Sweeping up

Everything is coming to end and super fast. The analitical portion of my project was finished on Friday and I only have to write the paper. My presentation is next Tuesday at 8:30 in the freaking morning. I really don't want to go. I miss my home life crazy, but I love this city and I want to stay.

Well, I won't be in Minneapolis for an extended period of time until Christmas. As soon as I get back to the U.S. I am starting my job as an assistant crew leader with the Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa. I worked with them as a youth corps member back when I was 17. Super awesome program and I am excited to meet (more) new people. If you want to see me this summer, let me know soon so I can plan my weekends off.

In conclusion I am dying of saudades. Saudades= does not have an equivalent in English. Basically, I miss Belém, I miss Minneapolis and I miss Sarasota. Life.

I guess I am really a traveler now.

Today's mission: Stop using aluminum.

Pesquisa

This is me at the beginning of the semester. I am celebrating international women's day at the Praça da Republica. The banner says "Living without violence is a right of all women."

Yeah, yeah, yeah, so it's been a while since the last update. I am pretty zeroed in on my research project.

So, like I said, we went to Ilha do Mosqueiro to collect water samples from various beaches. Each beach has a different level of human impact. We're comparing the samples to see if, indeed, human activity causes differences in cyanobacteria concentration and diversity. Cool, huh? Well, to me it is. I am learning more about phytoplankton than I ever thought possible. I think it is funny how these little duders exist everywhere on the planet and have such a significant role in the food web, yet there are rarely any classes taught about them.

My project is sponsored by Dr. Rosildo Santos Paiva. He is a botanist/oceanographer at the Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA). He is a truly remarkable fellow if only for the fact that he helped me design and execute this project. I was thinking about it. How many American professors would help out a student who came pretty much out of nowhere, with no credentials, and with limited English skills? He didn't know me when we first started and he still has not had contact with any of my supporting institutions. Yet, he is always patient with my Portuguese and helps me every free minute he has. Damn, Brazilians are awesome.

Now that the samples have been collected I am supposed to identify each species of cyanobacteria using a microscope and picture books. It's been rough going so far since I have never even thought about cyanobacteria so much as thought about the different possible species. Dr. Paiva spent two hours this morning going over a slide from one of the beaches with me and my lab partner, Rafeal. Rafeal is a biology student from UFPA and I am learning loads about the Brazilian university system from him. Get this: he has five full classes this semester plus TWO internships. I fuss over four classes and one job.

Things are picking up with identifying species. I already recognize a couple genera as well as some other types of algae. Tomorrow Dr. Paiva will be teaching us how to measure the density of organisms within a sample. It's gonna be fuuuuun.

Well, all in all, I am enjoying being a Brazilian university student, if only for a month. I've been reading lots and eating a lot of junk food. The basics.

Lots and lots of beijos!

Today's mission: Learn about where your trash goes. Do you want to cause a bloom of toxic cyanobacteria? Oh, I have read the reports of cyanos in Lake Superior. They're there, alright.

Follow-up

Sorry for the short post yesterday. A little more explanation: the photo is from a beach on the Island of Mosqueiro, near Belém. I will be collecting samples of that green stuff. In the end, I will be monitoring trends in cyanobacteria growth on the island. Does this mean I get to spen my time researching on the beach? Yes. Yes it does.

Oh, and my illness? Malaria? Dengue? Anything at all worth all the pain it put me through? No. It's a UTI.

yes

Today's Mission: Hug an animal.

Jungle fever

Hey! Well, I've bee sick for the last week, unable to do anything but sleep and drink water. I have a second consultation with the doctor today to see what the test results say. As long as I eat lots and take a bunch of ibuprofen, I'm fine.

This next month is for my independent study project. My invalid state has prevented me from writing all the preliminary documents. I also have to take my final exam sometime this week since I asked to skip out on Friday. I'm going to need a lot of luck getting it all done, so help me out.

Today's mission: Use preventative measures!

