Two more sleeps alone!!!

Well, I am very excited... the day after tomorrow I leave for Costa Rica to pick up my husband! I truly am excited now...unlike any other time that I have left to go there. This is much more different and I feel excited, nervous, anxious (in a good way) ... so emotional. Our lives will both change and it is a very different situation than most newly married couples. It seems kind of crazy that we have been married for 13 months now and my husband has never been to my house!! lol... I bet not too many people can say that now can they? I have been racing around like a crazy lady - cleaning my house to make sure everything is perfect when he gets here. I really feel emotional that Leo is leaving his home and family... and I want him to arrive here and feel welcome and feel at home too since this is his new home! I can't wait for him to move his things here and place them around our home so that he can make it his home too! Its going to be strange having 'boy' things around.... after purging and cleaning out the closets and drawers to make room, I feel fresh and like this is a new start!!!

Off I go in about 36 hours from now... my last countdown. ;0)

Leo Received his Canadian Visa!

We are so excited! Yesterday Leo went to the Canadian Embassy first thing in the morning and was given his Canadian Visa! Even though we were told that it would be available November 17, I still was a little hestitant... in the back of mind I kept thinking that something would go wrong. The night before he picked it up I even had dreams that he showed up to the Embassy and they had no clue who he was and no record of his visa. All is good! We are happy to finally see this day after one year...almost to the day... since we applied. All that hard work gathering information and the waiting was all worth it. In two weeks (from today) my husband will finally be in Canada!! Yippeeee!!!

The Final Countdown!!!

(isn't that a song??)

10 more days until I head back to Costa Rica to get my husband and bring him to his new home in Canada! We arrive into Toronto on December 2nd... it is hard to believe that the day is so close! It seems like we have been waiting an eternity. Well, lots of emotions flowing... we are both excited but also anxious and nervous. Leo is giving up a lot to come to live in Canada but he knows that he is also gaining a lot too. We are so excited to start our lives together... it is hard to imagine the time has almost come! Leo finished working at Reserva Conchal on Oct 31 and has moved all his things back to his parents home in San Jose. He has been busy helping his Mom with things around the house, getting his stuff organised and playing some music with friends.

Great News!

Well, I have been home from visiting Leo for almost two weeks... I am a little behind on the posts. While I was visiting him we spent a few days in San Jose getting all his documentation together to submit to the Canadian Embassy. It was a little hectic, but we were able to get everything done and taken to the embassy. Then the last few days we could enjoy some relaxing time at the beach with his parents. Well, at least I was able to- Leo had to get back to work.

On October 26 Leo's Mom received a message from the Canadian Embassy that Leo would be able to pick up his final documents at the embassy on November 17th! Apparently they tried to call him on his cell but were unable to get through so they called his home. So, I looked into flights and realised we didn't have much time to make a decision about buying a ticket. The flights were booking up fast and unfortunately, since Leo is unable to go to the USA, he cannot fly through the US. So, it narrows it down to Air Canada which fly's direct from San Jose to Toronto. So, we took a risk and issued tickets. I will be heading back to Costa Rica on November 25th and then coming home with Leo on December 2nd. So exciting! It is hard to believe it is really going to happen after all this waiting. So, much work to get through the visa process- who would have known it could be so difficult?

Well, I can honestly say that our first year of married life was extremely tough- being apart and so many obstacles to face. So many times we both thought, can we really do this? Can we get through this? But we also had a great year - many happy times together and talking everynight on Skype. The great thing about technology these days- we can see eachother and talk... we really had some amazing conversations that we may not have if we were right beside eachother. This time apart has also made us appreciate one another- we will always know that feeling of alone and once we are together we are going to be so grateful for each moment! I am so thankful to have met Leo and I cannot wait to start our life together living in the same country! Stay tuned!!!

Back to Costa Rica...

Well, I am headed back to visit with Leo on Friday! Yet another countdown... Hopefully this is one of the last times that I have to visit with Leo. The next trip I hope he will be on the plane with me and we will not have to say goodbye!!! We are pretty excited but also experiencing lots of other emotions too. I worry about how it will be for Leo when he leaves his home and I pray that he feels happy and welcome when he arrives here. We have known for sometime that he will move here but now that it is almost here, it makes it more real! I can't imagine the feelings he has and I am overwhelmed and thankful that he loves me so much- enough to leave the place that he has always known as home. It is a big, life changing step but I know that he also is looking forward to it and is excited about the many opportunities that he will have here. As much as I love to travel and have visited so many beautiful and wonderful places, I always appreciate that I come from this amazing country that we live in. Canada is a great place to live and many take all that we have for granted. I cannot wait for my husband to come here and see his new home!

Great News!

This week we had great news!
The lawyer just received diplomatic mail from Guatemala.

