I “started” this blog three years ago during my first year of grad school.  I was able to manage about one post per year during that time.  Considering that I was sleep-deprived, stressed out of my mind, and grateful when I was able to find time to brush my teeth, that was an achievement.  I’m so glad that period of my life drew to a close this past May.  I learned a great deal, and completing my master’s degree is probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever accomplished.  I lost myself more than a little in the process.  I’m not judging myself for it.  It was traumatic (really!) and I think I did great considering all that I went through.

My plan for several years was to go on to a PhD program this fall.  The Universe had a different plan for me.  I didn’t get into any of the programs I applied to.  Initially, I was deeply disappointed.  I was studying interior design with the goal of eventually teaching at a design school.  I had already worn myself out on the hamster wheel of production in the film and television business and I had no desire to trade that wheel for another in the architecture industry.  Sometimes we aren’t good at figuring out what we need the most.  After three intense years of a demanding master’s program in NYC, what I needed more than anything was a break.  A chance to sleep and breathe, time to get caught up on my personal life and think, sunshine and tranquility.  I needed a reset button.

I started to think about things that I thought I would have to wait to do “someday”: get comfortable speaking Spanish (I’m conversational, but it was pretty limited and pretty much all in present tense);  learn how to surf; go to yoga teacher training.

Enter plan “B”.  With my mountain of loans in deferment and a small cushion of cash in my savings account, I decided to take a much-needed personal restoration sabbatical.  I tied up my loose ends, found a yoga school to go to in January, and bought a one-way ticket to Costa Rica.  The Universe has been kind to me.  Each day has been filled with grace.   The Spanish word “tranquila” has multiple meanings, pretty much all of which describe the feelings I have here in Costa Rica: quiet, still, smooth, calm, serene, tranquil, relaxed, easy, peaceful, unconcerned, collected, even-minded.  Costa Rica is my reset button and so far it’s working beautifully.