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Monthly Newsletter

February 2013

www.AmSoc.com.brForum

The Awareness Issue

Page 5: Kristina Dooley on herdaughters recent diagnosis withT1D.

ndigenous CommunitiesPage 6: Learn about Brazilsndigenous communities and

what is - and is not - being doneo preserve their heritage.

The American Society of So Paulopromotes friendship by organizingsocial, cultural and athletic events for

ts diverse membership; encouragesntegration with the Brazilian society;and supports the American traditionsof education, philanthropy andvolunteerism.

Our Mission

The Awareness Issue

Save the DateSave the Date

Upcoming AmSoc events:

Feb 2nd - Little League Signup

Feb 2nd - Abacaxi Bowl

Mar 16th - St. Patricks Day Party

May 10th - Annual AmSoc Gala

Type 1 Diabetes

Travel Safety

Page 12: How a friends death

rought travel safety into focusor our travel writer Melissa.

Join Us for the American SocietysAnnual Gala 2013!

Mark Friday, May 10th on yourcalendar and join us at the 2013 AmericanSocietys Annual Gala for a fun andelegant night of dining, dancing andauctions. This years event will be held at

the centrally located and beautiful BuffetColonial in the neighborhood of Moema.Similar to last years event, we will havewonderful items (trips, dinners, jewelry,art etc.) for auction. The silent auctionwill take place during cocktails, and just

before dinner, we will have a handful ofexciting items to bid on during our LIVEauction.

Proceeds from this event are used tofund:

Am Soc general activities and two of

AMSOCS sponsored social programs.This year the Community ActionCommittee has selected Projecto Sol andSPACE.

Projeto Sol is a community-basedorganization serving children aged 7-17of the Favela Vinte in the Cidade Dutra,located in the South zone of So Paulo.With the proceeds from the Annual Gala,they plan to furnish their new kitchenand eating space with tables, chairs andappliances. This space feeds 400 children,

two meals per day.SPACE (So Paulo Action for Children

and Education) is a young non-protorganization that pays for educationalscholarships for needy children. Beyond

the academic education, SPACE takesthe children on cultural outings, holdsregular Career Days, teaches the childrenEnglish and invests in the education ofthe mothers as well.

In 2012 SPACE had eight children inits program. Proceeds from this yearsAnnual Gala will help sponsor studentseducation for a full year.

Organizing of the 2013 AmericanSocietys Annual Gala is well underway

but there is still a lot to do. If you are

interested in participating in one of thecommittees (Auction, Auction Logistics,Fundraising and Budget, Marketing andCommunications, Ticket Sales), pleasecontact Committee Head, Marlene Rubeiz([email protected]).

Tickets are already on sale at AmericanSocietys ofce and can be purchased

for $275 before March 8th or $300afterwards. Gather seven of your friendsand buy a table for 8! Make your plansnow for an exciting evening!


2/16

A long timeago, as a youngkid on familyhome leave in theU.S., my parentswere doing thenormal shoppingof treasures notavailable inBrazil. In thosedays we travelled

by ship so wecould bring back

foot lockers of stuff. I liked a baseballcap and had one dollar, the cap was 98cents. So I went to the checkout counter

by myself to buy the cap. The cashierrang up the cap and it was $1.02 so Iargued that it was only 98 cents. Sheexplained that there was 4 cents in salestax. Luckily the person behind me gaveme 2 cents. So, I learned about salestax.

As you know the sales tax in theU.S. varies by state between 4 to 8.5%depending on the state and product-in some states there is no sales tax onfood for example. On December 10,2012 the President in Brazil sanctioneda law that will include the sales taxeson the bill. This will take time toorganize and will be effective on June10, 2013. The sales receipt will includean estimate of the following taxes:Imposto Sobre Servios (ISS); ImpostoSobre Circulaao de Mercadorias e

Servios (ICMS); and the Contribuiaopara o Financiamento de Seguridade

Social (Cons). Today the consumerhas no clue on what taxes are includedin the price of the nal product. Wehear comments that half the price of acar is taxes. Argentine wine costs lessin California than in Sao Paulo, and soon. According to UHY Consultoria,Brazil is second in highest value addedtaxes, behind India.

The Instituto Brasileiro dePlanejamento Tributario (IBPT) has

estimated the taxes included in manyproducts. The following is a partiallist and includes the percentage oftaxes based on the nal price (January2012); Motorcycle 50%; Bicycle 35%;Medication 36%; Water bill 30%;Light bill 46%; Gasoline 57%;Meat 19%; Rice 18%; Soybean oil37%; Sugar 40%; Milk 34%; Pasta35%; Margarine 37%; Detergent41%; Toilet paper 40%; Bottled water45%; Beer 56%; Cachaa 83%;

Microwave 57%; Refrigerator 47%;Clothing 38%. I am not sure howaccurate these percentages are, but youget the general picture.

These high percentages are incredible,and affect the rich and the poor. Whythe high taxes on basic food itemsand clothing? OK, perhaps this madesense many years ago (25) with only 5million Brazilians ling income taxesand a large underground economy. Thisis no longer the case, and if you addthe other taxes such as income taxes,

property taxes, automobile taxes, it isone of the highest tax burdens in the

Presidents Corner

ByJoe Sherman,

AmSoc president

Forum February2

Lynn Cordeiro, editor andlayout

Ernest White II, staff writer

Forum is printed by EGB.(http://www.egb.com.br)

Views expressed inForum donot necessarily reect those of

the American Society board ofgovernors, members, or staff.

Forum reserves the right to editcontent for brevity and/or clarity.

The American Society of So PauloRua da Paz, 1431 04713-001 So Paulo, SP

Tel: (11) 5182-2074 Fax: (11) 5182-9155

email the editor: [email protected]

Forum is published monthly, withthe exception of January and July, by

AboutForum

world. Today Brazil is uncompetitivein world markets and the high taxesdiscourage investment. If you considerthe corruption and the fact that weget very little in return in terms ofeducation, security and infrastructureinvestments, what can I say?

On the positive side, I think thegovernment is getting the message,for example the recent exemption/reduction of the IPI federal tax on

automobiles and major appliances.This helped the sales of these products.The government signed a decree toreduce our electricity bills by 20% onJanuary 14, 2013. The reduction startsthis month, check your bills. Lets faceit, GDP growth of about 1% last year isterrible for an emerging market country,taxes are strangling the economy. LastDecember President Dilma mentionedthat one of the objectives in 2013 would

be tax reductions. Lets see.

