~If one day you wake up and find that you're missin me...~

Well, I just got done taking all the students' names off of their mailboxes. It was a symbolic way for me to say goodbye to each of them, and as I pulled of each name, memories about each one came flooding back to me, and I just took a little time to think good thoughts and send prayers and positivity their way...
One time I heard someone say that relationships never end, they only change. This is how I feel about "goodbyes". Even if you don't see that person ever again, you've still got a relationship with them, it's just different than it was before. So I'm sure I'll talk to you guys again, and hopefully someday we'll have a sweet reunion. Goodbyes don't suck as much as you might think. Really, it's just like an extended "nos vemos." :) It's just the closing of one way of knowing someone, and then new and exciting moments come into your life and you go on living and loving and growing, all the while remembering and cherishing the past good times. This is what i wish for anyone reading this...
and so if any of my LASPers are reading this, I miss you! And I hope you all have a magnificent homecoming and a wonderfully wonderful new year! :) You had the best semester ever (I hope!) so now go and make 2010 the best year ever. :)
Much love.
Laura Intern

This is the day, your life will surely change...

(click on title of blog to see pictures on Facebook)

Well, I have officially returned from CUBA, and the LASP students have all left and will be returning to their homes tomorrow. I was so sad to say goodbye to them all, they were such an amazing group of students and I am so happy that they were my first group as an intern. So if any of you are reading this, THANKS for being awesome! :)

I figured the easiest way to blog about my Cuba trip would be to just type up my short journal entries from the trip. Enjoy!

Nov. 30- Lunes

It's the last day of Nov. and I'm in CUBA! What? :) It was so weird to get off the plane last night, realizing where we are! They are freaking out about swine flue here, so everyone working in the airport was wearing a maks. Crazy. Today began our 1st day in Cuba, and it has been awesome! We went all ove rthis morning- to the Plaza de la Revolucion, Old Habana (where we had mojitos where Ernest Hemingway stayed) and saw a beautiful view from the rooftop. We even saw where daquiris were invented in Habana! Sweet :) This place just has such an elegant, mysterious charm to it, and I can see why it was such a hotspot to travel to before the blockade! No wonder so many tourists come here form other countries: it's beautiful! The Museum de la Revolucion was very interesting today, filled with a LOT of Cuban history, not just of the Revolution. After dinner we went to the largest fort built by Spain in the Americas to see the Canonazo. It's a ceremony they used to do when Habana was surrounded by walls, and at 8pm each night they would call people in by shooting off a canon. Now they re-enact it every night at 9pm. I was surprised by how many people came, but they did turn parts of the fort into museums/galleries/shops/restaurants so it makes a little more sense. :) It was a great day, & we all CRASHED when we got back. So far, totally awesome! Go Cuba!

Dec. 1, Martes

I've said it already, but I'll say it again Cuba is complex. Well, I guess the world is complex, but htis is the first time I just feel lost about politics, economics, culture & how they all interact. Seriously, it's nuts! This morning we went to a bodega, where people go monthly to pick up their ration, which usually includes: chicken, eggs, rice, beans, cooking oil, soap, etc., Ariel (our guide) told us this ration is usually enough to last 12-15 days. When the people use it all up, there are markets where they can use their salaries (in Cuban pesos) to buy food from farmers, as well as other stores where they can buy clothes, appliances, etc. Maybe I should explain a bit about Cuban money. Cuban pesos are the money used by the government (aka NOT hard currency) just inside the country, then there are CUC's (Convertible Currency, also called pesos) which is the money used by tourists and people from outside the country. Basically, 24 Cuban Pesos = 1 CUC and 1 CUC = 1.25 US Dollars. I just can't get over how awesome it is that every person, from the day they're born, receives enough food for 1/2 the month. And ALL healthcare free, AND education (even university!). I mean, I know it isn't a perfect system, but I feel like people in places like Nicaragua would be psyched for that kind of system! So I just feel like Cuba is this amazingly inspiring place that's tuck to their guns and said, "screw you, US government! We're going to live out what we believe in with or without you!" I love the spirit of independence and solidarity here among the Cuban people. Tonight we are going to a house that used to belong ot Batista to see folkloric dancing, & then tomorrow we're going to a hospital and 2 schools,which should be extremely interesting!

