A little sentimental

The last post was a little sentimental for my personal taste. I guess we can crack it up to me not having seen my closest friends and family for the past 10 months or so. Anyways, I did mean it all, but it probably won't happen again for another 10 months. But like my mom said, sometimes you should get a little sentimental, maybe she's right.

Holidaytime

The holidays are for families. They are days when you get together with all the people you can and share stories, food, and gifts. Along with the cheer and joy, there is stress and tension. But always there is family. About 8 years ago, I lost one of the most important people in my life, my dad. His death left a huge gap in my life, and my holidays. No longer would he plop our traditional lobsters in the pot of boiling water, no longer would I wake up at 4 in the morning to try, unsuccessfully, to wake up both my parents 2 hours earlier then they would like, and no longer would I be able to share my holiday cheer and hope with him. 8 years ago I would never believe that I would slowly fill up that hole left by him with more people to love and love me.

Over the years, I have come across more people who have added themselves to my family. My high school girlfriends, who no matter the distance or time between us, can pick up where we left, gather missing stories up over dinner, and laugh at ourselves, each other, and well the unfortunate (or perhaps fortunate) souls that we have had the pleasure of spending time with. They have been a support that I can’t imagine not being in my life, no matter what happens. They keep me sane, silly, grounded, and dreaming. Liz, Leila, Evelyn, and Calli are what people hope to find in a lifetime, and perhaps what makes us so amazing is our differences. From pop culture obsessed, country music dancing, and hipster mocking lovers we make sure to let everyone know they aren’t free from being ridiculous in their passions, and not immune from loving ridicule.

College brought along 2 other women into my life. Kate and Laura are two people who brought out new things about me and through boyfriends and long nights we still know how to have a good time and the meaning of good friends. College is one of the first times in most people’s lives that takes them away from their families, forcing them to create a new one with friends who don’t share giant noses, unmanageable hair, distinct accents, or strange last names. These two women came from close to home and across the ocean. Never would I have guessed that our first meeting, where first impressions were wrong, that they would be people I would never not want to meet. Along with Kate and Laura, I also have a whole host of friends that came into my life, some have gone onto bigger, better things, some have stayed in contact, and some fade in and out in my life. All have made impacts on me in their own ways and I can never forget.

A year ago I wasn’t even thinking about the people I would now include within my ever growing family. Danielle, Leslie, Kathryn, and all the RCD 19ers that I shared 3 months with and now every so often a weekend or whole week, remembering long nights, long days, and successes and challenges (both in our sites and our lives). They have become my support, some of the only people that understand what I am experiencing and for months the people who give me a dose of home. I also can’t forget about the people that have added themselves to my life from the other projects, namely Adrienne and Nicole. Adrienne happened to end up, lucky or unlucky for her, next to me. She is definitely one of the people I don’t mind walking back up my hill to go see. Nicole has been one of the people that has added joy and excitement to my life. I know I can rely on her to always be there, just like she can rely on me.
Moreover, I have had a huge add-on of family members, I now I have 2 more fathers, Rodrigo and Sigifredo, 2 new mothers, Emilce and Lisbeth, 3 more brothers Mauricio, Fabian, and Felipe, 3 more sisters Cynthia, Catalina, and Paulina, and now a new sister-in-law Josline. These people have feed me, cleaned my clothes, entertained me, taken me out, taught me, put up with my sometimes atrocious Spanish, and most importantly loved me and listened to me. They have understood when I was lonely or missing home, they have understood when I needed my privacy or control over my meals, they have understood that I come from a different culture and a different world, but opened themselves and their lives up to a new daughter, sister, and friend. I also can’t forget all the aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmothers, and all the other people in my community that have opened their homes, their cupboards, and their hearts to me and my mission to save the world. We have laughed, shared stories and fears, and taught each other invaluable lessons on life and love. I owe so much to you all, and I have so much more to share with you and learn from you.

Most importantly, perhaps, my mom after losing my father decided to love someone else. This brought more members into my family. I have a step-dad now, Bill. He has brought joy into my mom’s life, which is the best gift you could have given me. I have 2 new step-sisters, and even though I don’t skype them as much as my host mom would like me to, they are apart of my family and I do love them as I love members of my family. I also have a sabrina and a step(?)-brother-in-law and a wonderful new aunt. All these people have added new dimensions to my life and I wouldn’t change a thing that would make them not be apart of my life.

Happy Holidays all, whether it is Christmas, Hanukah, just the News Years, and of course all the December birthdays (including mine) that probably got passed over in the past. I love each and every one of you. Be safe, have fun, and a remember to love everyone you meet.

