Today was the last day I went to the beach to catch some sun. I'm sure gonna miss it. That cool, refreshing water, hot sand, the ocean breeze gently hitting your face... Cant wait till next year :D Today the beach was practically empty. I'm not kidding lol There were less than 30 people on the beach, which made it really peaceful, compared to the days were every body was on vacation and brought their noisy kids always yelling and screaming lol Tomorrow I'm going to school to see my time-table. I hope it's better than last year. Last year I only had one afternoon off, I hope this year I can have a more flexible time-table. School starts Thursday and I'm really nervous. I don't know anybody except these two boys, one of them is my friend since the 7th grade, which cracks me up and the other one I have a crush on :P I hope everything goes OK :) You know what they say: First impressions are everything, and I'm not much of a talker. I'll just have to wait and see :)

The only good thing about school starting is the shopping. lol It the only time in the year that I can buy what ever clothes I want and the amount is endless (ok, not endless, lol but its a lot. hihi) Its the only time me and my mom actually go to the the mall and to the high price stores because everything is on sale and its super cheap. So far I have like 10 new shirts, three new pairs of jeans, two new pairs of sneakers, three belts, a purse, hair products, nail polish, gloss and some other stuff. Now all I need is my books, notebooks and stuff to write. lol I leave the real school stuff for last ;) ***

...because I went straight to level 6!!! :D hihi... Never even got the chance to meet the cavewoman..hmm..lawyer... whatever she was!! lol I went from level 4, 76% to level 6, 20% :D I guess all that review writing came in handy :P ***

(the ones with a * are the ones that apply to me :)) Your mother or grandmother has Maria in her name. * You have a rooster napkin holder.* Your father or grandfather is called Manuel, Jose, Antonio, or Joao.* Your house is a mini church with just as may statues of saints and Jesus as your church itself. 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. (so true!) * 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 have a mobile phone and spend a small fortune on it, but think twice about going to the dentist. (since my father is more american than portuguese, this one doesnt apply :P) 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. (i dont think this, my mom does) * 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". (i actually like lisbon and the people from there) You think Brazilians speak incorrect Portuguese and will not read a book written in Brazilian Portuguese. * 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 (I wont even start! :P) * 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 (my granpa) 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? (unfortunatly :( lol) * 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. (omg! have i got some stories about this... lol ;)) 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. (always hihi :D)* 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. (all the time!! :D) * 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. ** There where more just that I cut them out so this wouldnt be even longer!! :P ***

I'm not normal! lol Every year about this time, I start getting this feeling in the pit of my stomach because of school starting. From the 1st till 6th grade I had no reason for it because I loved school and it was always the same class mates. Then, in the 7th grade, I moved to Portugal, I got super nervous because: first- I didn't know anybody and second- I hardly spook the language (but that didnt stop me from being one of the best students in class (not to brag of course ;)) and then 8th and 9th grade I wasnt so nervous. But then when I passed to the 10th grade and I found out I was in a class that I didnt know anybody except for 2 people. But I survived, hardly but survived because of a number of reasons but I'm not gonna tell my life story lol Unless you guys really want to hear it and I really doubt that ;) lol and Now I'm going to the 11th and I found out that my 10th grade class was all split up and I'm in a class with totally new people and I'm scared silly lol I gotta get over this lol But luckily I still have my friends to tell me it's gonna be OK and that gets me though it :) ***

weeeee... =) I'm on level 3!! :) I'm a soup nazi like in Seinfeld :P looool but I'm not mean xD hehe... I'd give anyone soup xD how much do you guys bet that i will stay on level 3 for days? loool ;) kidding... or not! :P thanks to everyone that posted on my last entry :) ****

I'm stuck on level two for days!! =( First I had 40 % and now I have 70%. I've been posting on my blog, posting on the forums, making friends, etc and I'm stuck here =( Can anyone tell me what I can go to the next level?? plz... =) thanks =) ***

Hello everyone =) I'm new here and this will be the first of many posts. For whoever doesn't know, I'll make a small introduction of myself =) My name is Jackie, I'm 16, I live in Portugal but was born in the US, to be more specific, Bethlehem Pennsylvania. I like going shopping (what girl doesn't?? xD) going to the movies, going out with friends, watching tv, and much more =) Well I gotta go. =) See ya***