ABOUT THE LIVING LIFE IN COSTA RICA BLOG

I (Vicki Skinner - aka "THE Sarong Goddess") created this blog in 2007 to share DETAILED Finds•Lists•Info•Events•Experiences to help bring more EASE to people living in, visiting or thinking of moving to Costa Rica since DETAILS are NOT easy to find!
I’m NOT an expert (an "expert" 2 ME knows 101%-NOT me). I believe in sharin info•helping where I can! And with over 2,200 entries, so some things might be out of date, so if you find old info PLEASE help each other by getting the updated info & sharing it with me to revise. At least you have some basic info to get you started.
VOLUNTEER TO HELP:
Better yet - do you have extra time on your hands & looking for a volunteer project? Since this blog is a labor of love & RARELY does anyone share a donation (even though MANY have said how much it's helped them), I could REALLY use help updating info. Spanish speakers ESPECIALLY welcome since my VicLish can be somewhat limited at times!!

DONATE:
Has my blog helped in any way? Helped find something•brought more EASE? More exposure or business?
I welcome you to show YOUR appreciation for my efforts!
ANY size DONATION is APPRECIATED!
(see below other ways to show your appreciation)
The easiest way is with PAYPAL - Attn: LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com
(you do NOT need to have a PayPal account to do this - just a credit or debit card)
ADD INFORMATION:
Do YOU have/know of a Business•Event•News•Place•Things 4 Sale•Rent to add? Email:
LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com

OTHER WAYS TO SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION FOR THIS BLOG

• APPLE LAPTOP - Do you have a Laptop you're not using? Mine recently broke so I'm using a lender. Must be new enough to run current Skypes & have an SDCard slot.
• Amazon.com or GoDaddy.com Credit•Gift Certificate (attn: SarongGoddess@gmail.com)
• Something else to share?? A gift certificate or invite for your business? I'm open!! (at times I'll add other things here that I'm seeking)

Sunday, January 30, 2011

EVENT - Feb. 12 - LADIES VALENTINE'S TEA for Mothers, Daughters, Girlfriends benefit for Young Life and WyldLife




Mothers   •   Daughters   •   Girlfriends!

You're invited to a 

LADIES VALENTINE'S TEA!


Scrumptious food (made by Robin's Cocina/Kitchen - http://LaCocinaDeRobin.com)  •  Great Company  •  Entertainment 

Supporting the work of Young Life!

MOMS OF BOYS: Please come with your friends! You do not need to have a daughter to enjoy this event!
We hope you will come and invite a friend!

WHEN:  Saturday, February 12 - 3-4:45pm (ish)
WHERE:  International Baptist Church (IBC) - Guachipelin
DIRECTIONS:  http://IBCCostaRica.org/about-us/directions


INVESTMENT IN YOUR FUN:  5,000 colones (pre-paid and non-refundable)
ADVANCED Reservations are MANDATORY (BY Sunday, February 6th) - at WyldLife and Young Life clubs (Jessie - YoungLifeJessie@gmail.com), Robin's Cocina/Kitchen, IBC, and ECF (Escazu Christian Fellowship).

This is a Fundraiser to Support the work of Young Life and WyldLife (a youth outreach organization.  More info on Young Life can be found at  http://YoungLife.org  and locally - http://Facebook.com/#!/pages/Young-Life-Costa-Rica/107507525952133 )


Show your love and appreciation for ALL around you EVERY day!!!!


Tell them Vicki shared this info with you!!
8-378-6679


Saturday, January 29, 2011

SCIENCE OF MIND (SOM) Spiritual Study Group in Costa Rica



This Study Group is on hold but STILL
if you're interested - contact me - maybe we can start something up again!!

But I'd LOVE to CONNECT with others in Costa Rica or coming through that are into Science of Mind • Religious Science • Ernest Holmes • Centers for Spiritual Living!!

E- me at
LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Science of Mind

Spiritual STUDY GROUP


Science of Mind (SOM) 
Religious Science
now come together and called 
United Centers for Spiritual Living (UCSL)  
Spiritual STUDY GROUP in COSTA RICA  

Are you possibly INTERESTED???!!!!

