CREATING PEACE ONE MASSAGE THERAPIST AT A TIME

I am really excited about our graduation today, and not just because we got to eat at Inka Grill, Costa Ricas' primo Peruvian food eatery. Though that was a huge plus for the whole experience to be sure :) No actually what made the day extra special was the fact that there is one more massage therapist in our family now! She made it! I mean barely as she had 7 student massages to complete this time last week, but she slid under the wire and completed her work. As she has two clients already she should be able to pay off her student loan pretty quickly ;)

We were also very happy to graduate our other student who had his clinic hours completed two weeks ago and was able to skate throught he last two weeks. He is very excited to be done and off on his next adventure to Corocova Natl park and then off the Nica. We wish him well and tons of success on his life adventure.

I told both of them this was a huge step and a very life changing one. I know when I completed massage school it certainly changed my life as well as that of my family. No more payday to payday with hubbys checks. We were able to take vacations, and enjoy the joy of eating something besides beans and rice for the first time in many years.

Being a massage therapist has been a great job, as well as learning experience for me as well as hubby. I learned how to run a business, how to pay taxes, how to budget my own money as well as try to learn to say "no". All in all I have to say my choice to be a massage therapist was a great one that I am thankful for everyday.
I do hope they enjoy the success we have enjoyed with our massage careers and have a heck of a ride on the way!

PURA VIDA SPA

Today we visited Pura Vida Spa for a field trip. One of the many perks of owning a massage school! It is a beautiful spa located in the hills above Alajeulah. We wanted to introduce the students to a spa, and let them see how it works there.

I have never worked in a spa, and neither has Rick, so this is the next best thing. The spa coordinator was wonderful and we got a great tour of the grounds as well as getting all the students questions answered.

The coordinator was very curious if any of the students were staying as they can always use more hands during high season. From the looks of the schedule the therapists there were pretty busy this time of year.

Right now it is high season, because of course it is dry and very warm. A great way to thaw out from the snow and cold of the north country.

The tricky part was getting the baby girl from school. It was so convenient when my daughter lived down the street. Now we had to have the tall one take the bus up, pick up his sis, and take a cab back to his sisters house. Sound confusing? It was and took some thinking to come up with, thank you very much. Years of juggling and getting kids picked up almost on time, most of the time have gotten us to this point.

Of course there were times, ok many times, when kids got left places. Like the time the artist son was left sleeping on the pew at church! That will teach him to sleep in church for sure. He seemed to be the one left the most. He kept a sketch book with him at all times and has become a very good artist over the years of waiting to be picked up.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

These are the cards I mailed out to our lucky family members for Valentines day this week! I have to put in a plug for premium postcards. It is awesome that I can make cards and send them all over the world, for a really good price. I think the cards I made like the above were about two bucks. The best part is that since they mail from the U.S. they get there in just a few days.

No this is not a plug for the good old PO, we have left that far behind us. Different life for a different time. It is interesting to see the cuts the Po is making in light of the economic crisis. I'm sure that with Rick having over 20 years in it would have taken awhile to trickle down to him, but it would get there for sure.

The biggest hit we would have taken if we were still in our old lives, would have been to my business. Most of my beloved clients were in the housing industry in some form or other. I wish all the best and send really good juju vibes to my predecessor all the time. But I do realize that at times massage may seem like a luxury. Let me see do we eat this week or do I go get a massage, let me think about it.

This is a good time to know massage and practise on each other. I say that very tongue in cheek because we have three freakin massage therapists in this house and I can't get anyone to work on my poor sore legs!

By the way the message the kids are sending in case you missed it Eye, Love, You!