This new law, with the itemized taxesin the invoice will take effect in June,and once Brazilians see the amount oftaxes I expect surprise and questioningof the level of taxation. We need tostart questioning what we are getting inreturn for our taxes.

Getting back to the AmericanSociety, one of the best values in townis your membership. A yearly familymembership is R$250; two peoplecant go to the Fogo de Chao rodizio fordinner for that price. Your membership

includes a cocktail party at the AGM,the 4th of July celebration, plus theForum newsletter and the membershipdirectory. You can choose among theother events, such as Little League, andthe Christmas party which is charged atcost.

We have two new Board membersto start the year- Marilia Vallarelli deTar and Valeska Gedeon, welcomeon board. Your Board is already busy

planning this years activities including

a dinner/dance Gala event in May.All the best in 2013, vamos emfrente!

Abraos,Joe


3/16

The American Societyof So Paulo

Forum 3013

Welcome to Our New MembersWelcome the following New Members who joined us recently. We are very grateful for your support!

Board Members of the American Society

Name Position CommitteeJoe Sherman President --

Ruth Hollard Vice President --Frank Pierce Secretary Corporate SponsorshipsRichard Wegman Treasurer 4th o JulyEileen Tasso Chairman CAC/ Xmas Angel PartyIsabel Franco Contributing Member Corporate SponsorshipsJacques Vaney Contributing Member Corporate SponsorshipsJohn Kennedy Chairman AthleticJulie Gattaz Chairman Membership CommitteeJudy Zanchi Contributing Member Social CommitteeLuis Barros Contributing Member Corporate SponsorshipsKevin May Chairman Gala EventLeslie Reed Chairman Cutural

Marlene Rubeiz Chairman NominationsRicardo Rubeiz Jr. Chairman Corporate SponsorshipsSuzana SheeldValeska GedeonMarilia Detar

Last Name Name Spouse Membership Company Nationality

SEABRA Victor F. SEABRA Luciana F. SEABRA Family Patron Membership Hospital Universitrio da USP Brazilian

ZOUAIN Renato Sorroce ZOUAIN Maria Jos SoaresGonalves ZOUAIN

Family Patron Membership FECAP, FAAP, ESEAD Brasileiro

GUIMARES Cleusa GUIMARES Single Patron Membership Law Oce Brazilian

WARD Evans WARD Adriana MARQUES Family Membership American

CAHILL Chistopher CAHILL Ana Paula CAHILL Family Membership Geodis American

GRIMM Thomas GRIMM Denise HIRO Family Membership American

MOTA Margarete MOTA Single Membership Inex Tecnologia Organizacional Brazilian

GURTNER Werner GURTNER Helping Hands Membership Werner Gurtner Taminco do BrasilProdutos Qumicos Ltda.

American

WOZNIAK William WOZNIAK Tara WOZNIAK Helping Hands Membership Rolls-Royce Brasil Ltda, CSME American

MIYAZAKI Karen MIYAZAKI Junior Membership Brazilian

SILVA Stephanie ReginaMenezes SILVA Junior Membership Brazilian

HORN Mark Single Patron Membership Mark Horn and Associates LLC American


4/16Forum February4

The 2013 Erik Poliak NominationsThe American Societys mission

statement states that we supportAmerican traditions of education,

philanthropy, and volunteerism.Once upon a time, there was a man

named Erik Poliak, an expat, whomoved to Sao Paulo and found time tovolunteer within the Amsoc community.He was Chairman of Chapel SchoolsChurrasco fund-raiser, he was theLittle League Coordinator (even thoughhis own children did not participate), hewas Chairman of 4th of July picnic, he

was President of Amsoc, he was veryactive at Fellowship Church, and heserved on many other committees. Oneday, Erik was at a Little League practiceat Chapel School when suddenly hewas struck by a massive heart attackand passed away instantly.

The American community was inshock. It was decided to create anaward to honor this very ne man.The rst Erik Poliak Award was givenin 1985 and is now awarded annuallyto honor a member of the Americancommunity who shows outstandingcommunity volunteer dedication-above and beyond the call of duty.

Nominations are now being solicitedfor the 2013 award which will be

presented at the Annual GeneralMeeting on April 25.

Eligibility: All American citizensliving in the state of Sao Paulo areeligible to receive the award. Thevolunteer project must benet thecommunity (Brazilian, American,or other). The recipient must be anAmerican citizen, but not necessarily

a member of the American Society.The volunteer projects must involvetime which otherwise could have beenspent on leisure activities. Clergy andteachers, whose profession by denitionis helping others, are also eligible iftheir efforts are signicantly superiorthan what would be considered to betheir normal responsibilities.

To nominate someone who you feeldeserves this distinct honor, please sendan email with Erik Poliak Award inthe subject line to Ruth Hollard, who

will be coordinating the selectionprocess, at [email protected] .Please include the reasons you feel this

person is worthy of the 2013 award.Nominations must be received by

midnight on March 15th.


5/16


Long before becoming a parentI dreamt about the milestones Idcelebrate with my children. Birthdays,graduations, weddingslots ofmemories, lots of dates engraved in mymind. Now, as a mom to 2-year-oldtriplets, Ive accumulated many dates inmy mental calendar, including August28, 2012: my daughter IsabellasDiaversary.

Just 2 weeks before she, her brother,

and sister would celebrate their 2ndbirthday, Isabella was diagnosed withType 1 Diabetes (T1D). A combinationof parents intuition and an observant

preschool teacher lead my husbandand I to Google what we thoughtcould be symptoms of something:excessive thirst, lethargy, frequenturinationall common behaviors fora toddler. However, when combined,these symptoms are clear indicators of

possible T1Dsymptoms that oftengo unnoticed by many parents until the

child is comatose as a result of highblood sugar. Though this was not howthe scenario played out for Isabella,had we waited just 24 hours longerto contact her pediatrician, this couldhave easily been our story.

Each year 30,000 people arediagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in theU.S. alone. People with T1D dont

produce insulin because their immunesystem attacks the insulin-producingcells in their pancreas. Our bodies need

insulin to move glucose (sugar) fromour food through our bodies to convertinto energy. Without insulin to shimmythe sugar along it just hangs out in our

blood where it can cause long-term,

and very serious, damage such as heartand kidney disease, nerve damage, and

blindness.In order for Isabella to live she

needs to have a controlled diet,constant monitoring of her bloodglucose levels and multiple injectionsof insulin each day. We estimate that

by her 18th birthday, Isabella will havehad more than 40,000 nger pricksto check her blood sugar, and 23,000

insulin injections. Compared to mostchildren who endure shots just a fewtimes in their life, these numbers arestaggering.

