A Happier Father’s Day

Fathers Day Costa Rica

Costa Rica Costa of Living Update: Repairing one busted rear spring on an SUV — $125 for parts and labor

For those who have read my books, you know that I love to talk about my family, especially my father. He’s a Renaissance Man: one versed in literature, Roman history, and the ability to find the best deal on cases of C & C Cola. He never buys bottles, only cans because it’s it easier to stack them dangerously high in the garage behind the lawnmower and hedge clippers. This becomes a suburban version of The Hunger Games when you’re thirsty.

So for this Father’s Day, I’m sharing with you an email exchange with my dad that I included in my second book, Happier Than A Billionaire: The Sequel. Writing and sharing my work has been quite a journey for me, and I can always count on my dad to come to my rescue when I’m feeling down:

From: Nadine

To: Dad

1:13 PM

Subject: The Worst Book He Ever Read

I got a one-star review today. He said it was the worst book he ever read:

“I’m halfway through and struggling to finish it: it is simply one of the worst books of any genre that I have every tried to read. Nadine, in particular, is what would be called an “ugly American” by many ex-pats living in Costa Rica (or other foreign places). Instead of appreciating and blending into the culture, she appears as a bull in a china shop in nearly every chapter.

My wife and I are contemplating a retirement move to Costa Rica (or the Caribbean). My father built a house in CR in 1995 and we have made many trips to the country. Likewise, the Caribbean where I have almost thirty years’ experience as a visitor. Trust me, this book has almost nothing serious to offer the person seeking good information of making such a move. It is a serious undertaking, with many pitfalls that will happen to you if you don’t understand the culture…”

And it doesn’t stop there, it goes on and on and on. He practically wrote a book about how much he didn’t like my book.

Seriously Dad, the worst book of any genre? Is it the worst book in any language in the world? How about the worst book in every universe on every Starfleet?

Because if that’s true… it sounds like a pretty shitty book. 

———————————————————————-

From: Dad

To: Nadine

2:45 AM

RE: The Worst Book He Ever Read

This misanthropic bastard has lots of time on his hands and completely misses the point of your book, which is a narration of a young couple, who for varied and serious reasons, decided to begin a new life free from the stresses and strains of the old. The book was not intended to be a Frommer’s Travel Guide on how to blow your nose in San Jose. And of course, it helps this sans-culotte to have a Daddy who has a home in Costa Rica, which makes it ever so much easier for him to go down there on his great adventure.

He speaks as an expert on many things, Swiss banks, the IRS, his thirty years’ experience traveling, boring the hell out of his wife and companions with his encyclopedic knowledge. Mr. Perfect never made a mistake, speaks of ‘blending with the population’ and makes generalizations all of which are false and at times insulting.

It’s obvious to any discerning individual that this constipated couch potato will never make it past the TV, and do anything that even comes close to the courage and audacity of the author and her husband. He will sit there, eating his Fritos and blending with the culture. It is obvious to me that this book DISTURBED HIM, and it disturbed him for obvious reasons. Happier Than A Billionaire awakens him to his manifest failure and he can only justify himself by lashing out at those who fulfilled their dream. He knows everything about moving   EXCEPT ACTUALLY MOVING. His advice????  Sit on a couch and write long angry letters to hide the miserable failure of his life.

I trapped three squirrels in three days. I brought Mom to release Number one, I released two and three. I will fill you in another time with my success as Jeremiah Johnson mountain-man trapper.

Daddy

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:12-04:00 June 18th, 2017|Categories: Uncategorized|21 Comments

About the Author:

Nadine is the author of the best-selling series, Happier Than A Billionaire. Join her as she navigates living as an expat in the sometimes confusing, always beautiful, country of Costa Rica.

21 Comments

  1. Victoria July 6, 2017 at 4:25 am - Reply

    Now we know where your sense of humor comes from…

  2. travelputty June 19, 2017 at 9:58 pm - Reply

    How has your father inspired you-vis a vis travel and writing-and other if you are so inclined to say?I imagine by now you’ve become accustomed to your dad’s sense of humour-or it wouldn’t be funny at all!
    He loves his little girl, no doubt!

