June 08, 2014

San Jose, Costa Rica

I’m pretty old-school when it comes to maintaining a blog.  It’s hard to imagine that our friends and family really want regular updates from us with any more frequency than they want to see our family videos on a Saturday night (if you do, let’s plan some Saturday evenings together!).  Noting that it has been a full year since my last post, however, I am ready to write.

We're laughing with you Braden . . .

Elder Karlinsey and Elder Hayes

With the risk of sounding trivial – life is really good right now.  Not perfect, and lots of stress, but really good.  In fact, never better. (Funny story on life’s stresses – we had Dalton home for a couple of weeks in May after finishing his first semester at BYU.  One morning I left particularly early for work, and returned home particularly late that evening.  When he saw me, his comment was an incredulous-but-warm-only-an-18-year-old-could-say-it, “Dad, why do you work so much?”  After a lightning-speed meeting of our eyes, half-laughing, half-embarrassed, he retracted with, “OK, I know why you work so much, but man, you really work long hours!”

25 years on November 22

We’ve been in Costa Rica three years now.  Cargill is doing well in the region, and I am enjoying my role on our team (lots of challenges, but lots of satisfaction and growth).  We’ve just signed up for up-to-another three years.  Assuming no early transfers -- that would be the longest Dayna and I have lived in one place since we were married (25 years this year, by the way). 

Yes, Brynne turns 16 this month.
Ask her on a date?  I dare you.

Not exactly what I envisioned when I left home thirty-two years ago (the home I had lived in my entire life, near virtually my entire extended family on both lines).  In the wisdom of Aslan, “Some journeys take us far from home.  Some adventures lead us to our destiny.”  Further up, Further in.

Elder Keaton Karlinsey at the Mormon Battalion Visitors Center
Keaton comes home August 05.

Paid advertisement:  we had a plethora of family and friends excitedly say that they would come to visit and visit us in Costa Rica when we made the decision to move here.  We had a lot of fun with Scott and Lisa Jess in February when they became the first non-family members (and we’ve only had three of them) come down.  If you’re still wavering on the decision, talk to the Jesses for a recommendation (skip the part that they may mention about traffic issues).

Dayna and I were both Mormon missionaries in our youth (and hope to be again when we are “old”), and love sharing the gospel that is the core of who we are.  So no surprise that we delight when our children make the decision to put their own interests aside to do the same (and it is clearly their decision to make).  Keaton has been serving Spanish speakers in San Diego since August 2012 (will be home in 2 months!), and Dalton has just begun a two-year commitment to serve in Taipei, Taiwan (he is two weeks into an intensive 9-week language training program in Provo, Utah – should leave for Taiwan in late July).  The number of proud, grateful moments we have had as we have observed both in their decision, service, and metamorphosis are undoubtedly part of what makes life “really, really, good” right now.

Rachael in Brazil

Dalton preparing to go to Taiwan

Devin, heading to Russia

Keaton in California

Speaking of missionaries, it’s also satisfying, and noteworthy, that from June 18 when our nephew Devin Fuller begins his missionary service in St. Petersburg, Russia,  until August 05 (when Keaton returns home), Dayna’s parents will have 4 of their 11 grandchildren simultaneously serving missions around the world (San Diego, Taipei, St. Petersburg, and Sao Paolo).  Dale’s and Shirlene’s own multiple missions have no-doubt provided a positive example to us all, and I suspect that they are feeling like pretty proud grandparents at the moment.  We love that the Fullers and Karlinseys have two cousin “pairs” out together, and anticipate the third pair heading out in three years when our Brynne and their Sterling, turn nineteen and eighteen, respectively.

In spite of the wanderlust that is in us, we recently (four days ago) purchased a home in the St. Louis area again.  We may not occupy it for a while, but it is there.  A stake in the ground as a home base.  Someday.

Brynne gets the prize for “most changed” since we have been in Costa Rica.  Three very impactful years.  Probably six years of height, and a whole lot of living out of her comfort zone has taken her from child to young woman.  It’s fun to watch.  This year she joined the Costa Rican National Youth Symphony (she’s a violinist).  We’re grateful they’re willing to let a gringa participate.  She’s having fun with it.

