Like this:

Dear Friends,

I am writing from New York, United States, place where I will be for the next 22 days.

The reason I am here is because of a training program sponsored by Ford Foundation and lead by a Jewish organization named 92ndY – Nothing related to the YMCA.

After 8 hours and a nice lunch in London at Heathrow, I arrived safe in NYC which is very hot at the moment and also humid. I envision hard days in terms of weather here for me.

As usually, last month was intense and full of activities. I believe I am getting to use to live in Geneva and also in the new job. Things are advancing and going well. First we launched the New Strategic Plan, “NEW WAY”, and we have been sharing the ideas of this document in different opportunities, especially abroad. The first test was in England, during their national conference and you can see the video here!

One of the challenges that I have is to understand how we can be more effective in the relations with UN and some other organizations. I have spent some time trying to understand but also developing advocacy activities. As I learned and like to say: “We are exchanging the wheels with the car moving”. Nothing stops to wait for you to understand!!!

I spent Easter with my cousins in Ravenna, Italy and it was great. Especially to be for some time playing with little Chiara, who is a cute girl!

Just in the week before I went to Turin, Italy to visit a long term friend, Marilívia and we had good time together visiting city and going to parties. It was my first time driving in European road and except to get the wrong cabin and get a 70 Euros ticket, it was perfect. There was more than one month and the ticket did not arrive. Hopefully they understood my situation!

After this great relaxing driving experience, the idea of buy a car in Geneva has grown, but I know from intelligence that I really do not need it in a place where public transports are very efficient.

May was the time I started to feel the bad sensation of missing family and friends that you use to see all the time. From many perspectives this is good. Because it means I left back in Brazil lot of love and friendship. Anyway… this is part of the consequences of decisions I took and I would do it all again!!

The week that I may have been more down it was the same one I went to Germany for the International Conference and, suddenly, I was taken by great happiness because I had the opportunity to meet good friend such as Steffi, Bjorn, Sara, Juan, Daniel, Nadine and, of course, meet new good people.

I took the risk of speak Germany during an interview and I believe everybody was impressed by my accent, but specially for the content of my answers. Romulo, what do you do in your work? “I am a biscuit”, I said in very laud German! Questions and answers in the same level came in the sequence and I believe that the idea of making people have fun and break the ice was successful.

After arrive after 00h, I had just five hours to sleep and go to the airport for an important meeting in London with sponsorship/public relations agencies related to a global initiative that we are about to launch. The free two hours I had after that, I spent in HLM buying a brand new pijama!

After intense days of work I took a Friday off and went to Lugano with my good friend Oliver and it was a great place to go. Lots of beautiful things to see and do in the Swiss Florida! I have fallen in love for a particular neighborhood named Gandria.

The days after were more normal and I spent them in Geneva doing some sports, going to church and meeting with friends for dinner, movies and walks.

That was it for now….

Remember… I am waiting for your life report!

Romulo

Advertisement