In the swing of things

The two month mark has come and gone, and I'm feeling more and more like I actually live here. It was especially apparent to me when George came to visit and I had to speak for him and navigate for us the whole time. A bizarre feeling, but I'm pretty proud of myself. I loved getting to show him around all my favorite places and some new ones. We had a rowdy good time, and I was very sad to see him leave. Sibling trips need to happen way more often. Side note: George may not have spoken a word of Portuguese, but hearing him speak Spanish was extremely impressive and sad. I really think I've forgotten most of what I learned. I can understand everything that's being said, but now I couldn't form a sentence without thinking about it for about 5 minutes first. And I studied Spanish for a long time. I guess you're not supposed to try to master them simultaneously, but still. I was really good at it for a while there.

I've recently begun a long process of trying to figure out what I want to do after college. There's work and there's graduate school, neither of which I am too sure about. I thought I'd start by volunteering somewhere in São Paulo while I'm here, to see what kinds of options there are in my area of interest. The problem with interdisciplinary majors is that I don't really have a focus. I know I want to work with Latin America in the realm of social and/or economic development. What I don't know is in what capacity--government agency, non-profit, for-profit, diplomacy, MNC, NGO, in the U.S. or down here... Feeling slightly lost and ignorant. Fortunately, I heard from some Manna friends about a microfinance/social enterprise non-profit that is working in Brazil now called Ayllu, so today I met up for coffee with it's founder, Melissa, to talk about volunteer opportunities. She's wonderful and what she's done is very impressive. Unfortunately, Ayllu is still super small (founded in 2007) and doesn't have room for volunteers, plus they are getting ready to move to Curitiba where there is more infrastructure and it will be easier and more efficient to support local businesses the way they need. I hadn't had to answer this question straight out until Melissa asked me, but I think what I really care about most is protection/development/improvement of education and the environment in Latin America. Good news is that Melissa's temporary SP office is at The Hub, a hotspot for really cool organizations like hers that are trying to change the world, basically, and she's going to send my information to all its members to see if they need volunteers. And she sounded like they did. Definitely excited to see how it turns out.

In other news, I've done a ton of stuff on my list of things to do in São Paulo! Went to MASP, ventured out more in Pinheiros, Jardins, and Itaim, ate Chinese and Japanese in Liberdade, went to some new restaurants/bars, bought my first Brazilian bikini, partied on Rua Augusta among SP's crazies, finally went to the jazz bar down the street, and had a lovely picnic in Ibirapuera. Sometimes I can't believe I'm getting school credit for being here.

So that's my status. Making plans for St. Patty's Day 2010, as I'm sure you all are. And then Thursday I'm going to be singing "Parabens pra você" (the birthday song) via Skype to the most wonderful, loving, beautiful, supportive, amazing mother in the entire world!!! Whom I will get to see in just 11 days!! Eeeeek!

But until then I get to spend this weekend in Paraty, a gorgeous beach town northeast of here in the state of Rio de Janiero, with the CIEE group. Major relaxation is in order. And lots of sunscreen. Can't wait!