Wow, it looks like you are having the time of your life!!! We are so excited for you. Lauryn gets so excited when we get a blog. You all look terrific. How wonderful to get a visit from Nan and Pop-pop. L'Shana Tovah. Stay well, Eileen
Great report Wonderful report -- thanks for reminding us what a great time we had. And the photography is terrific, too -- I was particularly impressed by the photo down the bottom, of Ari in mid-air going off the water slide.
I'm IMPRESSED! Hello Bortman Clan! Ari I am extremely impressed with your science project. Eli, I can't believe you are writing all of those words!!! I can't wait to have you back at Kol Emet so I can have you in my class. Thank you for sharing your blog, I really enjoyed reading it! Hugs and kisses to all of you.
Love, Naomi
Ari's story Very impressive job by Ari in writing that story. I guess you need a Spanish spell check program on your computer to help him -- it's obvious that many of the spelling errors result from the fact that some Spanish sounds are not spelled the way they are in English.
I'm a yankee doodle dandy... No Fire Works! Oh, man!Pack up now! Just kidding. It sounds wonderful. We all miss you so much. The kids are seriously miffed that you won't be back until December but I told them we could try to come visit. So what adventure is next for you? Shall we try the crazy computer phone thing? Kiss the kids for me.
Love Susanne and the crew!
Happy Birthday Ari! Yeah! A new Bortman Blog : ) That's so cool you get to stay a bit longer. It's like a whole different world.........Fairfield continues to be the same old same old. Tho you missed the Entrance Sign drama. High comedy indeed....have your heard? The other sad note is that our next door neighbors, The Hughes, have their house up for sale. They're so nice but another job change..... Hope Ari has a great birthday! Love, The Johnsons
I'm of two minds - glad for you that you're staying longer and sad for us that we won't see you for many more months. The pictures were just wonderful - kids and your both look great and happy! What more can we ask for!
I wish you only the best I wish you only the best in this once-in-a -lifetime experience.
for the children - incredible. I can just see the college application essays . . .
Art Finkle
Congratulations YIPPEE! We're glad you've decided to stay. It gives us more time to get to meet you. Isn't it amazing how you can be so busy here? We've got company here for a couple of more weeks then perhaps we can get together in Heredia. Still hoping to see Sally, Hal and the kids again on their turf this time. Jennifer of "The Sheridans of Sesame St".
London calling Hello Everyone - sorry never to write, you sound like you are having a good time and I wish you all the very best. Hope to meet the whole family before your children's weddings!
All is wel here - girls and boys are great. Bryony and I are going to Croatia on Friday for nine days, Dubrovnik and surrounding areas.
lots of love from London
vivien
Nice blog entry Great blog entry. It is great how your kids are developing here! What a terrific experience for them!
-Andrew
http://www.AngelValleyFarmBandB.com
Hope to meet sooner or later So glad to hear you'll be staying longer. Positive thinking! We've been working on our property the past week so no time for play. Funny how we can to relax and we're busier than we ever were in the states. Life is good though and we're glad to be here for life. Like you said, NO regrets whatsoever. On dentists...great experiences here as well. Both our daughter and I have been for cleanings and fillings, too many fillings. Good experiences for both of us and easy on Bill's wallet. (If anyone can call a dental experience 'good') Take Care...Sheridans in San Ramon.
Happy you are having such a great time Happy you are having such a great time amid the privations.
SPECTACULAR photos.
Miss you.
My personal best on this Shavuot.
Art
Skype and Instant Messenger We are on Skype and Instant Messenger. Our skype name is daramarkb. For instant messenger, I use markpb1@yahoo.com (I am on most days for work). Thanks to grandma and grandpa, we have a web-cam, too, so we can do video. Please give us a "call" whenever you feel like it.
Nice to see you again! Hi Bortmans - enjoyed reading your blog entry this morning! We'll have to try the park, you told us about it but I'd forgotten! And the doctor thing here is excellent... I've been reading about indigenous medicine men, too. Wild stuff... I think I'll become a medicine woman/acupuncturist... whaddya think? See you around - Saratica!
Expat from Santa Barbara de Heredia Hola Bortmanns! I've had a link to your blog for awhile for just caught up and will subscribe. We are living twin existences!!!! We ran away for a year, too, to have an adventure in Costa Rica. Our boys started at the European School (now at another school - we say so many schools, the choices are huge)... well, I could write 1000 words now. But our lives are amazingly similar. My blog is abroadincostarica.blogspot.com - come visit. We should have lunch sometime - I'm definitely going to the bird house. Thank you - keep writing. I try to do a little everyday - I want this journal forever! Hasta la Vista, Saratica (Sally O'Boyle)(hey, new life, new name!)
belt test Congrats on the yellow belts - it reminds me of when Josh just started out. Who would have thought he'd be going for his second-degree black belt next year? They call him Mr. Rosenberg when he helps out in class. Very cute...
Should I stay or should I go now... ? An old Clash song I think (great British Punk band).
Mark/Dara I know that feeling. It seems you have been in Costa Rica a long time- probably flown by. With Kids it is not easy to make the right decision always and your own personal objectives come to the fore. I moved my family to Moscow last October and after much consideration and a bloody cold winter, my wife and 6 yr old did not come back after a break in late March. School, the pull of relatives etc. Our plan was also to stay longer (July) but I am currently in Moscow on my own so in case I get into trouble...englishman abroad, time for me to go to. I leave here end May.
So I think you have given it a good shot, Don't be surprised that people just won't understand what its all about when you get back to the states. Anyhow it was your experience and not theirs- people have and are limited by their own experience, enjoy yours while it lasts!
You can still support Costa Rica in the soccer World Cup!
Hasta Luego
Mark Pegler
What fun. Looks like you guys are having the time of your lives!!! It was so great that you visited Kol Emet. I wish I knew about it ahead of time, I would have loved to see everyone, I know that Lauryn was very excited. Stay well and have fun!!! Eileen and Lauryn
From the suburbs of Philadelphia, we're venturing out to experience La Pura Vida in Costa Rica! We (that is Mark and Dara (the parents) and Ari and Ellie (the kids - 7 and 4 1/2 years old respectively) are excited to share our adventure with friends and family! ... full info
Eileen Cove
non-member comment
Wow, it looks like you are having the time of your life!!! We are so excited for you. Lauryn gets so excited when we get a blog. You all look terrific. How wonderful to get a visit from Nan and Pop-pop. L'Shana Tovah. Stay well, Eileen