Agrarian Reform in the Amazon

I am not going to run or abandon the fight of the people of the forest, who are unprotected. They have the sacred right to a life with dignity.
-Sister Dorothy

Hi everyone. Right now I am in Marabá, the second largest city in Pará. This is the second most violent city in Brazil and I will tell you why in a second. First, I need to brief you on the basic history of land conflicts in the Amazon in the last 100 years.
The Amazon is full of people. Not just indigenous people, no. In fact, most inhabitants are ribeirinhos- decendents of european and indigenous groups who live extracting resources from the forest. Put it in your mind right now that the Amazon is a deserted area. People live here and have done so for longer than most American families have lived on their land.
In the early year of the 20th century, Brazil went through a lot of governmental change. It became independent through political tactics, not through war, so it never really had a period of setting up the government like the United States had. Back and forth the power would go, and I will skip ahead to the 1950s when the military took over the government. At this point the counrty was in debt to foreign nations and at the same time wanted to come in to the modern age. The military government decided to promote economic growth by giving away large tracks of land to people and companies, giving ridiculous tax breaks to anyone who promised to create economic activity. The Amazon, seemingly useless in terms of production, was divided up and given to pretty much anyone. (The motive behind this also involved a paranoia that this ´´uninhabited´´ land needed to be defended from foreign invaders if no one was there to protect it.) The slogan of the government became ´´Land without people for people without land.´´
Long story short- thousands of people swarmed to the Amazon region to stake their claim, along with multi-national corporations. BUT THE AMAZON IS HUGE! Most of the land had been unmapped at that time and the population was growing so fast (56% a year during the 1960s) that no government aganecy could keep track of who had what land. They didn´t care, either. So the fight began- big business fighting with newly immigrated peasants fighting with people who had already lived in the area at the time. Land conflicts began to be solved with hired gunmen and excessive violence. This trend continues to this day.
Small family farmers began to organize in the late 1970s and early 80s through church groups. Churches were the only social organizations allowed under the military regime. This was how the famous Landless People´s Movement was created. Farmers fought and their leaders were killed. Over eight hundred rural leaders were murdered in the last ten years for defending their right to land and life. Sister Dorothy, a nun from Ohio, was one of them. Chico Mendes was another...I can go on for hours.
Tomorrow we are going to a place called the S Curve. On April 17, 1996, nineteen rural workers were violently murdered during a peaceful protest asking the government for food and transportation to the nation´s capital. I will be there for the anniversary. Wish all the gatherers peace and luck during their demonstrations.
There is a lot more I would like to tell you, but I guess I will do that face-to-face. I miss all of you so much. I am not just saying that to be nice, I really do feel like I am missing a part of me. Keep me in your thoughts tomorrow.

Today´s mission: Learn about the ´´question of land´´ in the Brazilian Amazon. Look up the stories of Sister Dorothy and Chico Mendes.

Too tired, too sick

Hello again.

Tomorrow we're beginning another trip to the south of Pará. This time we'll be driving the entire way. Most of the trip is focused on the Movimento Sem Terra, or the Landless People's Movement. We'll be learning about their lifestyle, their involvement in the government and their history. On April 17 we will be in a place called "Curva do S." About 15 years ago, Brazilian police killed 14 MST members in what was called the massacre of Eldorado. Since we'll be their on the anniversary of this massacre, we'll be able to attend demonstrations and pay respects. Educate yourself about MST and give them your support.

Other highlights of the coming trip include another 3-day rural homestay, this time with an MST family. I'm a little wary of this experience, since this area is known for eating a lot of meat. Yes, even more-so than other Brazilians. My host mom and I are making a little vegetarian survival kit for the ten day trip.

In any case, I can't get too excited for the trip. I'm pretty tired and I little sick. I also have a bunch of stuff to do regarding my final project. It will be a good experience to learn more about the MST, though. We will also be visiting the third largest hydro-electric dam in the world. The government of Pará is planning on building the first and second largest in the coming years. That's gonna hurt a lot of people and a lot of forest.

Well, I have got a TON of work to do, so I'll talk to you later.

Tchau

Today's mission: Read something outside the main-stream media.

Heading back to Belém, A 21 year old's story

Hey all!

I am sitting in a snazy hotel in the neopolitan city of Santarém, in the western part of Pará. My flight back to Belém is tomorrow morning at seven.

Yes, my birthday was wonderful. We crossed the Rio Negro in to the Rio Amazona, a juncture where black water and white water meet. The white and black water flow along each other for miles before mixing and it is a beautiful and mysterious sight. There was a rainbow over the Meeting of the Waters that day, and I spent my birthday watching the river dolphins jump out of the water. To celebrate we had two cakes- chocolate and corn cake. My entire twenty-first was spent in a boat and swimming in the Meeting of the Waters.

