tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40499464866391285892024-02-19T08:06:17.346-08:00Adventures in Costa Rica!Stefanie Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463838303995976431noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049946486639128589.post-71238622715952890662011-03-05T10:00:00.000-08:002011-03-22T15:29:36.388-07:00Weekend at the beach: Manuel Antonio<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUR6UcFE7UYGniKEIvyWW8SuX47CBe3DHuE4ptEhFm1AbIUTFRXF1eaAj_7FNjxW5bogijqXWrakzhr9c_-fF_VQNhyphenhyphenP4aEesGMA5oPxL5UdAlNHU9m3RrV8_YIumh-J9ayrjMpID6-M/s1600/SDC10518.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581603946589791922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUR6UcFE7UYGniKEIvyWW8SuX47CBe3DHuE4ptEhFm1AbIUTFRXF1eaAj_7FNjxW5bogijqXWrakzhr9c_-fF_VQNhyphenhyphenP4aEesGMA5oPxL5UdAlNHU9m3RrV8_YIumh-J9ayrjMpID6-M/s400/SDC10518.JPG" /></a><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581603944360116610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lCcjbn1llIpDzDg9g2QcdV9gX0nDSG0YwVQeZN2zr7sbOTLHm_-dJ9obv45jKNiGfIDBfmIchfMIVXXndbS98NbfrMUEhCCOxwXTdAg5ix2ORnAqcH8zFwklLoTd0zkDY8Mp5EkXNvQ/s400/SDC10504.JPG" /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qsDZUzkQNYcUEKlDZYweS1nspCn-KuSuYlnZ0AkZy8q7yJfuRG2AkmMV7oa5kAiTlDlDSIArzWY8-jt_NYW7tnqQHCUSU5f-c59ilyTtJ6jyDJaLldpjlcVEGg07kTJHjyd9w0DO5FI/s1600/SDC10498.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581603938453572066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qsDZUzkQNYcUEKlDZYweS1nspCn-KuSuYlnZ0AkZy8q7yJfuRG2AkmMV7oa5kAiTlDlDSIArzWY8-jt_NYW7tnqQHCUSU5f-c59ilyTtJ6jyDJaLldpjlcVEGg07kTJHjyd9w0DO5FI/s400/SDC10498.JPG" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvZQ7Ce0sLELiNLpvijHS6d3CH73EMGgUohVDdh1WozeWrscLU4BQ7yN0-sKtdeufRGVF91QboOgf1N73zEVkb8mj4j47lBDlMNYxryIb09s3cJph_QPXOs822lh6vwm3Gee9f1InuuY/s1600/SDC10488.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581603931959433506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvZQ7Ce0sLELiNLpvijHS6d3CH73EMGgUohVDdh1WozeWrscLU4BQ7yN0-sKtdeufRGVF91QboOgf1N73zEVkb8mj4j47lBDlMNYxryIb09s3cJph_QPXOs822lh6vwm3Gee9f1InuuY/s400/SDC10488.JPG" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitX2n16khhYEBqhh79tReN1KacjxB5mmzpJYuKjFnKjGUr9yL8K6F3z30OaYuYHirJr9XEH_XcVb1Uu_Rlh7xz0qeUUcsy2x2EvIiVANPMLF04Zcuyo9ZDO9_rUUD30dYyXQu6IvvZyk/s1600/SDC10468.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581603928581525458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitX2n16khhYEBqhh79tReN1KacjxB5mmzpJYuKjFnKjGUr9yL8K6F3z30OaYuYHirJr9XEH_XcVb1Uu_Rlh7xz0qeUUcsy2x2EvIiVANPMLF04Zcuyo9ZDO9_rUUD30dYyXQu6IvvZyk/s400/SDC10468.JPG" /></a><br />Here are a few things that we got up to over weekend:<br /><br />- hung out in a peanut gay bar (I am NOT joking)<br /><br />- saw pelicans, monkeys and raccoons running around<br /><br />- jumped massive waves and got thrown around<br /><br />- had a Rummy championship and I'm not saying who won<br /><br />- ate some amazing guacamole and homemade chips<br /><br />- indulged in some amazing tuna steaks<br /><br />- rode on far too many buses for either of our likings<br /><br />- played a little blackjack, lost a little money...<br /><br />- attended a few happy hours<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuNldOS6sMgo4Sgt6kXUkaunD8HiUyv9Q5127FVLiQukvmvWuilbGlY7fto1QIVbJ2AYaAiTyo-FrUOBxuTnXxKgsnqpdeS_WKawXiuyaB0mxi_u1Re-HONR5Kq7TeUE_B6K8hKTWuN4/s1600/Manuel+Antonio+Collage.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 355px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580657495804188578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuNldOS6sMgo4Sgt6kXUkaunD8HiUyv9Q5127FVLiQukvmvWuilbGlY7fto1QIVbJ2AYaAiTyo-FrUOBxuTnXxKgsnqpdeS_WKawXiuyaB0mxi_u1Re-HONR5Kq7TeUE_B6K8hKTWuN4/s400/Manuel+Antonio+Collage.jpg" /></a>We stayed at the <a href="http://www.bybloshotelcostarica.com/">Byblos Resort and Casino</a>. For a special deal, contact us because we have code to get you some freebies! :)Stefanie Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463838303995976431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049946486639128589.post-81900783070764489522011-01-30T16:35:00.000-08:002011-01-30T18:50:53.185-08:00Parque de Diversiones, Heredia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcScKez0tUOsMkxgz4ZJthzagnJIIgNstl3KECMQslCSpiATLFb-iyN-2thozXST_91ekky0EKe6SOrZBeishC2jKzRvGeWHJLkPDk-PwWURnAzzxt-4ur2mhH9epcSvrGLk17Q2YdcYw/s1600/fountain.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcScKez0tUOsMkxgz4ZJthzagnJIIgNstl3KECMQslCSpiATLFb-iyN-2thozXST_91ekky0EKe6SOrZBeishC2jKzRvGeWHJLkPDk-PwWURnAzzxt-4ur2mhH9epcSvrGLk17Q2YdcYw/s320/fountain.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568176623798878834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.6px; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.6px; ">A couple of weeks ago, I went on a girls day out to the <em>Parque de Diversiones, </em>just a five minute drive from my house. Two of my friends have little girls, so it was even more fun seeing their faces experience rollercoasters and carousels for the first time. The place is pretty much like any other theme park in the world, it was much bigger than I expected. the one thing that separates it from other attraction parks is the stunning views that it boasts. They definitely distract from the long queues.</span></div><div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60_hwnMNCEjFwEZLubfRYjrAcjLE6V8j_1XwaToTq1pkudjA5KrMlp2E9yKXMzPUH-txNS8E4C3SYiCjNZ_6eiIzG1nCtYxchs3a8mbfx1jxgkrvdiKr8oagaemiZnBHhtPb4fzPWIVw/s320/parque1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568176623067034898" /><blockquote></blockquote> The Park has a little something for everyone, from rides for the little ones to huge rollercoasters for the big ones too! We didn't get to see too much because we arrived a little late, but we'll definitely be going back! Hopefully with the boys which should be great fun!</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwVfu16wQUPF4d9KaFsKXdVH2oY3wgPHJTPbv8UQjTeJ9WtOSNcr5yqBUfCXYBSEdzzbulQdi-hZlWOnYCEBWhdm-kpcpAWCI6uJH51Xs00pgAqUtwaNpqm91noBiVQOELRHpbmP2QcU/s320/views.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568176617032883746" /><div> </div><br /><div> </div>Stefanie Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463838303995976431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049946486639128589.post-70595464621078867302010-11-15T17:07:00.002-08:002011-01-09T10:31:49.681-08:00Chilling at Peace Lodge!<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubLLgQGCLVexI8y0kKlQcu8LAb2nyKFnQh68KfPbXPalQk5Vr1-Tw2aULgRTal-zCtJb3ZavV_Dy72zT3-fBrlfueHXKXtq_utxvdz8iBcLFcl7nnNYA2H3PTYTtXEImkvHMQv1kAkGA/s320/SDC11053.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559973050695520210" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MhZgJCBO1hbnyv6yARMx54rcbfeVP7ISlJYC4cKVzpfn_8hkzgM31YZ5eb7u9HTKN5hDPfFgJgie9yohCG1KQaa8qmsdDbjIaYrlDbIgJdcXnpL1aCFgTw1APdFLt1eVEJP0dBjTJ5Q/s1600/SDC11072.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MhZgJCBO1hbnyv6yARMx54rcbfeVP7ISlJYC4cKVzpfn_8hkzgM31YZ5eb7u9HTKN5hDPfFgJgie9yohCG1KQaa8qmsdDbjIaYrlDbIgJdcXnpL1aCFgTw1APdFLt1eVEJP0dBjTJ5Q/s320/SDC11072.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559973057418102946" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTTOKV94onsxPl2WQ0J1yTtg-evDXA1Bi0_zL44evK88CvrWyRWeObU5pJphcSBYxkZJGxfeQSTnKn2NBy5ybFPVUpNgekiG9y0L5LWF61V4qVvpUxF7zwVRjdqYyYX1vyUpZsz4HG3A/s320/SDC11058.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560253695589578034" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In November, to celebrate our 3rd anniversary, we went to Peace Lodge, about an hour's drive from our new house in Cariari (blog to come with more photos, if you haven't already seen them on Facebook!). The hotel was amazing! High up in the rainforest, right next to the Poas volcano (we didn't manage a trip there but maybe next time!) and surrounded by waterfalls, Peace Lodge is one of Costa Rica's five small, distinctive hotels and is set in La Paz Waterfall Gardens, which also has a small zoo (if you can call it that!), so we got to see a lot of Costa Rican wildlife, including monkeys, toucans and parrots as well</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUwKHWlrIVsJXII_7rrndksF-Qj8-ODa-WmAe-zfNOswNPcM7vuXUGnEr5cpnPqEn8NuvXBzeGpmSTHwVK0KOt3Kfdw-FqoId5R9jXdEzkLFgi9MvMp0Aq7L-N9TXcfCjy4H5hHhPi0Q/s1600/SDC11063.