By: Scott Pralinsky
Change
December 10, 2006We all know that change is constant. I guess as we get older we have more experience with this concept. Doesn’t that mean that we get used to change and facing it should be easier? No, it seems to be just the opposite. Maybe we get tired of change? Just plain ole’ tired of dealing with it day in and day out.
Personally, I feel like I’ve had to handle a lot of change in my life and normally do okay with it. But some days it doesn’t take much to push me beyond my limits. I mean, let’s face it. I moved to Costa Rica. That’s a big change. Change in language, change in cost of living, change in availability of creature comforts. But more so — a change in culture. This change in culture I believe was the hardest for me — and almost 3 years later — continues to be a challenge.
Rhea Sue Baby Update
December 7, 2006I finally got a couple of pictures of Rhea Sue, my sister Paula’s baby. The pics aren’t that great, but at least I can see she is cute! My sister is going to kill me for putting this picture of her on this site, but keep in mind, she was in labor for 46 hours! This other picture is Bert, my brother-in-law. You can see that none of them got much sleep this past weekend!
Read MoreLittle Baby Rhea
December 6, 2006After what seemed like forever, my sister Paula finally gave birth to a healthy and adorable baby girl, Reah Sue. She was born around 9 or 10 PDT last night. My sister had been in labor since Friday night. I had no idea labor could last that long!
Read MoreThirsty? Too bad!
December 2, 2006When I was in the military in the US and had the opportunity to live in many other states, I was shocked to learn how different some of the alcohol laws were in “dry” cities, counties and states. Very naively I thought the laws were the same all over.
People drink a lot in Costa Rica. That’s my experience anyhow. I’m not judging that (I participate of course), but am making an observation. And it doesn’t surprise me. What does surprise me is that there are times of the year here when Ticos are prevented from drinking. This includes a portion of Easter Week and election time.
Marketing Experience?
December 2, 2006Some of the women in one of our indigenous tribes living in a community called Shiroles took it upon themselves about 17 years ago to generate an income for their families and community. They maintain crops of cacao, process it and turn it into chocolate bars, liquid chocolate, cookies and other delectable delights.
They have a great system down now through production, but they could really use some more help with the post-production process. They don’t have much experience in getting their product to the marketplace. With the right help, these women could be marketing their products to local stores, restaurants and hotels and boosting their income by leaps-and-bounds.
Gay Adoption
November 20, 2006The Costa Rican legislature has initiated an accelerated process with the objective of creating a law preventing gays and lesbians from adopting children in Costa Rica.
Gay adoption is nothing new. Gays and lesbians have been adopting for a long time, but only recently have gay adoptions been done openly. In the past, and perhaps in some areas of the country still today, gay couples have lied in order to adopt. Usually with one partner adopting and the other pretending to be a roommate or a friend.
Help Prevent Hatred
November 20, 2006These are the instructions that follow from a blog entry I wrote about the Legislature of Costa Rica trying to create…
Read MoreLong Drive
November 19, 2006The Millar family are clients of ours (Tropical Adventures Volunteer Program). They were here for 2 weeks volunteering in the Puerto Viejo area on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. The most amazing part is that they drove from Alberta, Canada in an RV to be here! It sounds quite adventurous to me. And, according to them, they enjoyed each other’s company and didn’t kill one another!
Read MoreCruelty to Animals
November 19, 2006Our dogs, Tiesto and Anika, are now about 3 months old. It was time to cut their ears. Why you ask? Great question! Isaac really wanted them to look mean and look like “real” Dobermans.
Read MoreCafe Cristina
November 19, 2006I finally made it over to the farm of one of my neighbors to check it out. They are gringos who have lived here almost 30 years. And they have been growing coffee for over 20 of those years. Cafe Cristina (named after their kids, Cris and Tina) was one of the first organic coffee farms in Costa Rica. In addition to not using any chemicals, they use natural anti-erosion methods, hand-pick their coffee and sun dry it as well. They are incredibly environmentally conscious — and nice people too!
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