Dec. 2, Miercoles

To say that today has been awesomely informative would be an understatement! First we visited an elementary school, which was interesting. In Cuba, all classes are 20 students or less, due to the great number of teachers. Awesome! And we saw this 6 yr. old named Braulio who could recite poetry/speeches like nobody's business. It was crazy impressive! Then we visited a cardiovascular hospital for children, which was very impressive as far as achievements go: Sophisticated machinery, no waiting list (often an argument against this type of healthcare system). Did you know that Cuba has the largest number of doctors working in a country other than the one they are from? Cuban doctors are volunteering their services all over, especially in Latin America and Africa. I still can't get over the fact that healthcare is free, as well as all the education! Nuts. Our last trip took us to a school for mentally & physically handicapped children that is a partial boarding school during the week, & that provides hands-on training for those who can't learn academically beyond a certain level. The people working there are so inspiring to me- all these people are! They live real, concrete solidarity every day! I guess you could say they were/are "forced" to do so in some ways, but I just feel like after 50 years of the revolution, it has now become a key element of the culture in Cuba, more of a mentality. I don't know, its' just so different than any other place i've been. I think there are many positive things Fidel and the revolution have brought to Cuba, and we are only doing ourselves a disservice by ignoring that.

Dec 5, Sabado

A LOT has happene din these last 3 days! Thursday for lunch we were all given 20 Cuban pesos (aka less than $1) to go out near the U of Habana & buy lunch. Basically, this is the same (or slightly more) than what some Cubans make in a whole day from their work. We were able to find hamburgers and juice for 11 pesos (the hamburger and drink) for each person, and they filled us up pretty well, but that means we spent half a day's salary eating out at just one meal. Crazy. Also, we tried getting ice cream later in the day, but it was a nicer place that didn't accept Cuban pesos, only CUC's, and we didn't even have half a CUC. So it was interesting to wonder how Cubans feel compared to tourists (and Cubans who have access to hard currency) who can eat wherever they want, while the Cubans themselves are then basically excluded from those places. Hmm. Thursday night we went to Gregory Bini's house, who is a Canadian that lives in Cuba. It was interesting to hear his story, as he was very interesting and inspiring as he told us about his belief in the Cuban model, how he studied and then taught at the U of Habana, married a Cuban, and now lives in Cuba working in consulting with different government agencies. He was just so candid, yet knowledgeable and passionate, which was very inspiring. That night we had our first free night, so a bunch of us went to a Jazz club called El Cuervo y La Zorra, where they had some GREAT live music and, oddly, a bunch of people from the states! They were mostly there illegally (some for the 5th time), but then some had musicians' visas. Yesterday (friday) we spent our day driving from Habana to Matanzas, stopping along the way to see some sights. We ate lunch at a seminary, where we heard THE best chamber choir I've heard in my life. They gave me goosebumps and filled my eyes with tears. When we got to Varadero (aka the BEACH!) we immediately changed and ran to the sand, and then after dinner headed to a place called Calle 62. It's basiclaly a big open dance area & bar on a stree. Tons of people showed up, and we had a great time with our Cuba Libres and dancing with Cubans and even talking with some Canadian guys who were shocked to see people from the states in Cuba! So now today (Saturday) is beach day, which I'm psyched about! Bring on the sun! :)

Dec 7, Lunes

Today we left Cuba. How sad! But it was a marvelous trip and I enjoyed it to the fullest! Saturday night we went dancing again at Calle 62, and it was very fun to spend the last night at the beach dancing! :) Yesterday morning (Sunday) we went to a Presbriterian church, and afterwards we returned to Habana to stay in the MLK Center for our last night. We ate in Ariel's (our guide's) house, because his wonderful mother cooked some GREAT food for us, and afterwards we spent a few hours dancing at the house of someone who is part of a group that plays Cuban music and teaches Cuban dances. It was awesome to share the last night with the whole group, as well as with Javier, Ariel (guide) and Alberto (the translator). I still can hardly believe I was actually in CUBA. It seems strange to me how I felt there. I have never felt the way I did there on any other trip. I think it's because many people from the states have strong opinions about Cuba, even though they don't know anything about the country, and now I have a perspective that is different from that of many of those people. I am very excited to share what I saw, learned, and what I felt in Cuba. It's a country that is relaly very impressive and it inspired me to think about how we could make other economic systems work better for the PEOPLE of those countries. I was to use my voice to give a new perspective on Cuba, I also want to use my voice to try and show those working in the US government that it is finally time to let Cuba be Cuba, not a place under blockade. They need to recognize (as does much of the rest of the world!) the good that is in Cuba: the healthcare system, the educational system, and Cuban solidarity. For too long we have been told lies about Cuba, and it is now time to respect the country and the way that it wants to govern itself. Cubans deserve the opportunity to live as they wish.

