New Year. Starting Over.

New Year. Ah, 2012!

What a end of 2011 I had. As much 2011 was not a outstanding year for me, the last three weeks was so much. I made memories that I am going to treasure for the rest of my days.

We went to Brazil to spend Christmas and New Year Reveillon with my people.

We solved document pendents; I got a surprise party to celebrate my mom's and my birthday (spent between airports); we had an 75 year anniversary party (yes, 75 years of Marriage!); we had Christmas at my uncle's home; we had Christmas day at my Mother, while visiting other family members and a cousin that I had not seen for more than 20 years.

We also spent a few days at a tropical beach. Ah, the beach! Almost 10 years that I hadn't visited my good friend, the Sea. Along the way, bananas growing wild like weeds at the side of the road. Mango trees and giant avocados.

Brazil has the best beaches, combined with the shrimp, coconut water, barbecue in the stick, and of course, a breathtaking view of paradise.

I remembered the first day I got to have the water through my neck, I was shedding tears. Tears of Joy. I miss the memories I did at the beach. The memories of me and my dad jumping waves as they would come so soft or so definitive. I miss when my father's free spirit would feel itself so deep holding my hand.

Amyr Klink, a Brazilian explorer and sailor, translated my exact feelings as I was crying and letting my tears mix at that moment. And many others.

“A man must travel.

By his own, not through stories, pictures, books or TV.

He’s got to travel by himself, with his eyes and feet, to understand what is his.

To one day plant his own trees and value them.

Knowing the cold to enjoy the heat. And the opposite.

Feel the distance and absence of shelter to be well under his own roof.

A man must travel to places that he does not know

to break this arrogance that makes us see the world as we imagine it,

and not simply as it is or can be.

That makes us teachers and doctors of what we have not seen,

when we should be students, and simply go see. ”

(Mar sem Fim, Amyr Klink)


My tears come back just to remember that single moment. I have that quote from Amyr at my screen and phone. I am grateful for the opportunity to go back, and 'go see'. The sea.

Anyway, I had a blast of a time.

I was happy to see progress in the lives of people I love and care about. I also missed my dear aunt, my mother's sister, that passed away last April. I didn't know how that would be, getting there and not being able to see her. I saw all of her children, my dearest cousins that I grew up with, and that helped a lot. I saw my aunts and uncles, cousins, their kids, friends and their families.

We had a great time at a former Bishop's sister home, today a Stake President in my mom's Stake. I heart them so dearly! In parts, he is very responsible for where I am today. He was the right person at the right time when I most needed.

We went to Campinas LDS Brazil temple, where I met several friends, many past co workers, and visited with some great families I love dearly. They are part of who I am today. They are examples of great heart people that helped me, sometimes just with their example and strength.

The Temple is gorgeous and breathtaking. I remember those early mornings, waiting for the President to get there and open it, I would sit at that center square and open my heart to my Maker, crying out for things that I never thought I would experience in life, but that today, knowing that I am already blessed with the most, because He answers prayers.

I was also able to visit a few places where I lived, studied, worked, and liked the changes that time makes. We enjoyed a lot.

Coming back to my mother's town, we visited Natural Parks, saw Atlantic forest, we also went to the Zoo and many other places.

We enjoyed the End of Year's celebrations, the fireworks, the preparation, the traditional Italian foods just she knows how to do it.

And then, unfortunately, time goes by, and the day to come back was there.

Leave Sao Paulo, my hometown and lifelong tropical background, was extremely hard this time. Brazil is a place of beauty and love, even with all the problems the country has. We here in US have other problems, but we are all children of God, all His creations are beautiful and made for our joy.

The green mountains, the ripe and organic fruits, the rain (how I miss the rain!!!!), Mama's care, plus the 50 thousand people I know there, was so hurtful.

Here I know about 5 people... just joking... lol, but seriously: Starting another year over again this time has been harder after the memories I made for the last weeks.

I need to pick myself up and keep going. We all, at one time or another, need to do that.

When we finally accept these changes as a part of life we can once again move forward. We only live once, and we can't live in the past forever. And I am responsible for my choices, and aware that, to harvest good fruit, I planted good seed.

And the field is there still, and I can go anytime. Maybe someday.

Well. Back to the 'blessed land, where the Lord took us by hand to bring here'. Everything is calm, everything is fine. We are very blessed to have friends and neighbors that watch over us. I am thankful for them.

Another year is here. Another opportunity to rightfully right our wrongs. Start over anew like the night I was born. Put pride aside, "break this arrogance that makes us see the world as we imagine it", and assume that life is beautiful anyway, and the best we can do is love people the way they are, because we remember the good . This medicine is called 'Time'.

Goals for this year?

Take care of my emotional, physical, professional, spiritual and personal health. In a matter that I can be ready to meet my Maker and Savior anytime. Everyday of my life I want to be ready.

And, of course, I will always "go see".

Happy New Year!!