Constant Vigilance

Well, July is going to be very different from June. My course load is ridiculously high. I have a presentation, a paper, and a test for one class. For the other, I have three days where I have to lead group discussion and a final paper that I have to present to the class. All of these assignments are based on a semester's worth of readings packed into one month. It'll be tough, but I am excited to challenge myself.

I've made some new friends as well. It's sad to not have Colin, Lindsey, Becky, and everyone around anymore, but I am glad for the new company. I went to salsa lessons on Monday for the second week in a row and met some really nice people from another program. They're really fun to hang out with, and they just got here so it's cool to show them around to places in the neighborhood. Hopefully, Jeremy, Phil, Sarah, Lindsey (another one), and Kelli will continue to be around. All of the friends I have made in my program are older graduate students and teachers. They've all been really nice. People are from all over the US this month. There is even quite a large group from Auburn...

I really need to start reading so that I can do something later tonight. ¡Pura Vida!

Treinta y Nueve Escalones

Due to my depleting friend count, I decided to go out on my own tonight. This was the first time I had gone into downtown at night, and I was alone. After eating an actual chalupa with my ranch dressing that my mama Tica bought just for me. I went to go see Los 39 Escalones at Teatro El Triciclo. In trying to locate this theatre, I learned that no one in Costa Rica knows where anything is. I asked person after person to point me in the right direction, and all but one of them were wrong. The theatre told me to arrive at 6:30 for the 8:00 show, so that gave me plenty of time to read Goblet of Fire in Spanish. The play was hilarious. There was a lot of physical comedy, so luckily I didn't miss out on too many of the jokes. There were only four actors, and they played over 150 characters. It was wonderful to watch, and my ticket was only $7. After it ended, I rode two buses to get back in the area of Cedros. I was to lazy and scared to wait for a Cedros bus. Now I am sitting in bed watching Six Feet Under, my newest TV obsession. ¡Pura Vida!

Manada de Lobos

I just came back from Toy Story 3, and it was wonderful. I watched it in English with Spanish subtitles, which was interesting. Lindsey, Colin, and I went together, and I think it was the perfect way to spend the last night that they have here. We ate some Pops and got escorted out of the mall by a security guard because we were too dumb to find the exit on our own. Then we had the best cab driver ever who had rigged Christmas lights into his headlights. It'll be weird when all of the new people show up Monday. I cannot believe I'll have the same routine but these people I've become so close to won't be there. I am, however, excited for the next group. It's supposed to be much bigger, and at least after this month I'll leave at the same time as everyone else. I finished watching all of True Blood last night, so I think it'll be great to finish the night with a little Goblet of Fire. Se echo de menos a todos mis amigos. ¡Tengan un buen viaje a Tejas! I am excited for my dad and brother to get here. I need some other native Alabamians and my camera charger.

As Session One Comes to a Close

I took my final exam for the first month today, and I cannot believe so much time has gone by so quickly. There are only four or five weeks left! Last weekend I had a wonderful time in Puerto Viejo this weekend. The Caribbean is beautiful. I hate that most of my friends are leaving this Saturday. It's been a great month. I can only complain about my computer and camera chargers shorting out in the outlets. Now I just have a week to sit in the rain with my $60 charger while I read Harry Potter y el Calíz de Fuego. I am excited to see what my second month in Costa Rica has in store for me. Pura Vida.

Tama, Tama, Tamarindo

Tamrindo is the most beautiful beach I have ever seen in my life. This weekend was wonderful. It started off with a nice 5 hour bus ride to the beach. We finally got to our hostel at around 9 pm. The Chocolate Hostel was amazing even if the owner was high every time he talked to us. We went to an awesome sushi bar the first night. Then the next two nights we spent some quality time at a bard called Aqua where we met so many people. Everyone we met all weekend was there last night, which made for an incredible and sometimes awkward time. We spent to glorious days on the beach and at the pool. The people here are so much fun. I can't believe a bunch of them will be leaving in two weeks. The best part of the weekend had to be the fact that the bar had a 2 hour special last night. All you did was pay $4, and you got as many drinks as you wanted between 10 and 12. Pictures will be on fb soon!

Sexo y Mucho Más en la Ciudad

Well, I ended up spending Friday night in Jacó with my housemate Stephanie and her cousin Rodolfo. He is quite the character as we discovered. He loves to talk and give you his theories about things. I learned that the main reason for WWII was because Hitler had to kill Stalin, the anti-christ... Stephanie and I gave a feeble attempt at surfing the next morning before catching a hellish bus back to San José. We have just been sitting around all weekend. We have a test tomorrow, so we spent a small amount of time studying today.

Also, I went to see Sex and the City 2 today, and it was very enjoyable. It was interesting to watch a movie in English and read the Spanish subtitles. All the Ticos thought it was hilarious. On Friday, we gave our presentations on medicinal plants. I think my presentation on Chamomile was quite sufficient even if someone else chose the same topic and went before me. I'm all studied out so I am going to read some more Harry Potter and fall asleep. I'm going to have to go buy the second book this week. I love that I get to reread them in another language. It makes them exciting again! What a nerd. Oh well, no surprises there. Pura Vida!

Piedras y Sismos

I felt my first earth quake two nights ago! My bed just wobbled a bit, but I was informed it was a 6.1! More importantly, I bought the first Harry Potter book yesterday, and it is wonderful. I really like reading it in Spanish and learning new words. Well, I just wanted to share a few tidbits. I have a project on Manzanilla aka Chamomile due Friday, so I need to go work on that. This weekend, I am hopefully going to see a play and go to a zip line. I also need to study for my test Monday...