Revenge of the 80-somethings, Part 2

Despite the lack of a structured line, we made it through the door and into the cinema, and claimed our seats. As people filtered in, I began to see the truth of Murilo's words when he talks about the women of Brazil: there are 5 women for every man, women are aggressive, etc. I watched the first six rows fill in the theatre, 12 across, and when they were filled I counted 6 men. 6 men per 72 people! No wonder they are aggressive when it comes to their men - if I they wouldn't pause long enough to let me through the door, who knows what would happen if the prize, instead of a movie, was something more valuable... like chocolate ;) The the credit of society here, however, I have noticed a general disregard of one person for the other until they have a 2 minute conversation, and then that other person is treated like family. That is, of course, a major generalization, but I've observed it over and over; at the cinema, on the boat, at the beach, at a restaurant, at the grocery store, etc. It's amazing how warm they are, but the connection is essential.

The movie the program pivited around was Flor do Deserto (Desert Flower). It's a moving true (according to imbd.com) story about a Somalian nomad woman who was circumcised at 3, sold into marriage at 13, and fled to London, and her life and strength there after. It's an incredible film - I highly recommend! It's very sad and very happy, but you walk away happy and moved to want to help change the world.

The motivation to impact lives that I walked away with reminds me of this study I'm doing of the book, Ecclesiastes. King Solomon, a man said to be the wisest in history, decides to study about the meaning of life and records his study in this book. He looks at work and laziness, diversions and dedication to great causes, money and power, and comes to the conclusion that all are meaningless. That is, all are meaningless because we desire to understand eternity and God's purpose for his plans for our lives and world, and how the things we do fit into His plan. These things God holds from us so that we are humbled by being confounded, and we come to revere the Lord. Soloman looks at all these things and finds that without God and the revelation and purpose that He gives when we are willing to humble ourselves and trust Him, all that we do, good or bad, for others or for ourselves, is all meaningless. Solomon concludes that the best we can do is to do good and enjoy the toil of our hand, and this too is from God because He is the provider all things. Together, with the movie, I am reminded of why I teach and the eternal impact I originally decided to work for through this profession.

After the movie, we found a table to sit at for the "cha" (tea) part of the program. On all the tables are little plates of pastries and there's another with refreshments. Mariana and I chose a table, she looks at her plate, looks at the other plates on the table, and takes a pastry from the other plate that she doesn't have on hers and eats it! She turned to me with a little smile and said, "A different one!" hahaha, again, Mariana does what she wants!

We listened to the singer for a little while, who sang traditional songs from Portugal and Brazil, and then took off a little bit early so we could make it to our dance class on time.

Too much fun! Genius idea of the day: forget BOPE, I say round up the old women of the city and send them in to straighten up the favelas!