La Tigra

it was a short visit but the two days we spent nestled on the hillside at Cabañas Pocosol were peaceful, quiet and beautiful to be sure. in the evening we watched the lightning roll in across the valley and when we woke up the next morning there were two keel billed toucans sitting in a tree in plain view. so cool! Ash got to lounge around in her birthday suit a little and she enjoyed a warm bath in the kitchen sink.


Linds and Gav arrived despite a dark and rainy drive the second night. needless to say we were so glad to see them and very impressed with their driving and navigating skills. meeting up with them gave us a big second wind after two and a half weeks of traveling. we spent the next day at the Los Angeles Cloud Forest and saw philodendron leaves the size of buffet platers, some totally decked out fungi, and giant fiddle heads. we finished with a delicious lunch at the fancy pants café (the pesto was superb).

La Fortuna and Volcán Arenal

we made the family-run Arenal Oasis Eco Lodge our home for five days in La Fortuna. we had our own little cabin in the middle of what looked like the Garden of Eden, minus the tree of knowledge (well, i guess it could have been in there somewhere but we never found it). what we did find was the red-eyed tree frog, the poison dart frog, the chestnut billed toucan and lots more leaf-cutter ants. we also spent time watching and listening to school-bus sized lava rocks go bouldering down the side of Volcán Arenal, and viewing the rain forest canopy from a suspension bridges.



at one point it rained for about 48 hours straight. of course we were totally bummed out thinking the Costa Rican winter had arrived. but it turned out to be a huge storm that affected the whole country and parts of Nicaragua. we were fortunate to be in the central highlands where little to no damage was done. when the clouds finally cleared we could see the volcano in all it's glory. it was awesome! we also decided to make a simple change in the itinerary so we'd have a chance to see the lava at night. more on that later.

Karen Mogensen Reserve

what do you get when you combine a light, steady sprinkle with a steep 3 km hike and lush green everywhere? the way to Cerro Escondito in the Karen Mogensen Reserve. we spent three days in the middle of the rain forest with some of the most spectacular views i've taken in. from the hidden lodge our guide, Rigo and his wife, Angela - both in their late fifties - lead us on an impressive hike up and down muddy mountain trails (and she was in a skirt to boot) up to a two story tower on the top of a near by mountain. we could see out to the Gulf of Nicoya and the 360 panorama left me speechless. absolutely beautiful!

white faced monkeys, red-lored parrots, and armies of leaf-cutter ants were great for watching. on one of our hikes i found a Tarzan-worthy vine and thought i'd take a little swing. English advised me to test it first. i was so confident that it would hold me that i jumped up and stuck my feet out in front of me and well, i guess i did take a little swing... right on to my back! the funny this is, in that split second of free fall i thought i really was swinging. until i hit the ground and the wind was knocked out of me. smooth one Fonz. but i made it through the rest of the hike up to another picturesque mirador - that's 'lookout' in español.

after several meals of beans, rice and strawberry kool aid we waved good-bye and hiked down to take the ferry across the gulf and continue on to the central highlands.

Playa Sámara

this morning we woke up around 5-ish to the the low grumble of some howler monkeys. there's a family of them hanging out in the trees above our little apartment... even a little baby one on mom's back. and coincidentally there was a baby Ash sleeping in our bed. :)

the beach is about 35 yards from where we are staying and it's been a fun adventure. Ash loves the beach and ocean. she's especially enjoyed the night time walks when the tide is low and the cooler wind is blowing. this is probably the first time she's been out in a onesie in the dark. it gets dark here around 6:30 so we've got two hours of night before she goes to bed. oh, and she also enjoys giving herself a 'facial' every now and then with the sand.


last night we saw lots and lots of hermit crabs, some in shells the size of push pins and some the size of golf balls. a few of the bigger ones were climbing up the palm trees. it was awsome crazy. we've also seen a few different types of iguanas, several birds, and geckos.

