pura vida.

i spent a couple of months in Costa Rica in 1996. it was so long ago now it seems! i went as part of an Environmental Leadership Program that was organized by a local environmental youth group here in Newfoundland in partnership with Canada World Youth. there were other youth from Nova Scotia and Costa Rica in the group, 20 of us in total. we lived in a small town just outside of San Jose called Los Sitios. we were each placed with a host family. it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

Costa Ricans or Ticos are very warm and friendly people. they have this contagious love for life -- pura vida. pura vida literally means "pure life" but it means way more than that to all the Ticos and Ticas that i have met. it's a greeting. it means cool. it's a sense of community. it's overcoming and persevering. it's a celebration.

we have plenty of reasons to celebrate and be thankful for...

we actually broke 20 degree celcius yesterday! it was sunny, warm and everyone's humming with energy.
the other day was my birthday and i got two birthday cakes! i'm a lucky, lucky girl. this one is from m. we shared this yummy, sugary thing for breakfast.
and this cake was made by Holly. little K wanted to help me blow the candles.
little K's holding her hair back because her dad told her (on her last birthday) that she should do so in order to avoid the hair catching on fire sort of scenario. she remembered the handy tip. smart girl.

and right this very moment, my bestfriend is in labour and can have her baby anytime now. super exciting!