Retreats Costa Rica www.retreatscostarica.com

Tico Tweeters----I see a Tweety Bird

      I am happy to say live in a country where there is a club of  " Tico Tweeters" That's actually the name of the Birding Club's monthly newsletter.  Costa Rica, situated between Panama and Nicaragua is a mecca for Birding Enthusiasts and in fact I'm happy to say that the Birds of Costa Rica greet me each morning and not CNN and most certainly not Fox News!

Psychology Tip:  If you're not so fortunate as to live in Costa Rica, I recommend you buy a CD with the sounds of the rainforest and begin your day with a bird song and not a body count in the morning!   In my Personal Growth Retreats and Business Seminars, I reinforce how the first 15 minutes of your day are absolutely critical to your daily psychology.  You see , much like booting up a computer, your brain needs a positive boot up  and I  recommend spending time with nature and/or  reading something inspirational as part of your daily ritual.  Watch how much better you feel , thanks to this first date of the day with nature and serenity.   

But back to the Birds of Costa Rica---Each morning I wake up in the mountains of  Escazu to the sound of a flock of singing parrots overhead;  As I sip my coffee in the morning (the best in the world by the way),  I watch hummingbirds attracted by special flowers andthe sugar water we have arranged to attract them busy at work in what we call our Hummingbird Hyatt.

Yes, when birdwatchers die, they want to go to heaven in Costa Rica,  where over 850 species reside or fly in for vacation. As Charles A. Lindbergh quoted on his deathbed:

"If I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes"   

I couldn't agree more Charles, which is why we chose Costa Rica for Writing  Living and Flying High as a Bird amidst the Beauty of Pacha Mama. 

Rosemary Rein, Ph.D is the Author of "Go Wild! Survival Skills for Business and Life" published by Park University.  She conducts One Week Personal Growth Learning Vacations and Team Building Retreats in Costa Rica where she has resided with her husband, Barry for 10 years.     www.retreatscostarica.com  www.dreamincostarica.com

Hiking for Health, Happiness & A Hard Days Night!

I am blessed that I can literally walk out my door each morning and hike amidst the beauty of Costa Rica's majestic mountains shown in the picture at left.  Indeed every morning we hike for both health and happiness in these mountains and I have developed a new found appreciation for the "Native American Medicine Walk".

There's a group of us in the Ex-pat Community,  that indeed consider these "Mind Walks" our daily therapy where we  express our awe and good fortune at living in such a beautiful country while also  commiserating with each other about  some of the frustrations of living in paradise... i.e.  Yesterday my husband and I  spent 4 hours in Costa Rica's Immigration Office to renew our Permanent Residency--A task we need to do every year, despite the word permanent!  So we  both brought books, knowing that the bureaucratic manual system is at best cumbersome and represents the annual opportunity to catch up on your light reading.  However, we were aghast as a fellow North American, identified across the room by his vibrant tropical shirt, began using profanity with the staff at immigration about their lack of efficiency.  Yup, we had ourselves  a living, breathing specimen of what is referred to as   "An Ugly American" and it  wasn't pretty.

Bet he didn't take a "Mind Walk" this morning  I whispered to Barry.  He might have been influenced by the grace of a morpho butterfly or the patience of those amazing leaf-cutting ants,  who carry burdens bigger than themselves and go great distances without complaint.

So if "it's been a hard days night and you've been working like a dog"-----------take that dog of yours for a walk if you have one; Take a Friend, if you've got  one (I'm assuming yes unless you're a serial killer in which case I don't want to hear from you) Take yourself on a walk for your own health, happiness and well being.

At our Go Wild! Go GREAT! Personal Growth Retreats in Costa Rica, mind walks are a part of your tropical day.  Write us for 2008 Retreat Information.  Rosemary@retreatscostarica.com

www.retreatscostarica.com

Become a Friend to the Monkeys of Costa Rica: Volunteer Opportunities

Recently while having dinner with Barry and Friends  in San Jose I met a young woman preparing to return home for a family reunion back in North America .There was something about the spirit of this woman who beckoned a stranger's conversation . This  despite the fact that  she appeared  to be enjoying the alone time in the chic art cafe.  Little did I know that visions of "Monkeys" not "Sugarplums" were still dancing in her head.

Meet Katie Mann.....A young woman  making a difference in Costa Rica by, applying her master's degree in primate conservation at Oxford Brookes University in Oxford, England .  This , by helping protect a Costa Rica monkey population at risk of extinction in Northern Punta Banco, Costa Rica.

http://www.amigosdelosmonos.org

Talk about making a difference!  In our Costa Rica Personal Growth Retreats, I am often asked about Volunteer Opportunities in Costa Rica!  Amigos de Los Monos, translation: Friends of the Monkeys , should be at the top of the volunteer list for anyone who has a love for animals, and a particular fancy for playful rainforest monkeys.     I am happy to report that some of our participants in our Go Wild! Go GREAT! Personal Growth Retreats look to  extend their stay with volunteer assignments . They do more on vacation than work on themselves and their tans....They give back to  Costa Rica.