Braden has now officially begun scouting.  He will be heading to St. Louis on Saturday to accompany his Uncle Mike (currently a scoutmaster) and their troop to scout camp.  In preparation, yesterday we had a camping adventure a la Costa Rica.  The thrill of the morning was realizing that swatting

the behind of Dad's horse worked better

than swatting the behind of his own.

Dayna, Brynne, and Braden are all leaving on Saturday, and will be gone for seven weeks (you do the math – three on homeleave, two on missions . . . ).  I will be all alone for the summer.  Haven’t done that since 1998, and am not looking forward to it this year.   Dayna was not thrilled about it either; but, it is an important time to be with family in St. Louis, Braden's scout camp, Brynne's Chinese camp, a driver’s license to get, and property management . . . it’s just how it worked out this year.   I am going to schedule a lot of regional business trips for the next two months (no fun coming home to an empty apartment!).

Making memories in Merida (Mexico)

Still sane, after all these years

Amazing resemblance

We need to introduce you to Claudia Soto.  Dayna and I had met, but not really known, Claudia (she was a friend of the kids at their high school).  In December, they taught Claudia the gospel in our home, and since then we have had her in our home enough that she is practically family.  In fact, Dayna has convinced her to also go up north this summer and spend time with Dayna, Brynne, and Braden, before starting school at BYU in the fall.  Claudia is an outstanding young woman from a warm, friendly family.  She has been an inspiration to us, and is a true asset to Costa Rica.

Claudia and Tatiana

Dayna and I continue to work with the youth in 11 congregations here in Costa Rica.  It’s been nearly three years, and has felt like a mission in and of itself.  Joyful moments, humbling ones, and gratitude.  We have been asked to help the youth to lead these congregations in a special family history drive during six months (4500 names to the temple).  Two months and 1100 names down; four months and 3400 names to go). 

Heart, might, mind, and strength!

Shanghai--a little changed since we lived there

Finally, China.  China was at the center of our lives when Dayna met and married, and where we lived until we had children; we have always raised our children with the idea that they should learn Spanish and Chinese.  That said, our life’s path since they were born has been primarily in Latin America and the United States, and while we foresee no change in that, China is still in our blood, and with Dalton’s call to serve in Taiwan, it is beginning to simmer.  We may not get to live there again until we retire and find a reason and time to do so (BYU’s educator exchange program?), but the thought of being able to meet Dalton when he finishes in two years and to visit Dayna’s old stomping grounds in two years has us re-committing to pulling out our Mandarin grammar books (it’s no fun to be there if you can’t talk!).  I was on business in China last October, and delighted, rough as it was, to talk with the “renmin” while I was there.  It wasn’t pretty to listen to, but I held my own, and had a lot of fun in the process!

I turned fifty in March (amazing, I know, when I look so 27-ish in my photos . . . ).  I remember decades ago Dayna saying (as she watched acquaintances struggle with the aging process) that she hoped that we would someday “age gracefully”.  Well, we’ll let you know when we get there.  “Fifty is the new thirty” as we all know, right?  Not-really-aging aside, 2014 is kind of an interesting year with numbers for me:·      

• 50 years-old
• 50% of our children out of the house (and 50% of them on missions!)
• 25 (50% of 50) years of marriage
• 50% of my adult life lived outside of the United States (16 of the past 32 years)

A cause for pause . . . if even just a brief one.

 

Well, if you’ve made it through this lengthy post, you may indeed be interested in Saturday night at the Karlinsey’s (home videos, anyone?).  We miss you, and are grateful for you.  Please stay in touch, and know that even while we are poor email/letter writers, our gratitude for your love and friendship does not diminish -- time, distance, and all.

Love,

The Costa Rican Karlinseys

June 02, 2013

Almost there.  School is out in just two more weeks.  It does not seem nearly as intense this year, after the ACT and AP tests, Dalton is feeling like the hard part is over.  Brynne only has one final per day this semester, so life is almost manageable.

