June 02, 2013

Almost there.  School is out in just two more weeks.  It does not seem nearly as intense this year, after the ACT and AP tests, Dalton is feeling like the hard part is over.  Brynne only has one final per day this semester, so life is almost manageable.

Unless you've had your wisdom teeth pulled.  As Dalton did.  All four were impacted.  His face doubled in size.  Visions of Vicadin or some other equally potent pain killer were only an illusion, however.  Instead they gave him some powder that worked only marginally.  Eventually, we took him to the pharmacy for some sort of steroid that helped for 24-36 hours.  Still hearing about the pain, but, the doc says he is recovering fine.

Last night we had dinner with a family from India that works for Dole down here.  Their son goes to school with the kids.  It is fun to laugh, and they had us laughing a lot.  Gave us good food too, which was just as fun.  They live even higher up a mountain than we do--their nighttime view was amazing.  Good food, good company, good view--what more can you ask for?

Yesterday I took my bike out on the roads for the first time in two years (I use it all the time, but, on my kinetic trainer from the comfort of our apartment).  I am doing a triathlon this coming Saturday for the first time in three years (along with three others from our ward).  Figured I probably better actually get the bike on the road a couple of times before the race.  A friend and I left at 5:30 a.m. to avoid traffic--which worked until about 6:30 a.m.  Then the charm was gone (as was the safety).  Triathlon or not, I will be staying close to the trainer and off the roads.

We're putting in a picture of Dalt and Brynnesy at this week's honor society induction.  Good for them! Wish we could let you hear the event, as a group of Dalton's friends cheekily shouted "Brynne Zoner" as she approached the stage.  Normally, I would think that in bad taste.  But, since "Brynne Zoner" is a personal adaptation of the more generic "Friend Zone" (teenagers' equivalent of saying, "we're never going to be more than friends"--specifically, you've been "friend zoned"), I assume that means that these boys all realize that my princess is off limits (for at least 10 more years), so it brings a smile to my face.

Braden has a new friend.  This is a blessing from heaven--"play dates" can be complicated since friends from school live all over the valley, and traffic can be such a pain.  Alejandro just moved into our building, on our side (uses the same elevator), goes to the same school, and is just two months older.  He is also the youngest child, and so far they're having a great time together.  Woo-hoo!

I have added another Chinese teacher.  This one is in Rexburg, Idaho (the other in Beijing).  Different focuses with each.  It amazes me what we can do with technology now.  I meet with each of them on Skype, and while my Chinese is still pretty darn ugly,  a couple of hours a week of lessons gets me just a little closer to the "impossible dream" of "fluency".  I'm giving myself 15 more years to get there . . . .

Some of you have called us out for not posting pictures of our apartment on-line.  Here's one of the front room.  The view from the guest room is one of the best--so think seriously about coming to see it first-hand.

Dayna and I have been walking some in the mornings lately.  Seems like we wake up earlier and earlier the older we get, and decided that walking on the grounds is a good way to see the sunrise, and get to spend some time together.  It also reminds us more readily than fighting with morning traffic that Costa Rica is really beautiful.

Dalton and Brynne will be heading north in a couple of weeks (after finals).  We don't have all of our schedule's confirmed yet, however, as we are waiting to hear about a job that Dalton is trying to get down here that would impact them.  But, will keep you posted and let you know as soon as we do.

Pura Vida!

The Karlinseys

Grandpa, great kids, and Guatemala

Even when you know it’s coming, it’s still hard.  Dad passed away on May 4^th after struggling with leukemia.  I was grateful to have been able to see him a few weeks before while he was still lucid, upbeat, and relatively active.  I am forever grateful for his love, and his life-long commitment to be a disciple of Christ.

The soberness of his funeral was softened by the warmth of seeing family and friends not seen in many years, and Washington was in all its glory for the day of the funeral and the days leading up to it.  

It has been months since we have posted.  No apologies—I would not want you to expect greater frequency, it is not likely to happen . . . . . but we have had a great past few months.  Keaton is doing very well in San Diego—we spoke to him on Mother’s Day, and feel the magic of the mission.  Of course we miss him, but love what we feel happening to him through his service.

