Two very, very dear cousins had a baby yesterday, a girl. I am very happy for them and seems that all is fine. If I am not mistaken, the father and daughter will share close birthdays for the rest of their long lives. Another reason for me to visit Brazil in the end of the year, if I can manage it.
I am really, really glad to hear the news!

For my readers who understand Portuguese, here is the link to an article about my sister, Marina Bresslau, and her experience as a mother who is building her own business at the moment. Marina has studied Business Administration at FEA USP, the Business School of the university I also attended and where I also took some courses during my engineering years. She has also worked in the MBA program of the school, taking part in many of their classes. Additionally, she worked as a consultant for Deloitte for 3 years.
Now she, together with 2 other partners, has founded a consultancy and administrative service provider for medical clinics in São Paulo, Brazil.
If you don't understand Portuguese, you can still check the pictures of my beautiful sister and my first nephew. Or you could visit this post or this one.

This is what I call the real opportunity cost of living far away from my family:



Last time I saw Henrique, my nephew, he was a new born baby who had just undergone heart surgery. Now, after another surgery in January, he is really fine, as you all can surely see.
And here is another picture of Henrique which I put online several months ago.
Yes, I really hope I can make it to Brazil after the MBA.
BTW, I was listening to all this through skype, while my sister was filming. I felt strangely close. Technology helps a lot.

My cousin just sent me a photo collage he did some years ago in Germany and I had to post it here, because it really turned out very well.

This post just goes out to a great friend of mine and his wife who have just received a new daughter in their family.
Silvia and Alex, I wish you three all the best for years to come and believe strongly that Luisa will be the greatest and most enjoyable challenge that you will face.
I hope could be in Brazil soon to visit you and take part on the happiness that I am sure you are experiencing. Unfortunately, I believe Luisa will be quite big already when I'll eventually meet her.

Fortíssimos abraços para vocês três, estou especialmente contente que está tudo certo. É nessas horas que eu fico triste em estar longe, mas é assim mesmo. Mandem notícias, fotos, vídeos assim que puderem, para eu me sentir um pouquinho "tio", mesmo que de longe.
Tudo, tudo, tudo de bom,
Fernando

The surgery went as expected and H is already in intensive care, recovering.
I'm relieved, but we will have to wait and see.

This angry guy to our left is being operated on for the second time in his short 1 year life tomorrow. I am not really worried, as I believe that he is a strong guy and they told me this type of heart surgery is routine, nowadays.
But it is important to think of him, even from far, so I do. This is my favourite picture of his so far. A bit dark, but show a great personality.
Hope to see you soon, Hampelmann!

I had a great time in Nashville. It was also a relaxing time. I did a lot, but not too much. I even slept some. But, most importantly, I finally met the family I knew so much about, but had previously had so little opportunity to really get to know. Only those who had been to Brazil I had met briefly.
This time I had more time for them and they for me, I really enjoyed it. As Roger said, we are blessed with a beautiful family.
I uploaded the pictures I have taken these days to picasa, and below you'll find the links. Now I have to start packing for Toronto tomorrow.

071223 Nashville Sptephen's birthday	071224 Nashville Christmas' Eve	071225 Nashville Christmas Brunch
071226-27 Passeio em Nashville com Julia	071228 Nashville Mall

OK, so finally I arrived in Nashville. It is very much like a dream come true. I always wanted to come to Nashville, to visit my family here and experience the "American way of life". But it never worked out. Bad timing, usually, like that time with that incident they later called 9/11.
But now I am here and it is pretty cool. My family is cool. I like all my cousins and I am sure I am going to have fun with them.
Today I was glad I had decided to take a car to the airport. The day sarted really wet in New York, and it wouldn't have been nice to walk 5 or 6 blocks in Queens with two heavy suitcases and a backpack under the cold (really cold) rain.
In the airport all went well. I again was screened very thoroughly, I have to find out what is it, that makes those people suspicious. But the flight was without incidents and I even caught some American football on TV at JFK.
Here in Nashville we had the whole family together, commemorating Stephen's 14th birthday. Was a good way to start my stay here in Nashville.

I have arrived well in New York and already had fun with my two little cousins and walking around Manhattan in the evening. But the way was long, and not too easy. Because of jet lag, I'll use the bullet point writing style.

While I am here at the University of Warwick, I am not there experiencing this:


This is Henrique, my nephew who was born in January while I was in Brazil. It is really a pitty that I am missing out on his development, but those were the choices I made, and I don't regret them. And no, I don't think he is the cutest. But he surely is my most loved nephew.