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUwKHWlrIVsJXII_7rrndksF-Qj8-ODa-WmAe-zfNOswNPcM7vuXUGnEr5cpnPqEn8NuvXBzeGpmSTHwVK0KOt3Kfdw-FqoId5R9jXdEzkLFgi9MvMp0Aq7L-N9TXcfCjy4H5hHhPi0Q/s320/SDC11063.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559973044156698722" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONxIfAzca75xGhKPeNc3hGrkWBK6C78qh9UuosnU1KlhGZ4bmOpFStSfBBX1jwzcGOF_3DPoQ05kTsBltt2yIll9iQCloNCmdPHeyAWZdEuBnc9BS3ONN6irwf-RwVUuoCDDLnA2zNto/s320/SDC11064.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560253692349340482" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypiHwpNf1dSAdrQdzt8vZOlVN5CUbJo7RzY6wtpdtbNROXs9KWbO6sYfdQXiqvx1LUNS7NFEQG7MzjqduVlFIZtd-feuAiPezgawyCdTxrVe3aqE5OJBBW1DkhM7bJ4RPblbXpWPEVe8/s320/SDC11035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559970057944455762" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2B241J3H90b9FATidXXOOpgnKgxnODxJ038n60uEvYjiYddbN9wvIDvtq7I_qGzcqUEn1Vq_RhXNAs9KHqnh7frlVdH7EJ3UEo4CcuZb5WGcWIyRyBaOAfqtEcGvygWhHdzAR4WB7iCs/s320/SDC11038.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559973037772263698" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LJW-UlOtig4gJybyhozy3u_LhQ0zDgApIuccsFoVUhypo948JyZ4K-EnXmPdFZRmmjB7esHqRDZLuRPKlwoqSUzx3Faw8Th_byPnFsP_T4RO4VRY1IBwvMYC85GhyfRJ1UpF4FjbMwg/s1600/SDC11046.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LJW-UlOtig4gJybyhozy3u_LhQ0zDgApIuccsFoVUhypo948JyZ4K-EnXmPdFZRmmjB7esHqRDZLuRPKlwoqSUzx3Faw8Th_byPnFsP_T4RO4VRY1IBwvMYC85GhyfRJ1UpF4FjbMwg/s320/SDC11046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559970060455667602" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5xvzCmE1oDlLY7-OSYlKKIlA5VDwIpi0yPpeSR3vQwnR3i7VGRIOZpCV_LpVJMDTTiHvA45VncdFVMSSwQs7o_Fjz_AbaG0Mm3pWqbyH-ZQ-Altg6_GyiUi0IHiAWrh6xshvwqntSus/s320/SDC11065.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559970048129114882" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRykBZuVvzQP582e5TZTCJ4MI25cgYve3snwuGEL2XvmzNgR5rCGP8y-KpnDJ6CIDoI1vFvlwX-yUcgjBpqxnwBZLPrrDx-FtJ9C-fEnyhwD79cNMgvKvesU-rn7C4BzECWy4W2jRFnOs/s320/SDC11032.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559970056508763954" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifP2ySp8o74bJLu25DzMt_pLw-l9_F5HHzb1UITWp4Y2WHeV7j3Bqu6MMXRgDe_HvKkstD811cvLo1h9fJuyD5AC53oZCbeAZdf_BRWs0YeKEl-TKbf0mpSxMurQOItVjZO9oxQ1oWfdc/s320/SDC11068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559970043404863634" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Note: I'm a bit of a silly fool! Managed to write this weeks ago and not post it! :)</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Stefanie Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463838303995976431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049946486639128589.post-81890404247315447162010-11-10T16:18:00.001-08:002010-11-15T17:22:49.889-08:00Umm... English Teacher turned Poker HR Manager??So, I am no longer teaching English in Costa Rica! In August, I was offered the the position of HR Manager at The Poker Farm, where I'd have better hours, a little more money and a much easier commute (ie with the boys and not constantly in taxis!). I just had to jump at it! At first, I tried to juggle 2 jobs. That involved 17hr days and falling asleep in my books trying to plan lessons, so that wasn't really feasible. When I was due to come home in September, I took a break from Berlitz (the language school where I was teaching) for a couple of weeks whilst only working at Poker Farm and realised how much more easy my day was. I wasn't stressed or clock-watching, my skin cleared up and I made it to the gym for the first time in weeks. Then, after weeks of putting my body through too much, it crashed and I got hit by the flu. That's when I knew that it was one or the other. <div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539951767259579202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV39xx2GVd6V8yicmPle0ha1HMG7iuPRFkmHaxsZ40GMg4oADYhWwzzGedjbl1Bxr6gw7ITiOHjcLoMQBMafPngGyth8bN9XGWDnLOxxUq3dFZUE3WNafmL7WIaok5ybjHOWyC_pt0buk/s320/STUDY%252520SMALL.gif" /></div><div>It's an odd switch from teaching English to managing poker players and all of their details, but I am enjoying it. I loved my classes and the people that I met at Berlitz, but I just could no longer keep to the hours of 645-830am and then 4-9pm, because I just spent my days waiting around or then working my other job, which meant that I didn't have time to plan for the next day. I couldn't give it my all, so I knew that I had to leave. Sometimes, life takes you on a path that you never expected. But I am still using my Spanish and living in the sun, so my ambitions weren't all that different to the current situation!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><em>Stef x</em></div>Stefanie Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463838303995976431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049946486639128589.post-59403733985692189302010-11-10T16:17:00.000-08:002010-11-24T05:35:12.801-08:00Welcome to The Palace!<div align="center">We have moved house! Check out the photos below!</div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCByoS4Xy6krS8lPIZo3pp0MKHNWD_sHRk_2w9aiNyiKYm662qixxg71flSgr5EkokNMHkhvG-GnFeY5TLmzT70w_PYeWIqKdWWNfweS5U50_jr90nFX00ULByxqXHEGl_DermWCY-1Lg/s1600/SDC11198.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542615392042465522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCByoS4Xy6krS8lPIZo3pp0MKHNWD_sHRk_2w9aiNyiKYm662qixxg71flSgr5EkokNMHkhvG-GnFeY5TLmzT70w_PYeWIqKdWWNfweS5U50_jr90nFX00ULByxqXHEGl_DermWCY-1Lg/s320/SDC11198.JPG" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlmaitM6St3hthSYulbQw1lms72fHXGCRsFv8vROWeu7sh5HkhbeB9UTuJdzwyddRKcGcmLVc6vRfS_XeZ5XWonS5APSN3QtneD_8pvfK4wlgWf0GMCwcen5NDgOVbgSATNk_NrixCFk/s1600/SDC11197.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542615386687684114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlmaitM6St3hthSYulbQw1lms72fHXGCRsFv8vROWeu7sh5HkhbeB9UTuJdzwyddRKcGcmLVc6vRfS_XeZ5XWonS5APSN3QtneD_8pvfK4wlgWf0GMCwcen5NDgOVbgSATNk_NrixCFk/s320/SDC11197.JPG" /></a><br /> Entrance hall and Living area.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWljL9RXZsj1Zgu0-a99-gW9knY66ygIwg8JrSs9KwuEcR0QBYKuPWpiue2kv7Uuw-HNNwmoOHChYIPOJY3z5v2iXDi04W-DhfC0CUOtp4q4wiEQTegM2fBH4nYBudkFUdYc7G6WH9Yo/s1600/SDC11200.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542615382851917314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWljL9RXZsj1Zgu0-a99-gW9knY66ygIwg8JrSs9KwuEcR0QBYKuPWpiue2kv7Uuw-HNNwmoOHChYIPOJY3z5v2iXDi04W-DhfC0CUOtp4q4wiEQTegM2fBH4nYBudkFUdYc7G6WH9Yo/s320/SDC11200.JPG" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPjvGhK3NbJJihq1Z5ItP_wsnMOT-V2HjeS0HK9Vfvn4InRS8Ewh1A4bjnEAEtNCcgOqobyZyIT9iGXM96VC8nGZWz7D8LjQm98XG75AUDmngrBz9Lz-GzBQe7luDxlq1O8uiqjQezi4/s1600/SDC11199.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542615380454251298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPjvGhK3NbJJihq1Z5ItP_wsnMOT-V2HjeS0HK9Vfvn4InRS8Ewh1A4bjnEAEtNCcgOqobyZyIT9iGXM96VC8nGZWz7D8LjQm98XG75AUDmngrBz9Lz-GzBQe7luDxlq1O8uiqjQezi4/s320/SDC11199.JPG" /></a><br /> Pool room and Dining area<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DyZmwObP9uRKOUo7BtiD9PSD04UFZTNajVz5bM7DGArhcsHClBIdDnpd0OblnWvuTr2EWsiprRLfEO5k-AsvztY9CJlVnmhe8jX1ltarYUvwePAitKW6GuZrYb6T2l7HNQh71m66DX4/s1600/SDC11201.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542615373539707090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DyZmwObP9uRKOUo7BtiD9PSD04UFZTNajVz5bM7DGArhcsHClBIdDnpd0OblnWvuTr2EWsiprRLfEO5k-AsvztY9CJlVnmhe8jX1ltarYUvwePAitKW6GuZrYb6T2l7HNQh71m66DX4/s320/SDC11201.JPG" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5nL-mMs75YFG0qfRuocky9G4fyx0JcHCiYxuQpTJgh550MH2Hzr-Whnou_NntQxwyW9VgRalcd_ne9Zu1JDNf1gxt0IN238bEo33x_IFxM6stKVAzqTg_nfQ0fwm4H-PjJVZ1wiKJi0/s1600/SDC11206.