I’m back to the hot waters of the Florida Keys after some cold, but from the humanistic perspective, warm days in New York. First, just freely wandering with the family, which was just a wonderful time together, then totally hooked to every interesting soul you can think of. Attending the TESOL Conference again and being into orbit around the two groups I’m really passionate about is simply a treat. The Webheads and my friends from the place I work in Brasilia, Casa Thomas Jefferson, kept my days in uplifting mode. I just didn’t want to sleep and miss the chance to hang out with them.
They are all inspired educators who know the exact meaning of GINGA, a word that I tried to explain to some during the convention, right, Jeff and Vance? In fact, these fantastic people are all full of
GINGA – swing – in the way the face life, deal with daily tasks, their inspired teaching methods, their approach towards the future, which is one of a dreamer, their belief in the transforming power of education, as well as the way they have fun after a full tiring day of sessions, colloquiums, talks, presentations. Their ginga is what makes them open to possibilities, to challenges, to change. Having ginga – this swing that makes Brazilian soccer players so unique in the way they dribble or that allures the world when we dance samba – is what distinguishes these groups from others. I’m proud of being in full swing in learning every single day with these admirable friends who push me to my best self as a person, educator, professional. And Viva the Ginga movement in which we have more flexibility to deal with life, facing our challenges head up, laughing, having fun, being passionate about what we do! Webheads and CTJ friends rock, samba, swing, rule!
Thanks for an amazing connected time together!
Highlights of the human touch?
Webheads
Receiving red roses from my dear friend Dennis who so carefully planned everything.
Meeting THE VOICE, Jeff Lebow and his wife Sunny
Realizing that Graham Stanley is on the quiet side. Graham, you really surprised me!
Talking to elegant Aiden and her sister during the Thai dinner
Learning more about pubs in New York with Vance, Rita, Nina, Teresa and João, Dafne, Jeff, Sunny, Patricia, Graham and Isabel, among others
Everybody keeping cool and laughing even when the waiter at Becco was being rude and screaming in our ears
Meeting Claire, Clarinha, and realizing how funny she is! Talented, I knew she was!
Meeting sweet Mary Hillis and learning that she’s an organization freak and is F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C to keep track of huge bills at the end of the night
Connecting to Mike Coghlan, a very special soul, with wonderful photos
Watching Rita’s latin ways. So familiar to me!
Having fun with João and Teresa
Meeting Robert Squires with his melodic Scottish accent. He who was so afraid to submerge into the webheadosphere as he couldn’t understand the dynamics of these crazy people who were so professional and so personal at the same time. Welcome, Robert!
Meeting Jen Madrell (edtechtalk), whom I was only able to meet and invite others because of Twitter!
Just being in the Electronic Village, chit chatting, and learning from the simultaneous rotating sessions
Appreciating Moira’s cool colorful glasses
Meeting Ronaldo and talking about all kinds of professional matters and trivial things
Learning that Serpil and Secil are, in fact, sisters and they work together
Listening to Thomas Leverett talking about blogs and meeting his talented musician sister who knew all about “choro”, a very melodic genre of Brazilian music
Watching David Winet with his laptop, hat and headsets!
Meeting Buth and talking to Laine at Becco
Learning that Bee’s husband is an artist (just like her!) and getting as a gift his wonderful artwork
CTJ Friends
Checking Vânia’s, Márcia’s and Margaux’s daugthers’ wish list! Huge ones, but always ending that they knew their moms couldn’t buy everything, that a little something would be fine.
Meeting cheerful Patricia and happy Maria da Luz
Meeting Isabela at the CALL-IS colloquium and having her realize how much she already knows about edtech
Having brunch with my family, Margaux and Paulo at Le Pain Quotidien and a stroll at Central Park. A perfect film script!
Going out with Bené, Margaux, Paulo, Robson, Ronaldo, Isabela, Aline, and my sister Justine. Lots of laugh and funny stories
Going to Moma with my sister, appreciate art and laugh of what we really couldn’t consider art!
SoHo with Margaux, Paulo and my sister. Unforgettable
SoHo during the day with Margaux and Paulo window shopping admiring those funky stores. Indelible moments
Sunset at Brooklyn Bridge walking with friends and sister. Priceless!
Elizabeth Hanson-Smith’s resources at