Bad News Bears

So, due to the fact I am poor and the outlook isn't so good on being rich anytime soon, I've had to make some adjustments. I've cancelled my internet and probably should've cancelled my cable as well. But I'd rather give up food than have to give up Mad Men, Gossip Girl and Grey's Anatomy. Priorities, ya know. Anyhow, now my favorite place is the good ol' Newport Beach Library. I'm still amazed at how I never knew about all the free stuff a library offers.. sometimes when I'm there I feel like the Little Mermaid discovering all the dinglehoppers and thingamabobs they have there. And then there are the people. I could write wonders about the "others", as I like to call them. There was Mr. Antsy Pants, who I encountered while signing up for my library card. He wanted to return his books right that second, in person, because he "didn't trust the drop-box". So the fact I was there before him, getting helped before him, did not sit well. Then, there's sweet Mr. SBD, who decided of all the places in the library to sleep, directly behind my chair was the spot he liked best. And to boot, decided to silently fill the air with heavenly gifts from his butt cheeks. Hence the name, Mr. SBD. But there is the occasional "dream boat" there surrounded by books and hottness. I always wonder if he is studying for his medical degree or maybe his bar exam. Or maybe he's studying all the literature and poetry so one day when we're married, I'll be surprised with little love notes that he sprinkled throughout the house. Hey, a girl can dream, right?

But anyway, I'm rambling.... So yesterday, I'm at the library. I'm checking email. I'm checking out the cutie across the way. I'm blogging. And then for no reason at all, my computer freezes. I try to restart it, but while its rebooting, the screen goes grey, and then a little symbol pops up. Seriously. You've got to be joking. So, until I can get an appointment at the Apple store to see what is wrong with Gizmo (doesn't everybody name their electronics?) my blog is pretty much out of commission. I hope my Costa pics are okay, but I'm pretty sure everything is gone. Please keep little Gizmo in your thoughts, so we can get right back to blogging.

And some thoughts for me too, that I can get a job soon. Thankfully, the parents have accepted my rent in the form of hugs and kisses, but my credit card companies denied such attempts. And who knows how much longer that will last with my parents. Just in case-- Mom, I love what you've done with your hair! Have you lost weight? :)

I went for an interview the other night at this restaurant owned by one of my old regulars. He's been telling me for like over a year how he wants me to work for him, so I went in to take him up on his offer. Turns out he not only wants to give me a job, but apparently he thinks we should start "seeing each other" as well. Yep. That's my life. Needless to say, the job search continues...

Chasing Waterfalls

     I love this place.

So, its day two in Costa Rica, and the possibilities are endless of things to do. So after breakfast we decided to take a little hike over to the waterfall. Everywhere in Costa is "5-10" minutes away.. but its really not. And I think the reason everyone says that is because no one wears a watch. And I can't blame them, because I don't wear one either. I'd like to say its because I have really small wrists and watches just don't fit. But the real reason, is I don't know how to read analog clocks very well, and I think I'm a little too old for a digital. But anyway, back to the story.....

So we find the path to the waterfall. We don't really know where we're going, just trying to follow the water upstream for "5-10" minutes until we hit a waterfall. But that's not counting the time it takes to stop and take pictures, or make sure Wendy is making it okay. Props to her for her major efforts on those hikes. She was a real trooper. But the trail was so incredibly beautiful. It wasn't too hot out, lucky for us, the sun was being shaded by all the trees.

 

I love this picture. I don't know why but it just seems so quiet and peaceful.

When we finally arrived at the waterfall, we didn't waste anytime jumping right in. The water was the perfect temperature and the sun was out to keep us warm. Me and Miss had a blast climbing behind the waterfall and jumping off the little rocks. I felt like a kid all over again. I wish we had the pictures of inside the waterfall. We took those with waterproof cameras, so my fingers are crossed they turn out. If so, they're going to be amazing. The exhilaration you feel being inside this massive waterfall, I mean, I really don't have the words. Me and Miss couldn't wipe the grins off our face no matter how hard we tried. But then, again, I wasn't really trying.

Perfection

Looking for fishies...

         Jumping off the rocks.. Weeee!!