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542606351546539874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5nL-mMs75YFG0qfRuocky9G4fyx0JcHCiYxuQpTJgh550MH2Hzr-Whnou_NntQxwyW9VgRalcd_ne9Zu1JDNf1gxt0IN238bEo33x_IFxM6stKVAzqTg_nfQ0fwm4H-PjJVZ1wiKJi0/s320/SDC11206.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Sofas and Kitchen<br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:15;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSwTwfPb8sYpojDJr0AJINfgwOk-O2giwChNSJFmgB4N0W06zHBqGKZQTzzkLQcjuza_h-QgVIwAkD2rHBNXOtdUvza4QtvBKFd-uHhsaVEkUodFWERCqPQf04J72-EBmnNAtaNiMD48/s1600/SDC11183.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542606332356205570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSwTwfPb8sYpojDJr0AJINfgwOk-O2giwChNSJFmgB4N0W06zHBqGKZQTzzkLQcjuza_h-QgVIwAkD2rHBNXOtdUvza4QtvBKFd-uHhsaVEkUodFWERCqPQf04J72-EBmnNAtaNiMD48/s320/SDC11183.JPG" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:15;"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542606343027526626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlUsQ-gW5gYl1V6DI-4aeS8N6naEL23z2vqh8U6wyW1Q0YeJMBSn8mXu1O4y5XADL1Ot5ha_tXE5DpTKxAbFD_xJeX1dzI4QnWh8Zv8Bwb4QAhrAazTWieLCBDpxUiE9DlUCIpCArt_A/s320/SDC11193.JPG" /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center">The staircase and landing.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:15;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDWaIW10LZ3pZKxzQw_PnDXW387AprDCgyc-MCddMQDs0uXs9X6ZwQdOpST2dCSn12uMuTVmiBLsaxNdfrIO1n6F0BX7wIgNL7Yatz7tJ8zhFf4rvJO1GnikFLE04C7oZ-hVVeQ-t10c/s1600/SDC11181.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542606324359494754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDWaIW10LZ3pZKxzQw_PnDXW387AprDCgyc-MCddMQDs0uXs9X6ZwQdOpST2dCSn12uMuTVmiBLsaxNdfrIO1n6F0BX7wIgNL7Yatz7tJ8zhFf4rvJO1GnikFLE04C7oZ-hVVeQ-t10c/s320/SDC11181.JPG" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:15;"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542606322671482946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeiJlPEOflwqmWmOFkBrz2JlMySbiNnC4xN0UeJM3GM50E2btrUyxRCXRkgyKtjjtID9gkdpdqWMKlhtS2uSkZnYJrAwpv7QgkEZG0o0R901kIalTUsLY5kD-nBX_wVg8DvSgq43BZrs/s320/SDC11179.JPG" /></span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Our room and ensuite.</span><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">What do you think? Outside photos coming soon!</div>Stefanie Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463838303995976431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049946486639128589.post-62376675524679703012010-10-11T22:44:00.000-07:002010-11-10T16:09:55.891-08:00Virginia is for Lovers<div style="text-align: left;">Back in July we went for a break (and quick tourist visa renewal!) to Virginia to visit Simon and Meredith (Mark's bro and his girlfriend for those of you not in the know!). It was the middle of summer and it was HOT. We also arrived perfectly in time to celebrate one of the biggest days on the US calendar: 4th July.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirESeRr70Q5EV5FXHnpSsQ5dJaF3W32h9RK7HzqAQtYmSLezj_51AVDUv-zFwb2TnDGdWIloIeppsiNeohlEjPeqg_Bzl0ecTXBFmC-dsYOy2VAsxQFle-167d10uheNPO1R_NSebhNm4/s320/SDC10273.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538074258728148882" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Having arrived with my glass of wine in 1st class (<i>yes,</i> they bumped me up, and <i>no</i> they didn't award Mark the same pleasure!), I was feeling chilled and relaxed and fully ready for the next day ahead, which consisted of drinking all day long at a pool party at one of Meredith's friends houses complete with grill and good ol' Southern hospitality. Angela and her parents were lovely, I had a long chat with her mum about her book club and writing. She wants to write a book some day and I hope she does. So many people think that they have a book in them, and I always feel like they should try and get it out. The day was a blast and the Americans loved making fun of our <i>"cute British accents"</i>. The week continued to be much the same.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZCvNSmQgefeOsyPpwq0bMEGZA7DyD1T_3eQ5_hKHVr0Icooz_hyknvto9DTrUdijBXvK9tInZzOXmYYvsguwalYogYjDw7mqWVUCCSrxgmyuOLRrjeNeXAe8J-CvuPK1WBi62RSInrc/s320/SDC10295.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538074263994775410" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPnOJlXjH-BGp6mvwZ7yrZv-IUgLUobZmKmYPZOJoRV3F9oBOJ4Bdl6EckLZFgiI-ZyBNJPFoDcggxLSI3dkSp3fUOOrokiRj4Ft09kQSSGvWoBbMisI16jULywHzvezXK4r-TMG76vY/s320/SDC10323.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538075479294276738" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4copU80pyP-bi63jfOjOX8JJ5M-UIpOJzUs46SHv9InB1D8iYjvu8al22x6J5ugvrjIXPH0jVBdgHPlyxVDIvagMnnLo0LbhZdbdEIcdFKYMv1iDCSD8ym3M8tz-RF-1dVL2mZZr-1Q/s320/SDC10305.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538074271890152610" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">The next day we got up early for a road trip to Washington DC. It was just as fabulous! We saw the sights, and queued up for a very long time to eat at Ben's Chilli Bowl (hey! If it's good enough for Obama...!) before almost fainting in the heatwave (over 100 degrees!) and failing to get very close to the White House (I just had to zoom in on my camera - it was all too much!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI-YXxtrOviyA_wNv0CUw2fTCocCrk8tCv5E8fyi_r_hTdReExtgtR1aJp8_uNwyV4zRQMuWfUTnj04Ir1nUVMehZTmVeIJS0PnmP4uwL-TWN9F98ME_DRxd3Rg3zVk29RXs2IU6lQWc/s320/SDC10306.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538075473902926338" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1juTTckCDdWLtfxIoRPBI2C4RqmvzNAuhYHtKCpjoGA3ggmBDvUoWmfKiWB7GMEbHz_yefqgheWa61mzzRHSfrk1WFh_siaS_DMVLVOa61UMG45mfrS3Nrdjv6W_PorwafTmO6GCKWE/s320/SDC10316.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538074284082019714" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiNl9CH30WQQqSjeQzCvnosXs9Q8WxbDE5KAlQrsimsbUcMtWP_gbeFxl-1PCxgalm_Vs1EMJfuu0iokiU2ASXdMlX2yi1BSWCi1jEzsLcUPH_DQ4DHCZjylYOwLg3RiwEEQz_f6VP9w/s320/SDC10285.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538074257366536434" /></div><div>The one thing I couldn't get used to was the obligatory tipping - surely the restaurants should pay their staff's wages?! And when somebody has been particularly terrible, why should I add 20% to my already hefty bill?! It was very different to Costa Rica, where service is included and waiters don't expect tips (apart from when they think you are American!)</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMfNtAmoNkcIi2diTd5VHaDqfnM8Zzy0jtsZx_iM3YlsxxMxG8qP49jWhAuEo4arcALy57Fraa3msJ7vM3S4pqHt_p7SqIpTXjRor6MxpaIcTmdD6lBKgujuFUtPiq12-lrLd7p5-Exs/s320/SDC10385.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538075491433431410" /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEist414UlsOIQzOBJAXTYGrZiM3HYs8j2uGWkWKHpz_X9V4oYJv4y2dHC0PMJfdQIL9EsbzXv396fxghoPm9qvrGSK88R4R8_qbusyoSFy1uBb26ECi1Ow9KP11sgCsIqtKYzD3PKF6Ap8/s320/SDC10382.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538075487896726818" /></div><div>We then spent a couple of days exploring Richmond before heading to Virginia Beach for a couple of fun-filled days! Mark treated us all to a lovely hotel (as a thank you for letting us stay at Simon's and for Meredith being such a good tour guide!) All of these road trips were such a laugh, as we blasted music and chatted all the way. Plus, the Gray boys with a bit of <i>fuel</i> in them is always amusing!</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEOQR9KpitOvOW-OHv1q0cGvZQ-otixWn7ba9vWj6-v0Wa1e7JCxp2WN40yaWdheW_qfNMq-_UcNLfFYCXMMUkqxVRlKvZzBycUlqPBXRYz_OEMEmna2gvdiCmnuuT3sgkbNe2ROfgpU/s320/SDC10390.