You Know You're Portuguese When...

Your mother or grandmother has Maria in her name.

You have a rooster napkin holder.

Your father or grandfather is called Manuel, José, Antonio, or João.

You have crocheted doilies on your kitchen counters, dining room, living room, bedroom--on all your tables.

You decorate your walls with plates.

Your house is a mini church with just as may statues of saints and Jesus as your church itself.

You're 25 and still living with your parents. (Extra points if you're married and living with your spouse in your parent's house)

You warn other drivers of police on the highway by flashing your lights, even though one of the drivers might have just robbed a bank.

You baptize your child and send him to catechism even though you might never go to church except for weddings and funerals.

You think all university graduates should be called "Doutor" and like to be called so if you are one of the chosen few who have managed to finish college.

You park on the sidewalk when necessary, even asking the person standing there to please move away.

You have a mobile phone and spend a small fortune on it, but think twice about going to the dentist.

You have a mother or grandmother who wears black.

You spend your holidays in Spain instead of in Portugal because it is cheaper.

If you are a woman, you have been to see a "curandeiro" (healer) or have had your fortune told.

You insist you wouldn't be caught dead buying Spanish olive oil even though most of the olive oil consumed in Portugal comes from Spain.

You laugh at jokes about the Alentejanos but get angry to know that the same jokes are told in Brazil about the Portuguese.

You think that you can catch a cold with a draft or by sitting in the spring sun. Cold drinks are also thought to bring on the dreadful "gripe". And don't let anyone have a shower after eating as something terrible could happen to them.

You get a letter from your doctor saying you can't work because of an "unspecified, ongoing medical condition" and then go on a two-week holiday.

Your child's teacher misses two weeks (because of a letter from his or her doctor) and you don't complain because you also will use the same doctor when you have to miss two weeks from your work.

If you are from Porto you don't like people from Lisbon and call them Moors. The reverse is also true but they don't call you a nice word like "Moor".

You think Brazilians speak incorrect Portuguese and will not read a book written in Brazilian Portuguese.

The last major military victory you can remember your country having was the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385.

You say that the Portuguese, unlike the Spanish, are good at learning foreign languages.

Your parents own like 9 houses in Portugal but complain about the lack of money in the States.

Going to Portugal involves buying gifts for all 500 members of your family

You go crazy for the World Cup

You refer to Portugal as "O Continent"

You've walked in "as paradas" longer than you can remember

You have grape vines in your backyard

You earned over $10,000 for your first communion.

To hell with the Turkey and Roast Beef! X-mas dinner was bacalhau au braz, baby!

A barbeque does not consist of burgers on the grill... Hello! Can you say sardinhas?

You've had your license for a month, but your $20,000 car has been "hooked up" for a year. I'm talking rims, tints, a system...

A wooden spoon equals discipline, or if you ever had to duck so you wouldn't get hit with flying shoes.

Your parents anticipate that you'll marry your first long-term boyfriend/girlfriend.

When you hear the word "Sagres" you think Beer, not historical marine school.

Nothing beats a buttered papo-seco.

Your 15 year old brother is allowed to have two girls sleep over, but your 19 year old sister can't go out past 7pm.

You think that 2am is too early to go to bed and that 11am is to early to get out of bed.

Your grandmother tells you look sick because you are too thin.

Your parents make you eat 3 servings of dinner at each sitting otherwise they think you don't like the cooking.

You're proud to be Portuguese - and you pass these jokes on to all your Portuguese friends!



I can relate to quite a few... : )

Christmas

Man, i'm so sick of Christmas already...Everywhere i turn, every second on TV, what's the talk of the moment... CHRISTMAS.... well.. more like spend your money and buy lots of presents for your loved ones, otherwise you wont be cool, you wont be loved. Isn't this the message that comes across, if you dont spend loads and get yourself in debt for the rest of the year u wont be cool..

I'm kind of tired of Christmas, i do think its overrated, fair enough its a fantastic time for children, but even kids all they seem to care about is the amount of presents Santa has left under the tree.

I just feel like running away going somewhere where Christmas is forgotten about or at least Christmas still actually means something.

Speak soon
Isabel

Scotland & Portugal

Its been a while, been really busy these past couple of weeks both at work and home..

Scotland
Two weekends ago, went to Scotland.. its was really good to go away, even if only for a weekend. A few of my friends and boyfriend went to watch the rugby and the rest of us decided that it was a better idea to skip the rugby and walk around Edingburgh and do some shopping.

I must say that when every one was going to Murrayfield and the vibe was such a good one from both South Africans and Scottish people, I kind of wanted to go, just to see what its all about.

Edinburgh is beautiful city, and its worth a visit. It was great to go back and see all the sites again, one thing i must say.. i wish i knew what Edinburgh looks like in the summer cos both times i was there it was bloody cold.


Portugal
Last weekend, i was in Portugal, went thursday came back sunday evening, it was so good to be home.
But the reason i went home was to see my brother's "passing out" "graduation", whatever... the ceremony these kids have after they finish the first 5 weeks of basic recruit. When i saw him i just burst in to tears, i know i know i'm just an idiot, but it was the first time i was seeing him wearing his uniform and he looked so proud and serious, just taking that whole thing so seriously, it was great. Took loads of photos, obviously.
The weekend was not near to enough time for me to see everyone i'd like to see, so i was very tired, still recovering now.

Man, i miss home, miss being with my brother, miss being with my friends, my family(those that matter). Miss the laidback lifestyle, sometimes i wish i could go home, kind of like yesterday,sometimes it feels like i'm just missing out on what's happening in the life of the people i love, but at the moment its just not realistic.

Who knows, maybe one day i'll go back.

All for know..

Good Night