Triste Sunday

82 Days later....
    The time has come to pack and return to the homefront. A summer of laughs,smiles, tears and moments collide together to create true brazil memories. One word can simply not cover my true brazil dream come true. I will cherish and always reflect upon this placement and will continue to inspire people to pursue overseas placements and to encourage people to see what the world has to offer.

Now i will conclude with my departure checklist. Bom Dia Brazil, Good Morning Canada

Gifts for the family: Check (Surprised?)

Various boxer/briefs/shirts/appareal: Check

Camera: Check (no worries mom it is safe and sound)

Shoes/Sandales: Check

Clock/Iphone/Laptop: Check

My sparkling pink fuzzy things to put on luggage: Check, but not proud to admit

Tickets/ID/Passport: Check

Sunglasses: Sadly Uncheck (though some brazilian is wearing them somewhere)

Toothpaste/Shampoo/Laundry Detergent: Check

Two arms/Two Legs/One big smile: Check

A summer survived and cherished in Brazil: Check

Happy to See Canada but sad to leave Brazil in the rear view mirror: Check

Add all my new amigos/amigas to facebook: Check (of course I wouldnt forget this)

A camera full of photos and a mind full of memoires in the beautiful world of Brazil: Priceless

A true Kodak Moment: Check

    I depart at 3:45 pm tomorrow, My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone and I look forward to seeing you all soon

Film Friday

Blog Treze

  Since now I have felt my 13 entries have led me out of the rookie phase of blogging and more into the experience stage of my newly acquired skills, I decided to take upon my previous acquired knowledge of online blogging and decided this week I will not edit or re read what my fingers type. I will speak my true mind through thick and thin. Sorry if my grammatical errors stand out or my spelling resembles a 12 year old level as i progressive continue writing this entry.
   A week has passed and a week to go. My placement has reached its tail end of its three month journey. The last week until I once again find myself sitting back stuffing down airport meals and snacks. The writing portion of the whole "leaving" phase doesn't quite but the right feeling towards the action portion of the word. As some of my bags have begun to me packed up, I find myself reflecting upon the memories I will leave behind. From the first weeks of sunburn on the beach (may i say I could have official opened a redlobster franchise with the way my back and sun resembled the painful colour of red) to the first encounter of the Portuguese lanuage "Oi" and even to the endless nights of meeting and introducing ourselves as fellow Canadians abroad come across my mind. The people we met well not be enacted forever within our facebook chain of social media to our promising kodak photos emplaced in our memory and hands.
  Now this previous week I have decided to attempt to visually become a brazilian citizen by transforming my pale casper skin into a crisp brown colour and my bitter pronunciation of Portuguese into a clear and conscience presentation. Today I sit here still white (but not casper white) but with a big chip on my shoulder (I could classify this "chip" as a LAYS chip simply because I am eager to pursue more). My verbal communication skills have increased (I think at least) and my tan is slowly becoming apparent to the naked eye. With 7 days remaining I plan to continue with my transformation and I hope when i do manage to stumble off the plan in Toronto I will become the Half brazilian/Half canadian I now desire. Brazil will forever be in my future plans and I do intend to make yet another pit stop in the future when my money sees new highs and my education proceeds higher output. With my to go checklist to be presented next week in ordinary fashion. I thank all my fellow followers, hometown supporters (shout out to Chris Clark), friends, family members and Brazilian assiocates. I will see you soon Canada.

Blog Doze

Business minds use reference to the phrase "Let the money talk:, creative minds refer to the statement "think outside the box", travellers stick to "what happens in _________(location) stays in __________(location) and students stick the code of "Study hard, party harder". But now I question what do bloggers reference to in a moment of disparity or confusion. For my Doze blog, I have decided to put the pen down (or in realistic terms, the keyboard away) and express the statement "A picture is worth a thousand words". This week I will not focus on keeping you followers on the edge of your seat staring into the tiny font in which this website portrays my weekly entries. So sit back and enjoy the pictures of where I am, whom I know, and what I have been up to this summer. 15 days left.