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538075501656313074" /></div><div>We also managed to fit in a couple of lovely meals, mini golf, a day at Meredith's parents' pool and a massive shopping spree at Target and Forever 21. I'd heard so much about these places before on blogs and I went a little crazy! Neither of us can wait to return for more Party in the USA! One problem that Mark did have was that gambling is illegal in Virginia - he nearly got back on the plane when he heard that one!</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Thanks guys for a great trip! Sorry this blog is a little (or a lot!) late!<br /></i><div> </div><i><br /></i><div><i>Stef x</i></div></div>Stefanie Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463838303995976431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049946486639128589.post-80143898884204696302010-07-24T12:06:00.000-07:002010-07-24T12:30:10.702-07:00My Girls' Weekend in Jaco!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdODn6t9Ih92htnTsNbxWDF_gWmoCQVzpiFytbWnQ5H6PdJxzpIHmV4vInvrxHBGT6dY9ZGirmp7c2KC272xUNW7LYj-GY_B1qNf4YpvNQHGV4ySNVBC9PS7BRg_Db2adz78UV6o7FE7s/s1600/SDC10440.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdODn6t9Ih92htnTsNbxWDF_gWmoCQVzpiFytbWnQ5H6PdJxzpIHmV4vInvrxHBGT6dY9ZGirmp7c2KC272xUNW7LYj-GY_B1qNf4YpvNQHGV4ySNVBC9PS7BRg_Db2adz78UV6o7FE7s/s320/SDC10440.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497556233333043570" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Me, Kate and Cameron.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last weekend, I went away on a girls' weekend with my friends Kate and Cameron to Jaco, a local beach town about an hour away from San Jose (well, it's longer on a 'doing the rounds' <em>colectivo</em> bus!). It was my friend Cameron's birthday and she just wanted to get out of the city, but what she didn't know is that we had booked a gorgeous resort to hang out in!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyu7owf3SdvCjSiLoUQKzME4Tg6qnaZClBmh-owcDLIjRde_-N4iseWNkjFSa7WJYRvBZilUcPg3uUIkgpRCJSlMsURsCJRo7UMf1-PGDqqpjYIxsFtWJMTOSQRmsNK8TpuBk473AQylc/s320/SDC10447.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497556215344186002" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4afuIyrD5c2XLrrvE49fyqY3U0sdLiBhgxR71PantCw4dji0hBX7vcYVUaHxX6bEYZgVbj56iMMlz9h2LGIA94cGZZjK1MeuFemiRBdC5qK0I2FH8SN10UUQDKHdpDWVS9gMpZRbO-pA/s320/SDC10464.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497556227549229602" /></div><div><br /></div><div>We had a fab weekend at <a href="http://clubdelmarcostarica.com/">Hotel Club del Mar</a> in Jaco, with it's tropical rooms and pretty pool area. Cameron was just happy to have a comfortable bed and a hot shower, as she has neither in their apartment in San Pedro (on the other side of town)! We didn't do a whole lot. Kate and I got pedicures at the hotel spa whilst Cameron caught up on sleep in the sun. The weather was pretty humid, so we didn't really move from the side of the pool for very long!</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_i0l2clnJj1mdozjFvNwSe6Qi-gKMYkPxj7yzTRbT3w7k0AhO_6URc7-MefNSUUd7B_fUcTNEZzYg9MZvZ748IJGYwxZEH26McOj_IqDcxgqatuxPcHW6GTaWJHCqkLpiVTNub7xi6U/s320/SDC10452.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497556208630728306" /><br /><div> </div><div>On the Saturday, we had dinner at <a href="http://lemonzestjaco.com/">Lemon Zest</a> - a well-known and popular restaurant near the beach in Jaco centre. We had an amazing meal. Hands down, the best food that I've had the whole time that I've been in Costa Rica. I can't even tell you how good it was, partially because I had consumed quite a lot of sangria prior to entering the restaurant, and partially because there are no words. I had duck in a blackberry jus, Cameron had filet mignon on garlic mash and a red wine reduction and Kate opted for Madeira Chicken with roast vegetables. This is our little vegan from Chicago, chowing down on poultry and licking her lips! haha. It's very difficult to be vegetarian in Costa Rica, let alone vegan. Especially when you are staying with a local family, which is where she was during the TEFL course.</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OtfAAMKWRCFmZXeplqf0nL-S2lvvTBP2cbyKJa0RaCBey6R9lFI6rvgpXlGjRAzOKgq34EEkmsAaJNXFNvHJM8u08TG9KfxhbMl8En4TZY1FBRI5_X1yMbn7cXdOE_zEpsj3-DmdfUc/s320/SDC10443_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497556204481209522" /><div> </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">At Lemon Zest</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div></span><div>On Sunday, we couldn't get a bus back to San Jose until 6.30pm so we were thrilled ot be allowed to hnag out at the hotel until we had to leave. The sun came out for us and we just worked on our tans all day. All in all, a fab end to a fab weekend with two fab girls! I can't wait for the next adventure!</div><div><blockquote><br /><em>Stef x<br /><br />PS. I know that Mark hasn't been blogging much and I'm going to get him on<br />here as soon as possible! It's just that at the moment, we have no internet in<br />our house and he works very long hours, so he doesn't always want to sit down<br />and start writing when he walks in!<br /></em></blockquote></div>Stefanie Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463838303995976431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049946486639128589.post-22341418637612047702010-07-24T11:16:00.000-07:002010-07-24T12:21:30.696-07:00A place to call home...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIGGf5gaNyn0OD-w7ByvSvSV02s9E1Xr89cVpeICS0quHOoKwGGegP3k5Inlh9cAbD1ngNeNp5cK61BLB-BCIBcfd8Ce4JWskvFetfG20V5hsjoVcpBvllZhR20sSNcfUfhepQUALLKM/s1600/SDC10010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIGGf5gaNyn0OD-w7ByvSvSV02s9E1Xr89cVpeICS0quHOoKwGGegP3k5Inlh9cAbD1ngNeNp5cK61BLB-BCIBcfd8Ce4JWskvFetfG20V5hsjoVcpBvllZhR20sSNcfUfhepQUALLKM/s400/SDC10010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497554671584146386" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Our balcony sunset one evening</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>It just occurred to me that I haven't given you all a tour of our fabulous new pad here in Costa Rica. We are living in Santa Ana, one of the more exclusive areas of San Jose. It is very americanised, which can be annoying but also quite nice in terms of home comforts in the supermarkets! Obviously, we still can't get baked beans, as said home comforts are from the USA, but I do come across Cadbury's Fruit and Nut every now and then (and have stopped myself buying it each time that I do!).</div><div><div><br />So, here it is for you: </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfGJZAkOKoXjHntwvrNAJCPW0wivFUrIXN50WLgHbgZY56dtJ5tJbogGV6zftsrrc6ZuoM2ifeJ-2zIrmNiQKNMHjAOFMG3k0fN1XLrZ2gsA34GbYkFqcK6ZWB9w9grh6kv4FyqsdOdI/s320/SDC10019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497552177282011250" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQsyIKu3L5iB9zdZeCPNmZ1fvTWGJrJ4bTqDnyRqoyQCpmgDb8aouyloHUdrZo225a85gP4xrDKLvoOYyfZwyOPF7syS07r-__etzB2hZ2rEZi8hwXvq_EHYN1MNQ2vFDdhiuqS7oy7w/s320/SDC10021.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497552203012919586" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAet1vSmtIs3THetRrYn4GUKzWKcrLnRoDXQ10OqbXIF2baDmRExwFLb2C-km3cR68bHCHWU3duSxdGw58CaT_UqYLIs2mqvcpieG7Ceac3rT90WcBZe9MgbEfiFbIooLGQNWnF5su4vI/s320/SDC10017.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497552218153509378" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZosOVpGmr9maMZ9c4CNk4kH1PYZz7lCUXH2O_4Zrw7QVFbHgbYX8CUC3Rd35Lb0-HLngXJQ7ecOPH_t29fIlP0-PPKTbVDIW_9j_UumPSkLPoiJM0uCuEpTANvzyNbbyMsiTNVhbRLBY/s320/SDC10029.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497552209161307986" /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div> </div><br /><div>Our room is here:</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU20yBg2stL6PdFqD56tFA_8cJ2WUxlSi1NH8e7Br2osbLipxI06rRI7_lb28c1Y1R8zeeqH6CgGo9WIKnAzp7T5w9L9K-rnOH_ZJoQhfpmnOAo2aAM96RuiPVE2SwS_EeMkjwEE4PopQ/s320/SDC10196.