tapioca com shiner

I really hate

2007-04-05T13:18:00.000-02:00

Lazy people
Fat people
Tv commercials
Cold days
Being broke
My dog days

Plans for this year.

2007-03-19T22:54:00.000-02:00

I have been accomplishing certains things in my life..Little by little....One day at a time.
I am in love with life.
Be in love with it too.
Claudia.

Wedding Dress

2007-03-15T18:28:00.000-02:00

I am so happy I finally could buy my wedding dress even after five years....It does not matter.Robin and I will be getting married in the church by July 20th at 11 AM.
I just wanted to share this joy with friends.
Claudia

I am back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-03-01T17:31:00.000-02:00

Since last Ausgust I have not written a single word on this blog but I had my own reasons...Right now after a year taking my medication(lexapro) I may consider my severe depression just a desease which is not part of my life,however I still take it every morning.
Last September I went to my Psychiatrist and I had cried like a baby...She turned to Robin,my husband and said I needed to go back to Brazil in order to see what I wanted to see or see who I wanted to see...
I indeed saw my friend twice and If I had to see him just twice to fulfill my gesture of honoring a friend I did accomplish that.
I am doing really fine at work(Starbucks).I like my co-workers and I feel their love,friendship and attention.
I consider having friends now.I laugh which I was not doing that for quite a while...
I promise I will be writing more often.
Have a nice day.
Claudia.Happier than ever............

Hope and other abstract feelings

2006-08-09T23:01:00.000-02:00

It has been over a year that I have been living in Brownsville by the border of Mexico and Texas.And I have been through tough times living another world way different from Austin(capital of Texas) and even my own hometown,Fortaleza.
But as I have been on a severe depression treatment and my medicine has been working well.
I see hope.I may make my plans in Portuguese but I write them in English and there is hope in this place.
I still find it hard to live however someway you get used to it and you find friends..
I have been working at Starbucks and I have been planning things for my future which do not depend where I would be living.I just have to make the best of it.And here when it come to be an immigrant as I am...You find hope and joy.Sometimes it is a smile from a friendly customer like Becky(a sweet young girl) that makes me wonder...If teenagers can live in Brownsville,so can I.
I also see that I am not a young person anymore..Boy,I am 36 y.o....Time does fly...
So,I am growing as a human being and I see that this has been helping me a lot.
Over the years I have heard from my friends that they see hope and joy in me...I guess that's because I love life.
Love your life.Because I love mine.

Hope

2006-07-06T17:37:00.000-02:00

When it comes to pride nothing better than living here in the United States to witness how proud Americans are.I do not blame them at all.I saw the fireworks on the 4th of July and it makes me wonder why Brazilians are not proud of being Brazilians all year .You feel empowered.
You can accomplish things here no matter If you're black or white.
It's been one full year living in Brownsville and life has improving,it's geting better off every year.
Hope is what it matters.

Secret fears...

2006-05-23T18:07:00.000-02:00

I guess everyone has some secret fears..But what I fear most is death....All of a sudden you're damn healthy and then you die...You have a heart attack or car accident...You do not know when you're gonna die...Or when my telephone rings at an early hour at home I think it can be some call from Brazil about some people I love who have passed away.
I also have other secret fears then If I tell they would not be secret anymore...
Got secret fears?
I do.

Flowers on the casket.....

2006-05-12T15:07:00.000-02:00

Have you ever thought that you need to honor somebody before she dies?That is my thought..People have certain dates to honor,but you do not need that.At most,when it is birthday ..I agree...You know why?
People most of the times need some material present to feel loved.When you remember someone what you need is to call,and write a letter...
I'd rather be honored and remember when I am alive and kicking than on the casket....What you do afterwards is history for me.Useless.
Feel free to honor the ones you love and show how much you care for them,but do not forget a hug.It is necessary and priceless.

On tv....

