List #4: Small, Medium, Amazing

I realized I forgot to post this from January...

A 

Small

Medium 

and 

Amazing 

thing that happened this week.

Small:  I ran into one of my favorite English professors as I grabbed a handout for my class.  I hadn't seen her since last semester.  She gave me a huge hug and we caught up about our winter break activities.  She also told me about these anthologies the English department was getting rid of.  Guess who has two new anthologies of stories and poems to use for teaching?  THIS GIRL.  I was so happy.

Medium:  I got to catch up with my friend who stayed with my host family this last year.  It made me so sad and so happy at the same time.  We reminisced and compared semesters abroad.  My host mom sent my favorite cookies with her to give to me.  My host sister sent along a little pouch for change.  My heart yearns for my other home in a country far, far away.  I miss it so much every single day.

Amazing:  I am obsessed with sunrises and sunsets.  Lately, it has been incredibly sunny and semi-warm.  It does not feel like January weather.  Over the month I have worked from 7:30am-9:30am every single day.  Although it's early, I love staying in the habit.  Next semester I will have to get up even earlier for teaching.  This week I was making my frozen waffle with peanut butter and I wandered over to the window where I saw the prettiest sight I have ever seen.  I ran back to grab my phone and snap a bunch of pictures.  As I walked to work I just kept looking over my shoulder at the beautiful sky God painted just for me.

May every sunrise hold more promise and every sunset hold more peace. 

Con mucho amor. 

S l o w d o w n

What I've been doing:  It has been over a year since I have last blogged.  This brings great sadness to my heart.  I miss being in Costa Rica.  I miss speaking Spanish every day.  I miss having adventures in other countries.  Every since I've been back my life has been on fast forward.  Working multiple jobs, taking classes (even over the summer), and trying to spend time with family and friends along the way.  I am tired and worn out.  BUT, I really miss blogging, I really miss writing, and I really miss being creative.

from: here and here

What I'm reading: During spring semester I will be full-time student teaching.  I will be teaching two 10th grade English classes, one 9th grade English class, and two Spanish 1 classes.  I am excited and beyond nervous.  Working with middle schoolers last semester was amazing.  Each morning I would teach a 7th grade advanced Language Arts class.  It brought me many joys and many tears.  I loved middle schoolers, though.  In preparation for the spring I have been reading lots of teaching books lately.

Deeper Reading by Kelly Gallagher is a book one of my education professors suggested.  Although my birthday isn't until February, I asked my mom to get me these education books so I can read them before I start teaching again.  This book is all about how to get kids to read on a deeper level.  It has some really great ideas that I am excited to try out.  I also bought Reading Reasons, another book by Gallagher.  It's next on my list.  I feel like I have discovered a whole new genre of literature: teacher books.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is the book I will be teaching to the sophomores next semester.  I read this book in high school.  The book will have lots of moral lessons to discuss.  One of the books the freshmen will be studying is Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.  I had never read this book before, but I'm excited to dive in with the 9th graders.

Out of everything I have read so far over winter break, Creative is a Verb by Patti Digh, has made me think the most.  I started this book several summers ago, back when I had time to art journal and create things.  I want to make my classroom a creative place, so I thought it would be a good book to revisit.  I gobbled it up over the past two days when we were at the beach.  I felt like the book was talking directly to my heart.  Here is her website that has links to her blog and twitter and every other way to communicate with the lady.

What I've been thinking about:  Reading Digh's book made me look back over the past year.  Lately I have been feeling like I am missing out on moments in life.  Just last week my mom's cousins came over to our house.  They had so much fun laughing and sharing stories.  But where was I?  Working.  Although I am BEYOND grateful for my job over winter break, I did not get to spend as much time with the people I love.  Throughout last semester I got an average of 4.5 hours of sleep each night.  Most of the time I would be in my apartment working on homework or lesson planning behind my shut bedroom door.  I know it is important to get good grades, to plan solid lessons for middle schoolers, and to work in order to make money, but I do not want to look back on life and regret not actually living it.

One of the sections in Creative is a Verb talks about stillness.  Digh discusses how the world often gives signs to slow down the pace of life.  She mentions how creative people are often silenced, how life gets in the way of creating.  This quote from Kevyn Aucion reminds me to stay passionate, even when people tell me it's silly.