They have included his new medical instructions and requests for police certificate AND HIS PASSPORT! This means that they are ready to approve once we get these things together. He has 90 days to provide this information ( don't that will be a problem!!!)

I will be traveling to see Leo in less than 3 weeks and he has already booked time off work so that we can get all his documentation that he needs and we will hand deliver it to the Canadian Embassy in San Jose along with his passport so hopefully we will get it back quickly! So, still not really a time or date that we can estimate that he will be able to come to Canada but things are in the works and we have to get ready for his arrival!

It is very exciting and we are both anxious- lots of emotions since Leo is going to be leaving Costa Rica and his home. But he also knows that there are so many people that love him and are waiting for him (number one- Me!!). Look forward to further updates!!

Married.. Again!

Who gets to marry the love of their life twice??? ME!!

Well, I thought I better get this in before August is over. Leo and I received our marriage blessing on Monday August 3, 2009. It was an amazing day... we had a group of almost 40 people gather together and we had a perfect day! Everyone arrived to Costa Rica safely, we had both of our families all together, we had a perfect setting, amazing weather, excellent food and drinks, and the most incredible sunset ever!

Patience...

I Corinthians 13:13

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.... And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love...


Well, 2 weeks from today Leo and I will get our Wedding Blessing! We are so excited... not only to see eachother again but also to have a nice week together with our families and most importantly to receive that blessing. If there is one lesson that we are learning in our situation is patience. It has been almost 10 months since we got married legally and still we are patiently waiting to hear just one word from the Canadian government. It is like our life together is on hold and we cannot make any plans for the future because we have no idea when we will be together.

There are so many times when I felt I would like to just pick up, leave and live in Costa Rica with him until he is able to come to Canada. But with the economic situation, I cannot leave my job and who knows if I would even be able to get a job in Costa Rica because their situation is even worse. So, we just have to have patience and have faith that everything will fall into place at the right moment!

Another Countdown...

Well, here I am counting down to another trip to Costa Rica! I am so excited that it is only 4 weeks (well, 3 weeks and 6 days) until I head back. Yeah! This trip is going to be extra exciting since my whole family is coming along! On August 3rd we plan to have our 'official wedding' and Leo and I will have both of our families all together with us. It is something we have planned since we decided to get married last year. I have lots of things on the go right now to get ready for the big day!

Family Visit...

Leo and I with his parents before we headed to La Fortuna

Overlooking the city of San Jose from on top of a mountain... great view!!

Bercan, the family dog...

Carmen, my sister in law

We had a really nice two day visit with Leo's family in San Jose. We were able to go there over my birthday so we had a little birthday celebration and had a lot of fun. It was nice to be able to spend some time with them since they are quite a distance away from Leo- he isn't able to visit with them a whole lot.

Sunsets...

Costa Rica has some pretty incredible sunsets. These photos were all taken at different times of the year and different seasons. Each time I go I see another amazing sunset and I think I have a million photos!! It does not even capture the beauty- you have to go there to experience it.

Feliz cumpleanos to me!

I spent my birthday with Leo and his family (June 5th) and had a really nice time. They surprised me with a birthday cake and singing- it was really nice. This is the 2nd Birthday that I have been able to share with Leo which is great. I hope by the time his Birthday rolls around in November (2) that we will be able to share it together here in Canada!

Arenal Volcano...

Leo and I lived in the lap of luxury for one day- my Birthday. We stayed at the Tabacon Grand Spa and Thermal resort in a suite! It was so nice - we didn't want to leave! Leo said he felt a little like James Bond!

We had this huge jacuzzi tub in the middle of our room that seperated the bedroom from the bathroom. It was very cool. You could sit and open the sliding doors that looked out into the jungle and just sit and listen to the wildlife. In the morning there were butterflies flying around and iguanas... and we could hear the monkeys in the trees. It was great!

The hot springs were amazing- so relaxing! We spent the day there just sitting in the hot water and then taking little naps on the comfy lounge chairs. Leo loved this part!

The view of Arenal was amazing! It is one of the top 10 most active volcanoes in the world. It was kind of scarey to think what would happen to us if there was a big eruption and we are practically at the foot of it! It was an amazing site to see.

Costa Rica Visit...

I just got back from Costa Rica last week- so much for writing a few posts while I was gone. It never happened! The 12 days there went by so quickly and they were very busy. It seems like a dream now that it has come and gone after waiting for so long. The only thing that makes me feel better is that I have 6 more weeks until I get to head back. Yeah!!

I am here!!!!

Well, I have been in Costa Rica for a few days now... it is so nice to be here and be with Leo. He surprised me at the airport! I arrived and came out to look for the car rental company and he was there waiting for me. I was really happy and then found out he also had the next day off so we could spend our first few days together. We spent the time relaxing, eating and sitting out at the pool in the condo we rented close to where Leo works. This place is so peaceful and nice- we are the only ones here and it is kind of in the middle of the jungle. The first morning I woke up at around 5:00am to hear all kinds of crazy birds (and other wildlife) singing to us. Since it is rainy season, at night the rain falls and the thunder rolls in and it is so nice to just sit and listen to all the sounds from outside. I am really happy to be here and wish I never had to go home!