2006-05-01T23:05:00.000-02:00

In the old times the fastest means of communication has been the radio. Where you got the latest news.And I've noticed for years that we have seen the world through the tv.I've seen Lady Diana 's death first hand on tv late at night on that Saturday;I've also seen Airton Senna on that horrible Sunday die and it was like some relative of mine,even black I wore the next day,everyone at work could not concentrate.I've seen the World Trade Center towers collapse and I've gotten worried at a couple of friends who lived in New York.But my May first here is totally different ...What we have seen here is all about immigrants,a day without a latino and my husband's birthday,49 years old..
and yesterday on the beach,what I have seen from those latinos,celebrating Labor Day as Brazilians also do in Brazil.Everyone pleased at their chats about politics,politicians and soccer.
And on tv you cry,laugh,get pissed off and even get out of reality.
And on tv I see my own country on its 15 seconds of fame...
I miss my country.
On the other hand,America is my country too.
Weird,huh?
I think so too.

We're still standing

2006-04-18T18:22:00.000-02:00

It looks like James Sensenbrebeer and Tom Tancredo got more than they bargained for:The two leading immigration restrictionists in Congress were riding high after pushing their extremist immigration bill through the U.S.House of Representatives in late 2005.
The bill championed by these two Republicans famously calls for making illegal immigration a felony ,and also makes it a crime to provide non-emergency assistance or aid to these immigrants.
As part of their plan to make America a fortress,they also want 700 miles of fences built along the U.S.-Mexico border,including along the length of the Rio Grande valley,where Robin and I live.
It's a good thing that these guys weren't around in past eras when scores of Irish immigrants came to the United States after the great potato famine in the 1840s..Who remembers that?
And how about the German immigrants who arrived in such great numbers in the late 1800s that New York would house as many Germans as ould be found in Hamburg..
From 1880 o 1890 alone,nearly 4 million immigrants came to the United States,representing a far greater percentage of the U.S. population than is found today.
There were no fences or walls around America in those days.There were no noisy right-wing radio talkers to ridicule immigrants in the most personal ways.
There was no equivalent to CNN's Lou Dobbs who could yak about broken borders and ask if America was really ready to become a German nation.
And,surely,every one of those millions of immigrants came here legally,right,so no one could question if their U.S.-born children were really American citizens.
In today's America there are,thankfully,political leaders who have a different view of immigration than the repressive ideas pushed by Tancredo,Sensenbrenner and the right-wing yakkers.
Leading Republican senators such as John McCain and Specter led the way in crafting Senate propposals that would establish an 11-year path of legalization and possible citizenship for many of the estimated 12 million immigrants in the United States.Those proposals are still under consideration,and we hope these measures after Easter break is over.
The thoughtful legislation being sponsored by Senators McCain and Specter-along with the energy provided by the demonstrations-is already providing results.Last week,Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and House Speaker Dennis Hastert announced that there they would no longer support the Sensenbrenner-Tancredo provison that makes illegal immigration a felony.
On the same day that this announcement was made a USA Today poll showed that 63 percent of Americans believe that deserving immigrants should be given the path to citizenship.
It was seen by the world in the scores of families who marched in support of meaningful and humane immigration reform.
The American Dream didn't fade after the German,Polish, and Irish immigrants arrived on the shores long ago.
They came here in any way they could-legally and illegally-and did their part in buildning up then-young nation.
Today,the majority of immigrants may come from Latin America instead of Europe-and they may be people of color-but the aspirations remain the same.
And the Americans masts of freedom and opportunity are still flying high-ready to embrace a new generation of deserving immigrants.
We are still standing !!!!!!!!!!!!

We are America !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-03-28T23:34:00.000-02:00

I hope you guys have been watching or reading about what immigrants have been doing in order to speak their minds here in the United States.
America has 12 million wetbacks.And America needs them in some way...There are lots of American citizens who are not willing to get these jobs and they find horrible for them,so those Mexicans,Honduran,Brazilians or any other immigrants can put up with them...I really don't think the ones who cross the borders here either as wetbacks or by plane legally plan and tend to terrorize America...
America is a much better place to live because there is freedom.There is less violence.People work and can find decent jobs,but it does not mean this is heaven...If I only knew a year ahead before living here I would have done things in my hometown...
I feel sorry for the ones who are being caught by the border patrol and they are sent back to their own countries.I've met some illegal Brazilians and they are hardworking people.They just want a better living,better education,they are not taking anyone's jobs...Here in America there is no Saturday or Sunday...Oh,yeah..If Brazilians only knew that they would not be dreaming of some type of life ''America''(Brazilian soap opera about ''Sol'',a female character who crossed the border for a better living in America).
For better or worse..We are America and America needs each and every one of us.
Welcome to America.

