Big Number 23!

The birthday started off a bit slow.  The birthday week as previously stated didn’t quite go to plan.  I was anticipating missing home and refused to allow myself to be sad, which left me in a funk for two weeks which in fact I refused to admit.  So on the morning of my birthday, thank goodness I awoke to sun.  I put in some laundry and ran into town to check my email.  After opening my inbox I was thrown into tears due to the nice thoughts and messages from all those I love back home.  I think I scared a few customers as I was sobbing but I could not have felt more blessed than  at that very moment. 

I changed and went to the beach where I read and soaked in the sun.  At the beach I saw a bunch of howler monkey's that were right over the beach.  I tried to get a good picture, but every time I had an amazing shot... they moved!!! I got a few good ones.. but nothing like I wanted to!  They are so funny how they just throw their food to the ground and do not pay you any attention. 

The rest of the day was filled with a short run, reading, lunch, practicing some guitar all things I enjoy.  I than got ready and went into town.  We were having a party in front of Willie’s starting at around 7:30.  There was around 8 or 10 of us, drinking boxes of wine and eating pizza.  It was also Sam’s last night so we celebrated that’s as well.  We all got quite drunk!  I kept filling Nona’s mom’s glass saying she was an Iowa girl and needed to drink more because that is what they do in Iowa!  It was such a good time!  It was the best birthday I could ask for while being away from my home.  I am truly blessed to have the people in my life that I do.  I could not ask for better friends and family members!!  I miss everyone and can’t wait to see everyone again!!!

We had this fruit that was sweet and kind if milky... I wasn't the biggest fan.  Not sure why but the tropical fruits aren't the most appealing to me!  No one else had a problem eating it though!

After drinks and dinner in front of Willie's, we headed to Coco's for a drink.  I had bailey's on the rocks... quite tasty and continued to make fun of a local boy who is in love with Beno's (my land guy's) daughter.  All in all a fabulous evening.  I was thinking of both Emily and Mike since we share the same day and wishing them as good a day as ever.  I hope you both made wishes and had a fabulous celebration.   

Attacked Yet AGAIN!!

It’s a surprise that I have yet to cut off one of my fingers down here.  I swear, something is going to happen one of these times.  As I am cutting up veggies I feel something on my neck, which of course makes me panic, do a little yell and flutter around.  When I turned to see what it was, it was a praying mantis!!!  Those bugs that you always see in movies but that never really seem real!  It was so cool!! We just had a quick conversation about how he needed to stay on the chair and I would stay in the kitchen and that way it would all be fine and dandy and no one would get hurt! 

I looked at it from afar... it's kind of freaky looking, yet very cool at the same time!  

Sam sat down and I have not been able to find the little guy since, so I hope he returned to his wildlife safely!  

Bye to Sam

Another one is leaving!  It is weird to see people come and go.  Some you become closer with than other and others you know you will stay in touch with forever.  Regardless the time spent together is always good.  I am thankful for Sam and Glenn and the laughs they brought my way and I wish them the best in the future as they discover more about themselves. 

Life goes on, we make friends, we lose friends and some how the circle of it all never ends.  I am truly grateful for all of the friends in my life.  

Excitement in the Mail!!

I don’t know when the joy of receiving gifts started since I normally hate opening gifts and receiving any sort of attention like that.  However, getting stuff in the mail is the best EVER!  Mom and Alex sent me some really cute tank tops and some junk food.  At first I thought why did they send me junk food and than I realized why after eating it all in about oh 30 seconds.  I also realize why I don’t buy junk food as well!!  There is no way to slowly consume with chips!  Must be eaten and right away!

Mom also sent me a card which I found humorous!  

Additionally, we all know how much mom hates sending things in the mail, I was blessed with around 80 cards from her!  They are now lined and decorating my cabina.  All in all I am very pleased that people took the time to send me anything in the mail!  I am truly blessed!!!

Birthday Week Celebration

My annual birthday week celebration did not go according to plan.  Not sure why but it was a quite crabby and quite birthday week.  I must say I was really missing family and friends from home.  It is weird to be celebrating my birthday here.  I know in the end I will have a great time, but anticipating and thinking of past days are making this one kind of hard. 

Although the days at work had been more stressful than normal, my nights were a good time.  I spent time with Troy and Sam sharing stories on my porch.  Time seems to fly when you sit and listen and share.  It’s such a wonderful way of getting to know people.  I also had a delicious dinner with Sam at Cha Cha Cha and a delicious dinner with Troy eating pizza and drinking sangria. 

I have worked and had some days off as well which has been nice.  Sabina is working for me on my birthday which will give me some time to just do as I please.  I took running back up which was a good feeling.  I am starting slower this time going every other day to actually establish a routine and not just a quick desire.  I have been jogging on black beach and now the soccer field behind my house.  I forgot what it felt like to run on a field.  It was such a joyous feeling that I even spent some time passing with a local 10 year old boy!  It was so much fun but I quickly left as his friend came to play a real game! 

Otherwise the week passed by as usual... nothing to exciting, having both rain and sunshine.  

New Friends

I came home last week with two puppies at the gate.  I looked around anxiously wondering who's dogs they were.  They followed me for an hour!  I couldn’t get them to leave my cabina.  Finally I gave in and gave them water.  They were so cute, we played and had a good time. 

Turns out they come around all the time now.  Not sure why the owner doesn’t take better care of them.  They hang out with Renata (my neighbor) a lot and sometimes venture over and spend time with me as well.  They only play together.  Renata’s dog Perinie gets mad at the puppies and Lucky doesn’t may them any attention.  They are however a fun new addition to our little neighborhood. 

I went over to Renata's to say hi to the puppies and low and behold there was another new addition the group!  Another neighbor's puppy that is a rottweiler... it's playful and cute now... we'll see when it's older.  It likes to play and bite all of the puppies it has a ton of energy.  It comes and hangs out with me sometimes and so far is a cute puppy as well!  It's fun seeing the big dogs and the little dogs form a little group.  I had all 5 outside my cabina the other day, of course when I came outside to take a photo they all ran toward me and I couldn't take it anymore.  Attached is a photo of two of the new puppies!

Rain Rain.... Job Searching...

Always raining.... rain in the morning, rain in the afternoon, rain at night... 

Started job searching with so much rain.... still hate it... still not having a lot of luck!  Time will tell...  That's all I have to say about rain and job searching!!!