Hola, All!
Yesterday I went with some of my new friends to something called Expreme Canopy. I kind of had to talk Alison into going with me but she turned out to have more courage than she thought. This adventure included ziplining way above the trees, rappelling and a tarzan move. First we strapped on all the gear, they demonstrated how it worked and we started hiking up the mt. For the first platform, we didn´t have to go very far and it wasn´t very long, probably to give us a chance to figure out how it all works, Some of the zip-lines were really long, and some seemed to be miles above the valley.........wow, what a view!! We could hear thunder in the distance but never saw any lighting. It was more physically stressful climbing up the mt than I was really prepared for. Really made me wish I had exercised more before I came. On one of the lines we went tandum; I was with a guy I met two seconds before we took off. With both our weights, we were flying through the air! I didn´t have to do anything but lean back and enjoy the view while he was in charge of braking as we got closer to the next platform. Braking is done by pulling down on the cable with your strongest arm while wearing these really padded gloves. Some people would get stuck before they got to the next platform because they would brake too early. The rappelling was so easy because the workers controlled our speed..........it was really pretty wienny compared to eveything else. Then we got to the Tarzan swing; that really got some people scared. We were way up in the mts and after getting hooked up to the cable, we would stand on the end of the platform, with the treetops pretty far below us. Then you either jumped out to swing back and forth or they pushed you to get you going. Guess which one I did? I jumped before they had a chance to give me a good push! Now I know what it feels like to bungie-jump. A few of the people got so scared of everything that they quit before the end; I have no idea how they got back down. But, you know me, I wasn´t backing down from anything, I wish I could have taken some pics but there was nowhere to safely keep a camera. It was really awesome!!
Chao for now!
Dawnie
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
June 28, 2010
Hola, All!
Since I last wrote, it´s been nothing but good stuff happening here! Saturday afternoon a new friend and I walked to a store, sometimes in the rain, bought some veggies and frozen chicken and went back to the bed and breakfast to cook it. The people at this b&b were so nice and helpful. Plus, I met at least 6 other students who were/are attending CPI (Spanish) schools. This particular program has a school in 3 different cities. On Sunday morning we were picked up at the b&b around 9:30 and taken directly to the house where we are now living. That trip lasted about 4 hours. I am living with a grandma, Virginia, who looks younger than her 70 yrs. She has a small two bedroom place above her son´s house, but you can only get to it by climbing the outside metal stairs. One of the other students, Kerry, is living 2 doors down. Another student, Alison, is living in an apt this week. After spending some time with our families, Kerry, Alison, and I walked to a new super-mercado to buy some fresh fruits and veggies. The walk back was interesting in that not only were we carrying a bag of groceries but we also had to climb this hugh hill. Well, we are in the mountains. The thing that I was not ready for is that it gets dark here by 6:30! By 8:30 I was ready for bed but knew that it was way too early to retire.
This morning I met Kerry at 6:45 to walk to the school, a mere 5 minutes away. We were given a written test to take, then given an oral test at which time we were asked what our objectives were. I said that I wanted to be able to speak and understand Spanish better, plus thought it might be advantageous in my next job. When my name was called, I went with an instuctor and found out that I am the only student in his class. This is great! He is a really good teacher and asked me all kinds of questions about my life, so that I would have to converse in Spanish. And, he even complimented me on my knowledge and pronunciation! Tonight I have to review a lot of verbs plus I have 3 pages of homework. All in all, I´ve met wonderful people and am learning alot.
Love you, Chao for now, Dawnie
Since I last wrote, it´s been nothing but good stuff happening here! Saturday afternoon a new friend and I walked to a store, sometimes in the rain, bought some veggies and frozen chicken and went back to the bed and breakfast to cook it. The people at this b&b were so nice and helpful. Plus, I met at least 6 other students who were/are attending CPI (Spanish) schools. This particular program has a school in 3 different cities. On Sunday morning we were picked up at the b&b around 9:30 and taken directly to the house where we are now living. That trip lasted about 4 hours. I am living with a grandma, Virginia, who looks younger than her 70 yrs. She has a small two bedroom place above her son´s house, but you can only get to it by climbing the outside metal stairs. One of the other students, Kerry, is living 2 doors down. Another student, Alison, is living in an apt this week. After spending some time with our families, Kerry, Alison, and I walked to a new super-mercado to buy some fresh fruits and veggies. The walk back was interesting in that not only were we carrying a bag of groceries but we also had to climb this hugh hill. Well, we are in the mountains. The thing that I was not ready for is that it gets dark here by 6:30! By 8:30 I was ready for bed but knew that it was way too early to retire.
