Interviews

Boge’s Bit

Andi: “Let’s face it; food is a very important part of living, so we will start there. What are your favorite things to eat here in Brazil?”

Jamie: “I eat meat, cheese, and….yeah.”

A: “Social life is vital for any teenager. Tell me about a few of your new friends.”

J: “Well, first there was Henrry and he was a pretty good friend considering he is so quiet. And then we met his family and that was exciting but not cutting it because you gotta have girlfriends to talk to, even though I talk to my old friends on Facebook all the time. So it was nice when we met Erika who speaks very good English because she travels so much. She was very fun, nice, and outgoing. I started to envy her life travels and she helped me realize I might want to travel more and experience more of life. Then we met Monique and Edna. They were very nice and fun. They quickly became another set of great friends.”

A: “What do you do with your friends for fun?”

J: “We went for a run and ice cream with Henrry. We went skydiving with Erika which was probably the best thing ever. Then we had a girl’s night out with Monique and Edna which was much needed and was a blast, filled with laughter.”

A: “What are the best things you’ve seen since you’ve been here?”

J: “Seeing Rio was great after hearing so much about it. The many attractions there were beautiful. Seeing the elephants at the zoo was very important to me because I love elephants. And playing with the monkeys in the backyard and feeding them bananas was an experience that was awesome to have because it was right in our own backyard.”

A: “Speaking of our backyard how is the TV here in Brazil?”

J: “Well, speaking of backyard, the TV is much better than expected. Having two channels in English is a nice, happy medium, except when they are both playing something in Portuguese which is unfortunate for everybody. Other than that, it is about the same as growing up having two channels: sometimes nothing good will be on.”

A: “What has been your experience with the Portuguese language?”

J: “I feel like I know the basics, enough to survive here. And all the yard boys keep telling me that I’m going to get cancer if I don’t wear sunscreen. Usually it is pretty funny talking to people in Portuguese. Like when Monique was trying to tell me where Andi and Edna where and she said. “Green, yellow, red, box” and finally she said “stop” and I realized she was trying to say stoplight and we both laughed a lot.”

A: “That’s a good story. Is there anything else you would like to share with readers?”

J: “They should probably all go skydiving.”

(A few minutes after interview was concluded)

J: “Hey, I’m not a teenager!”

A: “You’re a teenager.”

J: “I can drink alcohol and vote and drive where I want to.”

A: “As punishment for back talking me I am including all of this in the interview.”

Ed’s Eloquence

Dad is really hard to catch because he works so much, especially this week. Instead of conducting a full interview, I will include this quote, which basically sums up his life.

Ed: “Boge has no regard for toilet paper. She thinks it grows on trees.”

Col’s Clues

Andi: “Please state your name for the record.”

Colleen: “Colleen Marie Bogert.”

A: “What do you think of this weather?”

C: “I love the climate. I am a little sick of the last week of rain with the mud and the tracking [of mud into my house]. I prefer it cooler like it is now. 70s and 80s are better than 90s.”

A: What is the coolest thing you've seen since you've been here?”

C: “Macaquinhas (little monkeys), but it is tough between that and fruits and plants.”

A: “Speaking of plants, what do you think of the food here?”

C: “Healthy. They work hard to use all the nutrients God gave them in fruits and veggies. Look how hard it is to make the mandioca (a root, like a carrot or potato. You have to wash in then boil it then fry it or bake it)! Me personally, I don’t like their food near as much as ours, but ours is less nutritious.”

A: “What is your favorite new food you have tried since being here?”

C: “Maracujá (passion fruit).”

A: “Changing subjects, tell me about learning Portuguese and how it has been for you.”

C: “At times interesting but mostly frustrating because I keep forgetting what I learn. And then I get my fill…and my head wants to explode.”

A: “Looking back, did you ever think you would learn so much of another language?”

C: “No. People kept telling me I would be able to speak fluently after 6 months but I don’t believe that. I was hoping to have learned more by now but I kind of gave up. I haven’t been studying much.”

A: “Do you think you will have a continued interest in learning Portuguese after you move back to the Unites States?”

C: “Definitely not. Knowing that I am leaving, am I gonna take anything to study? No! Because I am not going to study.”

A: “Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers?”

C: “Being here is a great reminder to pray for these people’s salvation. And it is a reminder to pray for our nation and our nation’s salvation.”