email at|puravida@happierthanabillionaire.com
FacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestYouTubeRss

LIVING WITHOUT PERMISSION

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:28-04:00 January 6th, 2013|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: , , |

Tamarindo Beach Costa Rica

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: 9-ounce bag of Sun Chips— $4.60 ( Should have bought the mangos)

A couple weeks ago, I met an incredible woman who was traveling with her daughter. After retiring from her job, Karen was looking for adventure and found it by jumping from hostel to hostel throughout Central America.

One of the best things about my journey is I get to meet people like this. Regardless of their age, they still have wanderlust in their blood and a desire to explore this planet with only a backpack and journal. This style of travel is not only for twenty-somethings folks. I’m running into more and more intrepid explorers that are trading in their Sam’s Club membership for a  one-way plane ticket.

Karen interviewed my husband and me for her website Living Without Permission. We sat on Tamarindo beach and watched the sunset while we compared our travel experiences. One of the things we both had in common was how much more sense the world becomes when you strip off the excesses in your life.  Without that filter, it’s as if your life is viewed through a very expensive camera lens … everything is in focus.

This all brings me to what my New Year’s resolution should be. Maybe it’s to meet more people like Karen. It could also be to stop buying Sun Chips. Other than that, I can’t imagine changing a thing.

Read More
 7

THE SEQUEL

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:28-04:00 December 7th, 2012|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: , |

Happier Than A Billionaire The SequelCosta Rica Cost Of Living Update: 6 oz can of OFF— $5.65

It’s out … Happier Than A Billionaire: The Sequel is up for sale on Amazon on Kindle and as a Paperback. It is also available at Barnes & Noble and Kobo online. iBooks is still pending, but for now, you can read it on your Apple device with the Kindle App.

The Sequel covers my move to the beach and all the funny misadventures that happen along the way. I also write about my  parents and mother-in-law when they came to visit. It should make for a very interesting Christmas dinner this year…

Being a writer, and writing about myself is an intense process. But you guys make it fun for me and I appreciate all the kind words and support. Now I just have to explain to my husband that I sort of left in some things in the book that he might find embarrassing….

Like I said, the holidays should be interesting.

Read More
 26

A TEACHER’S LIFE IN BRASILITO

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:30-04:00 October 3rd, 2012|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: , , , |

Costa Rica Cost of Living Update: 10 Chayotes (type of squash)—$1.20…that’s a lot of squash guys

A lot is happening in Guanacaste as a result of our recent earthquake. We’ve had over a thousand aftershocks and although they are mild in comparison to the 7.6 whopper, it’s uneasy knowing the ground continues to shift under our feet. But even as the earth rumbles, people have already begun repairing their homes and businesses.

Although there were few injuries, there has been considerable damage to many buildings. Yesterday I went to the Santa Cruz municipality to pay my taxes only to find they were closed due to earthquake damage.  It appears that everyone is struggling with finding a new sense of normalcy. (more…)

Read More
 4

CAPTURING LIFE THROUGH A WIDE ANGLE LENS

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:33-04:00 February 15th, 2012|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: , |

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: 1 Cucumber-55 cents

Photography is an interesting hobby that I never quite understood. I enjoyed taking pictures at memorable moments: a birthday, vacation, or wedding. However, I could never imagine carrying a tripod and taking thirty minutes to set up a shot.

It’s not uncommon to see people strolling around with a big, multi-thousand dollar camera tethered to their neck.  It looks heavy and cumbersome, and I watch as they reach around into their backpack and change lenses with the delicacy one would use to pass an infant into a father’s arms.  Who are these people and why would they choose a hobby that requires so much of an investment? And doesn’t it interfere with living in the present moment if one is constantly viewing their surroundings through a wide angle lens? (more…)

Read More
 15

AN INTERVIEW WITH SUITCASE ENTREPRENEUR

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:33-04:00 February 11th, 2012|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: , , , |

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Package of bacon—$5.60

It’s amazing how many cool people are out there doing really great things with their lives-like Natalie Sisson from the Suitcase Entrepreneur. I was approached by Natalie and for a podcast interview.

Ms. Sisson is quite the woman. Her writing is featured in Forbes.com, Huffington Post, and a dozen other sites. And if that wasn’t intimidating enough, she enjoys pastimes like riding her bicycle across Africa for charity (yes…the continent) or breaking records for Dragon Boating across the English Channel.

I, on the other hand, write blogs chronicling hot topics like my husband’s hernia surgery and my athletic endeavors include pouring coffee and watching howler monkeys outside my window.

Natalie is truly an inspiration to others and I’m excited that she chose me to interview. When I started writing my book, I had no idea of all the blessings that were in store for me.

I’m so grateful for them all.

 

 

Read More
 13

Join us in Costa Rica

Sign up and get the latest updates on life in Costa Rica!