What Were You Happy For in 2024!

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roddiesho Serial expat

Member since 10 November 2022

roddieshoSerial expat31 December 2024 21:07:51

805

Before we start the New Years Resolutions for 2025, please share with us what resolutions and events made you happy in 2024!

For me it is very easy. This time last year I was cautiously asking my wife if she had heard from our well-paid Immigration lawyers. Her answer as the year ended was usually NO. They had not answered the phone or returned her calls. Finaly, they had a moment of honesty and admitted that they did not know what they were doing and had made no progress for the last year, though we were not getting our money back.

Fortunately, our family friend who is a lawyer and initially could not help us, had a friend who was also a lawyer, and they started our journey of meeting with the Federal Police, paying our 7,200 Reis Overdue Fine (yes, we lost the money we paid the bad lawyers, plus the money accumulating with the overdue fine). I then started my 3-month journey to R.I., MD. and DC to update my FBI Background check, fingerprints, Birth Certificate and a Special visit to the DC Brazilian Consulate. All to successfully receive my Brazilian Permanent Residency. For Thanksgiving I sent out 9 cards to thank all those who helped me during that momentous journey, including my daughter who allowed me to stay in her very expensive apartment for two months as I struggled to get my Permanent Visa.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

abthree Brazil expert

Member since 28 December 2017

abthreeBrazil expert31 December 2024 22:26:59

5943

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 to Brazil with him in 2017.

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

alan279 Serial expat

Member since 25 December 2022

alan279Serial expat31 December 2024 23:27:11

566

@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. 😀.

roddiesho Serial expat

Member since 10 November 2022

roddieshoSerial expat31 December 2024 23:27:39

805

@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😊

roddiesho Serial expat

Member since 10 November 2022

roddieshoSerial expat31 December 2024 23:31:31

805

@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🕵

alan279 Serial expat

Member since 25 December 2022

alan279Serial expat31 December 2024 23:39:26

566

@roddiesho

I’m happy to not be in prison.

roddiesho Serial expat

Member since 10 November 2022

roddieshoSerial expat01 January 2025 14:05:24

805

@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🕵

john8670 Contributor

Member since 15 August 2022

john8670Contributor02 January 2025 13:41:50

123

@alan279

Sounds like a potential Netflix mini series!

john8670 Contributor

Member since 15 August 2022

john8670Contributor02 January 2025 13:43:33

123

Improving my Portuguese over the past year.

mberigan Serial expat

Member since 21 January 2020

mberiganSerial expat02 January 2025 15:25:03

#10

314

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

kevinmiller1957 Active member

Member since 08 January 2024

kevinmiller1957Active member02 January 2025 19:02:48

#11

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

roddiesho Serial expat

Member since 10 November 2022

roddieshoSerial expat02 January 2025 19:03:47

#12

805

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

Roddie in Retirement🕵

kevinmiller1957 Active member

Member since 08 January 2024

kevinmiller1957Active member02 January 2025 19:09:32

#13

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.

roddiesho Serial expat

Member since 10 November 2022

roddieshoSerial expat02 January 2025 20:10:52

#14

805

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

Roddie in Retirement🕵

kevinmiller1957 Active member

Member since 08 January 2024

kevinmiller1957Active member03 January 2025 06:43:54

#15

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

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