Brazilians in the U.S.A.

2006-02-24T18:30:00.000-02:00

I remember back in Brazil that I would never think that there would be so many sites on line about Brazilians since I've started living in the U.S. I still find Brazilians hard to be approached.Some are stuck up,conceited because they live here and stuff.What I really think is that life is much harder and people just realize that when they live here..Recently I've read about lots of newpapers on line and they are fun.For you to have an idea it is a whole other Brazil on line.Musicians who do not live in Brazil anymore,singers who would rather make their living here because they are much better acclaimed by the Brazilian community.
I love my country and there are months that I feel homesick like now during carnival but I got used to it.You do .It happens.And it's not the end of the world.
Check them out....Some nice sites....
www.guiadoimigrante.com
www.verdeamarelo.net
www.brancacape.com
www.comunidadenews.com
www.braziliantimes.com
www.acheiusa.com
www.diretodaredacao.com
www.radiobostonnews.com
www.tiosam.com
www.braziliancenter.org
www.mudabrasil.com
www.brazilexplore.com
www.brazzil.com
www.gringoes.com
www.floridabrasil.com
www.pelourinho.com
www.brasilbest.com
www.soulbrazil.com
www.connectbrazil.com
www.acontece.com
www.agitobrasileiro.com
www.aggito.com
www.aldeiadigital.com
www.bisado.com

Just to share a few of them here....
Have fun...
Enjoy your carnival wherever you go.

Valentine's day.....Great !!!!!!!!

2006-02-13T22:42:00.000-02:00

Since I've started living here I've been celebrating some holidays twice...Why not?I celebrate New Year's Eve twice as well...And I love celebrating Valentines Day...I've already sent to some close friends a card and of course I have bought Robin a present.We like giving each other what we are in need.
But my best present these days have been the moral support from people I have not seen in a long time or people who I have met on line.I've been through some depression and my friends have been helping me.My husband is the greatest on that because he's been there for me.
Let's spread love.
Why do people hate other people?
There is no reason.
And God knows this is wrong.
What's right?
Be friendly and smile.
Be optmistic !!!!!!!!!!!!
Enjoy your day....

Depression .

2006-02-08T20:24:00.000-02:00

Well,folks..I am not the only one on Earth to suffer from this problem and I've been seeking for a cure.So,here I am taking my medicines to feel better.And it is not related to homesickness.It is pure sadness.It happens in someone's life once at least.
The bottom line is that I want to be my very old Claudia:happy.
A good sign the medicine is working:last Sunday I was grooving while listening to Nacao Zumbi....Oh,boy...That was fun.
Side effect?I cannot drink my beers....
Booooooooooooooooooooooooooo
It is for a good cause.I know that and I am commited for so.

Citizenship here.

2006-01-26T22:42:00.000-02:00

What color are the stars on our flag?How many representatives are in Congress?Who becomes president if the president and vice president should die?Who wrote ''The Star-Spangled Banner?''Which U.S. citizenship form is used to apply to become a naturalized citizen? The federal government has decided that these questions-five of the 100 that could appear on the U.S. citizenship test- are just trivial.They say the exam,which is supposed to gauge how well immigrants understand and embrace U.S. institutions,instead tests only their ability to memorize(white,435,the speaker of the House of Representatives,Francis Scott Key,Form N-400).
So,the Office of Citizenship is designing a new test,to be administered starting in 2008.It will ask aspiring citizens about what it means to be an American,rather than quiz them on picayune facts.Officials say it is more important to ask about such principles as freedom of speech and religion,than for them to know trivia quiz items like how many amendments there are to the Constitution.
The proposed change is already triggering debate over what should be expected of immigrants who want to become citizens.Thus,this process will ultimately produce citizens who are more involved,more aware of their rights and responsibilities,and more American.
This celebrates diversity and also encourages the common values that link every American.Immigrants who fully embrace are going to be more integrated and more involved in civic culture.
Immigrant advocates agree that having prospective citizens identify closely with American values is good for both new arrivals and adopted country.
And finally,it's not bad at all becoming an American citizen.Everyone wins with it.
I do look forward to having dual citizenship in 2008 no matter what they want me to take as tests...

www.ecitizenship.us

My birthday:36 years well lived !!!!!!!!!!!

