I may not be there, but I can still get pictures. My other daughter Elizabeth and her husband went to visit, and these are their photos. Thank you Elizabeth! 🙂
Camden is growing so fast. He has so many more facial expressions, and I can see that he is really focusing on people and his surroundings.
Smiles
Playing with Mom
Hanging out with Dad
Napping with Aunt Elizabeth
Man to man with Uncle Drew
So many new expressions!
Drew looks good with a stroller
Uncle Drew
Who is this creature and how did he end up in our family?
Wake up to an email box overflowing with Facebook greetings, ecards, and messages. Even my Italian teacher from a couple years ago sent me good wishes. I think the best surprise was from my old office. They all gathered together for a photo and posted it on Facebook. I worked with some great people, and seeing all my old friends put a big smile on my face. You don’t always think about how many friends you have until they all write to you on the same day!
Go check the yard. Things are looking good. Take pictures of a little spider on the table, which was a little challenging because he kept jumping on the camera.
This beautiful frog was very small so it was hard to get clear photos.
Someone had to go behind the banana tree so he would come back over on our side.
What a beautiful little frog!
Go out for a really nice lunch with our friends.
Go to the fish market with our friends and find them fully stocked with all kinds of yummy fish.
Come home to more messages from well wishing friends.
Watch the spider from the “curves” photo challenge build a new web and stash insects in the lampshade.
Go to the river! Take photos of everything.
It is so rainy and humid the walkway is green.
The forest is green. Even the tree trunks are green!
Ahh, the river 🙂 There sure is a lot more water now!
Answer the doorbell because my friend and neighbor came to wish me a happy birthday. Find out the name of those birds I couldn’t identify. Find out that the car tag that says July 2012 doesn’t expire until July 2013. Find out that her husband would be happy to check our brake that is squeaking.
Take a warm shower with my best friend. I rarely use the hot water but it started raining, and the cool air coming through the window really cooled me off. A warm shower felt really nice. The best friend was the best part 🙂
Cook the fish from the fish market and a head of broccoli. Watch a DVD of Boston Legal while eating dinner and drinking a Balboa beer. Have fresh, sweet pineapple for dessert.
Talk with both of my daughters on Skype – at the same time! My younger daughter and her husband are visiting my older daughter. The baby is growing like a weed. He who was 6 1/2 pounds is now close to 10 pounds! Demand that they post more pictures of the baby.
Watch a little more TV, and then come back to the desk to answer blog comments, emails, and birthday greetings.
Start working on a blog post until husband yells MOVE YOUR FEET!!!! Look down to see a scorpion between my feet. Move back quickly. Stop husband from killing it. Take photos and videos. Put scorpion in a jar.
The scorpion on the floor, in the light of a flashlight!
Joel’s video –
Make a stiff drink. Apologize to the desk lamp spider for grabbing the lamp and ruining his web. Resume writing the blog post and reviewing associated photos.
Read some blog posts until sleepy enough to go to bed. Shake out the sheets before climbing into bed!
I’d say that all in all, it was an excellent birthday. And, don’t forget the birthday rule: However many years you are old, you can celebrate for that many days on either side of your birthday. So, let the fun continue!
Yesterday I saw the biggest grasshopper I’d ever seen! It was maybe four inches long and really beautiful. My friend and I were walking around my yard and she spotted in on one of my pineapple plants. She wanted to kill immediately, saying it would eat everything in my garden. I convinced her to put her shoe back on and let the grasshopper live so I could take some photos, but I had to promise to toss it into the woods when I was finished.
This grasshopper was interesting to photograph because it didn’t move much, and it looked directly at me when I pointed the camera at it. At one point it slowly moved from one pineapple leaf to another, almost like it thought it wanted some different poses. When I was finished I put it in a bucket and it just placidly let me scoop it up. Thank you grasshopper for being so interesting and beautiful, and for cooperating with me so well in our photo shoot. I hope you are having a good time in the woods, and don’t come back to eat my garden.
The instructions are: Share a picture of CURVES and explain why you chose that picture!
I’m sitting at my desk wondering where to go with this, looking at the lamp, and the spider web…. There is this tiny spider that has taken a liking to our desk lamp. It builds a web between the lamp base, the shade, and my husband’s pencil holder. They are positioned in such a way that the web is not flat, but twisted into interesting curves. Then, the individual strands of the web also make interesting curves. The web is fairly small and delicate so I used my macro lens.
interesting hazy, soft curves
The macro lens is interesting because you can only get a bit of the web in sharp focus
This part of the web is already getting a bit tattered
Again, a couple strands are sharp the others get softer and hazier as they go off into the distance
The flash highlights one strand perfectly
The window was open and the breeze caused the web to vibrate slightly on the edge, producing this interesting effect.
Here you can see just a few bits, only suggesting what might be in front of the lens.
This morning the whole spiderweb is looking pretty tattered, so I expect the little spider will take it down and build a new one soon.
