Great Men Of Their Time

Great people come along once but so often, When they past through history we have to take a moment to appreciate and acknowledge them for the great people they are.They are the ones that show us that special ability to connect with others and most importantly how to  rise from challenges when times get difficult. I take Usain Bolt, the fastest man who ever lived, and Barack Obama who continues to  make history with his Diplomacy. As history continues to past these men they will go down with it. They are great men of their time

President Obama Meets with President Castro

What has history taught us?  if something doesn't work, we must try another way...

This meeting between the little brother and the big brother US and Cuba could be just what we need to bring about global diplomacy. 

L

Teaching English in Brazil 4

   
                         

   The New Year was upon me. This year would be even be more special, because It was the first year, I started working with kids. Paulo and Julio were their names, Both kids were very enthusiastic, full of energy, imaginative, and curious. For me, it was the perfect environment to work. When I first started teaching them, it wasn't easy. At times they were more than I could bare. They would push me to my limits but I had to learn how to be patient with them. Within time, the patience allowed be to figure out the best way to reach them. I tried to understand their personal interest and what drove them to want to learn. They would tell me about their aspirations to be scientist in the future. I would use that to motivate them. I would mention to them how important it was for them to study so they can meet their future goals. I would always motivate them by reminding them how important it was for them to dedicate time to their studies.I would say,"you put the work, you will see the results." Teaching and learning for me is a two way street and for both students and teachers to have an understanding of each other, you have to understand the relationship between you and the other person and  what drives each other. Use that as an opportunity to show them that learning comes from constant repetition and focus. From the beginning of 2014, when I first started teaching we couldn't understand each other, but as time began to past, we started to develop a great teacher and student relationship. One way I can tell,  is their instant focus when they enter the room now compared to the past when I had to constantly reminded them they needed to focus. Its our chemistry over time that had allowed us to understand what´s expected from each other.


   Julio is eights years old. He is a typical kid, who loves video games, sometimes love to joke around in class. He is really exceptional and picks up on new things fairly quickly. Paulo is the oldest brother, he is a bit more shy than his brother, but when focused, he can grab everything you throw in his direction. He has a great way of analyzing things that are difficult, and finding a way to resolve it. I think both see the world differently but both process a gift that future generation will be lucky to have, We have a great understanding of what is expected for each other, but form time to time I remind them however from time to time how  important it is to stay on track and not lose focus. At INEP where I work I have a great teaching relationship with my Tuesday 6pm classes. We share a lot with each other and they expected me to share my knowledge with them. At times I would let them know they had to put in time to studying the book and find ways to have contact with the language. Even if it was reading a newspaper, magazine or watching a film or TV program or listening to music. From that point in the past until now I think they have excepted the advice. From this, I can see the drastic change in their use of speaking. They sometimes credit me for my patience with them but I continue to tell them you dedicate the time the results will show.


   As time went on in 2014, I needed another job to compensate for my living expenses, I decided to teach at another course, |The name of the course was Focus. It was first mentioned to me by two of my current students at INEP. Catharina and Roseli. I have been their  teacher for a year now, Both Roseli and Catharina were very helpful showing me and teaching  me the do´s and no´s of Brazil, At times I refer to them as my Brazilian mothers.]

  Focus was a new and Innovative Language School. Its mission was to teach English to local Brazilians who wanted to learn English for their travels, for their work, or for their personal  development, Its very different compared to INEP. Focus uses a more modern method They used video, new and modern updated books to explain how English is used in an everyday environment, For example, when it comes to eating out, planning a trip, or staying in an hotel. It was a bit simple for me to organized my lessons compared to the other school, where I had to explain everything from ground roots. Focus gave me more flexibility and a better chance to be more organized with my material.  Focus which was the perfect name for the school, would be the place and cornerstone where I had to teach myself how to focus. In August 2015, I was going to embark on another journey where I discovered something about new about myself.............

Rio marks 450th anniversary with 450-meter cake

Living in Brazil Part 3

Things were moving in the right direction. I had a set schedule  at the English course. I had just made a new friend Bernard Alveres. We would make Lapa our every Friday hangout spot. That was where all the madness started and where it ended. You name it I saw it, Nightclubs, Restaurants, Bars, Large crowds, Drugs, Alcohol, Sex, It was the main spot for locals and tourists both near and abroad. The streets would be swarmed with people on both sides. The woman would come out with their  most sexiest outfit and the men would come out with their best chances to get a girl, which involves alot of times going shirtless. Many would dress to impress which some literally try to flex their muscles to draw attention. For me, I really on my sense of humor and Witt, to open the gates of communication, but their was still a problem I still had to learn Portuguese. For the first three months, I found it difficult to speak to woman. First, the language, but secondly cultural differences and behaviors. In Brazil as I had to learn more with time, You cant seem to be too available because in Brazil it comes across as a weakness, but at the same time you have to show a level of interest. The most importantly, you have to let then come to you. Its like a game of chest with many rules, but the its important you don't show all your moves right away. You have to appear mysterious and desired so they chase you as well.

