America's best leaders...

I was reading a recent article in USnews.com, where in times when it is difficult to find positive leaders in the American society (meaning US society) 25 people emerge as role models for the citizens of the most powerful country in the world. Out of them 4 are women, 5 are social leaders and one of them is one of my personal role models: BILL DRAYTON.
Drayton is the founder and CEO of ASHOKA, the biggest and most important network of social entrepreneurs in the world, and one of our main partner in the Explora program
I would like to invite you to read his story, I can't promise you anything but inspiration, and awareness of the power of an idea.
Enjoy the reading at: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/051031/31drayton.htm

Guns and roses...

During the last weeks there is a theme that is strategically deviating the attention of people here in Brazil from the corruption scandal of the government.

The YES or NO.

Brazil is preparing a referendum during the weekend where people will vote weather of not they agree in prohibiting the fabrication and commerce of guns in the country. Brazil is the second country with more deaths caused by a gun shot, the first one is Venezuela (according to UNESCO), 107 daily deaths in average were registered in 2003.

The discussion is really hot these days, there are all kind of positions

YES because most of guns in the arms of criminal were acquired legally
NO because everyone has the right to protect him/herself in a country where the government does not protect you
YES because the gun industry in the only beneficiary of the daily deaths.
NO because taking guns from the citizen can end in a Coup d'etat, by the militaries or guerrillas (some even say colombian ones) and no one would be able to fight against it

And the list continues...

Precisely this week I watched Lord of War, and this movie is exactly about guns, the main character is Nicolas Cage a gundealer, he provides guns to governments, illegal groups, and whoever who usually would not be able to get them legally at a very large amount.

I think I got aware of the big link between the gun industry and violence... how they not only supply guns (sometimes even to both bands), but also are able to innitiate wars and influence even governments in their security policy.

Yesterday in the United States, was approved a very controversial law where Gun industry could not be demanded by any crime victim. I guess being a country with about 76 million of handguns (.80 guns per capita), and that has a large gun industy (with exports all over the world) this represents an important part of the economy, so for some people (like Bush) protecting this industry PAYS.

About guns there could be so much to say, but keeping it to the banning here in Brazil, I don't think that the YES will stop crime, it might reduce the number of arms circulating but it will increase the black market. However I'd be happy with a YES knowing that at least it won't be legal to make money out of selling guns that kill inocent people. A yes would send a message to other countries influenced by powerful gun lobbies that is possible to work around them...

my brother is coming!!!

I'm extremely happy, as it is confirmed that my brother is coming to visit me this december! It will be his first international trip, and he is planning to take the best out of it!
Pedrito is looking for an LC here to make his CEED while I still work (did I mention that my brother is in AIESEC too) :d and also planning to attend the brazilian national conference in December, I am sure he will enjoy experiencing the AIESEC culture in Brazil, not that different from Colombia in some things but very unique in others...
After the conference we might travel somewhere in Brazil or stay here in Sao Paulo, We did not make plans yet, but it will be awesome to spend Xmas and new year with the best brother someone can have: MINE!!
Pedri, I'm waiting for you!!!!!!

Here a picture of my brother in the last national conference in Colombia (the first one I chaired!!)

About work...

These have been very intense weeks, structuring the funding round so we can select 29 traineeships in the SSGN for latin students to understand better our region, our problems and the solutions that social entrepreneurs (changemakers) are implementing in their communities.
the first 31st applications arrived but tomorrow is the final deadline, hopefully we will get to the 50 applications, I really would like to see that, but more than the numbers itself, I get so excited when I read the applications, and see the opportunities that AIESEC members are about to have, I can't wait to become one of those EXPLORA trainees myself!

I have been also involved in the Kellogg coordinator selection, we got one application from an amazing girl from Brazil of course, we are in the middle of the selection process and hopefully this weekend we make a decision!

I have also researching funding opportunities for Spanish students to come to EXPLORA traineeships, I feel we are missing our mother land in this amazing program, and I'm sure there are ways to make that happen, hopefully next week we can get to concrete things...