Immediately following Isabellasdiagnosis my husband and I decidedthat we would do everything we couldto raise awareness of this disease.Many misconceptions exist about T1D

and we want to educate other parentssince it is not, as most people assume,simply genetic. In fact, neither myhusband nor I have any immediatefamily members with Type 1 Diabetes.

First, we are often asked if Isabellawill grow out of her diabetes and,unfortunately, the answer is no. Whileinsulin is a tool to manage T1D, it isnot a cure. Also, many people wonderif Isabellas siblings will eventually be

diagnosed with T1D and the answer isthat we truly dont know. Neither ofthem has shown symptoms of T1D butwe do plan to have them, as well as us,screened in the future.

Since Isabellas diagnosis Ive hadmany people ask me if Type 1 Diabetesis caused by what you eat. When I tell

people about her disease their responseis often along the lines of So shecant have sugar, right? The realityis that, as opposed to Type 2 Diabetes,T1D doesnt develop because youveindulged on candy bars and cupcakes.Also, having Type 1 Diabetes doesntmean Isabella will never know the joy

of red velvet cake or have to miss outon Trick or Treating or Easter baskets.What it does mean is that she willhave to know the exact carb count ofEVERYTHING she consumes for therest of her life and adjust her insulinaccordingly.

As the number of people, particularlyyoung children, who are diagnosed withT1D rises each year, the availabilityof support systems worldwide is alsogrowing. We have been fortunate to

connect with other families with T1Dchildren via JDRF (Juvenile DiabetesResearch Foundation) groups in bothOhio and Florida, as well as FIND(Fundacin Investigacin en Diabetes)in Mexico City. In fact, we have raisedover US$10,000 in just 4 months viaawareness walks and unique fundraisersto support these organizations and theirsearch for a cure.

Though we are still a few monthsaway from Isabellas rst Diaversary,it seems like our journey has already

been quite long. However, withsupport from family, friends, and evenstrangers, we have been able to forgeahead and raise awareness about T1D.The thing that keeps us focused on the

positive is the thought that somedaywell be able to say, Our daughterUSED to have Type 1 Diabetes. Untilthat day well do everything we can tomake sure Isabella never feels differentfrom her siblings or peers and that herinfectious smile never fades.

For more information about Type 1Diabetes and to read more about ourstory, please visit www.facebook.com/InspiredbyIsabella.

013 Forum 5

How Sweet It Is: Our T1D JourneyBy Kristina Dooley, ormer AMSOC Member


6/16Forum February6

Brazils Indigenous Communities

and The Country of the FutureBy Ernest White II, Sta Writer

Brazil is famous for being amulticultural melting pot where peoplefrom all corners of the globe have cometogether and fused into a singularlyvibrant, variegated society. Yet buyinginto this national mythology meansignoring more profound truths such asthe fact that even today, that celebratedmixture isnt as thorough as claimed

and many communitiesspecically, alarge percentage of Brazils indigenouspeoplesremain almost entirelyunwoven into the grandly promotedtapestry of Brazilian society.

In 1500, the year the Portugueserst encountered the landmass of over3 million square miles theyd later callBrazil, 100 percent of the population ofthat landobviouslywas indigenous,semi-nomadic tribes of an estimated4-to-6 million people, speaking some2,000 languages. The results of the

2010 census indicate that the currentindigenous population makes up 0.47

percent of the national total, almost900,000 people comprising 305 ethnicgroups and 271 languages. Overthose ve centuries, diseases, murder,and slavery as a result of Europeancolonization, combined with thesubsequent assimilation of many tribesinto the modern Brazilian population,have led to this severe populationdecline. Meanwhile, the remaining

indigenous tribes were forced deeperinto the Brazilian interior or exiledto the periphery of cities where manylanguish in poverty, with limitedPortuguese skills and even less formal

education.The Indian Protection Service

(SPI), established in 1910 by Brazilianarmy ofcer and advocate forindigenous rights Cndido Rondon,after whom the state of Rondnia isnamed, deteriorated after his death,

turning from a benevolent oversightorganization into a corrupt entityenabling land speculators and cattleranchers to abuse the tribes, almost ahundred of which are suspected of beingcompletely wiped out during the rsthalf of the 20th century. Since 1958,when the Xingu National Park in thestate of Mato Grosso was establishedas a reservation for indigenous tribes,the federal government has exertedcontrol over much of the land inhabited

by these communities under SPIssuccessor organization, the NationalIndian Foundation (FUNAI). However,during Brazils military dictatorshipfrom 1964 to 1985, indigenouscommunities faced renewed assault,as the federal governments push to

become The Country of the Futuremeant clearing huge swaths of Amazonrainforest for hydroelectric dams, roads,cattle ranches, and other development,without regard for protected indigenousland rights and resulting in massive

deforestation and ooding. Localizedacts of opposition by individual tribeswere met with ferocious crackdowns

by the authorities and vested interests.Organized opposition to these

territorial incursions and systemicrepression remained rare until atleast the 1970s, due to the countrysimmense size and the brutality of themilitary regime. The Catholic Church

became the main catalyst in organizinga political movement on a national scale

through the Indigenous MissionaryCouncil (CIMI), created in 1972 aspart of the National Conference ofBrazilian Bishops. Under the conceptof liberation theology, the afliated

clergymen took an active role inencouraging resistance to detrimentalgovernmental practices and coveredthe costs of travel for representativesof various indigenous groups to meetand organize in Mato Grosso, rst toestablish essential bonds between the

groups, then to discuss plans of collectiveaction for the benet of all indigenouscommunities, a difcult prospect formany of the tribal representatives whowere both monolingual and illiterate.As these yearly assemblies grew largerand more threatening, the governmentclamped down several times, withthe FUNAI or federal police ofcersdisrupting the meetings. In 1978,the government of President ErnestoGeisel even drafted an emancipation

decree threatening to terminate thespecial protected status of indigenousgroups, though Geisel never signed itinto law. News of this decree served tomobilize and unify the groups into aneven tighter pan-indigenous (or pan-Indian) organization, culminating in theestablishment of the Union of Indian

Nations (UNI). The very name of thisgroup provoked outrage among severalsectors of society and the governmentcalled into question the legality ofthe group, declaring all indigenous

people not assimilated into the modernBrazilian nation as wards of the stateand calling them relatively incapableof self-governance. It wasnt until theBrazilian constitutional assembly of1987-88, after the end of the dictatorship,that the UNI received support fromnon-indigenous entities such as theBrazilian Anthropological Association(ABA) and the National Associationof Geologists (CONAGE), resultingin the governments abandonment of

integration policies, recognition ofancestral lands and traditional customs,and allowing heretofore uncontactedindigenous groups to remain isolatedwithin certain geographic areas.