2006-01-20T19:28:00.000-02:00

When it comes to birthday,I feel like a child....But these days I see that I want love and attention from my family,my husband and my friends I have left in Brazil and the ones I've made here in the U.S.
At this moment I have a terrible sore throat however receiving phone calls and cards and meaningful presents from people I have just met make this birthday more special.Sowing seeds of love in this country I thought I would not have friends but I do.These guys can put up with me.So,they're blessed.
For most people it's about presents,but for me,If you happen to send me a postcard it will make my day.
Life's about friendship not what you own or where you've been.
And also happy birthday to....
Telma,in Italy
Tasso,in Fortaleza
Camila,in Fortaleza
My father-in-law,in Bastrop
All of them nice people !!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers to everyone !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy birthday.

America !! America!!

2006-01-05T18:19:00.000-02:00

Whenever I watch some football game and see that wherever Americans are they have this great big pride of being Americans...I get emotional at that..Brazilians only do that during the World Cup when pride really shows off.As I saw on tv last night the troops in Iraq showing them watching the Rose Bowl Texas at USC.And if you don't know how proud Texans are....And they won.
Just recently traveling on a cruise with my family on one of those Vegas' shows they played three Brazilian songs and there you go..I cried a lot and I will always do.It does not mean I don't love living here.I do indeed,but when it comes to your music.Music is food for the soul.I find music more important than food when it comes to remember some country and mainly mine:Brazil.
As much Americans are proud to be Americans I am proud to be a Brazilian.No matter if I get my American citizenship in 2008.
America!!!!America!!!!!
Brazil!!!!!Brazil!!!!

Let's celebrate life !!!!!!!

2005-12-21T14:18:00.000-02:00

For those who do not have the loved ones around...Tough times....Indeed,I have my American family here and some five Brazilian friends scattered around the U.S.I wish them the very best during 2006.
Make easy commitments you can accomplish because the easier ,the better ,the faster...Try to be more patient to the fact the you cannot think when you're pissed off !!!!!!
Give more love and attention:It's priceless to see a smile from your friend
Be less materialistic:Caskets have no drawers !!See what I'm saying?
Pray more.
Don't drink and drive...DWI...You can't afford it !!!!!!!
Kiss and hug more.Is that so difficult to do ?
Donate your organs....Spread your love through your organs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Old clothes?Go give them to Goodwill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Smile more !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and brush your teeth,of course.
Surprise people .
Cry more.Why not?
Wear rubber.Safe sex is the best key to life.
Be more organized and punctual.
Drive safe.
Read more.It's awesome to have an interesting friend around...
Call friends and family.
And finally ..Happy 2006 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll be traveling with my family here and I hope 2006 will be a much better year fo me.
Merry Christmas !!!!!!!!!!!!
Feliz Navidad !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Feliz Natal !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What do I want for Christmas...?

2005-12-13T19:51:00.000-02:00

Whenever gets to this time everyone is thinking about buying something or getting something from someone...Right?Of course.But as I am getting older I see that there are things I cannot buy at local stores like a hug from a friend or even a letter from a former enemy....Presents I want to get from people:1) Cure for AIDS,because I know 40 persons who have this problem.
2) No more war in the world.
3) Please,find Bin Laden for me....
4) No more hunger in the world.
5) No more corruption in Brazil....Gosh..this year was tough.
6) A better world to live.
7) Better laws to the immigrants who make America ''The country''.
8) No more violence.
9) A big smile on everyone's face everyday.

See? These things you cannot buy at'' Target'' or ''Walmat''.
Do your part and make your city,your country a better place,then life will be better off.
And besides..You have the whole year to buy what you want to buy.If material things make your life better,then Christmas is the time, indeed.

What have you done today to make you feel proud?