This morning I met Kerry at 6:45 to walk to the school, a mere 5 minutes away. We were given a written test to take, then given an oral test at which time we were asked what our objectives were. I said that I wanted to be able to speak and understand Spanish better, plus thought it might be advantageous in my next job. When my name was called, I went with an instuctor and found out that I am the only student in his class. This is great! He is a really good teacher and asked me all kinds of questions about my life, so that I would have to converse in Spanish. And, he even complimented me on my knowledge and pronunciation! Tonight I have to review a lot of verbs plus I have 3 pages of homework. All in all, I´ve met wonderful people and am learning alot.
Love you, Chao for now, Dawnie
Saturday, June 26, 2010
June 26, 2010: I have arrived!
Hola, Everyone!
First, let me start with an update on my mom. She seems to be doing well; she and Lynne are going to a place to play bingo on Sunday that Lynne thinks will be a good place for her. Please continue to send positive thoughts and energy their way.
This morning I woke up at 1:30, went back to sleep pretty easily but woke again at 3:30 with my nerves on end! By the time I got to the airport, I had calmed down inside, knowing everything would be alright. At the airport I struck up a conversation in Spanish with a woman, Marta, from Costa Rica. Even with my limited knowledge, we managed to communicate. As we were boarding the plane, she gave me her telephone number and invited me to her house! On the plane I sat by an American man who worked in CR for six years and now lives there fulltime. I went through Customs, got my bag and went through immigration just fine. Someone from the school was there to meet me, along with 3 other Americans: Kerry, from Chicago, and a couple from the east coast. We are all staying in different places tonight but there are supposed to be more ´students´coming later to the bed and breakfast where I am staying. It has been raining since I got here and is a little cool. I´m wondering if I brought enough warm clothes! YEA! Another ´student´just showed up! I´ll keep you posted.
Chao for now!
Lov u,
Dawnie
First, let me start with an update on my mom. She seems to be doing well; she and Lynne are going to a place to play bingo on Sunday that Lynne thinks will be a good place for her. Please continue to send positive thoughts and energy their way.
This morning I woke up at 1:30, went back to sleep pretty easily but woke again at 3:30 with my nerves on end! By the time I got to the airport, I had calmed down inside, knowing everything would be alright. At the airport I struck up a conversation in Spanish with a woman, Marta, from Costa Rica. Even with my limited knowledge, we managed to communicate. As we were boarding the plane, she gave me her telephone number and invited me to her house! On the plane I sat by an American man who worked in CR for six years and now lives there fulltime. I went through Customs, got my bag and went through immigration just fine. Someone from the school was there to meet me, along with 3 other Americans: Kerry, from Chicago, and a couple from the east coast. We are all staying in different places tonight but there are supposed to be more ´students´coming later to the bed and breakfast where I am staying. It has been raining since I got here and is a little cool. I´m wondering if I brought enough warm clothes! YEA! Another ´student´just showed up! I´ll keep you posted.
Chao for now!
Lov u,
Dawnie
Thursday, June 24, 2010
June 24, 2010: Back home.
Hello, All,
On my way home yesterday I stopped at the sheriff's department in Hillsboro to get a copy of the officer's report. It gave me some interesting information that I didn't know. For instance, mom's red truck, with her in it, were found in a ditch. It must not have been very deep because I didn't notice any damage to her truck. The officer called an ambulance and a tow truck to transport mom/truck to the sheriff's department. I'm sure he thought she was going to need to be taken to the hospital, but the paramedics must not have thought so. Anyway, I got the report and continued on my way home. I made another stop-off at the public radio station, KNON 89.3, where some friends of mine are dj's on Wednesday mornings from 9am to noon. They play really good blues music. If you ever hear them talking about Donut, that's the name they gave me on the first day that I visited them. Yesterday they let me make an announcement about an upcoming event. It's really fun because they are a fun group and they let me on the radio every once in a while. After returning home, I basically did nothing but hang out with Ed. Then we went dancing last night; man, that's something I'm going to miss when I'm in Costa Rica. While there learning Spanish, I will be living with 2 families. I just got my housing information for the first family. For two weeks, I'll be living with a grandma, Virginia, and her two grandchildren, Freddy, 9, and Priscila, 5. I think this is going to be so fun! Do you realize that I leave in TWO days!! Yikes! You know what I'm going to be doing today, don't you?
Thanks to all who have had my family in your thoughts and prayers; please continue to pray that my sisters find the right place for my mom.