it's hot as hell here, hence the time pleasantly passing away in this air conditioned internet café. but when the sun is going down we go out on the beach and that's the best time of the day. there is plenty of good food, fresh fruit (the pineapple is the best) and lots to see.

passport Polaroids

all individuals traveling outside of the country, regardless of age, must have their own passport. i discovered this just in time to apply for Ash's passport. the man at the post office waived the washed-out photo fee because she was so mellow and sweet. that's my pie.


surprisingly it only took ten days to get her passport. that's unheard of! we figure the background check went rather quick. so we're set. tomorrow we leave for Costa Rica. if blogging is practical i'll keep you updated. otherwise i'll post photos and tell stories when we're back.

major accomplishment

this is big.



way to go, Ash!

art is good for you

there's a lot of really good art in Utah especially in Sanpete County. i've really enjoyed living in this artistic community and i know i am a better artist and person because of it. recently i've had the opportunity to contribute to 15 Bytes, the Artists of Utah ezine. the May issue features a few photographs i took of Kathy Peterson's studio in Spring City. the 'studio space' spot is a regular piece in the ezine and this time they wanted to highlight a Sanpete County artist to promote Heritage Days later this month.

get yourself an education

the marquee at Ephraim Elementary reads:
CORE TESTING
DO YOUR BEST, KIDS

i remember the Iowa Basics. poor kids.

my basic drawing class had their final critique yesterday and i'm pleased to say they rocked! these were all students who came into the class thinking they couldn't really draw let alone draw something from life, in charcoal. it was very satisfying to see final self-portraits and final still life drawings lined up in a row, one butt-kicker after another. these kids did their best for sure.

and Ash is doing her best rockin' it at several new things:

• crawling off the couch the safe way
• practicing blowing her nose (see photo below)
• reaching and playing with most of the stuff on surfaces that were once too tall
• cutting another tooth - that makes two
• turning on her 'juke box' - the white noise machine attached to her crib - before and after naps
• cruising around the house and sometimes balancing standing up on her own
• saying 'hot' and 'bye-bye' rather clearly, to name a few.

oh, and she continues to excel at all around cuteness.

sweet success

that is such a lame title, but we did it. no sugary sweets for a month. last Thursday opened the door back up to treats and things and i've had a few delicious baked goods since then. but i have to say it was a very good experience. it turned out to be easier than i'd thought and it has helped curb my predictable desire for something sweet to eat. i don't need or even feel like a treat after every meal any more. so i'd say it was a successful experiment and i'd recommend it to a friend.

p.s. i should confess i had a Fruity Cheerio here and there and once, after i had made a peanut butter and honey sandwich for Ash, i made one for myself... in my weakness.

you, live in concert

if you could sing five songs to an adoring good-sized crowd with super sound, lights, and atmosphere what would they be? yes, you sound like you - only you know you'll hit all the right notes and you'll have whatever backup musicians/vocals you need.

here are mine:
1. Why? - Andrew Bird
2. Somebody to Love - Queen
3. Hard Road to Travel - Jimmy Cliff
4. Betting On Trains - Hem
5. Mushaboom - Fiest

feel free to post 'em (but not Postum) here or on your own blog.

Willy Krueger and the Chocolate Factory

i finally got our 2008 Johnson Film Fest entry up on YouTube. it's now available for everyone's enjoyment! spread the word... and the love.

the family that's sick together, sticks together

we must have made the gods angry something fierce.

