Bia

Still not fully back yet 😔 but I promise I'll catch up with you all soon. Thanks so much for being patient with me 🙏🏼

I knew I wasn't just being dramatic. The cold was seriously making me question my sanity. I've never wanted spring to come so badly. 🤧😵💫🇧🇷 Eu sabia que eu não estava exagerando. Que era o frio que estava me fazendo questionar minha sanidade como nunca antes. Nunca ansiei tanto pela primavera como este ano. (I'll be back to HT as soon as things settle down. Thanks for being patient with me.)

Just a little note to say I'll be stepping away for a while, so my replies might take a bit longer. Thanks so much for being patient with me. Talk soon! =)

"Um dia a tapioca vira", is all about a turnaround, a change in luck, roles, or direction. It's that moment when the tables turn, sometimes unexpectedly. Here's the gist:1. From the bottom to the top: Just because someone's starting small doesn't mean they'll stay there. People grow, evolve, and flip the script.2. Life can shift fast: Things don't always stay the same, good or bad. What feels permanent now can totally change later.3. Karma comes knocking: Sooner or later, folks get what's coming. Whether it's reward or payback, it all circles back.🇧🇷 In Brazilian Portuguese:"Um dia a tapioca vira" é uma expressão usada para passar uma ideia de reviravolta, mudança de sorte ou de situação. O sentido figurado é:1. Quem está por baixo pode ficar por cima (Ideia de superação ou crescimento).2. As coisas podem mudar de lado ou de rumo (O jogo vira, a situação se inverte, nem sempre com justiça envolvida).3. A justiça ou o merecimento uma hora chega (Consequência ou retorno do que se planta, para o bem ou para o mal).Exemplos na prática:1. "Hoje ela vende bolo no pote na porta da escola. Um dia a tapioca vira e ela abre a própria confeitaria."2. "Cuidado com o que você fala de quem tá começando. Um dia a tapioca vira e você pode precisar dessa pessoa."3. "Ele vive passando os outros pra trás achando que tá tudo certo. Um dia a tapioca vira."

It was late at night. Freezing cold.I was half-asleep in the passenger seat of a car parked on a dimly lit street in a foreign country.Then I heard it.*Knock. Knock. Knock.*I opened my eyes to find police officers staring back at me, speaking a language I didn't understand.And that's when my nightmare came to life: being in a place where I couldn't speak the language, forced to communicate as if my life depended on it.No signal on my phone. No one nearby.Panicking, I tried every language I knew: "Do you speak English?""Parla italiano?""Parlez-vous français?"They wanted to know why I was there. Why I was sleeping in a car on a desolate street at such an odd hour.This wasn't small talk.I knew I somehow had to talk my way out of it. In different languages.I explained, mixing in Italian, English and French, every detail I could think of:That I was waiting. That my companion had left the car and hadn't returned. That I didn't know where they went or why it was taking so long. That I was just as confused as they were.Their faces were unreadable.They kept asking. I kept answering.My pulse throbbed in my ears.My hands shook on my lap.Had I done something wrong? Was I in trouble? Were they going to detain me?Then something shifted. Their voices slowed. The street began to fade. The cold left my skin.When I opened my eyes again, my heart still raced. Conversations echoed in English, Italian, and French.The cold was gone. The car was gone.But no jail cell. No gaze of strangers in uniform.That urgency? That fluency? It didn't feel learned. It felt lived.And that's when I realized:None of it had actually happened.It was all a dream.But maybe that's the point.If you can handle intense conversations in a different language when dreaming… you're no longer just studying languages.You're *living* them.Have you ever dreamed in a foreign language?