7/16


010 Forum 7013

Unfortunately, for many of Brazilsindigenous communities, the presentdoesnt seem any rosier than the past.According to a 2010 report by theCIMI, still active in the struggle forindigenous rights, only 325 of the 851indigenous areas of Brazil are ofciallyregistered and recognized by FUNAI.Several tribes living in recognizedareas have met with inadequate

protection and outright violations ofgovernmental policies and laws. TheAwa-Guaj of the state of Maranhoface the invasion of hunters, shermen,and miners entering their territoriesillegally, decimating local game andincreasing deforestation; a mining

railway also bisects their territory,causing environmental and noise

pollution. The Guarani-Kaiow of MatoGrosso do Sul state had their ancestrallands recognized by the governmentin 2005, only to see that recognitionoverturned by Brazilian courts as aresult of a petition by local ranchers.Just before Christmas that same year,federal police force of over 100 ofcersevicted approximately 60 men, women,and children from the land, which was

subsequently torched by the ranchersin front of the tribe once the policeleft the scene, and the next week, atribal leader was shot dead by a privatesecurity ofcer.

CIMI reports that land conicts havegotten progressively more violent,as indigenous groups defend theirterritories more intensely than ever

before from ranchers, industrial-scalefarmers, loggers, and illegal miners. TheBelo Monte hydroelectric dam currently

being built across the Xingu River in

the Amazon region is one of the hottestashpoints, with environmental groupsconcerned with irreparable damage tothe ecosystem in addition to the dozensof tribes protesting its construction,according to the Folha de S.Paulo. Thefederal government has pledged $1.2

billion to assist the displaced groups bythe dams scheduled completion datein 2019, but the current administrationhas taken a conservative tack regardingthe pro-agribusiness lobby in Braslia,

according to anthropologist RinaldoArruda of the Pontifcia UniversidadCatlica-So Paulo (PUC-SP) asquoted in Folha, and has recognized farfewer new indigenous territories than

the governments of both Luiz IncioLula da Silva and Fernando HenriqueCardoso. Tribal leaders involved in the

protests at Belo Monte arent hopefulthat the government or the company

building the dam will deliver on theirpromises. The ofcial estimate ofdisplaced Brazilians in the area to beooded by the building of the damis 16,000, but NGOs involved in theconict, led by the organization XinguVivo, estimate the number to be at least40,000. Protests at the constructionsite at the end of 2012 involved a

coalition of activists, local shermen,and indigenous groups, includingthe Arara, Assurini, Juruna, Kuruaia,Parakana, and Xipaia peoples, andgroups have staged mass protests along

Avenida Paulista in So Paulo to raiseawareness of the issue.While the Belo Monte dam attracts

international attention, less high-prole conicts continue to simmeraround the country. The Xavantetribe of Mato Grosso is having itsofcially recognized lands squattedon by several politically powerfulranchers and landowners, includingseveral ex-mayors of the nearby townand a Supreme Court judge, accordingto information collected by FUNAI

and the Institute for Agrarian Reform(INCRA). The landowners are currently

being investigated by the BrazilianMinistry of Labor regarding allegations

by the Xavante tribe of forced labor andforced child truancy. The landownershave erected roadblocks and sabotaged

bridges in an attempt to keep theBrazilian army and federal police fromevicting them per judicial order.

Meanwhile, in the least-accessiblereaches of the Amazon, drug trafckersare encroaching on lands occupied

by an estimated 600 uncontactedindigenous people, who have livedin isolation from modern societysince initial European colonization.In addition to highway expansion, oilexploration, and illegal logging, narco-

trafckers have found their way into theborderlands of the state of Acre, whichshares a heavily forested frontier withPeru that serves as a haven for illicitactivity. According to FUNAI, theregion is off-limits to all but those withofcial authorization, yet large-scalecoca production in neighboring Peru isencroaching on Acre, causing potentialconict among the indigenous groupsthemselves, as well as between thetribes and unauthorized outsiders.

Nationwide, a severe lack offormal education, high instances ofviolence from outside and within thecommunities, physical displacement,family breakdown, poor sanitation,and increased rates of suicide amongindigenous youth are all immensechallenges Brazils communitiescurrently face, according to FUNAI andthe Brazilian ministries of Health andEducation. Awareness of these issues isthe rst step in recognizing that Brazils

beauty lies in its diversity, and that its

original inhabitants deserve a secureplace in The Country of the Future.


8/16Forum February8

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Romance knows no nationalboundaries and citizenship categories,does it? Fortunately, our nationslaws acknowledge this fact, and the

United States has created a specialvisa category for ancs and ances.The K visa is a nonimmigrant visa thatcan help you and your intended spouse

begin your journey as a new Americanfamily.

Even with the popularity of dualcareers and long-distance relationships,

people who marry usually intend toshare a home. But, until the marriagehas taken place, a U.S. citizen cannotle an immigrant petition for his or herspouse. That often leaves the couple

facing separation. This is where theK visa comes to the rescue. It allowsthe couple to live together in theUnited States while waiting for a more

permanent status.The K-1 visa is a single-entry visa

that allows your anc(e) to travel tothe United States to marry you. Thismarriage must take place within 90days of arrival in the country. After thewedding, your spouse can adjust his orher status to a legal permanent resident

of the United States. If your intendedspouse has children, you can requestK-2 visas for them through the same

petition. The entire process will takeseveral months, but the more prepared

you are, the faster your case can beready for an interview.

To request a K-1 visa, le a Petitionfor Alien Fianc(e) (Form I-129F) withthe U.S. Citizenship and ImmigrationServices (USCIS) ofce that serves thearea where you live in the United States.

Once this petition is approved, youranc(e) will submit an applicationfor the K-1 visa to the U.S. embassy orconsulate where he or she lives.