Minnesota vs. Costa Rica

Riding down the Interamerica after a long weekend in San Jose always feels so good. Maybe it’s the plush seating in the Musoc buses or perhaps the cool, foggy road that curves just enough to rock you to sleep, but I know that it’s because that bus ride means I’m going home. But Costa Rica and Minnesota are worlds away, you might say. And what about the fact that no one understands that Christmas is not Christmas unless it looks like a Thomas Kinkade painting (especially if it’s the puzzle your grandma has mounted on her wall), or that while Costa Rica is beautiful nothing can compare to the North Woods on an early summer morning. Loons and roosters definitely don’t compare when it comes to which you want to wake you up. Minnesota and Costa Rica do seem like polar opposites, but you dig down deeper and they are eerily similar.
In Minnesota, there are snow days. Every winter morning after a storm, the first thing you do is turn the T.V. on just to see if school is closed or at least 2 hours delayed. Here in Costa Rica they have “meeting” days, where the teacher has a meeting somewhere about something to go to, meaning no classes. In my small town, most of the men are farmers and own plots of land up and down the mountains. I see similar issues surrounding the lack of jobs and money in the family farm as you see in rural Minnesota. Kids grow up and want bigger things; they attend college to get jobs in the city. What will happen to these farms as the generations change is all too familiar to the changing social landscape of Middle-of-Nowhere, Minnesota.
Home is also where you feel comfortable being yourself. I remember Dahlia’s sessions on indirect cultural. When they say yes they mean no. I get this, when I say I’ll think about it, it probably means I think it’s a lame idea and I just don’t want to tell you so. Ahorita is probably my favorite word; since you could often hear me say “In a little bit” or “after awhile” back home in Minnesota. Costa Ricans and Minnesotans have an undeniable connection when it comes to trying to beat around the bush. I still question whether people actually want me to come to their house or are just saying it to be nice, because an invitation is just polite in Minnesota and telling them you’d love to but you are busy is the appropriate response.
In Minnesota, saying hello is obligatory, even to complete strangers. This is practically parallel to Costa Rica. The only difference is how to say hello. O f course there is hola vs. hello or hi, but out in the campo (Costa Rica or Minnesota) you’ve got to shorten that up. Here in Costa Rica it’s typically the grunt, I believe contrived from people’s parece over saying adios. Head nods or finger waves are typical in rural Minnesota; this I believe is due to people’s laziness of not wanting to wave their whole hand. The kid racing down the hill on his bike in rural Costa Rica and the passing truck on a lonely Minnesota county road will all feel obligated to acknowledge you even if as soon as you respond they are too far away to hear. Saying hi, in both Costa Rica and Minnesota, might mean you have to stop by and start up some small talk, usually about the weather, never about politics or religion. You might get offered something refreshing to drink and there’s a difference between outside shoes and inside shoes.
Potlucks and turnos are basically the same thing. They are an excuse to get out of the house and eat. Although turnos usually have the food made on site, whereas the potluck everyone brings their crockpot with some sort of cassorole(who know that anyone could love a crockpot more than a Minnesotan). Minnesotans love Spam and Costa Ricans love Mortadala, but in the end it’s all hoofs and ears anyways. Replace rice for potatoes, both plates are at least half of either. We both love boiled vegetables, with lots of salt, and tal vez some crazy sauce on it (cheese sauce for my broccoli or salsa de tomatios, it’s a tough decision at this point).
No matter how much I miss Minnesota, there is so much here that makes me feel as if I’d never left. In fact, I’m surprised I haven’t found people with plastic covered furniture here. The weather is reminiscent of spring time in Minnesota, with sunsets casting soft pinks, purples, and yellows across the green fields. You can breathe the air and walk alone at night. People watch out for you, and yes they even know all your business. Everyone has a nephew, grandson, or friend you just have to meet, and most importantly hugs are always appropriate hellos and goodbyes.

Picking Coffee

So I will never complain about an expensive cup of coffee again, nor should you. This last Wednesday I went out with my father and sister to pick coffee. I fell into some holes, hit myself with numerous branches, and ended up with an ankle full of gnat bites. All for a total of 250 colones (about 50 cents) worth of coffee. This was about 7lbs of raw coffee. I was out there for only an hour and a half, but I think as a regular coffee drinker and as someone who has worked in various coffee shops its important to know what exactly goes into that delicious latte or mocha that you are drinking or serving. Coffee season goes from late October until December. I'm not sure if I'll be going back out into the field, but I'll sure apperciate my cafecitos in the tarde a whole lot more.