2005-12-09T18:55:00.000-02:00

These days I have been feeling pissed off at my president here(Mr.George W. Bush).I've read that he wants to get rid of illegal Brazilian immigrants...First of all,I guess there's something to do with Mr.Vicente Fox(Mexico's president)as I've read,there has been a big fight among Mexican and Brazilians towards jobs.And if Brazilians get these jobs,there will be ''fewer''Mexicans all around the USA.I also know that here in the Rio Grand Valley where the Border Patrol catches a bunch of Brazilians has been doing that often.No wonder the Brazilian Embassy in Houston has noticed the same.Even in Brazil,I recenttly called a former co-worker and he's told me that it 's an inferno to get this Visa to get here.Businessmen who own like five restaurants did not get the Visa to get here in the U.S.I know that few people appreciate what Bush has been doing and I disagree with what he said about Brazilians here saying he wants everyone back to Brazil.Whenever you start living here your zip code,your social security number,your bank account,everything is part of your new life..I know for sure if Brazilians are caught not only the trauma but also the dream of a better life will be gone.
So,do not judge if you have a wetback friend around.He's got his reasons to live abroad as much as you have yours to live abroad as well.

Gap increasing

2005-12-02T15:42:00.000-02:00

You just know that you don't belong to the place as someone who used to live when you don't know local slang.Bam !!!!!!!!!!! That happened last night when I called a friend of mine in my city(Fortaleza).While we were chatting and stuff she said something I could not understand at first,then she asked me:You've never heard of that slang,have you?And the gap is increasing every other day.I don't know if is a sign that I live here and my Brazilian friends live in Fortaleza.I still find weird.

Days after Thanksgiving Day

2005-11-28T15:21:00.000-02:00

If you live in the United States of America and you have not become material...It is a miracle....During Thanksgiving Day it is such a tempting time to go to the malls and windowshop...After a good break on the prices of gasoline,then it helps people travel more and also spend more.As I'm not working,I don't think it is fair to buy like crazy and if you don't know,the average American carries 14 credit cards !!!!!!!!!!! Insane.I just have one and I do uset it on emergencies or necessities.My mother-in-law and I went shopping in Fort Worth,Texas where we spent our Thanksgiving day.For some reason,the mall disappointed me,not the mall itself,I thought there would be people jumping on the merchandise and saying:Mine,mine...But as my first Thankgiving day full time enjoying that was fun.I've realized that my American family here means so much to me and If I compare I see them more often than my family in Brazil.It's not due to distance,it's due to relationship.Sowing the seeds of love.And be sure of something:If you cannot afford an expensive present,it does not mean you don't love or appreciate this person.You can say: I have something I could not find at the mal:My love,attention and friendship.Isn't that enough?Money isn't everything sometimes.Yeah,right!!Ok,ok..I hear ya.It is everything when it comes to paying bills,not luxuries..You know what I'm saying.After all,you can't buy love.Can you?I cannot.

Thank you,thank you!!!!!!!!!

2005-11-21T20:07:00.000-02:00

Here in the U.S. this Thursday we celebrate Thanksgiving Day.It is a day for most Americans who get together with their families and have turkey and a nice dinner.I still think that Thanksgiving Day is more important than Christmas itself.In Brazil,we don't traditionally celebrate and living here for almost 4 years you get to enjoy with family and relatives trying to cacth up with all of them,drink eggnog,have some wine,take pictures,watch tv together.I find fun and makes me think that we have to thank for everything we have.I don't mean things we own as a car or a house.Good grief.Have you ever thanked your close friends for being your close friends?I'll be trying this time.Living in America has made me change my feelings,my perspective of life,but not my personality.I cry here when bad things happen and things that we are not to blame such as the hurricanes and I thank God nothing much has happened to us here in Texas.Make a surprise.You don't need to call.Send a postcard($.23),leave a message on the phone,show how much you appreciate this person or those people you love.I am sure we should honor someone when he or she is alive.After all,when the person is dead is just history.
Happy Thanksgiving day and may God bless all of you.

Why do friends leave us so early?

2005-11-19T21:16:00.000-02:00

And here I was on line and a friend of mine sends me an e-mail letting me know way too late(a month,let's say...)that his father has passed away.Boy,it did hurt.I was so used to hang out in his house,have a beer with his father,eat cake and have a cup of joe with his family...Yesterday as I was alone at home,got on of the Tears For Fears songs and kept playing over and over.I broke down.It has been quite a while I have not cried like that.I guess living here you tend not to,but anyway,I called a friend in Maryland(Gaby)talked to her for almost 2 hours and a half...but I still remember his father, such a nice man,hardworking father raising his family and stuff and all of a sudden has a heart attack in his bathroom.When a baby is born it is the best thing,but when a friend is dead it is horrible.Life goes on without a good friend..I wonder why God takes just the good ones...
By the way.......Happy birthday to......
David,in Austin
Fabia and Flavia,twin sisters in Dallas
Yane,in Fortaleza
People that I love...........