There are two types of people in the world: people who are passionate about things, and people who've had their passion punched, beaten, or whatever out of them. -Kevyn Aucion

The past three days I have been at the beach.  The beach is one of my favorite places in the world.  Life slows down enough for me to read, sleep and exercise.  Yesterday, for the first time in weeks, I did not have a headache.  I actually got nine hours of sleep.  And I finished a book.  I was filled with peace.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. -Romans 15:13

I know 2014 will be just as busy as 2013.  But each day or week I want to do something creative.  I want to write a poem, share a story, do something kind for a stranger, inspire a high schooler, make a yummy meal, redecorate my bedroom.  I plan on sharing it here on my blog.

So here's to 2014.  Here's to slowing down.  And here's to living a creative life.

Con mucho amor.  

Hasta Luego

What I've been doing: Apologies for not writing a post any sooner...I went to Panama, had a field trip to a coffee plantation, decorated the church for Christmas, had our last Thursday English class, finished taking all my finals, wrote a ten page paper in Spanish, learned how to make empanadas y chalupas, stayed up late, laughed a lot, cried even more... It's been a busy few weeks. :)

It is so surreal to think that I am leaving Costa Rica tomorrow morning. Don't get me wrong, I am super excited to see my family and friends in the US, but I am beyond sad to be leaving my wonderful life in Costa Rica.

I have only been here for 3.5 months, but I feel like I have known these people for years. I have the greatest friends and family from church, the best host family, and such a life full of love and contentment. I could never have imagined how everyone here has impacted my life, and how I've impacted theirs.

I have accomplished and done more than I ever thought I could while I was here. Zip lining, horseback riding, parasailing, traveling to Panama alone, taking busses to places we've never been, teaching an English class, trying new foods...so much to be proud of.

I really believe God is not done with me here in Costa Rica. My dream is to come back and teach English here. We'll just see what God has up his sleeves...

Here are some quotes that make me smile. What an absolutely amazing journey it has been. Although there were many good times and bad ones too, I would not have changed it for a second.

"Every time I think of you, I thank my God." Philippians 1:3

Your journey has molded you for your greater good. And it was exactly what it needed to be. Don't think that you've lost time. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the NOW. And now is right on time. -Asha Tyson

It's better to look back on life and say: "I can't believe I did that" than to look back and say: "I wish I did that."

I'll look back on this and smile becuase it was LIFE and I decided to live it.

We didn't realize we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun.

Con mucho amor siempre.

Everyday strangers

What I'm thinking about: I meet so many people every single day in Costa Rica. The store owner that told me my Spanish was good, the guy at the shoe store who sympathized with Chandler and I as we waited for Mariah to pick a pair of shoes, the aunt I met once at Angelica's first communion party, the one student who talked to me in Juan Manuel's class.... All of these people I will probably never see again, but they have impacted my life.

from: here, here and here

Con mucho amor.

My Week

What I'm doing: This week has been full of fun activities! Nothing out of the ordinary special, but just those little things that make you appreciate life.

Wednesday Mariah and I went to church, which was really fun. We sat inbetween Kari and Rachel. We stayed after the church service was over and talked with Tina and her daughters for awhile. I did not even realize how long we were there until my host mom texted me and said, "where are you?!" I am always surrounded by wonderful people who care about me.

Thursday was a rainy day. There was more rain than usual because of hurricane Sandy. The other Spanish class did not have class that day, so I was a little disappointed that we did. Our teacher just disappeared. When she returned she had a whole thing of hot chocolate for everyone in class! It was SO nice of her!

Last night Mariah came over and we went to the mall and got popcorn. We watched The Mask. When it was done, her and my brother and I were all just talking in my room. He was telling us stories from his life. I swear he is one of the wisest people I know. We always have heart to hearts at night. Sharing experiences and life with people is one of my favorite parts about Costa Rica.

What I'm watching: My host brother was shocked when he kept listing off movies and I kept saying that I had not seen them. It is funny because the same exact thing happened over the summer with one of my coworkers. He was so surprised that I had not seen so many popular movies. My brother decided that we need to have lots of movie nights before I leave. We watched Inglourious Basterds on Sunday night, and The Mask last night. I thought The Mask was going to be a scary movie, but my brother kept telling me it was not. I didn't exactly believe him... It was funny but silly. I fell asleep through a small part of it, though. Whoops!

