My first post... In English!

*disclaimer*

Dear people who read this blog:

As you know, I usually write in Portuguese because that is the way I've found to keep in touch with my wonderful friends and family in Brazil. However, I'll have to keep a blog for one of my classes (and probably a blog in Portuguese just doesn't count). Rob, my dear husband, said that I should just translate the one I have. A suggestion that has been well-noted! I've been wanting to keep a blog in English anyway, so here's a new version of my already existent blog. We shall see what will happen after this semester is over...

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OK, so here is a translation of the previous post:

One of my goals for this year was to write daily in my journal. Today was the first time I wrote in my journal. No, today is not the first day of this year.

But as I'm still in a New Year mood...

This year has started as one of the best of my life. I'll graduate soon, and I have a new job, a job offer for after I graduate, a new apartment (more on that later...), besides tons of health, love, family, and happiness. I have all the cliche stuff people usually wish to each other during this time of the year--and I have it all on the first week!

There are so many wonderful things happening in my life right now that I just can't avoid kneeling and thanking the Lord for everything I have achieved so far. My health, my body, my life. I'm thankful to God for the wonderful life I have, and for always having everything I need.

Yesterday I went to the temple to "serve" and pay back some of the good things that have been happening in my life. I was hoping to do some good and get even, but, on the hours I spent there, I only learned even more. In the end, I understood I can't just "pay back," not even one percent, all the blessings I've been receiving.

For this reason, I'll start this year with a spirit of gratitude. I suggest you to do the same. Think about everything that awaits for you, all the wonderful things that has been reserved to you, and thank the Lord for the blessings that you have received and will receive.

"Who had the idea of slicing time into pieces,

which were given the name of year,

was a genius person.

Industrialized hope, pushing it to the limits of its exhaustiveness.

Twelve months are enough for any human being to get tired and give up.

Then comes the miracle of renovation and all stars once again. We pick up another number, wishing that from now on everything will be different."

(Carlos Drummond de Andrade)