Mercury Rising

So, I guess there are a couple of pieces of big news to share with you all.

Firstly, and mostly, Dinora finally likes me! It was the most sudden turn around I've ever seen. She was doing her traditional ignoring me until yesterday afternoon. I was doing English with João, Dinora walked in and greeted João and not me. The day before, she protested loudly when finding out she was on my team in football (though, admittedly, she was saying 'I want to be on Goto's team' rather than 'Not on Aidan's team!'). Then, yesterday, I needed to ask her for the football because she'd taken it the previous day. It took a couple of tries to get her to pay attention to me, but then she did, and answered very nicely; it was pleasant. She then, later, came and joined Jorge and I (Desportes com Jorge!) and was laughing with me and being very nice! Then, and here's where it got so much better, after dinner she was clearing the tables, and before taking the food from our table away she asked if I wanted some more! Usually she will just ask everyone else and then take it away, which is quite amusing. I wonder if this kindness will last.

Secondly, my work yesterday and today has been to cut the grass (using a hand scyth - very exciting) in places where a tractor-mower can't go. This is because in the next month we're expected to get temperatures of around 30degrees, possibly even 40. Fires are common around here - actually I saw the first ones in February and Paulo told me that's very early, which is worrying for the summer - so we're trying to reduce the risk. What a responsibility!

Thirdly, there was some chance that I might have had to return home for a few days in the next week in order to sort out some uni stuff - Edinburgh emailed saying they needed my exam certificates, all of which are in England, and I had no idea I had to do this. It was a stressful day, yesterday, trying to figure out what would be the best way to do things. However, the amazing Margaret has managed to locate everything and it's now all under control. It looks like I can stay after all! Thank you, Margaret!

That's all really, for now. Oh, also, we had a delivery of over 700 yoghurt drinks yesterday, and they all have a best before date of 8th May. Brilliant. The teenagers fridge is packed full of them, I have 18 in my room, and there are tonnes more in the Armazém (the store room). Amazing.

Take it easy, it's a warm day!
Aidan x