Fri-Jun-18-Tornado

Lucija was one of the housemates in the House Of Ten. She is getting married tomorrow at 11h00am in Omaha, Nebraska, which, according to Wikipedia, is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles (30 km) north of the mouth of the Platte River. Vivi, Jordan, Matteo, Nick, Caroline, Lesley, Wolf, Adam and Jessamy are going to be there. I already have a beautiful summer dress and a lovely hat – the perfect outfit. I am leaving Raleigh at around 6pm, meeting Adam in Chicago at around 8pm and then flying to Omaha where Brendan and Matteo are going to be waiting for us at a bar! We have already made reservations at the hotel and I’ve just checked the weather, it couldn’t be better. Well, it could only be better, if there weren’t a tornado in Chicago.

Because then I wouldn’t have to wait three hours at the airport without knowing whether or not the connecting flight was also going to be delayed. I wouldn’t have to wait an extra hour sitting on the plane while the woman in front of me told her life story on the phone and the guy to my left yelled out his most interesting life accomplishments. Because then I wouldn’t have to watch a movie about the origin of lighting and thunders and wouldn’t have to wonder if the ones I was seeing outside the plane window would by any chance strike the plane. No, I wouldn’t have to fly around the storm that was devastating Chicago and take a detour to, coincidently, Omaha, Nebraska, since the plane couldn’t land at the O’Hare International Airport. And no, I wouldn’t land in Chicago at 1h00 am on Saturday to find out that the next available flight to Omaha was on Tuesday.

source

But if there were no tornado, then I wouldn’t have had the chance to see Adam tired and cranky, watching Dexter and talking about the Phish concert with a weird friend that he had just met at the airport. And I wouldn’t have had a chance to give him a hug and say goodbye as he closed his eyes and went into sleep mode in a not so comfortable bench at the airport where he decided to stay until 5am and try his luck at the standby list. And I wouldn’t have called Dunia, a friend of mine from Sao Paulo who is getting his MBA at HBS and had just landed in Chicago from a trip to Denver and is one of my guardian angels in this life. And I wouldn’t have found out that Pimenta and Roberta, two of the people I love the most in Sao Paulo but have been living in NY, would be landing in Chicago in the following morning. And if there hadn’t been a tornado, I wouldn’t have had a Stella at the windy patio of Dunia’s new apartment that overlooks the lake.

And the weekend would have been a lot different.

Quinta. 17/Junho. Port.

Pasta.

Sausage.

Garlic bread.

Chardonnay.

Chocolate.

Doritos.

Love my house mate.

Wednesday. 06/16. CrabTree.

Victoria Secret.
the Gap.
Guess.
Godiva.
Ann Taylor.
I love my job. 

Tuesday. Pê. 06.15.

Psim, PisPso PmesPmo, Pvou PesPcrePver Pna PlínPgua Pdo PPê. PCom PesPse PnePgóPciPo Pde
 PGooPgle PTransPlaPte Pa PmiPnha PviPda PparPtiPcuPlar PdeiPxou Pde PePxisPtir.
 PAPgoPra, Pem  PqualPquer PcanPto, Pde PcanPtoPnês Pà PrusPso,
PuPsuPáPrios PaPnôPniPmos PpoPdem Pse  PdePleiPtar Pcom PmiPnhas
PesPtoPrias. PBom, PesPta Pnão, PporPque PesPta Pé Psó PpaPra Pos
 PbraPsiPleiPros. PE Psó PpaPra PaPquePles Pque PfaPlam Pa PlínPgua
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PdePciPfrar Po Pque PesPtá PesPcriPto. PClaPro Pque PuPma
 PsoPluPção PsePriPa PcoPpiPar Po PtexPto PpaPra Po Pword Pe
PsimPplesPmenPte PsubsPtiPtuPir  PtoPdos Pos PPês Ppor P- Pe PtenPtar
 PaPdiPviPnhar PonPde PfiPcou PfalPtanPdo Pum PPê.
 PEnPquanPto Po PleiPtor PquePriPdo PrePsolPve Pse Pvai
Pler Pou Pnão Pe Pqual Po PproPcePdiPmenPto Pa Pser PaPdoPtaPdo, Peu
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 Peu PtamPbém Pas PdesPcoPnhePço.

