Hello!

Sorry I haven't been good at posting lately. It's not that I don't want to... I've been having problems with my computer's Internet abilities.... Yup, you read that right -- the problem is my computer.

I just called Dell for some advice and (hopefully) a brand new computer, ha, but instead I got the news that it's a problem with my installed software.. therefore, that means I have to completely wipe out my computer and start over. Um, ok. Thanks.

So that's in process and for now this will have to do.

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On a positive note, today was the first day of students for a full day. Wowee, we were busy with academics today :). Yay! We're back into the learning! I love seeing and hearing minds buzzing with questions and excited to learn.

AND we're planning my birthday party for Wednesday. I'm almost 23!! Ha, the students think I'm old... they have no idea, right? Alright, so the details of the party so far are to wear Miss Siscoe's favorite colors (which the clothes committee decided were blue and green because I wear them all the time) and to wear crazy hats. I approved for the students to not wear their uniforms on Wednesday, so they're really excited about that. We'll have lots of food (all the boys are on the food committee this time, so it could be interesting, ha) and games for all. They're so excited, so I'll hate to break the news, but we'll also have schoolwork...

My tica sister Judith toured me around San Jose last night. She's studying architecture, so it was so interesting to hear about the history and artistic thoughts behind the design. :) Of course, it was all in Spanish. I think I got about 70%... :)

Life is good and I am hungry. Dinner's ready!

Education... or something like that.

So.... I'm definitely becoming educated here. You know how in Illinois we have tornadoes and thunderstorms? Well, here they have ... earthquakes. Yes, Mom, you read that right. Today I experienced a 6.2 earthquake -- DON'T WORRY! I AM FINE -- but there's collapsed buildings in Alajuela and other cities nearby.

I was talking with the 5th grade teacher, Kim V., and everything started shaking and rumbling. All I could think is, "What the heck??" I didn't know what to do so we just kind of surfed through the quake. Noemy, the music teacher was yelling at us "Come out here!" and by the time we wobbled our way out of the room, the tremor was over. It's all over the TV here -- damage, a few deaths. My tico family is glued to CNN right now. Me too...

I'm safe! and I guess I'm educated now about earthquakes...

I AM BACK!!!

After waking up at 3am for a ride to the airport, a 6am flight to Ft Lauderdale, a 20 minute layover with an emergency bathroom break, a flight to San Jose, and a God-send pick up from my principal, I'm here!

Goodbye Chicago!

Hello swampy Florida!

I am officially moved in with my tico family also, and all is well! Manuel Enrique is my new "tico dad" and Blanca is my new "tica mom". Judit, my "tica sister", is 25 (I think) and studying architecture. I also met their other daughter, Rebecca, and her husband, Rodrigo, when they came over for lunch.

Oh, funny story. I slept 11 hours last night (I needed it soooo much!) and woke up at 8:15am. I knew from talking last night that they were leaving for church at 8am, so I was bummed that I had missed them. I went to take a shower and (background information: showers here often have a side window for ventilation. You can open or close the window slats with the lever... I had the window open just enough for fresh air.)... okay, so I'm in the shower and I hear Judit's voice through the window "Hermana! Necessito una ducha!!" ("Sister, I need a shower!) I peeked out the window and she was looking at me kind of grouchily. Ha, her hairdo told me she had just woken up :). I said "Buenas!" and she said "Kate?" She didn't know I had arrived yesterday so she was surprised to find me in the shower... she thought I was Rebecca! Ha, we told the story during lunch and everyone was laughing. :)


I am quickly remembering feeling lost in conversation but wanting so much to talk and understand. They are so patient with my really bad Spanish, ha. I HAVE SO MUCH TO LEARN!! (I say that alot in Spanish, and it fits to say it in English too. :))


We had "sopa azteca" for lunch (Aztec soup), and I was able to help a little bit. It was a little strange not to have to make my own lunch, but I was able to work on making verb flashcards (nerdy, I know, but necessary for remembering a language!) while Blanca


Here are some photos of my new room:

Up the stairs... under the stairs, you can see the "storage room".

My messy room :). I'm working on the organization. They bought a brand new bedspread for me! It's beautiful and so comfortable... oh yeah, and it's nice to have a bed all to myself :).

The view from my window! It's gorgeous.

The Internet at my house isn't working, so I'm at Tricia's house right now. If you've tried to contact me, I'm sorry I haven't gotten back to you!!! Hopefully the Internet will be fixed within the next few days.

Wildlife Photography... attempts anyway :)

Living and vacationing in Costa Rica brings many opportunities for photos of birds, insects, etc., in their natural environments. An added bonus to my repertoire!

The hummingbird was guarding his tree.

On the butterfly tour, the guide explained that butterflies who eat rotting bananas and pineapple as their diet staple are often "drunk" from the fermenting fruit. Ha, I'm pretty sure this butterfly was drunk because I picked him up off the ground and he could hardly stand straight for the picture!

A waterfall off a cliff... I know this doesn't quite fit into the animal category, but it's still pretty, huh? :)

A hornet's nest... Yikes, stay away!

I have no idea what this bird's name is, but it reminds me of blue jays in the States.

We saw lots of monkeys, but they're very hard to capture on film... I need a longer zoom lense to be more successful with these guys!

12.20.08 and then... :)

While Janna took a shower, Jason and I were bored. Here's the results....

Janna's hat made a good prop...
And our water bottle also made a good prop...

Jason's best bored look. Ha, vacation should have some bored moments, right?

12.18.08 through 12.20.08... Playa Brasilito & Playa Conchal

Hello beach! Yeeeesssss! One of my favorite parts of living so close to the equator is the beaches. Year-roud tan minus the tanning beds! :) We literally laid on the beach for about 7 hours a day. Amazing!

Ha, this was right before a wave came a knocked me off my feet! I didn't last very long in the water after that experience...

Beautiful landscapes.

The sand at Playa Conchal was crushed shells... I got some history on the beach from a local and he said that the beach used to be a large coral reef that has now broken down into the beautiful sand. I had never seen sand like it!
Janna and Jason will love me for posting this on the blog... aren't they cute? :)

Another sand photo.

and the sunset on Playa Brasilito.

12.17.08

ZIP LINING :)
Janna whizzes through the trees.

Janna prepares for the Tarzan swing... She was the only brave one. Jason and I were chickens.

Jason ready to go.

Woohoo!!!

My bed was really wobbly and I was scared.