Celebrations

Nope, it didn't hurt as much as last year, and it was super neat that we didn't have to crank the apartment thermostat!

Who toyed with the comment section?

It's at the top now!

Who did that?

Update (from Tom): I think I fixed it. Blogger kept fighting to change it back, but it seems to be staying now.

January 27, 2010

Happy Birthday Candice!!!

January 2010

Do you ever get to the point that there is just so much to blog about that you can't settle on one topic to blog about, so you don't blog at all?

Me too.

Let's recap the highlights of the past few weeks, shall we?
Picture style!

(I shrunk 'em all down to bits so it wouldn't take 6 years to load - I apologize for the lack of photo quality).

Let me know if there's anything in here that peeks your interest enough that I should pelt this site with more words and pictures,



Here we go:

Honorable mention: Hours, and hours, and hours of Dutch Blitz!

There also was the mandatory border hop.
A 16 hour bus ride to (then back from)...

... beautiful Panama City!

We stayed in a super cheap budget hotel...

With a decent(???) view.

Until a friend of a friend got us the hook-up
with a sweet room at a fancy shmansy hotel!!!

With a bit of a better(???) view!

We toured the canal...

And also took our friend's friend up on his offer to take
on-the-house tours at his other resort.

(Jungle Tram)

(Private boat ride to Monkey Island!)

We also spent a good part of an afternoon sunning and swimming
in the private executive pool on the 21st floor of our fs hotel...

Panama City was amazing.

After a week back at work (read about it here)
it was time to take a vacation with my parents!!

We went to a (somewhat) local restaurant.

Had a Youthnite Bonfire... Complete with S'more lessons!

Then we were off to La Fortuna. Couldn't miss the Baldi Hot Spring.
This place was fantastic.... So was the infamous Suicide Middle Slide.

We repelled down a waterfall...

...and had an amazing time zip-lining.


Check out the video Tom captured on one of the cables!

We hit the beach in Puntarenas

Swung from a Tarzan vine at the Montezuma waterfalls

Had a romantic dinner watching the sun set over the Pacific ocean in Malpais

And I got to go scuba diving with my dad at Tortuga Island

Then the four of us snorkeled with the fishes!

Plus, our local volcano is acting a little loco.
Read more about it here.

We're now recharged and ready to dive deeper into our work here!

And plan for the huge youth party this Friday at our house (fondue and everything!)
Cuz it's someone's birthday this week ya know.

Gone Again

We're off!!

Hopefully I'll get a chance to post something throughout our adventure. If not, see ya on the flip side, hopefully with some great stories and a bit of a tan!

two truths and a lie

Check out the sidebar for a poll as to what you think didn't happen during our trip to Panama.

1. We stayed at a fancy-shmancy hotel. We even had an executive room.
2. We stayed at a budget-friendly $33/night hotel. We had diner and drinks for $10.
3. The border, which we arrived at by bus at 5:00am, took nearly 2 hours to cross!

Not in Kansas, 3rd edition

Be sure to check out part I, check out Part II, and enjoy part III.

• Your alarm clock is as natural as a rooster crowing. Except it's a crow that hops on your hot tin roof, resulting in a BASH BASH BASH from up above. You try to laugh at the obscurity, but it's hard to laugh at 4:30am.
  
• At the neat little coffee shop you found in town, you order the house special. It tastes quit yummy! Espresso, ice cream, blue goo, and something you just can't put your finger on.... Then it hits you like a dizzy spell when you stand up, and the waitress smiles and says "Whiskey!"
  
• The border patrol is more interested in the morning paper than the vehicles he is suppose to be inspecting. He even gets a little annoyed when the driver beeps his horn to ensure he can really drive into the country un-inspected.
  
• You come home from a short trip and you hear that the local volcano blew.
  
• You get to study in a hammock.
  
• The locals talk about the unusually cold mornings. 15-20 degrees Celsius makes news here.
  
• Yes, 15 is cold.
  
• Skype saves sanity.
  
• Dutch blitz is taken to a new level. 8 people, a million hands, and swear words held back in two languages.
  

LOA... Not MIA

After tomorrow's planning meeting in the morning regarding the next few months here, Tom and I are off to San Jose, to catch our bus to Panama City, to spend a few glorious days off while fulfilling our visa requirements of being out of the country for at least 72 hours.

We plan to see the canal, and hopefully get to see the old city.

We're so not prepared (the way we usually are) for this.
And not even panicking.
No ticket home yet.
We're sort of convinced that we may have everything we need.
But we'll most definitely have to go tot he store before leaving.
Not exactly sure how we are going to get around.
But I'm pretty sure I remember our hotel's name.




Are we turning local????

NY'sRs

As for New Year's Resolutions, which I have never really been a fan of, I'll be making a new list shortly. Last year I found that it really helped to blog about them. There's just something about writing them down for others to see (and hold you accountable to) that helps as a reminder to evaluate them through the year.

First, let's recap last year's, and see how I did.