Love you all,
Chao for now,
Dawnie
On my way home yesterday I stopped at the sheriff's department in Hillsboro to get a copy of the officer's report. It gave me some interesting information that I didn't know. For instance, mom's red truck, with her in it, were found in a ditch. It must not have been very deep because I didn't notice any damage to her truck. The officer called an ambulance and a tow truck to transport mom/truck to the sheriff's department. I'm sure he thought she was going to need to be taken to the hospital, but the paramedics must not have thought so. Anyway, I got the report and continued on my way home. I made another stop-off at the public radio station, KNON 89.3, where some friends of mine are dj's on Wednesday mornings from 9am to noon. They play really good blues music. If you ever hear them talking about Donut, that's the name they gave me on the first day that I visited them. Yesterday they let me make an announcement about an upcoming event. It's really fun because they are a fun group and they let me on the radio every once in a while. After returning home, I basically did nothing but hang out with Ed. Then we went dancing last night; man, that's something I'm going to miss when I'm in Costa Rica. While there learning Spanish, I will be living with 2 families. I just got my housing information for the first family. For two weeks, I'll be living with a grandma, Virginia, and her two grandchildren, Freddy, 9, and Priscila, 5. I think this is going to be so fun! Do you realize that I leave in TWO days!! Yikes! You know what I'm going to be doing today, don't you?
Thanks to all who have had my family in your thoughts and prayers; please continue to pray that my sisters find the right place for my mom.
Love you all,
Chao for now,
Dawnie
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
June 22, 2010:
Hello, All!
This morning Mary and I drove to Temple to get a copy of the police report from last Thursday night. It gave the officer's account of what Lynne told him. We also got a copy of the press release. Then we went to King's Daughter Clinic to drop off the paperwork that the lawyer said we need from mom's dr. Did you know that we couldn't get a copy of his notes because the hospital sends the drs' dictations out of the country to be typed? Anyway, hopefully Carol will be able to get it when she takes mom to the dr on Thursday.
After lunch Carol and I were at it again. My mom must have kept every piece of paper that ever came her way or that she wrote on! I found her driver's license from when we lived in Hawaii in 1969! And, I also found her and my dad's Social Security cards. We try to laugh as much as we can and have fun............ it sure beats getting angry.
Lynne dropped mom off at the Senior Center to play cards while she continued to visit different retirement/nursing homes. If anyone knows of a place that they've heard has gotten high marks in the Central Tx area, please let me know.
This evening Jeanne and I finally did a little bit of shopping for my trip. It's almost scary how little preparation I've done. Headed home tomorrow; yea!!
Chao for now,
Dawnie
This morning Mary and I drove to Temple to get a copy of the police report from last Thursday night. It gave the officer's account of what Lynne told him. We also got a copy of the press release. Then we went to King's Daughter Clinic to drop off the paperwork that the lawyer said we need from mom's dr. Did you know that we couldn't get a copy of his notes because the hospital sends the drs' dictations out of the country to be typed? Anyway, hopefully Carol will be able to get it when she takes mom to the dr on Thursday.
After lunch Carol and I were at it again. My mom must have kept every piece of paper that ever came her way or that she wrote on! I found her driver's license from when we lived in Hawaii in 1969! And, I also found her and my dad's Social Security cards. We try to laugh as much as we can and have fun............ it sure beats getting angry.
Lynne dropped mom off at the Senior Center to play cards while she continued to visit different retirement/nursing homes. If anyone knows of a place that they've heard has gotten high marks in the Central Tx area, please let me know.
This evening Jeanne and I finally did a little bit of shopping for my trip. It's almost scary how little preparation I've done. Headed home tomorrow; yea!!
Chao for now,
Dawnie
Monday, June 21, 2010
June 21, 2010:
Hi, All!
Today Carol and I stopped at the lawyer's office to tell her that we wanted to start the process of getting guardianship of our mom. We were given forms called 'Physician's Certificate of Medical Exam' to give to Dr Hall, general practicioner, and Dr Aylor, neurologist. We also stopped by the bank because mom has been writing checks to her 'friend', Mike. The bank officer advised us to put a 'stop payment' on the latest check that came through and any more that might come through.
In the meantime, back at Lynne's house, the honeymoon is over! My mom wanted to know continually where her truck was so she could drive home. Lynne asked a cousin, Audry, to come over and visit with mom for a while, then Lynne took her to the Senior Center where she made some new friends playing dominoes. Lynne then checked out a couple of nursing homes in Georgetown but didn't think either one was a good fit for mom.
Carol, Mary and I continued cleaning out, throwing away and recycling stuff at mom's house. I sat for hours just going through years of paperwork, page by page. Mary worked in the master bathroom, going through cabinets and drawers; she even cleaned the toilet! And Carol washed sheets, towels, etc, along with going through drawers in mom's bedroom. What an experience this is!
