"Can I see an ID, please?"

Without a valid Driver’s License, I’ve had my (then brand-new) car parked in my garage for weeks. I’ve had to pass on ordering a beer or a margarita in a hot weekend because I left that yellow piece of paper at home – the one you must present with your “clipped-corner-ID”. I’ve had to go to the DMV so many times, this one grumpy lady started smiling at me - all in sympathy to the innumerous obstacles I faced for wanting to be behind the wheel, behind a glass of a cold one or just because I really didn’t have another way around it.

My hard times in HS - part 2

This text is part 2 of 2. Please read part 1 here.

After being bullied all throughout 5th grade (equivalent of 9th grade for American schools), my mom decided to transfer me to a bigger school. I then went to where my best friend Louise attended. (I mentioned she even came all the way from Brazil to see me a couple years ago. She's awesome!) The problem was that I was late in the transfer and, by then, her class was full. I had to be put in a different class. She was 6th grade C and I was now A. (Schools in Brazil are a little different. You don't get to pick your subjects. You're in a big group and everyone attends the same classes.)

Because we were so close (have always been since kindergarten), I knew pretty much all of her friends and was very excited to change schools, but once I entered the A class, knowing nobody, things changed quickly. The girls hated me from day one because I was cute. I know that for a fact since, later on, when we got over those issues, they confessed it to me. What a life!

My hard times in HS - part 1

When I was still in Middle School I was very popular. I had the most friends, some of the best grades, knew all the teachers and all this kind of stuff some kids effortlessly have. Kinda like some movie you'd see with some teenage drama (I love those, by the way.)

Then, when High School started, all my friends left our little school and moved on to bigger 1000's+ people institutions. I considered (my parents did) moving as well, but the teachers knew me, right? I had good grades and the school, even small, had a great way of teaching. We decided I'd stay.

The worst trip of my life - part 2: & Back

This text is part 2 of 2. Please read part 1 (There) here.

5 months had passed since I had last seen my family and friends, the beach and especially the heat of Recife. It was April and Minnesota was blooming beautifully, but not warm quite yet. Leaving anyone you love behind to meet others you also love is always bittersweet. I was anxious to go home and very sad to leave Chris again, but had no idea what was in store for me.