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emotional and physical break, and a combined rationalization to justify it, will continue to rise. Though the ride of life will continue, there are some things we can do to make it smoother from time to time.

For the past few years, I have had the assorted delight of exploits and objection of living in a

small resort town in Costa Rican, one of foreign tourism’s most sought destinations. In my

endeavors in the spa industry both here and in the US, I have found varying assumptions, real life

options, along with what works for that illusory thing we call rejuvenation.

Costa Rica, a country comparable to the size of West Virginia is, in and of itself is a Mecca

of natural wonders made for revivification. With my own inner desire to seek out some renewal for

myself, and being right here in “Mecca land” I decided to take it upon myself to find out what is out there not only for me, but for those around me who look to me for knowledge in this area.

Hundreds of auspicious companies now acknowledge the commitment needed to redirect the

unhealthy and unhappy workforce created by the demands of the job. Many are realizing that these

sedentary and high pressure positions may be causing employees a loss of physical health, leading to further preoccupations and overworked psyches. The return, high cost healthcare, and less productivity. Health oriented firms are taking advantage of this shift by craftily applying well planned, results oriented programs to increase worker productivity and reduce stress, while setting markers to measure goals and savings. Firms will work one on one with your company to implement on site healthcare facilities, work out centers, meditation rooms, weekly massage, nutrition and stress management classes, among other incentives. Giving back to the employee and acknowledging they are more than a 9 to 5. This provocation of our spiritual search and looking into our own behavioral patterns and how they lock us into our external lives is increasing. Our need to reclaim our behavior is a reason to seek places of divine retreat.

We seek rejuvenation centers for solace, to manage stress, detoxify, find alternative healthcare or for motivation for a lifestyle change, all while satisfying our craving for euphoria. What if we could bring about a radical change within ourselves, and let that ebb and flow in our daily lives. What is that worth to us?

From coastal plains to rugged mountains, and over 100 volcanic cones, several that are active, the humble country of Costa Rica depends on tourism to bring in foreign income that allows them to tackle environmental and social issues. The past year has brought that tourism, and foreign direct investment, over 480 million dollars of it. It has also brought advancement, with spas popping

up in rapid succession, and a seeming rush to beat out the next guy. According to the Coyle

Hospitality Group, a New York based market leader in quality assurance, the average person, 57% of

us in fact, have visited a resort or hotel spa 1-5 times in the past year. With spas at almost every edge of Costa Rica, from the south end of the Osa Peninsula, to the far north where you can visit a Four Seasons, I agree we will see our share of the 59% of consumers who now want more time to explore their spiritual side, according to the 2001 Leisure Travel Monitor.

R &R Resorts is the management operation of three well known and highly sought international wellness centers with spa and retreat villas. Providing the total “mind, body, spirit”

connection before it was trendy to include this slogan on every youngling spa brochure. One of their three facilities, aptly named Pura Vida, or Pure Life, a national anthem and frequent greeting for the Costa Rican People, symbolizing to take it easy and enjoy life. In other words most things can wait until tomorrow, not a mentality easily ingrained into our work harder, get more,

puritan roots.

I decided it was time to take advantage of my location and experience this for myself. As I passed through a small country town, they call Cerrysel, I am amazed at how much of this small country still remains for me to see. High green mountains, surrounded by coffee fields,

and winding small roads that lead to a remote hilltop location, needing a little navigation, almost as if you need an exclusive password for the privilege of the location. A seeming world away from my four hour drive from the coast, with fog misted mountains and a quiet calm, I looked forward to sharing with the staff. Having previously arranged a meeting with the general manager and marketing coordinator, I knew I only had the day to enjoy this getaway, because of my schedule.

Promising myself I would make a return visit for the much talked about week of transformation.

Upon my arrival I was greeted with a warm welcome by Manrique Gomez, the GM here for the past

three years with 20 years of management experience. I was immediately taken through the grounds, as we discussed the types of accommodations, classes, treatments and pricing they have to offer.