In Brazil, the U.S. ConsulateGeneral in Rio de Janeiro handles all Kvisas. For specics about requirementsand the application process, pleaserefer to http://brazil.usembassy.gov/application-requirements/fianc-visas.html. Please note that to enter theUnited States on a K-1 visa, you cannot

already be legally married, so be sure tohold those vows until after you travel.If you are already married to a

Brazilian citizen (or any other non-U.S. citizen) and would like to moveto the United States with your spouse,you need only petition for immigrationstatus for your spouse by rst ling anI-130 form. Recent processing changeshave increased efciency and spousalcases are now being approved in aboutthe same time it takes to process aanc(e) case. After the petition is

approved, your spouse will submithis or her application and attend aninterview at the U.S. consulate orembassy located in the country ofresidence (Rio de Janeiro for Brazil).Residents of Brazil must le the I-130

petition with our Chicago facility, butthe petitioner does not have to travelto the United States in order to do this.More information can be found on ourwebsite at http://brazil.usembassy.gov/reconsiderations.html.

While love can sprout from anycorner of the world, in the end you wantto live with your family. If you want tolive with them in the United States, theK visa will help pave the way.

By Cynthia Knudson, American Consulate

Consulate Corner:

The Love Visa Thank you to all those who supported ourcharities during the holidays.Congratulations to Projeto Sol and SPACE.

They will be this years benefciaries rom theproceeds o the upcoming Amsoc Gala. Bothvery deserving organizations, please read aboutthem on the ront page.

Save the Date: April 20, 2013.3rd annual Volunteer Day at Us Consulate.

We need you: We have several members o

our committee being relocated and we need tofll their positions. I you are interested in beingpart o the Community Action Committee pleasecontact Eileen Tasso at [email protected] is not a big time commitment, we can useyour help to help others.

CAC News


9/16


013 Forum 9

By Dr. Delcio Amorim

Health Awareness: Flu Season 2013

Since December, in the emergencyunit of Hospital So Luiz-Rede DorMorumbi, I have seen patients arrivingfrom the USA presenting generalcomplains of cough, malaise, fever,weakness for more than one week.It is u season in the USA but sincemost people living over here did notyet take the u vaccine theyare susceptible to the disease.

Other can return without thedisease, but carrying the virusand transmitting it to others.You may be able to pass onthe u to someone else beforeyou know you are sick, as wellas while you are sick. Mosthealthy adults may be ableto infect others beginning 1day before symptoms developand up to 5 to 7 days after

becoming sick. Some people,

especially young children andpeople with weakened immunesystems, might be able to infectothers for an even longer time.

In Brazil, u season occurs duringthe winter months (June to September).The key point is that we are living ona very small little planet, so an out ofseason epidemic u is becoming morecommon.

We advise you to take u vaccineseven if you are not planning to travel.Most experts believe that u viruses

spread mainly by droplets made whenpeople with u cough, sneeze or talk.

These droplets can land in the mouthsor noses of people who are nearby. Lessoften, a person might also get u bytouching a surface or object that has uvirus on it and then touching their ownmouth, eyes or possibly their nose.

In Brazil public health services offerthe vaccine starting in May for children

between 6 months and 2 years old,pregnant women and anyone above60 years old. If youre not eligible forfree vaccination, you should nd a

private vaccine clinic. You should bevaccinated every year once the vaccinesare made using the most commom virusoccurred during the last year. Medicalstaff at any clinica de vacinas cangive you more information about the

vaccine and the need of taking it hereand in the USA, too. The H1N1 virus

has its mutations (like the new H3N2)and only the new vaccines will use theidentied mutations. Normally the uvaccine is available in the US startingin September. It takes 2 or 3 weeks to

be protected after being vaccinated,because your immunological systemneeds to produce antibodies.

Another important thingto have in mind is that we

are currently in the middleof Dengue season in Brazil(summer) that is transmited

by the bite of Aedes aegiptmosquitoes and there are noavailable vaccines. Therefore,

NEVER EVER take aspirin(methyl salicylic acid) whenyou have u like symptoms,unless advised by a doctor. Itcan worsen the hemorragicevents in the case of Dengue

and produce serious sideeffects in virus diseases.If you just arrived from the

USA - or had contact with people whohave - and have a cough, fever, malaise,weakness, chills, muscle aches, do notthink twice to see a doctor or go to apronto socorro of a hospital for a

proper diagnosis and care.

Dr Delcio Amorim is a GeneralSurgeon and Emergency physician at

Hospital So Luiz Rede Dor Morumbi

Additional data in this article takenfrom the CDC website www.cdc.gov


10/16Forum February10

2013 sign-ups

The Little League season will start-upagain on February 2 at Graded Schoolwith sign-ups taking place from 8:30-11am, accompanied with coffee, donutsand OJ for all.Little League games will start onFebruary 23 with the same sports thiscoming season, namely soccer from9am to 10:30am, followed by baseball

(or football) and tennis from 10:30amto 12 noon. The Saturdays until Juneare being discussed with the Americanschools, Graded, Chapel, and PACA.We are condent that we will have atleast two Saturdays per month for LittleLeague as well as several friendliesagainst other club teams over the next5 months. These friendly matcheswill most likely be just for soccer andtake place at the opposing teams eldwhich would mean a third Saturday per

month of Little League!

Then in June we will have our mid-season ending picnic and awardsceremony following a morning ofsports. Please check our website for theLittle League 2013 calendar.

2012 Finale

Little League ended its season onDecember 8th at the PACA school witha picnic and awards for all. In addition,

the Amsoc Little baseball players hadtheir rst real game against a Brazilianclub team, the Giants. And without

playing even one practice game all year,

a scrappy Amsoc squad led by (justturned 14) Andre Medeiros, a hard-throwing pitcher, Amsoc only trailed thewell-trained Brazilian team 2-0 after 5innings. However, after normal playersubstitutions we made in innings 6 and7, the Amsoc team couldnt hold backa deep Giants team, so AmSoc went onto lose 11-0. Needless to say, it was agreat day for the AmSoc kids becausethey got a taste of a real baseball game.

And in the end, they walked away withtheir rst baseball trophy as well astheir team jersey with their name andfavorite number on it!

Little LeagueByJohn Kennedy, AmSoc board member


11/16


013 Forum 11

Abacaxi BowlOn February 2nd at the Graded

School in Morumbi, the AmericanSociety will host its Abacaxi BowlXV. Last year nine teams participatedand approximately 150 players andspectators enjoyed the activities, whichstarted at 10am and ended at 5pm.