A few more days!

Well, it is Sunday night and I leave on Wednesday in the wee morning hours! I can't wait! I am all packed and ready to go since the next two days are a little crazy. Of course, as usual, I have way too much that I am bringing along with me! There are so many things that they cannot get in Costa Rica or that are really expensive there- so I always try and load up with as much as possible to bring to Leo and his family. Sometimes I think I could easily fill 10 suitcases but unfortunately there are some strict lugguge rules on the airlines these days. Hopefully I do not get stuck having to pay the over limit fee which can be quite hefty! Today I woke up and have the feeling I am getting a cold- I have a sore throat and achy bones. Of course! It always happens just before I am going away!! So, tonight I am drugging up with some Neo Citron and hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. The next time I write I will be in Costa Rica!! I am excited- 5 months is way too long to be apart from your husband!

The countdown is on!

Well, only 6 days left until I head to Costa Rica to visit Leo! Can't wait! 5 months is way too long to be apart. It will be an awesome day when we won't have to say goodbye when I leave- but he will get on the plane with me and head back to the Great White North! Hopefully that is soon but we have no idea. We just play the waiting game now. So, thanks for you love and prayers- keep them coming!!

Costa Rica here I come!

I have just over two weeks until I head back to Costa Rica to visit Leo! I can't wait! It will have been almost 5 months since we last saw eachother- way too long! I will be there for about 11 days and Leo will have 4 days off while I am there so I am really looking forward to spending time with him. We are going to San Jose for a couple of days to visit with his parents and family and hopefully on the way back to Guanacaste (where Leo lives/works) we will spend a day in La Fortuna. This is close to Arenal Volcano and I have always wanted to visit the area- it is one of the 10 most active volcanoes in the world. http://www.arenal.net/

I am really excited to see Leo as well as his family- it will be nice to spend some time together.

Leo's morning commute...

This video makes me laugh! You never know what you will encounter on the roads in Costa Rica. One morning, when I drove Leo to work (we were staying in Playa Langosta) at Reserva Conchal, we ran into a little bit of a traffic jam you could say! It was nothing like my typical drive to work in the morning! I wasn't sure what to make of it - or how to get around the cows but we made it through with no accidents! I was a little worried about getting rear ended by a cow though!

A little info on Costa Rica...

Costa Rica is such a beautiful place. Everyone keeps asking me why I do not move there instead of Leo coming to Canada. Sometimes I wonder why (especially on a few of those blizzardy -15 degree celsius days over the winter!) myself. But we have many more opportunities to live in Canada and can visit Costa Rica as much as we want. Canada is a great place to live and over my many travels I have enjoyed so many other places and cultures but I am always happy to come back home to our wonderful country. One day Leo and I hope to save enough to buy a condo or a small house near the beach in Costa Rica so we can spend extended time there and also have a home away from home.

Here is a little info on Costa Rica and lots of reasons why I love it there so much (well, Leo is the number one reason)!

Costa Rica represents a destination unique in the world, capable of offering, in the smallest geography territory known, the greatest amount of riches no other country has. There are many different climates and landscapes to be seen in only a few hours, Tropical Rain Forest in the Caribbean, Tropical Dry Forest in the North and Central Pacific Coast, South Pacific Tropical Rain Forest in the South Pacific, Paramo and High Mountain Cloud Forest in the Central Mountain Range that splits the country in two, bizarre Volcanic scenes and Central Valley and Sub Mountainous Forest in the Central Valley.Rivers and estuaries, swamps and Mangroves, the Pacific only four hours from the Caribbean... the attractions are simply immense.Very few are the countries in the planet that were capable to undertake the precious actions as Costa Rica did, aimed at preserving the invaluable treasure of its natural resources.

13000 varieties of plants ( More that Canada and U.S.A together )
3000 species of Butterflies
237 species of mammals
848 species of birds among
383 known species of reptiles and amphibians.

The wide biodiversity, typical of the Costa Rica Territory, also affects the people... In fact, people of different colors and credos live together- here - in total reciprocal respect. Such an evident tolerant inclination in the nature of Costa Ricans has turned him into an amiable, spontaneous and obliging person, friendly and self-assured, gifted with a strong national pride...Smiles are sincere in Costa Rica and a special cordiality radiates from people's faces, so difficult to be found in other places of the world.Costa Rica is also one of the oldest Democracies of America enjoying today such political stability that earned the country the Name " The Switzerland of the Americas "Peace and perpetual neutrality are based on courageous convictions, to the extent that the country has no army, that being prohibited by its constitution.