Finally!! News.

Well it had to happen eventually and it finally did - I have a job!!  A real job.  A job in accounting (not video captioning ) and one that will lead to great experience and I think awesome opportunities in the future. 

I'll be working with Western Union, which is actually a huge company, much bigger than I knew before I researched them, and one I have been very interested in working with since I interviewed with them last year (some of you may remember I had three interviews with them in November / December last year that all went really well, but I didn't have residency at the time so they couldn't legally hire me). 

I am excited and nervous and scared and relieved and all sorts of things right now.  This position is really going to be challenging - I'll have lots of direct reports!! - and it's been a while since I've been in the accounting world.  I've not had a job and been a mom at the same time.  The thought of leaving Kaylynn and Eduardo and Davie is pretty sad right now.  But this is the perfect timing - Kaylynn is one so I've had a whole year to get to be home with her and watch her grow and Davie's mom is here visiting so she'll be able to help with the transition.  It's also the perfect company really - no other company that I interviewed with (and there's been A LOT of them!) resonated with me as much as Western Union did.  I like what they stand for, I like the culture and I like where it seems the company is going.  And it's the perfect position - one that plays on some of my strengths / things I feel confident in my ability to do, as well as offering challenges and areas for me to grow in.  Here's hoping I don't screw it up!!  

Thank you to all of you for sending us positive vibes, prayers, thoughts and supporting us during this time.  It may take longer than expected, but eventually things work out.  

I start MONDAY!  I do ask for continued prayers and positive thoughts sent our way as we transition into this new life - it will take some getting used to for all of us to have me gone Monday - Friday!  I plan on taking the next few days and enjoying my time with the family before I start on this new adventure.  I can't believe it's finally here!  

Love you all,

Melody

Thoughts please!!

I've got a job interview today at 1pm and I'm really hopeful but so nervous. If you could send positive vibes my way, I would appreciate it. A job is the last thing we need to finally be able to fully call this place home. 

Thank you and I hope you all have a great Thursday!!

We've got mail part 2

In yet another sign that we have moved to a place we love and are happy to stay here for a long time, we got a PO Box this weekend!  Now, you can mail us things directly to Costa Rica.  Amazon should work to mail directly to the PO Box and they will include an estimate of the taxes and customs duties that might be charged.  So you would be paying the shipping as well as the charges that Costa Rica has to ship things here.  If you ship internationally through the US Post Office, they won't include the taxes and customs, so we would pay that part here ourselves.  I have no idea how much shipping will be for you guys, so we can give it a try and see what works and what doesn't.  It's exciting to have mail.  Here's our address:

Melody Lee Maradiaga
Apartado 46-4100
Grecia
Alajuela, Costa Rica
20301

It was so fun having Mom visit this weekend and to get to show her the new place we live.  I think she was impressed!

Bella also loves the new place.  This morning she sat outside in the sun on the patio for awhile, by herself.  This is huge as Bella used to HATE being outside alone.  But today she didn't want to come inside!  She was just chilling out, checking out the amazing view and soaking in the sunshine.  :)  I don't blame her - it's a great place to be!!!