Feel it, and you'll never forget it.In Brazil, affection isn't reserved for birthdays, reunions or special occasions. It IS the occasion.It's in the way we speak.The way we greet.The way we show up.We say what we feel. No hesitation. No holding back.That's why you'll hear things like:- It's so good to see you again!- We need to hang out more!- You're like a brother/sister to me.- Let's do something together, I miss you.- I'm so grateful for everything you've done for me.We show our affection with:- Tight hugs that last longer than expected- Kisses on the cheek (yes, even with strangers)- Head caresses that say "I'm here."- Home-cooked meals that feel like a warm blanket- Real presence (no phone in hand, no distractions)We show our affection not just by offering help, but by making sure you're okay through:- Preparing chicken soup when you're feeling under the weather- Sending you home with leftovers (enough for lunch and dinner)- Covering you with a blanket while you nap on the couch- Checking if you ate, drank water, rested... again - Making space for your worries, even if you don't speak themThat's affection, wrapped in everyday kindness. Whether it's familial, friendly, romantic, or social, it doesn't go unnoticed. People from other countries feel it instantly. It softens them. It stays with them. It makes them feel something real.Because it IS real.If you've felt it, you know.It opens you. And you find yourself wanting more.And here's the thing:That kind of affection makes you want to give it back.So if someone in Brazil calls you "family"... they mean it.If they say "you light up the room," take it in. It's real.And if they invite you in, it's not just for dinner. It's for a place in their life.That's not just Brazilian warmth.It's the kind that turns connection into something you never want to lose. 😊

I used to think my HelloTalk chats were just a way to practice language and connect with people. Nothing more. But then one day, I realized I'd been bringing in something else… something older. A habit rooted in years of writing: I was being specific in my answers.By specific, I mean this: painting a vivid picture in people's minds. Helping them visualize and feel what I mean.Specificity isn't just a tool. It's a kind of superpower. It turns vague into vivid. And vivid? Vivid makes people listen, not just read. Let's say it's summer and it's scorching hot where you live.How can you talk about it in a way that your language partner can actually visualize and feel what that's like?❌️ It's been really hot at night.✅️ It was 3am, still 30°C. Sleeping without turning the air conditioner on is a nightmare. You toss and turn in bed, then get up in the middle of the night to take a shower just to cool off. You hit the bed to try to sleep again, only to wake up sweating three hours later.Did you see the scene unfolding in your mind? You probably felt the heat in your body too.This is the power of specificity. When you're learning a new language, being vague can really hold you back. The more precise you are, the clearer your message becomes. And that clarity builds your confidence and helps conversations feel more natural. It also allows you to have deeper, more meaningful conversations.Rather than relying on generic expressions, you're able to express your thoughts with purpose.At first, being specific will be a challenge, I won't lie. But keep going. It's a skill worth developing, and your future self will thank you for it.So next time you want to say it's hot, cold, tiring, amazing, incredible, or anything else that might sound vague… try being specific instead.Make someone see it. Make them feel it. Let your words draw the scene so vividly they can’t help but live it. 😁

I've been having a really hard time getting through this winter. I feel like it's slowly driving me insane.Sure, compared to the brutal cold in the Northern Hemisphere, Brazilian winter might feel like a spring breeze. But it's not just about the numbers on the thermometer.Our homes are built to escape the heat. Thick masonry walls, tile floors, wide windows that welcome the breeze… all perfect for dealing with scorching summers. But in winter, all of that works against us.The floors get freezing, the walls feel like ice blocks, and you wake up like you spent the night inside a fridge.There's no central heating, no fireplace, no warm little nook to curl up in. Just you, buried under five blankets, praying the shower will at least be warm.And if you live in a house instead of an apartment, chances are you're stuck with an electric shower. In summer, it does the job. But in winter, it barely warms up.You step in hoping for comfort and end up bracing yourself in a freezing bathroom, under a weak stream of lukewarm water.The air is cold, the water feels colder, and when you finally step out, you're shivering and asking yourself when this nightmare is finally going to end.And just when you think it can't get any worse, try doing all that while sneezing nonstop from an allergy, cold or the flu.Is this some kind of test? Because if it is, I feel like I'm failing. Miserably.Anyway. Deep breath. Power through. This is fine. Everything is fine.

