noun:  a corner or recess, especially one offering seclusion or security
So when I sat down this weekend to type up a new blog it took me 20 minutes to remember my log-in name and password.  I guess that means it’s been way too long since I posted a new blog  (like 169 days, but who’s counting?).  Life has been a little hectic if that can be an excuse: I mean I did uproot my life and move to a foreign country where English is not the primary language.  If you didn’t know, that can be a little daunting, well actually a lot.  However, I am getting my writing wings back again and here’s why…

I’ve got a nook. Yep, that picture of a desk in the middle of my closet surrounded by hanging clothes and a dirty clothes hamper is my nook.  For as long as I can remember, I wanted a small office and place of my own carved out of the chaos that is the life of a mother and wife.  If there’s one thing we mothers know, it’s that very little of what we have is ever just ours. We always have to be good examples and share, right?  Well, so far none of the other members of my household want to sit at the desk in my closet right next to the dirty clothes and baskets of shoes.  (Although this was my only option for a personal nook, hindsight proves that it was a rather fortuitous choice.)

My free time here in CR has expanded just a wee bit.  In fact, I’m not really sure where time went everyday back in the states.  Ticos (that’s the friendly name for Costa Ricans) live life by one motto “Pura Vida.”  Translate that to Australian, it would mean “No worries.” However, since we don’t live in Rooville, that translation means little. If one translated this phrase into literal English, she would get the phrase “Pure Life,” but that doesn’t give the street language feel it needs.  So to give it deeper meaning for us Gringos think about saying, “Relax, it’s all good.” No one is in a hurry here, and they don’t want others to fritter life away on unimportant stuff like deadlines or appointments.  Ticos believe that people are more important than time.  (I believe they might be on to something…)  Needless to say, my calendar has cleared a bit since arriving.  Don’t get me wrong I have things to do like study Spanish, cook three meals a day, and study Spanish some more, but here in CR, there is more time for people, especially my family. And more time for ME. Therefore, the need for the nook.

It is my prayer that this nook and my time spent with God (which of course has increased) will help me write — a calling of God on my life.  There’s been so much He has shown me since I’ve arrived and much of it I am still processing.  I will eventually share it with each of you.  I just hope I can remember my username and password the next time I log in:)