We are back in the States. Eric’s good friend, Richard, passed away last night, a few hours after he was weaned off of his breathing device. He was unconcious but he was fighting for a while. We got to see him for a few hours to say goodbye. He was surrounded by lots of love from his friends and family.
Please pray for his wife, kids, family, and loved ones.
Change of plan
Eric is not well. Even worse, he just got the news that his best friend who has been fighting cancer is in ICU. He is still fighting but doctors are shaking their heads. So… we are flying back to Atlanta on Wednesday.
We finally left San Jose. We flew to Corcovado early this morning. Check out our ride! We had the “puddle jumper” plane all to ourselves! Even the US Air Force were there to bid us farewell.
We just arrived at our lodge. The ride to the lodge was super awesome. We rode 4x4 through rivers and jungles! It was amazing!
I have been wanting to go to Corcovado. It is like the Galapagos of Costa Rica. It is famous for being the most biologically intense/dense/diverse on earth! Can’t wait for my tour tomorrow.The bad news is Eric is not feeling well. It’s his first time out of the house after 2 months being in bed. Hopefully he just need a bit of rest. He is taking a nap now. Another unfortunate news: he lost his traveller’s guitar somewhere on the ride to the lodge. We are still looking for it but he is super sad about it. Hopefully he feels better after his nap and hopefully we can find his baby guitar before we leave. Fingers and toes crossed!
Our last #TacoChino!
We are leaving San Jose tomorrow! Heading to #Corcovado then #Tamarindo, then #Nicaragua. Everybody at La Feria was singing the #Chinita song today. They must have heard it’s our last day. (at San Pedro)
During our travel, I met so many people with inspiring stories. One of them is a lady from Holland. She was extremely stressed out with work after a large number of people in her team quit and the company refused to replace them. She finally had enough, quit, and decided to change her life. She came to Costa Rica to travel, learn Spanish, and help the animals.
She told me how people kept saying: “I wish I could do what you did.” This sounds too familiar to me. I hear this so often. The thing is YOU CAN! Everybody can! I know it’s not easy, but nothing is easy. If you really want it, you can make it happen. Many years ago, I got an awesome fortune cookie and photographed it. I now understand it better. The most important thing you need to figure out in your life is how to make yourself happy. If you’re not happy, people around you are going to be happy. If you’re happy and passionate about what you do, people are going to see that. Combination of passion, hard work, and patience will get you to the top. If not, at least you’re happy. :)
So stop making excuses and start doing what makes you happy! Follow your dreams! unless your dream is to sit around, watch TV, and smoke pot all year long.
Play time with Malin and Mateo (at Casa de Arabella Salaverry y Leonardo Perucci, Sabanilla, Montes de Oca, San Jose)
Tuesday Archive
In memory of Michael/ Mizael who passed away a month ago at Jaguar Rescue Center. You’re the sweetest squirrel I’ve known. Thank you for your friendship.
Here is your long lost relative. Photo taken a few years ago in Monterey, California.
I posted the Jaguar Rescue Center collection on my facebook. Check it out. Guaranteed “Aww…” or I’ll give your banana back. Like it, Share it, Kiss it, Aww it…
also here:
Archive Tuesday
Mother and Child. Taken in Bali, Indonesia. 2009.
Jaguar Rescue Center Animal Portrait Collection
My experience with the animals at Jaguar Rescue Center has been surreal and humbling to say the least. Each and every animals at the center taught me something new about love and compassion. Their stories, their horrible beginning, their struggle, their mourn, and then their forgiveness, and their love simple touched my heart like no one has ever had.
I’m super proud to present photographic collection of my furry friends whom I love and miss so much. See more of the collection here:
http://annapsalmond.com/#/160531
We are currently designing and will soon be publishing postcards, calendars, books, and other products of the collection. Stay tuned and contact me to pre-order.
Big thanks to Encar and Sandro for welcoming me to your animal paradise.
Big thanks Adrian, Marloes, Gisela, Ali V, Robbie, Poo, Jimmy, and Pelon for all your help!
Many thanks to everyone else who has helped in the making of this collection.
Also check out JRC’s website to learn more about this amazing animal paradise, the residents, and the lovely couple who founded the center.
http://www.jaguarrescue.com/
Photographer: Anna Psalmond
Assistant: Adrian Coto
Animal Handler and Lover: Encar, Marloes & Gisela
Behind the scene photographer: Ali V & Robbie Labanowski
Set builder: Pelon & Jimmy
Update on Eric’s Battle.
Thank you everyone for your support, prayers, chants, and positive energy! We are so humbled by your kindness and awesomeness!
We just got home from the hospital. Eric is feeling better these past couple of days. His vertigo seems to be slowly going away. He doesn’t lose his balance everytime he stands up anymore. Although he still feels like he is blacking out or falling to the right sometimes.
He still feels very weak all the time but it is a bit better than before. 2 weeks ago he could only walk toddler speed for no more than 10 minutes a day. Now it is almost normal speed and less of a torture.
When I came back from Puerto Viejo, he had lost a lot of weight and didn’t want to eat. Those of you who’ve met him before he lost weight would understand my concern. I could wrap my (midget) arms around him and I could touch my elbows!
Fortunately, he has been eating like a pig this last few days. Unfortunately, he has been craving junk foods. He had sudden and strange cravings for cereals. He never liked cereals. Now he eats 3 bowls a day! I try to give him healthy home-cooked meals whenever I can though.
So… good news is his health is improving! Not so good news is he still doesn’t have a diagnosis but it might be lupus. (Although Dr. House would disagree.) His 50th test result came today and his LE cell is positive among other concerning results. He has a couple other things that are listed under the criteria of lupus, but he is NOT yet diagnosed for lupus. He has to go through a few more tests before the doctors can form a diagnosis.
Now we wait while enjoying life the fullest!
PS. We’re supposed to be in Cancun to catch our flight back to the States in 12 days. It seems like we might need to stay in Costa Rica for a little longer.
Happy Birthday Taffy! We all miss you so much!
Taffy was my cousin’s dog/ best friend. She would have turned 20 years old today. She was such a sweetie. I met and photographed her when she was 14. That’s equivalent to 82 years old in human years! She was deaf and had other health problem, but she loved people, loved going for a walk, loved playing in the snow, and loved meeting other dogs. Here she is rocking her coach accessories and a pirate look. Photographed at her home in NYC just before going to the park.
Here is a note my cousin wrote for Taffy:
“Dear taffy in heaven. Thank you for being by my side. In countless highs and lows in all these years. To get through the heartbreaks and the loneliness. Thank you for the life lessons learned. Of growing up and growing older. Of friendship and companionship. Of humility, love, and devotion. Thank you my little one. I will always miss you”
PS: My cousin is also doing a long world trip and currently in Moscow. Check out his travel blog: thewondrousjourneyofpriemoeljadi.com