In other news, I'm on the HIV/AIDS safer sex practices committee (we're shortening it to the safe sex committee). December 1st is World AIDS day, and I am going to be making 500ish red ribbons for the volunteers to wear and hand out in their communities. I'm also going to be working on more talleres for the PCVs at AVC (All Volunteer Conference) and for school presentations. Wish me suerte!

Vacation Time

So, some of you might have noticed that I've been on the internet at strange times and well a lot more this week. Thats because I'm vacationing down in Uvita. Uvita is beautiful. It is small and quiet, but has an amazing beach. I know, I know, you're all thinking wait Costa Rica isn't vacation enough?! Well my life here has been pretty amazing, its true, but every job has it stressful moments and slowly but surely my life is getting filled to the brim with stuff to do. 2 different English classes, Monday-Thursday, my Association meetings and the upcoming general assembly (which we still haven't planned for, but I mean plans never actually work down here anyways), I just got news that I'm on the HIV/AIDS safe sex committee which means more meetings and a chance to get out to new communities and show off all my Spanish skills, and of course there's coffee season. Coffee season means, that after my fingers heal from shelling corn all day, I'll be going out into the field (with my machete for the snakes, of course), and helping my father or one of my other family members pick coffee. I can't wait... it will also make going home for Christmas all the sweeter.

A Little Update

Just a little update on my life here in Costa Rica. I've officially started my Adult English classes, which means I'm teaching English 4 days a week now. The class has about 19 students in it, from intermediate speakers to people who have never really been exposed to English at all. This poses challenges such as how to keep one group engaged while not going too fast for the others, and trying to give each student the necessary one on one time that they all deserve. I know all this will come with time as I get more accustom to my students and to the lessons.

I've also gone on a few adventures. I had my first Tico camping experience here. S'mores made with Chiky's (my favorite chocolate on the bottom cookie, kinda like the Kebler cookie with the hole in the middle) were delicious and the pollo asado, grilled chicken, that we made.

There will be more on this when I get a chance to come back to the internet, but for now I wish you all the best, and can't wait to see you Christmas (did I mention that you can see my pretty face during Navidad?) Well Pura Vida!

Starry Skies

Last night I looked up at the sky and literally saw thousands of stars. It was the most beautiful thing in the world. I really do live in a paradise where every night I get put to sleep by the river thats in my backyard, wake up to sunshine, and nap during the afternoon showers.

Of Moths and Mold

There are two things in Costa Rica that will sneak up on you when you least expect them: moths and mold. Moths I've known for quite some time now. Every night they find the nearest light and flutter around in a mad craze. These moths come in all different sizes, shapes, and colors. I've seen one as big as a bat (I know you'd love that one mom), and ones as small as my thumbnail. Either way they are very pesky when you are trying to work on your computer late at night (around 9 pm these days). I've also noticed they have a habit of eating clothes. We were all told throughout training that our mother's vigorous washing of our clothes would ruin them, but for me that couldn't be farther from the truth. Already I have small holes in 2 shirts, I'm just waiting for more.

All my friends have been talking about the mold that seems get on everything they own. I hadn't seen any of it, and thought my place high in the mountains prevent that kind of stuff from appearing on me. No such luck. After I had gotten back from a long meeting in San Jose, I was getting ready for the day. I looked around my "closet" only to see my belts (which I rarely if ever wear) with a thick coat of mold growing on them. I took them to my mom and she just shook her head and plopped them in some soapy water. Hopefully they will be the first and last things to mold.

Of course there are always the ants, who also eat everything, including the moths that eventually die (I'm guessing from overeating). They have eaten my watercolors, gotten into my body wash bottle, and I've also found them swarming my dirty laundry bag (no it hadn't been sitting out for weeks). They have formed a nice little procession across a ledge in my bedroom. Day and night, they truly are the hardest working animals on this planet.

Making Dulce

Here's a video of the sugar cane juice bubbling away to make all sorts of delicious dulce. In fact, enough to put you in a dulce coma....

Because I still refuse to be a tourist

Here are some pictures of my family (my sister, brother, and mother), and a picture of the kinder that I "teach" at.

