Brazilian Birthday

I'm now officially a menace, 26 years old. This has been the first birthday I've had in awhile where I couldn't avoid it. Usually, I lay low and let it pass me by. The only people that usually know about it are my family. 

Brazilians celebrate birthdays to the max. Honestly, the attention was kind of weird, but I think I weathered it okay. After work we all went out to Applebee's. It was really good.

The internship continues to go well. The senior management for our division headed out for Uruguay and Chile for a week. Itau is using it's current market position to expand and shore up it's international position. This is part of the regional custody program I'm involved with. These past few weeks I've had the opportunity to research a little bit more on these countries. It's really quite fascinating. Who knows someday I might end up in one of those places. I wouldn't mind it. 

Something New.

I did something I never believed possible. I fell asleep with my eyes open. While I was sitting in corporate actions I dozed off. I remember nothing of what was being said and the other intern I was with said it looked like I'd just spaced out, eyes open the whole time. Either I stroked off, or I was asleep. It was kind of weird. I don't think I can recreate the same results. It might have been a one time deal.

(The animation festival.)

I've been learning a ton. For all that don't know most all financial transactions are done on a system called SWIFT. Basically, it's a type of messaging service made specifically for the financial industry. It's been suggested to me that I learn all I can about SWIFT. I think one of the major benefits of this internship will come from my ability to understand SWIFT. 

Recently, I went to an animation festival. It was pretty cool. The other intern, myself, and Bea made an animation about a dragon and a dog that got a pot of gold from a turtle (yeah the idea was originally mine). I had to leave early, so I have yet to see the final results. Apparently, the final movie is connected in some way to my birthday.

The reason I had to leave early from the animation festival is because a person from my local church congregation invited me over to their house. It was pretty uneventful. However, the walk home was exciting. I was given a huge yellow coat to walk home in. I think it was more to help me not stand out than to keep me warm. Either way, I made it home fine after a 40 min walk at 10:30 PM. It was fun. I probably won't do it again for those of you that are worried I will. There were way to many screaming homeless people for my tastes.

July.

The internship continues to go well. For the past three weeks I've been sitting with all groups and sub-groups in the department. One of our tasks as interns is to write a brief description of what we're seeing. The purpose of this is to better help foreign investors understand the processes at Itau. I think we should be finished with the outlines in two more weeks.

I've also started to do some research on the regional custody program that Itau has. It's fascinating to read about the capital market structures in South American countries. I'm planning to go to some of the local museums, but haven't had the opportunity yet.

I also had my credit card numbers stolen a while ago. Luckily, I caught it in time. It was more of an annoyance than anything else. I really have no idea where they got my numbers. I'm always extremely careful with my card; I never let it out of my sight. 

(At the Japanese festival. Intern, Bea, appointed bank buddy, Me)

That's right, I did it!

For the first time in my life I tried sushi, real sushi. As an upstanding member of society I must admit that I did try sushi once before, at Hogi Yogi. I have no idea how long that morsel sat in the refrigerator. It isn't hard to believe that from that point on I swore off sushi. However, that changed this past Sunday.

I had the opportunity to go with the other inter, Rumiko, my supervisor, to partake of this Japanese delicacy. Much to my surprise, it was excellent. I'm by no means a fish man, but I have to admit if I have to eat it, I kind of prefer it raw.

To comment quickly, I have to admit, that Banco Itau has assigned some excellent people to be our keepers/buddies. For the benefit of Beatriz and Natalia I'd like to make it publically know that they are awesome! If it weren't for their guidance a car or a motoboy'd have squished me within my first week.

The learning process at the bank is going well. I'm finding a few more people that speak Spanish, which is nice. It's amazing to see how much goes on behind the scenes at banks. I don't know if I've said it before, but the size of numbers becomes a trivial thing. There is big, and then there is really big.

I could be Brazilian!

Due to some papers that might have been filed incorrectly I could end up being Brazilian. It appears we applied for citizenship and not just the security card we needed to work in Brazil. The whole process of getting things ready and going through all of the paperwork to get to Brazil has been a difficult task. Sometimes one ended up doing a few steps twice and missing others. However, I can't complain too much, because I'm here. Now, if the can just figure out how to pay me I'll be set.

I've been through a few groups at Itau. I've really enjoyed the FX desk. Everyone speaks Portuguese, but with the Spanish I have I'm able to understand about 70% to 75%. A lot of how much I end up understanding actually depends on the day. If I go to work with a case of the "Mondays", it's rough.

Yeah, I know what you're all thinking, "What's this yokel doing without posting any pictures?" I assure you, there will be pictures. I just have to loose the fear of getting my camera stolen. 

Week 1.

My first week was great. We had a lot of orientation. Being a foreigner in another country is an interesting position. Oftentimes Americans tend to see this from only one perspective. It has been interesting to actually be the foreigner. I think you have to be willing to accept more situations when you're abroad.

Driving in Brazil is intense! It's fast and the cars are smaller. However, everyone seems to do just fine. Personally I'd expect a lot more accidents. Being aware is the only thing that prevent this. I'm pretty sure the taxi drivers have it out for foreigners here. I paid R 43 to get to church. One guy just wondered around the block for a while until he felt he'd achieved his maximum rate. I was about to jump out of the taxi, but decided against it.

This upcoming week I should start to figure out exactly what I'll be doing. Using Access is going to be a big part of the job. Teaching the Business English class and how to write and communicate professionally in English is a part of the job. Well, I'll keep you all up to date on the adventures to come.

Brazil!

(This is a view from where we're staying, the "Manhattan" of Brazil.)

Yep, I made it. I've been here now for 4 days and it has been great. Everyone is really friendly. "Yeah, sure" some might say, "It's just because the people there have to be nice because they're part of the company you're working for." However, I completely disagree. In fact, I went to a cultural training class these past two days and the consensus is that people in Brazil are friendlier than most.

I've had to learn about the kissing, on the cheek, in Brazil. I served my mission to a Latin culture center. I never had to kiss anyone on the cheek and in fact this was prohibited. I'm making up for it now. Other than that I haven't had to adjust too much. I'm also finding it is more important to smile and show your emotions here in Brazil. This is something I'm not particularly use to. However, I think if I can get better at it I'll become a better person for it.

I can truthfully say that Banco Itau is an amazing company. They are concerned about our experience here and see in us a potential asset. The world as a whole is becoming closer and as this happens there will be differences. However, if we can be patient with one another we can all grow. While we appreciate the culture of others and share the good things in our own culture we can all become better for it.