My favorite one that we watched this week was Patch Adams. We watched it on Thursday night, and it was SO good. Made me cry, but it also has such a good message. Here are some of my favorite quotes from the movie:

• When Patch is talking to God after a difficult time in the movie: "So answer me please. Tell me what you're doing. Okay, let's look at the logic. You create man. Man suffers enormous amounts of pain. Man dies. Maybe you should have had just a few more brainstorming sessions prior to creation. You rested on the seventh day. Maybe you should've spent that day on compassion."
• "See what no one else sees. See what everyone chooses not to see... out of fear, conformity or laziness. See the whole world anew each day!"  
• "All of life is a coming home. All the restless hearts of the world, all trying to find a way home. Picture yourself walking for days in the driving snow; you don't even know you're walking in circles. How small you can feel, and how far away home can be. Home. The dictionary defines it as both a place of origin and a goal or destination. Eventually I would find the right path, but in the most unlikely place."

What I'm listening to: I love Christian music, and listening to it in Spanish is even more magical. Worship is such a wonderful way to connect with God. One of my friends showed me these few new songs that I love.

• El Aire De Tu Casa - Jesus Adrian Romero
• Solo Cristo - Hillsong
• When God Ran

This afternoon is a huge first communion lunch for Angelica. I really hope that I can understand what is going on and that people will talk to me. Tonight is youth group, and tomorrow is church! Hopefully tomorrow afternoon Chandler and I will go shopping too. I am having shopping withdrawls. :) Hope everyone else has a wonderful weekend.

Con mucho amor.

You have never really lived...

What I'm thinking about: I have not posted many quotes in awhile, so here are some that I have been thinking about lately. 

from: here
Why wish upon the stars, when you could pray to their creator?

from: here

from: here

"Life is everything. Life is God. Everything changes and moves and that movement is God. And while there is life there is joy in consciousness of the divine. To love life is to love God."

from: here

Hope these brightened your night.

Con mucho amor.

About My Weekend (finally!)

What I'm doing: This past weekend we had a field trip, I went to an intersting family function, celebrated one of my host sister's birthday's, went to San Jose, and hardly slept at all. :)

Friday, October 19th

We left bright and early at 6:30am for our field trip to Miravalles. It is a volcano in the Guanacaste area. We were supposed to go to Arenal, which is way prettier I think, but they wanted to take us some place less touristy...go figure. The first place we went to was a geothermal energy place. They take the vapor of water and put it through a turbine that creates energy. We got a tour of the place, which was interesting. We had to wear closed toed shoes, hats, and glasses.

They have to separate the water and the water vapor, so that is the all the water behind us in these next few photos. It is the water draining out.

We also got to see the big turbine thing and all the pipes everywhere!

After visiting the geothermal place, we went to our hotel to drop our stuff off and eat lunch. We stayed at Thermo Mania, a very touristy place. There were lots of pools and the staff were all so kind. After lunch we went to a wind plant with large windmills. We had a talk there, which I thought was very boring. I learned about wind energy in high school, so it was not as interesting for me. It was also pouring down rain and we did not walk around and see anything.

When we got back to the hotel, Mariah T. and I went and got hot chocolate and had a heart to heart. :) I am so lucky that I get to be on this trip with such amazing people! Then we went in the pool with our Spanish teachers and all the girls. We played 10 fingers and practiced our Spanish. The water is warm because it's thermal water. Here is what the place looked like, so pretty!

That night we ate dinner, and did some kareoke (I did not sing, only listened). I went to bed at 9pm, though. I am so tired all of the time here! I kind of wish I would have stayed up longer to spend time with people, but that's okay. I am stuck with all them enough. :)

Saturday, October 20th
We got to sleep in until 8am, which was really nice. After breakfast we took some pictures of the sun and how beautiful the place was!

Then, we split up into two groups to go to las Hornillas. What are those you might ask? We put mud on our faces. It felt a lot like Yellowstone, but I loved it. It smelled just like Yellowstone, too, just like sulfur.

Then, we went to a "waterfall" to wash off the mud. It was more of a man-made dam, but it worked.

When we got back, we had to wait for the other group to go, so we hung out in the pool. Lunch was really yummy fish. Then, we left to head back to San Ramon. It was not my favorite field trip, but I felt like it was very educational. We learned a lot about alternative forms of energy.