To get a snapshot of the Peril of these incredible Panamanian Red Spider monkeys, take at look at these statistics.

Estimated Costa Rican population (Ateles geoffroyi):

• 1995: 26,000
• 2007: 7,225
• Decline: 72%

.  Imagine a volunteer  opportunity to truly make a difference through both an extended volunteer hiatus in Costa Rica and/or your Financial Support:.   

Volunteers are sought to assist Katie in all facets of the project. Current areas of investigation include

• mapping of Ngäbe properties and land management practices
• Guaymí socioeconomic interviews
• surveys of primate populations
• development and implementation of educational materials.

Other responsibilities include assistance in grant writing, newsletter writing, attendance at community meetings, and communication for networking.  So Here's your Volunteer Job Description:

Requirements:

• oral and written proficiency in English and Spanish
• minimum 6-month commitment with a 1-month trial period
• experience living in tropical countries
• excellent physical condition.

Volunteers must be able to finally support themselves—there is no financial support available.  (Note: very reasonable lodging )

All applicants should possess the following qualities:

• adventurous
• great people skills
• open minded
• flexible
• ability to work independently
• takes direction well
• willingness to be mobile
• the belief that YOU can make a difference!

It is expected that students will take advantage of the rare opportunity to spend nights with Ngäbe families. This not only contributes to the local economy, but it may add convenience depending on where studies are being carried out.

The Price is Right for Volunteer Accommodations in Punta Banco

Hey, Punta Banco is one of the most Blessed Places on the Planet. I know, I've been there.  It was in Punta Banco that I witnessed my one and only moon setting in addition to playful  monkeys.  Warning:  It's a haul!  About an 8 hour drive from San Jose, but WOW! is it worth it!

There are three locally owned cabinas where visitors and volunteers can stay in Punta Banco.  All of them have private and shared rooms in addition to shared bathrooms.  Each establishment also has a restaurant (soda) that serves typical Costa Rican food.

• Cabinas Raquel: $5 a night
• Cabinas Titijuana: $7 a night
• Cabina Las Lapas: $10 a night without meals, $15 a night with meals

So what are you waiting for Go Wild! Go GREAT! and Make a Difference.

Rosemary Rein, Ph.D is the Author of "Go Wild! Survival Skills for Business and Life" and "Blueprint for Success" with Dr. Stephen Covey and Ken Blanchard being released in March 08.  She is the founder of Go Wild! Go GREAT Adventures and Co-Owner of Retreats Costa Rica, providing one week learning vacations in life and leadership

www.retreatscostarica.com

www.gowildgogreat.com

 

Wild & Sasy Girls are at it again: Animal Welfare Volunteerism at Work

Yikes as I opened up  August on my calendar, I found myself staring at myself. Yes, Professional Speaker Author and Miss August?  Had I really done that? Taken off my clothes with only the  bare essentials shielded by a passing fish and turtle photographed off Costa Rica's Cocos Island?  When I said "Yes", I thought to myself well who knows?  One day I will be sitting in my rocker and some young person might inquire if I had been "Wild in my Day?" or intellectually  challenge me (let's hope so) by asking what had I done  to make the world a better place?  I chuckled thinking of their reaction as this nice, gray haired, old lady they are talking to suddenly jumps out of her rocker and  whips out the 2007 Wild and SASY Calendar Girls!  14 International Women living in Costa Rica  "Baring All To Stop Animal Suffering"

The SASY calendar became a labor of love last year and a huge fund raising success for God's 4 legged creatures amidst Costa Rica's natural paradise.   Indeed Thanks to Cafe Britt, our key Calendar sponsor and a  network of businesses and volunteers, in 2007, SASY was able to sponsor spaying and neutering clinics in poor barrios throughout Costa Rica, improve facilities at  animal shelters and  launch an educational program in schools on the importance of ethical treatment of animals.  It all begins with the children.  Note:  for those of you who live outside of Costa Rica, there is a huge population of abandoned and abused animals here.  If Barry didn't threaten marital conflict, I would surely be running a half-way house filled with the dogs and cats I see wandering along the roadway.  I have a combined family of 5 right now, 4 of which are "rescue" animals.     So you feel bad and want to help---hoping that the memory of leaving this stray one behind, will fade. But what else can you do?  A lot!   