*Extra note: Cuba's government is Communist (meaning only one political party is allowed by the constitution) but the people still VOTE, and only 10% of the population is a member of the Communist party. AKA: people have a choice, they have elected Fidel for the last 50 years, and they do not have to elect representatives that are members of the communist party. It's still a democracy, just a different one than ours. The economy is socialist, not communist.*

CUBA CUBA here I come!

Today, I go to CUBA!
....and I will be friends with Fidel when I come back. ;)

Totally Tuesday

Well, the students will officially be back here in San Jose TOMORROW! And then begins the insanity of running around (and heading to CUBA!) until they all return to the states on the 8th of December. Whew. How crazy that the whole semester is almost over! Every time I think about it, my mind spins a little. 3 months have gone by like 3 minutes. literally. So I'm sad to think about saying goodbye to them, but excited for the possibilities of the coming year. :)
It's hard not to miss home, with Thanksgiving on Thursday and all, but I am excited to celebrate here with the staff at Laura & Trevor's and to celebrate even more with a trip to Cuba. :) And then my family will be here on the 17th of December, which makes me REALLY happy! Basically right now I just want to listen to Christmas music, make cookies (or maybe just eat them ;) ) and watch ELF. Because, that's Christmas, combined of course with family and friends, who I miss like crazy! But I am having such a wonderful experience here that I wouldn't trade it for the world!! Or for cozy slippers and hot chocolate on a cold winter night. Nope. This holiday season will definitely be different, but that's nothing negative. I'm smiling at the thought of new experiences for this month of celebration. :) Thanks God for that chance!!!

Funny the way it is, if you think about it...

So I've officially decided that life goes by way too fast. We just realized the other day that in TWO MONTHS a whole new group of students will be here. And saturday I just realized I've already been here for three months. Which means there are only 7 left. Which may seem like a lot, but really, it's not much.
So needless to say, I'm freaking out about time. The future. Changing everything again. I know life is about change, and normally, I'm cool with that. But I think I've just had SO much change in the past year (going to CR, leaving CR, graduating from college, leaving home to come back to CR, etc etc) that I'm going a little nuts. :) Haha this is not to worry anyone, just to say it out loud: I'm having a small freakout time about what is to come. But just as I was really starting to freak out in the past month, lots of good things have been happening. For example, I had an interview with MVS that went really well, and got me excited about that possibility for the next year. Very positive. And this weekend I had a great, great, GREAt time in Naranjo, which was really calming and made me happier than I've been in quite a while, actually. Friday night at the prayer service we were in groups of 2 and prayed for each other, and it was something I really, really needed. I kneeled on the ground and just cried to God, praising and worshipping and loving ina way that I haven't done for a long time. Most definitely refreshing spiritually for me, and a good chance to reconnect with God.
We had a surprise party sunday night for one of the girls of the church, and it was a total, total, BLAST! For the first time since I've been back, it was like we were all great friends again, just like the old days without all the awkwardness of Andres being weird and grumpy and none of us really talking or hanging out. Nope. We all hung out, talked, and had just a totally awesome time.
So while I'm freaking out a little bit about what's next (Even though I kknow i've got plenty of time and can chill a little bit!) I'm still living in the moment. I'm still enjoying the beautiful view I have each day, the wonderful chances I have to share with new and old friends, and the breath of God's spirit living in me. Life is good, even in the middle of chaos. :)
OH: officially ONE MONTH until my family is here!!!!!!!! :) and officially 12 days until CUBA!!!! :) see? life rocks after all. ;)

Just because everything's changing, doesn't mean it's never been this way before...

Wow, I've gotten bad at this!! I'll work on keepin up with the Jones' and blogging a little more often. For my own sanity and yours. :)

Life is still going well, the students have all headed off on their internships/homestays throughout Costa Rica (and some are even back in Nicaragua!). So it's been quiet around the office, which is strange, but not too bad! Starting tomorrow, Javier and I will be going around and visiting the LASC students for the next week, all over Costa Rica! So we will have some long days ahead of us!