The origins of the Abacaxi Bowldate back to the 1980s when a bunch ofAmerican men organized themselvesto play pick-up touch football gamesin January as they got psyched for theweekends of NFL playoffs and then

Super Bowl Sunday. Over the yearsas Americans came and left Sao Paulowith their work, these pick-up games,which were mostly on Saturdays inJanuary at either Graded or ChapelSchools became a tradition among theAmerican and international community,including High School kids. By themid-1990s, there were several teamsall playing each other on the Saturday

before Super Bowl Sunday to decidethe winner, and everyone started torefer to these games as the AbacaxiBowl. In 1999 an AmSoc Boardmember in charge of athletics decidedto turn the Abacaxi Bowl into a formaltournament with two brackets of 3 to4 teams playing a number of games to

become the winner. And over the yearseach new AmSoc Board member incharge of sports made improvements tothe tournament, such as ag-belts wereadopted early on instead of playing

two-hand touch, and trophies wereawarded to the winning teammates,including an MVP trophy award. Since2006 the Tournament has required theteams players to wear a jersey or acolored t-shirt during play instead of

playing shirts versus skins! And since2011 contracted referees with whistles,ags and stop-watches are used to keepthe highly competitive games running

orderly and an ambulance is nowcontracted to attend to minor injuries.Also in 2011, TV Bandsports did adocumentary special on the AbacaxiBowl that was to highlight at half-time on Super Bowl Sunday in Brazil,

but at the last minute it was moved tothe following Tuesday at 5pm! As the

popularity of American football in SaoPaulo has grown enormously in recentyears, with many teams and leagues in

place, the Abacaxi Bowl has gained areputation whereby many Brazilian

teams now participate regularlyevery year, seeing the tournamentas a must win for the trophy case!In fact, in each of the last ve years,four different Brazilian teams have

been an impressive runner-up. Andinterestingly, a revolving group ofmiddle-aged American jocks callingthemselves Cougars are aiming fortheir fourth straight championship.

Abacaxi BowlsYear Champion Runner-up

2012 Cougars Old School2011 Cougars Carcamanos2010 Cougars Devilz2009 PACA Devilz

2008 PACA Silver Bullets2007 US Consulate Graded School2006 Chapel School & Stormin Mormons (tied)2005 Chapel School Bristol Myers Squibb2004 PACA Ford2003 PACA US Consulate2002 PACA Ford2001 Ford US Consulate2000 PACA Graded School1999 Graded School Ford


12/16Forum February12

Safe TravelsBy Melissa Harkin, AmSoc member

On October 7th, 2012, I lost a dearfriend. She was a Greenpeace activistfor nearly 10 years and I met her duringmy 2 years working for that sameorganization.

Tatiana de Carvalho, 36, fell froma waterfall at Poo Azul (DF), arecreational area located on km 105 ofthe DF-001 road between Taguatingaand Brazilndia. A ve year old childwho was with her, the son of a friend,

also fell and broke his pelvis.Tatiana was trekking with family

and friends when she slipped on thestones, fell from a height of 15 meters,hit her head and died instantly. Thechild was taken to the Hospital by theFire Department and survived, but notwithout pain he has since undergone2 surgeries on his pelvis.

Brazil is the largest country in Southand Latin America and fth largestin the world. Famous for its soccer

tradition and its annual Carnaval inRio de Janeiro, Salvador, Recife andOlinda. It is a country of great diversity,from the bustling urban mosaic of SoPaulo to the innite cultural energy ofPernambuco and Bahia, the wildernessof the Amazon rainforest and world-class landmarks such as the IguauFalls. There is plenty to see and to doin Brazil.

But Brazil fails terribly regardingsafety! And when we think about safetyin Brazil we all usually think about the

same things: crime rates and a few other

aspects that revolve around health andtransportation. But what about safetyduring our touristic activities?

Our very own FORUM Editor, LynnCordeiro, was telling me about a tripshe took a few weekends ago and said:We visited a waterfall in Ilhabela lastweek and [we] were shocked by howliberal the [tour] guides told us torappel down unsecured rocks.

And the safety issues are not a

prerogative of nature activities only.Last February (2012), a 14 year-old girl

passed away after falling from a GiantDrop ride at Hopi Hari (So Paulo)called the LaTour Eiffel. Shefell 98 feet toher death whenher restraintopened atthe momentthe brakes

were applied.The seat hadhad several

problems beforeand should have

been markedout of order.

In June2010, at TerraEncantada inthe State of Rio De Janeiro, a 61 yearold woman fell 30 feet to her death afterthe restraints opened mid-ride.

These are just a few among

hundreds of accidents that happenevery year throughout Brazil, either inan amusement park or during natureoutings. And they all happened forthe same reasons: employees withinsufcient training and insufcientknowledge of the rides they control orareas they work in, poor salaries andwork conditions, lack of investment onsafety programs and safety equipments,and total disregard for all applicable

legislation.Tourists must understand that safety

is not a priority when it comes to thesetypes of activities in Brazil. Although

there are a few companies here andthere that do take safety seriously,most dont. Most of them rely on the

offchance of an accident not happening,


13/16


013 Forum 13

and then they rely on the chances

(which are big) of the victim or his/herrelatives not ling a lawsuit.

Do not expect to nd a Walt DisneyWorld safety standard on amusement

parks in Brazil, for example. In theUnited States, companies go severalextra miles not to be taken to court,and that includes investments in safetyequipment, training and procedures.However, here in Brazil, we all knowits a different story (that more oftenthan not ends in pizza as Brazilians

themselves usually say). Not justbecause Brazil is the country wheresome laws work and some dont, butalso because of the inuence of itslevel of education (or lack thereof),corruption and socioeconomic status asa developing country.

Companies that promote leisureactivities, tourism and even the so-called adventure sports - climbing,

bungee jumping, hang-gliding ights,among others - are required to maintainthe safety and well-being of their

clients. Even though, in most cases, they

require the participants,or their legal guardians,to sign a document inwhich they becomeexempt from liability ifaccidents happen.

However, experts inBrazilian consumer lawwarn that when hiringexcursions and summercamps, or simpleractivities, such as a fewhours in a skating rinkor a water park, it is notnecessary to sign thewaiver of liability that

normally is shown after the payment of

the service.As a former legal advisor I can

tell you that the ideal is to not evensign that paper, but if it is signed, no

problem. Such waiver of liability hasno legal value. The Consumer DefenseCode (CDC Cdigo de Defesa doConsumidor) nullies any clause thatremoves rights of citizens.