I was so tired when I got back, but that was just the beginning of my adventurous evening. Kristin, Chandler, Sydney and I had a movie night. We watched P.S. I Love You, and ate popcorn and smores. Kristin's host brother also hung out with us, which was really funny. I got back to my house at 11pm, when my host sister texted me. She said they were having a party with all their cousins across the street from my house. I had my sweatpants on, but I changed and headed over. Little did I know what I was getting myself into...

There were probably over 20 people there, all around my age. Everyone was drinking and smoking and hanging out. I met another girl from a different program that I talked to for awhile. One of the cousins, Jose, came over and talked to us. I was so happy he did, because I felt like I belonged a little more. I hung out with my host sis a lot too, Fabi.

It was fun to listen to the conversations, but it was a little hard to follow what was happening sometimes. After being there for 2 hours, my host brother and his girlfriend showed up. I have never been so happy to see them; I felt like they were angels! I talked to Juan Manuel's girlfriend, Kristal.

Around 1am, we left to go sing. This is the second time they have done this. Everyone piles into a car and goes to sing to all of the aunt's and uncles. ALL of them except probably 4 got into ONE truck! I thought it was going to scrape the ground when it was driving. I went with Juan Manuel and Kristal. We went to 3 houses before leaving the large group. It was quite the adventure haha. I thought my family get together's in the U.S. got a little crazy sometimes, but definitley can't compare to Costa Rica family reunions. :)

Sunday, October 21st
Started off by going to church with my family. Mariah G. came along too, and the service was amazing. Walter, the husband of my oldest host sister, spoke first. He talked about being a light in a dark world, which seems to be a theme of mine here. :)

Then, we went to lunch for Fabi's birthday. We went to the same Colombian restaurant we went to on independence day. The other time we went, it was just 5 of us, and I had trouble following the conversations. They talk so quickly and I have a hard time hearing. I thought I would understand so much more this time, but that was not true... There were over 10 of us, and I had noo idea what was going on. My meal was very yummy, but I felt so discouraged.

When we got back, I just went into my room for awhile and worked on some homework. We had chocolate cake for Fabi's birthday and it was VERY delicious. My oldest sister, Andrea, made it. Juan Manuel asked me if I wanted to go with him to San Jose. We decided to go and have a movie night at his girlfriend's house. Mariah came with me. We watched Inglourious Basterds with Juan Manuel, his girlfriend's brother and another friend from church, Brayan. It felt so nice to just relax and watch a movie. After the movie, Juan Manuel had to drop his girlfriend off at her job at the hospital.

We went with the other boys to McDonalds to get some dinner. We discovered that McDonalds delivers...I could not believe it! Mariah and I thought it was SO funny, that we made Brayan put down his food to take a picture of us with the carry out bags.

Then, we went over to my oldest host sister's house. Andrea and Walter live in San Jose with their little baby. We chatted and played Creationary. It is a lego game where you have a certain amount of time to create leggo shapes. It was really fun. We did not get back home until past midnight. But it was so much fun to spend time with everyone. It made me feel a lot better after the disaster during lunch time.

I am constantly blessed and amazed at the wonderful people God has put in my life here in Costa Rica. I really feel like the luckiest girl around. Except there is a really good quote that says, "I am not lucky, I am blessed." I really believe that is true. :)

Con mucho amor.

My heart

What I love: This beautiful picture. Don't worry this is my last post for the day! :)



From: here

Con mucho amor.

dia de independencia

What I'm doing: This weekend was full of fun activities for Costa Rica's dia de independencia. Friday night was el desfile de faroles (lantern parade). We got to el centro around 6pm. A new McDonalds opened up right near el centro. They only serve ice cream, though, which I am not complaining about. Me and Ashley split one. :)

There was singing of the national anthem and many, many children out with their parents. We saw some of the most creative lanterns. One was in the shape of a house. Another was a Spiderman face. Lots of them were in the colors of the flag: red, white and blue. Some parents make their child a lantern, while others simply buy them at the store. Some had real candles in them, while others just had flashlights.

After the parade we went to Bocaditos, a bar close to my house. Our whole group ended up hanging out there for awhile! My host brother came with us too, which made me feel ten times safer. Bocaditos is the cutest little place. It is not very rowdy, but it is a nice place to talk and spend time.

