Its been kind of quiet here, except for the wind. I went for a walk to Colon today, by myself, I usually tag along with someone that knows spanish, but I was feeling like I needed a walk and I did not want to bother anyone. Went to town, brought back some DVD's due and did a little grocery shopping, Took some pictures of course. Hablo muy pegueno espanol. 
Climbed that ?//$%#$ steep hill back to colony. Been talking to Cal everyday. I miss him. Wishing he was here to enjoy this time with me.
The other night a praying mantis was climbing on the outside of my door. I swished it off as I opened it and it dissappeared. Then Holly came to me in the morning and said, if I wanted to take a picture of it, it was on the porch below me, so I did, they didn't come out very good, then that day it came back to me, stayed with me all day & night on my window inside my studio. So I thought maybe its a symbol and I found this meaning, "Follow Mantis" means putting that core aspect of yourself, your foundation of Spirit, at the helm and let it direct your intellect and ultimately your life. Something to ponder today, this morning it is not on my window anymore, it is somewhere in the studio. I hope it doesn't eat me up!
Spanish class today on the verbs..so I am learning mucho about Costa Rica, its language and it's culture and nature. I am getting an itch to travel to the Carribbean side of CR though. Not sure how I am going to do it yet, I have been surfing the internet for just the right comfort zone, whether to just take a bus to Limon or take a tour from San Jose. Something will bring an opportunity. I am going to finish up some paintings today I think. I have 9 paintings in the works. I sold one on the 1st of January, how nice to start the new year off this way. Barry & Alice are the proud owners of Las Montanas de la Mariposa..Butterfly Mountains. I am tickled they have a connection to it. It is pictured in a past blog from last week. below.
The first day of 2008, a day of reflection.
How appropriate that we should visit "The Waterfalls and Gardens of Peace" on the eve of 2008. That is all everyone wishes for so often, is peace within and tranquility. How do we add tranquility to our lives? You can get back to me on this, I would love to hear my friends responses to this, finding some insight on why you're here, what it's all about anyway, I wonder and am in awe at what some can endure -- and are these reflections inner peace? And I heard somebody say " Your life need not be solitary, poor, nasty or brutish. It will be short -- so why not seek as much peace and tranquility as possible? Is it relative to being happy? Content? What would make you happier than you already are? More money? Greater power? How much more power -- would you want to be the "supreme ruler of the universe" or would a few subordinates to boss around do the trick? In a way, it's like fitness -- if it were effortless to achieve, everyone would look and feel great. I am getting so philosophical in my old age, or is it this "Pura Vida?
