En una de mis visitas el año pasado, mi abuelo me comentó que estaba con ganas de escribir sus memorias y me embarqué en esta aventura junto con él.

Fueron ocho viajes míos a Buenos Aires y tres viajes de Abu a San Pablo, donde vivo. Doce semanas intensivas de trabajo y emociones compartidas. Un año de encuentros, de risas, y de conocernos mejor.

Queda para mí como un tesoro, una de las experiencias que más marca mi vida, lado a lado con mi casamiento y con los nacimientos de mis tres hijos.

Fortalecimos nuestro vínculo y nos hicimos bien mutuamente. Hoy puedo decir que mi abuelo es también mi mejor amigo.

Creo que todo nieto debería darse este regalo de rescate de memorias familiares, aprendizajes y alegrías.

Sólo me resta agradecer por cada minuto, cada emoción y cada risa que vivimos juntos.

Como los eclipses, duró poco. Cuando quisimos más, ya había pasado.

Sólo resta esperar el próximo, y no sabemos cuándo ocurrirá. Pero sabemos que los seis somos indispensables para que se produzca.

Caminos que se cruzan. Y producen encuentros, sonrisas, charlas, y algún choque.

Yo iba con la idea que quería darme una panzada de hermanos, una sobredosis fraterna que me dure un año entero, o por lo menos hasta el próximo encuentro.

Pero pasó sólo un día y ya siento que no fue suficiente, que quedaron muchas palabras por decir, fotos para sacar, abrazos por dar…

Como dice la bendición irlandesa: Que los caminos salgan al encuentro de cada uno de ustedes, que el viento sople a sus espaldas, que el sol brille en sus caras, y la lluvia riegue suavemente sus campos. Y hasta que nos volvamos a encontrar, que Dios los tenga a su cuidado en la palma de su mano.

Hermanitos: los quiero mucho!!!!!!

Recién vi el trailer de un documental hecho por Estela Renner y Marcos Nosti: ”Criança, A Alma do Negócio”. Está hecho con dinamismo y alegría, tiene mucha ternura poor la sinceridad de los chicos entrevistados. La verdad que quedé con ganas de verlo entero! Pero la realidad que muestra de manera cómica, es realmente triste.

El trailer tiene testimonios de niños, padres y especialistas. Este documental muestra la necesidad de control legal en este tema. Muchos países ya tienen regulación para que los programas infantiles no sean interrumpidos con publicidades (Alemania, Suecia y otros), o limitan la cantidad de tiempo por hora de este tipo de publicidad (Estados Unidos). 

Algunos trechos sorprenden: la chica que no reconoce un ají, pero sabe perfecto lo que son los chizitos, y la rapidez con que los chicos reconocen las marcas de empresas de celular.

A veces dudamos si en casa estaremos haciendo lo correcto, si no tendrá un efecto contrario esto de dejar la infinidad de canales fuera de casa… ahora que vi este documental me siento más tranquila, y la verdad que para nosotros hace diferencia tener hijos que no ven publicidades innecesarias.  De paso, se nos hace más fácil dedicar más tiempo a la lectura, a los chicos y a nuestros multiples hobbies, ya que no niego que en la tele siempre se puede encontrar algo interesante para ver!

A veces me dá la impresión que en lugar de ser personas que nos encontramos

para mirarnos a los ojos,

hablar de corazón a corazón,

encontrar a la “persona”,

hacer honor al encuentro de 2 almas…

parecemos títeres que se encuentran para compararse los peinados y las  uñas,

para medirse, y juzgarse…

La semana que viene voy a Buenos Aires.

Por un lado es una felicidad reencontrar hermanos, primos, tíos y amigos,

por otro lado le tengo aversión a ese teatro y no quiero ser una marioneta más.

Podemos vivir sin juzgar apariencias y sin ser juzgados?

Hace más de 10 años que disfruto mis compras de libros por internet, viva donde viva, cada 2 o 3 meses entro en Amazon a ver que hay de nuevo que sea interesante. Nunca ningún problema. Bueno si, una vez una de las compras tardó tanto en llegar que llamé para ver si habían tenido algún problema. Me dijeron que había salido hace más de un mes y que no sabían que podría haber pasado, pero que no me preocupe que lo mandaban de vuelta. Lo enviaron con servicio urgente. A los pocos días de recibir el servicio urgente, me tocó el timbre el cartero para entregar el pedido original!

Cuando viajo, hago todas las compras que puedo por internet, las mando a alguna dirección donde voy a estar y después puedo disfrutar mucho mejor los viajes sin visitas a shopping que no sean necesarias. 

Como regla general, NUNCA dejo de comparar precio en por lo menos 3 negocios. Pero para algunos productos no hay que confiar en el que parace más barato si es totalmente desconocido (un ejemplo es máquinas de fotos que paracen más baratas de negocios que tienen  teléfonos de New Jersey o New York, ellos ponen el precio de la cámara más bajo y los accesorios mucho más caros, estuche, pilas, cargador, tarjeta de memoria… y si les comprás sólo la máquina, unos días más tarde te avisan que no la tienen en stock…) 

Cuáles son los sitios donde más compré en el pasado?

