Turtle Eggs and The Crazy Monkey Bar

This past weekend was, by far, my favorite. My prayers were definitely answered in that I was able to handle difficult situations with much more ease and confidence than I had before. And, on top of it all, we got to do some really fun things while we were there. 

One highlight was going to the Crazy Monkey Bar on Friday evening to dance. There was a live band and the floor was filled with couples dancing salsa, merengue and bachata. Though my two roomies didn't dance, they faithfully supported me from the sidelines. Then, at around midnight, there was a fire dancing act on the outside patio. Four guys, with lit batons and poles, performed various tricks and dances for an audience of around 200. It was beautiful to watch. The view was also a welcome sight, as the moon was close to full and shone over the ocean in the distance. 

The next day, after a morning swim, a walk along the beach, boogie boarding, and an afternoon of studying by the pool, the three of us boarded a tour bus and went on a Greenback turtle watching tour. We saw 3 turtles total--2 making their way to the ocean and one laying its eggs. Watching the turtle lay its eggs was amazing. The precision and detailed manner with which this mother prepared a nest for her eggs was incredible to watch. In total, she laid 97 eggs. 

Attached Below are pictures of the weekend:

The sunset from our hotel restaurant

  

Our threesome

The beach

A turtle heading back to the ocean

A view of the turtle beach

A picture of the eggs the turtle was in the process of laying

Chau!

 

Playa Tamarindo and Expensive Coffee

Excursion two has arrived!

This weekend, our study abroad program will be going on another excursion. But this time, it will be to Playa Tamarindo--a beach town in the north of Costa Rica on the Pacific side. 

Since my roommates and I got fried last time we went to the coast, we have been sure to pack all of the sunscreen we own for this trip. It's hard to find that perfect balance between getting color and frying one's skin, but we are going to try. While there, we intend to lay out on the beach, body surf, read, and go dancing. If we can figure out how to do it inexpensively, we may also attempt to go watch a sea turtle hatching (apparently it's happening early this year and it's a really cool sight to behold).

A random story from last night:

While my host mom and Johanna decided to bond over a scary movie last night, Dominique and I decided to buy popcorn and watch "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days". We went up to the convenience store on the corner and picked out our prizes--Dominique with popcorn and coffee and me with ice cream and popcorn. When we got up to the counter to pay, the coffee Dominique had purchased ended up being much more expensive than she though it would be (she had accidentally used the cups for the more expensive coffee machine, even though she had selected the cheaper coffee). Using a mix of English, Spanish and Spanglish, she conveyed to the store clerk that she would be right back with more money. After paying for her expensive coffee, I popped the popcorn and we headed back to the house. On our way, Dominique was venting about how she had been way overcharged for her coffee and how she had better enjoy every sip. Around this time, I lost my balance, as I was wearing a new pair of shoes that had rather slippery soles. As I began to slide down the hill, my hands flew up in a gesture of trying to catch myself and happened to also catch Dominique's coffee in the process. Soon thereafter, we were both covered in coffee--expensive coffee, mind you. As Dominique wiped her dripping face and I dried my soaked hand we both started to laugh. It wasn't one of those nervous, I hope everything will be okay laughs, but the kind that come from deep in your stomach and leave a smile on your face afterwards. It was a good night. 

I think that's all I have to say about that for now. I will keep you updated with pictures from the trip when we get back. Oh, and here is a link to pictures of the resort we are staying at, as well as the beach: http://www.tamarindodiria.com/photos/gallery.php?album=resort&from=/en/costa-rica-beach-golf-resort/#/2. 

Chau!

Volcán Arenal: Fotografías y Pensamientos

Here are a few pictures from our weekend trip to Volcán Arenal:

Our room during the excursion at Hotel Los Lagos 

(The view from our room)

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Pictures from an early morning run

(the volcano is in the background)

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Pictures of the hotel grounds and of the butterfly and alligator farms

                                      

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La Fortuna waterfall

This weekend held many exciting moments. Not only did we have hot, high-pressured showers, but we were constantly surrounded by beauty. From early morning runs in the mountains to afternoons spent wandering around the quaint town of La Fortuna, many memories and pictures were had.