Hmm I also got to know that EXPLORA is going to be presented at IDC (the International Development Conference) in Nigeria, I wouldn't mind going there and present it myself, but unfortunately there is no budget, so instead I will send the material for ppl there to know how our program was created and what is our current state... nice to know that we are serving as inspiration for our fellow AIESECers especially in a region like Africa we so much need of social transformation.

Ok, things seems to be hectic at least in the following 2 weeks, long working days and nights... just for the records I'm not complaining... :)

gone for a while...

My SSGN laptop crashed again, this time was the cooler, poor thing it has been treated so badly in her life (by previous owners) now I am suffering the consequences.
Brain as I call it, is back again, and she is doing great... so I am!
I have so much to post, so do visit this place often and check the updates!

Turning 24..

My second b-day in Brazil, very different from the first one that I spent with David, Rita and my MC teamates...
This time I shared my b-day!! Yeah, shared it.. Gaudhy my new peruvian friend (well I met her more than 8 months ago!) is also a librian (is that the sign?), and she was also born in October 4th! (some years b4 me, hehe)
So, how was the day? First I went to the federal police to get a document I needed, took the whole morning as expected, long way to get there, then some time waiting, but well I got my document (and will never ever loose it I promise!!).
Then I met Gaudhy in some metro station and we went to have lunch, we went to Angelica grill a nice and not very expensive restaurant, where you go for rodizzio (all meat you can eat!), we spent like 3 hours eating and talking, until every single waiter got to know us, and even flirt with us, good thing is that we go A LOT of kisses from them... not the kind you are thinking, the kisses of hershey's kind! :)


After doing a lot of random things together (fixing my shoes, taking medical exam for driving licence, going to Pablito's office, shopping for the night, attending a dentist appointment), we came home to welcome our guests.
I cooked Rice with coconuts (a tipycal colombian dish) , a cold salad, offered some indian stuff, and drinks, and there is a picture to prove it!!

Most of my new generation of friends came, and we had an amazing time until our boring neighbor made the security of the building call us to keep it down or we would take a fine brbr :s

It was a happy day for me, I can say God is blessing me putting me here in Brazil, giving me sweet friends, a beautiful job, a loving family, (although the lover part is taking time to arrive) I know I am here for a reason and God has wonderful plans for me, I'm just looking forward, as I know that things can always get better!

Thanks guys for all your b-day messages, it is a good excuse to make realize that even not being here, you are.

TOMORROW...

I finally found time to get my driving licence, but I have realized that it might take a lot of my time...
First, I need to get my brazilian ID (that has not arrived yet)... and as brilliant me lost the certificate the police gave me I need to go again to the federal police... you have no idea how frustrating this is... I have two spend 4-6 hours to go there and come back, about 3-4 in buses and then infinite time making lines. What else could I ask for my bday???

Ok, this is upset me revealing... I'm sure in despite of this tomorrow will be a great day!

What I am listening to now...

Drops of Jupiter - train

it is stuck in my playlist.. nothing else would play

Weekend in Sao Paulo..

fun as it could be! did I mention that I love my life in Sao Paulo??

Friday: Latin Party
My venezuelan friends organized one of the infamous latin parties, this time only 250 people showed up (last time there were about 500) but still was awesome: salsa, regueaton, merengue and CARLOS VIVES was played until 6am, when finally they kicked us out (why is that we are always the last to leave?)

Saturday: David becomes an actor!!

My adorable roomate had completed his course and finally his baby was borned, Good Morning Sao Paulo was the name of the play, a musical about the cotidiane life in this city, funny and full of energy!

Some of the fans with the best actor in scene! :)

No other place could be better to chill out after the play than the bar we went, instituto de Desenvolvimento da consciência humana this is some kind of alternative bar in Sao Paulo, first thing you have to go to get in is taking your shoes off, the music is kind of chill out, some brazilians rythms from the northeast of the country and MPB, there are different environments, for dancing, chatting with your friends, kissing with your partner, or even doing relaxation exercises, if you feel tired at some point of the night you can pay for indian massages, ah and also you can get free budism story telling classes! I did not know this kind of places existed... well it is known that in Sao Paulo there are places for ALL kind of people... :)