In other news, this past Monday and Tuesday I was in La Fortuna with the International Business Concentration students (IBC). We first visited EARTH University in Limon, which was amazing! Students from all over the world come there, and all leave with a degree in egronomics (i think that's what it is, basically some kind of agricultural degree), so they all do the same program. The university was partially funded by USAID and other world organizations, to bring together people who are interested in sustainable business/agricultural practices. Many of the students are on at least a 50% scholarship (the school is $30,000 a year, which for most of the people would be at least twice of what their families make in a year) up to %100 scholarships. But then there are suuuuper rich students who also go there and pay the full price (rich as in, they arrive sometimes in helicopters. yup). It must be a fascinating school to attend! But anyway, all the students follow the same program, in which they divide up into groups of 6 people, and have to start their own business that puts into practice what they've learned in the university. The university gives each group a $3,000 loan, and then they actually make the business. It's so awesome, because it's not just theory, they really DO what they're learning! And some have made large profits off their businessess. It's just a really cool place! They even have a banana paper-making center, where they take leftover banana stalks, grind them into the pulp, and make paper out of it! Super cool. :)

After EARTH, we headed to La Fortuna, where Arenal Volcano is located. Unfortunately we didn't get a good view of the Volcano, since it's rainy season and all, so I have no pictures. But dont' worry, I'll be sure to go back. :) But we stayed in these great cabinas, and went to Eco Termales that night (AKA Hot springs!!!). The guy who owns it is a graduate of EARTH, so that was a really cool tie-together! They make their own natural cleaner from microorganisms that eat bacteria, they process all the waste to make fertilizers, and use the methane gas to cook the food in their gas stoves, i mean, it's unbelievable! They waste nothing there, it's just really astounding and inspiring! (Not to mention the hot springs are BEAUTIFUL and awesome to relax in!!! :) So all in all it was a great time, and then I got to return on my own on Tuesday, taking random busses and figuring out how to get back to San jose. So that was an adventure all its own! :)

Last night my host sister Maria Fernanda and I went over to the neighbor lady's house to hang out with her son and his girlfriend, which was fun! We had some wine, and then he taught us how to dance a little (since he used to be a dance instructor!) It was a lot of fun, especially to spend time with my host sister outside of the house! :) Very relaxing, and very fun! :)

All in all, life is great here, I am loving the independence I have, although at times it still can get lonely not having people who I've been friends with for a long time. But the students are amazing, and the staff..well, I just love them all! And I know they're all here for me no matter what! :) So thanks for your amazing prayers, and I am very excited to hear how you all are doing as well!! Much love my friends and family!!!

Paz

LA PLAYA!

Well I suppose it's time for another update from the world of la Pura Vida. This past weekend (10-12) I traveled to Manuel Antonio, in the province of Puntarenas, with two of the students, Rachel Brown and Lauren Drake. I had never been there before, so it was a new experience for all of us, which was exciting to share! Trevor (one of the staff members here) drew me what came to be called "The Magic Trevor Map" which was basically one of the most detailed, well-drawn maps I've ever seen. Haha. But seriously! He told us lots of good places to stay, good beaches to go to, and good places to eat. And boy, was he right! We basically just followed the map around for all the things we wanted to do. It was a life saver, because none of us knew anything about Manuel Antonio before we arrived!

Saturday morning we left early from San Jose, for the 4 hour bus ride. Once we got to Manuel Antonio/Quepos area, we began the 2 hours of walking around looking for somewhere to stay. The first place we walked in offered us $60 a night, but we had no view, so we thought we could find something better. Thus, we wandered up and down this road for a while, finding places from $85-185 a night (and this is the low travel season). Eventually we were hot, tired, and wanted to be at the beach. So we wandered back to the first place, who then told us they now had a room with a view available (it was always available, they just weren't going to give it to us in the first place unless we haggled a little). We took it, done deal, with a pool and breakfast included. Awesome. So we wandered around after dropping off our stuff, and spent most of the afternoon at this very secluded beach called Playa Biesanz, which was nice. That night we hit up a Tapas bar called Salsipuedes, then headed back to relax in the AC of our room. Awesome.
Sunday we got up early for a delicious breakfast, then headed to el Parque de Manuel Antonio, which basically is jungle/beach area all in one. The first beach we got to was awwweeesome (see picture) and we stayed there most of the day before heading to the other side of the peninsula to the other beach, where we had fun exploring on the rocks. Then we hit up this place called Barba Roja (Red Beard's) for a yummy supper and dessert. Loved it.