Unless you've had your wisdom teeth pulled.  As Dalton did.  All four were impacted.  His face doubled in size.  Visions of Vicadin or some other equally potent pain killer were only an illusion, however.  Instead they gave him some powder that worked only marginally.  Eventually, we took him to the pharmacy for some sort of steroid that helped for 24-36 hours.  Still hearing about the pain, but, the doc says he is recovering fine.

Last night we had dinner with a family from India that works for Dole down here.  Their son goes to school with the kids.  It is fun to laugh, and they had us laughing a lot.  Gave us good food too, which was just as fun.  They live even higher up a mountain than we do--their nighttime view was amazing.  Good food, good company, good view--what more can you ask for?

Yesterday I took my bike out on the roads for the first time in two years (I use it all the time, but, on my kinetic trainer from the comfort of our apartment).  I am doing a triathlon this coming Saturday for the first time in three years (along with three others from our ward).  Figured I probably better actually get the bike on the road a couple of times before the race.  A friend and I left at 5:30 a.m. to avoid traffic--which worked until about 6:30 a.m.  Then the charm was gone (as was the safety).  Triathlon or not, I will be staying close to the trainer and off the roads.

We're putting in a picture of Dalt and Brynnesy at this week's honor society induction.  Good for them! Wish we could let you hear the event, as a group of Dalton's friends cheekily shouted "Brynne Zoner" as she approached the stage.  Normally, I would think that in bad taste.  But, since "Brynne Zoner" is a personal adaptation of the more generic "Friend Zone" (teenagers' equivalent of saying, "we're never going to be more than friends"--specifically, you've been "friend zoned"), I assume that means that these boys all realize that my princess is off limits (for at least 10 more years), so it brings a smile to my face.

Braden has a new friend.  This is a blessing from heaven--"play dates" can be complicated since friends from school live all over the valley, and traffic can be such a pain.  Alejandro just moved into our building, on our side (uses the same elevator), goes to the same school, and is just two months older.  He is also the youngest child, and so far they're having a great time together.  Woo-hoo!

I have added another Chinese teacher.  This one is in Rexburg, Idaho (the other in Beijing).  Different focuses with each.  It amazes me what we can do with technology now.  I meet with each of them on Skype, and while my Chinese is still pretty darn ugly,  a couple of hours a week of lessons gets me just a little closer to the "impossible dream" of "fluency".  I'm giving myself 15 more years to get there . . . .

Some of you have called us out for not posting pictures of our apartment on-line.  Here's one of the front room.  The view from the guest room is one of the best--so think seriously about coming to see it first-hand.

Dayna and I have been walking some in the mornings lately.  Seems like we wake up earlier and earlier the older we get, and decided that walking on the grounds is a good way to see the sunrise, and get to spend some time together.  It also reminds us more readily than fighting with morning traffic that Costa Rica is really beautiful.

Dalton and Brynne will be heading north in a couple of weeks (after finals).  We don't have all of our schedule's confirmed yet, however, as we are waiting to hear about a job that Dalton is trying to get down here that would impact them.  But, will keep you posted and let you know as soon as we do.

Pura Vida!

The Karlinseys

Grandpa, great kids, and Guatemala

Even when you know it’s coming, it’s still hard.  Dad passed away on May 4^th after struggling with leukemia.  I was grateful to have been able to see him a few weeks before while he was still lucid, upbeat, and relatively active.  I am forever grateful for his love, and his life-long commitment to be a disciple of Christ.

The soberness of his funeral was softened by the warmth of seeing family and friends not seen in many years, and Washington was in all its glory for the day of the funeral and the days leading up to it.  

It has been months since we have posted.  No apologies—I would not want you to expect greater frequency, it is not likely to happen . . . . . but we have had a great past few months.  Keaton is doing very well in San Diego—we spoke to him on Mother’s Day, and feel the magic of the mission.  Of course we miss him, but love what we feel happening to him through his service.

