Announcments

This blog will be moving to a new address: http://www.kelseybates.com

Day 4 and counting

Today I did a trial pack and I can't even explain how difficult it is to pack for something like this. I basically brought two weeks worth of clothing and made sure to have layers. And I was going to check in one suitcase, but I ended up needed another one to for socks, swimsuits, exercise wear, and basically what won't fit in my carry-on. But I am packing for three months, so I need to be prepared. And I am sure I will get there or at some point of time I will think to myself... "Damnit I forgot (enter here)!" Oh, well thats the way it goes :)

Day 6 and 5 and still counting

I woke up and what did appear, but Chuck in the snow with her two Golden Reindeer! It just figures that it snows on my last day in Bend and now I get to drive in it...Yay! :( While it is a balmy 21 degrees here. In San Jose it is 79 degrees and sunny. I am looking forward to some hot sunny days and a break from Oregon weather.

Yesterday Kristen, Ben, and I went to the Dechutes Brewery to have a goodbye beer, which I am going to miss drinking tasty microbrews. Then we went to Baltazar's for dinner, which is seafood with Latin flare. Unfortunately the beer and bratwurst didn't not settle well, so I just had a salad and water. But anyhow it was a nice time to spend with the family before I leave Bend. I will miss everyone and even Chuckles, but I also know that they are very supporting of what I am doing.

"In time of test, family is best." ~Burmese Proverb

Day 7 and counting

Feliz Navidad to everyone and I hope you received your Christmas wish. I know I did :) I have a great new adventure and a caring and supporting circle of family and friends around me.

"Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home." ~Carol Nelson

Day 8 and counting

Well I said I wouldn't do it, but I did. Last minute shopping sucks and people can be so rude. I just try to be nice to the retail people because I know how crazy people get on the holidays. Believe me I had to do food samples for a ham store and a gentleman walk in on his cell phone and opened his mouth to take the sample. I wanted stuff his face full of toothpicks. Ridiculous! Any way Happy Holidays for all of you and especially those who work on the holidays :)

Day 9 and counting

So we headed down to Bend this weekend for the holidays and got most of my wrapping done. Tomorrow is going to be crazy, but at least this is once a year. Chuck is having a good time running around in Ranch Heaven :) And right now she is busy watching mom make salmon dip.

Day 10 and counting

I feel like this blog should be called Day 10 and Still Packing. It feels like it is never ending and I keep finding more stuff. How much stuff can one person accumulate over the past 5 years? Well tomorrow Alex, Chuck, and myself are heading to Bend for the holidays. So I will try to update this while I am over there, but if I can't. Feliz Navidad and Happy Holidays to you all :)

Day 11 and counting

Today I was able to make a big trip to goodwill and I can say that I have collected a lot of crap over the years. It feels great to get rid of it and pack light. Alex and I were able to meet up with friends of ours and have a beer at Mcmenamins and do a gift exchange. It was nice to take a break from the craziness of the holidays and kicking back with friends :)

Day 12 and counting

I would like to say muchas gracias y mis amgios y amigas for coming to my goodbye party. :-)

"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day 14 and 13 and still counting

Lo siento for skipping a day, but yesterday was crazy. I made a big trip to the storage with Alex, which was a big help. My roommate was also very helpful in moving boxes to my car. After that we went to Mcmenamins for happy hour and having a bit too many pints, I was done for the night :) Today is a fun day and we are taking the dogs up to the snow for a good time. Then for those of you in Portland, I am having an Adios Fiesta at Greek Cusina at 6:30 tonight! Come and join the fun:)

Day 15 and counting

After taking my pictures down in my room, makes me kind of sad and excited at the same time. I am sad to leave my family and friends and my comfort zone. But at the same time I need to break out of my comfort zone and really take a chance. This is going to be a wonderful opportunity and even thought it is scary and unknown. What I am going to get out of this experience, is determined on how much effort that I put in to it.

“All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it.” – Samuel Johnson

Day 16 and counting

So stressful to be moving during Christmas time when it is pouring down rain, while putting boxes in storage. Feeling soggy makes me want to eat warm comfort food, such as fried plantains, tamales, and pupusas with rice and black beans. Salvadorian food is tasty! I hope when I am in Costa Rica I will never get tired of Mexican cuisine.

Day 17 and counting

Today is a nasty day in Portland, Oregon to be packing and moving boxes. So what is the next best thing?... Christmas shopping! What a mess! I went today at 11 am thinking I would beat a crazy mob of people. No, not so much. But I did get some shopping done and I even bought a gift for my host family :) I had to get something small and able to travel. It is so hard to shop for someone you never met. I figured some chocolates and jam from Made in Oregon would fit everyone's needs. I am almost done with the shopping and hoping that tomorrow would be somewhat dry, so I can make a trip to the good old storage unit. Moving is a pain!

18 days and counting

It has been a crazy month! Jam packed with a list of things to do. From packing up my life in boxes and dealing with the cold weather in Portland, Oregon. I am looking forward to the 70 to 80 degree weather that awaits me in Costa Rica. I will be heading on my journey to Central America January 1st. What a great was to start the New Year! I will be teaching English for the next year from adults to children and I am very excited to get this wonderful opportunity and broaden my teaching horizon. I hope to update this blog and keep all those who are at home update on my travels and experiences in Costa Rica. Wish me luck and Feliz Navidad to all and Happy Holidays! :)