THIS group is ONLY for people that ALREADY KNOW•understand•live•get the concept of
SOM


@@@@@@@@@


WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THIS GROUP?

Do you ALREADY GET that we attract EVERY SINGLE SITUATION/person into our life for a PURPOSE/REASON and it is ALWAYS for our HIGHEST GOOD/GROWTH (I see it ESPECIALLY to HEAL/let go of our old messages - so we can move on and SHINE!!)?

Do you ALREADY KNOW that WE create our OWN HAPPINESS, pain, health, "accidents", etc.?

Do you ALREADY KNOW that we are ALL CONNECTED - you, me, plants, trash, ocean, God/Spirit (or whatever YOU choose to call this Energy)??  

Do you ALREADY KNOW that there is NO God "Out There" that's sitting there "judging" you - saying who's "good and bad" or you're going to "heaven or hell"?

Then this group MIGHT just be for YOU!!



@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

MY VISION is EACH of us will read (that desire to that day) from 
Ernest Holmes "Living the Science of Mind" 
(I have extra copies for sale or we can pass one around) and as we read, we'll discussing how it plays into our day-to-day lives and share ideas/other ways of seeing things with each other - a PRO-ACTIVE GROUP - focused on SUPPORTING EACH OTHERS GROWTH/LETTING GO - a MOVING ON GROUP!!!! (so if you have unresolved parent issues about feeling that anyone else offering a different perspective is "telling you what to do", this won't be your group as it WILL be a sharing/interactive group [though YOU do NOT have to share if you don't want to, but, a willingness to see through other eyes IS important for the growth of ALL in this group)!!

MY Spirit would like to have a group of people that grows to care about each other and TRULY wants to support each other in that GROWTH - to help us set these darn old "patterns" GO so we can be living in that TRUE AMAZING SELF that we ARE (we've just forgotten it at times!!).

(I'm REALLY tight with this because our last attempt attracted many people that didn't get the core principals of SOM [I OWN that I wasn't clear in my initial vision/description] and more time was spent trying to convince some of many of those core beliefs.  I can use LOTS more movement right now myself!!)


@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@


For more info on SOM go to
youtu.be/293pmCrdv24

youtu.be/9OC7a-sH8Yw

The Secrets of Belief - By Ernest Holmes (Law Of Attraction) youtu.be/gHRFTBRim0Q

You can download the WHOLE "The Science of Mind" BOOK at:

ConsciousLivingFoundation.org/ebooks/new6/THE%20SCIENCE%20OF%20MIND%20by%20Ernest%20Shurtleff%20Holmes.pdf


FYI -
Louise Hay ("You CAN Heal Your Life")
Terry Cole Whitaker
Marianne Williamson
Neale Donald Walsch ("Conversations with God")
Don Miguel Ruiz ("Four Agreements")
Deepak Chopra and 
Eckhart Tolle ("Power of Now" and "A New Earth")
Are all SOM Ministers or Practitioners or have been involved in SOM at some point

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@


Ernest Holmes SCIENCE OF MIND BOOKS 

FOR SALE (March 2014 - still available)
LOCATION:

Escazu

CONTACT:  

LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

CHINESE NEW YEAR - Where to Celebrate it in Costa Rica - Feb. 5, 2011



Gung Hei Fat Choi!  
(A Chinese New Year’s Greeting that means, ”We wish you lots of prosperity”)  


This years Chinese New Year  -  the Year of the RABBIT  -  starts on February 3rd and is celebrated for 2 whole weeks (Feb. 3-18, ‘11)!  

(fyi - Chinese New Year starts on the 2nd New Moon after the Winter Solstice and ends with the Lantern Festival on the following Full Moon)

WHERE TO CELEBRATE:

THE PARTY of the YEAR for Chinese New Year is at 
TIN JO RESTAURANT
in San Jose, Costa Rica!!







NOTE:  They ONLY HAVE A FEW TICKETS LEFT!!!  Call NOW!!!!

