Pura Vida!

Today started off with rain, the first time since being here, I had a feeling things would be a little off. Not to say that things were bad today by no real means, but I think the realization of being away from home and living communally became very obvious to me and how it's making me feel.

I'm am really enjoying my placement with the people at CAIPAD. I however wish that the timing was better or that maybe I had "more" to do there. Also being able to speak Spanish would really help. I'm learning and am communicating with everyone, but it's still such a challenge. I am taking both regular Spanish class twice a week and a Spanish sign language class once a week. I think the sign language is really fun and useful for my job, but it's also helping me master the language as a whole.

I have been working on Arts and Crafts at CAIPAD but have also had the chance to work down in the shop. I've been making cut-outs from wood and even using the jigsaw (which I'm not very good at, but I think it's something that requires a bit of practice too). I also lead the exercises twice a week and the folks really enjoy my take on physical activity, games and baile. They thought yoga was a hoot. They really make me laugh.

As for as "home", I really like everyone in our group, but today was one of those days where I felt like I was back on the sorority hall and I wasn't quite fitting in. Nothing major, maybe more a case of woman issues, but having all this estrogen around is tough.

We've begun planning our weekend trip and there were so many ideas being tossed around it was getting a little frustrating. Finally I just really looked into our options and after a more detailed approach we all decided to go to Puerto Veijo on the Southern Carribbean side of Costa Rica. I'm excited to go. We are going to stay at Rocking J's, a hammock hostel. Pretty groovy, huh?

We had some visitors here this week from CCS Tanzania. It was amazing to meet them and spend time with them. Mama Theo and Moses are program directors from the volunteer programs in Tanzania. They came to see what the program here was like and learn about our placements and how volunteering works here. it was great. Because of their prescense things were a little extra special around here. We had extra special food and desserts. (soooo good) The San Carlos HS band came and played for us. And their HS band is totally different than any I've ever seen before. They all played instruments, mostly percussion and guitars. They all sang. And they all danced while singing and playing. It was really fantastic. They played for over an hours, songs from all over Latin America and got us all groovin'. It was really an amazing experience.

so things are well, I'm happy and working hard. I miss everyone a lot though! (including my kitty cats). I'm excited to have more beach time this weekend tho and I'm sure I will continue to do some reflecting. My decisions regarding what I "want to do with the rest of my life" are getting a little clearer. It's pretty nice to have that clarity.

xoxo