Well, what happened between Manaus and now? A lot, as you can imagine. After my last post we drove to Novo Airão, the last stop on the Rio Negro that can be reached by car. There we had a lecture with a local NGO that promotes economic development of that city. I got to translate the entire lecture from Portuguese to English to my class. The NGO has a branch called NovArte which cells arts and crafts made by local people and made from local peoples. I bought my mother a birthday gift there. That night we met our boat that would take us up the Rio Negro and down the Amazon for the rest of the trip.

The day after (March 20) Novo Airão we reached the Rio Unini through the Rio Negro. Four of my friends and I were dropped of at a rural community in Rio Unini extractive reserve. About thirty people live in Lagos das Pedras and I spent three days living the Caboclo lifestyle with them. IT WAS WONDERFUL! Everyday was swimming, hiking, collecting manioc, making farinha or just shooting the shit in the middle of the Amazon rain forest. A beautiful community, and I already miss my small family there.

The day after I left was my birthday (March 24) and you already know about that. Dolphins. Rainbow. Meeting of the Waters. Fun times.

A day later (March 25) we arrived in the Juruti region. I have to say that this is the most absolutely gorgeous region I have ever been too. Green rolling hills as far as the eye can see and glittering rivers and lakes taking you to small Caboclo communities living the life. An American company called ALCOA is destroying this area due to there bauxite extraction. That is what they use to make aluminum. Luckily, there is a strong group of Caboclos fighting the power- ASCOJURVE. Look them up and support them.

The next day (March 26) we went into a close the main town of Juruti and conducted interviews. My group had to ask people on the street how they thought education has changed since ALCOA came in to the region. I will tell you more about that once the report is written.

On March 28 we reached Santarém, where I am now. We had nothing to do so we simply went in to town, ate ice cream and swam. The next day we took a tour of the Cargill soy bean holding plant located right on the Rio Tapájos. How was it? What do YOU think? It's Cargill!

That day we met the Projeto Saude e Alegria!!!!! The Health and Happiness Project. CHECK THEM OUT!!!! www.saudeealegria.org.br. SOOOOOOOOOOOOO AMAZING! I hope one day I get to work with them.

You're pretty much up to date. Today we went to a community that is associated with the Health and Happiness Project. They raise fish, bees and have and ecotourism industry that does not involve buying pretty much anything. They collect food and materials from the forest and sustainably support their economy. I bought some ridiculously delicious honey from them. So serious, you never had honey like this. It's collected from native bees that do not sting, which collect their nectar from the surrounding forest. Beautiful.

Happy Birthday again to mommy. I am missing all of you deeply.

Today's Mission: Use money from my birthday present to donate to a good cause. Te amo.

Down Rio Unini

Holly looks out over the plaza to the Teatro das Amazônas in Manaus.

I arrived in Manaus Wednesday at two in the morning. I woke up at eight o'clock and spent the morning exploring this city with some friends. It is a pretty tourist-friendly place and I got to a lot of take pictures because of that. There are fewer thieves then in Belém, and a lot more of us gringos.

Manaus is beautiful. This Amazonian city made bank at the end of the eighteenth century because of the rubber boom. Now it is an industrial free trade zone and a popular tourist destination. The buildings here are beautiful and I am lucky enough to be an a hotel right down the street from the Teatro das Amazônas.

During Wednesday afternoon we went to the Instituto da Permacultura das Amazônas (IPA). It is and absolutely gorgeous research institute working in sustainable farming techniques. We had a full-on organice lunch and afterwards had a tour of the center. We ate so much fruit that fell from the trees and saw several amazing projects ranging from bee-keeping to the collection of bio-gas from pig waste.

Today we went to the Fundadção Vitoria Amazônia. It is an NGO that connects rural Amazonian communities to public policy. That description is an over-simplification of their work, but I do not have time to go in to detail. The group is also helping us enter a national park in the amazon and stay with families there.

This afternoon we went tot the largest rain forest research institution in the world- Instituto Nacional da Pesquisa da Amazônia (INPA). Dr. Gonçalo Ferraz spoke to us about forest fragmentation and its affect on biodiversity. I hope to keep in touch with him as I am interested in doing a project with INPA.

