yoga class I went to, we were greeted by some very inquisitive new friends - you thought I had a hard time concentrating when practicing in an aquarium - try a real life jungle!!

I will write more but for now I just wanted to get back online and send my love to all of you from Rio!