Dear Mr. and Mrs. Brown,

Let me introduce myself. My name is Beatriz, I am 33 years old, and I am a translator. I have been working for the South American Division since July, 2007. As a translator, I rarely write my own texts, but I translate other people’s texts. But now Angela is giving me and my colleagues this chance to write. I did not know what I was going to write about, but I asked Angela, and she gave me a suggestion: writing a letter to you.

I work with Angela in the Translation Department. I was translating from Portuguese into English before she came to the SAD. Now I am translating more from English into Portuguese. Once in a while I translate from Spanish into Portuguese and from Spanish into English. But my preference is translating from English into Portuguese. However, as a translator of texts, I stay long periods without speaking English. Thus, Angela’s arrival to Brazil has given me and many colleagues of mine the chance of practicing this wonderful foreign language. Besides, Angela has been practicing her Portuguese, which is very good. She learns fast.  It has been excellent for her and also for me and all her students!

Changing the subject, I know you have another daughter and a son. Your family is composed of the same quantity of children as mine: two girls and a boy. The difference is that in my family, my brother is the youngest son. And in yours, Angela is the baby.  My sister is the only one who has got married. She has two children: Luiza, a 3 year-old girl, and Alejandro, a 1 year-old boy. They are very cute!!! I love being an aunt, as I believe Angela does too. Actually, it is easier being an aunt than being a mother. While I don’t have my own children, I enjoy my niece and my nephew. My brother is still single. He has a girlfriend, Viviane, and I have a boyfriend, Dário. Let’s see how wins the race now. I am joking.

Today I saw a picture of Angela and her mom in the sea, holding a starfish. I wanted I could be with you two in that beach. I love going to the beach!!! The last time I went to the beach was in January, 2008. I hope next summer I can repeat the dose.

Well, I don’t know what to write anymore. I hope it has not been tiresome for you to read my letter. Before I say goodbye, I would only like to say that you have raised a wonderful daughter, a very nice person. She has been conquering all the people here in the office. We like Angela a lot. If you want to come to Brazil and visit us, it will be a pleasure to meet our teacher’s parents and know where her intelligence and determination come from. She is an example to all of us. Thank you for your attention and patience in reading my composition/letter. The next time I can write more things about me and my city. Note: I am the only student in the Advanced level who was born in Brasília. I love my city!!! If you want to answer me, feel free to do that. I will be happy to communicate with you. 😉

Best wishes,

Bia