A friend mentioned they were going into Cañas today to pick up some hanging plants. I asked if there was room for me to tag along – I had only driven through Cañas and would love to see some of what they offered.
I used to consider myself a bit of a Shop-a-holic, loving to know what is available, methodically going up and down each aisle in any given store, choosing to purchase things (in many instances) because they struck my fancy.
Today I found myself doing two things a bit differently…
In the 2 larger stores we visited, the thought crossed my mind that I should go up and down each aisle to see if there was anything I “needed”. I immediately told myself this was not a requirement. If there was something I needed, that is what I should look for – rather than walking up and down to see if something I saw was needed…even if moments before I had no idea I needed it.
I looked at quite a bit of ‘stuff’ – and even picked up a few things, considering to purchase…I put them back. I asked myself whether it was necessary at this time – would it add value to our time here – was this something I had in the locker and could bring in 6 weeks – did I really ‘need’ it? There was 1 item I purchased which Walter and I had spoken about wanting to purchase – and not something I had in the storage locker – and it would be of benefit now. I slipped a bit when I purchased a few consumables which 2 of them I definitely did not need – but hey, they’d be eaten as soon as I got back home.
My perspective on shopping appears to have shifted slightly. Having gone through releasing so many of our belongings – removing all the stuff which we owned (and may actually have owned us), I have ended up not “needing” much at all.
Our family has always enjoyed my home made burgers, especially when grilled on the gas barbeque. While we don’t have an outside grill here, we decided to give it a go using the electric broiler in the oven. Then there was the matter of ingredients. One of the first things we were told about beef here is that it is nothing like “back home” – mostly due to two factors: beef is not typically aged here and there is a lack of fat content. I immediately understood how aging will adjust as I used to shop at a family butcher who aged all is beef personally. I found it made a significant difference in taste. I was unsure why the lack of fat.
The cattle we have seen here are grass eaters. Grass cover is different to what we were used to back in Canada. The kind I’ve seen as ground cover is like a tough small leafed vine and the other prevalent type is tall grass which grows (literally) everywhere. During our first few weeks here we drove by farmers on the side of the main road, cutting down the tall grass and stacking it in the back of their truck. We were informed this would be brought back to their cattle to help feed them. So…if you remove additives such as corn and soy and serve up a diet of mostly grass which is both tougher and hardier in its natural state, it seems logical to then deduce the resulting cattle have a totally different body make up resulting in different final product to purchase.
Now…back to being creative with my burgers – how to give it that extra taste? Walter got what he could at the local butcher. We then decided to punch up the flavour by adding in some chopped up bacon (and the fat which came with it). While our creativity gave it an interesting consistency, the question remained how it would affect the final results.
Luckily we were able to find the rest of my ingredients: onion soup mix, worcestershire sauce, zesty Italian dressing, an egg, garlic powder, paprika, parmesan cheese and of course, my Newfie savoury (brought with me as a definite cooking requirement). At the last minute we realized we had no bread crumbs so I improvised and toasted a few extra burger buns and then ground them in my magic bullet.
I’ve also noticed cooking, even grilling, does process food differently here. Turns out water boils at a different temperature depending on what your elevation is. So, again I deduced that cooking times / temperatures may also be affected. Where we are right now is just under a 1/2 a mile above sea level (2,254 feet or 687 metres). Where we were in Canada was only 221 metres (728 feet).
The end result was rated a 7 out of 10 by Walter and an 8 out of 10 by Gregory. All in all a good first attempt. Next time I’ve decided to bake them a bit first and then grill them to crisp them up at the end. We ate the result of our efforts before I could consider what I was going to write about – therefore there are no pictures this evening. When I cook the leftovers tomorrow, I’ll submit a picture then.
On this journey of realignment I have had many moments of still having opinions. The whole point of this exercise was to become more aware and adjust so I could embrace observations rather than opinions.
The people we spent time with in Canada were, for the most part, positive people OR they knew us well enough to understand we were aiming to be positive and they would do their best whenever around us. Here we have a large group of people we have met who have no idea what we are all about. We’ve shared with some of them a topside perspective on our philosophies – and the reactions have been quite interesting.
