Journal Entry #2 – Alexandre

Alexandre: 8 – I belive that the dollar has decreased (Where? In Brazil?All over the world?) because of the american ressesion . Although the American Government injected 200 billions of dollars in the economy , people are still needing money to pay the bill , for example. As a matter of fact, our stock market ( BM&F) has decreased because of the selling of foreign stocks and that’s why the dollar increased to 1.77 reais. The Lemmans Brothers Bank , for example , had a loss of 3.9 Billions of Dollars according to Bloomberg. (Wow, I did not know any of that!)

Rick: I would be very curious to know more about the issue!

Journal Entry # 2 – Gabriela

I don’t consider touching others a lack of respect, because here in Brazil, it’s natural to shake hands, kiss, it’s our culture. I think it’s weird the Americans have this personal space, this distante between one of eachother, because they don’t have this close relationship, they don’t interact like we, brazilians do.

Rick: What are you suggesting Americans do when they come live here in Brazil? Allow people to touch them even if such behavior would go against their own sets of beliefs? Are you suggesting that I start allowing people to touch me just because I am living here in Brazil?

Jornal Entry #2 – Pedro

Some amricans, the ones who live in California, for example, think that touching, even if it´s just an arm touch, is very envasive. Brazil´s culture allows people ot really ‘get in touch’ with each other. Kissing( cheek kissing) in a man´s and woman’s fist met is really normal for us. I think this statment is right, because there’s no lack of respect in touching other people – but of course there’s a limit for the touch. In first met, the maximum touch is in the arm or the cheek (kissing) , but as you better now th eperson, you can touch her more (easily). 

Rick: What do you mean by touching them more easily?

Pedro: There is no necessity to live in your own buble, but of course you should have some respect.

Rick: Pedro, what are you suggesting Americans who live in Brazil do in this respect? Adopt a new set of behavior that would go against their own sets of beliefs? That would be a very hard thing to do. Although you may not feel invaded by such touching, many Americans do. And that is something very hard to break. Imagine you living in a country where men would touch each other’s butts every time they meet.  I am sure that you would not feel very comfortable, would you? Same thing, isn’t it?

Journal Entry #2 – Paulo

In my opinion, in the kitchen I can do all the essential things. I know how to cook Miojo, scrambled and fried eggs and popcorn.  I cook this kind ofthings almost every week. But when I want to change or I want to eat something different I can order by phone pizzas, chinese foof, japanese food and whatever I want.

Rick: Why did you decide to learn how to cook? Did anyone force you to do so? And also, do you think that teenagers like yourself should learn how to cook as well so that they will be able to be more independent in the future?

Journal Entry # 2

Respond to one of the questions we have discussed in class today.

Journal Entry # 1 – Alexandre

6 – I belive people are always looking out for a BETTER boy or girl which is, as a matter of fact, something that can be hidden on our uncounsions part of brain. It is like an instinct. However , you won´t change a relationshep just because you found someone that seemed to better than the other. Some people also look out for another boy or girl just to make sure that his or her boy/girl is according to his/her desire.

Journal Entry # 1- Bruna

Bruna:   I have looked into colleges, but I haven’t decide yet. It is so hard to decide because we are so young. The school should do something to help, like taking the students to know better universitys and show how will be a life of a person who works with each specifical profession. Many people in the last grade in school doesn’t know exactly what they want to do, because of this they choose a college and study a lot to enter, but sometimes it isn’t what they want to do, so they quit the university and began all again. It is a waste of time and money.

Journal Entry # 1 – Maria Gabriela

 Gabriela: I have look into the colleges that I’m planning on apply on so that next year I’ll be more prepared and more confident. High schools should help the students look ahead in their plans for the future, showing all the possibilities, all the colleges for them to know exactly what they want to do before the college enter examination, to be more prepared, for the people on the last grade of high school already know waht they want for their future, being confident about their choise.

Journal Entry # 1 – Paulo

Paulo: Yes, I would look down on someone who is severely overweight. Not because I doesn’t like people like that. But, in my opinion, is normal in our society aind culture to have prejudice with different people. I really want that things should weren’t like that, however, unfortunately, this things are part of our culture.

Rick: What would your reaction be to someone who is really overweight? Would you make fun of them? In which sense would you look down on them? Also, you mention that your behavior has nothing to do with the fact that you don’t like these people, but if you look down on them, it means that you don’t like them, am I right?

Journal Entry # 1 – Marcela

Marcela: I think the american law that mandates all children under the age of 13 be suppervised all day is a little strange. The childreen are not suppose to be alone any moment of the day and I think this hurt the childreen’s independence in life. A 12 years old kid has already a konwledge of what is right or wrong, or what can or can’t be done. I think this law is effective for childreen under 8 years old, for example, that don’t know what they are doing. Kids must have more freedom.

Rick: But what is something happens to the child who is, let’s say, 10 years old? Who should be responsible for the consequences? Also, I have met several 9 and 10-year-olds who should not be left alone for one single second so immature they were. What are we supposed to do with something like that?

Marcela: A child who is already 10 years old, must have the education to know what is the right thing to do. But, on the other hand, I agree with you, Rick. There are several 9 and 10 year-olds kid that are too immature and should not be left alone. Depends on the kid. The parents have to know if their son or daughter is responsible enough to be left alone home for just a few moments.