Now I know not one, but two fellow bloggers in person 🙂 My friend Cindy and her husband arrived in Boquete recently, and we decided to meet at the Tuesday Market. What fun! I should have taken pictures but we were too busy talking and enjoying each other’s company. It’s so interesting to follow someone on line, and then meet them in person. It adds a whole extra dimension, and it’s a lot easier to talk without all the typing 😀 We had a good time and I’m really looking forward to seeing more of them.
I also saw our friend Jose. He was working at the Bambu Hostel where we stayed on our first visit here, and we have been friends ever since. He was at the market promoting a new housing development about 15 minutes from David. It looks affordable and very nice. If I wasn’t so attached to our neighborhood, I’d take a look. But, it was great to see Jose. We’ve kept up on Facebook but haven’t seen each other much in person, and he and Joel hadn’t seen each other since our trip three years ago.
I only took a quick walk around the rest of the market because I wasn’t in shopping mode, but there is always something interesting to see. My favorites are always the molas, especially when they are sold by the artisan who makes them.
After the market, we caught up with Holly and Scott at Habla Ya where they were going for the second day of Spanish class. They are looking great, and now even have their own wheels. I was happy to hear that their first day of class went very well. If they are spending every afternoon at the school, it’s not going to be long before they are talking with everyone.
And, I saw my teacher! We have spent so many hours on line that we are good friends. She is also expecting her first baby in a couple months so it was wonderful to see her looking round, healthy, and happy. We’ve only seen each other in person maybe 4 or 5 times, so today was a real treat.
It’s been a good day. Even the drive is getting more tolerable. There is a crazy back roads detour in the Dolega area, but otherwise it’s mostly new road. There is work in progress in many areas, and I think it will be finished soon. Then it will be faster, safer, and more fun to make the drive to Boquete. That’s good because I’m getting so many new friends there that I expect we’ll be making the drive more often.
I’m very happy that I didn’t have to be taken to the hospital last night. I have a little story to tell you…….
It was dark, very dark, before our neighbor, Ama, returned to her home across the street from our house. Kris and I were waiting to give her three boxes of clothing, books and other items that had been on our porch for a month or more. I had washed some blankets that were musty smelling and had rummaged around in the boxes during the daylight hours and had seen nothing unusual. We just wanted to get the boxes to Ama and out of the weather.
“Hello, Kris?” Ama called out. Kris got up and greeted her. We proceeded to get the boxes, Ama taking the first one, Kris the next, leaving the one the bottom for me. It was heavy and Kris offered to take it to…
We’re eating breakfast on the back patio, and I see this little frog hop out from under some stuff behind my neighbors house. Isn’t it a cool looking little frog! A bit of internet research told me he’s a poison dart frog.
From what I understand the bright colors are a warning to predators to stay away, and they come in a number of bright colors. I showed the picture to one neighbor who said they are very dangerous and was upset that I saw one next to her yard (but she tends to freak out about everything!). Other neighbors said they are fine and they have never had a problem with them. They said that red and yellow ones are seen around here as well.
I will plan to keep my hands off these frogs, but I am very happy to have seen one. There is no end to the interesting things around here!
Notice the 100% humidity! We had a lot of rain yesterday with thunder and downpours. This morning everything is wet and dripping, and very green. It seems like everything is growing like crazy.
We were also just visited by a noisy bunch of oropendolas! What a treat to see these interesting birds, but they are so active they are almost impossible to photograph. Joel managed to catch one with the camera though, and I thank him for his patience and skill.
One of our neighbors is an English teacher at the Instituto David, and it’s English week. There are contests for speaking, poetry, singing, and other activities all week. She asked us to be judges at the singing contest, so yesterday off we went to the school. (This post is about the school and the Father’s Day festivities that we also attended. There will be another post about the contest.)
This is a large school with over 2000 students age 12-18. The students wear uniforms, blue shirts for the younger ones and white shirts for the older ones. The building is not new and lacks a lot of things we take for granted in the US, but it is spotlessly clean. The courtyards have flowers and plants, and there are many painted murals.
It feels very happy at the school. Students were quiet and orderly (extremely so by US standards). There were smiles everywhere and lots of affection. Friends and groups often had their arms around each other, or a hand on a shoulder. The students seemed interested in us also and it felt very easy to talk with them.
Amarillis, our friend and neighbor
Amarillis’ board promoting English Week, and technology.
There are two courtyards in the school. Notice the mural on the side of the staircase.
There was nice landscaping and plants all around the school.
This is the other courtyard with a statue of the Virgin Mary on the side.
These teachers were painting disks red, maybe for some sort of decoration?
This is the hallway as you leave the library. The library was minuscule compared to a US high school. We could fit all the books in our living room. There was also no water in the ladies staff bathroom so you have fill up a container in the men’s room to flush the toilet. I was told it’s always like that. But, there were computers all along one wall, as you will see when I get the pictures of the contest posted (it was held in the library)
The physics teacher.
