last week of six weeks in Heredia.

I am not joking when I say that I am Herediana at heart... I just spent six whole weeks in a row here this year! Collectively that is about how much time I have spent in my own house so far since returning in March. I still  haven't seen all of the friends I wanted to see here in Heredia either. Not even six weeks is enough time to touch base with all of the people I want to see. But it just means that I have to come back. And of course this isn't goodbye, it's "see you later" or "hasta luego" or "nos vemos."

Have I really been here since March? It doesn't feel like it has been four months, but taking a look at the calender I can see that it has. April, May, June and July are old news. August is a big month as I prepare to travel back to the USA and spend time with family and friends in very good company (E).

This is my last full week with my Alabama group, and on the whole I have to say that it has been a blast, with only a few bumps in the road. All of the kids in the group are sweeties, and it has been great getting to know them and sharing Costa Rica with them. Hard to believe that after this week I am done with groups, that another season is wrapped up and can be tucked away into memory. All of my polos can be washed and turned in, including the light blue one that has now survived 3 whole seasons with me. (Picture below)
This year I didn't have too many groups...only five! That seems like very few, but most of them were here for two whole weeks which is a pretty significant chunk of time.
Which group was my favorite?? I feel that I should reserve judgement until I finish with this group, but I think that the winner has already won in my mind. But I will wait to tell you.
Every  time I leave CPI I always wonder if it will be my last season. I was pretty sure that 2012 would be my last, yet here I am wrapping up another couple months of work in 2013. This time around I definately felt like the seasoned pro, and got a lot of phone calls and helped my compañeros in various small ways and was able to do so because of my experience. I felt like the head chaperone, even though there really is no such title. But I am glad to offer advice and help when I can, and being the oldest of the group makes me feel pretty responsible for how well my compañeros do on the whole. I did as much as I could, that much is true.

So what is next???
That is the million dollar question. If only I could have my cédula in hand, and not worry about my status here in CR, then so many things would be clearer for me. Whatever comes next, I feel confident that I can handle it, especially with the support of my esposo and my family. ¡Los amo!

PURA VIDA

soundtrack: rainstorm

This Friday evening I went with a "welcome party" of a few students to Juan Santamaria Internationl Airport (SJO) and picked up the new professor for my group. We spent less than five minutes waiting, and because the students know this professor it was easy to spot him and his daughter as they exited the arrivals gate. It was without a doubt the fastest airport pick-up I have ever done, thank goodness! We talked that evening about Costa Rica and I gave them an introduction to the program.

At 5:30am I was up on Saturday and caught a bus home. In the end it was around 8:30am when I got there and E made a great breakfast of gallo pinto...I had not eaten rice at all during the week, and it had been forever since I had eaten gallo pinto!!! It was delish. And I had café, which was also good. Café Britt is some good stuff, there is still a bag in our cabinet that we might not use before August.

Saturday and Sunday were pure relax days...I loved just relaxing at home in a lounge dress and making food, watching tv movies and catching up with E. On Sunday I finally got to sleep in and it was so wonderful. The sun was coming up and getting higher, and I could hear the chickens in the backyard and I let myself close my eyes and sleep some more.
What a wonderful feeling!!! I have not been able to sleep in for a very long time. Remember everyone, when you have a moment to breath deep and relax, do it! It felt like I was finally starting to understand the concept of "Tico Time" while I let the afternoon drift away with the fading sunlight...
Later afternoon we went to twon tp pick up some dinner and beat the rain home, and while we ate dinner we listened to the storm outside and the sound of the rain hitting the roof  of our little house and the flashes of lightning outside the window, illuminating the dripping trees and raindrops sliding of the roof.
It was really pretty cool, and I fell asleep early with a very full tummy (fried chicken will do that to you).

Today I woke up at 4:30am and caught the direct bus back to Heredia and week #3 with my group is in full swing...already over...what a crazy fast Monday.

PURA VIDA

DON'T SAY GOOD-BYE

I am not one for good-byes. Saying "good-bye" just feels so final, like something is ending or is over, and that can be very tough to accept. Usually I prefer to say "see you later" or "until next time," something along those lines instead of something as final as "good-bye." In fact I usually say this to my students at the airport, and even if it isn't always true it is positive and doesn't make thier departure quite so sad. (Though I have never cried for any of my groups...! Not that they have not been awesome!)

