Inviting you to visit

Here is our cute little house in Costa Rica.  Come visit!

Since this post our house has been painted green.  So here is the house as it is now.  

The house 

Our room 

The closet 

The bathroom 

Office/Guest Room 

Laundry Room/Catch All Room 

Dining Area and Living Room 

Kitchen and Dining Area

The Dryer/Backyard (and Lumi's tail)

Akila and the outside sink

We accept visitors.

Catching Up

It has been a little while since I last posted.  The school year has come to a close and with that we have finished up many projects and had great times!

Now, what have we been up to?

We took a mini vacation to the beach at the end of October to show some of our non-Guanacaste volunteers what we have to offer on this side of the country.  Beautiful, verdad?  

beach + friends = wonderful time 

  Then immediately following the mini vacation we headed to San Jose for the All Volunteer conference (AVC), which is where EVERY volunteer in Costa Rica got together for a 2 day conference about various subjects.  AVC also fell on Halloween so of course we took advantage of this and dressed up.  

The two plates that caused all the earthquakes

  

Tico 23 ready to trick or treat!

The Hubs completed his bachillerato review course for the high school seniors.  The bachillerato is a collection of tests covering the five main subjects that must be taken in order to graduate from high school.  The Hubs reviewed for the English portion with about 10 seniors on average for about 6 weeks.  The kids were kind, appreciative, and wonderful to work with.  Many told him afterwards that they believed it helped their grade improve.  And one student even told a teacher about a technique that the Hubs taught her (awesome).  

I finished up my two conversation clubs and deemed them a success.  The two groups of teachers worked with me for 10 weeks for four hours a day speaking in English the WHOLE time.  I saw their confidence and fluency grow.  I saw one teacher go from barely talking in the first session to dominating the conversation in the last two!  

The conversation clubs will become my primary project in the upcoming year and I will take a more supportive role on creating workshops.  I am excited.  The conversation club is something I create and facilitate independently.  

The high school teachers gaming it up!

Elementary teachers enjoying the favorite food day

 As we close 2012, we decided to let it go out with a bang!  So we joined some of our fellow volunteers and headed to Panama for a quick trip.  There we watched 8 friends complete either a relay or marathon.  Then we jetted over to the beach for some down time.  At the beach, we slept, talked, snorkeled, swam, ate, rode horses, laughed, talked, and laughed (but before that we had to endure looooooooong, cold bus rides, bring your winter clothes to travel in Panama by bus).    

The runners (minus one) and cheerleaders

Panama Canal

Enjoying the beautiful beach with my bestie

These women are amazing

Our very eventful horse ride

And now we are on to Christmas!

Surviving as a married couple

So a couple of weeks ago was tough on me.  The Parental Units had their birthdays (yes, they were born on the same day) and my dad hit the big 5-0.  Dad got a surprise party from my mom and their church family.  Everyone important to them were there, including the In Laws.  Thankfully, one of their very tech savvy friends hooked it up so the Hubs and I could Skype in.  However, that was not the same.
It hurt to know I wasn't there to celebrate with them (and eat their birthday pizza with the family).  And I kind of had a meltdown.  The kind that doesn't like living in another country, missing family and friends, and yells at her every patient husband.
The meltdown included tears, mean words, and more tears, but ended with a survival plan.  My amazingly, awesome husband created "The M's Guide to Surviving Costa Rica".  Typed it up and printed it even.  Yep, I got lucky with this one.
This is our guide.

• Do at least one nice thing for the other spouse each day
• Do at least one thing as a couple each week (walk, date, bike ride, etc.)
• Have an “E Talk” at least three times a week 
• Do at least one thing to feel connected to other PCVs each week
• Do at least one thing to feel connected to people at home each week

I am finding out who my forever friends are, and that requires work on both of our parts.  Well, the Hubs is my forever best friend, and our relationship requires work.  I have been so lazy.  I expected the Hubs to do all the work for various reasons and he the same of me.  Part of my meltdown was feeling alone.  Alone in a house of 8+ people and only private space was our "treehouse"  (really our bedroom with wood boards that doesn't block out anything including rain and bugs). We got so caught up in our new lives here we forgot each other.  Our guide to surviving includes things that we will use for the rest of our lives.  I can see this being built into our relationship siempre (always).  These are things I want to incorporate into other forever friendships.

What things do you do to keep your relationship with friends, family, and spouse healthy?  I would love to hear what you do and maybe spark ideas for me.  

It's Raining, It's Pouring, and I am making lists

The title has to do with today's weather.  It is definitely rainy season here in Santa Cruz.  It has rained basically none stop since yesterday.  The river behind our neighborhood is FULL.  I mean people are having to pack up their possessions and leaving.  Our host family's house is far enough away that there is no packing up here, just dealing with no water.
For those that know me, list keep me sane and organized.  I have been slowly making (and crossing off!) my bucket list.