Our last morning (Monday) we got up, ate breakfast, then spent an hour in the pool, since we had to check out early and head back to Quepos to catch a bus to San Jose. We just had a great time wandering all around and getting to know the place. It was a wonderful, relaxing weekend, and I finally worked on my tan a little. :) It's nice to break up the monotony of life once in a while with these trips! :)

Yesterday (Friday) was the students' last day at ICADS (spanish classes) and so we went over in the afternoon for their graduation, which was fun! :) Then I went out with Trevor and Laura for a little snack time and relaxation after a crazy couple of weeks.

I also have been going to the gym now, which is awesome! I just signed up on the 9th, it's a brand new gym just a little up the hill from LASP, so I usually walk there from work most days. It has been great to work out, and since I paid for it, I really make myself go all the time. I am liking it, and looking forward to see how my "training plan" will help me out! :)

Basically, life is going really well here! I am truly feeling comfortable now, and really enjoying what I am doing and especially the people that I am working with! The only cruddy part is that I know I'm only here until May..and so now I've got to start applying to different things I may want to do after this experience..but I really have no clue at all what I would like to do. Bah. Asi es life, right? We'll see how that goes in the coming weeks. :)

Well, I love you all and miss you like crazy! I can't wait to hear from you!!!
Peace.

Nicaragua: Lots of food. Lots of love.

Well, we just returned from a 12 day trip to the beautiful country of Nicaragua. As usual, it has opened my eyes anew to love and hospitality. In Nicaragua, food = love. Well, maybe it's more accurate to say that food is a Nicaraguan love language. They show us their love and hospitality with plates filled with gallo pinto, eggs, and the infamously salty strong-smelling Nicaraguan cheese. They sit and watch us eat, as we smile and shove the food down our already-full throats, our stomaches literally expanding minute by minute. They kill one of their chickens, just to feed us chicken. They run to the pulperia for Coke, just so we can drink it. Nicaraguan food is not just sustenense, it's a labor of love for the visitor; a hallmark of great Nicaraguan hospitality.

We were welcomed into this world of hospitality for one week during our Nicaraguan trip, when we all lived near/around the capital city of Managua with different host families. I lived with a pastor and his wife outside of the city of Masaya, sharing time with them and their 5 year old daughter Genesis. It was a week of being: sitting in a chair with a fan pointed on me (more hospitality) while my host sister and I colored and drew pictures. A week of sharing with my host mom, when she was less shy and talked to me more, a week of riding in the back of pickups, a week of drinking more Coke than I have in the last 4 years (literally) and loving it, a week of processing and thinking about what life looks like here. I had a great time sharing with my family and learning from them, as well as learning from the other students in my group and their families.

One girl lived with a family who makes hammocks and sells them for a living. Basically the whole family works together to make hammocks/bracelets, and they make a total of about 10 hammocks a month. When we were at the border I saw people selling hammocks for $5 each. So, if this family sells theirs for $5 each, and they actually sell all 10, that would be $50. For a large family. For a month. Yeah. They were just the sweetest, most awesome people ever. So happy, always laughing and smiling, and always happy to share with us. Hermana Marta (the woman who makes the hammocks) even was paid by our host families to make one for each of us. How awesome is that, to have a hammock from the woman I know made it? And how challenging to look at it everyday and realize the reality that her family lives in. Now that's a gift.

This is the Nicaraguan adventure: sharing with people, making comparisons, trying not to rush to judgements about culture/poverty/etc, feeling lost, frustrated, and confused. And at the same time, feeling loved in ways we never imagined we would feel. This is why we do it, this is why we love it: Nicaragua.

On a side note that isn't so deeply reflective, I also celebrated my 23 birthday in Nicaragua! So that was really exciting! We were in Granada, and on my birthday we took a tour of the little islands that are along the shore in Lake Nicaragua (one of the largest freshwater lakes in the entire world, where a canal was originally supposed to have been built instead of in Panama, but that's another story entirely) and it was GORGEOUS and so fun! :) I had a great time just relaxing with the students as we all worked to process our week in Nicaragua, and just enjoyed living life together in a new place. We had some awesome lunch on an island, had a monkey commandeer our boat, and ended the night with some great pizza and cheesecake! (I know, I could hardly believe it either!) :)

All in all, it was a great 12 days that I wouldn't trade for anything. Glory to God for all the relationships formed and lessons only begun to be learned from this trip. What a blessing we all have been given through these opportunities. :)

Amor to you all. I miss you mucho mucho. :)

PS: If you don't have facebook and would like to see fotos, check out this link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2014222&id=137900097&l=1cb2fc74fb

It's supposedly supposed to allow you to see pictures on facebook even if you don't have facebook. test it out and let me know. :) LOVE!

We went to Limon!!! Now....Nicaragua!!!

Sooo...we went to the beach! Playa Cahuita, to be exact, in the Limon province. It was great!! So let's just do this day-by-day :)
-Friday: We headed towards the Atlantic coast on Friday morning after a charla with Alex Grant about race/diversity in Costa Rica, specifically in the Limon province. It was a great thought-provoking charla, that allowed us to be honest about some previously held ideas about race and racial interactions in our own context. On our 3 hour drive to Limon (yes, that means Lemon), we stopped at coffee, pineapple, and banana plantations. Did you know pineapples grow on the ground and not in a tree? True story. And a banana "tree" is actually a banana PLANT. Keep 'em straight. Anyway, at the banana plantation it was so weird to be there (for my 2nd time) and to just see again all the people that work everyday packaging bananas for the US and Europe. We wanted to go out and walk among the banana plants like we did my semester, but they had just sprayed pesticides, and so we weren't allowed to go into the field. Hm. But there were workers out there, and we EAT the bananas out there, but we couldn't walk among them? I don't know, that's just weird to me. People always ask, but isn't it better that these people are being given "good" jobs instead of just left alone? I don't know, is it really better to work in a job where you don't get paid a fair wage, where you're exposed to pesticides that can cause sicknesses? Complicated.
So the rest of Friday was spent getting to Limon, and then I went out with the staff for a good supper at the Black Star Line Restaurante, where we had some good rice and beans (they say it in english in limon!) and then we headed to TCBY for some yummy desert! :)
-Saturday: We traveled from the center of Limon to the Kekoldi BriBri reservation, where for the first time I translated (!!!) that was so exciting! It went a lot better than I had thought, the time flew by, it felt like 2 minutes to me but really she talked to us for 2 hours! Crazy! :) We went to the beach, which was beautiful, and it only rained just a lil bit! :) Haha then we saw some monkeys, who got really close to us and tried to steal all our delicious fruits! Jerks. But they were cute (minus when they were hissing at us and showing their sharp little teeth!) Then that night we all ate together at the same Black Star restaurant, and we danced the night away, sweating our butts off in the hot humid weather, and we even had an impromptu limbo contest, which was awesome!! :) Then we headed back to the hotel and I chilled on the porch with a bunch of students, talking about deep stuff and not so deep stuff, and just sharing life together. It was great! :)
-Sunday: We headed to a Methodist church in the morning, where they sang hymns (totally awesome!) and the people were sooo amazing, they made us feel totally and completely welcome! :) On the drive back we watched Monsters inc, which was a great bonding experience as usual! :) Then we all finally arrived back in San Jose and headed back to our host families after a great weekend of activity and yet, relaxation. :)
So now things are in a bit of a whirlwind at the office as we prepare to head to nicaragua at 6:30 am monday morning! :) I am very excited, and not as anxious about it as the first time around, I think now I'm a little more able to do this "one day at a time" thing, and not worry about anything until it's actually happening to me. :) So pray for open hearts, and for us to see how God is working through us and in us. Pray for our host families, that we will not too badly disrupt their lives, and that we can show them hospitality and compassion like they are going to show us. :)
Thanks for reading, know that you are all daily in my thoughts and always in my prayers!!!
Con Amor.

Vamos a la playa!

We are going to the beach!
Well, okay, not right now, but on Saturday we will be in Limon ("we" meaning the whole group) and at the BEACH. Ahh. I'm psyched, obviously. :) But in other news...
So, I talked to Andres on Monday night, and it was actually a really good convo. I confronted him about ignoring us, and he told me that if I hadn't been with the other girls (who his gf doesn't like, and vice versa) that they would've come to say hi, but his gf feels really weird around them. So, I guess I could partly accept that, but not totally. Whatever. And I apologized for also not taking the initiative and going up to greet them, but I didn't really feel like it was my place. Sort of awkward. But we talked it through, which was good. And then he told me that he and his gf are thinking about going to another church, where they can make some mutual friends and she won't have to feel so awkward, which sounds like it would probably be the best situation. So anyways, it's over for good, but I think that at least some friendship remains, which is what I hoped most for. Whew. Complication-over.
Laura Frey is completely back on the market, folks. Tell your friends.
Haha okay well don't get that extreme. ;)
Thanks again for reading and praying! Know that I am missing you all and praying for you as well!! Much love and peace to you all!!! HUGS!