Tomorrow we leave Manaus at 5:00AM to take a six hour bus trip to Novo Airão. Novo Airão is the western-most city you can reach by car along the Amazon River. We have a quick lecture there before we board the boat that will take us up the river. We will spend the night on the boat and then meet our rural families on March 20.

At this moment I would like to wish my mother a happy birthday. The same day I meet my rural family is the day my mom embarks on a new year of life. I could not have gone on this trip without her love and undying belief in my capabilities. I owe so much to this woman and I am sorry that I cannot be with her on her day. I love you so much, mom, you don't even know. I will put a flower in the river for you and ask for a wonderful new year for you. Eu te amo, mamãe. Obrigada por minha vida.

Today's mission: Think about travel in a new way. Why go to a city that is just like America when there are so many things to see in this world?

Off again

Sugar cane and cacau fruit- Sao Francisco do Para

Hey kids!
I spent three days learning about rain forest ecology and sustainable agriculture in the Bragantina are of Brazil- 98% deforested. Really interesting, really fun. Got bitten in all sorts of unmentionable places.
We split up in to three groups to study different forest issues. My group was assigned a project on gap dynamics. We planned and executed an experiment in one. Our hypothesis was that if there was more leaf litter on the ground of the gap, then a larger population of plants would arise, independent of light variables. We found no correlation. Science!
Today I am taking an 11:30 pm flight to Manaus. One week in Manaus, about two on a boat. It´s all happening.
I am happy and well. I will be out of contact for the majority of this Manaus trip. I have hundreds of pictures that I´ll try to put up soon. Check out my other blog for more detailed info and pictures: www.reachtheworld.org/journey/journeytobrazil
Hawt.

Getting settled

Our school, everyone hanging out after lunch, waiting for class.

Host mom, Dona Clara, feeding host dog, Pandora.

Internet access is limited here, and a lot has happened, so I'll try to make it brief.

My host mom is the best. She's been making me a lot of typical Paraense food. Baked fish with a plate açaí, stewed chicken in tucupí and jambu. Tucupí is a sour yellow sauce made from manioc that is in many Paraense dishes.

Yes, I have been eating meat. It's more out of necessity and being polite. Don't get excited, I eat it only when I have too and I won't be coming back to the United States eating hamburgers.

Classes are going well and my Portuguese is coming along nicely. I have an advanced Portuguese class every morning at eight-thirty and a lecture in the afternoons around two.

I take the bus from my neighborhood, Marambaia, to Marco, where my school is located. It's about a twenty-thirty minute bus ride where I'm packed into a tin can. At least I get to get to know the people of Belém intimately.

My new friend Abigail is staying with my host mom's daughter. I guess that makes me her aunt. Abbey and her hosts parents came over to eat lunch on Saturday and afterwards took us out for a night on the town. We went dancing: forrô, pagode, bolero, and disco! The band even invited Abbey and I up on stage to sing with them.

Today is international day of women and yesterday, Sunday, there were big celebrations. I was taken by the hand and coerced in to dancing carimbó in the middle of a crowd. It was awesome! After that Abbey and her host parents took me to the old parts of the city. Absolutely gorgeous, and so full of history. I'll try to get those pictures up on Facebook as soon as I can, but it's a bit tough with the internet situation.

It's hot here. Ridiculously so. And muggy, worse than Sarasota. We'll be traveling in this heat to study rain forest ecology in São Francisco do Pará this week, which is three hours away. I won't be able to post for some time, so just know that I am safe and enjoying the hell out of this country.

I love Pará.

Today's mission: Learn a new dance.

Way too much going on

Hi.

The past week has been pretty busy. My 13 classmates and I stayed on our director's sitio, which is pretty much a country house with maybe a few animals. His backyard is the Amazon.

One of the past week's activities was a drop-off exercise. We drove about two hours north of Belém to some small neighborhoods. Each on of us was dropped off by ourselves in a community and we had three hours to complete a task. Some of us speak more Portuguese than others, so it was interesting to see how people communicated.

We spent that night in hammocks at my director's (Gustavo) friend's house. We got up the next day at 5:45AM to head out in a boat which then took us to mangrove forests. We all sank in the mud, but it was pretty rockin'. The economy of the area is based on fishing and crab-farming. At the moment, there are plans for a super-port that would destroy the local ecosystem and put a lot of people out of jobs.