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497552776997642370" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXDeiLgMIoqV-0YywpVATPDmlzKi083vqlX4nCo-RHyOr3X8CrTsGovghQKJVKNvk7dC8S87bxye08Mp-f5rJejI9kG13lpEOEP-P1T7mh4txCf1q4ApIqwmuLAqZvmt9pTKQjS5IDQI/s320/SDC10028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497552808045517138" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAekWEtpUaAqfk6wqGHc-7-wWgmHJR7WhU3P3jpGWy2S2IrnecHSJwL8XxAOz_zTkIuO5RpuuYcxwcIYa-aevSc5LTtT8yAK2ihOYvhzzBWgeT6PTrWjSOj9kbz9ajBaCyTkHzXFoKjc/s320/SDC10193.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497552813138614530" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimR1Zr2T_-5m1YhcN6QeeAz-LBYNiYAczl8SxPkCIjTqOIAMqa19IJD6dYs6RnqLclOS4Is3IRKqk0VTfNQM8MZfXjHynfhRWc1y75jyD00UrgqRUzC5O008sJZNF9BgvSPi5obsNnRDs/s320/SDC10197.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497552783305750162" /></div><div><br /><div> </div><br /><div><i>Stef x</i></div></div></div>Stefanie Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463838303995976431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049946486639128589.post-2953883206181022292010-07-16T16:41:00.000-07:002010-07-23T18:15:23.351-07:00Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIy9Nm3lHtDJxGoqdn8qzHMzDpvYFyavxZQYVfUfbCRo3CcY5EKgQVUIFvsX9cESCkxSQTK7Xp_gf3jASkR54voafnEeQqUGquJEKofMde0Z1B2yWhYaT08OIvjjfuJv_n9sVd-DYFL6Q/s1600/SDC10173.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494663967412799826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIy9Nm3lHtDJxGoqdn8qzHMzDpvYFyavxZQYVfUfbCRo3CcY5EKgQVUIFvsX9cESCkxSQTK7Xp_gf3jASkR54voafnEeQqUGquJEKofMde0Z1B2yWhYaT08OIvjjfuJv_n9sVd-DYFL6Q/s320/SDC10173.JPG" /></a><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494663961428870098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-Iy4D2Hcuwwd48MKoAydiUxPM_G7fz-jCz_vbYoi-2Qvab87wOBKmLj8hVldQ0rpngGknxSgR5uJxw9MkvrCEgGajDOnRd8i_13vm9czaImoEscDH-9NwQETrJrouPXn67QHs8uSD-c/s320/SDC10164.JPG" /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">A few weeks ago, I went to Manuel Antonio, a lovely beach town on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. I went with a few friends from my TEFL course. We had a 3day weekend, so we took advantage and caught the bus to the beach after class on the Friday, returning on the Sunday. The bus trip takes about 3 hours or 2 if, like me, you neglect to buy a return ticket and have to get some strange car taxi service on its way north from Panama! This is not as dodgy as it sounds, by the way!</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQwOqpI54yW9ckspjIQEYA70aYDAGSfthYGDakzm5tA4Sh-rYUW4MF4di1bX_zSIbOReLKyoTsI-Nh44gf2H8wgrfvDJc0EVOcIpKqKBVx01cNve7NnPQs83kg0W-xujg3s4XWcirllA/s1600/SDC10178.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494663940810454114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQwOqpI54yW9ckspjIQEYA70aYDAGSfthYGDakzm5tA4Sh-rYUW4MF4di1bX_zSIbOReLKyoTsI-Nh44gf2H8wgrfvDJc0EVOcIpKqKBVx01cNve7NnPQs83kg0W-xujg3s4XWcirllA/s320/SDC10178.JPG" /></a><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494663952708635314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DJArop4MCcOkj4l0yHVgltfHqiIVpcPWbV09enNStdHa10G55zN9bBtdvfw30Txu4RGCLAfBW2rbS-HkXuyaTQfBU5-e15hm4d9KrTFESMjRalYIrdMPb24xlRRVetaiaJThBoZs3oE/s320/SDC10182.JPG" /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">The beach was absolutely beautiful, as was Manuel Antonio National Park, which we attempted to hike through, but unfortunately were not appropriately dressed to do so! There are more pictures on my facebook profile to prove this!</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">We stayed at <a href="http://www.backpackersmanuelantonio.com/">Backpackers Hostel</a>, a simple place with stunning surroundings for $12 a night. A far cry from my Santa Ana mansion I must admit, but I had a great time! It was like summer camp. We actually stayed up all night whispering and giggling whilst trying not to wake up the other fifteen people in the dorm! And check out the view from the pool area! Costa Rica is beautiful, even though we may not always see this side of it when we're in San Jose! I definitely recommend this place for a cheap place to stay - you won't spend much time there anyway and it's really social if you do! The only drawbacks were a lack of clean sheets and hot water in the hostel and it is a little far from the beach, but it's a very cheap taxi or bus ride down the hill, so not a huge issue.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruQ5eBB3RikNXlIF-qmE08mILpytV-mLNGAvwq7Sok3uGV6JJhq6QyKCqMw4Pfvhr7cl_hIL9ye7BH6H_aYlE0uqgULueJmxlP-Wjkx-gIehRmNbicC-sV5jcjv5xV3phD41DChLKoA8/s1600/SDC10153.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494654657442059538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruQ5eBB3RikNXlIF-qmE08mILpytV-mLNGAvwq7Sok3uGV6JJhq6QyKCqMw4Pfvhr7cl_hIL9ye7BH6H_aYlE0uqgULueJmxlP-Wjkx-gIehRmNbicC-sV5jcjv5xV3phD41DChLKoA8/s320/SDC10153.JPG" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494654631084297042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje8EfMkgMhDOB04GG_eqSnSzfh5CeuC7oF1OHLN3eO3BsjMwZNXcxWEUnSzfQDCVS24TJfQM4WekO7cN2rJn8DH50__E6Z618zGG1sMFnSBa2Heym9ZyD8nTUiUrNvof0eRQMrTsxiVv0/s320/SDC10154.JPG" /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruQ5eBB3RikNXlIF-qmE08mILpytV-mLNGAvwq7Sok3uGV6JJhq6QyKCqMw4Pfvhr7cl_hIL9ye7BH6H_aYlE0uqgULueJmxlP-Wjkx-gIehRmNbicC-sV5jcjv5xV3phD41DChLKoA8/s1600/SDC10153.JPG"></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We managed quite a few cocktails throughout the weekend too - who can resist a mango daiquiri being brought to you whilst sitting in the sun on a tropical beach?!</span><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wM6c3nugq67oLlXO1_mx8LIl9eAgbCetmJUa99K8VvtwN449-vou_R_OlWDl6CJvbKvsg2VuMK9MFzuf9KN1QGTAeuHZmzAMN091YlEFpiUJyJgBW29joFNrd9lvkp8y9i5pZWQCg_g/s1600/SDC10148.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494654608763398322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wM6c3nugq67oLlXO1_mx8LIl9eAgbCetmJUa99K8VvtwN449-vou_R_OlWDl6CJvbKvsg2VuMK9MFzuf9KN1QGTAeuHZmzAMN091YlEFpiUJyJgBW29joFNrd9lvkp8y9i5pZWQCg_g/s320/SDC10148.JPG" /></a><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494654616774295938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGoFSymeRR_FAkYRoSzcjFlIvx8HN3e_yCAWkgkxl9TTAtbroPsIrgL9dbNLBLXPpG_yepXblhdh3h5E1Kg8A-hWQERnM-LIMJsyVHpe13eh83I0TeDU2yGfzCiio1rs4wwIctABUaeQ/s320/SDC10162.JPG" /><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494654645520708930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzXBUA4kNyxMTt9P_7IIskmYFjHQSziuLxs6gcAaWQYb01u4HIPnypJS2JrUSv_ccpl-O51C7FMkVTy4UBC1EBtSBmb0gmkPZHKobLg2AB7vNQx9i9Ywc9tK0E5BwSDWgCGzEOc9pT_s/s320/SDC10151.JPG" /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And Kate and Kara got naughty with a Tico Tiki after a couple of tequilas! Nice ladies!</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">All in all, a fabulous trip, but I'd love to go back and take the poker boys to show them the real Costa Rica!</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Stef xx</div>Stefanie Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463838303995976431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049946486639128589.post-10809452247036578862010-07-11T22:44:00.003-07:002010-07-23T18:15:33.490-07:00Work hard and play hard: My TEFL course!<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0Vtm9PqQLzIkSUkh4K3ZWQqw18BEfKYj2Ey2zkBqZdxNNcOzYSmAusgSC-jHkEdkug5APeLSc2rNRbm0HxUstnUx5ztfqnNKJIMTlkSvgrs7wmDnYvg7LLFBqqK-Pha8E5ByAhuzy64/s1600/tefl+last+day+funny.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494649462361447602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0Vtm9PqQLzIkSUkh4K3ZWQqw18BEfKYj2Ey2zkBqZdxNNcOzYSmAusgSC-jHkEdkug5APeLSc2rNRbm0HxUstnUx5ztfqnNKJIMTlkSvgrs7wmDnYvg7LLFBqqK-Pha8E5ByAhuzy64/s320/tefl+last+day+funny.