I cannot comment on whether the locals have opinions in the same way I’ve observed them within the expat community – I am still working on learning the language.
The expat community appear to have opinions – some stronger than others. It may be as simple as you cannot find good bread here, to such-and-such is someone you wish to avoid at all costs. One person stated definitively they have opinions on everything and everyone and is totally willing to share – all I need to do is ask (I have). Another offered to vocalize any opinion I may have but am unable to share verbally myself – all I need to do is write it down (I have not).
I realize a big part of observing is not judging others for having their opinions.
I remind myself to allow their opinions to wash over me. I then choose to make my own observations. One thing I’ve observed thus far is if I were to tally up all of their opinions, on any one particular aspect, there ends up being some resemblance to my observation. Certainly an interesting space to live.
Is there something you wish to alter within your daily interactions? Is there something you are looking for…just not sure what it is. When I answered yes to these 2 questions, I ended up with a scholarship in the Master Key Experience. It altered my existence. I’m loving where I am. Interested in learning more, sign up below and I will ensure you get notified when the next class is available so you hear first hand what it is all about. I am grateful for your time! Gracias.
Where would you like to be a year from now??
If you too wish to explore what it takes to reach yourdream…whatever that may be…then share your name and email below. I will make sure you are one of the first people to hear about the next Master Key Experience offering in September 2015. Imagine…sitting wherever it is you want to be? We are!
Living your dream is TOTALLY up to you! Wanna see how?
We were out last night when someone shared with another that our son was precocious. I was unsure that was a word I would use to describe Gregory. Later in the conversation when I shared his comment to the teacher about not being bored in English class if he got to help, the same person who shared her perception of our son said “see”!
One of the things I’ve noticed I’ve adopted since I have written my blog posts – putting my thoughts out on the internet – is I check the meaning of certain words to ensure I’m using it in the right context. I’ve never been someone who uses unusual or complex words, preferring to find a clear concise way of saying something which gets my message across – and if I can inject humour within my story…well, all the better.
Words, we learn in the Master Key Experience, are the “highest form of architecture”. What we say is a reflection of what we think, and what we think is a reflection of who we are. So our spoken and written words are directly related to who we are within.
Walter and I discussed what we though precocious meant and we agreed Gregory was not that type of child. However, when I looked it up, it appears we were both working with an incorrect definition.
Webster cites precocious as “having or showing the qualities or abilities of an adult at an unusually early age.” So, yes, in the case of his offer to the his new teacher, he was being precocious. Go figure!
I will continue to be cautious and diligent in confirming the correct definition and use of the words I use. I am then able to communicate with others with the message I am intending to share. I am extremely grateful for dictionaries – and especially love the online ones.
This morning we went to the local pavillion to partake in their celebration of Guanacaste Day. The kids were all dressed up in traditional costumes. They shared the bringing in of the flags: the province of Guanacaste, the Costa Rican and the main town of Tilaran. They sang songs which were associated with each flag, shared a video of the annexation of Guanacaste and how they became part of Costa Rica in 1824, rather than independent. The kids then danced 3 traditional dances, they milked the goat and we were done.
Painted across the front wall of the pavillion, the back drop for the festivities, were the following phrases “Orgullosos de ser Guanacastecos” and “De la patria por nuestra voluntad“. Translated they read “Proud to be Guanacastecans” and “Homeland by our will“.
While we did not understand the majority of the speeches and song, we understood the importance of freedom by choice. Choosing where you wish to be – and in the Guanacastecans choice to be part of Costa Rica rather than independent or part of an alternate country. Walter and I have chosen this country. We are proud to be here and look forward to learning more about this location we have chosen to live.
What does the art of making jewelry have to do with life? Hmmm….
Today I spent a few hours with ladies from the LOL (Ladies of the Lake) who raise money to assist people and organizations around Lake Arenal. We made jewelry. The jewelry is then sold at different functions. While I have considering making jewelry I had never actually attempted anything till today. The table was filled with beads, sparkly pieces, stones, paper roll beads – and we were to choose what we would like to put together.
I sprinkled beads onto my plate which looked good together, a few stones with a slight touch of purple to them, light purple and dark purple tiny beads, clear sparkly small beads. I created the earrings first and then the necklace to match. It took quite some time. Others were putting together numerous pieces during the same time. Why?