Blog Onze

My post comes late hoje a' noite. The week has concluded and it has taken me a few moments to reflect on its events and activities. This week brought me back to my Canadian roots as fellow Professors from Canada had come to visit and explore into our placement. The meeting was greatly appreciated and welcomed with open arms as Brazil has once again been invaded with Canadian presences. It was muito  bom to see fellow english speaking once again and it brought me to realize how my time in Brazil will soon come to a stop. Trez semanas until I board the flight back to home soil. Eager to see friendly faces and family but triste to leaving Brazil behind. Besides the arrival of fellow canadians on Brazil pavement, this week i managed to catch some rays of sunshine and was able to slowly fade the white off my skin. The suns heat is extraordinary and the fact of being "sunburnt" always crosses my mind as I lay motionless on the beach. Nada is worse then to begin white as a ghost and then to leave your day of tanning red as a lobster. Now as my work placement has wrapped up and feedback has been noted, the next three weeks presents me with a open window of opportunity to capitalize on. I look forward to enduring some athletics and to capture some true brazilian experiences. My camera will be in full return and my facebook will be having some additions as the week continua (not a spelling error), well I dexiar now as a tired traveller yet inspired business student. Saude Canada and to fellow followers and business associates. I will have more to say next sunday and look forward to presenting you with a wild and exotic blog next week. Enjoy the Portuguese and Feliz Aniversario to my fellow cousins.

Blog Dez

Boa Noite
    Another semana has passed and with that arrives the common domingo night entry. Yes I have decided to incorporate some Portuguese words within my entry. This will therefore be your learning aspect for the week as well as seen as more of a "Da Vinci Code" challenge. But I reveal to my followers, that there isn't and will never be a holy grail found amongst my clever hidden words. 
    Agora, to the good stuff. My offical eight week placement has now concluded and come to an end, where I now see some fellow overseas collegues boarding the plane home or boarding the plane to continue there summer adventure. But for myself, Eu sit back and enjoy the sun beating down on me and my countdown until arrival home to be a near 4 week period. Time is still not visible to me, as it seems everyday passes quicker then the próximo. My recent week has led me to explore the tourist spots of Brazil as well had concluded with a beer in my right hand and celebration fist with my left hand. Canada day was embraced to the full extent on my half despite the fact, no one here really understood why i was seemingly "full" by then end of the evening. With my saturday morning only to reveal to me, the day of Independence for Bahia. A fellow state and promising addition to Brazil. So once again I found my hands full of trouble,laughter, and amongst friends. Though with my weekend basically being the highlight of my week, i took upon the advantage to begin some paperwork and miscellaneous activities to consume some of my daily hours. ops não posso esquecer português agora. Though with my months eventually degrading to days left here for my placement, i slowly begin to reflect upon my wok placement and fellow incidents I have done and would still like to try. Therefore, I now dexiar to comprise a list of things to do and what i can verificar off of what I've done. 
     To my followers and fellow friends, i will be home soon and your in my thoughts. Cheers to Canada,My family, amigos,amigas and for the ones at rest. Good luck with the translations. Saude

Blog Nove

As the week comes to a conclusion, I continue to proceed my way to the cashier to pay for my fare. This roller coaster of a week has finally come to an abrupt stop. The twists and turns of the ride have turned made my week has its high moments to aspire too and laugh and its low moments to reflect on and treasure.

As the ascending of the first peak left me last week on a high moment with one drink in my right hand and one left arm around a beautiful girl. Who could complain. As the day progression and the peak had begun its downfall I become face to face with a circumstances of losing a relative. The sudden drop made me freeze and made my mind black out.

In Brazil this week is comprised of short work days due to the holiday entitled “Sao Joao”. This holiday was from Wednesday until Sunday. The city of Salvador becomes vacant as people travel to the countryside to party and embrace their culture. So with my roller coaster at the midst of its lowest point, I found the only thing to look up to is once again, to ascend to the top of a new peak. So as the weekend become apparent and close for comfort, with the assistance of my friends my emotions begin to up rise. A toast to a loss and to a new start was conducted as the night begin as a typical Saturday celebration. It had led me to explore the high part of  the city and Salvador. A place full of people.people, and even more people. Drinks were cheap and music was found in all parts of the location. My facebook can bring a more visual aspect to this night, as I ensured to have my camera on hand.

As it is Sunday now and I feel near the top of my ride again, I hope the down fall to the bottom is more gradually and easier as the new ride of next week is about to begin.  

Now due to my last post, the feeling of acquiring some Brazilian knowledge was absent due to my overwhelming personal feelings. But…… this week I will return to pass down my knowledge unto my followers. This week will cover the basis of the days of the week. This way as you go through your week of work/fun and boredom you can note your own roller coaster experience and discover how much your fare will be.

Monday : Segunda

Tuesday : Terca

Wednesday : Quarta

Thursday : Quinta

Friday :  Sexta-Feira

Saturday : Sabado

Sunday : Domingo

As I leave this week, I look forward to a better ride to endure this week and hope to be able to maintain some form of happiness and stability as my weeks slowly beginning to dissolve until my fight departure. So cheers to all my friends and family. Here is my 5 dollars or 8.07 R for the roller coaster ride in which I recommend not to take this ride.

