What Be Happenin'

Life continues to be sweet. This second module is keeping me slightly more busy in terms of schoolwork and I also have projects for Empresa Junior on my slate. That being said, my motto for my stay in Brasil "Work hard and play harder" is still in full swing.

Today is a holiday and some friends came up to São Paulo for the weekend so we could party. Hooray for living in a Catholic-influenced society...lots of holidays in the name of religion!


HUGE caterpillar. I wonder what kinda butterfly it turns into...



We decided to rock it up for Halloween.



The Ninja Cupcakes, minus the lovely Thais.



I guess you know you hit it right when several people at the party ask to have a picture with you.



Just another fun-filled day at Vila Lobos park with the regular posse.

More Floripa

Floor-Eee-Puh

"What are you doing in Florianopolis? Don't you ever go to school down there?"

This was Dad's last email to me. I must admit, my schedule is favorable to travelling. I only have classes 2 days per week, but I have 9 hours of class on Monday...I can't help how they set up my schedule. It is kinda like binge studying.

The real explanation, though, it is spring break and Dan and I are enjoying the great city of Florianopolis (Floripa to locals) for the week. Floripa is a very charming city situated on an island just off the mainland in south. It is the "surf city" of the country and may just be my preferred local in all of Brasil. Big city but very relaxed pace of life, and there is much more to do than just beach life.

In other news, in light of my very open schedule I am participating in GV's Junior Enterprise. Basically, it is a group of student consultants and my team and I meet with businesses to discuss their difficulties and propose solutions. But the grunt work is left for other teams, so it works out nicely.

Interestingly, I have not come to know Sao Paulo very well. It seems every chance I have I am travelling elsewhere. My goal for this next module is to get to know places in Sao Paulo. Why is it that whenever we live somewhere we often overlook it for other places of interest?

Here are a few pics from the stay in Floripa thus far:


There was a Childrens Day party at Samara's work before we left. This was my 5th grader smile.


After an all-night car ride, the sunrise just outside Floripa.


Highest point on the island.


Natalia, Valerio, Thais, Dan, Jay, Leandro


Natalia, eager to catch some waves








Guarda do Embau. You have to wade through the ocean to get to this beach. The tide was higher than expected so we had to give up and grab a boat.




Dan is way more ripped than I am.


Boat ride back to shore.


Our boat dude was awesome. You could hardly understand him and he kept laughing hysterically at his own jokes ;)






One of the many cool, little hippie shops in the town.






We are Usain Bolt.


Dan found the biggest sand dollar ever.




Rice patties

Southern Adventure

My friend Gabriel had a birthday party this weekend, so Carol invited me to go along with her and some other friends. It so happens that Gabriel lives in Curitiba so I got the chance to become acquainted with southern Brasil for the first time. We road tripped there, as usual, driving all night and arriving very early morning. Unfortunately, we were so tired that we slept Saturday away but the party in the evening was really fun.

The weather on Sunday was beautiful so we decided to visit the temple and Tanguá park after church. It was a nice, relaxing day. I really enjoyed Curitiba, it seems more like a city I could live in.


Curitiba, Brazil Temple


This individual pine behind us, the species is called Araucária, is the reason President Hinckley chose this plot of land for the temple.


We decided to give it a hug.


Just before the storm.


Edifice at Tanguá park


Tanguá park waterfall

Randomly Materialized Thoughts

It is past 1 am and I am sitting in the student lounge at GV. I just put some finishing touches on our group's 50 page paper for Brazilian Economy. By now we are completely sick of anything that has to do with Brazilian or Indian deforestation issues, but at least we can now talk about the subject in an educated manner. I enjoy our group: Andrea from Italy, Andres from Italy, Camilla from Denmark, Jean-Jacques from France and myself. More papers and final exams to be finished in the next week and a half.

I was essentially wait-listed by Empresa Junior (student organization that provides consulting to smaller-sized companies here), they want to do one more interview but honestly I am beginning to lose interest.

Spent last weekend in Vinhedo (about an hour from here) with Paulo and Keiko whom I became acquainted with on my mission. It was great for many reasons: Vinhedo was sunny, Sao Paulo rarely is; they live in a condominium where houses actually have lawns and stuff, felt like the states; the family environment made me feel like I was relaxing at home for a weekend; Paulo, Keiko and Kimberly are awesome.

I discovered that I REALLY like Sushi. I have been to some excellent all-you-can-eat places over the last couple weeks.

Started playing tennis again but I have yet to play on a clay court. My knee hurt afterward though, could I finally be getting old?

Brazilians are awesome!!!

Going to Curitiba this weekend with friends. Excited to get to know the city and to go on another road trip with the same gang as last time.


Phrase of the week - ME DÁ O MEU CHIIIIIIIIIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEÊ!!!