So many things...

Hello everyone! Sorry I havent posted in a while but I have been super busy, which means I have a lot to tell you about.

First off, my trip to Manuel Antonio - Manuel Antonio is where I will be living starting the first of February and it is GORGEOUS! My family is amazing too. My mom is super nice and has three beautiful children. I got into MA on Saturday after a three hour bus ride from San Jose. The bus ride was a disaster. The rode is really curvy and the drivers are crazy. Although I have never had a problem with motion sickness, I was puking. Once I got there, the bus ride was worth it. Michelle and I went to the beach, which is about a 25 minute walk from where I live. It was basically what you see in pictures. The national park comes right up to a massive beach. The water is clear and just the right temperature. As you are laying on the beach, you can hear the monkies chatting in the trees. If you dont want to lay on the sand, there are hammocks strung between trees. Michelle and I ended up falling asleep for 2 hours while laying on the beach! On our walk back (all uphill) to our houses, we had mangos and fruit falling from the trees on our heads. When we looked up, we saw that the monkies were actually throwing stuff down at us. We stopped (away from the line of fire) and watched the monkies for awhile. It was amazing.

Second, Obama´s inauguration - We got to watch it! After Spanish classes on Tuesday we all went to a restaurant in town and watched his speech. I thought his speech was awesome. As I was sitting listening and watching such a great moment, I couldnt help but be thankful for the country I live in and the group of people I was with at that moment. Although I love all of my friends dearly in the states, no one seems to think quite like I do in regards to politics. It is different with the other volunteers. They all seem to have the same mentality as I do. We were cheering and had some good conversations that day at lunch. I see Tuesday as a great moment in history that will be talked about and written about in history classes and books. I always think back to the stories my elders would tell me about ¨where they were when...¨ I am excited to be able to tell my children, nephews, nieces, etc. that I was in Costa Rica as a volunteer teacher when Obama became President.

Third, I think I am starting to adjust to Costa Rican lifestyle. I have not accidently thrown toilet paper into the toilet, only then having to fish it out with my hands, all week. I have also had two hot showers in a row. My mom made empanadas for breakfast today, and although they were fried, they were delicious. I have been working out too. Last night, the other volunteers and I had a soccer tournament. I am starting to really enjoy playing soccer. My friend, Danna, and I also worked out on the plaza (soccer field) the other day. There was a pile of broken up cinder blocks which we used as weights. We attracted quite the crowd, watching and pointing, but I was sore the next day. That´s all that matters I suppose.

Next - Each year, WorldTeach volunteers are required to do one extra service project a year. Usually, this project is done as a group. This year, the other volunteers and I will be traveling to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica for earthquake relief. We will be building houses!!! Trust me, I was super excited when I heard that this is what we would be doing. We are going Feb. 3 - 8 and will be pretty much the only gringos there. We will be working alongside Tico youth to repair and build homes that were ruined in the earthquake. I am reeeaaallllyyyy excited!

In conclusion - I love you all, I´m happy for the good ol US of A that we have a president that might actually do good shit for once, and GO DEVILS AND CARDS!

Paz y Amor