Blog Oito

 A non-typical sunday entry is entered this week. I found myself in a situation i can not find the nerve or ability to change or adjust to within one day. A blog is used to express emotions,events, or concerns. A personal blog does differ then a professional blog, as it presents a more realistic opinion. Yet as this eventful and highly remarkable week within brazil has ended, I hit a brick wall as the world of emotions comes upon me. Emotions distort my week and the events that I have encountered. I have come upon the news of losing a relative today. Something more than a relative or family member title. Blood does not always resemble true family ties or memories. My heart goes out to my best friend back home. Names are not needed for this entry as the individuals know who i speak of. This moment brings out the true self in me and the fact I am not able to be home for this incident. If i could walk; i would walk, if i could run; id run, yet the distance that separates me from where i should be is unbearable for any human being. This blog will be short as i sit here in thoughts and memories of my childhood and my friendships. My silence is not to be seen as a negative thing, yet as a positive embrace of my grandma and her life. I wipe the tears from my family members and myself as i deal with this situation. Brazil is in your thoughts friend, and She will always be in my thoughts. Until another time, i leave this blog open ended and with a moment of personal silence and acknowledgement......

Blog Seis

 Ola, Tudo Bem followers/friends/family

    As this Sunday has once again arrived, I reflect back upon my week and the activities I have encountered. I have managed to check off some things on my  to do list. One of these things being, to do Karaoke. Yes, sounds lame yet its truly a remarkable experience to sing in pure English to a pure Portuguese bar scene. I hope to think my beautiful voice lifted the spirits of the crowd yet to be honest, I can not report back on how I was due to the communication barrier. I don’t recall many boos yet not an encore, therefore it could have been a mixed reaction. But as I sit in my chair I become sad at the question of “where the “fridge” is Canadian sports?” Brazil does not exercise a 24/7 hockey coverage as present back in Canada, nevertheless they don’t even talk or touch base on how our Canadian teams are doing. From growing up with Sportscenter to wake up to every morning, the lack of sports is slowly dragging me down. Yet I do give my best regards to the Canucks and my cup is raised in support of Miami also. Both finals I wish I could watch. Highlights are never as good as the real action in play.

            This weeks experience have led to me lay on the beach and bronzeado (tan)/host a 830am meeting with Ile Aiye/A wine and cheese party/Purse shopping with Olivia (not as bad as it may sound)/ and last yet not least to a evening full of drinks with my fellow amigos and amigas. Each week exposes me to a new adventure in which I cant help but to enjoy and capitalize on. Last night I managed to watch UFC 131, which was a war amongst all fighters on the card. I am fortunate UFC is a major sport recognized in Brazil. So, I still am able to watch that sport yet Hockey is definitely one I wish I could tune into.

Well also as my week ends here in Brazil, of course in Canada it does also. Therefore  I would like to give a “shoutout” (odd word to use yet it seems appropriate to use) to my sister and her graduation accomplishment, my family of course to let them know they are in my mind and thoughts, and of course to my fellow friends who should start to prepare for my return and skill I will be bringing to the 2^ND annual beer Olympics. I’m ready to redeem last years tragic second place finish. Now onto my next topic of discussion.

The portion which allows you; the Canadian perspective to gain some Brazilian knowledge. I will now inform you on the basics of simplying greeting and dismissing someone.

Canada: Hey/Hi                                                         Portugese: Oi/Ola

Canada: Bye/Goodbye                                              Portugese: Tchau 

Canada: Good Morning/Good Afternoon                 Portugese: Boa Dia/Boa Tarde

Scenario: Now when you ever find yourself in a situation here, where you don’t understand what to do/what to think or what to say. Just keep to the basic approach when your misunderstanding. Nod your head and say “Sim” (yes), eye contact is crucial to this stage. Yet when Sim seems to not gain you anywhere, simply say “noa sai” (I don’t know). The hardest part I found to learn such a language is the fact that the spelling doesn’t resemble how to pronounce the word. But best of luck to my fellow followers and travel cravers. The world is full of diversity and variety of culutural aspects. But do enjoy your first lesson.

Well the clock is ticking and the days are slowly vanishing before me. Yet I await to write again in one week. Cheers to my family/friends/Brasilians/Canadians and mostly importantly my newly formed Brazilian friends. Tchau J

Blog Cinco

Michael Althsuler once quoted that “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot.” As I realize how the first month of my placement has approached, this quote seems to catch my attention. Time is impossible to slow down but somehow it has the ability to pass by quicker than expected. It feels like I just landed on Brazilian grounds yesterday.