1. Feed giraffes  (accomplished at the Hometown's zoo)
2. See baby sea turtles waddle to the ocean for the first time
3. Ride a camel and see the pyramids in Egypt
4. Dance in a flash mob or music video
5. See a Bollywood movie in India
6. Walk in Jerusalem
7. Take a picture with the guard at Buckingham Palace
8. Taking a kissing picture with the Hubs at the Eiffel tower (May 2014)
9. See the sun rise at Machu Picchu (while we didn't get to see the sun rise, we still got to see Machu Picchu)
10. Stare at the Mona Lisa in the Louvre
11. Hang glide in Rio de Janeiro
12. Visit the Amazon Rainforest
13. Be in two places at once (Northern and Southern Hemisphere)
14. Climb the Great Wall of China
15. Road trip the States
16. Visit Las Vegas

The list is still a work in progress, but this past weekend I was able to mark a second one off the list!

The Hubs, four friends, and I ventured up to Tortuguero to see momma turtles lay eggs and tortugitas (baby turtles) waddle their way to the ocean for the first time.  Sea turtles are an endangered species and have many predators on land and water, sadly, it includes humans.  The tortugitas hatch in the early morning or late afternoon and waddle their way to the ocean.  We cannot use the flash on our cameras or help them to the water by picking them up.  We were lucky enough to cheer two groups of tortugitas onto the ocean.  Our last night, we took a night tour to see the momma turtles lay the eggs and waddle back to sea.  It was beautiful.  

Baby turtle compared to a shoe print

  

On a three hour tour (yes, sing it as you read please)

The lone walk to the ocean

Look closely there are at least 8 baby turtles

Crying

This little boy

From 0 to 4 years of age

has my heart.

See?  Proof Baby Brother likes kids. 

 
Meet Mr. Cars.  This little man stole my heart 5 years ago when he would cry himself to sleep in my arms at church.  Mr. Cars wiggled his way into the Hubs' heart too.  Mr. Cars spent nights, days, and holidays with us and both of our families.  Baby Brother even let him play video games with him (and Baby Brother claims to not like kids).

Like I said, Mr. Cars and I met when he was just a baby.  We met at the same church that the Hubs and I met.  He was the first born to a very young mother.

Lighting McQueen and Mater (can't you tell?)

Lighting McQueen (after his nap) and Doc.  

Mr. Cars and I built a relationship that turned into calling me on the phone and running to me anytime he saw me.  From our relationship, I got to know his mom, great aunt, and other family and friends just a little better.  I had a car seat permanently in my car so I could go get him anytime it was needed and a space for his toys and books in our apartment.  We dressed up as the Cars characters for Halloween (hint: he LOVES cars).

I saw pictures of a beautiful friend's wedding and this one spurred this post to be dedicated to Mr. Cars because this is what he looks like now.
--->
I miss his beautiful smile and warm hugs.

My love for him and desire to be a positive influence is what I desire to do here in Costa Rica as well.  I want to make a difference here as well. I want it to be something that is life long.  I want my help to make a difference in someone's life.  Maybe share my believe in all can learn or maybe a desire to use creative, interactive lessons so students can have the education they need to go after their dreams.
Education is a door to one's dreams coming true.  The teachers have the key.  I will help teachers and students open the door to their dreams.  I will make an impact.  And I will tell Mr. Cars all about it when I see him after giving him a big bear hug, of course.

Succeeding in Talking

Day one of my conversation club was deemed a success.  This is my first project to create and direct solo.  My main objectives while in Costa Rica are to improve the English teachers' English and teaching methods.

To accomplish the first goal, I am giving a 40 hour English conversation club each semester.  I have a group for my primary school teachers and high school teachers.  Starting next year, there is talk of facilitating a beginner and advance club.
The first day did not go without bumps along the way but overall it was great.  The first day focused on getting to know the teachers (16 in each group).  We played a couple of games, laughed, and of course, talked.
The conversation club will cover topics ranging from favorite food and childhood memory to what makes someone a learner or teacher.  This is my baby.  How, I enjoyed rocking that thing solo (with the occasional help from the Hubs).

The participants spoke more than I have ever heard them in any workshop I have been at and I got to know them more personally.
I believe this is a sustainably project because of two reasons.  The teachers are gaining confidence in their English and as they do that they will speak more English in their classroom thus providing more opportunities for their students to hear and speak English.  And the other is even if my counterpart isn't able to do this after I leave, I can see some of the participants doing this on their own at their schools or elsewhere.
After all the frustration of preparing this course (I had to change and add things to fit the expectations of MEP), I feel like this will be a favorite project of mine.  I plan on doing this for two groups once every semester.  And the teachers earn a few extra colones a month for participating!

If you have any topic ideas, let me know.  I am always up to improving and hearing new ideas.

Calling this home

This past few days have been wonderful professionally and personally.  The Hubs and I spent Monday and Tuesday in the capitol because of meeting I had with my boss and few other PCVs.

The meeting itself was extremely insightful and encouraging.  It provided clarity for my work with Peace Corps as well as my work with my counterpart (To ensure sustainability, all PCVs work with a counterpart).  It got me excited to for the upcoming year and a boost to finish this year.  Great things are going to be happening for PCCR TEFL.