I joined HelloTalk to brush up on my English. I expected grammar, vocab, maybe a few corrections. What I didn't expect was to learn something else entirely.In the last 2 months of my VIP plan, I started chatting with someone who asked genuinely thoughtful questions. Not the usual "How was your day?" kind, but the kind that made me stop, dig deeper, and reflect.One question made me pause.Then another. And another.Over 300 messages later, it hit me.I realized this wasn't just about sharpening my writing anymore. I was learning something I hadn't even noticed before: how to hold someone's attention. How to make a conversation last. How to make it matter.And that unexpected skill changed everything.It's easy to start a chat. Much harder to keep one alive over weeks or even months. That takes curiosity, patience, and a real desire to connect.Not every interaction went smoothly. Some chats felt like déjà vu: the same questions, over and over. I had to speak up, set limits, and let go of a few conversations. I received multiple messages with not-so-hidden intentions. I had to protect my space and stay true to why I was here: to learn, connect, and grow.Still, I met incredible people. Kind, respectful, thoughtful. A few helped me see things from a new angle. One even inspired me to start documenting the insights I was gaining, not just in language, but in life.After a year, yes, my writing improved. But the real gift?Learning how to keep a conversation going doesn't just make you better at languages. It makes you better at connecting with people too.It's a skill that shows up everywhere: in chats, in person, anytime you're talking to someone.Books might teach the theory. But real connection? You have to live it. You gotta put yourself out there and talk to people.No other app gave me that. But the people I met on HelloTalk and the space the app created made it possible.To all these amazing people: thank you. You made it matter.

15 days. That's how long I went without high-speed internet at home.Not by choice. My provider went dark, and suddenly, I was stranded with nothing but my phone's 4G. If you've ever tried to run a remote business on a signal that can barely handle a voice call, you know: it's like digging a tunnel with a spoon.Videos? Not happening. Online courses? Stuck in the mud. Video calls? A game of “Can you hear me now?” on repeat.At first, I panicked. My work depends on a fast connection. But then something strange happened.I slowed down. And I got to work.I finished books I'd been meaning to read.I edited marketing copy, lots of it.I organized my ecommerce photo library, the one buried on my hard drive.I built SOPs to make my job easier.None of it required much data. Just focus. And honestly? It felt good.But I missed my online courses. That was the hardest part: pressing pause on learning.Still, I walked away with a lesson: If you work remotely, never trust a single internet provider. Have a backup. Even a cheap one. Because when your main line goes down, 4G isn't a lifeline, it's a trap. And an expensive one.15 days practically offline taught me something I'd forgotten: You can still do meaningful work with less. You just have to be willing to adapt.So now I'm curious: Could you go 15 days without high-speed internet?Note: This story actually happened. It was crafted as a storytelling exercise I like to call “How would Matthew tell it?” 😄, as I'm learning to tell stories in a more engaging way, inspired by “Stories Sell” by Matthew Dicks. It was one of the books I read during my 15 days without high-speed internet, and it completely changed how I think about sharing experiences. If you've read his books or watched his videos, you'll probably recognize that this is his style. Still learning, still experimenting. I just need to keep practicing until it feels natural, and eventually, I'll be able to write stories like this in my own voice and style.

Back to burrito blanket mode again in "Frio de Janeiro". This is how cariocas feel every time temperatures drop below 18°C in Rio 🥶 Brazilians are not built for this kinda cold. I'm missing the sun already 😅

You know it's June in Brazil when, at 9 a.m., someone in your neighborhood is already blasting Festa Junina songs at full volume 🤣 🎉 🌽 🔥Every year, during June and July, Brazil comes alive with the celebrations of São João. These are the much-anticipated and beloved "Festa Junina" (in June) and "Festa Julina" (in July). Get ready for lots of delicious treats made with corn and peanuts, upbeat music, lively dancing, and a refreshing chill in the air, just enough to give Brazilians a break from the scorching heat of the previous months. If you're visiting Brazil in June or July, make sure to include a Festa Junina in your itinerary! These festivities happen all across the country, from big cities to small towns. Here's a short video that captures the atmosphere of these events:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gt2oKv0Dd0And here's a playlist filled with Festa Junina songs:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWZosBlQtbjxjEnjoy the party! 🎉🌽🔥

