Life in the Fast Lane

Ok, so maybe not the "fast lane" but a life that's really really busy.....  

I have, since returning to Panama at the beginning of the month, been doing lots here.  I have been hiking at least once a week in prting the final touches on The Sound of Music with the middle and high school and I have started the elementary school musical.  Many of you know how much I like filling my life to the brim and then running around like a crazy lady and here I am doing it all again.  I think it's good for me, keeps me occupied.  I am having a good time and I am happy but I am also extremely home sick right now.  I miss the people I love.  I miss being comfortable with people and being able to be myself all the time.  I miss knowing I am loved.  

Here are a few pictures of my life the past month!  Enjoy!

Hiking Campana with Laura, Jon, Ron, and Hope (taking the picture.)

Dirty Kari climbing UP the mountain.

The hike up!!

La Cruz at the top.... it was stunning up there.

Hiking in Parque Metropolitano... the view of the city.

Ant Highway while hiking.

Marilyn and Elise in the water.

At the fort with Marilyn, her husband, and Elise.

Here's to You

In true Kari-Fashion I composed a poem to commemorate the passing of another year and to welcome a new one.  

Happy New Year everyone!   Love you all!

Here's to You

It comes upon us,

The close of another year.

We pause for a moment

to ponder how we got here.

My year has passed

with moments that flew;

Moments unnoticed, 

under appreciated,

moments with you.

How do I take inventory 

of the time that has passed?

What memories to forget,

what to remember,

and which among them will last.

The laughs we have shared,

the kind words you have said.

The dancing we've done

the poems we have read.

The tears that have fallen

the rivers we crossed.

The parties we've thrown

the friendships we've lost.

The conversations we shared

the love we have shown.

The music we've made

the ways we have grown.

The late night phone calls I've made

when I couldn't go on;

The connections I feel

even now that I'm gone.

The seconds that fly

as we all stand here;

sharing each other

as we welcome a New Year.

So here's to my friends

the ones who have helped me shine;

here's to another important one,

here's to 2009.