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Modernizing Morumbi

Dec 27 2011

Though it’s unlikely to host games during the World Cup in 2014, São Paulo’s Morumbi Stadium is getting a makeover. The stadium is home to São Paulo Futebol Clube, one of the state’s four largest local teams. The project was announced last week by the city’s mayor. According to local media source Jornal da Cidade, the stadium will be redone to be able to host both sports and large events:

Além da cobertura do estádio, o Morumbi vai receber uma arena multiuso para shows e eventos, um hotel com centro de convenções, um novo memorial, terá a capacidade do atual estacionamento ampliada e os acessos do público serão reconfigurados. Durante as obras, a capacidade máxima para o público (67 mil pessoas) não será alterada, assim como a estrutura existente para receber os torcedores.

Watch this video about the modernization process, and how the stadium will be altered to be able to host different kinds of events:

New Year’s Eve Fashion in Brazil

Posted by polyana No Comments

Dec 26 2011

In Brazil, we traditionally wear white on New Year’s eve. Why white? Because white symbolizes harmony, balance, and can be used to purify energies for a peaceful new year!

Both men and women alike will wear different white or gold outfits according to the celebration they attend.

But the most fun part of NYE, or Reveillon, in Brazil, is that the color of your underwear is what determines what you want most in the year to come!! Nobody really needs to know what you wish for in 2012, but you secretly do (unless, of course, your white dress is see through..)

Here are some of the colors and what their meanings are:

Vermelho - Paixão e desejo.

Amarelo – Dinheiro.

Azul – Poder e ação.

Verde – Saúde e justiça.

Rosa – Amor.

Violeta – Tranformações.

Branco – Paz.

So, what colors will you be wearing on New Year’s Eve?

Xuxa

Posted by Rachel No Comments

Dec 21 2011

In Brazil and throughout Latin America, Xuxa is a cultural icon. Born Maria da Graça Meneghel, she was born in Rio Grande do Sul in the far south of Brazil and moved to Rio de Janeiro at age 7. She began modeling as a teenager, and dated two iconic Brazilian athletes: Pelé and Ayrton Senna. She became best known as an actress and singer, for her movies and TV shows for kids, who she calls “baixinhos” (little ones). Her TV show, movies, and songs are famous in Brazil and also in Latin America, where they’re dubbed in Spanish. She’s also a philanthropist, and has her own foundation.

One of Xuxa’s most famous songs (in Portuguese and Spanish) is the theme song from her show, called Ilariê. Ask any Brazilian born in the 1980s, and they’ll very likely know all the words.

One of Xuxa’s most famous TV shows is her annual Christmas special. Here’s one of her more recent ones, though there were some really entertaining ones from the 80s.

She also has celebrities on her TV show. Here’s Beyoncé, who appeared on her show earlier this month. She talked about how some of her songs are being used on Brazilian novelas.

Earlier this year, Hebe Camargo, a famous TV personality, did a special on Xuxa and interviewed her about some of her charity work. Watch below:

Brazilian Christmas Songs

Posted by polyana No Comments

Dec 19 2011

It’s almost that time again! I love Christmas music. In any language.

One thing I do like more about Brazilian Christmas songs that are popular amongst children and well, everyone, is that they’re more focused on what Christmas is actually about and not just Santa Claus, Mistletoe, and Snow (despite the lack of snow here in December…)

Here’s a simple song you can learn if you want to try to celebrate with a little bit of Portuguese this year! Lyrics & Video below

Sinos de Belém

Hoje a noite é bela
Juntos eu e ela
Vamos à capela
Felizes a rezar
Ao soar o sino
Sino pequenino
Vai o Deus menino
Nos abençoar.
Bate o sino pequenino
Sino de Belém
Já nasceu o Deus menino
Para o nosso bem
Paz na Terra pede o sino
Alegre a cantar
Abençoe Deus menino
Este nosso lar

Boas Festas!

Amigo Oculto

Posted by Rachel 1 Comment

Dec 12 2011

If you’re a long time reader, you’ll recall the term “amigo oculto,” or Secret Santa. Also known as amigo secreto, it’s the same tradition as in U.S. when a group of people chose names and buy a present for the person they picked. Read a bit about recent trends in Secret Santa giving in Portuguese, and see if you can answer the questions.

Secret Santa Apps and Websites – Read the full story here (G1)

Com a proximidade das confraternizações de fim de ano no trabalho, escola, grupo de amigos e família, uma das atividades mais populares é a brincadeira de amigo oculto ou amigo secreto. Existem várias formas de fazer a brincadeira, mas já está mais do que na hora de abandonar os “velhos bilhetinhos de papel”. Nesta coluna, irei apresentar aplicativos para dispositivos móveis e serviços gratuitos que permitem o sorteio e a troca de mensagens secretas entre os participantes da brincadeira.

Which service allows you to send anonymous messages?

Weird Secret Santa Gifts – Read the full story here (Page Not Found Blog)

No fim de ano se multiplicam os sorteios de amigo oculto. Mas a brincadeira tem muitas armadilhas. Quem nunca ganhou um presente inútil, bizarro ou simplesmente detestável em um evento do tipo? Abaixo, os leitores do “Page Not Found” relatam as decepções com um presente natalino indesejado.

What are some of the strange gifts people received?

Tips for Secret Santa gifts for young women – Read the full story here (Modices)

Falta pouco mais de um mês para entrarmos no mítico ano de 2012. E enquanto especulação sobre antigas profecias são feitas, a vida real segue no mesmo ritmo e com suas (não tão antigas quanto) tradições. Uma delas, e talvez a mais divertida, é o amigo oculto — ou secreto dependendo do estado. Diversão que dá origem a dramática indecisão sobre o presente certo para aquela pessoa que você sorteou. E tanto faz se foi a melhor amiga do trabalho ou a prima distante que você nem tem no facebook, quem nunca ficou desesperada sem ideias de presente?

What are some of the suggested gifts?

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