Howdy, dear reader.

My name is André Saab Gallego, and I was born in Brazil — in a town in the middle of nowhere called Jales, in the northwest of São Paulo state, near the border with Mato Grosso do Sul. But I’m also André Saab Gallego the “American,” the “gringo” who lives outside of Brazil.

I was raised in both Brazil and the United States, traveling between and belonging to three states and five different cities. I’ve lived on the East Coast, in Virginia; I’ve lived in the Rocky Mountains, in Colorado; and these days I live in Southern California, near Los Angeles.

Why am I telling you all of this? We barely know each other, do we? Well, I apologize — but I’m also asking for a little of your time and attention. I’d like to tell you my story. Now. My story as the days, the weeks, and maybe even the months go by — here, right here, in this digital place, this alternate reality.

Here, on this blog, you’ll find all sorts of stories of mine about what it’s like to be a crossing guard (a job that, as far as I know, doesn’t even exist back in my home country of Brazil — so the simple fact that I’m trying to spell it out and explain it is already a real “enrichment” on your part) and also about what it’s like to be… me. Yes, what it’s like to be me: not just André Saab Gallego, but also André, Andre, “Anderay” — no accent on the “e” — as they call me in the United States.

Come along on this journey with me. I promise you won’t regret it (much).

Thank you!