PEnPfim, PaPté Pjá esqueci o que eu ia contar.

Back to English.

Last night we had Kelli's Stromboli at Scott's house. Soooooooooooooo delicious! I loved it! I can't believe I had never had it before. It looked something like that:

Following our fantastic dinner, I had to go on a veeeeeeeeery important mission. I went to Cary to feed a friend's friend's cat who it turned out not having the need of being fed. At least now I know another town: Cary, Kika; Kika, Cary. Encantada. The drive was nice. Back  home, I couldn't go in because I didn't have the key. Surprising how things like that keep happening with such recurrence in my life - no matter how old and wise I get, certain things I just never learn.

June 15. Monday. Cotidiano.

Fun facts of my daily life.


The house where I live is three storeys high. My room is upstairs and has an adjacent bathroom. It is located in the part of the house that overlooks the street and it has two large windows. I have lived with a serious dilemma these days. If I pee with the bathroom door open, leaving the shutters open and if someone walks on the street looking up, will they be able to see me sitting on the toilet?


As I mentioned before, the gym where I work out has a tanning bed. In fact, it has two different models, one in which the person lies down, another in which the user stands up. The second model is more powerful, so that is the one I use. The maximum I can stay there is 10 minutes. The only mandatory item is a pair of safety goggles. Usually I go into the machine, close the door and stand there as the lights and the fan go on, thinking about life, dancing, shaking my butt... but I have a thought that won't get out of my head: What do people do when they're there?

Sunday. June. 13.

Source

Valentine's Day. June/12. Sat.

In Brazil, Valentine's Day is called "Dia dos Namorados" (lit. "Day of the Enamored", or "Boyfriends'/Girlfriends' Day") and is celebrated on June 12, when couples exchange gifts, chocolates, cards and flower bouquets. This day was chosen probably because it is the day before the "Festa junina" (Saint Anthony's day), known there as the marriage saint, when traditionally many single women perform popular rituals, called simpatias, in order to find a good husband or boyfriend.

The February 14's Valentine's Day is not celebrated at all, mainly for cultural and commercial reasons, since it usually falls too little before or after Carnival, a major floating holiday in Brazil that can fall anywhere from early February to early March. (Wikipedia)

8h15am.

7h00pm.

June-11. Ice cream. Friday.

Raleigh is actually in Brazil. Fact #3: Hot and Humid. Just like home. I am back in the rainforest. 
And I must confess that I keep a jacket in the office.
And sleep under a huge comforter.
Exactly the way I like it...


...


Having technical problems with the remote control. Some things are soooooo complicated... Fact #4.

06.10.10 Thursday. Post-Hump Day.

Work...

Work...

Work...

Work...

Work...

Work...

And fun night with Kathleen and Kelli!

Wed. June 9th. Hump Day.

Happy Hump Day!


"You can call Lynnwood Grill "comfortable excitement.” It’s the kind of place where people know your name... and the bartenders know what you're drinking.

Located beside the Raleigh Grande Theatre, this locally owned bar and grill is the perfect place to grab a bite before or after the movie. It’s also a cozy place to meet friends for drinks, watch a game, or listen to live music. When the weather is nice, enjoy drinking and dining on the outdoor patio.
The Lynnwood Grill staff brings a dedication to outstanding quality, service and, most importantly, a fun time. With fifteen select beers on tap, along with a full bar and wine list, you will be happy with whatever you choose!
The Lynnwood Grill is where you can be yourself... have some great food and drinks... and have a fantastic time!"


A great place to go after work. Even better when your friends decide to play Never Have I Ever...

08/06/10. Tuesday. Items.

Things that I need:
- a lock for the bike.
- a backpack.
So my bike doesn't get stolen and I don't lose my balance when holding on to three different bags.
- a local ID.
So the bouncers don't ask me where I come from.
- a driver's license.
So I can go anywhere at anytime.
Oh, wait, but then what am I going to do with the bike?

Monday... June 7. Doggie.

I forgot to tell you. I have a dog. Ok, ok, it is not mine. So, no, I don't have a dog. But I live with a dog! She is sooooooooooooo cute and sooooooo quiet. And she is really smart! She only pees outside, she takes herself to bed, she eats when it is time for dinner... Very independent.