Though Chinese New Years start on February 3rd - Tin Jo will be celebrating it on Saturday February 5th.  It will be a party filled with colors, aromas, movement and of course, tons of sumptous delicious food.  

WHAT’S INCLUDES:  4 Buffet stations,  non-alcoholic drinks and dessert 
ACTIVITIES:  Lion Dance with 2 lions to bless our wishes, chase evil Spirits our of our lives and bring all that is good in  •   Your Name in Chinese Caligraphy  •   Your Fortune    •    Origami   •   Ceramics  •   Mini QiGong Classes  •   Feng Sui  •   Tai Chi and Cooking Demonstrations

BRING:  Come dressed in RED and bring your INTENTIONS for the year (in your heart) and we'll write them down for the WISH TREE!!!

PRICE:  20,000-c - adults    ¢10,000-c - kids (12 and under)  

WHEN:  Saturday, February 5, 2011 -  12:30-3pm 

LOCATION:  San Jose-Downtown - Calle 11 and Ave. 6 and 8.

RSVP:  Seating limited to 150.  
HOW:  At Tin Jo, Depositing into their bank account, or making an internet transfer.   Call Susy at 2-221-7605 for details.  (tell Maria Vicki told you about it!)


MENU:
Tacos Dorados
Empanaditas Vegetarianas / Vegetarian PotStickers
Wantan de Pollo / Chicken Wontons
Costillas de Cerdo con 5 especies / Baby Rack Ribs
Sopa de Wantan / Wonton Soup
Sopa Agri picante / ? Spicy Soup
Ensalada de fideos de larga vida / ? __ Salad
Pescado de la Abundancia con Salsa Agridulce / Fish???
Pollo Kung Pao / Chicken Kung Pao
Lomito Salteado con Brocoli  /  Beef & Broccoli
Bok Choi salteados con hongos shiitake  /  Bok Choi sauteed in Shiitake Mushrooms
Arroz Frito Tin Jo  /  Fried Rice

Tang Yuans  /  ??
Baos de Frijol Dulce  /  ??
Mandarinas  /  ??
Surtido de dulces de año nuevo  /  Assorted Sweets??



Marty shared a glimpse of some of their past Chinese New Year festivities:
Lion Dance -  http://YouTube.com/watch?v=53BGT3WPB1I  (produced by Allure Films)
Chinese Culture Fair -  http://YouTube.com/watch?v=G-8EWgf2ES4

  
We hope that you, your family and your friends can join us to celebrate and welcome this year filled with calm. 

   

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

RABBITS were born in these dates:
Feb. 19, 1939 – Feb 7, 1940 
Feb. 6, 1951 – Jan. 26, 1952
Jan. 25, 1963 – Feb 12, 1964
 Feb. 11, 1975 – Jan. 30, 1976 
 Jan. 29, 1987 – Feb. 16, 1988 
Feb. 16, 1999 – Feb. 4, 2000  

DESCRIPTION OF A RABBIT:  http://ChineseZodiac.com/rabbit.php


@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@


TIN JO  
(2-221-7605 / 2-257-3622 /  http://TinJo.com/new/?lang=en [English] / hola@TinJo.com