Wednesday: English starts feeling a little sick, coming down with a cold?
Saturday: English still feels lousy. Ash has a pretty hot little head - a temperature of 103° - and is diagnosed with type A influenza. i get the chills and start feeling feverish. dreaded repetitive fever dreams plague the night.
Sunday: all three of us slog around the house moaning, coughing, whimpering, etc. (Ash's 17.5 pounds of sweet baby pie is so much heavier when i'm sick).
Monday: sore throat, chills, stuffy nose, coughing up junk... and it's 80° outside! more moping.
today: i'm feeling pretty much the same as yesterday. poor Ash has a mean cough (although it compels her to make the cutest little monster noises). English is on the mend.

sad, sad. i know. this is the first time we've all been sick at the same time and it's made for a few very rough days. my heart goes out to all the moms everywhere who have dealt with such miserable times. at least now i feel good enough to blog about my woes... that's got to count for something. and Ash has found a new place for hanging out: the computer desk.

the things that helped us through Y2K

remember all the fuss about Y2K? computers turning into scrambled eggs, airplanes refusing to take off, and DeLoreans covered in a sheet of ice showing up all over the world? remember how there were Y2K versions of everyday products, like Twinkies? the Twinkies box was all silvery-metallic with hot pink and pthalo blue swirls and maybe even a space motif (or maybe i just thought of space when i saw it). i think the marketing team was trying to help people envision the future (the unknown) with Twinkies (the well-known) and reassure us that we'd still have sweet, golden, cream-filled cakes, even if things didn't work out.

My Review of Extra Large Case - Size 2-3

i just ordered a bunch of diapers from Diapers.com - a first for me - since Ash's size isn't sold here in Eph (go figure). i decided to post a review of these dipes because the thought of reviewing diapers made me laugh. then after i posted the review the website gave me the option of posting my review directly to my blog. that made me laugh even more... so i did it.

Originally submitted at Diapers.com

Best diapers, hands down!

Extra Large Case - Sizes 2 & 2-3

By kel from Sanpete, UT on 4/9/2008

Pros: Adjustable Fit, Snug Fit, Soft, Highly Absorbent, Good Value
Best Uses: Infants, Toddlers, Newborn, Preemies

5out of 5

Describe Yourself: First Time Parent

Pampers Swadlers truly are the best disposable diapers around and worth every penny. We've been using them from day one and for over a year now. We've used other diapers every now and then in a pinch and we're never satisfied. No leaks, keeps skin dry, soft and comfy feel and fit. Obviously we're huge fans.

house sitting: pros and cons

we were house sitting for our friends in Spring City last week while they were on a river trip down south. it's funny how house sitting is both a vacation and a job.

pros:
sweet hot tub
big screen TV (and the planet earth lent to us by jo)
walls filled with wonderful original art
lovely solarium/dining room/reading room
walks around town
lots of dogs, chickens, horses, geese, etc. for Ash to see
a little extra space for pals to come visit

cons:
not being able to find the right size pot or a bread knife
Ernie dog missing Lee like crazy and chewing up his dog bed
and the Dixon's dog bed
and the weed barrier tarps
and the porch curtains
and escaping a number of times

so it was pretty much just the dogs. but then again i can't say i never rebelled against the baby sitter either.


Ash - post nap, waking up slow in the solarium.

too close for comfort

Wal*Mart, Wal*Mart. oh, Wal*Mart.

so they're putting a service deli in the Wal*Mart here in Eph. they've got the usual big plastic curtains and plywood fort to let you know it's a construction zone. i'll admit i was pretty excited when i found out. heck, i might be able to buy fresh sliced hard salami and Havarti cheese in my very own town now. but here's the rub... in order make make room for more stuff in the same old Wal*Mart the isles are getting pushed closer and closer together - a problem Wal*Mart already struggles with. it's true, some isles you can't really feel a difference but others are barely wide enough to push a cart down. and others still are so close you have to shuffle down in a sort of side step. i'm not joking and i'm not exaggerating. how do you think i got my 3-pack of ankle socks?

one of the benefits of living in Utah is being near thee most beautiful slot canyons in the world. there's no need for merchandise slot canyons at the grocery store. it's pretty ridiculous. and thus my love/hate relationship with Wal*Mart deepens. to quote Johnathan Richman (who put on a great show last week), 'and i wish the worst for the place i shop.'