The walk was colder than I am used to, quiet, with only the wind moving the palm and almond trees

with a perpetual breeze, and a refreshing clear view of the valley and surrounding hills. With a

review of the 22,000 square meter grounds, of comfortable sturdy “toldos” or tents, and pagoda

style villas, 53 in all, I was invited to lunch. In the Garden Restaurant a cozy cafeteria style center, I sat down with some very sincere and enthusiastic staff. More rightly referred to as part of the community, at least that is how they like to view themselves. I was pleased to find some of my favorite combinations, tofu dishes, lots of fresh vegetables, cheeses, fruit juice and salad. A light healthy fare, that blends well with a weeks retreat of healing therapies from Bioenergetics, Watsu, Inner Guidance, Thai, Reflexology, Reflective time and all other customary treatments you may think of.

Everyone I spoke with was honest and open, not at all excessively protective of their

proprietary works as some who shrink from the interest of other trade professionals. Proud of their success and innovative programs they were happy to share. With members of the “community”

from Israel, Australia, USA, Germany, Britain, and of course Costa Rica, they have no shortage of

people who seek a chance to live and work here. Isvari, a Sanskrit word for the feminine of God, is the name the resident yoga instructor takes. Trained in Kripalu, Holistic Nutrition, Danskinetics, and Iyengar theories, she brings an open minded vision to her teaching. When I asked another member, what she enjoyed most here, the response was “touching hearts”, which is what she sees in the responsive and physical difference in her clients, at weeks end. Trained in Israel, Switzerland, and India, she has a friendly face, wide, clear eyes, and a true dedication to her work. Management, instructors, therapists, enthusiasts, solace seekers, and Pura Vida regulars all eat, live, practice, and

heal together.

Built on an old coffee farm, significantly more developed than when it was purchased 20

years ago by the founding couple of R & R Resorts, Pauline and Michael Klegg.

Now a prosperous company, it is comprehensibly managed by a couple of “corporate refugees”,

Rakesh and LuAnn. Based in Dahlonega, Georgia, near the Pura Vida USA wellness center, they

travel monthly to their sister properties in Tulum, Mexico, and Alejuela, Costa Rica. Rakesh, a former corporate financier, and LuAnn a lawyer by training, make for a well designed management

team. For two and a half years they have been behind the properties and programs you can find

available. In speaking with the management team I was able to relate to the dedication and skill it

takes to keep these wellness centers going. With my own recent work in boutique, and resort spa

start up on the Pacific Coast, I’d had my days of rewards and set-backs. The couple, having visited

the Costa Rican property three years ago on vacation, decided to modify their lives and upon their return, applied with R& R Resorts, later finding themselves heading up the project. Attracted to the wellness industry by a desire to do something more thrilling than the routine corporate world, and I’m guessing a little healthy self-interest to do something for themselves, they took it on with enthusiasm. With no misconceptions about the industry, they admit, it is just as hard, if not more, to manage these properties, as it was in high demand jobs. Travel is frequent and quality checks are consistent, along with ensuring that each property reflects and represents what they advertise, and is homogenous with the whole body connection put into place at the original MayaTulum property 20 years ago. The founding couple had some healthy discernment in bringing together yoga, and spa awareness when it was not mainstream, an became an inspiration to others.

LuAnn tells me there are no immediate plans for expansion on the Costa Rica property, but

that they are always looking to improve the look and “deepen their offerings” to the guests, and

leave them with something to take home. As we all know, our guests can be the greatest reward, and

the greatest challenge, all at the same time. The reason they always look for staff with the ability to deal with the public, and amongst it all, smile! A pre-requisite to be a staff member, I am told, is quality training, knowledge, and of course the right attitude. As I’ve heard throughout my career from therapist, to manager, through development and consulting, people can be trained, but if they are inherently unhappy, that will reflect in their work.

It must be working, as LuAnn informs me they consistently receive compliments from

clients around the world on the positive fulfillment of expectation and forceful energy of Pura Vida retreats. From experience I know how hard it can be to execute countless biddings, the feeling to out perform, and surpass your guests expectations. In this aspect LuAnn put it so objectively, “Some may have better rooms than us, others may have better treatments, but it is what we put into it, and the service and caring that our clients receive that make it an experience to remember.”