If you're planning a trip to Brazil and you're more of a beach person, you must visit the northeastern region. You'll find one gorgeous beach after another there.A great place to start is Rio Grande do Norte. If your budget allows, book a room at a hotel or an inn with a sea view at Ponta Negra Beach, a neighborhood in the capital city, Natal.But try not to book a place too close to Morro do Careca. The real charm of staying along Ponta Negra's shore is being able to admire Morro do Careca from a distance.From there, you can explore plenty of other spots and beaches nearby, both along the northern and southern coasts, like:- Dunas e Lagoa de Genipabu- Dunas e Lagoa de Pitangui- Lagoa da Coca Cola- Lagoa de Jacumã- Dunas Douradas- Maracajaú- Galinhos- São Miguel do Gostoso- Praia do Madeiro- Mirante dos Golfinhos- Lagoa do Carcará- Lagoa de Arituba- Piscinas naturais de Camurupim- Paredão de Pipa- Praia do AmorThere are so many beautiful places that one visit might not be enough 😁

"Rebuliço, zureta, agaloado, bife do oião, latumia, pitoco, pinote"... Northeastern Brazilian expressions are some of the most creative, charming, and entertaining ones in Brazilian Portuguese. And the cherry on top? The Northeastern accent, which makes them even more interesting 🤩If you're learning Brazilian Portuguese, you should definitely get to know the Northeastern dialect! A great way to start is by exploring the work of Bráulio Bessa, writer, speaker, and composer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npErliDE1xgHere's a free translation of the poem in the second photo: "Learn a new languageMaybe give studying another tryDance in the rain more oftenLet life soak you dry.Break through walls and barriersInvent new ways to playFor change is always neededTo brighten up the way."

Esquenta São João! Today was the day to go after all kinds of "paçoca" 🤩It's a popular Brazilian sweet made from crushed peanuts and sugar. It's crumbly and dry, kind of like a ground-up version of peanut brittleBrazilians love it, and it's one of the signature treats served during the São João festivals, which begin in June

A sunrise at Copacabana Beach, 6am. I’ve spent most of my life in Rio. Still, the view stops me in my tracks. No photo ever does it justice 😄

I first read Haikyuu in English in 2024, and it went straight to my top 1 manga (and anime). There’s just so much to learn from it. Now I'm finally reading it in Brazilian Portuguese and it's been such a blast going through it all over again and comparing both versions as I go. It's wild how some scenes hit differently depending on the language. Same story, new layers.PT-BR 🇧🇷 :Li Haikyuu pela primeira vez em inglês em 2024 e virou o meu mangá (e anime) favorito. Tantos aprendizados!Agora estou finalmente lendo a versão em português brasileiro. Estou curtindo revisitar a série e ir comparando as duas versões após a leitura.É impressionante como algumas cenas têm um impacto diferente dependendo do idioma. Mesma história, novas camadas.

I injured my back and, in less than 2 hours today, was treated for free at a public health clinic in my neighborhood. ZERO COST. There's even a pharmacy where patients can pick up prescribed medication for free. How can you not love, support, and defend SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde)? ❤️SUS is Brazil’s public healthcare system. If you’re a foreigner living in Brazil, be sure to register at the public health clinic in your neighborhood. In the city of Rio de Janeiro, these clinics are called 'Clínica da Família'. In other cities, they may be called 'Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS)', 'Unidade de Atenção Primária' or 'Posto de Saúde'.Image source: rio.rj.gov.br

After so much time working, only now does it finally feel like I’m back in Rio. I can’t wait to start exploring the city again.Depois de tanto tempo trabalhando, só agora que finalmente parece que estou de volta ao Rio. Mal posso esperar para começar a explorar a cidade novamente.

Che bella giornata! ☀