- Amazon. Libros, y más libros… pero también juguetes, sábanas, fundas de edredón, la kitchen-aid, máquina de fotos, cargador de pilas, ect etc!

- Best Buy – Acá compré la laptop de mamá. Yo en Brasil y ella visitando a Magui en Weston, les ahorré el viaje al negocio y el dolor de cabeza de comparar miles de modelos y decidir cuál comprar.

- Bath and Body Works – me encantan los jabones que hacen espuma! mis preferidos son de “Lima y Coco” o de “Hojas mojadas por la lluvia”. No hay tantos negocios y es ridículo en un viaje de pocos días decir mañana quiero que vayamos a Bath & Body Works que quiero comprar un jabón! (Bueno, esto no es verdad porque nunca compro uno…)

- Gap, baby Gap – sobre todo para los chicos, y para aprovechar ofertas que pueden no estar más válidas en mi fecha de viaje

Cuando Juan viajó solo por trabajo a New York, hice las compras que quería y se las hice entregar en el hotel. Fue mejor para él porque no tuvo que usar su tiempo libre haciendo compras para nosotros, y para mí porque no corrí el riesgo de que se equivoque o se olvide de algo.

Mi última compra por internet: me llegaron ayer mis tarjetas personales que compré en un sitio de Inglaterra y estoy feliz!!! Están buenísimas!!

Qué cosas NO compro online?

- Ropa para mi o para Juan. Si es para los chicos no importa, sobre todo bebes y chicos chiquitos, pero si es para mi, necesito probarla, tocarla, verla… 

- Cochecito de bebe, cuando estaba embarazada de Lucas preferí ir personalmente y probarlos, para comparar como se pliegan, cual me gustaba más, etc… Acabé comprando el mismo que usaba Magui porque era liviano, fácil de plegar y muy barato!

- Comida y compra de supermercado. En Buenos Aires hice alguna compra de Disco online, o de Simplefood (comida congelada). Pero acá en Brasil el supermercado queda en la esquina de casa, y todavia me parece más rápido pasar corriendo por las góndolas poniendo lo mismo de siempre en el carrito que lidiar con los sistemas lenteja de los supermercados que ofrecen comprar online. Además cuando viajo me encanta entrar en algún supermercado a chusmear y comparar las diferencias.

Cuando dijo “Argentina viene aca”, se referia a mi mama, mi tia y mi abuelo que vienen el 28/11 unos dias de visita, y para explicarme me dijo: las personas mas importantes de Argentina vienen a vernos…

Y me quede pensando, que lindo para un abuelo que el nieto lo considere la persona mas importante del pais… y que responsabilidad tambien!

Nkwichi Lodge, Mozambique.

7 bungalows, tucked into the trees along the lakeshore providing unique views across the crystal clear water. The chalets all vary in size and design depending on their setting but are all made of local wood, stone and grass thatch.

Rayavadee, Thailand

Peter Island, British Virgin Islands

The Crane, South Eastern coast of Barbados

Kiaroa, Brazil
Península de Maraú, Bahía, entre Ilhéus e Salvador.

Y las imágenes en la web:
The New York Times:

Wall Street Journal:

USA Today:

Los Angeles Times:

Washington Post:

Chicago Tribune:

Chicago Sun-Times:

New York Daily News:

New York Post:

Boston Globe:

Philadelphia Inquirer:

Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

Houston Chronicle:

Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

San Francisco Chronicle:

Detroit Free Press:

New York Newsday:

Anchorage Daily News:

CNN:

ABC:

CBS:

NBC:

FOX:

The Huffington Post:

New York Magazine:

Le Monde (France):

La Republicca (Italy):

The Guardian (U.K.)

Qué emoción ser testigo de este capítulo en la historia.

El video aca abajo es del discurso espectacular que dió Barack Obama para aceptar su cargo de presidente electo. La versión el el sitio de msnbc tiene mejor resolución, pero no conseguí que se vea en mi blog, debo estar haciendo algo mal! Si realmente van a ver el video, que dura unos 17 minutos, les recomiendo cliquear acá, para ver la versión de msnbc. (link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27546437#27546437)

Abajo del link de Youtube puse el texto del discuso. Vale la pena leerlo! Este discurso es un ejemplo para la historia.

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.

It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled – Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It’s the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.

I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he’s fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation’s promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation’s next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House. And while she’s no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics – you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you’ve sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington – it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.

It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.

I know you didn’t do this just to win an election and I know you didn’t do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime – two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor’s bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you – we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it’s been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years – block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers – in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House – a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “We are not enemies, but friends…though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.” And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn – I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world – our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down – we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security – we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright – tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.

For that is the true genius of America – that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that’s on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She’s a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing – Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons – because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America – the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women’s voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves – if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.

Y acá está a imagen de la primera página del New York Times, edición nacional: