Setting Goals

So we have passed the year mark and time is still flying by.  The Hubs and I have a little over a year left in Costa Rica, to be a Volunteer, to improve our Spanish, to build relationships in our community, to complete the three goals of Peace Corps and TEFL PCCR. 

Peace Corps has three goals as an organization.

1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) in Peace Corps Costa Rica (PCCR) has three goals as well.  

1. Teachers will improve their teaching practices.
2. Teachers will improve their English proficiency. 
3. Students will show improved achievement and confidence in English and increased participation in the English language classroom.  

These goals stay on the forefront of my mind as I work and interact with those around me.  However, even though I know my objectives as a PCV, I have my own reasons for being here.  These were concocted after already being here and as I look forward to one more year in Costa Rica.  My dear sweet friend, Miss R, inspired me to write my own goals down for my last year as a Volunteer because of this post.  

Miss you boo

Here are my goals as I work, live, interact, and love in Costa Rica for one more year.

1. Improve my Spanish skills, I would love to COS (close of service) with an intermediate high/advance low level AT LEAST (I came in at novice low).  I want to be able to communicate with my Spanish speaking students and families when I return to teaching in the States and carry on conversations while here.  
2. Build relationships with the women I work with and live next to.  I really need to step out of my comfort zone to do this (I have introvert tendencies).  I want to get to know them and learn about them as well as share myself (like why the heck am I here) with them.  
3. Continue providing training opportunities (conversation clubs, classroom management/lesson planning workshops, write on my other blog to reach more teachers, do classroom visits) no matter if I feel like they are taking advantage of this or not.  I came here to help them, and while I may not impact all of my teachers I hope I can encourage just a few.  

These three while broad, will help be focus in on this year, to give me a direct path.  I now know my community better than last year, I know what works best for my teachers and counterpart, as well as I know how I want to see this year turn out as well.  

PS Still accepting visitors, however time is quickly passing by!

Celebrating 1 year for real

One year.  We have lived in Costa Rica for one year.  I will never be able to put into words how this one year has impacted, challenged, and molded me.  

These pictures will show what I have experienced and loved through out this one year.   

Celebrating 1 year!

Our group

Poás Volcano 

The Hubs and I

We celebrated one year in Costa Rica with our fellow volunteers and friends.  We hiked Poás Volcano, ate pizza, laughed, talked, danced, and some even jumped off a bridge (not me).  

I can't believe that we have been in Costa Rica for a year.  This marks less than 15 months left in this beautiful country and our community.  

The past year has been one of struggle and growth for me.  I would never trade last year for anything.  I have come to love my life here and look forward to another year and change in Costa Rica.  

On a side note, our landlord's dog had puppies!  Aren't they cute?!

Showing off my town

Day of Annexation in July-
He is reciting a bomba (a funny poem)

Independence day in September-running of the torch
Only activity we did after the big earthquake 

Anti-abuse march in November 

Fiesta 2013 at nighttime 

Fiesta 2013-How we ride rides like a boss

Meet Lincoln
Our street dog

This month marks one year in Costa Rica.  While we haven't lived one year in our site yet, I wanted to reflect and share my favorite pictures of Santa Cruz.

Reflecting on 2012

In January, the Hubs and I unpacked and repacked our bags for our move to Costa Rica with the Peace Corps.  We were originally going to live in El Salvador for our two year service with Peace Corps, but that changed because of safety issues there with in a month of our leave date.  While waiting to leave I subbed, we visited DisneyWorld with the Hub's family, we moved out of our first home together, and fretted.

Love these people

February brought us good bye parties, time with family and friends, favorite foods devoured, and new friends.  In the middle of the month, we said our final byes and first hellos.  We met our fellow Peace Corps trainees, landed in tropic Costa Rica while the Hometown had freezing temps, and started our training to be real volunteers.

First photo all together

March was a hard month for yours truly.  We started our training which included Spanish classes, living with our first host family, and practicums in a local school.  It was a time of learning flexibility and patience (something the parental units said I always lacked), but also a time of building relationships with my Tico 23 family.  We did a lot walking and talking to and from training.  We had a few small trips to visit the capitol and a real PCV.  

The Hubs and I in training (photo credit to my Spanish twin)

April came in and brought trips out of our community, learning where we will live for 2 years, and meeting our counterparts.  This month passed quickly.  We planned a party for our first host families as they planned a secret party for us.  And we continued training and teaching.  

These lovely ladies are our counterparts

May was a big month.  We threw the party, we swore to uphold the Constitution,  and we moved to Santa Cruz to start working. 

Our surprise party thrown by the training host families. 

Yep, they let us in.  We are official. 

June was spent sweating, getting to know our new home and host family, and jumping right into work. Oh, and meeting three members of Combate (a HUGELY popular game show)  

Just some family time

They are anxious and I am tired after 2 hours of waiting.

July  = fiesta time!  July 25th is the day that Costa Rica celebrates the annexation of Guanacaste from Nicaragua to Costa Rica.  Man, do we have pride!  I believe we celebrated for two whole weeks.  And the Hubs dressed in traditional clothing to be on his school's float.  Plus we saw the President of Costa Rica and met the minister of Education.  I also go to chat (in Spanish) with the first Tico to climb Mt. Everest.

Looks just like a traditional Tico, verdad?  

August brought official time with other volunteers during our week long training, a visit from the in laws and surprise of my mom, and starting new projects for the Hubs and I (a review course and conversation club).

Zipping into fun

September was dominated by the 7.6 earthquake and low key Independence Day celebration.  Honestly, I do not remember much from September except that earthquake (and its aftershocks).

That is our room after the earthquake

October rolled in quickly after with continuation of our projects, a trip to a beach with PCV friends, the All Volunteer Conference (all Costa Rican volunteers together for 2 days), and celebrating Halloween PCV style.

We have a spelling bee, a nerd, Dora & Diego, JWOWW & Snookie, Rice & Beans, and the two plates that rocked Guanacaste 

  November snuck in unannounced.  We finished up our biggest projects, moved into our own house, watched some parades, enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving with an Embassy family (and time with our friends),  and visited my fourth country (Panama).  

Run, Forest, RUN!

Then came December, how I waited and yearned for it to be here.  December meant a visit home to see those I love and hold close to my heart.  The month that both took forever to get here and showed up rather quickly.  It sped by so fast I was afraid to blink.  Our short time home was wonderful and I wish it could have been longer.  I didn't take enough pictures or had time to see everyone I wanted.  We got to see snow and hug on lots of people important to us.  

Represents all the celebrations 

I can't believe that 2012 has come to a close.  This year brought me many trials and successes, new adventures, and restored or built friendships.  With 2013 upon us, I hope you have the year you desire and many good things come you way.