That is Bailey:

Raleigh is actually in Brazil. Fact #2.
After work some people went to Margaux's Restaurant to celebrate one of our co-workers birthday. I tried not to go, but the last person to leave the office made sure that I had a ride. Following some food and drinks, another co-worker that was going to the opposite direction, took me home. And when I mentioned that I would get off at the grocery store and then walk home, she said she would keep me company and then take me home. Southerners are indeed nice.

06.06.10 Sunday. Bike.

Accomplishments of the day:

8h00. Dog out to pee.
8h04. Back to bed.
10h30. One hour walk in the sun.
11h24. One purple bike.
12h10. 2 hours sun bathing by the pond behind our house...  conversations with a few ducks and turtles. Sooooo cute.
16h09. Taxi ride to the mall.
18h... one dress... one top... one chocolate cheesecake... one diet coke.
20h00. Three hours of The Real Housewives of New Jersey (this is a secret, don't tell my mom).

Raleigh is actually in Brazil. Fact #1.
Stores have salespeople that ask "Hi, how can I help you? Is everything alright?" as soon as customers walk in. Then they help the customers find the perfect outfit, give their opinion, tell them what looks good and what looks bad.

06/05/10. Sunny Saturday.

(hahahahahahaha, I knew I had this wrong... let's try it again). Chrissy went to Fletcher with me. Her mom lives in the Outer Banks with her boyfriend, who has a daughter, named Grace. Grace lives in Raleigh and has two adorable kids, Sophia (below) and Bella (three months old). It is with them that I had a lovely brunch this morning.

S. has a sister, named S. K has a friend, named K. It is with them, that I spent a hot afternoon by the pool.

I have several managers at my summer job. One of them is Dao. She has a husband that has been to Brazil many times. And they have an adorable teenage son. It is with them that I had a delicious dinner.

Saudade da minha irmã.

June/04. TGIF. Yup...

Had a huge burrito with my cool manager for lunch. Had a long meeting and went over our summer project. Had a stomach ache during the whole day. Had to leave work at 5h00. Went for a nice walk with my lovely roomie around the green neighborhood. Went to a lively rooftop for some smelly beer and delicious cheese sticks. Had 1/2 a cold beer at home. Had to go to my comfy bed.

06/03. Thu. Loooooooong night.

Ladies, ladies, ladies... Today at the gym there was a guy that looked like that:

Yup, I know.
But, oddly, I couldn't stop laughing because he was graciously dancing like that:



Soon after that, I learned some pretty useful things with the girls.
Life in the south can be pretty interesting.

How to Muffle a Fart
Step

1. 
   
   1
   Sit down immediately. When you first feel the urge to fart, find the softest, cushiest couch and sit your bottom down. If the fart noises ends up being loud, the cushion will do a lot to muffle it.
2. 
   
   
   Step2
   Lean to one side inconspicuously. You only need to lean enough that you have your weight on one butt cheek. Then, scoot yourself so that when you put your other butt cheek down on the couch, the two are slightly spread apart from one another. When your cheeks are spread, the sound that comes out will only be air. Tight butt cheeks makes for a louder, higher sounding fart.
3. 
   
   
   Step3
   Go outside. Sometimes there is literally no soft place to sit. In this case, your best option is to go outside, or travel to a room with extremely high ceilings. Gymnasiums and galleries work great. The openness will muffle your fart so that even someone right next to you may not hear.
4. 
   
   
   Step4
   Surround yourself with a lot of people. This accomplishes two tasks. First, lots of people usually equals a lot of noise to muffle a fart. Also, if there are a lot of people, a fart sound could sound like it is coming from anyone. People may not know it was you.
5. 
   
   
   Step5
   Let the fart come out. Don't hold it back, this could make it squeak on the way out. Don't force your fart to come either. This could also be a disaster.

Wed. 06/02. Animals.

Readings...
Intern orientation with four other interns.
Salad.
Readings...


Gym.
1 hr of kick-boxing.
10 min of tanning!
30 min personal trainer.


On the way home, I saw two cute little things that I hadn't seen in years!!
Well, hmmm, actually one of them is not so cute, but rather cool

If I stay long enough in the tanning bed will my hair get lighter?

