Rats. I did it again. A few days ago somehow I managed to scratch, or at least abrade, my cornea again. Technically both corneas this time, according to the doctor, though only one is truly bothering me. Another…
Today was a Monday. This seems like a good day to mention days of the week. Portuguese days of the week are not at all what I was expecting, based on previous encounters with Romance languages. Saturday (sábado<…
My Upper West Side neighborhood is not, to the best of my knowledge, filled with Portuguese and Brazilian institutions. Running errands today, though, I swung by this building someone had told me about: the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, at 70th…
I am now a totally uncaffeinated student of Portuguese. Four days ago I quit my morning shot of espresso. Espresso was the only source of caffeine in my life. Studying at a Cafe Caffeine-Free Flags of Many Nations, Rockefeller Center…
Today when I was at Aroma Café studying over my (uncaffeinated!) morning cup of chamomile, Brazil’s soccer team was playing Mexico on the television. I love the Olympics. Soccer: Brazil vs. Mexico at London Olympics I did Pimsleur while …
Rainy day in New York today! Days like this are so romantic. I taught an all-day grammar course for one of my corporate clients today. I always love teaching grammar, but this was one of my favorite such classes in…
As previously documented, I have had some mysterious vision troubles for more than a month now. These have prevented me from pursuing grammar with my usual abandon. I Need to Dig In! Because of my mutinous eyeballs, I would like…
Little Brazil in New York City is little. It lies on 46th Street between 5th and 6th avenues, and there are on this particular block enough other languages/countries represented in the retail establishments that in the past, when walking…
On Sunday, my husband, Brandt, and I journeyed from home to Little Brazil for the annual Brazilian Day in New York festival. This journey was about a mile and a half. That’s one of the things I love about…
Over the past few days I have been working a lot in my Modern Brazilian Portuguese Grammar. Written by John Whitlam and published by Routledge, it actually consists of two parts: a “practical” guide and a workbook. Teaching…
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