Many feel it’s the BEST ASIAN food in Costa Rica (their prices look higher than the others but it's because they include the 23% in taxes)!  Tin Jo is BY FAR the NICEST and MOST DIVERSE of ALL the Asian restaurants in Costa Rica!!!  They have a HUGE menú has selections from all lands in Asia!!!  It ranges from CURRY's - ranging from INDIAN (Palak Paneer, Murg Masala, Vegetarian Curry, Masala Fish - 5,000-6,400-c).  To THAI (Shrimp and Pineapple Curry, Eggplant Curry and Vegetarian, Chicken Curry in Coconut Milk, Fish Curry in Coconut Milk and Masaman Beef Curry - 4,900-8,400-c).  JAPANESE (Teriyaki’s – Chicken, Tuna, Tenderloin Beef, Tamarind and Lemon Grass Chicken, Salmon - 5,600-8,500-c and SUSHI (Vegetarian, Salmon Roll, California, Crunchy, Tempura, Spicy Tuna - 3,500-5,900-c). VIETNAMESE (Vietnamese Steamed Chicken, Steamed Fish - 5,600-6,000-c).  FILIPINA/INDONESIA (Filipino Adobo Pork, Shanghai Shao Hsing Pork with Anise, Seafood Sambal, Spicy Ma Po Tofu - 5,100-7,500-c).  THAI (Pad Krapao’s – Chicken, Beef or Shrimp, Pad Thai - 5,800-6,900-c).   CHINESE CLASSICS (STIR-FRY'S - Tin Jo Special [a combo of meats, seafood and veges in a basket of crunchy taro root and yuca], Beef Slices with broccoli, with asparagus and ginger, Sichuan Kung Pao [prawns, chicken or tofu], Mixed Vege Tofu, Stir-fried Bok Choy - 4,600-7,500-c.  Sizzling Rices - Land Treasures [chicken, pork and beef], Sea Treasures [shrimp, fish and squid], Vegetarian Treasures with Tofu - 6,000-8,500-c, Sweet and Sour Pork and Festive Sweet and Sour Deep-fried Fish - 6,000-6,200-c. NOODLES - Chop Sueys, Chow Mein, Pad Thai - 4,400-5,500-c, FRIED RICES - Fried Cantonese, Fried Rice with Shrimp or Vegetarian Fried Rice - 4,400-5,900-c.  They have LARGE VEGETARIAN menu - http://TinJo.com/new/wp-content/PDFs/vegetariano.pdf  They also have the usual APPETIZERS - SOUPS - Miso, Hot and Sour, Won Ton, Tom Kha Gai, Tom Yam Tale - 2,000-5,600,  SALADS - Smoked Tofu, Maya Salad (avocado, papaya, cucumber and red pepper in a ginger/cilantro dressing!!), Green Mango. Tuna or Salmon Tartar, Crunchy Tofu, Egg Rolls, Salmon Summer Rolls, Pakoras, Vegetarian Rolls, Fried or Steamed Potstickers, Fried or Steamed Wontons, Samosas, Satay, Mu Shu, Eggplant Sambal, Soy Bean Pods  -  2,000-4,500-c on average plus.  Grilled 5-Spice Pork Ribs, Salt and Pepper Prawns (7,500-c), Salt and Pepper Squid (5,500-c), PuPu Platter for 2 (a BUNCH of goodies) - 22,500-c.  KIDS MENU.  LARGE SPACE (both in the various dining rooms and they now have a space for larger events).  HOLIDAYS:  Thurs.-Fri. Samana Santa (before Easter), Dec. 24-27ish, Dec. 31 at night. OPEN for Jan. 1.  Closed to general dining on the Saturday after Chinese New Year for their BIG SPECIAL event ('11 - 20,000
NOTE:  They do NOT use MSG AT ALL!!!!  Their prices are at the higher end but they INCLUDE the 13% tax and 10% service.   
HOURS:  Daily 11:30am-3pm and 5:30-10pm.  

LOCATION:  San Jose-Downtown - Calle 11 and Ave. 6 and 8.
.

Add Your Costa Rica BLOG to Mine

Do you LIVE in Costa Rica and have a BLOG? 

Let's TRADE LINKS!!! 

Mine - currently under 
(soon to be enhanced at  http://CostaRicaResourceGuide.com)  
USUALLY comes up at the top of the Search Engines when searching for MANY things Costa Rica (I've even had businesses ask me to do their site since I come up WAYYY higher than their own site comes). 

Sharing Links helps with YOUR blog get ranked higher!!


Currently I’m putting up a mass list of blogs but I'll be cleaning it up/out next month - dropping all that aren't giving back/haven't partnered/shared with me (I’ll be doing this JUST before I enhance it even more which will make it come up even higher!!).

E- me your blog at  Blog@CostaRicaResourceGuide.com  
(CRRG is what my blog will be changing over to)

.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

EVENT - Feb. 12 - INFANT & CHILD EMERGENCY & FIRST AID COURSE - Costa Rica

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR AN EMERGENCY?