happy first birthday

a cake from scratch made by Mom and Dad, eaten very methodically.


we had one of these clocks when i was growing up and it was a major favorite. needless to say i was thrilled to see that Ash is a fan as well.

no sugar for a month

English and i have decided to avoid sugar for a month starting next Monday - after Ash's 1st birthday and Easter, of course. 'why?' you may ask. well, it's a good challenge. it's a healthy experiment. T.R. did it. i gained ten pounds over the winter. i have an insane sweet tooth, in other words i feel like a 'treat' after lunch and dinner almost every day. i heard it will transform me into a wonder woman full of strength and vigor. so we're giving it a try.

that means this week is the last week of sugary goodness. i made a batch of chocolate chip cookies yesterday and i'll be having birthday cake on Saturday, not to mention marshmallow Peeps, on Sunday. yeah, it's probably a bad idea to load up right before laying off but oh well.

i'll keep you posted.

Ephraim, Ephraim, it's a wonderful town!

Ephraim has a population of 4,500 when school is in session. it's small-town Utah and i've grown to like it even more than i had expected. indeed it is a wonderful town. but don't take my word for it. da nunt nunt. here are two inspiring articles from a recent edition of Snow College's student newspaper, The Snow Drift* (click image to enlarge) that echo my sentiments. believe me, it's worth the effort.


*The Snow Drift is a weekly paper and it's embarrassing. BYU's Daily Universe doesn't stand a chance. besides the lack of content and reoccurring themes - dating, sports, and the latest health risk - it is full of errors both small and large (e.g. featuring a photo of Snow's new president with the old president's name as the caption or headlining an interview with world-renowned local potter, Joe Bennion, with 'A Visit With Joe Bunion') every time. both entertaining and frustrating at the same time.

spill the purse

last fall one of my good friends gave me this little bag/purse. she brought it back from a killer sale in Maine. way cool. it's the first real purse i've had. in the last five years i've had little bags off and on but this is the first that can be called a purse (by the way, i hate the word 'purse'. not necessarily because of what it is or what it means but rather because of the way it sounds. purse, pamphlet, pouch - oh, and moist; all disgusting-sounding words). but i digress. upon cate's request i show you the contents of my purse.

wallet (indeed). sunglasses (especially). pile o' change (for all of the parking meters here in Eph). sharpie pen (always comes in handy). pretty boring and unrevealing, i know. i realize you were expecting something more and i don't want to disappoint. so i'll open my wallet and show you a collection i keep inside...


...my student ID cards from 7th - 12th grade. what a collection! you'd be surprised how many times i've pulled them out. they're quite the conversation piece. 10th grade is especially entertaining. i have a boy haircut, which i loved at the time, and i look a little dopey (livin' it up at Lagoon the night before). so there you have it.

if you have yet to spill your purse, feel free. it's been fun.

the red hat of courage

in anticipation for our upcoming adventures we're acclimatizing Ash to the tent. as we set it up in the front room this morning, Ash was very interested in the poles and things but once we got it up she was unsettled. i can't blame her. she came from a small, enclosed space not too long ago and i bet it's unnerving to crawl inside something that is reminiscent of the womb. so English and i got inside and eagerly demonstrated how much fun the tent is.

'hey look! this is great, Ash!' and
'woah! i'm having the time of my life!' and
'i don't feel scared or anything.'

she hemmed and hawed for a few minutes, whimpering at the door. she made a move to crawl in but changed her mind at the last minute, still unsure. but then she did the bravest thing i've seen - by anyone - in a long while. she mustered up the courage and crawled in - no looking back. i could tell it took a great amount of courage and i was way impressed.

once she was inside i picked her up and showed her the finer things in the tent: mesh windows and celing, nylon walls, little side pockets for storing things, like, say, a Kermit.

now, she's a pro. we're going to leave the tent up for a couple more days and i'm sure we'll have to get it out a few more times before heading out but we've made progress.