When your heart speaks, take good notes. -Judith Campbell

I like this quote (see blog title). It's so true, and it's something I'm always trying to do more of. Whenever I'm unsure/lost/confused/sad/happy/seeking/whatever, I find myself scribbling in my journal late at night. Taking notes "of my heart," if you will. And whew, does it help. It's like therapy sometimes, seriously. And boy, after this weekend, did I need that therapy! :)
Sooo I went to Naranjo (again!) this past weekend, and it was a weekend of really good times, and really..not so good times. I digress...
Friday I showed up at the church, because Friday nights there is a time of prayer, and that's where my host family was. Anyways, so I showed up, didn't notice at all that Andres was there until the very end, and he hardly talked to any of us, which was weird. Afterwards my host sister said to me, "Que Grinch estuvo andres hoy, verdad?" (what a grinch andres was tonight, yea?) Which I heartily agreed with, because he was. Haha. So then comes Saturday...
Saturday was a nice day, I relaxed a little, then helped move stuff from my host sister Kris' house back to her parents house, because a few days ago she and her husband decided to get divorced. When I was here a year ago they were separated, but then got back together, but now are definitely going to get divorced. And she's the same age as me. Yeah. Yikes. Sad stuff. Then Saturday evening we had a activity at the church for the young people (high schoolers & anyone not married who's under 40 basically) which was awesome. We played some games, one of which I won (think Simon Says). It was awesome. :) And Andres was there, and actually was like, almost totally normal with me. And I just thought in my head, WHEW, finally, we're getting to a normal stage where we can just be friends, great, everything's going to get better from here. (Save the next step of that story for sunday). So after church, we headed back to Kris' house to watch the CR vs. Mexico game, in which CR lost terribly (the national team isn't so great, and Mexico is pretty awesome) so that sucked, 0-3. But we had a great time yelling at the TV and eating dinner together. It actually made me feel like I was at home watching some OSU game, so that was nice. :) Fast forward to....Sunday.
Sunday: We show up at church, and I knew that Andres' girlfriend was going to be there with him, so I basically was mentally prepared to feel awkward. I had told him earlier in the week (after he told me she would be there) that it was going to be nice to finally meet her. Well, Sunday comes along....and nothing. Andres completely and totally ignored all of us (the group of friends who all usually hang out together). Yeah. And in this culture, you always greet everyone, right? Yea. It was like we didn't even exist. Needless to say, I was a) shocked and b) ticked. I mean, what is that about, right? Ugh. I was basically just kind of disgusted with the whole thing, because you know what, friends are friends. You don't just ignore people who are your friends because your significant other may get mad, or if whoever else you are with doesn't like them, right? If I've ever ignored any of you for that reason, I immediately ask forgiveness, because it feels like crap to be the person ignored, that's for sure!
So now what? That's the question I keep asking myself. Tonight's plan is to call Andres and get this all out in the open. But from where I stand: it's over. Which actually breaks my heart, a lot, more than I thought it would (yesterday I went from mad to crying myself to sleep, to mad again today). Ah. But really, I just can't stand people that act one way around some people, and totally different around them another day. I mean, what is that about? Ugh. So me, practically the queen of awkward relationships, will be hard at work tonight trying to keep from completely losing what I think could be a great friendship. But any more than that? I don't know anymore if that's a possibility I would even want.......

Just pray for a pure heart, to trust God's leading of my heart and words, and for boldness to speak the truth. Once again, thanks for reading as always. :) much love and peace to you all!

Michael Landon? In costa rica??

Graffitti is so weird. (see above picture). I found this in what used to be a restaurant when I went to Naranjo to visit my host family from last year. I highly doubt the actual Michael landon wrote that, and why would anyone want to write that for him? Strrrange.

In other news, the students are here, and they are doing great! So far, so good! They all seem super tranquilos, and really nice too! I am excited about getting to know them a little more, it should be great! On the 11 of Sept we head to Limon, on the Caribbean coast, so that should provide us with a little more group bonding, which im psyched for! =)

So since the students arrived last tuesday night (1 week ago, whoa!) things have been non stop insanity around this place. Wednesday we had orientation all day, then Thursday we had to meet in downtown San Jose so the students could go around and explore the city, then Friday we were in LASP all day until 420, and then I left right away to head to Naranjo to hang out with the host family again, and was with them all weekend! So needless to say, after I had dinner last night with Trevor & Laura (the couple I work with) I came home and was OUT. It was the best Ive slept the whole time Ive been here, which was great! (Perhaps it was the wine...haha).