This 8 hour course is for new parents, care givers, grandparents and adults that will teach how to make your home a safer place and handle childhood emergencies. Explore related child safety issues such as car seats, playground bicycle safety and emergency situations such as choking, airway and breathing, poisoning, bandaging cuts and burns, splinting broken bones, water safety and head and spinal injuries. 

The instructors are both 20 year advanced emergency medical first responders, combined with specialized training in Advanced Wilderness & Remote First Aid.

What to do in case of:
• Choking
• Poisoning
• Airway/breathing emergencies
• Cuts and burns
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries

A light lunch from Buena Tierra is included. 

The course is offered in ENGLISH ONLY



DATE: Saturday, Feb. 12th

TIME:   9am-5:30pm

LOCATION:   Above Buena Tierra Restaurant - 100 mts south/up the hill from the main entrance of San Miguel Church, Escazu Centro.

INVESTMENT: $120/US$  
(SPECIAL - pay before February 7th - $110). 
Cash or credit card at Buena Tierra Restaurant  OR  Deposit into BCR (inquire).


RSVP:  2-288-0342  /  8-881-6991  /  mflaque@hotmail.com
(NOTE:  Space is limited to just 20 so reserve early!!!)


(tell them Vicki connected ya'll)
.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

EVENT - Jan. 22, '11 - Professional Women's Group - JANUARY MEETING

WHAT:  Professional Women's Group (PWG-WCCR) Monthly Meeting

WHEN:  THIS Sat. Jan. 22, 2011 - 11am-1pm

MORE DETAILS:  http://Facebook.com/event.php?eid=188168474542058


TOPIC:  3 social entrepreneurs will share what they have learned in the process of starting and sustaining NON-PROFIT

ORGANIZATIONS:
Gail Nystrom  -  http://CRHF.org
Nanci Wright-Stevens  -  http://ElPuente-TheBridge.org
Katya De Luisa - Alzheimer's Association


NOTE:  This is happening DURING the Women's Club of CR's BOOK SALE Fundraiser, Coffee & Baked Goods Sale Corner (the book sale is from 10am-2pm)!!!! 


RESERVATIONS: 
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=bxww8yn6&oeidk=a07e37liuf649e75419&oseq=a013fgcduiivk


WHERE:  Pan-American School (300 meters South of El Rodeo Hotel/Restaurant - San Antonio de Belen).


MORE INFO ON PWG-WCCR:   http://WCCR.org/interestgroups/pwn.html


CARPOOL FROM ESCAZU???
Anyone going from the Escazu/Santa Ana area want to carpool?  Contact me at 8-378-6679


BOOK DONATIONS NEEDED:
Clean out the book shelves!  Do you have any books you no longer need?
For other Drop-Off Locations, contact Kathi Garrison in Cariari - 2-589-2037 / KathiGarrison@sbcglobal.net


EVENT - Jan. 22 - Women's Club BOOK SALE THIS Sat. (Do you have any BOOKS to donate)???

HAVE BOOKS TO DONATE for the Women's Club's BOOK SALE Fundraiser (Used books, DVDs, CDs, board games, current magazines, great prices), Coffee & Baked Goods Sale Corner!!!!  

BENEFITS:  Proceeds benefit their Student Scholarship & Reading is Fun projects!

WHEN:  THIS Sat. Jan. 22 - 10am-2pm

WHERE:  Pan-American School (300 meters South of El Rodeo Hotel/Restaurant - San Antonio de Belen).


BOOK DONATIONS NEEDED:
Clean out the book shelves!  Do you have any books you no longer need?  
Drop them off at my place in Escazu BY 11:30am THIS Wed./TOMORROW Jan. 19  e- me at Vicki@CostaRicaResourceGuide.com or call 8-378-6679 for directions.

