how to pack light.

These days I really have the travel bug, as I think this post reflects. Longing to escape the chill of Ohio winter fills my days, and I find myself staring longingly of pictures os Facebook and Pinterest depicting sun, sand and beautiful blue water...and then I start to think about packing my bag. Thus this post and it's contents. 

I consider myself a humble person, but right now I have to brag a little bit.

My mother was one of the heaviest packers I know...generally 2-3 bags worth of personal items, then additional items like her bible case, her shoes under the backseat of the car somewhere, and of course her cushion for long car rides or uncomfortable chairs in restaurants. And waterbottles, where-ever they fit. 

My husband is similar...he tends to pack EVERYTHING  for ANY and ALL possible circumstances, resulting in difficulties completing airport check-ins and staying within the domestic and international weight limit for baggage. This year we traveled in Mexcio and baggage fees really bit him in the ass...

Me? I had one checked bag and one personal bag. BOO-YAH! 

How do you pack light? 

I think that women in particular have a difficult time with this, espcially considering the variety of clothing and the shoe selection we require to look our very damn best where-ever we are. After all, if you go somewhere warm you usually want to pack at least two or three swim suits, and at least two pairs of sandals and that extra pair of flip-flops, and of course the back-up beach towel... but let's not get carried away. 

Here are some tips and some items that have really helped me master the art of packing light (photos included).

1. The carry-everything bag/pack.

2.  Water bottle & snack.   

3.  Plain sandals or flip-flops.

4. Plastic bags. 

5. Concealer & mascara. 

6. Jean jacket & black cardigan. 

7. Scarf. 

8. Tinted lip balm. 

9. Plain sneakers or slip-ons. 

10. Plain white t-shirt. 

11. Black jeans or pants. 

12. Safety pins.

Happy Travels! 

(Thank you PINTEREST for the visual aids!)

the shortest month of the year

February. With only 28 days, I have even less time to get things done this month. And I do have a few things I want to get done.

Lately ( and by that I mean since Christmas) I have been obcessed with truffles. Over Christmas my friend and I made some truffles that turned out to be incredibly delicious, and ever since I have been pouring over possible recipes on Pinterest and I am planning to make some and try a different recipe out for Valentine's Day, which happens to be on a Friday mid-month. Truffles are just delicious... the most difficult part will be trying to decide on just ONE recipe to try! Here are the top contenders:
Samoa truffles
Vanilla Cake truffles
Brownie batter truffles

Valentine's Day. As you may know, my hubby is a million miles away (ok, so not a million, but he is pretty far away!) floating between Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia and I do not anticipate receiving anything from him much less seeing him for this holiday of lovers and spouses. I have a few special people who I want to make / buy gifts for... one of my more original ideas is to create some art, which will involve canvas and spray paint. I will not say anymore right now, but I will post pictures after. And you can smile or cry at the results, be they good or bad.

Shopping. Whew, I have already filled my quota for spending money this month..! I made a trip to the thrift store and another to New York & Co. and bought several items that are now in my work wardrobe. I have a variety of blazers and pants and shoes aplenty, so I am all outfitted. The only thing still at large on my list is a nice new black bag... and if you know my taste in bags you know that I am looking for a big black tote. We will see what I find for a good price.

Job. Did I mention that I finally got hired??? After job searching and applying all over during December 2013 and January, I got a job offer last week and I start later this month. I have benefits and a 401K, and I will be using my Spanish which was a very high priority for me. I am excited to have a real job and be earning a living wage. Hopefully put a little more into my savings this year!

Ok, I think that is all for now.

Oh hey, here I am. Happy New Year and all that jazz...!

2014

While some people may scoff at those who decide to make resolutions going into the new year, I am one of those who sees a resolution not as something to be done, adhered to, taken up only to be dropped or forgotten or left in the cold with no follow through. Making a resolution is challenging yourself to do something, hopefully making an improvement or change in your life that leads to a better overall quality and satisfaction. So in short, YES, I made some resolutions and here they are.

-Be more kind.
-Get a full time job. (See this post if you missed the update about my life!)
-Travel to a new country. (This can be any country, whatever opportunity throws me way.)

Even if you are not the type to make resolutions, I encourage you to work towards being the best version of yourself this year...because that is something you will never regret doing.

Happy New Year 2014!

PURA VIDA :-)

Changes for This Gringa.

There has been complete radio silence here for quite a while.

Many things have happened and not all of them good, and I did not feel like sharing about the sadness and difficulties of my life here...I want to share upbeat, positive things, and I also do not want to generate pity or have people feel bad on my account. But there are some things you should know:

1. On November 19th, 2013 my mother passed away after a year and a half battle with cancer. She died peacefully at home with family all around her. I miss her very, very much.