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0Vtm9PqQLzIkSUkh4K3ZWQqw18BEfKYj2Ey2zkBqZdxNNcOzYSmAusgSC-jHkEdkug5APeLSc2rNRbm0HxUstnUx5ztfqnNKJIMTlkSvgrs7wmDnYvg7LLFBqqK-Pha8E5ByAhuzy64/s1600/tefl+last+day+funny.jpg"></a><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0Vtm9PqQLzIkSUkh4K3ZWQqw18BEfKYj2Ey2zkBqZdxNNcOzYSmAusgSC-jHkEdkug5APeLSc2rNRbm0HxUstnUx5ztfqnNKJIMTlkSvgrs7wmDnYvg7LLFBqqK-Pha8E5ByAhuzy64/s1600/tefl+last+day+funny.jpg"></a></div>The reason that this blog has been so neglected of late is due to the hours involved in my TEFL course. I recently completed a 4week intensive course to get certified to teach English. When I decided to move to Costa Rica with Mark, I knew that I needed something with which I could to fill my days, so completing a TEFL seemed like a good idea. And actually, it was. Not just because I now have another qualification (which we all know means <i>diddly squat</i> in the current economic climate) but because I had so much fun doing it and met some amazing people along the way! They were <i>all</i> Americans (which can be frustrating when learning how to teach people English, but only <i>very</i> slightly. Mainly because Costa Rica is so americanised, so I tend to be the one in the wrong...). I found myself at times saying that I was just 'gonna run to the store' and used the word 'like' about 100 times in a sentence. The day I say "I'm just gonna go ahead and do something..." is the day I give up completely on my British heritage. But anyway, I digress...<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494649456717454514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeySNsqobHMhr8JDdjrP59X7E_CrBgSi3QTnyQRcrOxZqKxnArMqg1fsA3qRBuJ_2qMqzuRwFObQMBpHiVxPjBA1VAUwHeTSUBuLrZ66N-qkaJtWXuRuTjIQ8yrZHtighk3qFOkWrf5s/s320/tefl+classroom.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Whilst completing the TEFL, I woke up most mornings at around 6.30-7am ( a shock to the system, believe me after a year of doing almost nothing!) and attempted to work out the bus system, which is more confusing than the address system in this country. Buses come often (just not at the times that they say) and cost very little (about 40p). However, I needed 3 buses which would have taken over an hour to complete a 20min drive, had I managed to work out the bus system, which I did not. My first week involved walking aimlessly around downtown San Jose, getting on a circular route bus and ending up exactly where I started and getting on the <i>right </i>bus but in the <i>wrong</i> direction, oh and hanging around with the prostitutes downtown. Remind me to ask which the direction the bus is going in future! Anyone who knows me well knows that I do not <i>do </i>buses, for the reasons mentioned above and so many more! So, when given the option of a bus+taxi every day, I happily took it. However, my bank account did not! Time-wise it was much better as the course hours were pretty long anyway and I had quite a bit of homework in the second half of the course, so the idea of a 2-3hour daily commute time just did not appeal to me.</div><div><br /></div><div>The course involved the basics from classroom management and lesson planning to hardcore grammar and practical teaching week. This is the week when, after 3 weeks of lessons and beach-going, you are presented with a class looking at you like you know what you're doing. AND the most shocking thing of all is that you <i>actually</i> do! The highlight of my week was a game of <i>Alibi</i>, where students made me cry laughing pretending to be 'detectives' interviewing the 'suspects'. <i>"Hey man! I ask the questions around here, man!"</i> Well, at least they seem to be watching TV in English!</div><div><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494649476284964050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguq23cxv4tFn16nJnkBCkHEDrCGcTp892ZXUEMdfI8EHBdhMEt92wlo-_w92T8VzyfbFQ2-Kn5cXhFGDK3szDsSOKws6-XtA4N9gNBCJULnKNYucQYfL8-CuWxqQUaBlTmuxIbgD4BR6M/s320/tefl+spice+girls!.jpg" /><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494649470998369282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjXesY4ozpPfMt4RV_cCfTWmf_6P0PGQJhkaoa69UxHUathoY7GX87sMboQRYoRHR9ODqz-eb6tgTksVDPdgqNE1AQXDPUELfe5IACynu7z6KIBiM_kfgfs1wMotFoxsNadXWETtv_Jk/s320/tefl+party+group.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>My TEFL classmates were also hilarious, they helped me to celebrate my birthday which fell bang in the middle of the course and we had a great time just hanging out in the classrooms planning and also took a great trip to the beach (More on that later!). We also all got together for the England vs USA game, where we suffered a terrible draw, so they loved that! I did not.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, I am now a fully qualified (and employed!) English teacher. And my new job is considerably closer than my course was. In fact, I can usually get a lift from somebody to the place to taxi costs have gone down considerably! I'm enjoying teaching. In fact I've just completed extra training to teach little kids, so I'll be the one singing "Put your finger on your nose, on your nose" to the tune of "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands..." if you are ever passing through Berlitz offices in Santa Ana...! Not the most strenuous job, I'll admit!</div><div> </div><div>Stef x</div>Stefanie Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463838303995976431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049946486639128589.post-55433667505489567042010-06-20T14:59:00.000-07:002010-07-23T18:15:49.389-07:00English Breakfast at Ka'kau in Escazu!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_O1m2-kaR-Dytod6G1Lggpc6riKdMPxEPK2m8IgG1tEc914Ygs2J-HQmcGHqV2X0A5K1y0xvt_95cJtyV3mOwwJ4plVp4rnTKdhnVVZuWuZ9wsnzKG3VYp0WNapSDQ-8RYFfAnXlw_o/s1600/kakau+logo.bmp"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484984690680093442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_O1m2-kaR-Dytod6G1Lggpc6riKdMPxEPK2m8IgG1tEc914Ygs2J-HQmcGHqV2X0A5K1y0xvt_95cJtyV3mOwwJ4plVp4rnTKdhnVVZuWuZ9wsnzKG3VYp0WNapSDQ-8RYFfAnXlw_o/s320/kakau+logo.bmp" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />A couple of weeks ago, Mark and I popped down the road for a coffee. It was my birthday and we fancied getting out of the house. We came across Ka'kau, a stylish little cafe in Escazu, and on the board we noticed "Desayuno Ingles": English Breakfast! Brilliant! Just what you need as a hungover ex-pat (nothing else will do!), so we made a mental note to come back one day when we had more time.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinB0v8o_qfo0swNOYCOYwNMMLGQmP7xhWflMTDJNK6x3ZwcqxkKiwmAWUHr0IaVFRW60OaxaWXd5BeYhPq1S-l264NE9ORILAleNsW-3hf6vdUWZcD40Kbcq2zrsx3QMA_RgJsOTeUfDU/s1600/Kakau+cafe.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484984659473515810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinB0v8o_qfo0swNOYCOYwNMMLGQmP7xhWflMTDJNK6x3ZwcqxkKiwmAWUHr0IaVFRW60OaxaWXd5BeYhPq1S-l264NE9ORILAleNsW-3hf6vdUWZcD40Kbcq2zrsx3QMA_RgJsOTeUfDU/s320/Kakau+cafe.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"></div>That day came today when we dragged our housemate Craig (he is not a morning person!) down to sample the delights. It was scrumptious. We were presented with freshly squeezed orange juice and a beautiful latte, plus a basket of mini croissants and bread with homemade strawberry jam. Then followed the breakfast with the closest thing to baked beans that you'll find here: frijoles horneados. they're pretty convincing. We also got a real sausage (not a frankfurter!) and nice crispy bacon! It wasn't a greasy spoon but overall, we were very impressed and are sure that we'll be back to sample some of their other tasty treats in the not so distant future! They make all of their cakes and desserts themselves and they look delicious! I cannot WAIT to try the carrot cake! I didn't get any pictures this time - these photos are from their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=510188628&ref=hpbday&pub=2386512837#!/pages/Escazu-Costa-Rica/KaKau/108028799232434?ajaxpipe=1&__a=90">Facebook</a> page!<br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGh4Xh3ABWcq6HLUOSM0WKOBGzK-tE5vPUo_iK84rlXqW1AGskB05yPKxadOK9NgLARHpGR9BF-EPpR_LmL_QZM66OYb2TcZlULnW8uXUkgPBSol0JNeRoewAa7Lg_TYBT8Z7XoSaKyM/s1600/cakes.