I'll be home on Wednesday to get ready for my trip to Costa Rica.
Chao for now,
Dawnie
Today Carol and I stopped at the lawyer's office to tell her that we wanted to start the process of getting guardianship of our mom. We were given forms called 'Physician's Certificate of Medical Exam' to give to Dr Hall, general practicioner, and Dr Aylor, neurologist. We also stopped by the bank because mom has been writing checks to her 'friend', Mike. The bank officer advised us to put a 'stop payment' on the latest check that came through and any more that might come through.
In the meantime, back at Lynne's house, the honeymoon is over! My mom wanted to know continually where her truck was so she could drive home. Lynne asked a cousin, Audry, to come over and visit with mom for a while, then Lynne took her to the Senior Center where she made some new friends playing dominoes. Lynne then checked out a couple of nursing homes in Georgetown but didn't think either one was a good fit for mom.
Carol, Mary and I continued cleaning out, throwing away and recycling stuff at mom's house. I sat for hours just going through years of paperwork, page by page. Mary worked in the master bathroom, going through cabinets and drawers; she even cleaned the toilet! And Carol washed sheets, towels, etc, along with going through drawers in mom's bedroom. What an experience this is!
I'll be home on Wednesday to get ready for my trip to Costa Rica.
Chao for now,
Dawnie
Silver lining: June 21
Hello All! Let me catch you up on what's been happening in my life the last few days. Last Thursday night my mom was reported missing. She had been told by her dr that she should not be living alone, suggested she go to a nursing home, that her dementia had gotten much worse and that she should not be driving. When she failed to show up at her house, my sisters reported her missing and a Silver Alert went out. Friday morning she was found sleeping in her car in a business parking lot in Hillsboro, an hour and a half drive from her home in Killeen. I headed south from Carrollton at the same time my sister, Lynne, and her friend, Ruby, headed north. We found her to be safe but determined to drive herself home. Long story short, it took 3 police officers to talk her into getting into Lynne's car (Ruby drove Mom's car). We drove her to the emergency room at Scott and White hospital in Temple to have her swollen knee (which is why she went to the dr in the first place) looked at. She spent the night there and was released the next day. After a flurry of calls back and forth between us siblings, it was determined that we did not want her returning to her home. Lynne graciously offered to take mom home until we could figure out the best plan for her. As Lynne and Carol drove mom to Round Rock, my sister, Jeanne, my brother, Terry, and I went to mom's house to get a twin bed, clothes and other necessities that Mom would need. We set her up in a bedroom in Lynne's house, and then drove back to Killeen to start the HUGH task of cleaning out her house. You see, my mom has lived in a 33oo sq ft house for 38 years and has accumulated a ton of stuff. On top of that there is also a 'mother-in-law's' house on her 3 acres that will need to be cleaned out. So, what's the silver lining, you ask? Because of all that has happened, we finally have enough leverage to go to court to get guardianship of my mom so that we can get her the help that she needs and place her in a nursing home where she will have daily interaction with people. We have a lot of work to do in the meantime but, praise God, everything is falling into place. I am still in Killeen, continuing the process of cleaning out mom's house. I continue to be blessed with the friendship and help from my good friend, Mary, who is visiting her dad, and working right alongside with us. I must go home soon, as I leave for Costa Rica Saturday to attend Spanish immersion school.
Chao for now,
Dawnie
Chao for now,
Dawnie
Saturday, June 12, 2010
June 12, 2010: Comfort zones
Hello, All! Thank you for tuning in! I thought I would start with a short background into how I got to where I am today. In 2006 I stepped WAY out of my comfort zone and started to sell Arbonne. Even though I was not successful in worldly terms, I was successful in that Arbonne taught me about personal growth. I started reading books that would help me to become a better person, and I continue doing so (I had NO idea that I needed so much work!). One of the first things I learned was that in order to change my life, I had to change my attitude. Every day I work on being one of the most positive beings on Earth. Something I realize is that each one of us has a purpose and it is up to us to become the person we are meant to be. And, for me, that entails continuing to step out of my comfort zone and do things I never dreamed about doing. For instance, joining Toastmasters was a hugh step for me, but one that has given me the courage to know that I can face any fear, like living with a Mayan family for 2 weeks in the 3rd world country of Guatemala . Even though I was physically sick with fear before hand, I was determined to see it through. What a positive experience it turned out to be! I'm stepping out of another comfort zone by going to Costa Rica for a month, by myself, to attend immersion school and live with 2 families that I have never met. I know that I will meet wonderful people, make new friends from all over the world and have wonderful experiences to write about.
Chao for now,
Dawnie
Chao for now,
Dawnie
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