I'm Lazy or Really Busy

Its been about a month since my last post, and that was just about missing paint, so I will give you all another update. I'm still teaching the kiddies in the primary school. They are overall pretty amazing kids, and I really am falling in love with all of them. I will start teaching the adults in September and having my first real meeting this Wednesday about the class. I am also trying to put in an aqueduct system for my school, and possibly for my community (as I always say: Vamos a ver!). Life has been fairly tranquilo, although as always busy. I saw my first real poisonous snake, it was dead so don't worry about my life being in danger, and my family still refuses to tell me what will happen if the big black spiders bite me (all I can get out of them is they aren't dangerous because I can kill them with my shoe). I'm continuing on my rice and bean diet and failed at convincing my sister that Italian seasoning tastes really good in spaghetti because spaghetti is, well, Italian. I will be baking cookies this weekend too. And for all the women in my life: Happy Mother's Day from Costa Rica. I can't give you all a call and tell you that you are amazing people who have taught me so much and will continue to teach me and be amazing support. I love you all so much!

Paint Thief

There is a paint thief in my house. I have left my watercolors on the top of my dresser/closet/shelving unit, and come back to it to see all the drops of paint have disappeared, only the dried watered down paint remains. First I thought it may be due to the moisture in the air, but realized my clothes would be growing mold by now if that was true. So it is either the tiny ants that wonder around the house, the moths that come in late at night, or perhaps a Tico leprechaun that has an artistic side. Either way the investigation is on.

The Circle of Life

This past week has been one of my busiest and about to get busier. First, I attended 3 important Costa Rican events all in one weekend: a 15th birthday party, a funeral, and a baby shower. Also there is a group of Canadian students that are working on our community kitchen and the church garden. They are all about 16 and well behaved. Next week there is a group of students from the States coming and last year they were, well not the best group of volunteers to come through, so we will see. At least there will be a lot to laugh about with my host mom if this group turns out the same.

Other news, is we are preparing for the fiesta for the school. I may or may not be killing a cow with my uncle, but I'll definitely be spending all day making tamales. I'll also be dancing and maybe winning some bingo.

I've also been doing more house visits. For all you archeology buffs out there, there are giant rocks that have ancient maps of the area carved into them. The indigenous people used these to show where the cemeteries were and where different people's property was. It was pretty neat to see and hopefully next time I visit I can take some pictures and post them.

Overall things are good. I am slowly but surely visiting all the houses in my town and finally remember people's names. Meetings are happening and also not (rain sometimes puts a hamper on how much people want to get out of their houses) (below are pictures of a downpour I got trapped in, also more pictures of the town). I am also still teaching English and helping out with projects. The CAT (community analysis paper I have to write) is starting to stress me out a bit, but one day at a time and I think I'll make it through. And if you ever miss my voice you can always skype call me.

Almost a month in

Well, I've almost made it to the 1 month marker in my service. All is well so far. There seems to be so much to do right now. Next week I'll be helping to plan for the student groups who will be staying a week each (there are 2 of them, one from the states and the other from Canada). This means I need to think of a lot of fun activities to occupy them in the afternoon after they work on projects around the town and eat lunch. I'm also teaching English classes to the Kindergarten, the primary school. Theres about 4-5 kids in the Kindergarten and my class is basically I play with them and tell them different English words for various things (and become exhausted after they all decide they are going to misbehave in various ways at the same time), the primary school kids are much better and its a lot more fun. I have 30 minutes a piece with each group (1st-3rd graders, 15 of them and 4th-6th graders, 14 of these). We do lots of games (some I need to tone down unless I want the parents killing me for ruining their uniforms) and I even give tests! Overall its been quite fun, although I know for sure now I never want to be a teacher.

In the community, I'm still going on house visits. I'm going to try to do many of these next week, since there are fewer meetings this coming week. Of course, this also means I have to call people and talk Spanish on the phone. I was brave enough one night this week to answer the phone (actually twice, but the first time was my friend Georgina). Its strange to think how important actually seeing someone's mouth more is in understanding what they are saying. Although, here in Costa Rica, even if you just set up a time to visit you'll probably end up having lunch or at least cafecita with a snack.

As always I hope all is well with my friends and family. Pura Vida!

Its offical

I´m all settled in to my new home. I´m not going to type much here because the keyboard at this internet cafe is awkward (too bad theres no word in Spanish for awkward). I´ll give you a brief update and later upload an actual blog.

Next week I´ll be starting my English classes with all the kids in the primary school, so that should take up most of my Tuesdays and Thursdays. I´ve already attended some meetings and some project ideas are floating around, including a panadaria (bakery) and a biodigestor. I´m starting to remember peoples names but still have to ask 2 or more times what people´s names are which causes quite a bit of vergüenza. Anyways, I think my Spanish is getting better, or at least people are understanding that they need to speak slowly and are getting used to my bad grammer. Hope all is well in the States and will follow up with a better blog entry and news on how my first class went.