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484984669407775778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGh4Xh3ABWcq6HLUOSM0WKOBGzK-tE5vPUo_iK84rlXqW1AGskB05yPKxadOK9NgLARHpGR9BF-EPpR_LmL_QZM66OYb2TcZlULnW8uXUkgPBSol0JNeRoewAa7Lg_TYBT8Z7XoSaKyM/s320/cakes.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left">Stef x</div>Stefanie Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463838303995976431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049946486639128589.post-39606216382215223822010-05-13T11:30:00.000-07:002010-07-11T23:35:14.844-07:00"I live 200m south of the big church, 50m east of McDonalds!"<div style="text-align: left;">So, you may be wondering why we haven't sent you our address yet? Or even bothered to send a postcard? Well that's because addresses in Costa Rica are a little confusing. Street signs do not exist, which can get a little confusing when you do not name a road. Addresses are as follows: "200m south from the big cathedral and 400m east of McDonalds, next to the black electricity box". Seriously! It can get a little frustrating to say the least. My language school was '100m south and 50m east of the old fig tree..." By '<i>old'</i> they mean "no longer there", which is equally frustrating! Lord only knows what happens when they move McDonalds! Either all hell will break loose or the address will be modified to "400m east of where McD's used to be..." I shouldn't laugh because this is highly possible..!</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzZZpVop6doYEcqAW_UwoZfN94SdKfPTyjvw5_Iolk1FxyQmTGZzfkL27JRxGrWC4W6RPeIVN495mMxFjbdgGezfBMo6SkRh9yFv43cg4PzE0KQlHgtpxjSxoBPste1hnrfjLwPRHDVU/s320/costa_rica_2008.1203367860.street_outside_school.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492904053459970914" /><div><br /></div><div>However, there is hope at the end of the tunnel! Apparently we have to get a PO Box from the post office, which we can't do until we find out our new "physical address" ie "300m up the hill by the bar with the blue sign". Oh, and we need to find the post office too - it's not like we can just look up the address online! So bear with us!</div><div><br /></div><div>Stef x</div>Stefanie Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463838303995976431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049946486639128589.post-5606660416419493252010-05-13T08:31:00.000-07:002010-05-13T09:32:45.970-07:00Road Rage in Costa Rica!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtrp4GKTE3OMHqai6oJzEj0262YcmOxYsuzq0DJP-TPDWvSf6QpCdAE66FNITq0MtKBayndVO-nqTOMfZpkfhGu69N48-0844HX8gM04PBhjCgQ566BnINwmNTwn_3QF4UxnyUtK-POE/s1600/cows+bus.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 396px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtrp4GKTE3OMHqai6oJzEj0262YcmOxYsuzq0DJP-TPDWvSf6QpCdAE66FNITq0MtKBayndVO-nqTOMfZpkfhGu69N48-0844HX8gM04PBhjCgQ566BnINwmNTwn_3QF4UxnyUtK-POE/s400/cows+bus.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470793243895967986" /></a><br /><div>Driving in Costa Rica is pretty hilarious, and also pretty hair-raising! Not that I have even got behind the wheel myself yet, but just sitting in the back of the truck is enough! Drivers go where they want when they want and are not particularly bothered about whether they have right of way or not! In fact, it is entirely possible that they do not know what <i>right of way</i> is! There are people wandering down the middle of the road in the dark (seemingly it's safer than walking at the side of the road), dogs running across, goats wandering around in the more rural areas and I have been informed that someone once had to move a cow to get home one night! Brilliant.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-l33tf417fhR43P4Y7vZVZWjzzww_paX0hnFoWOPBWQClxfH0_qyCkyyvxi0vwb9GP5d_5_2MS2wTwnjmmV3jwZTadVlkOCBrUMPBtecnYNEfYOFE_akmmjde0Tl2jUaSekoqplCZ50/s320/pothole071906.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470792687957474754" /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>And if you think you know potholes - you ain't seen nothin' yet! There are HUGE gaping holes in the road and drivers swerve around them at 100km an hour throwing passengers up against the window without even the blink of an eye. Fully confident English drivers in my car are sitting covering their eyes as we swerve another roadsign which they just place in the middle of the road with no lights in the middle of the light. If you see it too late, you hit it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Now you have to bare in mind however that I have not yet seen one argument and maybe road rage was the wrong title for this blog entry because actually they are all quite calm, just going about their business in their conked-out pick-up truck. So I'm not actually that concerned about driving because as long as you are relatively aggressive yourself (hesitation will get you nowhere at what they like to call junctions!), you should have no problem! Plus the public transport doesn't appear to be as developed as one may like. I miss the tube already! For those of you that know me, you will find it amusing that I have to get 3 buses to my TEFL course - I don't do buses EVER, because I like to be on transportation that cannot veer off course at any given moment! So, I have at times considered driving, but then again, cars are ridiculously expensive here, I have never driven on the other side of the road, nor have I ever driven anything bigger than a Punto and a Jeep seems to be the elected mode of transport around these parts... the list goes on!</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 252px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktX4D3-uYEb8ib28Q8e7oWf9xpjnEcRfqhfDg94Wik2zz46NvFl-1sn4FfrBfAR1kKw9nhGW2LyRntrfhBZIH32y4_XJ8yN5BGW9H0Loj4SNvhuV37tE5T15fViP8NYjLqBNeyIPe3k4/s400/costa-rica-tourism-pictures-07.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470790429506439362" /><div>So for now, I think i'll stick to the buses (which by the way are converted American schoolbuses - some are even still bright yellow!)</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Stef x</i></div></div>Stefanie Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463838303995976431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049946486639128589.post-69791743201932040492010-05-10T14:41:00.000-07:002010-05-10T14:54:59.664-07:00Galiza Suites and Mini Golf champion!!<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jB9qezBQKIirng2PqiIJEfr-02dSF2ctPoFtwC3_g1PnnBenz-yrCdy1NFikODZvxfV1nsJAmwdd-Y1_azoXSReonLUO7yWkMDB0vlbIdWyd8Kf1IRtfQKQBeLIp5ZvbKrup7oPD9RI/s320/Pisicina.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469762803402701026" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgVtlOjOCHxKqIWLyX8lfUfN54o-fbE1HT9xnf2DQsscoQiKYB5Ma099iyT8-voETbkTGP7rXK9r-Uc-FG5ctaYMO2ed8rhtP-82AkAmqUDI7t5ji8Ci8IgiUP2BAkxODxrbVr-6tCWs/s320/Suites+Cocina.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469762800117014466" /></div><br />I thought I'd just show you all where we have been staying. We move into our house on Saturday with a few of the guys from the company, but until then we are stuck here. It's a hard life, isn't it?<div><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekEx1hwBXUUIwwk0qL9oV0B9RvsAG4zaDHdf5TBtjFBwuiasTKUUchyphenhyphenRhZb7QcPikVH-3O_6TPIlk-7dSUoASQM5swfEdLm6n-ZMifiYuMxzHYcrSge75wEMpuDpB1I2aLC8rg0K5AIY/s320/Suites+Junior.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469762790164569698" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXLEBZnRDIOhguBwvtFSc9OsxmGFSIP3xbxpyGLmWr-b69r_qBTD73Ag4HCShuLQJP_in74Oo5p5Pnaotld68sap_zScwMky-46PyguqgddoyzdfnCs25iBhkFkMabNRsJfwBWioST3o/s320/Terraza.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469762796180733666" /></div><div><br /></div><div>We're staying in <a href="http://www.galizasuites.com/">Galiza Suites</a>. It's a nice little aparthotel in San Jose near to lots of restaurants and bars and an amazing <a href="http://minigolfcr.com/">mini-golf course</a>. I actually LOVE that place! We played twice last night and I first beat Mark 45-50 (par is 44) and then I beat all of the boys, including the handicapped golfers with a score of 48. And obviously being poker players, they all had to put a little cash on the game so I walked away with a nice little $200 profit! Brilliant.