Last day....sad news :(

I made the mistake of taking my research too lightly and I've ended up losing the research fellowship I came with. I have to pay back $3500. I don't mind paying the money back, but I was surprised by the process by which it happened. In the back of my mind, I knew things would come to this, but on the other hand, I am relieved.

Osley says,"don't judge people by your standards, judge them by theirs." I'll let it be, and let go of hard feelings. On the other hand, I'm in my last few hours in Rio. I'm excited to go back to Seattle in a few hours. I fly from here to Texas, eight hours. Then I have a four hour layover and I'm off to the Emerald City.

According to BBC, Kaseong talks between North and South America have failed. The reason seems to the lack of funds from Myung bak's administration and their insistence on nuclear disarmament. Kaesong imports cheap labor from the North and employs 38,000 individuals. The wages go directly to the government. So would there be an incentive to work hard? I doubt it.

Zuma is in and a hole new South Africa is about to burgeon. Though ballots continue to be counted, the ANC seems to have won a parliamentary majority. In Cape Town, the DA fared better but ANC has sweeped rural SA in places like Eastern Cape and Free State.

Yesterday, Marcio, Amy's long-time friend, took me to a virgin beach (where he got his first kiss!) in Barra. It was a specatcular view and very few people were there during the sunset. Then, we drove up a mountain in Tijuca and he showed me a view of the entire city. Though we met for only a few hours, it was a great experience, definitely the local experience I would like to have next time I visit.
Ok, I'll update again at the airport. See you soon buddies!