Today I did say "nos vemos" to the professor of my Alabama group who left today with her daughters to return to the USA. I can never express enough just how incredible my job is in terms of how many awesome people I meet. This professor I met four years ago, during my very first season, and we hit it off so well. SHe has come every year and I have gotten to know her better and watched her young daughters grow, and I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to continue to foster a friendship and professional relationship with her and her family. I will never forget the feeling of knowing that she specifically requested me as her CPI chaperone, a feeling of being appreciated and excited..so gratifying! Being able to spend some quality time with her over the last two weeks (she was my neighbor at the CPI apartments, invited me to dinner twice, and we had many good talks while students were in class) has been truly wonderful.
We agreed that when I am back in the USA that I have to come and see her in Alabama, or we have to at least meet halfway.

Watching her and her girls climb into the car to leave to the airport I kept telling myself, "This is not good-bye."  And it is not. I will see her again...it is one of those relationships that you know are going to last no matter distance, no matter time between visits.

"Nos vemos...!"

Pura Vida.

compañeros

This is Justin. He has been at CPI since December 2012 working as a chaperone, and like me, he was a CPI student before coming back to work with groups.

It has been so much fun working with him and having him as a friend and room-mate for the last month!
In this job I have met so many wonderful and unforgettable people...! And I am so blessed.

real food is good...

My body is still feeling the after-shocks of the "cleanse" I did last week.
The most amazing thing is probably the fact that I do not crave coffee at all. The first few days of this were terrible and I thought that my headache would NEVER go away. How could I possible replace my morning café?? For the last week I have been having tea in the morning, and it is very good. I discovered a lemon & ginger blend that I reeeeeeally like.
Also, fresh fruit! I have had fresh fruit for breakfast the last few days, and it has been a delicious experience. In the USA I am partial to cereal, and this is a much healthier option.
Another amazing thing is that I simply do not feel as compelled to eat..I do not feel as hungry as I used to feel around lunch time. I can wait until later to have my afternoon meal and I survive.
Another big difference has been my awareness: I look at a food and wonder how processed it is. How much sugar does it have? How much fat? Same with drinks. I never thought too much about it before, but I am increasingly aware of just how high a sugar content many foods have and it is downright scary. It is impossible to escape sugar in your food! Unless of course you eat just "raw" food.
I am also amazed at just how good fruits and veggies taste. I have never been a big fan of dressinsg and sauces, but they appeal to me even less.

I feel like I am some sort of health nut writing all this...! But I really do feel different. And I am thinking different too.
With the reality of my Mom's illness still very present in my mind, I have been thinking alot about my lifestyle and diet (not that I am unhealthy, but I could definately make some more healthful choices). I want to start forming good, healthy habits NOW that will continue to bebefit me later on down the road.

Again, I am so thrilled that I have all these healthy food options here at my fingertips...! Fruits and veggies, REAL food, is so good.

PURA VIDA

coming together

Things are happening so quickly, time keeps rushing by. I find it really ironic that my days go by so fast, eben taking into consideration "la hora tica" or Tico Time, which is much slower than gringo time.

Already well into week 2 with my group from Alabama, and they are definately competition for my awesome social work group that I had in May. So far those have been my favorite two groups, mostly because of the dynamic and the professors. The students in the group all vibe pretty well, and I got along with the professors. I am very curious to see how things may change for my Alabama group this next week, as they will have a new professor accompanying them here in CR. He arrives Friday, and I have heard many different things about him: I am  curious and a little nervous to meet him, so we will see how it plays out. Just going in with an open and friendly attitude can make all the difference, and I plan to be my normal good-natured self!

This weekend was quite the ride.
On Friday I was informed that I had to go with my group to Manuel Antonio in the morning and accompany another group back to Heredia in the afternoon. While the morning was pleasant: sun, high waves and wildlife aplenty, the afternoon was complete chaos. The students I had to pick up were not on time. We had to go back to the hotel and get thier luggage. It started to rain on  the way home and we hit a horrible pot hole. Dinner was pretty late, and I missed my chance to catch a bus home. On Monday quite a different story came out, the perception of the students was that the ride was long and dangerous and one of them was so uncomfortable that they sat on the floor of the microbus. There was a very big to-do made about the whole thing, and it was all due to a simple lack of communication..! Lessons learned, lessons learned. I showered Saturday evening and caught the bus home Sunday and E and I stayed in and tried to finalize travel plans and find flights for later this year. We made some headway, at least, then went on a walk to the local MaxiPali (like a Wal-Mart) and spent over an hour there just looking around. We ended up buying a bunch of things too and it was so funny and so unexpected! Funny enough the one thing we actually needed to buy (toilet paper) we left without. On Monday I got up bright and early to get back to Heredia on time and was happy to see one of my compañeras that afternoon before she left with her next group.
Last night I went to dinner with my boss and the professor from my Alabama group to a very nice Peruvian restaurant in downtown San José. We shared a HUGE appetizer plate and then all got soup. I enjoyed two and a half pisco sours (made with traditional Peruvian liqour) and it turned out to have been just too much for my poor little head! I had to take an aspirin this morning.
Right now I am on double duty, since one of my compañeros is not at CPI Heredia today I am supposed to keep an eye on his group. Of course while he isn't here one of his students decides to change homestays, so we will see how that goes. I am very grateful to have a such a nice, drama-free group right now! Later on I will be going to lunch with them and I am looking forward to it.

It seems that travel plans are finally coming all together, and I am excited to have time with E this year and the chance to visit with family.

PURA VIDA!

fresh fruits & vegetables

Right now it is a beautiful sunny Friday here in the Central Valley. But I can see a layer of clouds creeping slowly over the Poas and Barva Volcanoes to the north. My guess is that we can expect rain in the afternoon, but hopefully not in the evening since my group will be going to Noches Tipicas, a really cool dinner and show in Escazú (Escazú is where all the rich folks live in CR, if you didn´t know!). The location is beautiful, halfway up the mountains that ring the Central Valley, and when the night is clear it is a spectacular view! They also have an amazing buffet of typical food, and afterwards they have a special showcase of typical Costa Rican music and dance! Then the dance floor opens up and...!! Everyone can get thier groove on. I hope that the weather is good and that the students enjoy! I always do.

Today though they have a fun task that the profesor and I came up with yesterday afternoon. Instead of doing another chapter of University homework, they have to work in teams and do a treasure hunt at the local farmer's market this morning before class. I came up with the questions with a few suggestions from my Jefa, and then we divided the whole group into teams and they are going to have to find all sorts of new fresh fruits and vegetables today at the market! It will be interesting to hear the comments and experiences they have, and see how well everything goes using thier Español!

One of the things that I absolutely love about this country is the availability of so many delicious fruits and veggies. I have been introduced to so many new flavors and textures since being here, and I continue to discover new things and to find new ways to eat and enjoy the produce found here.
Some new things I have found include: yucca , pejibaye , mango, mamon chino, guanabana, and so many other things!
Have I mentioned how cheap most of the fruits and veggies here are?? It is amazing! A whole bunch of cilantro is only 75 cents. 2 kilos of mango is only $1.90! A whole kilo of tomatos is just a little more than a dollar...! I go back to the USA and am floored at how expensive fresh produce is. No wonder it is so difficult to eat healthy, when a Big Mac is cheaper than a salad...!
I could eat sweet red peppers and tomatoes every day and be a very happy camper. And being here in CR makes that much more feasible.

Oh by the way, maybe you are wondering about my cleanse. Today is day 4, and I think I will go ahead and stop Sunday. Cleansing is good, and I can definately feel the difference in my body. Mylimbs feel lighter and my headache is totally gone, and I am not as hungry as I usually am. This morning I just had some piña and a cup of tea and that was my breakfast! (Oh, I forgot to mention how cheap piña is here...$1.30 for one and sometimes 3 or 4 for $2 if you find a good deal!) I also really like how I have had to start eating more fresh fruits and veggies. I had forgotten how much I love eating tomato with a little salt, or how crunchy a good cucumber can be. And lime water has grown on me! I can drink glass after glass of lime water, and it never gets old.
SO! While I did not adhere strictly to the cleanse (there were quite a few weak moments, mostly involving eating out) I can definately feel the difference, and I wouldl ike to try this again when I have more down time and the affects of the firt few days won't get to me quite so much.
It's like I'm a new persona!

PURA VIDA

one month left

I just realized that yesterday was July 2nd. That means that in one more month I will be making the journey back to the USA. 

The feeling is bittersweet. I love, love, love it here, but I am throughly frustrated sometimes with machismo, the slow system, and the rain. At the same time I will desperately miss visiting the pulperia, the green, the smell of cilantro and the view of the mountains and the heavy hotness of the sun on my shoulders when I walk down Paseo de las Turistas in Puntarenas. 

However, I am really anxious to see my Mom. There is just nothing that substitutes my Mom's hugs, and I am feeling more and more excited to see my family. 

Even more exciting is the hope that E will be able to come and spend quality time with more of my family...even after almost 2 years I am still meeting his large extended family. He has yet to meet anyone on my Dad's side, and this year may be that opportunity. Not to mention that I will definately be going on Williams family vacation for the first time in almost 5 years! I wonder if some of the younger cousins will remember me? I last saw them when they were 4 and 5 years old. What a change.

Soon, soon. I admit that I am excited to go back to the USA this time around, and especially excited to see my familia. 

PURA VIDA

watch out for the hummingbirds!