  3. Kimberly Beasley June 19, 2017 at 2:15 pm - Reply

    Hi Nadine – This post is such a blessing to me!! I can just see my Daddy looking at me with his beautiful, loving brown eyes, saying, “Kimmie, he’s a nit-wit, a loser. And you’re too smart and beautiful to waste any time on his BS”!! Wow, he’s been gone almost 15 years now, but reading this post just put him sitting right here beside me!! Thank you so much for sharing! And, give your dad a hug for me!

  4. Sam June 19, 2017 at 7:53 am - Reply

    Nadine, thank you for all the words you write. Your dad reminds me of my 85 year old dad. I can sum it all up in one sentence.
    The world would be a much better place if everyone was a little like my dad, and thank goodness not everyone is like my dad. We would all be bald from pulling their hair out! Hope I can just live up to our Dads. S

    • Nadine Hays Pisani June 19, 2017 at 11:39 am - Reply

      That is just too darn funny. I have to remember that line. Sums it up perfectly.

  5. Peter Bogatinoff June 19, 2017 at 7:50 am - Reply

    Your Dad is exactly correct – I basically pegged the guy in a very similar way, but he was much nicer in his response than I would have been.

    • Nadine Hays Pisani June 19, 2017 at 11:38 am - Reply

      I think my father only refrained from vulgarity because this guy deserved so much more.

  6. jenniferbw June 18, 2017 at 8:33 pm - Reply

    Fromme’s Guide – How To Blow Your Nose in San Jose ….. Your Dad wins the Internet today. lolololol 🙂

  7. Jim June 18, 2017 at 5:55 pm - Reply

    Although I have never been fortunate enough to meet your dad, I know he is awesome – based on a single email!

    • Nadine Hays Pisani June 19, 2017 at 11:37 am - Reply

      There are a few more in The Sequel. It was a crazy ride after my first book came out, and it was great having him by my side when a troll, or review hit me hard. I often think if we all had just one person in the world that loved us like that, it would be a better place for all of us.

  8. Tim Sheldon June 18, 2017 at 5:17 pm - Reply

    Keep writing… Ill keep reading… next trip (Aug??) i hope to stay at happier house if the logistics work out. This will be due diligence trip four… and all because you opened my eyes to what could be if you ignore the fear and don’t take yourself too seriously

    I got two tickets to paradise..(if i could id ) pack my bags and leave tonight…

    • Nadine Hays Pisani June 19, 2017 at 11:35 am - Reply

      ” We’ve waited so long… We’ve waited so long… ”

      Just emailed you.

      “I’ve got two tickets in my pocket, now baby we’re gonna disappear”

  9. Sandi Von Ins June 18, 2017 at 3:53 pm - Reply

    Awww Love your Dad!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

    • Nadine Hays Pisani June 19, 2017 at 11:33 am - Reply

      He was the hit of that second book. I’ve received so many emails commenting on him. He’s so darn funny but just doesn’t know it.

  10. Jan draper June 18, 2017 at 2:58 pm - Reply

    Loved your books, loved your videos, and here we are brave enough to be living the dream in Coco, all because of your stories! Keep up the good work!

    • Nadine Hays Pisani June 19, 2017 at 11:32 am - Reply

      Glad you are living the dream in Coco!

      This move is not for everyone, but if you have a good sense of humor, I think being an expat really does make life so much more interesting.

  11. Michael Cousineau June 18, 2017 at 2:55 pm - Reply

    Love your books, love your videos. You sound like the great couple everyone would like to meet.
    Perhaps one day we shall. Blessings to you bith.
    ¡PuraVida!…Destiny ??

    • Nadine Hays Pisani June 19, 2017 at 11:31 am - Reply

      Thanks Michael. I think we are a good couple, or the very least, try to make good moments out of awkward ones. But like Rob always says, “How bad can it be?”

  12. Lynne June 18, 2017 at 1:56 pm - Reply

    What a great dad you have! I think your books are great and you are an inspiration to many.

    • Nadine Hays Pisani June 19, 2017 at 11:29 am - Reply

      My dad, is by far, the funniest writer that has ever lived. He just doesn’t know it.

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