I Am Changing

I love Costa Rica, and I love the changes in me. First of all, I am finally starting to relax. I still have a long way to go, but I'm better. When I first got here I needed the TV on every minute I was up. I needed the noise. I never realized what quiet was like. It's really quiet! It unnerved me. I could not stay seated on my sofa and even play with the computer without feeling nervous. It is a crazy thing. When I was home in Texas no matter what I was doing there was always noise. Cars on the road in front of the house going by and any other noise that might be going on in the neighborhood, but never completely quiet. In the office at work there was always noise even if just the florescent lights. Don't even get me started on driving to and from work. I now normally do not turn the TV on until after 2:00 in the afternoon. I am finally adjusting to the lack of noise.

I am cooking. Really cooking! I cooked two complete meals in 15 years before I moved here. I worked full time and drove over an hour each way. When I got home the last thing I wanted to do was cook for one. I was tired, and I find cooking to be a bore. Cooking has never really been my thing. Well, I am living in a small town with not one fast food place. Not one drive-thru! It's cook or go out every night. I am now on a strict budget, and I can't justify doing that. So, I am cooking. It has not been easy for me. I honestly don't remember how. I had to Google how to cook baked chicken. Honest truth! After living here for almost 5 months I am starting to get a better handle on it. I'm not eating cereal at all. Those who know me know that I ate a lot of cereal. That was my usual dinner. I learned how to make fresh smoothies and am addicted to them every morning. I make a small healthy lunch and a balanced dinner. I started going to the Feria (outdoor vegetable and fruit market) every Saturday. I am buying organic eggs and chicken. Mostly though I make vege dinners. Shrimp fresh from the coast is the best! I am starting to impress myself.

The biggest change? Washing dishes by hand! There has been a dishwasher in my house since I was 12 years old. I have never had to wash dishes. I even put the pots and pans in the dishwasher. Not only do I not have a dishwasher in my house I do not have hot water in the kitchen sink. The only hot water in the house is in the shower. Most Tico houses have no hot water at all. So, I am washing dishes with cold water. It works just fine. I don't even mind washing them. I do not dry them though. They stay in the rack until they are dry. Easy breezy...It has surprised me. It was the only thing I was worried about when I moved here. I was afraid I would hate it so much I would let them sit all day. Nope...I do them the minute I finish my meal. I could use paper plates, but I have not used paper products like plates, paper towels or napkins since the early 70's. I have saved a lot of trees and money.

What it all boils down to is I am living a much simpler life, and I love it.

Pura Vida!