June 1st. Tuesday. Kelli and Kathleen.

"That girl is so ugly she hit every branch on the way down from the ugly tree."

Learning southern English.

May/31. Monday. Memorial Day.

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 31 in 2010). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War(it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the Civil War), it was expanded after World War I to honor dead Americans from all wars. (from Wikipedia)

Also, day to update the blog. Day to go to Kilee's pool. Day to run away from the rain. Day to laugh with Kelli. Day to get ready for work.

May/30. Gaston Lake. Sunday.

source

05.29.10. Sat. City Tour.

I was soooooo scared. I guess I have seen too many bad horror movies. I thought I would be stuck in the bed. Or that it would catch on fire. Or that my hair would burn. Or that I would melt. Or that I would be locked in there and turned into barbecue. 

But no. After 6 minutes the door opened and I was out. With a little tan. As simple as that. I love it!

Kelli stopped by and took me for a city tour of the most interesting attractions: trendy bars, nice restaurants, good clubs. I have the perfect house mate. 

The afternoon was spent at her place where we finally told each other our most intimate secrets while enjoying ice cold beers and grilling chicken in the back porch. Bostonians have a lot to learn.

Friday. 28/May. Gym.

Reading.
Reading.
Reading.

Lunch was at a Mediterranean restaurant with other interns and young professionals. Great to meet new people.

Reading.
Reading.
Reading.

Gym. Gold's Gym. Sauna + pool + classes + weight lifting and a TANNING BED! I can't wait to come back tomorrow.

05.27.10. Thursday. Back to Raleigh.

Tired. Tired. Tired. And still with tons of things to do. Happy. I missed this.

The conference is over. Met a lot of people. Learned a lot. My networking mission was 80% successful. I met some Brazilians that were too funny and too nice for me to let go of them. Focus Kika, focus.

Back in peaceful Raleigh, Kelli was waiting at a grill + bar with some friends. She is adorable! I am glad I ended up in her house!

Being in Raleigh makes me feel like I am in a typical American TV series.

One of the friends is a cute cop who loves midgets. He eats a grilled cheese sandwich with jelly and has a glass of milk in between beers. And then a mini car suddenly parks outside right by our table.

I think I am going to like this place.

May 26. Housing. Wednesday.

GLOBAL HOUSING FINANCE AFTER THE CRISIS
Drawing the lessons, taking stock and building the future

Date: May 26-27, 2010

Location: World Bank Headquarters, Preston Auditorium

Organized by: Global Capital Markets Development Department Non-Bank Financial Institutions, World Bank and IFC Global Financial Markets Department

Overview: As the world begins to recover from the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, housing finance markets are once again looking to the future. Since the crisis was originally triggered by the subprime segment of the mortgage market, this has led to the questioning of some well established premises of housing finance and a revision of the way to approach it, both at the policy and at the market levels. However, mobilizing finance for housing remains crucial and encounters the same challenges as before – rapid urbanization, growing populations, limited land availability, access for lower income groups and sources of long term funds. What impact had the crisis on how these challenges should be met? What should be the role of governments as policy makers and regulators? How can private markets develop in a sustainable way and channel capital to housing while following responsible and prudent lending practices?

The 4th Global Conference on Housing Finance for Emerging Markets, organized jointly by the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), will address  the above questions and provide participants with a full picture of the post-crisis housing finance landscape across countries through a series of presentations focusing on the following six themes:

1.       Impact and Responses to the Crisis around the World
2.       The Changing Face of the Regulatory Framework for Mortgage Lending
3.       (a) Residential Rental Markets OR 3 (b) Prospects for the Mono-line Lending Business Model
4.       Responsible Lending to Lower Income Groups
5.       Mobilizing Savings for Housing
6.       Capital Markets for Housing – Post-Crisis Outlook.

Join us to hear, benefit and share your experiences with leading specialists and decisions makers in housing finance.

05/25. Tuesday. DC.

So it turns out my house mate Kelli went to a wedding in Vermont and I haven't met her yet. She sent a friend of hers to pick me up at the airport on Sunday. He filled me in on the stories about everyone in town and took me for a walk in the grocery store. Scott, thank you, I really appreciate that!