For other Drop-Off Points, contact Kathi Garrison in Bosques de Doña Claudia-Cariari - 2-589-2037 / KathiGarrison@sbcglobal.net



IF you have any SELF EMPOWERMENT related donations (books, cd's, dvd's, cassettes+) - please considering donating them to the  - http://SelfEmpowermentLendingLibrary.com  - at my home


(PLEASE share this with ALL your contacts!!)

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

3-Digit Service Phone Numbers changed to 4-Digits in Costa Rica



3-digit phone numbers in Costa Rica are NOW (as of January 11, 2011) 4-digits to make way for additional companies in the future to supply telephone service. 

A full list of changes is at:
(you can translate it at  http://translate.google.com

A key few EXAMPLES:
Report Problems for ICE phone & Internet, changes from 119 to 1-119
Voicemail - from same phone - 1-190.  From other phone - 1-191
Info/Directory Assistance (what most know as 411) - 1-113
Info/Yellow Pages - 1-155
Customer Service - Landlines - 1-115
Customer Service - Cells - 1-193
Pre-Pay Refills Info - Kolbi - 1-150
Collect Calls - 1-175
Time - 1-112

911 Emergency number 
remains the SAME. 


Vicki in Escazu

Sunday, January 9, 2011

12-STEP MEETINGS, AA MEETINGS, NA MEETINGS, ADDICTION RECOVERY, REHAB RESOURCES, REHABILITATION CENTERS, ALCOHOL AND DRUG TREATMENT CENTERS, WELLNESS TREATMENT CENTERS, PRACTITIONERS, ALTERNATIVE HEALING METHODS, SMOKING WITHDRAWAL and SUPPORT RESOURCES - ENGLISH IN COSTA RICA - 2011 (old)


THANX for visiting my page on
12-STEP MEETINGS, AA MEETINGS, NA MEETINGS, ADDICTION RECOVERY, REHAB RESOURCES, REHABILITATION CENTERS, ALCOHOL AND DRUG TREATMENT CENTERS, WELLNESS TREATMENT CENTERS, PRACTITIONERS, ALTERNATIVE HEALING METHODS, SMOKING WITHDRAWAL and SUPPORT RESOURCES - ENGLISH SPEAKING RESOURCES IN COSTA RICA

Unlike most pages listing AA Meetings - this page is NOT "official" or attached to any organization so I CAN share all sorts of other resources you can't on more "official" recovery sites!


I've been updating and enhancing this list so the revised version is now located at:

.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

EYE GLASSES & EYE EXAMS in Costa Rica

OPTICA SANTA FE
(2-256-6985  •  8-828-7546  •  8-834-8597)

Even though the Optometrist Dr. Flor Alba Parra Cortes and her staff don't speak much English, they are worth the little bit of struggle to communicate as they are WONDERFUL and Flor is VERY THOROUGH and CONSCIOUS in her exam (she’s the person that first told me I had high blood pressure).  AND, they have GOOD prices on glasses, contacts and exams.  I recently replaced a broken lense (single vision) and it was under $20.  I bought a pair of single vision regular glasses for around $100 and a pair of single vision sunglasses for around $130.  I also got 3 pairs of disposable contacts and an exam for a worker for 15,000-c - all in ‘05.   

DONATIONS:  Do you have old glasses/frames?  Flor also volunteers her time with some "less fortunate" people so she can use your old frames/glasses.  Bring them to her.
EXAM:  3,000-c!!  

HOURS:  Mon., Wed. and Thurs. 9:30am-5:30pm (no Tues. or Fri), Sat. 9:30am-4pm (call first - just in case)

LANGUAGE:  Flor understands a fair amount of English but she doesn’t speak much (though we get our points across somehow) so you might want to bring someone with you that does.

LOCATION:  San Jose (Downtown) -  Condominio Las Americas - A big dark grey building on Avenida 2nd between Calle 4 and 6 - on the South side of the street.  Upstairs midway on the East side!


(NOTE:  Condominio Las Americas [NOT to be confused with Plaza Las Americas further east] is THE place I go to find parts for small appliances for CHEAP - like blades for the blender and other little goodies that in the states we would have just thrown out because something wasn't completely working).