Napa Valley

On Sunday we went to Napa Valley, more specifically to the city of Rutherford.
We went to an exquisite winery where we did some wine tasting. I forgot the name of the winery. All the taping was lost when Brandon deleted them by accident (I was taping on a company camcorder). Then we had lunch at an Italian restaurant in San Francisco (many Brazilian waiters and cooks).

Then we headed back to the hotel to eat under the McAffee building at a fine dining steakhouse (one more of those, the more you pay the less you get types of experiences).

Bay Area

It is funny when we are in other countries we project our memories of our home country onto the new environment. In the case of San Francisco I don't think it is just that... both Paige and I were amazed at how much it looks like Belo Horizonte, my home town... the architecture, the laid back people walking on the streets, riding bikes, etc.

We got here on Friday but had nothing really interesting to do despite the fact that I went to the Santa Clara Sun campus and talked to Brandon and others in the afternoon, then my wife and I had dinner at the Round Table pizzeria around the hotel...

On Saturday we went to the Pier 39 area in San Francisco and visited the Wax Museum, the Musee Mechanique (with old games and quarter arcades), we did the boat tour around the olden Gate bridge and Alcatraz.
Then we had dinner at the Cliff House, that kind of restaurant that you pay more and expect less, I mean, less in size but the experience and taste is great!
We have been eating at some nice restaurants...

Then we met with my manager and his wife and daughter at their house, played Wii... then had Italian for dinner... great fun!

San Francisco vs. Belo Horizonte

So if you don't know by now Enzo and I are in Santa Clara this week. Enzo is here working and I am tagging long trying to make myself useful and occasionally experience some tourism. Saturday we took the 30 minute trip to San Francisco to see what all the fuss was about this city. Immediately Enzo and I decided it was a city we could definitely live in. We felt right at home...and after a little while we started talking about how it all seemed familiar but we kept on doing all the touristic things to city has to offer. Then we remembered what the familiarity was about..it was so much like Enzo's home town of Belo Horizonte! Back in 2005 , mom took a trip with me to BH and she kept commenting on how she felt like she was in San Francisco...she is so right.

Twilight

OK so now that I am out for the summer I have resorted to the most amazing young adult novels out there today! After finishing "Twilight" by Stephanie Meyers and I now on her sequel "New Moon." It's actually been way too long since I have had the time to read a book. I forgot what it is like to do this! I think I need to take more vacations.:)

Sharing our birthdays! (cookout was June8th)

Silicon Valley?

It is very strange when you realize that, after years of using Google, Yahoo and others as online references, I would use one of those as a "place of reference" which is what I did today.
I was invited to present on Net-Geners and how to develop learning for them with my manager, Brandon, here in the Sun campus in Menlo Park, CA. Paige is tagging along ;) and we'll stay for a week.
This place is impregnated with technology/Web companies. As you drive around you will go past Microsoft, Cisco, Sony, etc. We're actually staying at the Marriott across from Webex and Yahoo, literally. Funny... today the GPS I rented with the car didn't work on the way back from Menlo Park (we' actually staying in Santa Clara), so I asked for some directions up to a certain point and still didn't situate myself completely, When I saw Yahoo and I know I was close to the hotel...
Next time I will just do a "Yahoo search" and I will know where I am... :)

Rosaria (AKA Mamae)

Rosaria Silva is one of my favorite people in the world. If you ever want to learn a lesson on being humble she's the one the look toward. Growing up her circumstances weren't always the best but she really never lost faith on what is truly important in this crazy world. She raised 5 kids on her own and never complained..only loved. This past year she attempted (key word "attempted") for a tourist visa and was denied because of her financial situation. On the way home she talked to Enzo about her experience at the consulate's office and instead of complaining she rejoiced knowing that it was God's will. As a retired woman (she used to be the custodian at the public school) she now spends her day focusing on the simple life (and by this I don't mean the show that Paris Hilton is on). For her, God is more than theology. When she talks about Jesus she doesn't think about free will vs. predestination; she goes along with faith like a child. There is a verse in the bible that describes how hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. I think God shows this to me through Mamae.
Despite the lack of money, Mamae continues to strive for the things she wants. She lets nothing hold her back. She never asks for anything to her family but God has ALWAY provided. I pray that one day she is able to come to the US and see the life her son has made for himself. I also pray that Enzo and I no matter what, take with us the part of Mamae that appreciates the small things in life.


On a side note...for those of you who know Rosaria will appreciate this!!! Forever she told Enzo that the computer was the Infernet (get from Inferno??). Since Enzo has been gone she decided to start taking a computer class to see what it was all about and why he loved them so much. After the first class she decided she was going to take advantage of a government program that helped buy citizens of brazil computers so that she could keep in touch with her son. Soon after that she got internet! And last week broadband!!! We get to talk to her through a computer camera. Now for those of us who have been doing this for years probably think this isn't such a big deal..but oh how you need to meet Rosaria !!!

Summer lovin'

I love summers...not because of the sun though.

As most of you know I am a teacher. Now before you get started on how easy it is being a teacher because we only work 10 months out of the year, I would like to add that you are welcome to go back to school and become a teacher yourself.
I am sick and tired of hearing how easy my life is because of my freakin' summer. Do you know how much work I put into my school year?!!?!?! Do you realize I don't even get a lunch break because I have to eat with my students??? Now don't get me wrong, I love my kids but there is some value to being able to sit alone for 30 minutes during your day and eat in peace without having to get up to straighten out some argument. Okay, now you're probably thinking oh but you get a planning period! In theory it is wonderful; in reality it in non-existent.
As for discipline...have you ever tried discipling someone that has parents that blame you for all their children's faults..oh geez. You don't even want to get me going on that one.

Now back to the real reason I am writing: SUMMER (peaceful sigh). No more needs to be said.

Something smells like fish...-May 26,2008

In the News-May 26, 2008

So we went to the CNN center and took very few pics. I don't know why but I didn't have any of Diego and his family there:(

Diego and his parentals!-May 26, 2008

We LOVED having Diego, his mom, and his dad visit us. After they left we missed them so much. Speaking little English was hilarious as we walked through the Coke museum, CNN center and the Aquarium.