2. In early November I finally got my Costa Rican Residency. After a year and seven months I can finally say that I am a legal residente with a carné and paying insurance, etc. Alos I was able to complete the final few steps at Migración in Puntarenas, which is MUCH closer than San José. (Why did I never try that before?? It would have saved so much time and money.)

3. E and I have decided that we will try living and working in the USA for a year or two, in an attempt to get ahead financially and make strides towards settling down more permenantly. I will be applying for his green card at the start of 2014 if all goes well.

4. Currently I am job hunting for something full time here in Ohio. I have not yet had luck in finding anything related to my field (Spanish) but I am looking and open to any and all possibilities. If I have to move then I will, but right now I would prefer to stay close to home and help my Dad especially as he transitions into a new and very different life without Mom.

SO! These are all very big changes for me.
A year ago I was praying that Mom would recover, imagining myself working in a travel or tourism related position in Costa Rica and working part time to pay the bills...!

Now my life has taken a different course. If you hear of any jobs let me know, if you have any questions it is ok to ask.

Pura Vida.

another extended visit

It's official: I have a ticket back to good old Ohio for early August and I will most likely be staying for a while. I am looking forward to family vacation in particular, as I have not been able to go for the last 4 years.

Really looking forward to touching base with family and friends.

don't be afraid of wide open paces

The danger of having a large home is that you end up either feeling self-concious about how empty it is, or you you fill it with meaningless stuff so it doesn't look empty, until you are practically drowning in things. We simply can't stand open spaces and the bareness, the possibility...it must, must be filled or decorated or redone.

If I had my way, I would live in a small (but comfortable) place with few (but necessary) belongings.
Simplify, world, we must learn simply to simplify.

Pura Vida...

some rambles.

Lately I am back up to two cups of coffee a day. It seems that the health experts go back and forth about the healthfulness of coffee and caffine...it used to be bad for you, but recently I read that caffine helps metabolism, energy, that is ok to drink coffee before going to the gym (and coconut water after...don't forget "agua de pipa," which has finally reached the masses). But I find that coffee after five PM is still a bad idea for me, and I still adore tea. My latest discovery is Earl Grey Green tea, which is a tasty alternative to plain Earl Grey and plain Green, neither of which have a very appealing taste. But TOGETHER! It is quite a cup.

Weather here lately has been driving me nuts. Last week it was in the 40s and rainy, and two days later everything melts and then Friday there is a winter storm in the evening...then we have a sunny weekend and everything melts, and then we have rain one afternoon and snow the next. I don't know if I should wear my parka or my raincoat, honestly. Hat? Or scarf? Maybe an insulated umbrella would be a good idea.

What is going on this year...?? I see neon colors on one page and pastels on the next in magazines. Trends are so silly, really, though I do admit to falling for some. As of yet I haven't spent money on those wedge sneakers, though I have been sorely tempted. More and more often my certianty is reinforced...buy clothes for the life you live, not the life you WANT to live. And wear what makes you feel good, not what everyone else tells you to wear, or what people around you are wearing. Neon green? Probably not for you. Leggings? Unless you have the legs, they should probably not be part of your wardrobe. Boots? Yeah, every girl in the USA has been brainwashed into wearing riding boots when all she rides is maybe the highway in her car. They are not cool anymore, they are common. (Kicking myself for buying some, even though they were a cheapie thrift store find) Be you, not the model on the runway, women!
I admit that I am probably biased based on my constant exposure to a specific demographic of women on a college campus. The homogenous look just bugs me! Ohio bugs me. The midwest bugs me. I belong somewhere more metropolitan, or somewhere where people just look more different than alike. The sameness is what drives me nuts.

VINO! I have tried some good wines lately, inspired by some suggestions from a friend. Being a fan of white wines and particularly sweet whites, I tried a moscato and a reisling and was impressed with the taste and smoothness of both. Hmm, the trick I think is to try and turn my palate to more red wines, which are heart healthy ( though who knows, the experts may change thier minds on that one next month) and go better with dinner. A bottle of wine a week? A glass with every evening meal? That isn't awful. Just remember, all things in moderation.
Last week I was fortunate enough to go with some very good friends to Sonoma, CA...Napa's equally delicious and cheaper cousin, California wine country. Valley of the Moon was a beautiful vineyard, and the wine was delicious! We tried some 15 wines, at $5 per person for 5 wines. A great deal!! The whole experience brought me back to the days of my college wine tasting course, and it was so much fun to share it all with such wonderful friends. Wine...it can be called the blood of truth, friendship and health! I would not mind settling in Sonoma, that is for sure. California dreaming....!! As the Beach Boys sang.

Ok, I think my rambles can be paused for a while.

PURA VIDA : )