My new site

Well I just got back from my visit from my new home for 2 years. It is the most beautiful place in the world... well in Costa Rica at least. My town is very small, about 200 people, but they are really nice and seem to really want to work with me, and definately have me teach them English. I live with a really great family too. I have a new mom and dad, and 4 new siblings. There´s a 2 year old girl, a 16 year old boy, a 18 year old girl, and my oldest brother, whose 24, lives in San Isidro where he goes to the university and works at the muncipalidad. Theres a river (Rio Blanco) that goes right through my town. Last year tropical storm Alma destroyed one of our main bridges and we are in the process of rebuilding it. Below are pictures of them tearing down the old bridge that was just for pedistrians and putting the foundation of two huge trees in place of it for the new bridge. My house is great. The backyard is literally a jungle and then a farm. It has little pools and waterfalls and is perfect for hiking around in and reflecting. The farm is great as well. It is primarily coffee, potatoes, blackberries, and avocado trees. In other farms around the area we also produce corn and mangos. My family owns the local pulperia, so that is where I´ll be spending most of my time, eating lunch and dinner, hanging out with my family, and most importantly chismeing with all the locals. Thats all for now, but I´ve included a few pictures. I didn´t take too many because I didn´t want to be another just another gringo. First impressions are important!

My New Site

Sorry for the lack of posts. I've been a combination of lazy/tired/having a bad internet connection or none at all/and super busy. But.... I did find out my permanent site a week or so ago. I'm going to the tiny town (250 people about) of Herradura de Rivas right next to Mt. Chirripo. Its going to be great I'm pretty sure, but I will miss my friends and my Tico family, but I know I'm going to have the chance to have a brand new family and great new friends in my new site. I'll hopefully post another blog as soon as I come back and tell you all about it.

Top 10 Lists

10 Things I Love

1. My Tica mama’s homemade biscuits (I’ve only had them once, but I want more)
2. The oatmealish with granola cereal I request every morning
3. Mountain hikes
4. The fog at night
5. A few select perros
6. My RCDers
7. Gallo Pinto
8. Coffee made the Tico way
9. Bus crushes (you have to do something on the long bus rides)
10. Days off

10 Things I’m Still Getting Used Too

1. The fact that 9 am is sleeping in now for me… never again noon and later
2. Not serving myself my own food/not making my own food
3. Not doing my own laundry or ironing
4. The bus schedule and how to flag down said bus
5. Getting around San José
6. Getting that perfectly hot shower
7. Carrying around 5 lbs of change, but actually needing that change
8. My hill
9. Assignments I’m sure I’ll appreciate when I’m in my site
10. Uncertainty

10 Things I Miss

1. My family
2. My friends
3. Dogs that you don’t have to wonder if it’s safe to pet them
4. Cooking my own food
5. My own food
6. Internet at my fingertips
7. My pumas
8. Free time
9. Being in complete control of my schedule/life
10. Really good pizza (someone FedEx me Basil’s)

A Few Pictures

The Jericó group, plus a random kid

The beach at Matapalo, the town next to my site visit

The waterfall I jumped off of.... or at least next to

A spider next to my room

Jericó

San Jose from my mountain The back of the mountain

A Quick Post on my Site Visit

I just wanted to write a quick post about my site visit. It was to a little town called Portolon, a little south of Quepos. My volunteer I visited was Bethany. She was amazing and it was scary how similar we were in interests and aspirations. She works heavily with the women´s groups in her area and is pretty much doing everything in her site and with the peace corps that I want to do. So she was the best help in the world. Portolon was amazing, and I didn´t want to leave. Also I surfed.... well kinda. I only got up on my knees but I think with a little more practice I could get good. I also visited a waterfall thats about a 30 minute hike from their house. I impressed all the boys by jumping off the highest ledge. It was a really great town and made me super excited for my real service.

On a more general note, food is about the same. A lot of beans and rice, so it could work on a vegan diet Leila, but I don´t think you´d lose much weight since they load you up on carbs. I´m supèr red from the sun and the beach and the walking, but know I´ll have a pretty golden tan soon. Life is about the same besides the site visit, although the big work is starting to pile up and I know I have to get moving on that. I finally have a full weekend to relax, so I will be catching up on lack of sleep and trying to compile a group for English classes, but I have to go. Again if you have questions post them in the comments.

