In a world that seems to thrive on constant connectivity and digital dependency, it's often easy to forget the unexpected twists and turns that the VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) environment can throw our way. In one seemingly ordinary moment, my husband, Roberto, found himself thrust into a situation that perfectly encapsulated the essence of today's unpredictable world.

Picture this: Roberto and his team are on a business trip, living it up in a pousada with a promisingly refreshing pool. On Sunday afternoon the sun is blazing, turning the pool into an inviting oasis of coolness. Roberto, like any sane person in a scorching situation, is eager to take the plunge. The only problem? His iPhone, his trusty digital sidekick, was chilling in his pocket.

In Brazil, relationships are paramount, whether you're venturing into business or seeking home repairs or service providers like housekeepers and cooks. This cultural norm differs from the more transactional approach often seen in the United States.

Relationships serve as the foundation of trust in Brazil. While North Americans often rely on online reviews and internet searches, particularly for personal purchases, Brazilians place greater emphasis on personal connections and recommendations. In Brazil, who you know matters as much as what you know.

Last week, I wrote a blog about our social life in Brazil and all the fun we've been having. This week, I want to take a moment to vent about something that has been consistently frustrating to me during my time in Brazil - the notorious tiny parking spaces. Yes, you heard it right, parking spaces in Brazil are on a whole new level of compactness. Every time I need to go to a store or pick up some carryout food, I find myself facing this maddening challenge. 😡

Why, oh why, do they feel the need to cram so many parking spaces into such a confined area? It's a question that boggles my mind as I cautiously inch my way into the parking spot, trying to avoid the inevitable scratches and dings that come with the territory. 💥

Have you ever watched the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and felt a strange sense of familiarity? As an American living in Brazil, my life often resembles different scenes right out of that film. From the large extended family to the ever-present friends, my Brazilian experience is a whirlwind of cultural immersion, delicious cuisine, and the occasional identity mix-up.

If there's one thing I've learned about Brazil, it's that family and friends are not just important – they're everything. My husband, Roberto, is at the center of a vibrant network of relatives and companions who seem to be in a perpetual state of visiting. Our home is always bustling with laughter, stories, and the aromas of traditional Brazilian dishes. The warmth and inclusivity of his family and friends have made me feel both welcomed and overwhelmed, much like Ian in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."

A water shortage can transform the most ordinary day into a minor crisis, as recently experienced in my Salvador, Brazil neighborhood. What caught my attention was the striking contrast in how Brazilians and Americans navigate such situations. In this light-hearted comparison of water scarcity reactions, we'll explore the amusing distinctions between these two cultures. We will compare the Brazilian Chill to the American Frenzy.

Picture this: the sun is painting the sky in shades of gold, the birds are composing their symphony and people are going about their business when suddenly, the lights flicker and then go out. This wasn’t any old power outage – it was a phenomenon that spanned more than 15 states in Brazil, including Bahia (where we are living).

Here we were, getting ready for the day, when the grand conductor of the universe, nature herself, decided to rearrange the tune. The electricity, that silent hero of our modern lives, chose to take a siesta, leaving us temporarily in the dark – both literally and figuratively, as our cell phones lost their signal too. The morning plans took an unplanned hiatus, but you know what they say, life is about adapting and going with the flow.

Last weekend, I found myself at a Brazilian birthday party, a celebration for our friend's teenage son. Armed with a glass of wine and my trusty language-mangling skills, I embarked on a linguistic adventure that would rival any telenovela plotline.

This party was not only an opportunity to indulge in delicious Brazilian treats, but also a golden chance to brush up on my Portuguese. And by "brush up”, I mean cross my fingers and hope I don't make a complete fool of myself again.

In the journey of life, we often find ourselves clinging to preconceived notions and familiar routines. Our comfort zones can inadvertently limit our ability to grow and experience the world in new ways. One place this tendency becomes evident is in our physical spaces, especially our homes. The story of an ordinary house organization project can offer valuable insights into the power of embracing a different perspective.

Moving to a new country can be a thrilling and life-changing experience for expatriates. The excitement of exploring unfamiliar cultures, meeting new people, and embracing new opportunities often creates a sense of wonder and adventure. However, the initial euphoria fades and when that happens, expatriates start riding an emotional rollercoaster. They move from excitement to feelings of homesickness and craving the familiar. This journey has lots of twists and turns. Understanding these emotional patterns can help expatriates navigate their journey more effectively and find a sense of balance in their new environment.

This is part 2 of the Emotional Roller Coaster of Expatriate Life where I will focus on coping strategies for the homesickness phase.

Moving to a new country can be an exhilarating and life-changing experience for expatriates. The excitement of exploring unfamiliar cultures, meeting new people, and embracing novel opportunities often creates a sense of wonder and adventure. However, amidst the initial euphoria, expatriates frequently encounter emotional cycles that are characterized by a transition from the honeymoon phase to feelings of homesickness and longing for the familiar. Understanding these emotional patterns can help expatriates navigate their journey more effectively and find a sense of balance in their new environment.

