Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 29oC, very hot and sunny.
At the moment, Tuesdays are my busiest days in terms of classes. They are also the days I have to go to Copacabana to give a class to Dona Vera.
Usually, there isn’t time to take Perola to the park. I was doing a workout. Most of these days, I do a lighter session at home. The key is to do some kind of workout or activity, no matter how small. It is better to do something than nothing.
I taught a class to Felipe, a high-ranking judge currently pursuing a doctorate at Trinity College, Cambridge University in England. He has been taking lessons with me since he arrived in Cambridge. Initially, I taught his wife, Andrea, and then Felipe approached me for classes.
Felipe manages and implements a new management structure for public schools in Rio de Janeiro. His PhD research is based on the results of this project, which is progressing very well and is already considered a success in many aspects.
Our classes nowadays feel more like friendships infused with admiration. We talk about everything, and if I can help him with English, I do—it’s always about English, and that’s very rewarding. I genuinely admire Felipe.
He came from an impoverished background and worked hard to study through school, college, and university. He took an entrance exam, which is quite normal and common in Brazil, and then he took a second entrance exam to become a judge.
He is married to Andrea, who is also a public servant. As public servants, both receive excellent salaries in Brazil and lead a comfortable life, which they deserve. When I have classes with Felipe and other intelligent, well-prepared students, I enjoy pushing and provoking them to encourage critical thinking while always respecting the fine line between respect and disrespect.
This is the fundamental practice and guiding principle of my classes. In my psycho-English sessions, I support my students as they open up about various issues and problems in their lives. Many people come to me seeking help, direction, or simply a friendly word through English. I do my best to assist those willing to engage in this process.
Mental health is one of the most significant issues we face today, mainly due to the modern rat race. Even the most prepared and competent individuals struggle with personal challenges, especially those who appear stronger and more capable on the outside.
I could say the same for Tadeu, a 76-year-old man who has just been diagnosed with level 1 prostate cancer. Tadeu is also a student, and I consider him a friend. He has been taking classes with me on and off for the last 15 years or so. I attended his daughter’s wedding and participated in some of his other family events.
He was worried, understandably so, about being diagnosed with cancer. He asked for my opinion, and I told him that he should seek a second opinion if he had any doubts. He decided to do just that. The second doctor’s opinion was mostly the same as the first doctor’s diagnosis, with a slight twist.
The first doctor told him not to worry but recommended an exam every six months to monitor the situation and determine if surgery would be necessary. The second doctor echoed what the first doctor said but added, “If you were my father, I would suggest that he operate.”
In my humble opinion, those words from the second doctor completely changed the context of the situation. He asked me for my opinion because he was a bit confused. I told him that if I were in his position and the doctor had said that to me, I wouldn’t wait; I would schedule the surgery as soon as possible. For me, it’s a no-brainer.
Tadeu has a daughter named Anna Laticia, who lives in Australia. He has a trip booked from November to January. I encouraged him to visit her and spend quality time with the family while he’s there. I also suggested that he decide on his plans before returning to Brazil so he can arrange his surgery upon his return. Tadeu understood my reasoning, listened to my advice, and agreed to consider it. Ultimately, he concluded that this would be the best option for him.
I believe that certain experiences and difficulties in my life have shaped me in significant ways. I’m unsure if it’s due to the challenges I’ve faced, such as leaving home at a young age or sleeping on the streets for a while before I managed to find my first job and earn enough money to pay rent for a place to live in London.
Coming to Brazil alone and surviving here has been a journey, especially while raising two daughters with their mothers, all without any support from my family back in England.
These experiences have prepared me for the challenges that life presents. I’ve only realised and reflected on this over the past couple of years. In the past, I didn’t truly value these struggles; I was just focused on putting my head down, working hard, and fighting to survive each day.
These days, I see myself from a different perspective—there’s a sense of admiration but, more importantly, recognition. I’ve managed to keep my head above water and not drown despite the baggage I’ve accumulated over time. This experience has, directly and indirectly, helped many of my students over the past 20 years, both in and out of school.
I am grateful for what I have achieved. Even though my accomplishments may seem small and insignificant economically, I appreciate the many unsung heroes who go unnoticed daily. Deep down, I relate to them, as I am one of them in some ways. However, countless others have overcome even greater obstacles than I have, yet they remain unrecognised.
In the afternoon, I went to Copacabana under the blazing summer sun because I had to give a class. When I got home, I continued with remote classes until about 8:00 pm. I only had time to prepare a blog after 9:00 pm. Despite that, it was an extremely fruitful and productive day.
In bed by 10 pm.
Thank you.
Thanks for reading this blog post. Please explore my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments section.
Richard