I had not planned out my strategy. I had chosen based upon colour coordination rather than what the finished product would look like – creating as I went.
What did I learn?
Not knowing what the end result should look like, or not envisioning the final product, may result in a distinctively slower outcome. Having a plan, envisioning the end result, putting all the pieces in play, creating a map and then following it…this gets you to your desired result quicker and with more accuracy.
I am blessed to be able to recognize what I can do to improve the timing for creation and look forward to the next session with the ladies. All in all a great day!
I recall seeing a special tool for making jewelry at Michael’s art store back in Canada. Today I recognized how much that tool would assist in planning and creating works of art. For your life, you just need to find the right tool to help you plan and create. For me this was the Master Key Experience.
If you too wish to explore what it takes to create your dream…whatever that may be…then share your name and email below. I will make sure you are one of the first people to hear about the next Master Key Experience offering in September 2015.
Imagine…sitting wherever it is you want to be? We are living our dream and would truly love to see you living yours!
I’ve heard the phrase, take it one-step-at-a time, the well used one-day-at-a-time, and I’ve even considered it may be as simple as one-moment-at-a-time. Og Mandino wrote within Scroll III – “I am liken to the rain drop which washes away the mountain, the ant who devours a tiger, the star which brightens the earth, the slave who builds a pyramid. I build my castle one brick at a time for I know small attempts, repeated (daily) complete any undertaking.”
Having watched a team of cutter ants, cutting off pieces of leaves and carrying them away one tiny piece, ant by ant – eventually stripping an entire bush bare within a few days – it is so readily evident this technique works. We just need to take action!
It was the end of August last year when I embarked on this realignment journey – choosing to blog daily to record my observations and encourage myself, by being present, to avoid opinions. Back then…when I considered writing for 365 days it seemed daunting – especially as I had only blogged once per week for 6 months. I had to take the one-day-at-a-time literally.
The Master Key Experience includes so many techniques on how to take that one daily step, build upon the day before until you see the compound effect in all its glory. What I’m realizing is I must adopt this to every aspect of what I desire. There are no laggards on that extra mile. Only those who chose to do what it takes – consistently.
This is what I’ve done. Adopting a daily routine of sitting down to share my thoughts at the end of each day. Sometimes I’ve observed and recognized significant aspects of my existence. Other days it has been a bit slower. Now looking back, when I type in that I am writing my 326th blog post in the same amount of days….I admit I’m in awe of what I have accomplished thus far.
I observe I have dedication. Now I need to apply it to everything within my life. Imagine what I can accomplish in the next 326 days?? Best time to start? NOW!
What would you like to accomplish in the next 365 days?
If you too wish to explore what it takes to reach yourdream…whatever that may be…then share your name and email below. I will make sure you are one of the first people to hear about the next Master Key Experience offering in September 2015.
Gregory has learned to let us know whenever his body feels any degree off of the usual so we can coach him through the experience. Yesterday on his way to school (2nd day) he said his tummy felt funny wearing the shirt (a short sleeve white button down collared shirt). I explained all the other boys would be wearing them – it was just a new experience.
Today he wore not only the shirt but the pants (I hemmed and took them in this morning). Again he said his tummy felt a bit off. When he got to school and saw all the other little boys wearing the same pants and shirt, his tummy did not feel as off anymore. While the clothes were a bit uncomfortable compared to what he is used to wearing, having everyone wear the same thing allows uniformity!
I remember changing schools a year before school uniforms become mandatory – as a 13 year old it was a huge WHEW! When Gregory was in Montessori and had to wear a uniform, it was nice as a mom because I did not have to think about what he was going to wear – and when he was old enough to help out, what was expected was consistent. Today I observed that having all the kids in similar outfits allows them all to belong and no one stands out.
To jump off of yesterday’s observations about preferences – while Gregory may prefer his regular clothes to wear to school – this would make him stand out as an individual. Wearing a uniform allows him to be part of the group – not necessarily conformity, to avoid differentiating or highlighting any one person’s preferences. Each child is who they are not what they wear.
My thoughts have certainly changed over the years!