After the mangroves, we spent the day at a secluded beach that's used by the local fisherman as a resting point. We swam, ate fresh fish, and talked to local fishermen and NGO coordinators. Really awesome. I got my first sunburn and it was baaaaaad.

I met my host family this past Monday. I mostly just have my host mom, Dona Clara. She's a lawyer and a wonderful person. Her 28 year old daughter, Amanda, is in and out of the house with her husband, Eduardo. I have my own bedroom and bathroom, which is more than I can say for my house back home.

Mmk, I gotta go. Hope all is well with you.

Today's mission: Discover new fruits.

No more day dreaming

My flight is scheduled to leave TOMORROW at 4:15PM. Tonight mom and dad are having a get-together at our restaurant to celebrate birthdays and wish me a happy farewell. To be honest, I am more excited about the party right now because I cannot fathom what I am about to embark on tomorrow. I am scared, excited, nervous. Yesterday I needed a lot of hugs from mom to calm me down. The good news: I am packed.

Yesterday was my father's birthday. He worked almost completely through it. Exactly four days before that was my sister's birthday and she had three full-length exams to take. My family is always working for the better, an influence that has lead me to this trip. I want to take the birthday people in my life for all their love and I wish them all the luck in the world.

Jessica and I went out for one last American meal yesterday. We went to the Bad Waitress. The hostess was pretty rude, and I'm not sure if that comes with the theme of the restaurant. After my family and friends, I am going to miss food the most. Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Indian and new age vegan/vegetarian cuisine is super exotic in Brazil, and it costs a pretty penny. I'm holding on to a giant tub of peanut butter with all my might. Mark my words, I am not eating rice, beans and eggs for the full four months I am there!

My itinerary? Minneapolis/St. Paul -> Atlanta -> Brasilia -> Belém. I arrive in my final destination 9:45 AM Central/10:45 Eastern on Tuesday. Belém is three hours ahead of central time.

I'm nervous. But I'm happy.

Today's Mission:

Find something that absolutely frightens you and participate in it!

Did you know?

That my mother is published?

My mom's thoughts about raising children in a foreign country were recorded in this book. It's now being re-published to serve as a tool for SEED and college classrooms. I vaguely remember this from my childhood. I was eight when it came out. I never gave my parents as much credit they deserved. When I was little I thought they were dumb because they weren't American. It's funny, because now I thank whatever force in the universe for my cultural heritage. My folks a pretty progressive for their time and they instilled such beautiful values in their kids. I am forever grateful to them for giving me such open eyes.

Speaking of childhood, I found some pictures while cleaning my room. This one is from my very first trip to Brazil. I was two and mom decided to have me baptized in her mother's homeland. Mom is proudly holding me to be blessed by the priest. My godparents are seen in the background talking to the man with big glasses. My mom's oldest brother is my god dad and her old boss is my god mom.

Here I am with my godmother Teresa, eighteen years later:

Here's a cute pick from my second trip to Brazil. I was seven and decided to climb a guava tree on the property of some relative's restaurant. I'm smiling in this picture but only a few minutes later I would be bawling because I couldn't figure out how to come down. Look at that chubby little foot!

Here I am eleven years later, back up a tree. It was my first year at New College and I totally joined the tree-climbing club. Some things never change.

Thanks mom and dad for the beautiful memories.

Today mission: Be grateful for your cultural heritage.

Belém do Pará

Most of my trip will take place in the northern city of Belém. Belém is one of those places that you should know about, but have never heard of. Most Americans know of Rio de Janeiro and São Paolo, the tourist destinations in the south of the country. A few more will know Brasilia, the capital city. However, Brazil is the fifth largets country in land size and there are even more amazing places than the biggest cities.
Belém is the capital of the state of Pará. It is located in the Amazon river delta. As early as a hundred years back, this city was still considered part of the jungle. Now it is a thriving metropolitan area, as advanced as many cities in the United States. Many of the European and North American explorers started their journey into the Amazon from this city, including Theodore Rooselvelt. (There is a river named after President Roosevelt in the Western Amazon called the Teodoro. He um..."discovered" it.)