      Getting back to the Lapa madness, the scenes there was no place I have ever witness. People flooding the streets heading to local concerts and bars hangouts. What I enjoyed most more about Lapa was going to the Famous Lapa Steps and having drinks with my friend singing and dancing with foreigners from abroad.  For the first four months in Brazil every weekend was the spot. What I really liked about hanging out in |Lapa besides the steps, where the arcos de Lapa. The bands would come out and perform street dance Samba for the crowd, After along week,It was the perfect place to dance and release some energy and meet some new people. Things would really get on the way as I started to develop some really good friendships in the Hostel. Miguel Barradas Daltro Santos. We spent most of early mornings at the hostel smoking our normal wake and make remedy and watching old classic American and Brazilian films. I really like having conversations with him because he had a really open-mind. He had a professional way about handling things when it came to his job, but he also was a very outgoing person, At times, which seemed to not have any boundaries, He was the longest employee working at Bellas Artes Hostel. He  stuck around 7 months more after I arrived at the Hostel. It was difficult for me to see him go, but at the same time he needed to make his transition and from the conversations we had, I knew it was that time for him to move on. The thing I remembered most about him was his love for video games and his curiosity for the love of science and philosophy.

    Another great person I had a chance to know at the hostel was Rodigo Castro. He was the manager at Bellas Artes. I had a chance learn and adopt alot of things from him. He told me alot about the culture of Brazil. He was always looking out for me. When I was in trouble or if I need something he was there with words of encouragement and wisdom. He was the type of person who looked out for his friends. People like him don't come around very often when they do its hard not to forget them. The first few months, was a bit of a struggle for me in Brazil. He was always there to assist me or give me a helping hand. It was then I started to understand the Brazilian culture even more. We had some great moments in the hostel, especially when it came to  exchanging Portuguese and English.

   There was an American girl working at the hostel. Her name was Emily Everett. She was a Southern girl from Mississippi. She was the only American contact I had when I first moved into the hostel. It was kind of reassuring for me at times because we would listen to American music, and talk about issues going on back in the states. We would have our moments when the guest would leave we would crank up the music really loud and dance and sing to hip hop oldies. Our favorite song was Ice Cube´s Today Was A Good Day. We had our moments really. I had a really good time getting to know her. She was not your typical American girl. She had done alot of traveling and spoke three languages. She was very artistic and expressive. She was also very down to earth. We shared alot of laughs and I learn a great deal from her. She didn't stick around very long but she had a long lasting impression.

   Approaching Christmas. I started to become a little homesick. I spent many times alone. After Emily had left, I started to drink and smoke to keep myself occupied. Ines MarquesBastos was from Portugal. She was only 20 years old, but from the way she spoke and carried herself, it seemed as if she had been on the earth for quit a while. She took the place of Emily working at the reception. She was very intelligent, sensitive, adventurous, and very worldly. She was a very good communicator. When she spoke people gravitated towards her. We had alot in common. We both had much curiosity about the world and we wanted to do great things in it. We shared our past future hopes and optimism for the future. We went out and explore the city of Rio and had some really good times.After a week, I felt like I  met a really good friend. We went to the beach and explored the city of Rio together. In the weeks ending, we finish the year with a bang!  On New Years eve, She and I along with guest at the hostel went to Copacabana beach and witness a spectacle like nothing we had never seen. Fireworks lite up the skies of Copacabana beach, where the millions of people on the streets came from all over the world. It was a magical time and a great time because it was a transitional period. Things will started to take a dip in the following weeks coming. 

Teaching English in Brazil Part 3

 
                                     

Teaching English was starting to  become a really enlightening experience for me, especially when I had the chance to move on. After landing a job AT INEP in the beginning of January 2014. I started to mold myself into a different person. When I first started I still had many issues to work out. First being on time and secondly being more organized.  INEP was the first place where I started to realized what it meant to be a professional. Showing to work on time. Dressing professionally. Time management. Most importantly structure.  I started to teach in the mornings and in the evenings. Most of my hours were based from 8-12 and then in the evening from 4-8. Many of my students were a mixture of children and adults. The children for me was the most difficult but at the same time the most rewarding. Teaching children requires patience and constant engagement in various activities. As for adults, it takes a great deal of preparation and training of speaking. Many of my students were so happy to learn English. As time wore on I developed a really close bounds with my students. Even taking it further beyond the classroom. We would have time to take breaks and go out to cafe´s and practice our English conversational skills there, There were two students imparticular Ditto and Roseli that loved to use there times to speak.. On Tuesdays during our classes we would use the time to go to the local cafe and local supermarket to practice our English.. We would talk about anything that came to our mind. Using what we have learnt in classes.