But, in the midst of it all, my heart was seemingly bound and weighted by an invisible fetter. This weekend was different from the last because we were with our study abroad program--all 60+ of us were together in one location. In essence, I got to experience what life is like when one is not living in Christian community. By the end of our time in La Fortuna, I was longing to be back in Wheaton--to have deep conversation and be among others who held similar sentiments about language and alcohol and relationships. At the same time, I was eternally grateful for the two roommates I have been blessed with, as they have provided much reprieve from many of the awkward situations we have been faced with.

Being back home in San Jose has helped a lot in my processing all that occurred this past weekend. A friend I made from my Cine y Literatura class, Mason, also informed me of a Bible study that will be starting with the Tico students this week, so I'm excited for that.

I guess the one question I still find myself pondering after all has settled down is: how do I function well in non-Christian community? It seems easy for a few hours or even a day, but I get tired of it all so fast and then isolation sets in. It's not even being in non-christian community, as much as it is being in community that functions completely in contrast with how I live my life. 

These are all things to meditate upon and I intend to do just that. I still have 3 days before our next excursion, so hopefully I'm somewhat ready before then. 

Chau!

Electricity + Water = ?

Week two of classes has officially come to a close. I have to say, during the week, days can feel like eternities (not necessarily in a bad way). But, by time Friday comes, I am shocked that a whole week has passed. 

This weekend will be spent with my program, ISA, at Volcan Arenal.* There, I am hoping to go on a couple of hikes and runs. And, in all reality, I would love to spend the majority of my time either in the pool or reading by it. I finally finished The Count of Monte Cristo and am now working my way through Jane Eyre (a shout out to Nathan Smith since this is one of his favorites). 

As to the title of this post, I will now make a few comments. One interesting fact about Costa Rica is that the hot water used to shower comes from the shower head itself. This contraption looks like a small cake in size and has extensive wiring running from it to a rectangular box on the wall that proudly proclaims to the shower-taker that it is running 600 volts of electricity to the shower head. Comforting, right? Somehow it passed Costa Rican safety regulations and no one has died from this ironic contraption yet (that I know of, at least). One of the ISA staff persons recently warned us that if you touch the shower head while the water is running you will get a "small jolt". I have yet to attempt this while taking a shower, but I still have 10 weeks here, so there is time. 

As to the topic of how to take a hot shower, the conversation is much more technical in nature. It requires precision, a keen ear and a willingness to bathe under a small trickle of water. As I was told on my first day here: the less pressure, the more heat. Oh, and when the shower head decides to suddenly take a 5 minute lunch break, one has to also be paying enough attention to quickly move to the side of the trickle of water, so as to not end up freezing and negating all that had been gained from the trickle of hot water beforehand. Altogether, though, my bathing experiences in Costa Rica have been positive, even if low-pressured. 

After having read the story of Esther, I moved on to Ephesians. Today I was reading chapter 3, the chapter that contains my favorite passage/prayer in the Bible. So here is something to pray for today--for yourself, for those whom love or for those whom are having a hard time loving:

Ephesians 3: 14-21

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from which every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Chau!

*Here is a link to a picture of the hotel pool where we will be staying (and where I hope to be spending a lot of time) at Volcan Arenal, as well as a picture of the Volcano itself: 

http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&tbo=d&biw=1366&bih=607&tbm=isch&tbnid=48qSMERVRCdwiM:&imgrefurl=http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g309226-d2452380-Reviews-Los_Lagos_Hot_Springs-La_Fortuna_de_San_Carlos_Arenal_Volcano_National_Park_Provi.html&docid=ktEFOqy5zmX0NM&imgurl=http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/02/49/4e/66/pool-area.jpg&w=550&h=366&ei=bmT5UNyYJpLV0gG-yYDIDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=679&vpy=131&dur=6598&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=72&ty=201&sig=114227264090604066148&page=4&tbnh=132&tbnw=175&start=73&ndsp=31&ved=1t:429,r:92,s:0,i:366

http://www.elespectador.com/entretenimiento/agenda/goce/imagen-volcan-arenal-costa-rica

Snapshots of Week One

I would like to qualify this blog post by stating that, while I love to take pictures (especially of nature), my skills and camera are somewhat less than up to par with many of your serious photography aims and cameras to match. However, I do believe I succeeded in capturing some of what this lovely country looks like. So, here it is:

The view from the house.

The hostel we stayed at in Manuel Antonio National Park

A really awesome looking crab that Dominique found on a rock.

My roomies! (Johanna-Middle, Dominique-Right)

A view of the ocean from a hike in the National Forrest.