Niece Rachael has also signed up for full-time service, and entered the MTC last month, and will head to Brazil soon.  Dalton is counting down the months until he can submit his application . . . less than a year to go.  Nephew Devin as well—it is hard not to grin ear-to-ear when we think about it all.  Very exciting times indeed.

We've decided to expand our Central American adventures beyond Costa Rica.  Accordingly, Dalton met me 10 days before Easter in Honduras where I was on business.  He worked with me there a day, then worked with me a day in Guatemala City.  Dayna, Brynne, and Braden met us there that night, and we began an incredible spring-break week in Guatemala.  Our travels took us from Guatemala City to the colonial city of Antigua to see the famous Holy Week parades, then to the Mayan ruins of Tikal (phenomenal!), otherwise known by Star Wars fans as the rebel base on Yavin IV.  We left our power-free room (generator-made electricity turns off at 10 p.m.) a little before 4 a.m. to trek to a temple in the ancient city early enough to watch the sunrise.  Later, we traveled to Lake Aititlan—went to the far side of the lake, and stayed in a rather inaccessible town beyond the crowds.  We got a modest room behind a restaurant owned by a French immigrant chef.  Food was as good as the beauty and tranquility.  Then off to the market in Chichicastenango, and finally home.  Hope the pictures below do more justice to the trip than my writing.

Saludos cálidos a todos,

Los Karlinsey

18 January 2013

Helping to make breakfast at Irazu

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you got stuck in an elevator.  Yah, me too.  Tonight we found out.  Half-way up to our 10th floor apartment, the entire panel "died."  We called down to the guards on duty, but, they did not inspire much confidence that we would get out any time soon.  

There we were--the three of us--Dalton, Brynne, and me.  Dalton was rolling on the floor (literally).  "This is comedy central" he gushed.  Brynne saw nothing funny in the situation, since she really, really, REALLY had to go to the bathroom.  I . . . I tried to be patient (not in my nature).  Then, when we realized we were lined up  to the entrance of the fifth floor apartment, I tried the Incredible Hulk thing.  To all of our surprise, with some huffing and puffing, we were able to break out.  The neighbors were in the middle of a birthday party, and they were notably surprised (although I cannot vouch that it was  a surprise party, per se).  They were neighborly enough to escort us past the birthday cake and to their rear entrance, so we could take the service elevator up to our back door.  Geez.

Who wants to jump into the crater?

Who in the picture stayed up until 4 the night before?

In the spirit of making family memories (fresh off of vacation, remember), last Saturday, Dayna and I decided to "kidnap" the children at 6:30 a.m. from their warm beds, and haul them to the top of a volcano on the other side of the valley to make breakfast and explore.  Yes, we expected that getting teenagers out of bed that early on a Saturday might raise a little fuss, but, dragging our nearly 17 year-old out of bed "took the cake" as it were, and severely tested our commitment to positive family memories.  After no small amount of "cajoling" (huffing and puffing?), we finally got him in the car.  Later, he confessed that it was really only a pain to get out of bed because he hadn't slept but two hours the night before.  Skyping until nearly 4 a.m. . . . . Really???  Not much sympathy from this camp.

It's a cousin thing . . .

Dayna had a "big" birthday while we were home

Our time at home was amazing over the holidays.  We really loved seeing family and friends.  We all got our batteries charged, and found it more than a little difficult to get back on the plane headed south. We are still missing everyone, but, will admit that we are acclimating well to the weather.  The kids finally started back to school on Wednesday, after more than a month hiatus.






Tonight the teenagers and I started back into Chinese lessons.  The spirit is willing, but the brain is weak.  Actually, the kids earned some kudos.  My biggest accomplishment was charming the teacher's visiting grandmother, who seems to come from the camp that ANY gringo attempting Chinese should receive positive reenforcement.

Saludos a todos, and Pura Vida!

Glenn, Dayna, Dalton, Brynne and Braden (a few saludos in absentia from Keaton as well .  .  . !).

Keaton shows his mother he keeps her close to his heart

Cool.  High quality pen, hand-crafted by D.L. Bunnell

Papa and Gem's backyard

One big, happy family

Confectionary architects

Grandma's annual high stakes gingerbreading