Costa Rica Continue...And Mr. J update

Cano refuge continue.











I was asked if I swam in the water. That would be a negative:)

Cano refuge was an all day event so I pretty much went back to the hotel and chilled out. I didn't have to get up early the next morning so I decided I would go into town before my afternoon hike.

Day 4:
Still pouring down rain. Considered building an ark but hey, I'm on vacation.

Saw a Toucan on the hotel premises.





Took a taxi into town. Walked around the small town, La Fortuna until I was soaked (didn't take long) and decided to grab a cup of coffee (or two) in this cute shop.



met three brothers traveling together and chatted with them for 2 hours. They had just come from the coast, volunteering their time in a Marine center to help the in dangered leather back turtles. Great time with them.



Taxi back to the hotel for my afternoon hike.





The hike was disappointing and very, very wet.
After freezing my ass off, we went to the hot springs to soak our cold, wet bodies in some warm water. Felt very nice but I sure missed my Mister!

Made it back to the hotel to find this:



I leave in the morning for Monteverde, the cloud Forrest.

A little update on Mr. J. Things are going well between us. I'm learning to relax a little and not trying to figure it all out. While gone in Costa Rica I missed him so very much so I know my feelings are deeper then I thought.

The issues he has, are not with me. He is the Director of Pharmacy where I work and has been for almost 6 years. The last year has been tough for him there. Going through a divorce and keeping up with work has been a challenge. He has been telling me that he feels it's time to move on but with this economy he thought maybe he should stay put.

However, some things have happened over the last few weeks that made him change his mind. First, we were spotted hugging on hospital premises and he was warned about this. Funny thing is, I wasn't.

The other things, I will not mention since that is his private business. After consideration over the weekend and another job offer (with much less money) he decided to resign.

It's so sad to see him leave there. His whole team was sobbing (and it's not a small team). How lucky his is too be loved so much. The hospital will have a difficult time to find a qualified replacement. His shoes are hard to fill.

Thank you all for the positive thoughts. He had a tough weekend but today, he looks relieved. He will take a little time off and start his new job next month.

As for us...I'm all smiles:)

Day's 3 & 4 Arenal Costa Rica

Sorry for being a blogger slacker. Many, many things going on with Mr. J. Most very good, but a few things pretty awful. Please keep him in your thoughts friends.

I don't have much time as I need to get to work so I will let the pictures do the talking.

Day 3:
Another early morning and off to Cano wildlife refuge. Tourism is way down. Good for me, not so good for a Country who relies heavily on tourism.





Took a boat ride down the river towards Nicaragua and saw many birds, howler monkeys and crocodiles. We were able to get pretty close to the wildlife as the river is empty!!









I'm out of time friends. I will finish tonight and catch up on all the blogs!

Moments like this

I actually get paid to bring beautiful babies like this one into our world.

Life is good!

Back to work

I returned to work today so my trip postings will have to wait until tomorrow.

I love my job and with every vacation I am actually excited about returning to work.

Until this time.

We had some work drama before I left so I wasn't anxious to return to the situation. Seems, though time as smooth things out some and tension is less. Seriously though, why is it that when you work with a bunch of Woman there is so much drama?? At times, I feel like I'm in high school.

I believe this round is over but I'm sure there will be more.

As the gurney turns:)

Arenal Costa Rica Day's 1& 2

I'm so sorry for my slacking off on my trip. Things were a little crazy when I got home. Turns out when you spend 10 days away from home, there is a lot of shit to do when you get back:(

I arrived later then expected in Arenal due to my 3 hour delay in Miami. I basically checked into my hotel, which are actually cute Villas, and collapsed for the night since I was to do my Zipline tour in the AM:)

February 4:

Woke up early so I could eat breakfast and check out the grounds.

Villa de Travel Girl



Hotel grounds.







I ate breakfast and my transportation arrive to take me on the Canopy tour (Zipline).
Saw an entire family of raccoons crossing the road. My driver pulled over so I could take a shot.





This was the only time I saw the volcano. Did I mention it rained the ENTIRE 4 days I was in Arenal? And I'm not talking a little rain. Nope. I'm talking Monsoon rain.



Arrived for my Zipline and was quickly befriended by a couple, Joe and Mary, and later would join them for dinner.

Gearing up:



There was about 13 in our group. They load us in a tram and took us to the top of the canopy. It was really raining so I only took a few shots.



They explain the lines and position you should hold while zipping 250 feet above the Forrest. We got to practice on 2 small lines. I felt good and was pumped to go.





Once you go across this line, there is no turning back. The group leader asked if anyone wanted a taxi. This means, did anyone want one of the guides to ride with them?



One woman quickly shouted "Yes!"

I was thinking to myself, what a wimp. That is, until I watched her zip across.

She looked soooo tiny going across that line. Panic struck, and I suddenly, I NEEDED a taxi.