Does this mean I matured??
Received the following note from TUT this morning. …
While I appreciate every person who subscribes gets the same (albeit personalized) message – I allow the words to speak to me as intended – recognizing they may pearls of wisdom which I will be able to apply to my day…depending on how the day progresses.
The first sentence – “Having preferences doesn’t mean you’re judgemental” jumped out at me. When I decided 10+ months ago to concentrate on having observations rather than opinions, one of the reasons included recognition of my having been judgemental.
So…how does a preference compare to an opinion?
Some of my preferences include:
food cooked without black pepper
bed pillows which have never been touched by your seat or feet
warm days with a slight breeze (just to name a few).
An opinion on these same aspects may include:
food cooked with black pepper tastes horrible
how could anyone put their face down on their pillow after having sat down on it
with all this cold and drizzle it is certainly a miserable day.
Pondering this some more, an observation could then include:
spices are based upon personal taste, some like pepper and some do not
being comfortable where you lay your head depends upon your personal perspective
your view of the weather depends on what you like.
It was a struggle to come up with similar observations for each of these opinions and preferences but I believe, in the end, they result in something similar to a preference.
It appears a observation is a statement which generalizes and encompasses all perspectives.
A preference would then be a specific personal perspective without including any other potential perspectives.
THEN the opinion ends up being a specific judgement as it relates to your perspective on someone else.
I concluded, as long as I have observations and preferences and avoid opinions I am going to be singing pretty.
If you too wish to explore what it takes to reach yourdream…whatever that may be…then share your name and email below. I will make sure you are one of the first people to hear about the next Master Key Experience offering in September 2015. Imagine…sitting wherever it is you want to be?
A touch of childhood teachings came back to me today. Not that I recalled exactly what I learned – only that the word “proud” was considered questionable. I recall pride being considered one of the 7 deadly sins and while I do not follow any particular religion at this stage in my life – I do endeavor to maintain consistent positive actions to all those around me.
When Gregory said something today which made me feel proud of him – to have him represent himself as a person, and our son – well, it felt good. I questioned myself whether this was considered a not-so-positive emotion?
I’ve never given the word much consideration until this evening. I looked it up and sure enough, it came up with bible teachings. But was this the same thing? Words, as I’m recognizing through learning another language, can mean different things depending upon which context.
Wikiincludes a definition I managed to get my head around (although good and bad could be considered opinions, we won’t go there right now):
Pride means having a feeling of being good and worthy. The adjective is proud.
The word pride can be used in a good sense as well as in a bad sense.
In a good sense it means having a feeling of self-respect. People can be satisfied with their achievements. They can be proud of something good that they have done. They can be proud of (or take pride in) their work. They might be proud of their son or daughter or husband or wife or anyone else who is close to them and who has done something good. People can be proud of their country (patriotism).
In a bad sense, pride can mean that someone has an exaggerated sense of feeling good. This might mean that someone has no respect for what other people do, only respect for what he or she does. Someone who is described as proud may be arrogant. The word is used in this sense in the saying: “Pride comes before a fall” (meaning that someone is so overconfident that he or she might soon have a disaster).
I was feeling very proud of my son today – a manner in keeping with the “good” use of the word pride above. We took Gregory to the local school this morning to get him registered. Our neighbour helped with the translation until we were able to communicate with one of the teachers who spoke English. She showed us around and explained the school hours, which class was held where, the bathrooms, the dining hall, etc.
She spoke with us a bit about the English class she teaches and how she encourages the kids to learn. She turned to Gregory and commented he may find the English class boring to which he replied “I won’t be bored if I get to help.” His teacher paused and then asked him for a high five.
I put my hand on my heart – he represented himself so well, making me proud. When his teacher saw me do this, she winked at me – one proud mamma to another!
I totally embrace that life is filled with perspectives and depending on which colour of glasses we look through, we can see different aspects when observing the same thing. Today however, both Walter and I looked outside and saw something the same way.
The clouds where we are residing are constantly moving, evolving, dissipating, enveloping and creating a vision which makes me stop and appreciate the world around me. This morning’s clouds were low across the lake, making the other side all but disappear. Gregory commented it looked like we were a large plane, a piece of the earth travelling through the clouds like a plane does. Looking out at the landscape I could appreciate his perspective.
