Adding to Our Panamanian Family - Meet Reina!

"The fate of animals is of greater importance to me than the fear of appearing ridiculous; it is indissolubly connected with the fate of men." ~ Émile Zola

It wasn't a hard decision to offer to her home. It wasn't even a question. She was homeless and needed a family to love her. An amazing women found her on the streets, scared & confused, infected with flees & ticks, and very malnourished. She picked her up and took her to her vet. Where the pup found shelter and treatment. Then 6 weeks later when she was health and happy, another good friend helped find her a home. Home with us.

Many like to tease me for my "zoo" life style. Something I have always loved. From my science classroom to my home, I live to have life around us. Also something Jordan loves greatly too. I think that is why we both still dream of building our school for foster girls and animal ranch in Montana. But I digress...

Named Reina by the Vet's nurses and meaning QUEEN in Spanish, she has come home on to RULE this kingdom. Einstein and Zorro are seeming cool with her living here. They are working out their opinions quite well. Even sharing the water bowl and basket of toys. Amazingly the older and sometime more grumpy one (Zorro) is more content with Reina than the younger baby of the family (Einstein). If it funny watching him suffer the same "let play" taunting from Reina that he use to do to Zorro years ago. His frustration and response is similar to how Zorro responded to him. Talk about ones past actions coming back to "bite you" literally. 

 

She is a cuddler and a sweet young thing... it's great having some new bouncy puppy energy in the home. Welcome home Reina.....

I find myself at a crossroad I did not see coming.

“I think you will agree that life's plans are not always tied up in neat little packages. Occasionally we find ourselves at unexpected crossroads with more than one opportunity from which to choose. Time itself is often the best indicator of which decision to make, for it can tell so many thing that are now hazy.” ― L. Chaikin, Tomorrow's Treasure

I knew moving to Panama was a crossroad and it was a welcome change. But I think sometimes our past experiences taint our future even when those experiences were positive. I intentionally chose not to explore opportunities in Asia as I did not want to feel like Tim's spirit was everywhere and I did not want to be constantly trying to relive the past. What I did not expect or realize was that subconsciously my past international experiences would be frequently measuring and judging this new Panama experience. To complicate matters those "internal subconscious evaluations" seem to be effecting me happiness and inner core.

As we mark mine months in Panama next week, I am finding myself uncertain that Panama is truly home. While an interesting country steep with history and luscious forests, it isn't feeling like home. Despite having a house, furnishing it our way, building our garden, and trying to "nest". It all feels forced or fake. A friend once said she was taught to "fake it until you make it" and I get the meaning, but inside I feel so phony and false almost like I am trying to convince myself it is real.

Oddly the language is the most frustrating for me despite years of Spanish schooling. I know that nearly 20 years of non-use has rusted my brain. I guess I thought it would come back quicker or more naturally. Funny how that is! In Hong Kong, I don't remember the Chinese language barrier being so frustrating or paralyzing. Maybe that was because there was more English around (given it had been a British Colony more recently) or maybe it was because my husband spoke Cantonese fluently. But here, I feel captive and hesitant to explore beyond the local boundaries for fear of failure to communicate.

To add a layer of perplexity to the equation. Life has presented me with an opportunity to change my mind and head back to the US this summer or even next year. A part of me feels like taking what my mind call the "quitter" or "easy way out" and head back to Washington. Maybe because it is comfortable and familiar. Maybe it is because I actually for once laid down roots there (6 years in one place is a long time for me). But I know I wasn't feels content or happy those last year, which is why we sought out the change. Maybe it is because I have my 5th wheel there waiting for me to go explore America (the path not chosen because we chose Panama).

But then my rational side starts to argue "have you really given it a chance", "what about all the money you spent to move and settle", "is one year enough to really make that big of a decision on", "will one more year kill you", "how do you know going back will be any different", " so many others seem happy here, what component are you missing", and so forth. The real problem is that I don't feel comfortable with any of the three path that lay before me. It is the quagmire I find myself in. We will see where we end up.

Happy Purim 2012

Today was the great Jewish celebration of Purim. It has historical meaning and significance but it is more commonly known for the "fun" and "festivity" of the costumes and carnival. Sometimes referred to as the Jewish Halloween, the day is nothing like a night of trick or treating. The day is full of stories, song, games, costumes, and special food all significant and special due to the Jewish history of Queen Ester and the non-slaughter of the Jews by Hamam. Celebrating Purim annually is a mitzvot (Jewish good deed).

