Hiya! I’m a 23 year old Boston girl from the US of A— I recently forced myself away from academia to spend some time thinking things over in Rio de Janeiro. Now I’m on a quest to become fluent in Brazilian Portuguese in ~6 months “on the ground” in The Marvelous City.
This is my blog to document my inspiration, progress, frustrations, and victories while learning how to speak, read, write, and understand my new language. I’ve never done something like this before, but with the right mindset I’m going to meet my goals and finish my mission.
Meanwhile, I’ll be working at a local media company, learning my new city, making friends, experiencing cultural freefall, and slowly becoming more carioca.
If you are also learning a language, thinking about learning a language, interested in Brazil and Brazilian Portuguese, or just thinking about personal challenges, positive thinking, life questing, goal-setting, or dreamlining, then welcome!
Follow me and give me a heads up about your goals/mission. 
Beijos de uma gringa feliz!
Good luck on your quest!
Always good to see someone following their dreams…
thanks for the encouragement : ) it’s always great to see an artist documenting beauty in the world as well xx
Wow! That’s an awesome dream you’re following! I was in Brazil in 2000 (I was eleven) to visit family and picked up the language in three months. I still have trouble with my grammar, but I taught myself how to read, write and speak in Portuguese. I’m 22 now, and I still remember it fondly.
Boa sorte e obrigado para gostar minha poema! ^_^
-Júnior
How cool! That’s amazing that you learned it so quickly. Let me know if you ever think of any good language learning tips for first timers. : ) Obrigada e boa sorte para você também!
Some real good tips that I used when I was there: Listen to music, speak to people who don’t speak any English. Out of my entire family in Brazil, only four spoke English. That made it easier to say, “It’s necessary to learn.” No matter how bad you speak, just speak. You’ll get it. There are more, so if you want some more, let me know. ^_^
Thanks for your likes and following of the Beagle Project! It is great to hear from someone who is actually in Brazil (I’m just reliving a 180 year “vacation”
). Your project sounds great – I’m sure it is a great way to really learn the language. I look forward to seeing how it all goes via your blog.
Thanks so much for the comment and follow!
I completely love your blog. I studied science back home in Boston and Darwin was one of the most influential characters for me. Evolution is so beautiful. But I really admire him as a human as well. His journals are so beautiful and poetic, they really resonate with me. Once I did an artsy project where I took snippets from a few of his entries and made a dynamic cladogram where they would arrange themselves randomly and “evolve” into a short poem as you clicked though. 
I really look forward to your future entries xx
Thanks! I’m really enjoying getting to know Darwin as a person through this project. And it is great to be able to share.
Is your cladogram project online. It might be fun to link to it in a later post if you’d like. It sounds pretty interesting!
Where are you these days in Rio? I’m also learning my Brazilian Portuguese. I’m using Rosetta Stone. DId you try the program?
Hey! Let’s practice together! : ) Right now I live in Leblon but I’m about to move somewhere else in Zona Sul, haven’t nailed down a neighborhood, maybe JB. Did you see the Portuguese/English exchange group I mentioned here? http://falarlerentender.com/2012/03/27/setting-goals-high-spirits/ You should come next Monday!
I haven’t tried Rosetta Stone yet (have a bootleg copy on a sketchy disk) but I have some Pimsleur files on a HD with me that have been really useful, if you’re interested I can try to get them to you. xx
Oh I have 10 Lessons of Pimsleur, a wedding present from a friend. I listened to them in the car before relocating. They were decent but Rosetta Stone is way better! As for the group, I will think about it, though with traffic that is a little far from my neighborhood with the bus.Which neighborhood is JB?
cool, thanks for the tip! hope you can make it sometime! JB is Jardim Botanico, part of Zona Sul & right beside Lagoa xx
ooo that’s a pretty area!
Hi, I’m from Boston, too! I see you’re following my blog. Some people use it for language learning actually, since most posts appear in both languages. Hope to meet you soon.
hi, I love your blog! I was wondering, is there a bilingual discussion group somewhere in the city that talks about similar issues? if you lead one or know of one I would love to join! beijão
There is a Portuguese-language group, OsteRio, which meets at the Osteria dell’Angolo restaurant in Ipanema every other Monday at 8 pm. This coming Monday the topic is education. Not sure if there’s room left but you can check– https://www.facebook.com/groups/290590927664327/. If you can’t get in, friend me on Facebook and I’ll invite you. Friend me anyway! bj
Thanks for subscribing to my website. Hope you enjoy it.
I truly envy you for the chance to explore the shops to collect all the marvellous old records…
AD
Great idea for a blog. I moved to Brazil in February and I’m learning Portuguese at university three times a week. I’m now at the frustrating phase where I can understand a lot of what I hear around me but I’m still finding it hard to contribute much, though I’m amazed by how much I’ve learnt from my lessons. It really does make a difference.
I guess my next step is to have the courage to talk more and not be scared to make mistakes. Having worked with refugee kids in the UK I knew this was their biggest fear – so I understand how they feel now!
Thanks for the follow! Hope my blog and book will be inspiring for you on your adventure
You’re a real inspiration to language learners all over the world. My ELL in Japan will be very impressed. Good luck!
Oi gringa! Loved your new post. I’m super happy that you are accomplishing your goals. I am a bit curious about how rap music has helped you learn more portuguese.
Parabéns pelo seu blog!
Oi! I am here working and learning Portuguese too, but in Sao Paulo! Look forward to reading.
oii! : ) thanks so much for the follow (solidarity!), I can’t wait to read your next post, xx
Hi – Been enjoying your blog and just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award – http://beagleproject.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/versatile-blogger-award/
Enjoy!
wow! Thanks so much for the thought, Rob! It really helps me with the motivation to keep blogging, which helps me keep my momentum up for studying. I’m completely honored! : ) um abraço forte, xx
Hi again! – As you know, I’ve been writing about Brazil (in regards to Darwin’s four month visit in 1832) over on the Beagle Project. I thought I’d ask some of my fellow bloggers who are in Brazil (and following along) if they were interested in writing a guest blog before he leaves Rio for points south on July 5th. If you are interested please let me know – I’d love to have your perspective. (Drop me a comment or you can also find my email on my “About” page.)