This afternoon Walter looked out and called this scene to my attention.
The white on the lake was astonishing. It seemed a pure reflection of the white clouds floating immediately above. We both had a similar reaction – it looked like a winter scene on the lake. Visually it appeared as if it could be frozen or partially frozen. I had to remind myself this is not a place where a lake would freeze – we are no longer living in the cold.
However, with both our reactions being similar – it would appear we may still be looking at the scenery from a cold perspective.
If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. Wayne Dyer
Came across the movie The Terminator when searching on Netflix this evening – the original released in 1984. Walter and I decided to watch it even though it’s a bit much on the violence scale for what we typically share with Gregory. We offered to stop it if it got too much. He commented part way through it was keeping his heart pumping but so far he was ok with it. We explained that as long as we understand the movie is entertainment, not real, we can truly enjoy the suspense it provides.
At the end of the movie Gregory turns to us and said, “It’s all about facing your fears and they go away, right?” Love that he got that out of it. We discussed this a bit futher. One of the things we encourage Gregory to do is explain what we are sharing with him, but in his own words…using his own examples. This time he was offering his summary without being asked.
“It’s like fear is a battle. As long as you conquer your fear, it will go away and never come back.” Gregory Sokil
This lead us to the discussion of FEAR also being used as an acronym (paused to explain what an acronym is, then waiting for his example) for Failure Expected And Realized. We ending with the discussion of the opposite of FEAR being a SEER (made this up as our discussion unfolded) being Success Expected & Exceptionally Realized.
Parenthood did not come with any type of instruction manual. Walter and I do our best to share with Gregory what we are learning – and how we wish to live. I am so very grateful our child is not only open to the discussion, but appears eager for the experience and makes sure we understand he understands.
What life lesson do you wish to share with your kids?
I am very grateful for the Master Key Experience – it taught me how to put everything I’d learned about what we are capable of as individuals and showed me how to implement aspects so that my dream came to fruition. I’m now living in Costa Rica!
Interested in shifting your reality to make it living your dream? Sign up below – the next class be be offered September 2015. You can be first on the list for a scholarship.
When I went to tuck Gregory in this evening, he asked for a cuddle. I had to pop out for something and when I came back he was sitting off to the side. He did not want to use his blanket because he had put it on the wrong way around – the part where his feet usually go was currently where his head now lays.
Oh my goodness. I believe I may have created a mini-me and then passing along my memes to him.
What was I thinking?!
A meme is defined as “an element of a culture or system of behavior that may be considered to be passed from one individual to another by nongenetic means, especially imitation.”
I wonder…is this meme based upon an opinion or is it an observation? Maybe you can share your take on this. I’d be interested in hearing others’ perspectives so I can R2A2 the situation. Before you share, allow me to explain.
I have a thing about putting my face where my (or anyone else’s) feet/butt have been. No other way to say this…where I’ve sat, where I’ve walk is not where I would lay my head down…so why would I sit or walk there and then share whatever was in that space with my face? Would you?
This means, you sit on the park bench, you walk down the street and across the boulevard where people walk their dogs….are you starting to get the picture? So when I sit down on the bed, it’s always at the end of the bed…nowhere near my pillow or the sheets which I pull over me, close to my face.
I’ve shared with Gregory. It makes logical sense to me. Walter explained to me he does not get bent about this type of thing. He has commented on my ‘particular-ness’ on more than one occasion. Although God love the man, he continues to love me and humours me in most cases.
So…what do you think? Would you lay your head down on your pillow, which you sat on earlier having sat on the park bench? I’m very interested to hear from you.
Walter, this includes you.
Would you like to be free of having opinions?
ME Too! This is how I know the Master Key Experience works!
If you too wish to explore what it takes…then share your name and email below. I will make sure you are one of the first people to hear about the next Master Key Experience offering in September 2015. Imagine…sitting wherever it is you want to be? We are!
When we first arrived the weather was calm, sunny, blue skies. Within a few days we had rain. Since then we’ve experienced all sorts of combinations of sun, cloud, rain, blue sky, , wind, calm, lightening which lights up the entire sky without rain – and sometimes all within a few minutes of each other.