While we were swimming, Wendy met a guy. Surprise surprise. His name was Danny and he was telling her about another trail that leads to the top of the waterfall. I was hesitant at first. Rule #1 of travel is don't follow strangers on trails you know nothing about. But the odds were against him. 4 against 1. And my gut is pretty good at telling me if somethings up, and it was keeping pretty quiet. So we packed up our things and were off. This was truly a hike. The trail we followed in the morning was a cake walk compared to this one. But I was loving it. It was so awesome to just hike through the jungle and not worry about snakes or bugs, or aborigines. Just kidding. Aborigines don't live in Costa Rica. :)

Then we came to this dead end. The trail was completely blocked off and had barbed wire on the fence around it. And then I thought, Crap, this is it. My gut fooled me. Mom is gonna be so pissed at me. And then Danny starts saying how a tree fell over and that's why the trail is blocked. I'm pretty hesitant to continue on, but then me and the girls gave it a once over and it looked pretty legit. So we climbed through and carried on. And now looking back, I feel bad for doubting Danny. He is probably the sweetest, most humble person I've ever met. Like ever. He was patient and supportive of Wendy going through the rough parts. He gave us an all day tour for free. We had to pretty much beg him to let us buy him lunch that day. He really was my favorite person we met on the trip. So, I'm glad I trusted my gut and went on with that hike. 

Can't stop smiling....

When we got to the top, the view was insane. There was a fun rope swing to play on. And Danny and Miss were the daredevils and jumped off this super high branch that stuck out over the water. I was content with the rope swing, only so many thrills a day.

         Those afraid of heights, don't look down.

    Danny & Miss monkeying around on the rocks.

                Look at Missy fly!

           So. much. fun!! 

Wendy was content just staying grounded.

            Danny, the fearless flyer.

         Miss taking the plunge!

We packed in a full day of activities that day. Definitely one of my favorite days of the trip. And after all that fun, I'd like to think TLC would enjoy chasing these types of waterfalls. Who wouldn't?! :) 

Day One: Continued...

Our Bungalow, view from the street. Surrounded by scenery.

And we wondered why we had bugs.

My new favorite past time. Everyone should have one.

 The view from our porch. Breathtaking.

Pink leaves everywhere! Its like Dede's heaven..

After we got all settled, we had a little yoga class to stretch us out from our 13-hour travel day. Being in this outdoor pavillion, the sun has set, the crickets are chirping, the sound of the waves crashing. Well, to put it lightly, just a complete state of relaxation... its a moment I will never forget. And we had a whole week's worth of opportunities just like that ahead of us. Life sure is sweet. 

Brynn, the yoga master and reason we are all on this trip. 

All our breakfast and dinners were taken care of on the retreat. We were so spoiled with our meals. The first night we ate at Organico, and at first I was a little hesitant. Vegetarian meals, maybe even sometimes vegan.. well, this girl loves her meat. I didn't know how I'd survive without my juicy morsels of protein. But, like the old saying goes, Don't knock it till you try it.. and I was blown away by how good this food was. And no guilt in eating it either.  Being back home, that's one of the things I miss most about my trip. And Prema, the restaurant owner's dog. It seems everywhere I visit, dogs always find me. I guess its just their intuition. I love it cause it reminds me of my boys waiting for me back home. 

After dinner we all met up at the one and only bar in town called, Chico's. I didn't really know anyone other than Miss, Wendy, Brynn and her parents. So it was fun to have a little meet and greet. We played some pool and then some of us went down to the beach to check out the scene... the journey into bliss had surely begun.

The lovely ladies playing on the beach.

Prema, our little shadow.

Our First Dip

The Journey into Bliss, is not so blissful...

Even though I haven't received all the pictures from my trip, I thought I'd start posting them anyway. Missy's camera has all the fun video footage from zip-lining and the last couple days.. but I figure if I post it by each day, by the time I make it to that point, I'll have those pictures. So here goes... I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Day One: Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger...

So, due to my excellent procrastination skills, I was running around like a mad women the day we were leaving. I put all daily functions aside... eating, drinking water, breathing... and just focused on "my list". As we were driving to LAX, and I finally had a chance to evaluate my condition, I realized the hunger pangs that had been stabbing me all day. So I told myself, just get through security and you can get food in the Terminal while you wait 2 hours for your flight. Imagine my surprise when we finally get through and meet up with the rest of our group to find out that the restaurant in the terminal is closed. And the Starbucks next to it. And the snack stand down the way. Everybody say it with me, "Seriously?? Seriously!" There was no food coming. No ice cold bottled water. The only thing that damn terminal had open was a drinking fountain. A room temperature trickle of water, which had a line. By the time you walked back from the drinking fountain, you were thirsty again. It was unreal. I was in survival mode. Conserving energy. No talking, no laughing... Just kept repeating, make it to the flight, make it to the flight.

Wasting away at the airport... will blog for food.

And now is the part of the story where I tell you we flew out the night of Daylight Savings. Our flight was scheduled to leave at like 2:05, so we were confused as to what time that actually was. And when we asked the counter, they had no sort of answer either. So long, miserable story short, we had to wait an additional hour at the Gate. And then the only meal we'd be getting on the plane was breakfast towards the end of the 6-hour flight. But I made it through that wilderness... oh, somehow I made it through, ooh ooh...  (Sorry, couldn't resist) 

And after another 5-6 hour nightmarish bus ride through Costa Rica (and I thought my driving was bad... Yikes), we had finally reached our destination. Hotel Los Mangoes, in Montezuma. AKA Paradise. Welcome, friends. 