Why English on the blog?

2005-11-16T14:56:00.000-02:00

Well,I guess everyone knows I have taught English in my city(Fortaleza) for 13 years...Long hours,big passion and also humble enough to share knowledge of experiences I have not experienced yet by that time.Every time I listen to some expression in English which I have either learned or taught makes me feel proud because what I listen here is reality.I've already heard that I might be taken as stuck up due to writing in English.Don't take that way.My Brazilian friends who live here in the U.S. are very few.I've decided that as I don't have many Brazilian friends and as I live here and stuff..Why bother in Portuguese?And besides,most of my friends speak English in Brazil and abroad.Another point is that my Portuguese gap is increasing every other day.Robin doesn't speak Portuguese and I would be attached to a decade or even some type of slang just some people could understand.Things have happended since July 15th 2002 and life goes on.

It's been a year

2005-11-15T19:47:00.000-02:00

Last year this time I was packing with my familiy here(Robin and his parents) in order to go to Brazil all together for the first time.And I was having butterflies in my stomach just thinking about flying back ''home''.This is interesting,but I've found out I have two homes...As I was on the plane in Austin I started crying saying:Oh God,I'm going back to Brazi!!!!!!l.......Needless to say that when we were at Guarulhos Airport in Sao Paulo I said the same.
I did try to show the very best to my family and I still think we did not have enough time to cover what we've seen out there.I've felt so proud of my country when we've visited the Amazon.An unforgettable experience.I can die tomorrow fulfilled with what I've seen there.And whoever went to see us at the airport made such a great impression to my family.Old friends,new friends,my mother,my father and his fourth wife(!!!!!!!!!),and my aunt.
I guess the best trip it is the very first one when you experience your country back on your feet.
I wish I had ''Mae Dinah''(famous fortune teller in Brazil) to check out my next trip to Brazil.

Roberto Carlos

2005-11-14T20:06:00.000-02:00

Just recently we've crossed the border here(we live in Brownsville,15 minutes from the International Brigde)and walking down the streets we found some bar called ''Mingos'' and we dropped by to have some cheap beers at $1.As I was looking inside the bar I have asked with my funny Spanish If they had some Brazilian cd..They did it and it was in Spanish.Boy,I guess the owner made my day because those songs were from the time my mother was dating my father and stuff.The one song It did touch my heart was ''LADY LAURA''...Tears came and I rememberd my mother who loves that song....I had a great time there because we've talked about politics,politicians,Lula,Vicente Fox(Mexican President),besides it was an opportunity for Rob to try to speak some Spanish with those local people.Friendly,just like Brazilians are.Seeing all those people listening to Roberto and singing made my day.I wonder If Americans cry that easily as we do.Maybe because South American and Central American people miss they own places.Picture yourself with a Green Card as I have but not knowing when you'll be back to your hometown?I think it is sometimes worse than those guys who are wetbacks and cannot come back at all.Mingos will be a great spot to go by and I don't need a fancy place like Mucuripe Club(Best night club in Fortaleza).Cold and honest beer.By the way,besides Roberto carlos,I also found Nelson Ned,Altemar Dutra and Poetinha.

Why ''Tapioca com Shiner?''

2005-11-11T22:32:00.000-02:00

Well,I am originally from some place in Brazil(Fortaleza) that has Tapioca as one of the most delicious things for breakfast, If you are from the Northeast,of course and Shiner which is a famous local beer here in Texas.So,I have decided to gather both things I enjoy:Tapioca and beer.

Finally

2005-11-11T22:21:00.000-02:00

I know It took some time for me to understand that there is no more distance on earth,so that anyone can reach me or I can reach anyone,at least on line.This blog is to talk about life,photography,my friends who are a big treasure in my life and my husband Robin who drinks beer with cachaca!Which I find weird.