Niece Rachael has also signed up for full-time service, and entered the MTC last month, and will head to Brazil soon.  Dalton is counting down the months until he can submit his application . . . less than a year to go.  Nephew Devin as well—it is hard not to grin ear-to-ear when we think about it all.  Very exciting times indeed.

We've decided to expand our Central American adventures beyond Costa Rica.  Accordingly, Dalton met me 10 days before Easter in Honduras where I was on business.  He worked with me there a day, then worked with me a day in Guatemala City.  Dayna, Brynne, and Braden met us there that night, and we began an incredible spring-break week in Guatemala.  Our travels took us from Guatemala City to the colonial city of Antigua to see the famous Holy Week parades, then to the Mayan ruins of Tikal (phenomenal!), otherwise known by Star Wars fans as the rebel base on Yavin IV.  We left our power-free room (generator-made electricity turns off at 10 p.m.) a little before 4 a.m. to trek to a temple in the ancient city early enough to watch the sunrise.  Later, we traveled to Lake Aititlan—went to the far side of the lake, and stayed in a rather inaccessible town beyond the crowds.  We got a modest room behind a restaurant owned by a French immigrant chef.  Food was as good as the beauty and tranquility.  Then off to the market in Chichicastenango, and finally home.  Hope the pictures below do more justice to the trip than my writing.

Saludos cálidos a todos,

Los Karlinsey

18 January 2013

Helping to make breakfast at Irazu

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you got stuck in an elevator.  Yah, me too.  Tonight we found out.  Half-way up to our 10th floor apartment, the entire panel "died."  We called down to the guards on duty, but, they did not inspire much confidence that we would get out any time soon.  

There we were--the three of us--Dalton, Brynne, and me.  Dalton was rolling on the floor (literally).  "This is comedy central" he gushed.  Brynne saw nothing funny in the situation, since she really, really, REALLY had to go to the bathroom.  I . . . I tried to be patient (not in my nature).  Then, when we realized we were lined up  to the entrance of the fifth floor apartment, I tried the Incredible Hulk thing.  To all of our surprise, with some huffing and puffing, we were able to break out.  The neighbors were in the middle of a birthday party, and they were notably surprised (although I cannot vouch that it was  a surprise party, per se).  They were neighborly enough to escort us past the birthday cake and to their rear entrance, so we could take the service elevator up to our back door.  Geez.

Who wants to jump into the crater?

Who in the picture stayed up until 4 the night before?

In the spirit of making family memories (fresh off of vacation, remember), last Saturday, Dayna and I decided to "kidnap" the children at 6:30 a.m. from their warm beds, and haul them to the top of a volcano on the other side of the valley to make breakfast and explore.  Yes, we expected that getting teenagers out of bed that early on a Saturday might raise a little fuss, but, dragging our nearly 17 year-old out of bed "took the cake" as it were, and severely tested our commitment to positive family memories.  After no small amount of "cajoling" (huffing and puffing?), we finally got him in the car.  Later, he confessed that it was really only a pain to get out of bed because he hadn't slept but two hours the night before.  Skyping until nearly 4 a.m. . . . . Really???  Not much sympathy from this camp.

It's a cousin thing . . .

Dayna had a "big" birthday while we were home

Our time at home was amazing over the holidays.  We really loved seeing family and friends.  We all got our batteries charged, and found it more than a little difficult to get back on the plane headed south. We are still missing everyone, but, will admit that we are acclimating well to the weather.  The kids finally started back to school on Wednesday, after more than a month hiatus.






Tonight the teenagers and I started back into Chinese lessons.  The spirit is willing, but the brain is weak.  Actually, the kids earned some kudos.  My biggest accomplishment was charming the teacher's visiting grandmother, who seems to come from the camp that ANY gringo attempting Chinese should receive positive reenforcement.

Saludos a todos, and Pura Vida!

Glenn, Dayna, Dalton, Brynne and Braden (a few saludos in absentia from Keaton as well .  .  . !).

Keaton shows his mother he keeps her close to his heart

Cool.  High quality pen, hand-crafted by D.L. Bunnell

Papa and Gem's backyard

One big, happy family

Confectionary architects

Grandma's annual high stakes gingerbreading