I know to boast about a trip can only be so soothing to hear for a certain extent of time. Therefore through my blog I will allow my followers and fellow Canadians to experience some portion of what I have been experiencing since my arrival. I intend to do this by inserting some Portuguese into my next upcoming set of blogs. The purpose is to allow you to gain a personal insight on the culture of Brazil. Now to first get some Brazilian taste, I will tell you a couple facts to help increase your global awareness. First, Brazil is spelt Brasil and the appearance of the “z” is not visually present here. Second, we are classified as “gringos”. Wherever you go, the term gringo will be said in secret amongst the casual Brazilian conversation. From the convenience store owner to the taxi driver it can be found mumbled somewhere within there conversation. Now “gringo” simply means “stranger” or “foreigner”. The benefits of this term are simply not present, it basically means you get charged more than fellow local people. So hint to all travellers, spice up that tan before you visit and try to pretend like Portuguese is your first language. Though, the more familiar people notice your face around, the less you hardly notice the “gringo” affect. And one of the most obvious facts is, that not matter what you are talking about; hairdresser,food,business,health,bus, anything in general, soccer is always a topic of interest that can fit. So when all else fails, just bring up futebol (SOCCER).

Now my photos have slowly been adding up, yet due to the unreliable internet connection, the process of uploading them is slightly delayed at this time. But look out for some pictures to be seen within this week on my Facebook page.

Well another Sunday has come and I look forward to my post next weekend. Like always, cheers to all my friends and followers. 2 months left to go.

Blog Quatro

A week of sun and fun has finally arrived. Well fun always had be present, but the newly acquired sunny days have finally arrived. Along with the appearance of the sun, the first Brazil sunburn has crept up on me. The burn is quite remarkable too see but quite painful to touch. The temperatures have been consistent with highs of 29 and lows of 25. Work has been very productive and new friendships have once again been established. Every week seems to bring a new friendship to explore and a party to attend. The Brazilian culture is slowly starting to attach to my values, and to have to leave in a couple months seems impossible.

            To my surprise I learned this week that Brazil official Valentines day is coming up this next week. Also, my ability to speak Portuguese is slowly progressing and I intend to get better and better as weeks progress. My goal is to bring back some part of Brazilian back to my Canadian origin. The camera has been cracked open and almost all used up. Yet I do expect to post and update more photos on a weekly basis. With the ability to jungle work, personal life, and the various forms of entertainment I manage to get involved in, I have slowly become adjusted to my new lifestyle. With a positive equilibrium, I look forward to continue to push forward with my knowledge and develop an international awareness, therefore I look forward to providing you more feedback as each Sunday approaches and I hope that my blogs will inspire people to purse an international venture and to capitalize on all there opportunities.

            Though I would like to say; happy belated to my dad, in which his birthday I was unfortunate to miss due to my absence. But all the way from Brazilian, my amigos (boys) and amigas (girls) all will have a drink on your behalf. Though from more country to the next, I always have my family in my mind and it may seem difficult to see due to my excitement towards travel but I do miss you of course. From one Sunday to the next, cheers to Canada and cheers to my fellow Brazilians.

Blog Trez: 16 days later

As week three begins I already question where time has gone. Time passes by so fast as each night leads to the next morning.  I still find it hard to come to realize sometimes where I truly am and the process of how I got to where I am today.  My placement has become my new lifestyle as I am slowly adjusting to the social norms and values of what Brazil has to offer.  The hospitality amongst the people I have encountered has been amazing, from friendly greetings and rides back home after a late evening, has been muchly appreciated.

            The camera has been unpackaged and used finally. Pictures can be seen on my facebook profile, yet more are to be come throughout the week, My disposable camera has almost been used up entirely, therefore when I eventually land back on Canadian soil those will be printed up. Due to a sudden illness upon my professor of Portuguese and miscommunication amongst students, I was able to play the tourist role this week. 2 days off of my busy learning/meeting schedules had allowed me to come to my senses and break out my camera. Portuguese has slowly been catching onto my vocabulary and the more I am around fluent individuals, the ability of understanding has slowly become more possible, Yet Portuguese is a speedy language to try to break down slowly and pronounce. But with hard determination and precise listening, words are beginning to make sense and sentence structure is becoming visible.