At school today we had a Petting Zoo, Rock wall, Mechanical Bull, Walkding on Water, and Ziplining for elementary and middle school.

Part of the celebration of Purim is to dress up too. From students to adults it was a sea of fun fabulous costumes. For me it was a flashback to the 80's as Cindy Lauper. What was most hilarious about my costume was that everything for my outfit other than my shoes, are from local department stores, cost less than $3.99 and in the "everyday" clothing section of the stores. Yes the neon and big bangles are back!

Other teachers came up with some great solutions from the 7-month pregnant "baseball" belly and the Panama Jack Explorer to the Homemade Chicken costumes from feather boas. One of the Pre-K 3 teachers was a giant piece of Laffy Taffy and she even made her dangling earrings out of actually laffy taffy. We even had Thing 1 and Thing 2, the Scary Nurse and Captain Jacksparrow. The kids rocked the costumes too (though I can't show them for safety reasons) we had recycle cans, a sushi roll, a group of middle school girls be deck of cards (all different cards), and there was also my favorite Barbie in a Box... it was priceless.

Howard Airshow - Flying High in Crystal Clear Skies!

"Aviation is proof that given the will, we have the capacity to achieve the impossible." ~ E. Rickenbacher

Today we adventures 3 miles down the Panama Pacifico Avenue to the Howard Airfield (which use to the old airstrip of the US Howard Air Force base 12 yrs ago but now used by the Panama Air Naval division.) What an amazing day... Crystal clear skies with scattered clouds with the beautiful Panamanian rain forest mountains in the background.

The planes were great - from helicopters and cargo transporters to private bi-wing planes that participated in the acrobatic airshow. We were able to walk up and walk inside the planes and sit in the cockpits.

Jordan has a great time and his friend Weston came with us. Our neighbors (my Panamanian sister and as Jordan says "Madre #2" come with us. We have such a great time out together. Afterwards, an impromptu BBQ happened at my place. Plenty of BBQ chicken, beers and homemade french fries. J had a blast showing them the new Xbox Kinect - He is learning more spanish with his Xbox as he can change the instructions to Spanish. A great way to learn!

The Panamanians were out in full force too. From marching Carnival bands and Carnival Royalty court to the cultural costumes and other fun. Ali had a blast riding in her push car and bouncing on the jumpy castles too. But the best of the day was the air show and all the stunts the crazy pilots did. At one point 3 pilots all flew side by side and did barrel rolls and loops side by side. It was thrilling.

All and All it was a great break from school and doctoral work... We are pink nosed and have teeva tanned feet... The 30 SPF wasn't strong enough to keep this white women from burning a little bit.

Lunch on the Causeway

“A friend is one who takes you to lunch even if you're not tax deductible” ~unknown

The month may be January, the mind wants to convince me that it should be cold outside, it is snowing in Auburn (where I use to live) and I had the pleasure of sharing lunch with two friends on the Causeway just outside of Panama City.

As we dined at Mi Ranchinto with the beautiful Pacific Ocean on both sides. The sun bright and the winds were a bit strong but cooling to the incredible 86+ temperature of day. Specializing in seafood, I enjoyed garlic shrimp with yuka fries. My friend dined on Pan Friend Corvina and Coconut Rice. Ticket price for my shrimp dish and lemonade was under $11. My friend had a Pina Colada along with her meal and was still under $16 for her meal. Leaving full and content, we both enjoyed a postcard perfect picture drive along the Causeway home. Had I not been driving, I would have snapped some amazing pictures of the Bridges of America on a clear day too!

Traveling Home in Style

“There's nothing half so pleasant as coming home again.” ~M. Sangster

This amazing view of Mount Rainer from my business class seat on board American Airline just as we approach cruising altitude was as majestic as it was calming. Having been up for nearly the past 24 hours the comfy seat was even more enjoyable than expected. The price ticket difference had already far made up for itself with the FREE 3 - 70lb bag allowance, express lane at the check-in counter and even more special the express lane at security.

On board, American Airlines, their attendants were pleasant, the seats were big enough for a comfortable ride and actually reclined, and the side compartment under the arm rest fit a standard size laptop for easy access made for a pleasant trip to Dallas Ft. Worth international airport.

Once at Dallas Ft. Forthworth International Airport, the Admiral Club (compliments with an international business class ticket) was amazing as well. Larger than expected there was plenty of room for the collection of people using the lounge. Having not traveled by plane for a few years, I had forgot the plushness of business class and the benefits of the lounge. Being able to enjoy a hot shower mid-way home (in the lounge not on board) was refreshing and appreciated.

