More Parade Pictures

There are some great pictures of the parade and even a video out there for people on Facebook. You can become a fan of the Cloud Forest School and our fundraiser, Katie, keeps a steady stream of information on that site.

Many changes have taken place since our arrival. The quiet and stress free life lasted about a month as I am now the official Interim Director of the Cloud Forest School. Please check out our website: www.cloudforestschool.org I am so happy to be a part of the school and believe that I am lucky to serve the school and our new community.

We would love to arrange a tour for visiting groups as we have a very unique program and campus. If anyone is interested, please contact me via the contact information on the website.

We are also establishing relationships with schools in the States for exchanges and for partnerships.

More pics tomorrow of the parade!

Independence Day Parade

What a glorious day for a parade! The day began at 5am when Hayley met all the other bastoneras at her science teacher's house for hair and make-up preparations. Jack met all the other drummers at a central location where we had a civics ceremony. Then, the long march to town began with drumming and twirling. I have to say that I was very impressed with the results. The school was well represented and the children had wonderful hand -sewn custom made costumes. A job well done by both students and organizers!!

The kids were really tired as the sun was shining and blazing hot. The school even organized a "Green Cross" with young children providing drinks as a refreshment for our marchers. Jack commented that he felt well cared for along the parade route after having been given water and fresh cold pineapple along the way.

Stay tuned for more photos of the parade....

Dia de Independencia

Hello all! We have been quite busy on many levels. Jason is finally back to work after having returned to Mt. Pleasant to pack up our house. We have a closing scheduled for the 15th of September and Jason's dad is going to take care of details there for us. Thanks, Paw Paw.

The kids and I are here in Monteverde and many things have happened since we wrote last. Due to some unforseen circumstances, the director of the Cloud Forest School has returned to the States. To make a long story short, I was offered the position of interim director three weeks ago and I accepted. So, here I am working at the school everyday and it is great to be with the kids all day long. It has been a stretch for me professionally but I am enjoying the challenge. The best part is, I am really refining my language skills as all school business is conducted in Spanish. To help balance life a little, I have had a Tica friend, Gerandina, come into the house to help with household chores and cooking. She is a phenomonal cook and I am so lucky to have her! She was the lady who taught the cooking classes to the international families. What is so extraordinary about her is her ability to come into my home and make amazing meals with whatever is in the house. One time she made an entire meal out of two Yuccas and and egg. No kidding!

The kids at school are preparing for a big day on the 15th of September which is Costa Rica's Independence Day. Pictured above, Hayley and Isabel work on their "bastonera" routine. Jack is going to be playing the drum. The parade should be great and I look forward to taking some good photos for the blog.

Also on the 16th, we will be moving into a new home. I will also take some pictures of the house and share that with you. We are EXCITED! The house is larger, has internet, more furniture for guests, a great outdoor patio for entertaining (covered of course) and has many North American comforts such as a hot water heater, washer and dryer.

Hayley and Jack and their friends Nimsi and Josue (also brother and sister) are off galavanting around town. They are spending Saturday playing at the plaza de Futbol, and visiting the Fabrica (Cheese factory) for some delicious ice cream. I am in search of a man named Bonito who produces a variety of dairy products including a really delicious herbed cheese for a very good price.

Stay tuned for more...I hope to publish a post soon on my next topic: Scorpions!