Gustavo's Graduation

At Lawrence University, when it is almost time to graduate, international students get emails asking them to help with the pronunciation of their names. My dear compatriot, Gustavo, graduated last week. He told me that he actually called the provost and explained that his last name was Portuguese, therefore a little bit complicated to pronounce.

See, Gustavo's full name is Gustavo Cavalcanti Guimaraes. I also am a Cavalcanti (de Carvalho), and I know how difficult it is for them to say "Cavalcanti".

"No, that wasn't the problem", told me Gustavo. "He pronounced 'Cavalcanti' well..." and then he smiled. He continued: "You don't know what I did... I had to do something... I was there waiting for my turn to be called and when he called me he said... 'Gustavo Cavalcanti GOSTOSO'".

Only a few people understood the joke. ("Gustavo, I didn't know your last name was pronounced like that..."). Ah, Gustavo is impossible! I don't know when I'll see him again, but I am sure he'll have a great life and I will hear a lot about his success.

Congratulations, Gustavo! We'll miss you!

P.S. "Gostoso" is common slang in Brazil meaning "hot"!

"Are You a Rebecca or a Becca?"

"Are you a Rebecca or a Becca?", asked me a lady who I was serving yesterday during the first dinner I was covering. To be honest I did not know exactly what to say; in the middle of a busy event somebody comes to me asking one of those philosophical questions that nobody could deeply respond: who are you? what am I? I just shrugged and said a bit uncertain "Um... Both, I guess!".

I had never stopped to think about the complexity of names and nicknames. In Brazil I usually introduce myself as Rebecca, but here in the U.S. I've found myself simply saying "I'm Becca". My mother always calls me Becca and a few friends in Brazil, but the great majority of people -- even the ones I know since I was a baby -- is more inclined to call me Rebecca. I was used to these formalities, but when I moved to Wisconsin and started studying at Lawrence it was really amusing to hear my professors simply calling me Becca.

Maybe when my life split into two and I left home this new part of me had to have a different name, and that's why today sounds weird to me to be called by my real name. When I visit Recife perhaps I'll find odd to be called Becca occasionally. I think I will have to deal with being a Rebecca and a Becca at the same time...

Where Is Rebecca?

Hey guys!

I am sorry it's been a while since my last post, but I wanted to let you know that I am alive and doing fine this summer. The 2009-10 academic year is over, but I am still at Lawrence University working a lot to save money. By the way, I have Senior standing now! Weird... and exciting!

Every day I get up at 5:00 AM and work until 2:30 PM cleaning the residence halls and a few other buildings. Next Monday I will be at the Music-Drama Center, if you want to show up and say hello to a tired worker who needs support and encouragement. Today I am working for the catering department, serving during a few events over Reunion week. The good news is that a few friends will be working with me during the same shift, and that is absolutely comforting.

On Sunday I am moving out! I will be living with my friend Mya Win at her friendship family's house not very far from campus. They went to Ecuador and needed someone to water their plants and feed a little blue parakeet, Sky. Isn't that wonderful? Free housing is the best thing ever!

I will let you know more details about my life and what's going on, soon. I am still editing my book, and hopefully I will get a literary agent interested in it. I can't wait to get my work published and become an official writer!

Well, I hope all is well with you guys. Let me know how's life been treating you and if you have fun plans for this summer / winter / depends on where you are.

Love,
-- Becca