Hope and Change

Today was Raquel's first time voting, ever. When she left Brazil she was too young, and she didn't become a US citizen until this year, so this election was her first US election where she wasn't a spectator.

Raquel was appalled by the number of choices she had to make. I told her that she didn't have to vote for the local dog catcher if she didn't want to, but she felt like she needed to make a conscious decision and she spent a good bit of time with the voter's guide put out by the League of Women Voters. Boy did I have to hear about how terrible it was when I got back from school last night.

We went together this morning before work. They didn't have the "I Voted" stickers so we kept our access code printouts.

Do we look hopeful?

My Little Whirlwind...

My little whirlwind is at it again. She just returned from a second trip to Kuwait. As usual she had a lot of fun and got to meet some neat people. Grandma this one is for you: Raquel found a way to do her crochet in the airplane - she used the small blade from the dental floss box to cut the yarn (can anybody stop her?).

She even had an opportunity to speak of the Love of God through Jesus to a male muslin co-worker. God's love is just incredible .... Raquel came back saying "how much love is this that God will bring someone from Brazil via Houston to go to Kuwait to tell one person about his love!"

Chevron sent her to Kuwait to help the local business unit start a new business process.

Here is an evening shot of her hotel in the background.
They are actually at a restaurant having dinner.

Wonderful hospitality

And even an adventure. She was driving around looking for this place for over 1 hour. She found it but it turned out not to be what she thought it would be (it was not a cultural center).

Chevron's Trip to Brazil

Back before the hurricane, Raquel got to take a trip home thanks to Chevron (first time that's worked out). She went to Sao Paulo (down south) to complete a risk assessment and got to spend 3 days with her family (up in the northeast) thanks in part to a national holiday and our wonderful fridays off.

Here's some pics of the weekend with the family. Brother Eduardo and Sister-in-law Naira
Sister Renata and Brother-in-law Valberth
Job well done!
Second weekend with Uncle Daniel and Aunt Cinda. Great time and wonderful shoe shopping!
Here's a work pic - celebration after a hard and long week of risk assessment! I am seated next to the blurry waiter.