The view I woke up to a few days ago…
Yesterday we were sitting out in the sun. Behind us a rainbow formed in front of the rain cloud approaching us. The rainbow cloud passed us – sprinkling us with tiny rain drops suspended almost like snowflakes – all while it remained sunny. Walter commented we were in the rainbow and someone looking at us from afar would be able to see it. What an interesting thought.
There does not appear to be any type of definitive “this is how today is going to be” from the weather people here. Being the daughter of a meteorologist, I was taught to read a weather map and have an understanding of the patterns of wind flow, cold and warm air…etc. What would my dad have thought of the weather here compared to Canada? How would he have attempted to explain the unpredictability?
It seems the weather could be considered very similar to the overall perspective of the lifestyle.
Pura Vida – The law of the land in Costa Rica. The expression is used in many forms, from a greeting, to a synonym for “excellent.” Ticos follow this lifestyle and are some of the most wonderful people on earth. A synonym of “hakuna matata.” Life is wonderful; enjoy it. – courtesy of urbandictionary.com
I wonder…did the phrase have anything to do with the weather or is the weather just part of the entire country’s thoughts manifesting themselves into a visual representation of it’s pure life?
This evening’s sunset…
Where would you like to be a year from now??
If you too wish to explore what it takes to reach yourdream…whatever that may be…then share your name and email below. I will make sure you are one of the first people to hear about the next Master Key Experience offering in September 2015. Imagine…sitting wherever it is you want to be? We are!
I’ve been pausing a lot lately – asking myself to observe and comment without opinion on what I see. I know that is what I’ve been doing this past 318+ days but I’ve slipped in my awareness of whether I am being my best me. So I’ve gone back to the basics and asking it consciously. My goal over 10 months ago was to readjust this trait within who I am being. I had to test myself. My level of awareness.
By doing this – the results did accomplish what I had anticipated – pausing and observing – but the bonus aspect was my ability to recognize quickly if I was having an opinion. Resulting in a conscious redirection of my thinking towards the observations.
In doing this second part of the exercise, I have observed, when I take any situation and strip it of its layers of opinions, eventually I find the observation which is opinion free. At that point I now have an understanding of what I should be thinking at the forefront. The more I am able to do this – the removal of each layer of opinion – the quicker I am able to state the base observation.
When I look back over the last month, I realize I am becoming more aware. Aware of what is important, what matters and primarily of myself. While I recognize I still have a long way to go, I know it is possible to get there. One day at a time. And if that becomes a challenge, one moment at a time.
Thank you for allowing me to share my journey with you.
Where would you like to be a year from now??
If you too wish to explore what it takes to reach yourdream…whatever that may be…then share your name and email below. I will make sure you are one of the first people to hear about the next Master Key Experience offering in September 2015. Imagine…sitting wherever it is you want to be? We are!
Living your dream is TOTALLY up to you! Wanna see how?
Last week I followed up with the rescue organization about Mya. We had found out just before we left Canada that she had been adopted by a family with 2 kids – and she was doing great – getting even more walks than we had been giving her. Gregory asked to connect with them – so that we could see her, send her birthday cards…etc. We explained we needed to wait to hear from them as not everyone may want to do this. When we followed up the response was not what we had hoped for.
Supposedly Mya’s new family were afraid we may want to take her back. When I explained this to Gregory – he did not understand and asked why we could not just tell them we wouldn’t. We explained that they must love her so much that they did not wish to loose her. I responded to the organization with a note stating we understood where they were coming from – even if it was disappointing. I put it out of my mind – like Gregory said before, remember her with smiles not tears.
Well tonight I got choked up…ok, I admit it…I blubbered!
We received an email from Mya’s new family. I read it first to myself, then shared it with Walter and then when Gregory got out of the shower I passed him my phone telling him there was an email he needed to read. He asked “good news or bad”. I explained that if I were to state either of those, this would be an opinion – we wanted him to make his own decision on what it meant to him.
He read it. I cannot include the actual note, as I do not have permission from the author…but I will try to include the gist (and one excerpt) as they relate to Gregory’s observations.
