Prologue
My overall problem with blogging has always been failing to find a good theme or proposition, lacking the capacity to tell people why I’m blogging, what I’m talking about, and why do I believe that’s interesting (which, in turn, has led to my being unenthusiastic and generally skeptic about the whole thing). So it was only when I found out I’d be studying in Washington DC for six months that that the little disappointed-yet-always-hopeful blogger in me opened its eyes, blinked, and exclaimed, ‘Eureka!’
And so There and back again was born.
Much like Bilbo Baggins’s original hobbit’s tale, this blog will be about a journey to a far away land where people think and act in a very different way. Except there won’t be dragons, dwarves, elves, treasures, bears, spiders, trolls or a magical ring involved (unless they are action-figure shaped and safely packed in a box). Which is to say this will probably be a bit more relatable, albeit a lot less interesting than fighting Smaug.
At this point, some info on yours truly may be called for.
I was born in São Paulo, Brazil, and have lived in Rio de Janeiro for most of my life. I’m twenty years old, and currently enrolled in Law School, where I discovered one of my biggest passions: International Human Rights Law. The plan is to, hopefully, be a Human Rights lawyer and professor someday. I’m also a total geek, and tend to obsess over things like The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Battlestar Galactica and Quentin Tarantino.
It’s my last week in Brazil, so life is pretty hectic right now. What with taking care of my recently operated cat, doctors’ appointments, pending vaccines, lab tests and forms to fill out—let alone the utter horror that will be packing—time is running short and I’m getting awfully worried and giddy. I’ve never really studied abroad before, so I reckon there will be a lot of firsts during the next six months, which is mind-bogglingly exciting, but also downright scary.
My first proper post will probably happen when I arrive in the US next week (if I’m lucky enough to have acquired a MacBook by then). In the meantime, subscribe and stay tuned!
Except there won’t be dragons, dwarves, elves, treasures, bears, spiders, trolls or a magical ring involved (unless they are action-figure shaped and safely packed in a box).
LMAO!
Last week? WOW! It seems I won’t see you in Brazil so
But… DC, wait for me 
Má
August 9, 2009 at 11:26 pm
We will see each other there! Keep me updated on when you’re coming!
Lu
August 9, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Don’t worry, I’ll let you know \o/ And you… Keep ME updated!!!!
Má
August 10, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Hey Lu!
Miss you… really really!
I’m sure you’ll do just fine, mate! You have always been so damn smart and DC won’t be a problem!
I really miss talking to you! And now it will be even harder to do so…
Maybe I’ll come visit you in Washington next year, aye?
Hugs!!
Vivi
Vivi Maurey
August 9, 2009 at 11:49 pm
And I have news… which would be great to chat with you about it… but not here. Not the time, not the place! =) Soon…
Love you girl!
Vivi
Vivi Maurey
August 9, 2009 at 11:58 pm
Vivi, I miss you very much as well! We really need to meet each other when I get back and talk! Incidentally, I’ve just added your blog to my reader, so I’ll keep updated on what’s going with you!
And want to know this news! Love you, too.
Lu
August 10, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Only when you get back? That will be like a zillion years from now, laughs! Just kidding! That’s ok…
I have another blog, which is mostly everything that is to know about this “news” of mine, but like I said… Not the place to talk about it. See if you figure it all for yourself (my new blog), and send me an email right afterwards, aye? So we can chat all about it. =)
I’m so damn happy! And no, I’m not pregnant! And plz don’t tell anyone yet, I’m still figuring out what to do. =)
Vivi Maurey
August 11, 2009 at 11:41 am
*grins* I have a couple of Grammar Nazi-ish comments:
-Your first semi-colon should be a colon.
-’A few info’ is not English. ‘Some info’, ‘A few relevant pieces of information,’ etc. etc. etc. are all acceptable. ‘A few info’? Not so much.
-Doctor’s appointments, not doctor appointments. Doctors’ appointments is also valid.
And now that the technical stuff is out of the way: I’m really, really, -really- excited, and can’t wait to see you! *grins* This is going to be awesome. (P.S. Internet cafés: Everywhere. Additionally, there will be several places on your campus where internet will be freely available—your libraries, computer clusters, etc. You should be fine, even if you -don’t- have a MacBook right away.) And you know the drill; give me a call as soon as you get into the country (even if it’s something like 5 in the morning my time. I might kill you, but you never know).
Runi
August 10, 2009 at 12:02 am
It is going to be AWESOME indeed. God, I can’t wait. And don’t worry, I will call. I’m scheduled to get to DC around 1 PM East Coast, and I’ll call you as soon as possible!
Lu
August 10, 2009 at 12:29 am
Hey Luiza, I tried posting this before, vamos la de novo…
I’m so excited that you’re studying abroad and that you’re keeping this blog. Studying abroad was the best thing that ever happened to me, so I hope it will be for you too!
Since you will probably get more anxious before you leave, I wanted to leave you some places you’ll like in DC so you’ll still be excited:
http://www.teaism.com/
http://www.blackcatdc.com/
http://www.meltingpot.com/locations.aspx?z=&n=36856
http://www.kramers.com/index.cfm
http://www.utopiaindc.com/
Rachel
August 10, 2009 at 12:36 am
Thank you so much for you utter support throughout all this process, Rachel! And thank you so much for links! I’ll definitely look into it! Can’t wait to get there.
Lu
August 10, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Vou contra a onda e escrever em português.
Luli, tá precisando de um layoutzinho né amiga? Eu sei, quando chegar em DC vc pensa nisso.
Que bom que vc tomou coragem pra fazer um blog, certamente vou acompanhá-lo! (tem como colocar ele no meu google reader??)
Acho que só te vejo quinta né? =/
beijos
Rê
August 10, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Eu gosto desse layout bem clean! Só se eu tiver um bem personalizado que eu acho que vou mudar mesmo.
Tem como colocar no google reader sim! é só adicionar esse endereço no reader: feed://ahobbitstale.wordpress.com/feed/
Acho que só quinta sim =/ Esses últimos dias tem sido LOUCOS. x.x Tô ficando maluca com a quantidade de coisas para fazer.
Beijos, querida! Até quinta! =D
Lu
August 10, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Could I steal some of your wonderful English por favor?
SHARON
August 11, 2009 at 8:06 pm