Opportunity cost

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.

Leaving Nashville

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

Arrival in Nashville

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.

3 Countries in 24 hours

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.

Opportunity cost

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.