This is the attitude that has made this one of the most popular destination locations in Central

America, and the management awareness is key.

With the average vacation being 10-14 days out of 365, some of us, myself included prefer a new experience during our time away, where our personal needs will be addressed,

and you can really take some, YOU time. Sometimes that takes seclusion, and lifestyle change,

which is part of what Pura Vida does in taking pride in raising a level of consciousness for their clients, and creating a safe space for transformation to happen. Where as one staff member put it, “giving them time to return to the beautiful person they have forgotten they are”

LuAnn maintains a belief that nature has a way of healing us, if that is the case, then this is

a perfect tropical location to begin your renewal. Not only a popular spa with 9 mountain view

rooms dedicated to treatments and a private Watsu pool. Their wellness center can also be reserved

for yoga teacher trainings, therapist CEU’s, and seminars for all types and levels of the trade.

Destination spas are one of the things people think of when looking for a much needed

escape and to allow our overworked minds to be swept away, to contemplate a recent change, a

divorce, work, or life. Each of us will look to have a different expectation filled, seeking our own path, transcending age, health and circumstance. We all need, and deserve to function at our best physiologically and emotionally. Personally I look forward to taking them up on an invitation to return and participate in their wellness program and trying out the ‘Unwrap Journey Paradise” package , floating from massage to wrap to detox steam and facial. Exploring the boundries of my yoga stretches, and taking some time for introspection of my own to re-direct some goals that may have slipped off track.

Costa Rica can be a place where your daily rejuvenation rituals and healthy habits may be

challenged, you certainly will be hard pressed to find a turkey burger or raw foods juice bar,

especially disadvantageous to those of us living day to day lives here. Whether we are traveling or a long term guest in a foreign location, our well being is within our reach. Inside the borders of this little country I currently call home, I now have one more channel to access in my personal search for the sometimes misleading or unbridled spirit. Rejuvenation is deeply personal to each of

us, as we create our rituals to get through the day, deep breaths when needed, a private minute for a mantra, or scanning trade and travel magazines for the next get away. We find our way.

I look up as I am writing this, into a tranquil ocean cove, a friends’ sloop moored below, the

sun is setting, soon I will see the capricious pattern of shades on the horizon, a bird swoops

in to pick up a wandering gecko, and I move to the sounds of distant titi monkeys, and a subtle

background beat of a locally bought c.d., ‘Sounds of the Coffee Lands’. An echo of breaking surf

moves up the hill, like a chant, a sound that has always been my soul rejuvenation, that wraps me in

contentment. I guess this is the beginnings of my dream, my chance to re-invent myself and

capture the empowerment to appreciate it, and what enables me to provide a center of renewal

for myself and those around me. So my daily ride, once a roller coaster has slowed to a tranquil

merry go round, with an exceptional view… at least for the time being. After all I am working the controls.

For many people living in a rural area, a weekend getaway involves a trip to the city for the weekend where they stay in a hotel that has a fitness center and pool. They get a chance to take in some shopping, see a movie or go barhopping. For some, the fun activity is just being able to relax in the hotel and not have to worry about cooking and cleaning.

Depending on the season of the year, many city folks want to get out of the city for the weekend to visit a beach in summer or engage in fun-filled winter activities, such as skiing on a mountain slope. Vail, in Colorado is one such destination that sees many visitors for stays of short duration.

Some of the popular ideas for weekend getaways include:

- Cabin retreats. Many parks, beach locations and wilderness areas have cabin or cottage rentals. These are usually moderately priced and provide you with the opportunity for engaging in a myriad of activities, such as taking quiet walks or a cabin that comes with its own hot tub, veranda and barbecue.

- Take a spa escape. This could be just for ladies or it could be for a couple that want to get the ultimate in a relaxing getaway. This type of getaway is usually offered at a full-service resort where you have all the amenities you need for pampering. Sit by the side of the pool and have the waiter bring your drinks to you, shop in the market or the stores of the town and indulge yourself in everything from massages to facials.

