Author Archives: Christine

About Christine

The one that makes it all happen

Deborah & I in Manuel Antonio Parka

Mayhem in Quepos with Deborah & Greg

Greg and Deborah were our first friends to visit us in Costa Rica. It might not have been true mayhem, but it was a heck of a lot of fun. We had a fabulous time showing them around Quepos, taking them out to eat to all of our favorite haunts and had a full day at Manuel Antonio National Park.

Day 1

We met Greg and Deborah at Runway Grill at the marina since we were working in the boat yard.  After a tasty lunch, we walked around town, did a little shopping, and got wet in the rain.  A quick happy hour stop at Le Gran Escape, then we headed to the apartment.  We enjoyed mouthwatering tacos, huge 1 liter bottles of beer, live music, and a hot game of fuse ball at Hostel Plinio later that night.

Day 2

Our plan was to get up early to get to the Manuel Antonio National park before it got too hot and crowded.  However, the festivities from the night before prevented an early escape.  To spice things up, we hopped on the local bus instead of taking the car.  That’s just how we roll.

We decided to do the small loop in the park to ensure we had time to walk around the town before heading back.  We got lucky with a gorgeous day, no rain, little cloud cover, and lots of animals.

It’s super cool to be able to show them the huge diversity of landscape at the park.  There are tons of gorgeous beaches, mangroves, and a forest all within a few miles of the entrance.

Manuel Antonio Park with Deborah and Greg

Manuel Antonio Park with Deborah and Greg

We saw a raccoon wandering the beach, a baby crocodile, an agouti, crabs, sloths, capuchin monkeys and howler monkeys. The Cauchin monkeys caused mayhem stealing bags, taking fruit, and hopping all over the rails.  Everyone came out to meet our California friends.

Capuhin Monkeys at Manuel Antonio Park

Capuhin Monkeys at Manuel Antonio Park

After a quick lunch at Marlins Restaurant we took the bus back to the apartment.  Deborah spoiled me by taking me to Rain Drop Spa for a totally amazing massage, mini-facial, and body scrub.  We were as soft as a baby’s butt!  It was a truly spectacular experience – thank you Deborah!

Day 3

Deborah and Greg headed to the Monkey Mangrove Tour and met us for lunch at Agua Azul where we dined over looking the beautiful bay.  Since they had a car, we swung by the market to pick up beer and diet coke for the apartment.  Then we had to send them on their merry way back to San Jose.

Deborah & Greg in Quepos

Deborah & Greg in Quepos

It was a fast and furious couple of days as we packed a lot in a short amount of time.  Thank you so much for everything Greg and Deborah – we loved having you visit.

Michelle and Heather

Visit to the States: Part II

Visits to the States, especially my home town always put a lot of pressure on me as there are so many people I want to see in between all things I have to do.  Squeezed into a very short amount of time.  I only have 2.5 days to get everything done and its not enough time!

After I arrived in Austin, I met Sharon Popp at Hula Hut for happy hour.  She drove all the way from Houston (3 hour drive one-way) to meet with me.  Which makes me incredibly honored.  But I am disappointed that we didn’t get a photo.  We were too involved in catching up to whip out the phones.

Afterwards, I met my friend Michelle so we could pick up Jamie who was flying in from Arizona for a short visit during my stay.  We took advantage of some quiet time and enjoyed a fabulous dinner at Bartlet’s.  Again, forgot to whip out the camera.  Its been years since the three of us have been together, so there was a lot of catching up to do.

The next day, I met the renter of our house, visited with my neighbor, and saw my oncologist.  Dr. Patt at Texas Oncology gave me great news: labs showed me to be “perfectly average”.  In fact, she was so happy with me that she changed my appointments to annually.

That night, Heather Newbby planned a happy hour where I was able to see a large group of friends at one time.  Thank you everyone for showing up!

Image:  Jamie, Missy, Heather, Michael, Michelle, Aimee, Kim, Selma, Oscar

Austin Friends

Austin Friends

The next day, more errands and had a fabulous lunch with my sweet friend Diana at Nordstrom Cafe. I was hankering for their tasty saladsand it did not disappoint!  Then our really good friends, Shawn and Sharon drove in from San Antonio (over 90-minute one way drive) to have dinner with me at Maudie’s.

Managed to run all my errands too:

  • Pharmacy
  • Market
  • PO Box
  • FedEx
  • Norstrom
  • Sephora
  • LuLu Lemon
  • Walgreens
  • Bank

Quick 2 weeks in and out of the States, but managed to get everything done that I came for – blessings.

Dad, Kimberly and I at Hermosa Fresh Market

Visit to the States: Part I

What? 6 months since my last visit to the States.  My journey to the States was a lot easier than in January.  A 3.5 hour public bus ride, 30-minute taxi, 5-hour flight to MIA, 5-hour flight to LA.  Easy Peasy – 20 hours later.

We had a jammed packed schedule with lots of activities and errands.  I saw my good friends Ed and Wendy, Kathryn and Gene, and got to see my sister show off her jumping skills.

Sis jumping her horse and Ed, Wendy and I

Sis jumping her horse and Ed, Wendy and I

Cole performed in a high school “Spring Sing” and was the only kid with a solo – he’s so amazing!  As a matter of fact, he made a select men’s singing group for next year.

Cole singing solo at Spring Sing

Cole singing solo at Spring Sing

Kimberly had a fundraiser at the Spring Sing concert and raised over $250 for the Mira Costa Choir.  Equally important, we had fun working side by side.

The family at Cole's Spring Sing

The family at Cole’s Spring Sing

Kimberly put together a last minute girls happy hour where my friend Deborah joined us.  Always good to see a fellow Texan enjoying the California lifestyle.

Girls Happy Hour

Girls Happy Hour

We see lots of weird fruits and veggies that we cannot identify in other countries, but this is a first for me. I could  not identify this huge jack fruit in California.  Evidently it’s  a huge source of protein for vegetarians.  It was heavy!

What the heck? It is a vegan source of protein.

What the heck? It is a vegan source of protein.

One of the main reasons I went to LA (besides seeing my family) was to see Cameron, my youngest nephew graduate from middle school.  Notably, graduating with all “A’s.”

The cast below:  Cameron, my dad, Troy, Kimberly, Vicki, Uncle Matt, Diana and Mark. Bottom row: Reese’s PB Cup/Chocolate Chip cookies

Family celebrating Cameron's graduation

Family celebrating Cameron’s graduation

Cameron rocked the front row of his 2018 graduating class.  Under these circumstances, it was no surprise as he did a jig exited the stage, cracking everyone up!

Cameron's Middle School Graduation

Cameron’s Middle School Graduation

It’s always good to get the family together, but even better when it is a celebration.

Family at Cameron's Graduation in the States

Family at Cameron’s Graduation in the States

In addition to being a rock star student, Cameron also rocks the volleyball court!  We got to see him play in a tournament.  He is a power house on the court like his mom and dad!

Cameron at Volleyball Tournament

Cameron at Volleyball Tournament

We celebrated Father’s day early as I was traveling to ATX on the actual day.  We took my dad to brunch then walked the Hermosa Beach Fresh Market.  As can be seen, it was a beautiful day.

Dad, Kimberly and I at Hermosa Fresh Market

Dad, Kimberly and I at Hermosa Fresh Market

Had a fabulous time, even though we packed a lot in a short amount of time during my visit to the States:

  • Cameron’s graduation
  • Cole’s Spring Sing
  • Kimberly’s Horseback Riding Lessons
  • Visit with a few friends (Ed & Wendy, Kathryn & Gene, and Deborah)
  • Father’s Day
  • Errands, errands, and more errands