My journey will be one of great contrast as I move from the "gateway" city of the Amazon to the forest proper. It is going to be extremely exciting to see so many different lifestyles in such a short span of time.

Some good news- I was selected to be a travel correspondent with Reach the World. This non-profit organization offers travel experience for at-risk youths. I will be blogging about my trip on a separate web-page so that elementary school students can see the world through my eyes. Being a student who never had a strong multi-cultural mentor outside of my family, I am very happy to do this. Hopefully I connect with the kids and they can see a world worth saving.

I just have a few more days in the States and I'm not sure how to live it up. Lately I have simply been lazy, watching television at home. I need to figure out a way to be active for the few weeks I have left here.

Wishing you all the best and will update more frequently.

Today's mission: Skip one of your luxuries and give that money to someone who needs it.

Equipped

“I know that there are those who disagree with the overwhelming scientific evidence on climate change.”

-President Barack Obama

Oh man, I LOVE that man. Climate change skeptics are so funny. They’re all like “Dude, I know every single person in the subject of climate science says it’s anthropomorphic, but I know better cause I wanna drive my hummer.” Lame wads.

I have been learning a lot about the western attitudes on deforestation and its effect on the people of the Brazilian Amazon. It’s funny how the developed world thinks they can do a better job of conservation than the people who have independently discovered sustainable practices in different parts of the world. I could not put a qualitative description on how happy I am to be able to learn all of this. Of course, there is the guilt that by simply going to the Amazon I am proliferating its very destruction. Some may think it is completely unjustified to go, but I do justify it by promising I will use all of my experience to change the world.

Speaking of American views on nature, I went on a shopping spree:

I bought my first rucksack. It’s a beautiful piece of equipment that the good folks at Midwest Moutaineering (www.midwestmtn.com) custom fitted to my small stature. I also bought my first pocketknife. It’s silly to get excited about all this, but I have never had anything like these before. The good fortune that came with this trip has finally allowed me to go all out and by real, hearty camping gear. I wish I didn’t need it, but that’s the way it is. The fact that I don’t have to worry too much about cost is the sweetest thing. My mother tells me it’s because my path is blessed, and this adventured was meant to be. Maktub.

If you can’t tell, I am really, very happy. I have my concerns and my frustrations about what I am learning, but I can’t remember a time of bigger contentment. Thank you all for helping me get here.

Today’s mission: Make a decision that will positively affect the environment. This could be as simple as finally buying that reusable water bottle.

BAM!

I GOT MA VISA!

Seems the good people of Brazil have invited me into their country. This comes after a lengthy application process, which included a police report from my local precinct.

After picking up my passport this morning, mom and I went to the best bakery near our house. Check out Adelita's Panaderia on 44th and Central if you get a chance.

It all seems to be coming together.

All my books are in and I've been reading them non-stop for about a week. Here they are, with Merlin perusing the titles, picking out the important passages for me:

The subjects range from ecology to communications, making this semester the most multi-disciplinary in my college career. I'm learning a lot. Most of it's making me angry, but what are you going to do?

Merlin's head is heading toward a box on a chair. That box holds my dad's first laptop. I helped him buy it this morning. He had bought three laptops before, but none of them were meant for him, they all went to his two daughters. I'm really excited for him. I've been teaching him a little, but he's got a long way to go. Wish him luck for me in his technological pursuits.

Be good to each other.

Today's mission: Encourage someone in your life to go after their goals.

I have a question.

If the world could go back to having all of its forests intact, 100%, would you give up all that came with deforestation and "progress"?

O Segredo da Felicidade

"Certo mercador enviou seu filho para aprender o Segredo da Felicidade com o mais sábios de todos os homens. O rapaz andou durante quarenta dias pelo deserto até chegar um belo castelo, no alto de uma montanha. Lá vivia o Sábio que o rapaz buscava.

Ao invés de encontrar um homem santo, porém, o nosso herói entrou numa sala e viu uma atividade imensa; mercadores entravam e saíam, pessoas conversaravam pelos cantos, uma pequena orquestra tocava melodias suaves, e havia uma farta mesa com os mais deliciosos pratos daquela região do mundo. O Sábio conversava com todos, e o rapaz teve de esperar duas horas até chegar sua vez de ser atendido.