The physics class. Amarillis told the teacher about my daughter, the new PhD physics, and he told the students who looked at me with increased interest and big smiles!
There is a snack shop on the grounds.
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After the contest and a walk around the school grounds, we headed to the gym for the Father’s Day festivities. This was an experience that can’t be described with photos so be sure to check out the video below!
The gym, where they are apparently building a covered walkway to connect it with the rest of the school.
The fathers are seated waiting for the party to begin. Notice the gifts on the table, and the prizes on the stage.
Lunch was served to all the dads by a staff of students who were on hand to do whatever was needed.
The gifts had been handed out, and balloons were then put on the table.
On our way out we saw a few students mopping the floors.
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Notice the last photo of the student mopping the floor, It was explained to us that this is punishment. That girl had a skirt that was too short. This seems a lot more useful than detention, in my opinion.
OK, on to the videos!
This is the Father’s Day celebration with bit of each performer and a taste of what it was like.
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I especially love this boy. I uploaded the video of his performance separately so I can share more of it.
x
I was so impressed with these students. They had such gusto, and courage, and confidence on stage. There were also some really excellent singers! My friend thinks we were doing her a favor by coming to her school, but she really did us a big favor by inviting us. I had a wonderful day. I think we are going back Monday to judge a speaking contest and I’m looking forward to it!
A lot of people wonder how it is in Panama. Can you buy the things you need? What is available here? Let me assure you that here in David, we lack for nothing. the Doit Center is only one of the stores similar to Lowe’s or Home Depot. Another is located across the street, and a couple others are down the highway.
The hardest thing about taking these photos was the number of employees in the store. I didn’t want to get in trouble for taking pictures so I tried to stay out of sight (and that is my excuse for the quality of some of the photos). Unlike many stores in the US, you won’t have any trouble finding someone to help you. If they see you in their department they will often approach you and offer assistance.
Francisco speaks very good English, so he’s a good man to know if you get stuck on something. He can often be found at the customer service desk near the front doors.
The photos are in no particular order, and only show a fraction of what is available in the store. But, I did my best to give you a general idea of what it’s like there. Here I am about in the middle of the store looking all the way to the back.
The appliance department – stoves, refrigerators along the walls, air conditioners and water heaters on the right. They didn’t have dishwashers or clothes dryers in stock but are expecting some in soon. I had to be quick with this photo because the employee who works there helped me that first night when I had to buy everything for my house. We have been friends ever since.
One aisle of the car department – wiper blades, wax, cleaning products, etc. and tool boxes on the left. There are two more aisles of car related items as well.
Lights, fans, light fixtures, light bulbs, and all things electric are in this area.
An aisle in the garden department. I’m a little surprised to see chain saws because we were told you need a special permit for one and it’s harder to get than a gun permit. Apparently there is a big problem with smuggling lumber, especially teak and some of the really expensive hardwoods that grow here.
Near the garden department – BBQ’s, outdoor furniture, and wall full of all the coolers you could possibly want.
The pet area is also in this area – doggie beds, pet food, dishes, animal carriers, bird cages, bird food, etc.
Past the outdoor furniture area is a small sports department with some exercise equipment, balls, tennis rackets, fishing poles, and other sports related items.
You can also buy a riding lawn mower, a wheelbarrow, and a plastic chair in about any color you could want.
The bedding area – sheets, comforters, pillows, pillow cases, mattress covers, etc.
Bathroom organizers!
The cleaning aisle with about any cleaning product you could imagine, as well as mops, brooms, sponges and brushes.
On the left is the back of the paint department with the 5 gallon buckets. In the center area is furniture, mainly desks, chairs, filing cabinets, and some tables.
Pots and pans, kitchen gadgets, dishes on the right. They have a very good selection of small appliances and all sorts of kitchen items.
Coming around the corner past the appliance department is the lumber area – doors, windows, boards, etc. I like how they set up a whole tiny kitchen on the back wall with the price stickers on everything. Are those bags of potting soil in front on the left?
Mattresses, beds, wardrobes. Here I was standing at the back of the store, the little kitchen behind me, the doors on the right. This gives you some idea how far it is to the front of the store.
Flooring options
Toilets, sinks, towel bars, and all things bathroom related including a shower bench.
Faucets, shower heads, and everything you would need for plumbing. The next aisle has every PVC pipe item you could imagine.
The paint department. You can chose a color from the color samples and they will mix it up for you in the type of paint you request – just like the US.
The trim aisle – baseboards, molding, decorative items, and lots of hardware on the left.
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Are you dizzy yet, with all that stuff? 😀
We have been very happy with the quality of things we have bought at Doit. They seem to have good mid-range items, and offer a good selection. I’ve seen appliances for a lot less at smaller local shops, and for a lot more at high end stores and even at PriceMart. The tools seems good, and we’ve bought some that were much less expensive that we expected. They have done the jobs we needed around the house without a problem. Since we can find pretty much everything we need for a house, the staff is nice and helpful, and the store is close to home, this has become our go to store for most things.