1. Exercise - Although this one started off a little slow, little did I know I would be ending the year in nearly the best shape of my life. But that only happened in the last 2 months of the year. The threat of dying in the remote Chirripo mountains was enough to get my behind to the gym (yes, we were going to the gym in Costa Rica) and go on challenging practice hikes on the weekends. But now? Oh, the band-wagon is long gone and we're sitting on the side of the road waiting for the bus. Ugh. I think this one is staying on the list for another year... I felt so good when we were training for Chirripo. Definitely more physically, emotionally, and mentally fit. So... Quasi-check?
   
2. Read More Scripture - Again, I'm pretty sure this one wasn't unique to my list! As for non-bible bible books, Purpose Driven Life and Jesus Wants to Save Christians were great tools for learning. I highly recommend them both. Through the year we have been in The Word especially during the first few weeks of being in CR. We clung to it, but I need to sadly admit that, just as in Canada, time spent in the word has become suffocated by other obligations. I now realize that this has led to some suffering, by me not being prepared when taking on challenges, not being rooted where I should be. So...Quasi-check?
3. Get Involved - Boy howdy did we ever! This one may not be on the list this year because, as I've come to learn, once you start getting involved you realize what a good thing it is to be involved. For many, many reasons. Then the feeling of obligation of involvement evolves into willing, then wanting, then it becomes the natural thing to do. So... Check!! Yay!!
   

And you? How did you do on last year's NY'sR???
Wanna re-cap for us?

2009 in review. The thing to do.

So, word on the streets of blog-land has it that a review of 2009 is in order.

Alright, I'll oblige, but it may be more facts that feelings.


The count-down to 2009 took place in a friend-of-the-family's living room in Winnipeg. It was were my mom, Tom, and I were staying while my dad recouped in the Health Sciences Center's cardiac ward. The man recouped, we were able to stay in Manitoba until he returned home, then we returned home to Montreal.

In January we already knew we were heading back to Costa Rica later in the year, we hadn't really broken the news to many people, as we weren't exactly sure how or when, but we knew.

Having no idea what we were actually getting ourselves into, we volunteered to join our youth pastor and adult leaders in supervising a youth retreat early in the year. What we thought was going to be a one-time deal, turned into life-changing relationships and invaluable lessons over our remaining time in Montreal; just fast-forward from that youth retreat to 4:00am October 17th, and you'd see it too.

I turned a quarter of a century. We went to upstate New York.

On a last minute deal we flew out to meet up with Tom's parents on Vancouver Island, and
I was able to meet Tom's grandmother in beautiful Victoria.

Winter in Montreal was snowy and I was in my last semester of classes at grad school. I was busy writing a literature review, essays, and giving presentations. Tom and I enrolled in weekly Spanish classes at the college across the street. We were officially accepted by Lakeshore church to serve in Costa Rica for 6 months; a true answer to prayer.

We flew to Manitoba for a grand 60th birthday in April. We also used the trip to officially announce our missionary plans and start our (what seemed to be never ending) fund raising initiatives.

Two days after returning from Manitoba I had eye-ball surgery.

May was jammed packed with statistics work. Boy-howdy am I glad that's done!!

In June I had an 'exploratory interview' with World Vision, we toured Toronto and visited Niagra Falls while we were in the area. I had never been to the Falls before. We fell in love with Cambridge, Ontario.

The summer flew by, jammed with thesis prep, defense prep, CR prep, moving prep... and then implementations. We spent many summer nights walking along the board walk in beautiful Ste-Anne's. My mom flew in for August long weekend, which was a much needed and lovely break from everything. My brother also visited.

I saw my first live rubber-ducky duck race.

We leapt from the SRL to the micro 4/3 world.

On August 27th I defended my master's. On the 30th we moved out of our apartment.

We lived with friends in Montreal for a few weeks then went to Manitoba for a gloriously long visit after Tom finished up work mid September. We helped on my parent's grain farm and had plus 30 degree weather. We spent time at Tom's parent's cabin. I did my first ever scheduled 'photo shoot', with glowingly pregnant Lyla, but had to drive through a snow-storm to get there. Oh Manitoba weather.

The first load of good-byes came when we had to fly back to Montreal. Which was followed by two sleeps and another load of good-byes. I had never fully grasped the size of our family before that week.

We landed in beautiful CR a few short days before our 2nd anniversary. I was terribly ill, which was the beginning of (what seems to be) a string of health issues. We jumped right into Spanish lessons, serving within the community, and preparing for what would-be an amazing trip to remote Chirripo.

Our good friends Bob and Erica joined us for a short while late November. We visited a volcano. The four of us did, indeed, survive Chirripo.

Bob and Erica left.
Crystal left.

Combating loneliness, which seemed to be sneaking up on us as Christmas approached, we clung to our Costa Rican family. We headed to beautiful Punta Uva playa as an early Christmas gift for them. We ensured to busy ourselves with all sorts of Christmas activities.