- Take a weekend to get to know your local area. Drive around to several places and see the attractions and sights. Stay in a cozy bed and breakfast for a night or two and enjoy the delicious home cooked meals.

- Last minute travel allows you to save a lot of money on airfare when the airlines do not have their full quota. They offer the lowest prices on weekend flights with only a few days notice. With this in mind you can basically choose any place you want to visit that is only a few hours flying time from where you live. At the same time many hotels and resorts offer all-inclusive weekend packages that often include the cost of the airfare as well as your room, meals and drinks.

When you start looking for possibilities for getting away for a weekend or two, you may be amazed to find that there is a wealth of opportunities right on your doorstep.

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According to expert builders from Divisions Unlimited Incorporated, this would entail the services of an accomplished contractor fully capable of performing customized builds, which may probably make use of non-standard building materials. This includes the use of natural materials like rocks and wood that would definitely change the way your bathroom would look and give it a unique but very elegant ambience that anyone would look forward to retreating to after a very busy day in the city.

The following are some tips on how to get that very unique natural look for your bathroom to convert it from a dull and boring section of the house, to one of the relaxing and peaceful personal hideouts.

* Establish Your Design

The first thing you need to do to get started with your bathroom remodeling in Massachusetts project is to establish and finalize the design for your new bathroom. Get seasoned professionals to help you in this area and help you visualize what the final look of your bathroom would be after all remodeling work is completed. At this stage, you should consider which elements would be included in your design and what particular work would be inclusive of the remodeling project.

* Establish Your Walls

Walls can set the mood in any room and would definitely create a big impact on the mood for your bathroom remodeling in Massachusetts project. To achieve that natural effect for your bathroom, it would be best to utilize rock, granite and other natural walling materials. These comes in relaxing earth and green shades and colors perfect for achieving that serene mood you want for your bathroom.

* Establish Your Floors

Match your walls with a natural looking floor made of slate or marble that will provide just the right surface perfect in achieving that natural finish for your bathroom remodeling in Massachusetts project. Such surfaces are easier to clean and would match grass mats or rugs made from natural hemp.

* Establish Your Sink

The natural look for your remodeling project should extend to your sink through the use of natural materials like river rocks. Such works of art are hollowed out from solid rocks and polished to enhance its natural look. Choose rock sinks that would match the theme for your walls and floors.

* Establish Your Bathtub

If you can use rock for your sinks then it would only be fitting to use boulders for your natural bathtub. A bathtub with a marble-finish would create a good effect but nothing beats the natural effect of a whole bathtub hewn from a solid boulder. However, you need to make sure that your contractor knows how to reinforce the flooring to be able to hold the weight of the heavy boulder.

* Establish Your Fixtures

The use of natural materials for your fixtures will fully complement the surfaces and natural materials you used for your walls, floors, tubs and sinks. Bamboo is a favorite material that will give a classic oriental look for your bathroom, although you can be innovative and explore other natural materials available.

A natural look for a bathroom remodeling in Massachusetts project can create a stunning new appearance for your bathrooms and create that relaxing and all-natural ambience and feel that any homeowner would want in their homes. Careful planning and study of available materials can help achieve your goal towards that end.

SEEKING BANK TELLER POSITION

Experience:

- Over 2 years of cashier and face to face customer service experience
- Highly organized and detail oriented
- Superb customer service skills
- Able to multi-task
- Excellent leadership qualities
- Quick learner
- Able to remain calm in hectic/chaotic situations

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

High School Diploma, Garfield High School, city, state
Currently: Major-Business-Mesa College, city, state
Computer Skills: MS Word, Excel

EXPERIENCE

Zion Market, city, state 09/2005-11/2007
Cashier
- Provide excellent customer service by answering and tending to customers
- Process customer purchases
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COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

- Volunteer at local recreation center
- Homeless shelter volunteer
- Leader in group activities at church