The first thing he said after reading a bit – was “We do not ‘not like’ them” – and then he commented aloud this was a strange way to say it positively. He then wrapped up by saying did not understand why she had said we were selfish. So his overall impression was so-so.
I explained Mya’s new owner was sharing why she had not written since she had adopted Mya over a month ago. She had been afraid (she used apprehensive) thinking we may not like her and would try to take Mya away. This was just an explanation – not that she was saying we did not like her.
The second part was because she commented “I cannot even imagine how hard it had to be to decided to give her up. In the short time she has been with us it makes me tear up at the idea of not having her anymore. It was a very selfless thing that your family did for her.” He did not understand selfless – we explained it was the opposite of selfish. He had chose to think of Mya first not himself – and that is what she is complimenting us on becuase she loves her so much now…she could not imagine how hard it was for us.
Gregory’s last play time in the back yard…
After a better understanding of the email terminology used I asked Gregory what he thought. He gave me his over-the-top-goofy-pleased smile – and put two thumbs up. He then asked if we could email them and ask them if she was doing all the silly things she did with him – like going through his legs and looking up, and…maybe we could have a zoom call (video call) so we could see her. I explained we needed to take it easy. A week ago she had not wanted to reach out to us – because she did not know us. She now had and that gives us the opportunity to respond and allow her to slowly get to know us. To which he exclaimed “Build Trust!” (as he had read about in a local book about a young boy and a monkey becoming friends – they needed to go slowly to build trust).
Walter and I made a point of letting Gregory know we were very proud of him – for understanding what it took to be a great dog owner – in that doing what is best for the dog is not always what is easiest for us – or feels the best. We are also proud of how he has handled this news. He commented that her new family may even love her as much, or possibly more, than we do.
Walter observed that when we had adopted Mya – we became a family who loved her deeply – positive people who gave her the home and love she needed. Then this family has adopted her and felt the same way about her so quickly. He asked “Do dogs have karma?” If so, Mya is a perfect example.
During our research of Costa Rica, prior to moving here, we understood the country is very green energy conscious. The lake which we face is part of a significant hydro-electric project. Then surrounding this specific area are loads of wind turbines. We see them no matter which way we drive. In getting to know our neighbour – it turns out he works for the group who manage the wind turbines which surround the Tilarán area where we reside.
We were invited to come and check out their operation. Hard hats and the appropriate outer gear were a must. A huge “gracias” to Melvin for his time, showing us around and arranging for such a great tour.
There are many more than we can see from the road – sometimes that’s all you can see on the ridges. Turns out the smallest ones are 20 metres high, the ones which are a bit newer are 40 metres tall and the newest ones are…wait for it…80 metres. The wind today was 47 km/hour – which supposedly is considered a “low” wind.
The largest ones appear to have blades at least 40 metres and we were informed the blades were built straight…but as you can see, with the force of the wind, they no longer are.
I observe that without something for a point of reference, what looks big…may actually be much much bigger! Mucho Más Grande!
Where would you like to be a year from now??
If you too wish to explore what it takes to reach yourdream…whatever that may be…then share your name and email below. I will make sure you are one of the first people to hear about the next Master Key Experience offering in September 2015. Imagine…sitting wherever it is you want to be? We are!
Today we went out for breakfast at Casa Delagua – a local space which caters to many of the expats – claiming to serve good “gringo” food. This Sunday they chose to celebrate Bastille Day (July 14th) and served quiche, French toast, steak and eggs….hmm – not sure about that last one!
Having satisfied the hunger, we were getting into our vehicle when I spotted the first of today’s unexpected visuals – a cactus. I’ve seen cacti before but I had not expected to see one in the middle of a lush setting such as this – in the “rainforest”. Would you?
On the way home we took a slight detour to check out the local microbrewery – not that we wanted any alcohol, just to get the lay of the land as a space which encourages musicians to share their talent. We spotted this unexpected plant on the way out. Interestingly there was a wasp nest built on the underside of one of the leaves – the drooped leaf in front of Greg! Not sure whether it was the nest or the giant spider web which caused that face….
We then hemmed and hawed about whether to go straight home or explore further. Once we recalled we had bread in the machine, we headed home. I’m pleased because we may not have seen the next unexpected visual….