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another thing that I keep forgetting to mention is that you can leave comments under these blogs to respond to our blogs - You don't have to sign up to Google to do it either if you don't want to. It would be nice to read a few messages from you all!</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Stef x</i></div></div>Stefanie Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463838303995976431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049946486639128589.post-84501243189405274552010-05-08T17:30:00.000-07:002010-05-08T19:14:48.670-07:00My First Impression...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0MrCWolzltfGP1thOeO1far9D8SXzntWOG3DtSAdoCVCDhByaB3fYeaqKC7o9zVQXbQCsjpPrM0ZYQ_dA3IFRr4mVWmHsPyNZxSsxREq68rwuIAVAkxLSChVoV98p7vhOdcCqO7lZ9U/s1600/San-Jose-Costa-Rica.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0MrCWolzltfGP1thOeO1far9D8SXzntWOG3DtSAdoCVCDhByaB3fYeaqKC7o9zVQXbQCsjpPrM0ZYQ_dA3IFRr4mVWmHsPyNZxSsxREq68rwuIAVAkxLSChVoV98p7vhOdcCqO7lZ9U/s320/San-Jose-Costa-Rica.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469086310131173506" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">San Jose, Costa Rica</span></div><br />Hello all!<br /><br />This is my first update from Costa Rica! I arrived late last night after travelling for almost 24hrs with broken suitcases - I do not recommend this by the way, because dragging suitcases without wheels is a workout that you just do <i>not</i> need when you've been up for twenty hours and stuck on a plane for eight!<br /><br />The flight was pretty good, all things considered. From Heathrow to Newark, I had three seats to myself, so I could stretch out and watch movies quite comfortably. I then had a connecting flight from Newark to San Jose so had just enough time to make it through security, recheck my bag and grab a drink before boarding a slightly more crowded flight for five hours! Luckily I did at least sleep for most of this flight, once I'd had my complementary burrito (things were looking up!) and watched the hideousness that is <i>Did You Hear About The Morgans?</i> with Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant. I do love Hugh Grant, but she <i>is</i> Carrie Bradshaw and that is it I'm afraid. She is cursed with the same problem the <i>FRIENDS</i> cast have - that show will always be better!<div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutT4fmnRq9hey0t-UbqaL93gUARFrLFNY7Oq-hb5DJe3JiMd-4MBXLpd1HjPpZKqG7ounNnV4VMntz2KKnF55gJSYpTfE2HzvJSpTYPfHMgGuNxBPBke2RVbRI2VwEZ8FKRsPF723yHg/s320/did_you_hear_about_the_morgans_poster2-405x600.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469086295185536274" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Anyway, I've been here for a few days now and the jet lag is starting to wear off. I'm not as hardcore as Mark and fell asleep in the casino on my first (and second...) night! Haha. And I was pretty damned tired at the poker tournament that everybody played in last night too! The people here are so lovely - locals and the Poker Farm group. We've had some lovely meals out and I really feel like part of the group, so it seems to be a pretty easy life to settle into. PLUS, we are moving into the most AMAZING house that you have ever seen! It's like something out of Cribs on MTV and we're all really ecstatic. Floor to ceiling windows and views over the whole city, it's pretty incredible. Obviously, there'll be more photos to follow when we finally get to move in, though that may be a couple of weeks yet.</div><div><br /></div><div>I start my course on the 24th May (on the other side of town :s), so I've still got a couple of weeks to explore first. I'm spending my time in the office with the others, either working on my blogging/websites etc or helping out with a few things, and hitting the gym a few times a week. The weather is still pretty good so I'm enjoying the sun at the moment. There is sun every day but it's the start of the rainy season and we are due some heavy downpours this week. Rain like you've never seen it before - it falls so hard and so fast that you're grateful to not be in it, because I'm sure that it must hurt! I've been on the hotel balcony when it hits and the workmen outside just carry on as normal - very odd! Having said that, it clears up just as quickly as it starts so you can be back out sunbathing before you know it! Not that I've done much of that yet - I fully intend on starting tomorrow though!</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, that's my first little update - next time I'll give you the lowdown on the hotel apartments that we are staying in. And my camera needs a memory card before I can do much with it, so photos will follow once I've done that too!</div><div><br /></div><div>Hope you're all well,</div><div><br /></div><div>Love Stef x x</div></div>Stefanie Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463838303995976431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049946486639128589.post-53049859465996050882010-04-23T18:31:00.000-07:002010-05-08T19:13:53.643-07:00Sun, Strippers, caSinos - 2 week update!That's pretty much what's happened the last 2 weeks.<br /><br />We arrived here on Wednesday 7th. I got moved to a different flight and had to fly via Houston, meaning I did the whole 20 hour journey alone :( Luckily the entertainment on the flights was ok; Wedding Crashers, The Invention of Lying, The Office and .... It's Complicated. Meryl Streep is every woman *modern family reference*.<br /><br />First night we went to Hooters, another bar, then a strip club. First time inside a strip club. Quite an experience. All paid for by the company.<br /><br />Second night we went to the casino. Everyone lost a fortune at blackjack. Elliott decided to put down $25 and keep doubling his bet. Dont think he had any intention of stopping unless he got to maybe $1million. He didn't.<div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuuMKMAdlnBj02D1UAXxTUSXnQ4g4kBms_x6MXdP1XSRDV5dDEH-xdt72PmDQfZTkR78uzhgpiM5HeyHLJMp9fKua-eWUjoo-uQkl2c1J8SSEFHDAobKrbdu4nvouGbOSMw7Ieqosx7Y/s400/guanacaste-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469087589133050450" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>That weekend we went to the beach in Guanacaste. Fue de puta madre. But really hot. Got a bit burnt for the 30 minutes I wasn't in a shaded area playing poker.<br /><br />Since then we've been working hard, drinking hard and gambling hard. We've almost got the 80 players we need and we're starting the training on May 3rd. pretty excited about building a team of awesome poker players but not too excited about being in the office everyday from 6am till 9pm.<br /><br /><br />Hope this post makes sense, I've rushed it before we go to the casino.<br /><br /><b>Cliff notes :</b> Life here is awesome.<br />Only money I've spent has been in the pit.<br />Bout to start working very hard.<div><br /></div><div><i>Mark</i></div></div>bones8http://www.blogger.com/profile/14862378375364571717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049946486639128589.post-63498184697582686522010-04-02T12:29:00.000-07:002010-04-02T12:53:58.316-07:00Dates for your Diary!Mark leaves on Wednesday 7th April to go and help to set up a PokerFarm office in Costa Rica, so you will probably find more updates from him at first (although Stef may be the one writing them!)<div><br /></div><div>Stef follows on at the beginning of May (4th) and starts a TEFL course in San Jose before looking for teaching work afterwards.</div><div><br /></div><div>How very exciting!</div><div><br /></div><div>First update due in a week's time... Keep checking back!</div>Stefanie Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463838303995976431noreply@blogger.com0