The happiest place on earth is...

 The happiest places in the world  (Os 10 países mais felizes do mundo):
1º Norway (Noruega)                           6º Canada  (Canadá)         
2º Denmark (Dinamarca)                       7º Finland   (Finlândia)                 
3º Australia  (Australia)                          8º Switzerland (Suiça)
4º New Zealand (Nova Zelândia)          9º Holland   (Holanda)                  
5º Sweden  (Suécia)                               10º United States (Estados Unidos)                    
http://todaela.uol.com.br/comportamento/galerias/saiba-quais-os-10-paises-mais-felizes-do-mundo#6(in portuguese)

Photo by Verginia Veloso

 According to a research made by International Legatum Institute, all the Scandinavian countries are among the 07 firsts happiest places on Earth! But why do many people feel so satisfied and happy in the country where they live? Although the Viking countries have good beer, for sure, it's necessary a mix of many factors to make people very happy:

Australians said the main factor is the access to quality education, for Canadians is the efficient security and  high-quality education, Finland has the best income distribution in the world, besides one of the best educational systems in the world, New Zealanders also mentioned their freedom of expression, religion and political orientations, Danish citizens highlighted the business prosperity and economic stability, the same as their  Norwegian neighbors, plus the very low unemployment rate. Besides all that, mentioned or not, these countries have one important point in common: Education. It is the path that can lead to the achievement to all the other factors. When high-quality education is implemented, there is equality, dignity and prosperity.

Brazil got the 42º position. Are we happy? I think so, but for sure we could be happier! We are well known, all around the world, as a very receptive and warm people. It would be great if we also could be well known by our education in all levels! Ok, we do have some great schools and universities, but some is not enough! The education must be available for everybody who really wishes to be involved in the learning process. And these ones who aren't interested sholud be motivated to get and value the education which is provided to them! If it could be done, there is no doubt it would be easier to be happy...very happy!

And what about you...Are you happy? What do you think it would make our country one of the ten happiest places on Earth?

2012 - Make it meaningful!

"Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend - or a meaningful day." Dalai Lama

I couldn't agree more! Now, just a few days to celebrate the New Year, it is always a good time to keep people busy!

Either they are busy because they are getting ready to the party (buying new clothes, some last-minute presents, packing for some trip, etc.) or they are busy because they take this period for a reflection about all that have happened during the year and mainly for what they do want to accomplish in 2012. 

Whatever is keeing them busy, Dalai Lama is right! It doesn't matter if it's a new year, a new day, a new friend...what really matters is what we do in all these opportunities to start again. Sometimes people get so worried about doing the right thing that they just miss the chance of enjoying the moment. It will be right if it's meaningful...meaningful for you! And although it seems simple, putting in this way, the real question is: what gives meaning to our life? A very successful carrer, a very happy family, getting around the world, helping others to find their meaningful life, a mix of all that...what? For sure, knowing the answer makes a great difference! Do you know the answer? Well, just another reflection at the end of the year!

National Cupcake Day - Part II

As I have said before, although December 15th is the American National Cupcake Day, I do like to celebrate it all the year!
Last post I shared some of the nice places I like to go to have delicious cupcakes but I forgot to mention another very charming place, in fact, I think it's the most charming of them.
It's a bakery in my hometown, São Caetano do Sul, located at 785, Piauí street - phone 4221-6866.  http://pt-br.facebook.com/pages/THE-BREAD/167388236664479
THE BREAD bakery has lots of all the good things we simply enjoy eating: delicious bread, special pasta (including the vegetarian option), great soups, a complete self-service breakfast service and, of course, cupcakes. Besides being so good (both: taste and decoration - check the photo), they are so nicely and beautifully packed that it's an excelent option for a present!
So, there are many places to go and try many different cupcake flavors. The only question to answer now is: what's your favorite place?

National Cupcake Day

What a sweet day! It was the American National Cupcake Day yesterday! Check it and many interesting food celebrations on: http://www.punchbowl.com/holidays/national-cupcake-day !
Although I enjoy celebrating it during all the year, yesterday and today I decided to give an extra enfase on the celebration by trying new flavors and sharing with you my favorite places to have a delicious cupcake. So, here you are:
- THE CAKE  Rua das Figueiras, 786, Santo André / Telefone: (11) 2669-3100 - The shop is absolutely beautiful! The most difficult part is to choose the flavor because all of them are amazing! I do like the Champagne and apricot cupcake! Just great!   http://www.thecake.com.br/
- MUNIK chocolates  Rua das Figueiras, 1989, Sto. André / Telefone: (11) 4421-6620 - Chocolate Cupcakes which are so nicely decorated!   http://chocolatesmunik.com.br/santo-andre/

-  LOVECUPCAKES by Maiara Telefone: (11) 8183-1825 - The passion fruit cupcake is a must! And it's so lovely the way she pack them! People at school really like them! Take a look at the photo!
-  Frosted Robin Cupcakes http://www.frostedrobincupcakes.com/ in the Seaport Village, a very charmng place in San Diego, California. Besides the absolutely goreous cupcakes, there are so many good teas that it's hard to choose one!
So, enjoy the Cupcake Day in a delicious way...places and reasons to do it we have! By the way, what's your favorite cupcake flavor?