The AmSoc Blog

Below you can view a pdf of the full 16-page pdf of the June issue of Forum.

June2009Forum

From the June issue of Forum

Name, age: Wilfried Daas, 38
Origin, time here: The Netherlands, arrived here in late January 2009

Profession: At the moment I’m an English teacher, but back in Holland I was in logistics in transport. I’m trying to find something in that area, but it is not easy, so I’m filling my days as a teacher. I also teach Dutch and German for English-speakers.
Why São Paulo?: My wife is from São Paulo. I met her on the Internet, on a Dutch site in 2002. I spent a holiday that year for four to five weeks in Brazil. We later lived for about two years in Holland together. Last year, the idea came up to move to Brazil. I love to travel, and said let’s do it.
Best thing so far: The climate by far. The Netherlands is very cold and very wet. The climate here is a blessing.
Early frustrations: The bureaucracy, there is a lot of course. Everything goes through so many people, things get lost, they don’t work out. This is something they should work to improve here.
Have saudade for anything back home?: The friends I left behind, because it’s always difficult to say goodbye when you go away for a long period of time, maybe forever. I’ve used the telephone, postcards, e-mail, but it’s difficult still being 10,000 miles away, missing friends you used to see every day.
Progress with Portuguese: It’s becoming better, I still haven’t had the time to take a course, but everything I know I have taught myself, or learned from my wife.
Favorite place to hang out: I like the neighborhood I’m living in, Móoca. Here it’s more quiet than the rest of the city. It reminds me of back home.

From the June issue of Forum

By Tim Scott, AmSoc president

You may have noticed by now that the photo over in the corner looks different. Yes, that’s right, following our recent Annual General Meeting, a new slate of officers is on-board and Marlene Rubeiz is now a former president. We thank Marlene for her dedication and support to the American Society during the last two years.

Here is something I’d like us all to ask, “Where can I apply my Helping Hands?”

“My what?” you are saying. (more…)

From the June issue of Forum

By Kim Beecheno, staff writer

This year’s AGM meeting was considered a roaring success, with attendance reaching a record high of nearly 140 people, by far the best turnout over the last few years.

Members came to show their support, many came to see old friends and make new ones. (more…)

From the June issue of Forum

By Richard Wegman, AmSoc board member

New people are constantly joining The American Society since it is known to be one of the premier American organizations in all of São Paulo. This month we want to acknowledge our newest members, most of whom signed up in April.

The AmSoc Board of Governors decided in May to create a new low-cost category of membership, named “Junior,” for those age 25 and under in Sao Paulo. Learn more about this membership option by calling the AmSoc office at 5182-2074. (more…)

From the June issue of Forum

By Sue Banman Sileci, AmSoc member

For those of us who help make the American Society’s Angel Party happen, every year the party gets more special. We have more help, we invite more kids and we find better solutions for the games, food and decorations. But this year we’ll have the added excitement of knowing it’s the party’s 10th anniversary. While few people will be giving the traditional 10th anniversary gift of tin, we hope this year’s party will shower our 240 guests with plenty of love, fun and non-metallic gifts. (more…)

From the June issue of Forum

By Kim Beecheno, staff writer

A record number of Brazilian work visas were issued to foreigners in 2008, the highest in the last five years, according to an April 19 report in Folha de Sao Paulo. It appears that the number jumped by 49.2 percent compared to 2007, from 29,488 to 43,993 work visas in 2008.

But figures from January and February 2009 show a 3 percent drop in the number of work visas issued, which points to a predicted drop of 15 percent for 2009. (more…)

From the June issue of Forum

Every month we feature a local pet that one of our AmSoc members knows is in need of a good home. Take a look at this guy:

Name: Milo
Age: almost 1 year
Color: White, Caramel ears and a special brown dot

Sex: Male
Fleas: None
Ticks: None
Size: Small
Kilos: almost 10 kg
Farts: That’s something you need to discover by yourself
Hobbies: With him there’s no bad weather, only fun and sun
Vaccines: All right
Neutered: Yes
Quirks: He is cute, and knows it
Injuries: None
Level of perfect goodness for a nice family: Really high!
Applications: Being accepted at carol.kliass@uol.com.br

From the June issue of Forum

By Timothy Altaffer, AmSoc board member

After a late start, the 2009 Corporate Donations Drive is truly gaining momentum. May was a good month and the totals now stand at over R$100,000 already received or pledged. (more…)