No matter where you live, If you love animals, Help SASY at their Annual Fund raising Project!  Okay, this year the Calendar Girls are keeping their clothes on, but  rest assured there will be creative surprises for those who believe that there's a little "wild thing" in all of us. "Bow Wow News:     We sold out of our 2007 Wild and SASY calendars (minus a few rare and precious collector editions" available from yours truly for a Top Dog Donation.  Trust me! In 3 years, you'll make a fortune re-selling that calendar on EBAY!    So what's on tap for this year's benefit for man's best friends and felines?  A gala fund raiser will be held on  November 11th at Costa Rica's Hotel Intercontinental.    Endless Wine, Bocas, Music and an Incredible Auction of high end luxury items, travel packages, retail gifts, and dining experiences----All donated by those who love animals and want to help ease their suffering.

Do share this blog with any animal lover you know (Businesses and Individuals).

Plus Here are 5 "Wild Ways" to make a difference and Stop Animal Suffering!*  From Ajax, a cat we recently adopted at Casa Rein:

1)  Become a SASY Patron Sponsor at this year's November Fund raiser ( Amigo for $100.00  Man's Best Friend for $1000.00  or woo-hoo! Top Dog  at $5,000). Please write or call me directly for a VIP Sponsorship Package  Rosemary@gowildgogreat.com or 239-910-3354 (U.S)  393-6794 (Costa Rica).

2)  Donate a Luxury Item for our Grand Auction:  Perhaps you have a timeshare or vacation house or , a piece of designer jewelry,even a car or an amazing piece of art.  Perhaps you have a special service you can donate like dinner at your home, golf or tennis lessons or a medical service.    Imagine how great you'll feel knowing that the bid on your item which you will not miss, is easing the suffering of animals.

3)  Mark your Calendars and Spread the Word about the November 11th Event.  Endless Wines, Bocas, an amazing auction, entertainment and surprises.  Tickets are 12,500 colones $25.00   

4)  Volunteer:  Donate in-kind services such as printing, marketing, or working at one of our clinics in Costa Rica.

5)  It's Raining Cats and Dogs:  Ask people who  you do business with to donate a SASY gift in your name.  I have always believed that business owners need to support their community.  For those of you who have read the "Secret" or similar books on the law of attraction, you know it's just good Karma.

Mahatma Gandhi said  "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated"  So what are you waiting for? Go Wild! Go GREAT!  and Stop Animal Suffering Yes.

PS: If you show this to your 4 legged family member right now, watch and see their new trick:  Fetching your checkbook.

Visit SASY at www.sasycostarica.com

Did you know that the two principle female business owners of Retreats Costa Rica are Wild & SASY Calendar girls?

Rosemary Rein is a Professional Speaker, Business Consultant &  Author of "Go Wild! Survival Skills for Business and Life" and Miss August!  She is also serving as SASY's 2007 Volunteer Publicity Chair.  Larissa Banting is author of Costa Rica's latest guidebook by Bradt Publishing  and The SASY Calendar's "Miss February".  Both women and their husbands are vigorous advocates for animal protection in Costa Rica.

   www.retreatscostarica.com

    

Time Management Lessons from the "Jesus Christ Lizard"

It's amazing how nature provides us with so many lessons for every day life.  Last week we encountered a creature on the beach of Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast.  The Basilisk Lizard, more commonly known as the "Jesus Christ Lizard"  decided to join our picnic.  Okay,  so where did that name come from? Well this amazingly fast member of the iguana family is aided by webbed feet that make him appear to literally walk on water.   

It took us a while to spot our friend, who in addition to his fast walk on water trick has the opposite ability to remain absolutely motionless and use camouflage against would be predators.  Now wouldn't that be a useful skill in the workplace?  Imagine, no annoying interruptions because no one can find you, but the ability to propel into action with such amazing  grace and speed that everyone thinks "you walk on water" when it comes to getting the job done.

Conservation of Energy is a key survival skill in the wilderness as it is in the workplace.  You only have one tank of gas in any given day and as we all know with today's gas prices, an you need to use it wisely.  Like the Jesus Christ Lizard, one of the traits of people who handle both  time and stress well is  "dedicated time spent in solitude each day" .  Look around at the people who dash madly around making everyone crazy with their constant, frenetic motion.  There's no quiet in their world!  Do you think they would they be the first you turn to in crisis? Bet not!  Nope, give me the calm and still creature who is acutely aware of his environment at all times  and can leap forward into action and go faster and further than anyone when the situation dictates.   

Questions for today:

1) Do you spend some time in quiet solitude each day?

2) Do you quietly observe your environment in any given situation before leaping forward?

3) Do you under-promise and over deliver and avoid over-commitment? After all you're No Jesus Christ Lizard! but you have learned from him.

www.gowildgogreat.com and www.retreatscostarica.com