We were all a bit surprised when we drove around the corner. My first thought was the horse was loose. Walter then suggested maybe someone had come to visit. NOW that would be a bit more on the expected side here as many people own and ride their horses around. As it turns out, this is the horse who lives at the bottom of our road. We’ve passed her numerous times going into town.
While she proceeded to show us what a great lawn mower she was, we knew we needed to return her. Greg shared leading her down the road. She was surprisingly friendly! Half way down the hill we came across her owner and shared a good laugh. Certainly today was a day filled with the unexpected!
What unexpected things are in your future?
If you too wish to explore what it takes to manifest yourdream…whatever that may be…then share your name and email below. I will make sure you are one of the first people to hear about the next Master Key Experience offering in September 2015. Imagine…sitting wherever it is you want to be…experiencing your version of the unexpected!!!
If you’d like to read more, check out what the graduates have to share (here)
We have been here for a month. It has been an experience of recognizing, relating, assimilating and applying! I did not realize until right this moment that our Master Key “R2A2” could be applied so largely. Have used this method when looking at small things, as they occur in my life, now I realize it’s also applicable to working through the large stuff – such as moving to another country!
We’ve run into so many “opinions” since we’ve been here. Opinions of the expats who have chosen to live here. Opinions of the Ticos as it relates to how most “gringos” are. Some are positive and some…not so positive. Overall though I’ve enjoyed allowing others opinions to be shared. Somewhere in amongst all those opinions are the observations which are nuggets of information to be of benefit to our integration here.
Having followed our internal compass,
we are making friends and settling into a rhythm.
The highlight of today was Gregory playing soccer with the local kids. Walter received a text this morning from our neighbour letting us know the kids were all meeting at the field just down the road. Upon arrival Gregory was invited to play and given a shirt for one of the teams. Amazingly it was not only his favourite colour blue but also his “lucky #8” – I choose to consider this as a positive sign for him.
While I also recognize we have a long way to go before we are “integrated” – we are currently at the beginning – class 101 so to speak. How far we take our education is totally up to us. I’m enjoying the ride and allowing it to unfold.
I am grateful for our blessings.
Estoy muy agradecido por nuestras bendiciones.
Where would you like to be a year from now??
If you too wish to explore what it takes to reach yourdream, enjoy your blessings…whatever that may be…then share your name and email below. I will make sure you are one of the first people to hear about the next Master Key Experience offering in September 2015. Imagine…sitting wherever it is you want to be? We are!
Living your dream is TOTALLY up to you! I’d love to share how!
As I walked downstairs to the office I was pondering how I could expand upon the video I took today – what had I observed today which corresponded. I had no idea. In sitting down at my computer I checked email first and received one from Twitter suggesting people to follow.
This one caught my eye – I read the description, took another look at the picture and the smile which reached his eyes (yes I know – leaning towards opinion here – I’m trying to explain a gut feeling this person is genuine). So I clicked to follow, which takes me to their twitter page and the first tweet I read says…
So I clicked on it…read the article and then typed in my response. This was a bit of a revelation for me as I know why I write my DoWoos daily, but why did I write – period? My response read:
Here is the video I shot today. Somehow between yesterday and today a troop of leaf cutter ants decided to set up their parade at the edge of our patio here in Costa Rica.
You may be asking yourself…how does this writer asking why we write have a connection with leaf cutter ants?
A part of me wants to state “Beats me!” and let that be it.
My mind would spin if I left it as that. The connection may be all about our journey. I am on my journey. They are on their journey. I choose what I decide to do with myself. They choose whether to pick up this leaf or that, go around this ant or that one, drop the leaf here or there. I can choose to follow the parade or not. I can choose to expand my thinking or not. I can choose to write or not. It’s all still my journey.
Nah, I liked the video!
AND I really enjoyed reading the article – it got me thinking.
A friend mentioned they were going into Cañas today to pick up some hanging plants. I asked if there was room for me to tag along – I had only driven through Cañas and would love to see some of what they offered. 
When Gregory said something today which made me feel proud of him – to have him represent himself as a person, and our son – well, it felt good. I questioned myself whether this was considered a not-so-positive emotion?
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