Celebrating Christmas away from our (blood) families and traditions changed me a bit. As have many things over this past year. It has been a year of change, I guess. I'm done school, for the first time in over, gulp, 7 years. Tom left his job. We moved. Etc. We do fight feelings of rootlessness; no home, no jobs; but at the same time we feel so liberated by being bill-free, root-free... Well, home-free!!

God has brought us a long way in 2009. It was an amazing year, full of challenges and amazing experiences.

And, as I sit here reflecting on the past year, sitting in my cocoon hammock gazin' out passed the palm trees and listening to a man a few meters behind me chopping down a banana tree with a machete, I wonder where were we will be a year from now. The funny thing is, I draw a balnk, because I have no idea. And I've strived hard to get to that place: Peace in knowing we have no plans, but comfort in knowing God will reveal them in good time.

If this doesn't say "Fun!"...

It's a small world after all!

We may be separated by a few thousand kilometres, and about 50 degrees celsius, but sometimes a little technology can make things seem a little closer.





A little video-conferencing magic. Gracias a Dios.

A Christmas message for everybody.

Pictures!

For those of you not familiar with our other blog, give it a look and find a link to a ton of pictures.

Not in Kansas, part II

If you've missed Part I, read it here.

• You find a cat lounging on the shelf in the store... And he is in no way startled when you pick up the item next to him.
• When you buy candy, it must be weighed at the candy section, receive a sticker for the price, and then you can proceed to the till. The same process occurs when you buy a pre-packaged and sealed bag of candy; it must be weighed, and receive a price sticker (Why must they weigh a bad that states 450g??? Why don't they price them before hand?)
• In the middle of the day, when sitting on your couch, you may hear a random tuba rocking to Ricky Martin, as a rooster crows and a dog howls.. All at the same time.
• To the question of "Do I bring an umbrella?" The answer is always yes.
• Shopping involves English, Spanish, and charades.
• Lawns are mowed with a weed wacker... Or a goat.
  
• Oranges grow on trees.
• Real lemons cannot be found. Anywhere.
  
• While writing a post about not being in Kanses, a cockroach runs across the living room floor.
  
• Sigh.
  
• Christmas festivities include a two-man donkey, men dressed up in old lady outfits, and Christmas carols that are based off of "Noel Noel", in English, which of course is from French, but in Spanish.
• While you are studying at the dinning room table in your house, a bat flies by your head.
  
• Seriously, while sitting IN your house.
  
• You have a house with a wall decoratively missing, so you can see the great outdoors... And the great outdoors can be attracted to, and apparently join, the bugs that are free to fly in and hang around your lights bulbs.
  
• You've experienced 3 earth-trembles in less than 3 months.
  
• Garbage bags are sold in "Lemon Scent"... Because a hint of lemon will make all that nasty garbage odor disappear (?)
  
• When you look out your window, onto your lawn, there may be a horse on it. And you don't know who's it is.
  
• There is no such thing as house numbers. Or street addresses. Which can make receiving mail a little tricky.
  

More than likely to be continued...

Hasta luego, mi amiga!

My bestest friend in Costa Rica, who just so happens to not be Costa Rican at all, returned to the states with passed week.

We will miss you dearly Cristal!
What a blessing you have been to our time here.

I can't thank you enough.


Here's my attempt at a farewell and thank you.



Te amo.

Aiy!

My husband's turning into a serial killer.

By necessity.











It was a matter of self defense, people.

Que Es Esto!?!! (What is it!?!!)

Chirripo Trip

If you'd like to read about our latest adventure...

Please do from someone else's perspective

or our perspective.

Enjoy!

You know you're not in Kansas anymore when...

• A sugar cane 'train' passes you on your walk to school
• Men carry machetes
  
• Ants crawl over produce, cookie bags, etc at the store. And no one seems to mind.
• Eggs sit on top of the fridge not in the fridge
• You whistle at the bus driver to get him to stop.
  
• Car insurance is a concept only known and appreciated by the wealthy. Why? "Most Costa Ricans simply can't afford the $300 a year."
  
• While driving you need to swerve around cattle, horses, quads, stray dogs, pedestrians, and whatever else is using the road that day too. Which takes us back to the car insurance thing...
  
• When an open-box delivery truck passes you on the road, you know what he's carrying by the smell it leaves behind. Chilies burn the nose!
  
• Meetings, events, or anything else can be canceled or moved, without notice or reason. Not only can this be done by the person leading the event, but also by people attending the event.
• When you go to someone's house for a 30mintue project, you must spend 2 hours having coffee and treats before the project can happen. Then have lunch after.
• Roosters have no idea what time it is. They'll crow in the morning, evening, afternoon... they really don't discriminate.
  
• Dogs make noise at any hour, too. And no one seems to care. Not even at 4:00 in the morning. Nope, no need to tell your pooch to cork it!
  
• Insects can be so large that you think of them as an animal, so you refuse to hit them. (But do encourage and assist in getting them out of your house.)
  

Stay tuned, I'm sure we'll be adding to this list...