Saturday morning was another parade for independence day. We were not sure when it started, so Mariah and Mariah and I showed up an hour early. It was nice to just catch up and talk in the park while we waited for the parade to start. The weather was actually very sunny and nice. My history professor said the morning of the 15 of September is always nice. I forgot to put sunscreen on, but our friend was meeting us at the parade later and he brought some for me! There were so many people watching the parade. There was the cutest little girl who was sitting next to us. She kept dancing and clapping along with the music. The music was incredible! There were many bands and dances. No fancy cars, horses or poticial people (like in the USA 4th of July parades).

It was super hot, and luckily we had an umbrella to keep the sun off. Lots of other people around us were using umbrellas for sun protection as well. There are SO many stray dogs in San Ramon, and one just sat down right next to me for part of the parade.

Later in the afternoon I went out for lunch with my host family. We went to a Colombian place. From L to R: my host mom, Guru, me, my host sister's boyfriend JM, my host sister Fabiola, and my host sister Viviana. I did not know what to order, so I just picked a chicken quesidilla. JM ordered my meal for me, which was very nice of him. I was kind of overwhelemd! It was a little difficult to follow what was going on in the conversation, because everyone was speaking so quickly! I just kind of nodded along. It was still so fun to spend time with them.

Saturday night I went to youth group with my host sister, Andrea. Her husband, Walter, speaks at it. We also play silly games. Saturday we played volleyball sitting down! It would be a perfect Younglife game, I think. :) I am getting to know more people at the youth group, which is super exciting.

Sunday I went to church, and we all got dressed up in the colors of the flag. I wore my black maxi skirt, with a white tank and a blue sweater. I do not own very much red so I wore little red earrings with the outfit. Our Sunday plans kept changing and getting cancelled. I was getting a little frustrated, so my host brother offered to drive us to San Jose for the afternoon. Kristin Chandler and I all went together. It was SO much fun! We first went to a giant mall. I have never seen so many people in a mall, except at Christmas time. I guess there was a giant sale going on so it was more crowded than usual. There was also a concert. Here is a picture from the 3rd floor looking down onto the concert. Looks kind of like the mall in downtown Portland.

I bought a Spanish/English bible while I was at the mall! I am super excited because it will help me at church a great deal. I did not bring a bible with me to Costa Rica, so I am glad I have one now.

After the mall we went and got gelato. It was very yummy. I tried maracuya gelato, which was good. But I ended up buying carmel.

We took a driving tour of the city and got to see the huge stadium the Chinese built for Costa Rica. The only catch was that Costa Rica had to let all of the Chinese who worked on the project stay and live in the country. We only saw it from the outside but it is massive! We also drove by a really pretty park. I am excited to go back to San Jose to see it better in the daylight.

We got Quiznos for dinner. Chandler and I split an order of motzerella sticks and a ceaser salad. We did not know where to get the dressing, but it was just as good without it!

My host brother's friend met up with us, so we got to talk with him awhile too! I love meeting new people here because they are always so incredibly nice. After dinner we drove around some more. We saw my new favorite place: el teatro nacional (the National Theater). It was one of the prettiest buildings I have ever seen! It has beautiful lights, and I really want to see a show there sometime.

We also saw the national museum from the outside. It used to be a fort/castle type building. There are bullet holes leftover from a battle. This next weekend we are going to San Jose for a 3 day fieldtrip. We will actually be able to walk into these places. I am glad my brother showed us them a little bit first, though! I know what to expect now when we are in the big city. :)

Right before we left to drive back to San Ramon, we met my host brother's girlfriend. Seeing the love in the relationships of people in my host family is amazing. You can tell they are all so in love and happy. Relationships in Costa Rica are SO different than the ones in the United States. They seem stronger, and less based on the physical aspect of relationships. When the boyfriend/girlfriend is over at someone's house, people do not hang out in bedrooms. They sit in the kitchen and talk, or watch a soccer game on TV in the living room. It is very special to see. On our way home we were blaring Carrie Underwood and singing along. I could not have asked for a better way to end my Sunday.

Well that is all about my weekend. Plans changed so much, but I read this passed in Jesus Calling today that was too perfect for me.

"Just when you think you have prepared for all possibilities, something unexpected pops up and throws things into confusion. I did not design the human mind to figure out the future. That is beyond your capability. Bring Me all your needs, your hopes, your fears. Turn from the path of planning to the path of Peace."

God is in control, even when I am not.

Con mucho amor.