Although the primary reason we moved to Brazil was to pursue business opportunities, we also wanted to experience a simpler life.

Are you overwhelmed by the complexities of modern life? Yearning for a change that can bring you more joy and fulfillment? Look no further than embracing a simpler life in your own way.

Brazil has many unique cultural celebrations. Among the myriad of festivals here, the St. João festival stands out as a time-honored tradition that brings communities together in joyous revelry. In today’s blog, we’ll delve into the colorful world of St. João’s festival and discover the magic it weaves in the hearts of Brazilians.

Last week, my computer crashed on the eve of the official start of St. Joao Festival. I was unable to fix it on my own, so I had to take it to a computer repair shop, not realizing that I was entering a time warp called Bahia time.

Welcome to Bahia, a place where the clocks seem to tick slower, deadlines are optional, and punctuality is a foreign concept. While this Brazilian paradise is known for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine, there’s one aspect of life here that can drive even the most patient individuals up the wall: Bahia Time. Join me in this adventure through the inconveniences of living in the laid-back, slow-paced, tropical state of Bahia.

When we moved to Brazil, I knew that we would be in the middle of a VUCA storm for a while. I always thought I was resilient but had no idea how resilient I was until my husband and I attempted an international move of a four-bedroom house on our own. This is the second part of the “Tetris” blog.

Moving to a new country and a new home creates VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity). In this blog, we will explore why moving evokes VUCA and how to navigate through it. I’ll start by illustrating how a person faces external VUCA (things that are happening in your environment) and internal VUCA (thoughts and feelings) in this situation.

When we moved to Brazil, I knew that we would be in the middle of a VUCA storm for a while. I always thought I was resilient but had no idea how resilient I was until my husband and I attempted an international move of a four-bedroom house on our own.

We were dealing with plenty of VUCA as we dealt with the uncertainty of when and if our things would be released and the complexity of all of the moving parts required to make this happen. We were also genuinely concerned about the state of our goods after they took such a long ocean voyage and sat for months in a warehouse. The good news is that our truck finally arrived on Saturday.

The truck’s arrival created the game that we are still playing – Tetris. Our unpacking adventure reminds me of Tetris because we must strategically place items in temporary spaces while clearing room for other belongings. Our house in Brazil is about half the size of our previous house with a different layout and much smaller rooms. Plus, the loaner furniture is still in place. We have a lot to navigate, and it is a challenging Tetris board!

I have been doing my best to adapt to the daily VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity & Ambiguity) that I face when living in a new country. Today I will talk about price disparities. Foreign visitors are often charged higher prices for goods and services compared to locals. This is something that happens in many developing countries; I have also experienced this in China. In this blog post, I will talk about the reasons behind this discrepancy and shed light on the impact it has on foreign visitors in Brazil.

The disparity in pricing experienced by foreigners in Brazil can be observed in various aspects of everyday life, ranging from taxi fares and tourist attractions to marketplaces and restaurants. It even happened to me yesterday when I went to get a gel manicure. While it is important to acknowledge that not every establishment engages in this practice, the problem persists and affects many visitors.

I have been doing my best to adapt to the daily VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity & Ambiguity) that I face when living in a new country. Driving is another big change. Driving in Brazil is quite different from the US. I saw some pretty weird stuff driving in Houston and New York City metro area during my long commutes but nothing quite prepared me for driving in Salvador. Fasten your seatbelt this adventure is about to kick into high gear!

Last weekend, I needed to pick up a few things and Roberto wasn’t in the mood to go out. So, even though I don’t have the best sense of direction and don’t know what most of the signs say, I decided to venture out in our little blue SUV.

Over the last several weeks, I have been doing my best to adapt to the daily VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity & Ambiguity) that I face when living in a new country. Every day presents a new adventure and this was a particularly fun one.

I love live sports and am a diehard fan of American Football. I can’t wait to see my Pittsburgh Steelers win their 7th Super Bowl. Yes, it will happen soon. I introduced my husband to the game and he has done the same for me, exposing me to Brazilian Football, what Americans call soccer. Salvador has more than one professional football team and Bahia is the one that my husband likes. We were watching Bahia play Botafogo, a team from Rio de Janeiro.

These are my observations from my first Brazilian football game.

When living in another country, so many things are different. One thing I’ve learned is that you have to appreciate the humor of the odd things you experience.

Have you ever woken up early in the morning, groggy and barely able to keep your eyes open, stumbled into the bathroom, turned on the shower only to find a lizard staring back at you? No? Is this something that only happens in my house?

One of the most exciting parts of traveling to another country is the opportunity to try new and sometimes exotic foods. Whether it is sampling street food from a bustling market or sitting down to a formal dinner in a local restaurant, trying new foods is an adventure. I’ve found some that I really liked and others that I didn’t, but it is all part of the experience.

When I order food at a restaurant in Brazil, I sometimes get surprised. They have a different take on various well-known dishes and sometimes the result is nothing like what you think it will be like pizza served with a side of ketchup or chicken parmesan served with a layer of ham.