One and a Half Weeks and Counting

I´ve finally moved to my training site, Jerico (there is an accent in there but I haven´t figured out Spanish keyboards yet). Jerico is a small community, about 500-800 people. There isn´t too much in it. I would compare it to Dennison, MN for all that know that area. There are 2 pulperias, which are basically corner store. They have the basics such as snacks, bread, some tolietries, some household products, candy, and pop. There are two churches, Catholic and Protestant, and a primary school. Oh and a futbol field, of course. ¨m going to be here until May when I get my permenant site. My family is really great. I have a mom, a dad, and a brother and sister. My siblings are both around 30. My sister works at a bank and is super nice and helpful with me. My brother is in a punk band, which is exciting because that is one of my favorite genres of music. I also have his room which is covered in articles and pictures of punk artists, so I´ve been reading up. My whole family is so patient with my Spanish, I still have a lot to learn, but I finally sat down with my dad and had a real conversation. There was some help from the dictionary, but overall I was able to communicate with him, although it was probably broken Spanish.

Other than my new town and my wonderful family, oh and the homemade meals I have 3 times a day, there are my classes whch consist of Spanish (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday), Technical training on Wednesdays (which we so far have learned about having successful meetings and leadership), other core training course on Friday (for example, country briefings, sexual assault awareness, and diseases), and once in a while on Saturdays we have extra classes (today it was about EFL classes). Its a lot of work and a lot of going out into the community to humilate ourselves with our broken Spanish. But its all in the spirit of it being better to do it with each other first so when we have to do it alone its a lot easier and less painful, perhaps even enjoyable.

Of course the most important thing in Costa Rica, at least for us hardworking Peace Corps trainees, is coffee breaks. My mom makes my coffee the real way (which will make it hard to go back to coffee maker coffee). The real way of course is boiling the water in a teapot and pouring it over a filter full of coffee, letting it drip into another serving teapot. Its strong, dark, and most importantly never burnt. Plus I have coffee three times a day, morning, noon and before dinner after my school/work. I don´t think I´m addicted yet, but of course that´s what all addicts say.

I miss you all... and think about you (in Spanish of course). My access to the internet is still a little shaky, I can only use it if I take the bus to San Jose which is only on Fridays and some Saturdays, but thats if I have someone to go with or nothing to do after class. Well thats about all I can think about right now... again any questions, post them and I´ll try to answer them to the best of my ability. Also I apologize about any grammer/spelling mistakes I¨ve made. Like I said before I´m still learning to use this Spanish keyboard. Hasta Luego!

I'm Here!

This is going to be a short blog since its late at night and I need sleep, I have been getting very little because of flights and full days.  

I have arrived safe and sound in Costa Rica.  Meeting all the great volunteers and staff, and it looks like a great setup and great country.  If you have questions you want answered, leave them in the comments and I'll answer them in my next post as best as I can.  I miss everyone, but I love it here too.

What I'll Miss

So I'm stealing this idea from both Rebecca and Kristen (my fellow Costa Rican Peace Corps volunteers)

With two weeks left in the states, and panic setting in at random times of the day, I think about all that I won't have and will miss dearly.  Here's a list that may or may not be added onto as I continue my adventure:

1. All my friends and family- Especially phone calls to and from my mom
2. Not being able to give my friends in China one last hug
3. My brother's dogs- they better not forget me and I better get picture updates
4. Being able to get in my car and drive to the wilderness when I need to get away
5. My car- although I'm hoping to come back only wishing to use a car for road trips
6. Pancakes and Chinese food- a pancake stand however maybe in a distant Costa Rican future
7. Winter and cold-I love my sweaters
8. Cooking/Watching cooking shows
9. Not having to worry about animals or bugs that bite or cause general havoc

Its been awhile

So, I haven't updated anyone, on anything, in awhile.  Well I'm leaving for Costa Rica March 10th to start work on Rural Community Development.  Well, technically I leave for Washington DC on the 10th for staging, and Costa Rica the 11th for orientation activities for 3 monthes, only to begin my actual community development work somewhere after that.  This process has been the longest I've ever had to undertake, and to be honest the most frustrating.  It is nice to finally have a set date, with set rules, and set expectations.  Now the complicated part is the packing.  I honestly have nightmares about that.  I'm going to set up a flickr page sometime so I can store all my photos, but right now, again, all I can think about it how to pack 2 years into the luggage limits they give us.  Any suggestions would be more then welcome.