This practice adopted by somecompanies is illegal, because what theyare doing is trying to impose an illegal

condition on the client. The suppliermust ensure the safety of the clients. Ifthere is an accident resulting from thecommercial relationship it means thatthere was a defect in providing theservice. Regardless of the blame (forthe accident), the one providing theservice should be responsible for rstaid, medical care, and for the transferof the injured person to a hospital. Ifthe client decides to go to court, he/shehas up to ve years after the fact to doso. And it will be up to the company

to prove that it was not liable for the

damages caused on the client.Although their rights are guaranteed

by law, consumers must devote time toseek information about the companythat is offering the services.

Many companies insist on enforcingthis abusive practice because they knowthat only 3 out of 10 clients will seeklegal assistance in securing their rights.Brazilians, in general, are still not awareabout this. Usually, the client also doesnot want to invest time to investigatethe company or professional who he/she is hiring. And that is very simplenowadays: just type the companysCNPJ on the websites of the ReceitaFederal Brazilian IRS (www.receita.

fazenda.gov.br), the Junta Comercialof the companys city (for So Paulo,the website is www.jucesp.fazenda.sp.gov.br) or the Courts of Justice(Tribunais de Justia) to determinewhether theres an ongoing lawsuit ornot. If you cant do it yourself, youcan ask an accountant to research thisinformation for you. It is a good way toavoid, or at least minimize, problemswith companies.

Meanwhile I urge you to use your

own judgment when doing activities.Just because it is offered, does notmake it safe. Do not assume that safetystandards are in place because thecompany running the activity has alogo and a leaet. Be smart, be safe!

Melissa Harkin runs a translationcompany called Melissa HarkinTranslations. Visit her website at www.melissaharkin.com or contact herat [email protected] (11-98428-8714). Special DISCOUNTS for

AMSOC members!


14/16

American-Licensed Psychotherapist

In this busy and ever-changing world, people oftenfeel stressed and overwhelmed with no place to

turn. Psychotherapy/ counseling can provide a safe

place to receive professional guidance and support.

Brief or longer-term therapy offered depending on

your needs, goals and expectations. Services: indi-

vidual, couples, child/adolescent. Certied to con-

duct Adoption Home Study for American Citizens.

Contact: Pamela Wax, MSW/LCSW at 99656-2106

or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Located

in Moema.

Family Dentistry

Dental care you can trust for your whole fam-

ily. We want to make sure you are comfortable

and condent in our care we work only with the

highest quality products and equipment, bring-

ing specialists to you so that you dont have to

face trafc, and providing you with clear in-

formation to make the dental decisions that are

right for you. Native English. Tel.: (11) 3044-

3111; Website: www.familydentistry.com.br.

Ayumi Photography

Im a Brazilian photographer who, like your-selves, lived overseas for many years and speak

English, Spanish and Portuguese uently.

Based in So Paulo I do mostly social and corpo-

rate events, family, children, newborn and travel

photography. Feel free to contact me should you

need any information! Ayumi Yamamoto

[email protected], Cel.

(11)997515259, www.ayumiphotography.com

Real English

Native english teachers needed ( with or with-

out experience ) to work in a quickly growingenglish school in the zona sul of So Paulo.

Please contact us. REAL ENGLISH, (11) 5631-

3794, (11) 97318-5881 or

[email protected]

Translation Specialists

Over 10 years translating solutions in U.S. cit-ies such as California, Houston and Chicago,

SAO PAULO TRADUCOES has had projects

with the best companies in Brazil and the world.

Solutions in English, Spanish, Portuguese in en-

gineering, legal, med. and many other areas.

Free quote: [email protected]

Contact Paulo at: 96657 0170 Please visit us at:

saopaulotraducoes.wix.com/saopaulotraducoes

Personal Trainer

I will come to your home, ofce, or workout

facility and create an exercise/tness programtailored to your health concerns, tness goals,

and schedule. For adults and children, individu-

als or groups. Sessions in English, Spanish, or

Portuguese. For more information please con-

tact Daniela Franco at (11) 99739-6191 or

[email protected].

American-Licensed Counselor.

Dawn Morelli, MSW, LCSW. I am an American

with USA training and licensing. My expertise

includes; mood, anxiety, cultural issues, rela-

tionship and family concerns, self esteem, trau-ma, and personal growth. I have strong skills in

assessment/evaluation which allow to identify

the best and most effective treatment. I work

with individuals, families and children.

98963-2871 or [email protected]

Piano and Keyboard Classes

Beginning music classes for piano or keyboard.

Special method for children four years or older,

teenagers, adults and senior citizens. Classes in

portuguese or english. Contact Suely Azevedo

98456-5365. Years of successful experience!

Class in your house in Morumbi or south area.

classifieds

Forum February14

Housing

Brand new 2br apt for rent near Graded

School

Customized 2br/2bath apt (1 suite), 90m2, w/

built-in closets, laundry, lg open kitchen w/ ap-

pliances incl side-by-side fridge/freezer, porch

w/ view of SP skyline. Bldg: 3 pools, play-

ground, gym, sauna, 2 parking spaces. Close

to Graded, Shopping Jd. Sul, Pq. Burle Marx.

Rental R$3,000/mo. Contact Olivia at oliviaf@

terra.com.br or 98447-4672 for photos and

info.

TriplexApartment for Rent by Graded

School

Apt. w/650m2, 4 large suites each w/ built-in

closets.Fireplace living w/ separate dinning and

lunch rms. Ample apt w/ central air, all marble

and hardwood oors, xtra large Jacuzzi + pri-

vate sauna, large party rmgreat for home theatre

and entertainment. 4 garage spots and great bldg

amenities. Av. G.Gronchi 4822, next to Graded.

Rental R$12,000/mo.Call Andrew at 98202-

0008 or [email protected]

Vila Nova Conceio

So Paulos best place to live.

Near Ibirapuera Park. Modern building, with all

Sports facilities, heated swimming pool, gym,

play room, barbecue, multi purpose sports court.

Three bedrooms (1 suite), living room with ter-

race, complete kitchen,maids bedroom and

bath, big service area, two parking spaces. Fully

furnished,with all appliances. Call Ana Beat-

riz or Eliane Phone (011) 3849.7085 or (011)

99626-6229-mail to: anabeatriz@caboverde.

com.br

Interiors Rental Furniture

Quality and rened furniture rental for your

home away from home. We offer great variety!

A complete line of appliances, kitchen devices

and linen & towels. Complements such as rugs,

lamps and decor items. www.interiors.com.br

or [email protected]

A classifed o up to 350 characters costsR$60 or AmSoc members and R$80 ornon-members. To place a classifed pleasecall (11) 5182-2074 rom 8:30 a.m. until1 p.m., or send an e-mail to [email protected].