    From the past tense, present simple,  future continuous,  we were using English in our everyday speech to connect to the world. Ditto and Roseli and I would go out to the cafe  and hold a 10 minute conversation speaking about what we encountered that day or what they have experienced in their past experience. I wanted  to break them  out of the comfort some  of the classroom environment and make them think outside the box so they would know how to truly communicate with language. Along the way, I started to know little things about them which benefited us all in the classroom. Its been a a journey teaching them, both Ditto and Roseli pushed me to my limits. During my my time at INEP I saw students come and student go but Ditto and Roseli have been with me until now. At times it was difficult and I took some of those losses personality, but I have learnt you cant help everybody. You can only help those who want to be helped. You cant force a person to learn you can only give them the tools and show them how it works. Its been nearly a year since we´ve first met, but our teacher student relationship has grown into something more than just paper and pen. Its grown to a level of trust and understanding. Hopefully with the remaining time I still have here in Brazil I will impact change and help alot of people. 

Living in Brazil Part 2

 

Moving to Brazil wasn't an easy transition. I had to get use to alot of things. The first thing was of course the language. Portuguese is a language   that I haven't had much contact with in the United States or in Jamaica. Secondly, I had to adjust to the pace and the everyday life. The third thing was the culture. Brazil is a culture that is based on feel, touch and sensitivity. Brazilian people love conversation.. Whether or not they know you, they will take the time to get to know you. The first month was the hardest transition. Just the formality with everything was not so easy and took alot of time. In the first month upon arrival, there was alot going on politically.The manifestation was getting big. People would protest in the streets getting the attention of local and state officials to increase wages, build better hospitals and decrease the wages of public transportation. There were moments I would observe people running and ranting in the streets shouting to the political officials to make a change. Every week in another state in Brazil you you see on the news people entering government official setting the buses on fire, breaking entering, and tying themselves up to post. It was intense at times, as the police officers had to intervene with tear gas and sometimes gun fire. Sometimes after a day of work coming from the metro, I would be looking around, because you never know when an agitated crowd of people would start coming your way.


     My first few months were generally spend partying and going out to social events. They would gather on street starting from one location and slowly move to other parts of the city playing instruments, dancing and singing Samba. These were moments when I started to really appreciate the culture of Brazil even more. The best times would be after a long day of work and coming off the metro and encountering block parties. People in the community coming together singing dancing and having a good time. The block parties got even more intense once carnival time started approaching. I spent many of my time going to bars and samba clubs. It was difficult going out to samba clubs as first because the dancing was difficult to master. I had a difficult time in the beginning especially talking with woman. Brazilian woman are a woman that they may appear easy but deception can be deceiving. Its been a year now and i still struggle with many things but i am better now than how I was a year ago. My mind has open more and I have learn to slow down quit a bit. By learning from this important experience it has now shaped my outlook on life and my dreams and life in so many   different way. I will explain more into detail as time goes by.. Meeting people around the world staying at hostels was the highlight of my trip.. There exchanging of cultures with people from all over the world happens. For me its just another classroom to learn from the teacher which is life. There, I gain memorial friends that will be forever in my memory.


The first guest was Celestino. I had the best time getting to know him.  He was the best guest at the hostel. He was an older gentlemen, but its difficult to see his real age because he has the heart of a child just like me. He is always laughing, cheerful, and curious, Given the fact that we both spoke different languages it was difficult for us to communicate with each other. As time went on we develop a bond that will forever make us connected. He was like a father figure and a friend. When times were difficult and things didn't look promising, he was there to give me encouraging words. When I had no money or little money he always made sure I had food in my stomach. He also taught me  alot about life and and how to be patient. He also told me to appreciate  the world around me and the gift that surrounds us. He reminds me to this day. The world s for us to enjoy.  In the beginning of my arrival at the hostel. In my first three months there I just sat around the hostel getting to know the guest and the people and staff that worked there. They shared with my intresting stories about their lives and their travels and how they arrived where they were now; I special friend I remember from my experience living at the hostel was Max Otto Kual. He was from Germany. During our time at the hostel we talked about our lives and dreams and what makes us such curious individuals to make us want to do good n the world. We developed a great friend through our exchange of cultural and education. We both have the same mindset of always wanting to change the world for the better good of mankind. He would always invite me to his barbeque's with his friends in Santa Teresa. Every Monday it was a ritual for us to meet up smoke, have some beers and eat some barbecue. He was a very out going guy such as me. Everywhere we went everyone knew Max. He was that kind of person, Very personal who always left and impression you. We had great times and moments learning from one another and sharing our cultures. In the three months being in Brazil he was the first real friend I made. After October he decided to go back home back to Germany. He made my stay here during the first few months in Brazil very enjoyable and unforgettable. I am sure we will cross paths again sometime in the distant future.