Puerto Viejo

I'm obviously real bad at this blogging business. But here I am, attempting again.

We went to Puerto Viejo this weekend!!! It was really legit. It was a smaller group so we were able to get around really easily and just chill. We rented bikes and went up and down the beaches. We stayed in a legit apartment where we made food for ourselves. I loved my bike, I loved the beach, I loved the company. Here are some highlights:

- Two men followed us on bikes, so we turned around.
- Caribbean fish, delish
- Cheap Charlie and his awesome jewelry
- Family portraits.
- Colby's bike wreck
- Waiting 1 1/2 hours for a bus
- Karaoke on a bus with an iPod.
- We were offered weed, that was weird.

I will try to write again soon, love.

6 week mark

So today I have been in Costa Rica for 6 weeks. And it's been quite the adventure to say the least. I'm nervous this middle part will be difficult. I've been in a pretty thoughtful weird state for a few hours, which is probably why I haven't gotten anything done at all this evening. It's just weird because in a lot of ways, I do like it here. The weather is always nice, having to rely on the Lord is such a blessing, and being able to teach these kids is legit. But I sure do miss home. Just to spend a day with close friends, jam in the car, and then talk about Jesus is of more worth now than it's ever been. This place is a blessing, even when it doesn't seem like it, because it brings appreciation for those loved at home.

So this weekend:

On Friday night we went and watched Alice and Wonderland. It was weird, whimsical, and delightful. It was a good Friday night activity for sure.

Saturday was Family Day at the school I work at, Blue Valley. It was a lot of fun. Lots of food, entertainment, etc. The seniors put on a little production of the Lion King, pictures to come soon. It was.... something else for sure. Unfortunately, the show ran late and I was late to my duties to help the 8B table shut down (even though they decided to shut down 20 min early). I got their just as a high-strung crazy teacher from New York was ready to kill me because she had to clean it up by myself. It was awesome.

Then we met up with everyone, talked about our plans, and all went on our own way basically. I went and watched Shutter Island with Joe (2nd shout out, you owe me 1000 colones). Shutter Island was completely awesome and legit. MINUS THE FACT that some girl answered her phone ACTUALLY ANSWERED HER PHONE in the theatre in the most intense part of the movie. She not only answered but had a conversation, it was unreal.

We went to church this morning, ate at the Multiplaza with our pals Buster & Tracy, and Joe John and I finished off the afternoon by swimming and venting about all the thing we dislike here. It felt good.

Now I've wasted hours and hours on Facebook, filling out my superior March Madness bracket, and now blogging. All when I should be doing lesson plans. I'm becoming tica, yikes...

Love.

HAWK WEEK

There's so much I could say regarding this week....

All the hard work, the paper work, the sweat... oh the sweat. Who knew evaluation would be something so stressful yet rewarding at the same time?

I'm a dork but I really like getting feedback on things I do. So the positive and even the negative feedback this week was honestly rewarding. But I'm not going to lie... thank goodness it's over.

This weekend, no big plans. We have family day tomorrow at BVS, yahoooo! I'm hoping to also catch a soccer game...

Weekend Objectives:Chill, Be Cheap, Go to Church

This weekend was the first time we didn't travel. And though I guess it's kind of sad we didn't go hike the rainforest, see a volcano, or go to a beach, I think we all needed some chill time. SO on Friday night we just went out to a local place and hung out for awhile. Then Saturday the game plan was to chill by the pool, go by our bus tickets to Panama for spring break, and just do whatever.

Entonces, Saturday around 3:30 we left to go to the forbidden and hated San Jose. We get there around 4, and think perfect! we'll be here about 30 minutes to get our tickets, and then we'll just head home. We get to the ticabus terminal and start to purchase our tickets. For obvious reasons, since this is a bus ticket taking us out of the country, they ask for our passports or a copy of them. Joe, John, and I whip ours out, no problem. But the rest of the group..... whoops. So we ate there for over 2 hours getting passport numbers, printing off tickets, the whole situation was a terrible disaster. Note to all: carry a copy of your passport.

After San Jose, we get back and most people decide to just head home. Joe, Tricia, Carly & I head to get sushi and then watch the Duke/NC basketball game at Hooligan's. Well turns out they're not showing it in Costa Rica, disappointment #2 of the day. So we go home.

Sunday morning: CHURCH!!!!! I had missed it dearly and so I was so excited to have a protestant english-speaking church nearby to try out this Sunday. So we went to International Baptist Church. It was great, very interesting. There were so many different types of people there from all over the world. The pastor is actually from Guthrie, OK and he talks out of the side of his mouth like Gerard Butler. He introduced us to some of their local body's members who were teachers or university students. It was indeed enjoyable to be back in fellowship with other believers. But to be honest, I still really miss Countryside.

After the service, they tell us to ride in a bus for students to Multiplaza. There was some chaos with all that business. They told us to get out, then told us to get back in. Finally a nice lady from Germany, who was black, with an English accent (no joke) offered to drive us there, but she had never driven in Costa Rica before. We were willing to take our chances.

We arrive safely to the Multiplaza, eat lunch, grab ice cream, have friend time, then head out. It was quite the weekend.

Now, it is time to prepare for the Hawk coming to CR for Midpoint Evaluation.

Let's pray he passes me and I didn't come to Costa Rica in vain.

26 bug bites later...

So as always I haven't posted since Sunday but it's just because the actual week is so lame. I go to school, I come home, I get on this thing, I go to bed. But I'll try to remember some highlights to entertain you.

Monday and Tuesday were relatively uneventful. One of those days, it rained. How's that for a highlight. Oh and also somehow in those two days, i managed to obtain 26 bug bites. How's that for a record? Source of bites: unknown. Pura vida.

Wednesday: Daniela from school took us to a sushi place. I got the hikari rolls with eel sauce and let me just say: THE ABSOLUTE BEST SUSHI I HAVE EVER EATEN EVER. No joke, it was sooo good. Then Carly and I went to the Multiplaza to go to the movies with everyone else. 3 hours later, we went home because no one showed up. Thanks, thanks a lot.

And today, yet again not too much fun. However I went for a walk and a lady that works at my school who is precious to the max was driving by. She apprently lives in the neighborhood right by mine! She said hello and told me if I ever needed something to let her know, so nice. On this same walk I cross paths with two boys, probably in high school. One says "Hiiiii" real creepishly. Then the other just tops it off with "Oooo chica, muy guapa. Buenas." Perfect way to end my walk.

Please pray for me being intentional with other staff at school.

Pura Vida. Love.