October 29, 2008

 

Halloween, cancelled eye surgery and possible magic drops

 

Dear Dad,

 

Every time a question is asked and when someone says goodbye and se you tomorrow the usual response is ¨Si Dios quiere¨ and it means if God wants it to happen.  This seems to be what we are all wondering - does God want us to get out of this slump and recession and also save the planet from destruction either from war or from more poisoning of our water systems and air.

It is scary for everyone and now that we are only a few days from probably the most important Presidential election in American history, the world is waiting and wondering.

Personally, I feel that the both political parties must work together and that there is enough brain power between them to reconstruct the American Dream and get the

United States back on track.

It is interesting to watch the news on TV and listen to Obama and McCain talk about America and the problems there.  Hey – wait a minute – Costa Rica is located in Central

America and what about the countries in South America or the rest of Central America?  My point is that we are all in this together if we are going to survive as a species. We are going to have to work together.

The news about people losing their homes and business and jobs is frightening and sad

and very scary.  Reports that families can no longer afford to feed their pets is also very sad.

When it is reported that there are executives of huge corporations that have taken big chunks of cash at the expense of the little guy; this really gets to me.  Companies that have taken factories overseas so that more money could go into their pockets without ever thinking about what it does to a US worker now out of a job.

A few of those companies have landed here.  Call back centers (the places you can call and get help with an electrical appliance for example) and they employ 1000`s of people. Bill’s son, Esteben, has worked for a call back center for about 5 years.  They were raided for employing people who do not have residential status or are here illegally.  Some were even deported.  Now the place is closing and putting those who were working legally out of a job.  The company is moving on; going to another country.

   When you are fired here or quit a job the employer has to pay you ¨prestaciones¨ or workmen’s comp.  Esteben is entitled to about $5,000 (maybe more) but since the owners have bailed he is left high and dry. 

I am writing this to let you know that the same greed by some people who only want to fill their pockets and do not care about who gets trampled on is happening everywhere. 

Lots of companies here ¨out source¨ and employ 10’s of thousands of people.  If they close the call centers or factories here we too will drop into a recession. As it is the banks are not giving out loans now to anyone. 

I feel bad for those who have taken out big student loans to get a better education and university degree and a bigger better paying job than those with no degree to realize the America Dream now cannot find work but have a huge debt they have to pay. 

What happened to the dream of the pilgrims when they traveled across the ocean to a new land so they too could have an opportunity to have what is now the ¨American Dream¨ ?

I agree that hard work should be rewarded and it irks me when some people take advantage of the system making others work harder.

No, I don’t believe in socialism, but I think we all need to participate and make change a reality

 

Friday

 

Today is Halloween, my favorite fun holiday.  The Calypso office has been decorated for weeks.  Today most of the office workers have dressed in costumes and we are going to vote on the best one.  There is a $100 prize.!!!!  It is great team building and bonding between the office employees.  You should be here to hear the laughter and see the smiles.

One employee came dressed as the head of reservations and looks just like him. We have a monk, Robin Hood, a skeleton, a green monster and crazy looking woman, Bryan and I are wearing Star Trek uniforms and David came as…………..you’ll never guess………….a golfer (probably because he played this morning.)

Two of the men have carved the pumpkins.  They did this on Tuesday and even though the pumpkins are now moldy inside it just adds to the fun.  There is bowl of candy and

everyone is on a sugar high and hopefully won’t drop dead before the pizzas arrive that  should be delivered soon.  I even ordered a special cake for dessert. 

Life speeds by so quickly and we get too serious.  Halloween is a friendly reminder that we are never too old to have fun and dress up. 

I am going to get home before dark and wait for the little kids in our residential area to come and ¨Trick and Treat¨ at our house.  Last year 7 witches knocked at the door.  I am hoping for more kids this year and have a huge bag of candy ready.

The contest is over and Marco the messenger won.  He came dressed as Beetlejuice ( from the movie with the same name) and got all but 3 of the 15 votes.  What fun.  I have a tummy ache…….damn candy and pizza.

The cut pumpkins are soft and moldy and ready for the garbage can, but this week of decorations and celebrations was very successful and all the people who work in this office have smiles on their faces.  It could be gas from the pizza:

 

Tomorrow we are off to Punta Coral.  We will have a look-see all the on going jobs at Casa Calypso and then head out for Punta Coral.  Mario will take the ferry in to pick us up and then after he drops us off he will take the Amapola back to Puntarenas for safe keeping.

We were going with Bill because Ana is heading south to visit her family, but

Bill pulled a muscle and is not going to join us.  It will be just me and David and our newly remodeled bedroom.  I have a new Oprah magazine to read too

Juan Jose, who has been working hard with the carpenter to finish the room by this weekend has called three times to make sure we are still coming.

The croquet matches this weekend will be just the two of us.  We will practice and hopefully not kill each other. The new professional set David bought is a lot of fun to play with.

This weekend is also our anniversary.  We have been together since 1970 and met on a presidential election night.  Now here we are …………………38 year later and still together.

. I would love to take Happy with us too, but there is a big white wild cat and David is afraid that he will hurt Happy.  

Happy has learned to play fetch, just like a dog.  When we throw his little mouse he runs, slides across the floor, sometimes crashing into the book case or door or wall, picks up the little mouse runs back carrying it in his mouth and drops it at our feet.  Sometimes he just gets his toy and brings it to us to throw.  He will do this forever and it always brings a smile to our faces. Happy also loves to play with the neighbor’s rabbits, that are loose in the yard.  All our three cats like to play with them.

The rabbits have been busy and have eaten all my daises; but they are so cute to watch hop around that we don’t mind.

 

This is the news this week from Costa Rica.  I guess next time I write there will be a new president of the United States. 

 

I am sending you my love and a big hug and kiss.

 

Besitos,  Cecs

 

P.S.  I have sent away for some eye drops invented by a Russian Doctor that are supposed to reduce and possibly

eliminate the cataract.  There are great testimonials and the drops are worth a try.  Much better to find a cure before surgery.

I will keep you posted on there effect.  It takes 3 to 6 months to see results.