The Shuttle Crew, and also half the kids attending the retreat.

Freddy, Our first Tico friend. There's just something about him that reminds me of my Great-Grandpa.

 He's like the younger, Latin version.

Me and Miss on our bus ride. Bellies full. Two happy little Campers.

Final Destination, Bungalow 18. 

Remind me again why I have no money...

Oh, that's right. Because I just got back from Costa Rica where I returned without a single penny, or colone, to my name. Because I borrowed my Dad's camera for the trip, and lucky me, someone dropped it and broke it. Because my Dad gets to celebrate Christmas early with his brand new camera. Because I get to not celebrate Christmas this year due to the fact my Dad's camera was $260.00. Because for some reason my Amex card wasn't working at Costco, and the only other form of payment is cash.

But mostly, because I am broker than broke, yet boarding a plane in an hour to go to San Francisco and Sacramento this weekend. I hear the best things in life are free... I can't wait to experience those and get outta debt.

Pura Vida!

So, I have finally returned from my trip to Neverland. Costa Rica was absolutely blissful and its probably going to be a tough adjustment to get back in the swing of things. Whenever I go on vacation its pretty easy for me to immerse myself in the culture and make myself comfortable. But on this trip, it was a whole other level. 

Montezuma is literally like a black whole that sucks you in. While you are there, you completely forget about any other place than where you are right now. I hear we have a new president. When did that happen? :) But with all the lush landscapes, the beautiful beaches, the people, the food, the dogs running around everywhere... you are literally in paradise. The saying there is "Pura Vida", or the pure life, and it is exactly what it is. While you're there, you realize that life is so simple. There is no need for money. Hikes up the waterfalls and walks on the beach are free. You have an abundance of food everywhere around you. Coconuts, Mangoes, Fish... all at your fingertips. One day when me and the girls were walking back from lunch, we stopped and picked up a coconut. Busted it open on a rock, survivor-style, and had the freshest coconut and coconut juice for not even a single penny. I didn't even know I liked coconut till that moment. It was so delicious. 

I know you all are eagerly awaiting pictures.. and due to the fact I borrowed my Dad's camera, I can't upload them without his cables. So, patience, little ones. But I can't wait to share them with you along with all our crazy adventures. I think Missy, Wendy and I were all at the right place at the right time with this trip. 

And now I must get back to reality and the daily grind of work. But to wrap things up, I just wanna say...

"Pura freakin' vida!" ... I love my life. 

Oh, and one more thing..

Happy Belated Halloween!

Here's some pictures of my brother's little pumpkin...

I love his little arched eyebrow. And his hands. If anyone watched "So you think you can dance", the middle picture looks like little Nathan is doing the "IV real" sign that all the dancers did. Maybe we have a future pop-and-locker... we'll see. ;)

Procrastination...

So the time is finally here. I leave for Costa Rica tonight. A trip that has been in the works for like six months. And clearly, I'm not ready. I haven't really packed. I literally have the longest list of things to do, and instead of getting to them, I'm blogging. Yep, and I'm pretty sure this is why I have white hairs at 27. My procrastination has made me skip the whole gray process completely. 

But I haven't yet decided if its my procrastination or just the pure excitement of the trip that has paralyzed any sort of preparation. Then again, maybe its just ADD. I'm sure it happens to everyone. I make a decision to start packing. And this is how it usually pans out...

Grab suitcase. Stare at empty suitcase. Look at hamper full of dirty clothes. Clothes that need to go in empty suitcase. Sort clothes and throw a load in washer. Go back to suitcase. Still empty. Google forecast for trip to plan outfits. Google fun things to do in Costa Rica. Google Monkeys. Google "how to smuggle monkeys" just in case I find one that I like. Remember I have two animals already.  Remember they have no food. Go to Costco to buy food. Buy water, toilet paper and gum. Forget the dog food. Feel bad. Take dogs to beach. On my way home, go to Petco to buy food. Trader Joe's is next door. Buy me food. Buy me way too much food. Go home. Put clothes in dryer. Clean dogs. Clean house. Remember empty suitcase. Remember empty belly. Feed belly. Remember Gossip Girl. Remember One Tree Hill. Remember all the other shows on my DVR. Belly full. Eyes heavy. Suitcase still empty.

So, with that being said, I better get to it. I'm sure the next blog will be full of my Central American adventures. Can't wait to share them with you! 

Adios!