What Were You Happy For in 2024!

12/31/24  Remember that exchange at the end of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory ( the one with Gene Wilder, NOT the one with Johnny Depp):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnrT7fOuMPk

That's been the story of my life since the day that I met my husband in April 2014, and of every day since I moved back to Brazil with him in 2017.

I wish you all so much joy, in 2025 and always. ❤️‍🔥

@roddiesho

I’m still not in prison after being ambushed by a police investigator and a process server on WhatsApp, being summoned to an informal conversation with a judge, and then having an “interview” at a police station.

All because a neighbor had cash flow problems with the construction of her apartment building across the street from me. She looked up one day and saw a hapless gringo, convinced me to marry her, then left me after she realized that I wasn’t a rich gringo, as I had explained to her many times.

A narrow escape, as AB3 says. 😀.

@abthree I just saw WONKA with Timothée Chalamet. Not sure I saw the Depp one, but I did see the Gene Wilder one back in the day. I really liked WONKA. Was a prequel though. I think the part you mention is kinda in the Wonka film too. Same Song.

Happy New Year😊

@alan279 So this did not make you Happy? I guess it was the narrow excape.

Here's to a 2025 that is SUNSHINE from the START.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

@roddiesho

I’m happy to not be in prison.

@alan279 We are Thrilled too, but of course if you were in jail, you could still be an EXPAT.COM Pen Pal....Never mind😎.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

@alan279

Sounds like a potential Netflix mini series!

Improving my Portuguese over the past year.

Turns out that among the many things I'm grateful for, the thing that most changed my life for the better was a new left (prosthetic) knee from Johnson Medical, model Attune. At the same time (while anesthetized on the table) my marvelous doctor in João Pessoa removed two old pins from a femur broken in 2018.

I now have no pain in my left leg.... first time in about 5 years .... and am about to tackle the right knee (no pin removal). I'm also back on a bicycle (in the street and not just in a gym) and every ride I take I add a kilometer or two. It feels good because I've mostly been sedentary since the femur break (happened on a trail ride).

2024 was a good year for me and I hope it was for others as well.

mberigan

@mberigan So happy to hear your knee replacement went well!

@mberigan WoW! I would be grateful too if that were me. Happy 2025 New Year!

Roddie in Retirement🕵

I’m grateful for the transition from California to Goiania, getting married to my wonderful Brasileira (I guess technically I was married in December 2023, but it’s close enough to ‘24), successfully obtaining my CRNM, and purchasing our dream house in Goiania!

PHEW! It wasn’t without its challenges, but I love it when a plan comes together.

Goals for 2025: become proficient in conversational Portuguese, obtain my Brasil driver’s license.

@kevinmiller1957 Congratulations! Same Goals for the 2nd half of 2025.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

@roddiesho All the best to you in reaching your 2025 goals. They are attainable.

I'm more than happy to put 2024 in the rearview mirror.

One of the worst years of my life.

That only means that brighter days are ahead.

@roddiesho

Glad things worked out for you! Congrats!

2024 was a memorable year for me.  Experienced Brazil for the first time and loving it so far....

I guess that I am still in the honeymoon phase.

@alan279
Sounds like a potential Netflix mini series! - @john8670

Second that motion.

@alan279, if you can get a script written, I am happy to pitch it to Netflix.  It's only a hwy exit away from where I am.

I'm more than happy to put 2024 in the rearview mirror.
One of the worst years of my life.
That only means that brighter days are ahead. - @KenAquarius

@KenAquarius, so sad to hear that.  Let us know if there is anything we can do to make 2025 easier for you.

01/06/25 2024 was a memorable year for me. Experienced Brazil for the first time and loving it so far....I guess that I am still in the honeymoon phase. - @Pablo888

Good news -- congratulations!  For expats who like Brazilian culture and understand that they need to adjust to Brazil because Brazil won't adjust to them, the honeymoon can go on indefinitely in spite of the occasional setback.  My own is at fifty-one years and counting, and I expect that you'll do well, too, because you seem ready to meet Brazil on its own terms.  Not all can, not all want to, some manage for a while but the work takes too much of a toll on them for too little reward, and some discover that they just don't like Brazil.  For them, cutting their losses is a better decision than being unhappy.  Brazil is great for many, but it's not for everyone.

@Pablo888 Keep that thought in mind. I DO have a six-part mini-series outlined that I will work on once I launch my YouTube channel in the Spring.

I'll find a part for @alan279 ...  There's got to be some Loose Women roaming around the neighborhood somewhere.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

Hello everyone, happy to be on this expat forum since others are dead .

thanks to Abthree for some recommendations last year, this year for me will be really decisive in my dates to get into my travel plans to Brasil (DF) since I have to get all the paperwork information for retirement

I can tell that; Brasil is a beautiful place to live , the way I posted lately; I was living there for so many years, have lots family and experience there , I left my music education since I got traveled to USA, I’m planning to continue my education

just noticed that has lots of changes on the city specially a university 50 plus that I am really interested in

hope everyone have a nice 2025

@abthree

So true eh ?

The honeymoon for me started in 1999 and is going strong. Nothing in this country has been an obstacle, just an opportunity.

@Pablo888

Was difficult. Lost my sister. But life goes on.

Headed to Rio later this month to visit my wife's family.

At this point it's pretty much the only family I have left.

My destiny is there. I feel a peace even among the chaos.

Regards to you and yours.

@roddiesho

You have to have "Prison via What'sApp".

That still makes me laugh.

@KenAquarius Were with you

Roddie in Retirement🕵

@KenAquarius, losing someone dear is always hard - especially when it's a sibling and we are supposed to grow old together.

I consider the expat.com community as an extended group of friends with whom I can make life-long friendships.

My deepest sympathy goes out to you at this difficult time.

I urge everyone who lives in Sao Paulo to visit (often) there Sala Sao Pauloi (OSESP.arty.br.). All seats for over 60 are 50% off the already low ticket price.  It is an amazing place, I started going on October 13, 2023, and have not looked back.

One huge reason I continue to live in this city and it makes me feel like Sao Paulo is my home.  Before going there, I was looking at Recife, Flonppolis, etc but spiritually I could not survive knowing that I am missing one of the 20 or 25 best orchestras in the world.  So Sao Paulo is home for the foreseeable future.  Even if classical music is not your thing, give it a try.  It's a bit of an acquired taste, but the performances do not take long to begin to love the concerts.

Roderick Scott

This little fix will get you to Roderick's dream site: https://osesp.art.br/