It is a big deal when I wear my bangs down now.  

After the meeting, the Hubs and I spent the rest of our time soaking in the capitol and enjoying the pieces of the States that it offers.  The Hubs surprised me with dinner at Chili's!  Now while we lived in the States, Chili's was not my top choice for date night but when I am living in a foreign country my opinion changes.  Chili's was PERFECT.  It offered me cheese dip and a chicken wrap.  Foods I have been craving for a long time.

I waited a long time for a butterfly to land on my finger.
I am patient now.  :)

The next day, the Hubs took me to the National Museum.  Where we enjoyed the butterfly garden, indigenous art, and a peek in Costa Rica's colonial past.

The Hubs has good taste.  

The beautiful mountains surrounding the capitol.  

On the 4 1/2 hour bus ride home I did a lot of thinking.  One was that I was glad to go home.  Home is now Santa Cruz, wow!  I was ready to go home.  Home is where a person invests their time and energy.  And that is Santa Cruz for me.
Being a PCV means uncertainty and instability of knowing your place and purpose in your community.  While that is still the case for me, I feel comfortable with the Host Fam, have a strong desire to work alongside my teachers, and love to laugh with the women in the office.
Second was that I was ready to hit the ground running with my goals.  I can't wait to start my women's exercise group with my co-workers, visit my teachers in the surround area, and begin my conversation club.  While there are inevitably frustrating moments (like today) I am enjoying my life here.

See?

I am better at taking the illusion photos.  

I am writing this as a reminder for myself.  Accepting this life was harder than I thought.  Coming to this realization was long time coming.  I am committed this part of my life.  This is my personal journal that I am willing to share.  This means while the Hubs and I will visit the States, we welcome anyone to come experience our life here is Costa Rica with us.  Whether that is by visiting us, Skyping us, snail mailing us, or Facebooking us do it.  We also want to hear from you.  We are working hard to stay connected to our forever friends.  If we are failing on our end, reach out to us.

Remembering our first visitors

Before the big shake, we had a big surprise.  The Hubs family visited and brought me my early birthday gift...my mom.  Those 5 days we a whirlwind and so much fun.



Day 1: We started off with a visit to our host family to present them with some gifts.  Of course including Thunder gear, Native Americans, toys, and a painting from my grandma to our Tico artist.









Day 2: We visited two beautiful beaches, Samara and Carrillo.  (Yes, the Samara where the 7.6 earthquake was).  We swam, boogie boarded, and talked the whole day.  Then enjoyed a delicious barbecue with our host family.  "De mi familia a su familia.  Ahora una familia."

Day 3: We drank all the coffee we wanted at a coffee plantation near Monte Verde and risked our lives on the ziplines above the beautiful cloud forest on Monte Verde.

Day 4: Was a day in the Hub's and mine town.  We visited the Hub's high school, walked in the heat, and ate at a favorite restaurant.   After lunch we ventured toward another local town to look at and purchase some gorgeous pottery.  Then we enjoyed a delicious dinner at my counterpart's home and had a short adventure of walking home in complete darkness because our power went out for the first time since living here.

Day 5: We ventured to see my first volcano!  However, Arenal cannot be climbed (too dangerous) just viewed as you drive around the whole lake and when you do hikes around the base to see wonderfully cool creatures.









Day 6: We said good bye to 3 of our 5 visitors because the other two got to stay for FREE in an ALL INCLUSIVE resort since their airline over booked the plane.  I was lucky enough to get to stay with them (sadly the Hubs had to work so he was unable to partake with us).

Day 7: I said good bye to sister in law #1 and my mom.

It was a glorious trip and I am forever thankful for my whole family (bio, in-law, and Tico).  I am one blessed woman.  I can't wait to see both families for Christmas and enjoy some cooler weather.  But for now, I will take in the rumbling adventures I have here.  Including more earthquakes (yep 5.6 today), running with the torch signifying independence for Central America, speaking Spanish, and rocking in my favorite chair.

Earth Shattering

7.6- Doesn't seem like a big number till it is the number representing the quake we felt this past Wednesday.  Here is our story...
The Hubs and I both had the day off so we enjoyed sleeping a little later and had just finished our gallo pinto for breakfast.  The Hubs and I were helping our host mom fold our clothes, when the house started shaking.  The four of us (host bro #1 + us) looked at each other then host bro #1 yelled "corre!"

Everything on the floor and the bed one foot closer to the door

We booked it out of the house and into the street where I saw tiles falling off of houses, our family's jeep bouncing up down, people screaming "Dios mios!" and running everywhere.  When the shaking finally stopped host bro #1 took off the 300 meters to check on his kids at the school with his dog K right on his heels.  Host bro #2, hands me host niece #5 and runs to go get host niece #4.  I didn't realize how the quake effected me till I was holding host niece #5 and my legs were shaking.

                               These pictures have something in common...can you find it?

The days following the earthquake were spent outside, nervous, camping out, rain, rocking, with bug bites, and talking.

Oh, and being watched over by La Lisa.