Turned out to be the best move. It was raining so hard and the wind had started to pick up. Position is so important so you do not spin out of control or stop in the middle of the line. Going across on your own, the rain pounded your face and you had to keep your eyes closed. The only experience the was thrill of the ride, no scenery.

But, with my taxi, I saw everything! He tuned me to the side so I could view the Forrest. AWESOME!!!!





Great fun.
After the canopy, Joe and Mary offer to pick me up at my hotel for dinner. I went back to my hotel and had a disappointing mud massage and read a book until dinner time.

I met more people this trip then any other trip. Joe and Mary are from Maine. Great food with great conversation. People that you have only just met but feel you known for years.



Perfect close to this most fabulous day!

Home!

I got home last night. I'm so glad to be home. The last few days of my trip were quite lonely. I had an amazing time though and met a lot of fantastic people.

I will post this weekend with pictures and catch up on all the blogs. i have to catch up with my kids and, of course, my Mister. i missed him more then I thought.

Missed you all and can't wait to catch up!

Greetings from Costa Rica!

So, I have only been here 2 days and already I missed you all so much, I had to say hi.

My trip got off on a sour note which always makes me a little nervous. I'm, by nature a negative person but I self talk a lot so I can turn it around.

Landed in Miami at 445am and didn't take off until 1200pm! Originally, I had a 4 hour layover that turned into 7 hours due to mechanical problems. Sat on the plane for 1.5 hours. We deboarded,*never a good sign*, for 1.5 hours.

My negative Nellie was having a party in my head but thankfully I met some cool guys who were so damn funny, my positive penny was prevailing.

Landed in Costa Rica at 3pm and my driver was there to pick me up. Whew!

My driver, Roberto was awesome. I was his only passenger and he waited 3 hours for me. I was so hungry so we decided to get something to eat. Interesting conversation in broken Spanish and broken English.

Arrived at the hotel 6pm. This is when it dawns to me that I'm not really on a tour. Talk to the hotel tour operator who tells me that I'm on my own just everything booked through the agency.

I'm totally fine with this. It's been an amazing 2 days so far and I will share more later. Computer access is limited and people are waiting.

The meaning of a "key"

After my sad morning, I ran some last minute errands and picked up some necessities for Costa Rica. Jules left me a comment that she can't believe it's Costa Rica time!

Neither. Can. I!
It's not like me at all to leave things to the last minute but between working, babygirl1s' visit, and my Mr. J time, the trip literally bolted out of nowhere.

After my errands and dinner with Buddy, I made my way over to Mr. J's. He has been working a ton too in preparation for State inspection. He also moved out old furniture yesterday and had the new stuff delivered. My point to all of this, is that when I finally got over to his place last night he was asleep! I was disappointed but hid my emotion because I knew it was immature.

I wanted him to go to Walmart with me (note: I NEVER go to Walmart. I'm a Target girl but I couldn't find a travel alarm clock at Target so I had no choice) but he was pretty wiped out. As I was walking out, I told him to leave the door unlocked for me and as I turned around to say "see ya" he handed me this:



A Key.
He then said to me "You have the key to my heart so I want you to have a key to my place."

I said ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! I couldn't digest it that fast. I just took the key and walked out the door.

Call me a baby but, I cried all the way to Walmart. Not because I was so touched he gave me a key to his place AND his heart. No. I cried because I spent 5 years with VIP and never got a key to his place. I only had a garage door opener that I would return when I was not staying there.

I cried because the man I loved with every ounce of my body, never let me have a key to his heart that was locked tighter than fort knox.

I thought about this man, Mr. J who told me 2 weeks ago that he has never felt so connected with a woman as he does with me. I thought about how, at the time, I thought the same but didn't want to tell him and admit it completely to myself.

Lastly, I thought about a post I read on Linda's blog about baggage we have from past relationships that inevitably carry over to the present one. Can I ever let myself love anyone again?

Sadly, I know that I'm so afraid to let go, so afraid I will get hurt. My gut tells me that Mr. J, for the long term is not the guy for me. His baggage is excessive and I'm don't think long term I can do it. I'm honest, brutally and he accepts it.

But, I have this fucking key and it moves me deeply. In my world, a key is a big deal. I have only handed out one key and I think you all know who had it and the way that turned out.

I looked up "key" and here are some interesting definitions.

*A means of access, control, or possession.

*A vital, crucial element*

This last meaning is the one that I totally relate too. It means a lot for one to give a key to their home, their secure ground. It means that they trust you and feel safe with you. And, although I'm deeply touched,I'm scared to death.

When I came back, I told him my fears, the huge significances of a key. He just pulled me close and said "It's OK baby. Let's just enjoy the moment. That's really all we have. We will figure out the future as it unfolds."

Is it really that simple? I'm the girl who wants everything figured out before it happens.

Maybe that's the problem.