My room--specifically my bed (if you couldn't tell :])

My room, Part II--the desk(ish) area

My host family--including the animals

My host family, again, but with Allison on the right.

La Gente en Mi Vida (Y Los Animales Tambien)

An introduction to Zapote, Costa Rica:

My host family consists of 2 lovely ticas (Costa Ricans), Evelyn Naranjo (31) and her daughter Karolyn (11). Both are quite fun and very relaxed. Karolyn and I enjoy dancing to latino music late into the evening and I have had several good conversations with Evelyn since I arrived. 

Living in our house with us are also two of Evelyn's brothers and two of her sisters. And, until the end of January, a girl named Allison, who did my study abroad program last spring, is here to visit. Allison has been an invaluable resource in providing tips about anything I would need to know for the next three months. We are going to go dancing tomorrow at a club called "Castro's". Apparently it's a wonderful place to dance salsa and meringue, so I'm really excited. 

There are also two other students from my program living in the house: Dominique and Johanna. Dominique is from Ohio, but goes to school at the University of Pittsburgh and Johanna is from Nebraska and goes to school at the University of Omaha. The two of them have become good friends in the short time we have been here. We all share the same temperament of not being crazy drinkers or club-goers, so that makes it easy to get along well. This weekend we are going to a beach called "Manuel Antonio".* It is a beach located on the edge of a rain-forest on the west coast. I am so excited! 

In addition, we have a dog named Chubeli and a cat who doesn't actually have a name. Chubeli is a chihuahua and the cat is about the same size as Chubeli and black and white. The two of them are great friends and often wrestle on the floor to pass time, although it sounds like they are trying to kill each other when they get going. The cat also tends to fall asleep in weird positions and is really hard to wake up, so it's fun to mess with her when one gets the chance. 

Two characteristics God has been impressing upon my heart today are that of self-control and humility. I am reading the book of Esther and it seems to me, through the characters of Esther, Haman and Mordecai, that these two qualities are really visible, either through their blatant existence or lack thereof.

Anyway, after this weekend, I will definitely post pictures of the beach, those with whom I am living, the school, etc. 

Chau!

*For a picture of Manuel Antonio, look at this link:

http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&tbo=d&biw=1366&bih=643&tbm=isch&tbnid=EEvLUxFtzG8HGM:&imgrefurl=http://delargy.com/2003_8_CostaRica/manuel_antonio.htm&docid=xDOcEVZgashliM&imgurl=http://delargy.com/images/2003_8_CostaRica/manuel_antonio_view_1024.jpg&w=1024&h=768&ei=fxLuUL-eH4nO9ASvs4DoBQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=714&vpy=116&dur=3493&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=149&ty=138&sig=114227264090604066148&page=1&tbnh=140&tbnw=169&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:0,i:122

And so it begins...

Hmmm. Where to begin? Well, I have spent the past two weeks catching up with friends and greatly enjoying the many moments I have been blessed to spend with my family.

God has been so good to me—especially in the more exciting (and somewhat difficult) moments. From having my flight cancelled because of the “blizzard” that was supposed to hit Chicago, to getting food poisoning while I was on the plane, *to losing a contact in a fancy jewelry shop and then getting a bloody nose while looking for said contact, God has remained faithful and has, time and time again, proven His great love for me, even if things don’t turn out the way I anticipate.
 
Highlights of this break were: spending all of Christmas Day in PJs with my family because my mom got sick and playing games, watching movies and eating leftovers from Christmas Eve; going snowshoeing with my family on Mt. Hood (if you’ve never gone snowshoeing, I highly recommend it); and, finally, (after trying twice and having it sold out both times) seeing Skyfall.
 
And now, with much nervous excitement, I am headed to a new adventure. Tomorrow, I will board a plane for Costa Rica. I don’t really know what to expect, but maybe that’s a good thing. My hope and prayer for these next few months is that God will stretch me in ways that I don’t even know I need stretching. I guess that’s a slightly dangerous prayer, especially as one heads abroad, but it’s mine. He has been faithful in giving me the strength I needed to get through this past semester and I know He will continue to provide because He always does.
 
For those of you who decide to read this blog, I would like to post a disclaimer. I can’t make any promises as to the quality or frequency of my writing, but I will try to give you a taste, every now and again, of what Costa Rica is like and what it means to me. And, with that, the blog begins….

 
 

*I did however find the contact after much prayer. It happened to get stuck behind my eye, but I got it back