Well I mentioned in my last post that I was doing a detox. I have to admit that I did not make it through the first day...so I am starting over today after having 3 glasses of lemon water this morning.

Yesterday was tough...I woke up and showered and cleaned the shared kitchen, then got ready for work and had some water. I walked and met my group and thier guide for the day in Heredia, and made some anxious phone calls after a student showed up at CPI instead of at the meeting point. He was just following his Mama Tica, who did not double check her sheet. AH!  So the group got going late and then I headed back to CPI. By mid-morning I had a headache which only continued through  the rest of the day, and I felt like my eyes could not open...! I blame lack of coffee. Who knew I was so hooked? I was so low energy and my Spanish kept coming out wrong.
During the day I heard a few opinions from co-workers...that it is not healthy to do a detox, that I should not try to lose weight (which is not the point, the point is to get toxins and bad stuff out of your system), that I can't attend to my group well, that if you don't start your metabolism by eating something that it won't work well....

Anyway, at 3pm when my compañera brought in some extra pizza, I could not resist and I caved. I ate 3 pieces and then 4 pieces of foccacia bread. And I went out to eat with the professor from my group last night! So today is round two...!

I have to tell you a little about my group that I have for the next 4 weeks.
Four seasons ago when I first started I had this group for the first time (University of Northern Alabama) and they loved it here. It was a wonderful group and they have been coming every year for the last four years. This is the third time that I have been the CPI chaperone for this group, and I know the professor and her daughters, and I have even met some students who have done the trip twice because they enjoyed it so much! This is the first year that they are staying for 4 weeks instead of 3 weeks, and it turns out that this is actualy my last group! The program wraps up at the end of July, and I drop them off at the airport and start preparing for my own journey back to the USA.
So far so good, I see a few shy personalities and some more loud ones, and even a girl who reminds me of myself when I first came to CR (is it bad that I find her a little annoying??) so we will see how the dynamic of this group develops over the next few weeks.

Funny story about last night! I stopped by the apartment in the afternoon to drop something off, and noticed a hummingbird stuck inside the entry way...there is a large glass window over the gated doorway, and it seemed like the bird had flown in and could not make his way out! He was still there when I got home after 6pm, frantically flapping and throwing himself against the window thinking he could escape. With a broom we got him down from the window area, but he proceeded to fly up into the little open air hallway between apartments and we watched him buzzing around, exhausted. He finally flew into the open door of the chaperone apartment and we tried to catch him with a pot but he continued to evade us...until he landed behind the fridge in total exhaustion, at which point we scooped him up in a dustbin and got him outside and into the open air through our porch door...watch out for those hummingbirds! What an adevnture.

I am excited for a free weekend...I want to see E and go to the beach! Maybe it will happen.

Pura Vida

detoxing and locos...

This is day one of a seven day detox that I will be doing with my boss and one of my co-workers.
It is only 11:16am and I am suffering...I need coffee!! For the first two days the detox involves drinking only liquids, herbal tea, water, agua de pipa and broth (my boss is making broth for my compañero and I to have in the evenings). Every morning when I get up the firt thing I do is put on the coffee...how am I to survive these days without my morning jolt?? My head is hurting and my stomach is rumbling. Could it be that I am addicted to caffine?? Or is it just the lack of calories?

Yesterday I had the strangest day, un día de locos! I woke up at 2:30am and went to drop off my group of boys at the airport and it all went smoothly. Then I returned to the little chaperone apartment and tried to sleep for a few more hours...! I had a lovely breakfast of a tomato omelette and avocado with a sandwhich (cream cheese and beans) and a big cup of coffee brewing...when I got a call that I had to go to the airport and help my compañero pick up a girl from his group arriving late. So I threw on my CPI shirt and some jeans and rushed out without brushing teeth or hair...only to get to the airport and discover that I was there about 2 hours early! So I hitched a ride back to San Joaquin and washed up and finished my cup of coffee before leaving to go pick up my new group around 12pm. But I was running up and down, and my whole morning just seems like a blur!
My afternoon was spent with my new group, orienting them and doing a walking tour of San Joaquin, getting a late lunch and then having them meet homestay families. Then I went with my compañera to the local mall and helped her find a gift for her boyfriend, and we got back around 9pm and I watched some tv and ate some Terra Chips (love these, my grandma used to have them all the time at her house when I was a kid!) and brushed my teeth and went to bed!!! But on the whole I had only a little while of free time, and I survived the day.

Today my new group is doing a city tour of Heredia (without me!) and later this afternoon they have thier first day of Spanish class. We will see if I haven't fainted from hunger by then! I am going to go get some more lemon water.

Pura Vida...