bioTD Is At It Again, BIG TIME

January 11, 2012

And my second chance to see my new special friend - Laura Chinchilla, but this time, Stef was with me to see that I was not joking.

It has been absolutely unbelievable the progress that Robin and the bioTD group has done in such a short period of time. After they won the innovation award that I told you about - Laura asked Robin how they were doing with the National Healthcare System - After he answered, she immediately set up a meeting with the necessary people involved and made sure bioTD was on top of the list.

Then, Laura decides that bioTD should have the elite status of a Nationally Recognized Company and made it a point to do the official inauguration and sign the papers to put bioTD at that status. That happened today, and it was very exciting. There were over 200 people in attendance, news people and you name it. Somehow, Stef and I were asked to sit in the front row by the podium - now, this was pretty cool because we would only be less than 10 ft away from the speaker at the time.

Robin was the first speaker and his job was to welcome everyone and thank the people who have supported bioTD. His thank you's took quite awhile.

The first Government speaker was Mayi Antillon Guerrero - the Minister of Economy, Industry and Commercial - Now, I have got to tell you that this woman came on very strong with her praise of bioTD and how the government will support their efforts. Then, she told the bankers and everyone else in the audience to do the same.

Now, it is time for my new special friend and soon to be neighbor to speak. Dona Laura Chinchilla Miranda , Sra. Presidenta del la Republica de Costa Rica - One thing that surprised me about Laura is how short she really is. Every time I saw her on the news or in the paper, I would have sworn that she was about as tall as Stef, but I was wrong - However when she starts talking, you can see a great sense of determination and strength that this woman has within her.

Laura was very kind to Robin and backed up everything that Ms Guerrero had said. Then she added much more in words of support for Robin and bioTD. That she was very proud that a company with so much to offer was born in Costa Rica and will become known on a world-wide basis as a Nationally Recognized Company of Costa Rica.

Here she is signing the documents making bioTD an Officially Recognized Company of Costa Rica. 

Now, we have the ribbon cutting ceremony - Robin's cutters were a little dull and Laura had to help him finally get the ribbon cut.

I need to take a minute and show you pictures of some of the people who have supported bioTD from the beginning.

Don & Elaine Butland from Canada who are friends and neighbors who have a vested interest in bioTD

Peter & Nim Parsons - who now live in Atenas and are friends and neighbors. Peter is an attorney was very instrumental in helping Robin get the legal side of things all set up.

Dennis and Karolyn Matthews more friends and neighbors who are strong supporters of 

bioTD.

And, sitting in the front row - my lovely wife Stephanie and your's truly.

Do you notice the empty chair sitting next to me? Check this out :-) 

That is about it for this stage of the game. Robin and the boys at bioTD are now working with a group to place their products in India and the United States - This is going to be big, and I will keep you posted.

New Year's Eve 2011 & Our Anniversary

December 31, 2011

Tonight is New Year's Eve and as some of you know - the anniversary of the night Stef and I wed 28 years ago

 Happy Anniversary Stef!!!

Based on what I have been seeing and hearing in the news, there are many who are going to say good bye and good riddance to 2011 and bring in 2012 with a hearty welcome hoping for much better things to come. Fortunately for us, we were not really affected bad with all that happened in 2011, but do like the idea of a new year and a new start.

Anyway, we got a small group together to go to a great restaurant  that I found one night. It is called Fogo Brasil Rodizio located just as you go into downtown San Jose. Now, this place is pretty cool.  This is a Brazilian Steak House that has the largest salad bar that I have ever seen with everything from green salads to sushi and all kinds of breads and deserts. I could exist just on the salad bar alone! Then, they bring you so many different kinds of meat on a stick hot off the grill where they carve it right off for you. Mmmmmm it is so good!

The group consisted of our new neighbors Gary and Sherri  Brown who just bought a house here in Atenas and are from Mass. Then, we have our other neighbors who we have become friend with - Alan & Debbie Green, and Debbie's mother Billie. Alan is the yacht broker who I helped build him a website - remember? Don't forget if you are in the market for a nice yacht just contact Alan at:  Family Yacht Sales

Left to Right are: Debbie's mother Billie, Debbie Green, Stef, Your's Truly, Sherri Brown,

 Gary Brown, and Alan Green

The napkins - I think - were set up to look like birds in the glass - I think

This gives you an idea of what the meat looked like when it is cut right off the skewer and these guys were running around all over the restaurant with different types of meat - I loved it

This is our waiter Antonio who was always there to make sure we had everything we wanted.

All in All - everyone had a great time, great companionship, and great food - what else could you ask for.

Happy New Year Everyone!!!