O Sábio ouviu atentamente o motivo da visita do rapaz, mas disse-lhe que naquele momento não tinha tempo pare explicar-lhe o Segredo da Felicidade. Sugeriu que o rapaz desse um passeio por seu palácio e voltasse dali a duas horas.

-Entretanto, quero lhe pedir um favor - completou o Sábio, entregando o rapaz uma colher de chá, onde pingou duas gotas de óleo. -Enquanto você estiver caminhando carregue esta colher sem deixar que o óleo seja derramado.

O rapaz começoua subir e descer as escadarias do palácio, mantendo sempre os olhos fixos na colher. Ao final de duas horas, retornou á presença do Sábio.

-Então - Preguntou o Sábio - você viu as tapeçarias da Pérsia que estão na minha sala? zviu o jardim que o Mestre dos Jarduneiros demorou dez anos para criar? Reparou nos belos pergaminhos de minha biblioteca?

O rapaz, envergonhado, confessou que não havia visto nada. Sua única preocupação era não derramar as gotas de óleo que o Sábio lhe havia confiado.

-Pois então volte e conheça as maravilhas do meu mundo - disse o Sábio. - Você não pode confiar num homem se não conhece sua casa.

Já mais tranquïlo, o rapaz pegou a colher e voltou a pasear pelo palácio, desta vez reperando em todas as obras de arte que pediam do teto e das paredes. Viu os jardins, as montanhas ao redor, a delicadeza das flores, o requinte com cada obra de arte estava colocada em seu lugar. De volta á presença do Sábio, relatou pormenorizadamente tudo que havia visto.

-Mas onde estão as duas gotas de óleo que lhe confiei? - perguntou o Sábio.

Olhando para colher, o rapaz percebeu que as havia derramado.

-Pois este é o único conselho que eu tenho para lhe dar- disse o mais Sábios dos Sábios. - O segredo da felicidade está em olhar todas as marvilhas do mundo, e nunca se esquecer das duas gotas de óleo na colher."

~O Velho Rei

It has been a year since I began studying Brazilian Portuguese. Now I can read the language almost as easily as English. What helped the most was being able to visit Brazil during summer vacation last year, as shown by the picture of me enjoying the River Onda in my mother's hometown. I went alone and stayed with my family there. None of them speak English, and I was heard but not understood. Towards the end I gained enough Portuguese to handle day-to-day life, but I still have trouble expressing myself.

I was a foreigner. Although I never fit in during grade school because of my parents' recent arrivals, there was nothing like being in another country with and having no tongue and no way of proving your intelligence. Anyone who shuns another simply for not speaking their language has obviously never had to struggle with learning a foreign tongue. The attitude of "This is America, learn English or get out" is archaic, and an affront to social progress. Being on the receiving end of the sentiment, I can tell you that there a fewer things more isolating than not being able to communicate with the sea of people around you. All you want to do is go home and speak to someone who can understand you.

The passage above is from the first book a read in another language. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a favorite of mine, and because I took on the challenge of learning Portuguese, I can read it in its original language. Here, an old man is telling a young man a story about the "Secret of Happiness." I won't translate the entire passage for you, but I will give you this: the last lines are "Well, this is the only counsel I can give you," said the wisest of men. "The Secret of Happiness is in looking at all the marvels of the world and never forgetting about the two drop of oil in the spoon."

Take it to heart.

And when you want something...

It is about a month until a leave for the ancestral home of my mothers and I thought I should write my first post.

There are few words, especially in English, that can describe the anxiety, the roaring excitement and the unadulterated joy that I am feeling at this moment right now. It has been for so long that I have become accustomed to living in my head. Now that I am finally going to Brazil I don't know what to make of it.

Those who have been closer to me in the past year know that I will be spending the next semester learning about the Amazon in the rain forest itself. The ticket is booked, the texts have arrived, and the scholarships have been accepted. Here I am, 20 years of age, and the world has answered my prayers of giving me my own personal legend.

My journey starts in the capital city of the state of Pará, Belém. I will study Portuguese and ecology at this site as other college students do. After about three weeks, I begin journeying into rural areas of northern Brazil where I will meet, feel, and see the people of the largest rain forest in the world.

It goes to show you that "When you want something, the whole universe conspires so that you realize your dream." -Paolo Coelho, The Alchemist