Reflecting on the year that's ending... with the help of Google

For me, December, is always a month of reflection. What has happened around the World that was meaningful... what has happened in my life and with my Family that was meaningful?

I was thinking the other day in ways that I can explain to my daugthers this notion of reflection, the idea that there are certain milestones that we create that are wonderful opportunities to look back, reflect, learn, build on... so that we become more confident to move on. To start something new.

I loved the Google Zeitgest 2011 Year in Review video. When I get home after work, I want to show it to them as a reminder of some of the highlights of the year. Maybe there too young to understand the richness of Google's compilation... maybe not?

Top 12 Digital Predictions for 2012 by Millward Brown

Millward Brown's Global Futures Group Top 12 Digital Predictions for 2012... great read!

Latin American video game development

Good news on how Latin Americans are expanding in the booming market of video game development...

Mocotó - celebrating food from Brazil's Northeast

São Paulo is known for its amazing restaurant scene. Outstanding sushi bars, authentic lebanese restaurants, quaint French bistros, Portuguese bakeries and the very Brazilian churrascarias. But Brazilian food is more than meat on skewers.

Last night, we had dinner at a place that has been getting tremendous amount of buzz: Mocotó - a restaurant specialized in food from Brazil's Northeast and also a cachaçaria (bar specialized in Brazil's famous sugarcane spirit). The experience blew me away. Located in the Vila Medeiros - neighborhood - rather far from where you would expect to find a great restaurant. It took us about 35 minutes to get there but it was certainly worth the drive. Absolutely fantastic! Rodrigo Oliveira added some culinary magic to his father's already famous restaurant. Two generations coming together to celebrate the flavors, aromas, textures and drinks from one of the most culturally-diverse regions of Brazil.

I found this video on YouTube which gives you a little feel for this place. This is a must-go place when you come to São Paulo.

Pop-up mall made with shipping containers

What is it that makes the upcycling of shipping containers so interesting? These days you see them everywhere, from the Container pop-up stores here in São Paulo to a hotel made of containers in Chile.

I enjoyed an article on article on CNN.com on Boxpark the World's first pop-up mall made with shipping containers that just opened up in East London's fashionable Shoreditch High Street. I'm always fascinated to see how so many cool retail concepts are created in London.

CNN also posted these other examples of how shipping containers are being used in other parts of the world...