Placea

Classifed

Forum

does not check all o the advertisersappearing in this newsletter. We urge youto use these services; however, thoroughlycheck prices and services prior to fnalizingany service or purchase agreement.

A

Noteto

OurReaders

Services


15/16


013 Forum 15

calendar

Learn more about this months AmSoc events (highlighted) at www.AmSoc.com.br.Important Dates: December- 14 ValentInes Day (Us), 09 -12 carnIVal (bra), 13 ash WeDnesDay

(bra/Us), 18 presIDents Day (Us)February 2013

02 Saturday Abacaxi Bowl At Graded School. Av. Presidente Giovanni Gronchi, 4710 - Morumbi.

1 DAY Tournament8:30 - Warm-ups and Re- confrm Team registration10:00 - GamesNoon - Food Court Opens4:30 - Award Ceremony

Pay the lower o R$550 per team, OR by the number o Players per team:- Player is an AMSOC member = R$25-Player is a Non-AMSOC member = R$40

02 Saturday Little League Sign-Up & Donuts

Breakast

Join Us For Coee & Donuts while you register your children or the Little League

Sports!! Boys and Girls between the ages o 5 - 13 are eligible.At Graded School. Av. Presidente Giovanni Gronchi, 4710 - Morumbi

03 Sunday SuperBowl At BOS-BBQR. Pedroso Alvarenga, 559, Itaim Bibi - So PauloAt 8pmAmsoc members get a complimentary Beer or Cocktail Drink specials, games prizes.Reservations: 3078-4858 or [email protected]

04 Monday Scottish Country Dancing Club 1st Monday o every month in the Brazilian British Centre in Pinheiros (R. Ferreira deArajo, 741).At 8pm

Dancing the traditional Scottish reels is an important and enjoyable part o the Societysevents. In order to help newcomers learn the basic steps and encourage the moreadventurous to learn new ones, St. Andrew Society organizes a meeting o the ScottishCountry Dancing Club (SCDC).

06 Wednesday Monthly Coee by theInternational Newcomers Club (INC)

Time: 8h30 - 11h00. Location: Emporio Santa Maria. Address: Avenida Cidade Jardim,790 - So Paulo - SP. Website: www.emporiosantamaria.com.br

09 Saturday INC Carnival Tour 2013 INC will once again organize a carnival tour on Saturday the 9th o February. The eventnot only includes your ticket but also sae transport to and back rom the Sambdromoand an English speaking guide.

28 Thursday Opening Concert rom Orquestra

Sinnica do Estado de So Paulo

At Sala So Paulo, Praa Jlio Prestes, 16 - Santa Ceclia, So Paulo. At 9:00 pm.

http://www.osesp.art.br

Enjoyed this publication?

Become an American Society Member and get a

free Forum subscription!

For more than 60 years The American Society of So Paulo has worked to establish a strong

network for expats living and working in So Paulo. Join Today!!!

Visit our website at www.amsoc.com.br and fill in our on-line form

or call the AmSoc office at 5182-2074


16/16

In the rst few months after my moveto So Paulo, I came across a blog bya family physician living in Beijing,China. Obsessed with air pollution anddesperate to combat the fumes herein the city, I spent hours googling thetopic and ways to minimize its impacton me and my family. My search ledme to MyHealthBeijing.com and theinvaluable advice of its author, Dr.Richard Saint Cyr.

As I was surng his blog, I happened

upon an entry about expatitis, a termhe coined after seeing many expat

patients with similar health problemsin his Beijing clinic. Dr. Saint Cyrdescribes expatitis as physical andemotional symptoms that manifestas a result of maladaptive copingmechanisms to the stressors inherent toliving abroad. In other words, living inanother country is not always easy andthe stress that it entails can take a tollon our physical and mental health. The

symptoms? Difculty sleeping, stress,depression, fatigue, a lot of smoking,lack of exercise, risky sex, and pooreating habits.

Expatitis can hit the working spouse,who may have to deal with long workhours, extensive travel, and languageand cultural barriers on the job. And itcan affect the non-working spouse, whois suddenly home alone, isolated andfacing many of the same language andcultural challenges as his/her partner.

Either way, when expatitis strikes, thewhole family suffers.

I cant speak for the frustrations thatarise from doing business or havinga high stakes job in another culture.But I do understand the challenges ofmaking a life in a foreign country.

I lived in Thailand for a year, backwhen the only people on the Internetwere a bunch of ber smart computerscience professors emailing eachother from various universities. That

meant communication with friendsand family was limited to letters ongood old-fashioned airmail paper and

bike rides to the local post ofce formy weekly telephone call back home.Essentially I was cut off from life as Iknew it, which, in many ways, helpedme see what a big deal it was to liveabroad.

Nowadays, the Internet hascompletely changed the face of life asan expatriate. We can log onto email or

Facebook and in two minutes get thelatest news from family, friends andold colleagues. We can see our lovedones on Skype whenever we want andwithout having to pay a dime (thatsa long way from the $10 ten-minute

phone calls I made in Thailand). Wecan even stay current on the latest TVdramas (Downton Abbey, anyone?)and have a landline with a U.S. phonenumber (hello, MagicJack).

With the ability to be connected

instantly to the world at large, weobscure the difculty of carvingout a life for ourselves in a foreigncountry and we numb ourselves to theemotional impact it can have. As aresult, we may be harder on ourselveswhen we have a frustrating culturalexperience; expect more of ourselvesin our day-to-day lives; or forget, ingeneral, to take extra care.

Dr. Saint Cyr offers some excellenttips on overcoming expatitis, which

include building exercise into yourroutine (even if its just 10 minutes atrst), getting more sleep at night, takingdeep breaths to relax, reassessing your

priorities (stop putting off that familyvacation), and getting counseling ifyoure feeling down (and no, going forcounseling doesnt mean youve failedor that youre crazy).

I would like to add one moresuggestion to what the doctor hasordered: Walk away from the computer,

turn off the TV and hang up thetelephone. Then go take a good lookin the mirror and congratulate yourself(no, you dont have to say it out loud)for what an amazing job you are doing

just by being here. Having steppedthis far out of your comfort zone is nosmall feat and it may be good medicineto remind yourself of that and throwsome praise in there, too as often asis needed.

Do You Have Expatitis?By Maureen Kennedy Alves, AmSoc member

Documents

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