            I have managed to visit several bar scenes in Brazil, and I am still amazed at the majority of people present at each establishment. Everywhere is compacted with people and partying. 3 am is seen as 10pm in Canada, the drinks flow all night with no stoppage and the parties don’t seem to settle down till past 5am every night. The art of the “forro” (traditionally dance) has been taught to me several times, yet the steps still confuse me. My attempts end in laughter and jokes amongst our new fellow friends and associates.  

            Now to talk on behalf of “what I do” regarding business in Brazil. Fun is pleasure but business is business. Business exists on a Monday-Friday basis, while fun takes over from Friday at 6 till Monday at 2pm. Well here in Salvador, Brazil I work on behalf of “IFBA” to help them assist a local organization known as “ILE-AIYE”. Our job (on behalf of all 3 of us here in brazil) is to help Ile Aiye restructure there business and hopefully help to keep them financially stable and business aware. We have had 2 meetings with this organization board of directors and presidents that have lasted 3 hours each. These meetings consisted of greetings and business negotiations regarding: legal framework, marketing, revenue, and business infrastructure.  As weeks progress I will delivery updates on how the negotiations progress and where they lead to. As for now I am going to go enjoy this sunny day and waste this lovely Sunday away. Happy May 24 to all in Canada and of course “Cheers” to all my amigos and friends in St Catharines, Mount Forest and Hamilton

Blog 2 Or I should say Blog Doze

     7 days later in the world of Brazil and I still find myself in shock with the new environment that surrounds me. From late night cheers to mid day starts, my first week has concluded. 7 days of travel,work and pleasure have left me with the same smile I had on the day I arrived.  Now to put my week into a more structured format….

 The first couple days began with meeting our fellow residents in our house, fellow students at IFBA, and our landlord Fred. After this encounters we were then set off to tour the area and its beautiful sights. Google images are incomparable to the real view. The landmarks and tourist points are amazing to see and I am blessed to be able to see them in real view. My camera shy personality has not left me yet but soon I will make sure to unwrap the camera I have brought. Pictures are soon to come.

IFBA some may not know or recognize yet it is an educational institute found in the midst of Salavador,Brazil. During the day it hosts highschool students and at night it teaches post secondary students. Courses that range from Engeringing,Music,English and of course Business (they refer it as administration though). By the time Tuesday had arrived we were informed of what our daily schedule would be like. A daily 25 min bus route to IFBA daily (excluding weekends) was noted and the first couple weeks were highlighted as Portuguese,Portuguese, and Portuguese. As you can see the first thing to do was to become more familiar with the language because English isn’t very common amongst everybody. With 4 hours of Portuguese a day, the language is slowly starting to grow on me lol. But I will add, learning a language always is a stepping stone process full of headaches and the words “What was that” and “How do you say that again”.

As Friday had arrived, us Canadians were introduced to the nightlife. Lets just say I now understand the word “night-life” better in Brazil. From dancing at a fancy club to relaxing at a bar overlooking the beach, 4 am felt like 12. Yet it was not 12 lol Its hard to wake up and come to realize “I’m in Brazil” because the hospitality and the people are so welcoming and friendly, it makes it feel like home. Sunday has now arrived and as I ponder about the week that has just passed, I still feel the exicment I had the moment I stepped off the plane (which may I say, 13 hours on a plane, that’s an experience lol). As I look ahead to next week, I’d like to leave all my followers a cheers and a recommendation; if you ever get the chance to travel abroad to Brazil, take it!!! Now till next week I hope to bring photos and stories for all to read and enjoy. Goodnight Canada and Good morning brazil J Cheers….

Blog 1: My Departure Flight list

Say my farwells to friends/family/and fellow students: Check

Review portguese before I depart to Toronto: Check

Check in Luggage and go through security at Pearson: Check

Say my last goodbyes to Mom and Dad before I depart through customs: Check

Board Plane to Sao Paulo: Check

Manage to deal with the 10 hour flight: Check

Check in Luggage and board exchange flight to Salavador: Check

Deal with minor delay (an hour) on exchange flight: Check

Finish my last 2 hour flight to Savador,Bahia Brazil: Check

Met livia and fellow students I will be working with at IFBA: Check

Have a few Scols with fellow Brazilian students and browse Brazil: Check

Eat Mcdonalds: Yes I already managed to check this off the list lol

Unpack and relax: Check

15 hours on a plane/airport, one chicken dinner, one breakfast omlet, one mid flight heinken, one movie and 5 hours of sleep, concluding with a few hours of walking around brazil and meeting my fellow workers/local students: Priceless

Cheers to all my followers. I intend to update on a weekly basis and I look forward to showcasing you my life in Brazil this summer.