Monday, first day of work, was already busier than all of my working days in India combined. I will be working with a very talented team that gave me 500 pages to read and a lot of information to learn. Looking forward to it.

Task #1: Networking at the 4th Global Conference on Housing Finance for Emerging Markets followed by Indian dinner at the Heritage India USA.

Monday. 05/24. New home.

This is where I will be working this summer.
And below is how I found my new home. As a bonus, a great house mate.


From Craigslist:
I live in N. Raleigh in a 3 story, 2000sq ft, townhouse. Six Fork RD/Strickland Rd area right off of 540. About 15 min from downtown, or anything else in Raleigh. I live alone with my dog, who is very sweet. You would have your own bedroom with a private bath. Furnished or unfurnished! There is also a living area on the first floor, which includes a half bath, wet bar, and fireplace, but has nothing but a 27" TV. You are welcome to bring your on living furniture, if you would like your own private den.

About me: I am a outside sales professional, and work from home when I am not traveling during the day. (My office is joined with my bedroom.) I do not smoke, I am a social drinker, and I am typically busy with friends on the weekends. And my friends are almost as fun as me... :-) I love to hang out and entertain, and I tend to be very spontaneous. i.e. I can plan a successful gathering or outing very quickly.

Available immediately ~ through August. (Females only please)

Please see photos below- Picture #2: 2nd level, looking front to rear. Picture #3: is the kitchen, which is behind the wall where there TV is located, #4 is the available bedroom. 

May 23, 2010. Caps & Gowns. Sunday.

“Good luck to you, for the sake of us all. Go and heal the world.”

Leaving Medford as my friends anxiously waited in line for their turn to be seated was easier than I had anticipated. Perhaps because there were no hugs, no eye contact, no kind words, no pictures.
One more semester. One less semester. Over 300 graduates desperately looking for jobs.

Slowly, roommates #1, #2, #3... grabbed their belongings, packed their bags and followed their paths. The HoT House, with its tales and secrets, is now one more chapter in the story of our lives.  A chapter that ends with high hopes and expectations. And ending that is the start of a whole new book. 9 new books. or 10. Actually 11.

As the new "Masters" throw their caps into the air, I land in a new territory.  My story takes place in sunny Raleigh, North Carolina. And yes, it is time to update the Blog. 

Some tips for you guys!

Brazilians just love foreigners and they will be happy to show you around. There are many different places to visit, it depends on what you want to do and see (great website http://www.biosferabrasil.com/destino.php?idioma=i). Some information to help you decide:

• Sao Paulo (http://www.sao-paulo.world-guides.com/ and http://www.cidadedesaopaulo.com/sp/en)
• Rio de Janeiro (http://www.riodejaneiro.com/): One of my favorite cities! (about 5 hours from Sao Paulo by bus – 1 hour by plane - cheap flights every hour).
• Brasilia, the capital (http://www.aboutbrasilia.com/): there isn’t much to do there (about 3 hours from Sao Paulo by plane).
• Itacaré (http://www.itacare.com/): where I want to live when I get old! This beach is in the Northeast, a little far from Rio or Sao Paulo… but if you want to hang out on the beach for a week this is a great place to go and there are lots of foreigners there.
• Joanopolis: this is where my younger sister lives with her husband (http://www.adriana.tabacniks.nom.br) - nothing much to do other than that J…. (180 miles from Sao Paulo, buses twice a day).

And there are lots of other places… National flights are quite cheap, buses are excellent (and cheap too), there are no trains, and you can also drive around the country by car…

• Ilha Grande (http://www.ilhagrande.com.ar/): island next to Rio: camping, trekking, biking, scuba diving…
• Parati (http://www.paraty.tur.br/indexen.php): historical beach in the state of Rio.
• Pantanal (http://www.amazonadventures.com/pantanal.htm): the world’s biggest wetland area (I think it is a 5 hour flight from Sao Paulo).
• Lençois Maranhenses (http://www.biosferabrasil.com/meu_destino.php?cod_destino=12&idioma=i): a desert of clear and fine sand filled by oasis with lagoons of blue and crystalline waters – never been there, but my sister loves it!

Where the Hell is Fletcher? (2010)

Faggi Café & Bistrot - São Paulo