I was a little surprise though that there wasn't as much complementary food as I remember from my international travels to and from Hong Kong and throughout Asia. But then again that was over 10 years ago and the recession has hit everyone. Still there were lite snacks and coffee, water, and juice. There was also a cafe to order sandwiches, at reasonably airport pricing. Having packed a banana and 1/2 a turkey sandwich I was fine for my 3 hr layover. On board earlier we were treated to a delicious egg and cheese omelet with fruit and biscuits for breakfast. On my connection flight from Texas to Panama, dinner would be a 3 course meal plus ice cream sundaes. Kudos to American Airlines for having butterscotch sauce for those unable to eat chocolate (me).

American was also on-time and efficient with our flights, luggage and more. I use to be a Continental Gal... but now I am ALL American!

Home for the Holidays

"A wise traveler never despises his own country.” ~Goldoni

After nearly 6 months in Panama, Central America the 4 of us - The two pups, JB and me, heading "home" to Auburn to see the family. Leaving our warm 85 degree home in Panama for a chilly winter south of Seattle, we look forward to seeing friends and family for our 3 week visit.

Traveling with the pups was easy as always. With today's love for pets, traveling with the pups is rather easy. Bring them back to the US was ten times easier than bringing them to Panama in the first place. Price was better too. Still paying $120 for plane tickets (had we known we were taking them back in Dec, we could have gotten them round-trip tickets for $50 more each), they were mostly content with their totes and some medicine to relax.

Our flight experienced common winter travel delays and price for food at the airport has increased more than I liked. Two airports later, not being able to bring your own water, and a 2 hour delay of our connecting flight, we arrive in Seattle $100 lighter and at nearly 1:30 AM. By the time we got to my parents it was nearly 3 AM and we had been traveling for nearly 18 hours. One thing we learned is that despite having a reservation, car rental companies don't check for delayed flights AND they almost all close at midnight - EVEN during the holiday season. Not something I had ever thought about or had to deal with before. Thank goodness for shuttle express running 24 hr a day, we made it home before sunrise.

Once home it was great to crawl into my childhood bed and spend time with family. This year, our families tree had special meaning. With Clemson (our family's ale mater) winning the ACC Championship they were going to play in the Orange Bowl for the National Championship. So in their honor our 3 ft Hanukkahmas tree was ALL Purple and Orange with a special PAW Topper.

During our visit back in Washington, we also took time to drive East to Wenatchee to visit by brother and family for new years. The snow only feel New Year Eve but the passes had plenty to see. It was also fun baking cookies with my brother and our sons. We even made homemade peanut butter doggy biscuits for the "children".

A Playa Blanca Thanksgiving.

"Journeys bring power and love back into you." ~Rumi

Without much planning and thought - Actually on total spontaneity, we packed up 2 bags, got a neighbor to watch the pups and ran away for Thanksgiving break. It seemed frivolous and crazy, but it was so needed. After a few long months of work and an emergency trip stateside for a family emergency, I did not realize just how much I needed the escape. Breaking with tradition and not hosting Thanksgiving at our house, my teenage son and I took a vacation to the beautiful exotic Playa Blanca.

Only 90 minutes from our home (between 90min to 2 hrs west of Panama City) is a newly developed resort complex in the town of Santa Clara, Panama. An all inclusive resort, once you pay your "room bill" there are no additional charges. Food, drink, snacks, including a wide range of alcoholic beverages, everything is included in the day's charge. The all-inclusive package made for a relaxing non-worry vacation. Not having to sign a bill at dinner, think about the credit card clearing upon check out, and so forth was an added treat.

There was no shortage of food options either. The pool side bar & grill served snack like lunches all day long along with a full selection of drinks. The swim up bar was wonderfully relaxing and quite the social venue. For a deluxe breakfast and dinner was served daily in the main restaurant. The wide selection covered something for everyone. The menu even included a beautiful turkey on Thanksgiving night.

The pools were grand. Large and plenty of levels for all swimmers. I think Jordan spent most his time either playing water volleyball or water basketball. Visitors from all over joined in the semi-organized game times. There were also many impromptu beach volleyball and soccer on the beach games happening too.

The sunsets and sunrises were as if you were looking at a painting. It was so wonderful to be able to sit on the balcony each morning watching it rise.

Can't wait until we get to go back again.