The Naranjo trip was great this weekend, though things were still a little awkward with Andres. But, I just mentally decided that someone had to get over it, and that someone might as well be me. Haha. So I just acted normal, like I always had before, and I think that made a big difference. Basically I just get the vibe that we are both unsure of what to do in this situation, so any prayer about clarity would be much appreciated. I told him this past week how I feel, and so basically the ball is in his court. We will see what happens, I am in constant prayer for a new heart and new eyes to see my place in Gods love story for Gods world. Theres always something new to learn in life, yea? =)

Well I hope that all is well with you all, thanks again for reading and keeping up on the life and times of Laura. =) I miss fall, I cant believe for 2 years I have not experienced fall or the Fulton Co. Fair. So make sure to watch a football game, wrap up in a cozy sweatshirt, play in some leaves, and eat a funnel cake and drink and milkshake for me. =) Love you all!
Paz y amor.

Today's the day!

Have you ever eaten sauerkraut on a hot dog for breakfast? I did today. Not too shabby, actually, though i'm not the biggest sauerkraut fan. But pair that with some fresh pineapple, a glass of grape juice, and some coffee, and you've got yourself the breakfast of champions. ;)

The students arrive TONIGHT! Crazy!! I am so anxious to meet them all. Life has been so calm around here thus far that I can't really imagine how much it's going to speed up in the coming days! It's so strange, I feel like I'm waiting for all the students from MY semester to get here, then I realize I don't know any of these crazies that are coming. ;) Haha but it's exciting, I am looking forward to it! They arrive at 8:45 pm, then we all spend the night together in this center thing, then tomorrow begins the craziness of orientation week..ahh, how I remember that week, just a year ago........

So in other news, I went to Naranjo this weekend to visit the host family that I lived with last November. It was AWESOME, to say the least, to see them all again! It was so weird, it felt so normal, but it was weird because so much time had passed and so many things had changed, me included! I arrived Saturday afternoon, had a good lunch, then spent the afternoon catching up. My host sisters, Kris, Yorleny and I, then picked up some tacos for supper and watched two movies together (17 again, and "My super ex-gf") The first movie: thumbs up. 2nd movie: not so much. But it was GREAT to hang out with them and get to talk with them!! :) Sunday we all went to church together, and it was sooo awesome to see everyone from the church! My host mom told me that no one really thought I was going to come back, at least not so soon, so they were all super surprised to see me! It felt really good to actually complete my promise, to actually come back again. I don't know if I've ever really felt so good to actually hold true to my word. Hm. But it was great! And I saw the infamous Andres, hahaha. :) It was really good to see him, just so weird that when I did, everything just sort of flooded back over me. Whew. Strong stuff. But it was awesome, we walked to the pulperia (little store) together before church, got some candy, talked: it was great. Ahh. Then I spend the afternoon with the family and the neighborhood children, who are crazy and adorable :), got to play with like, three six-month olds! (yay, love babies!) :) And then boarded the bus at 4:30 to head back to San Jose.....Ahhh. It was great to reconnect, and I am excited to see over the next 10 months how friendships will grow and change with my friends in Naranjo. :) The plan is to head out this weekend on Friday and stay until Sunday, since the church service this week is saturday afternoon. Que chiva!

I am super pumped for all that is to come, as we ready ourselves to get to know the students, prepare the office for their arrival, and as I grow more comfortable in my role at work, with my host family, and in the country in general. Here's to the excitement of change!!

Dia Tres!

Just some pictures from my house of my room, the view from my room, and my office!! :)

Well, today is officially day THREE of work! whoa, how the time has flown thus far! :) And so far, so good!
I still love being with my host family, I am trying to soak in this super-tranquilo (calm) time with them before the students arrive, although it's kind of hard sometimes too, just to be reading or watching TV while my sister studies (she has a LOT to study!). But I don't mind it too terribly, I do love reading! Plus Laura, (yes, I work with someone named Laura. ay. We need to find some good nickname for me, and fast. Hahaha :) but anyways, she has tons of awesome books, and she just loaned me this one called "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle." I read 2 chapters the other day (one about asparagus, haha not as boring as it sounds!) and it's super interesting! I definitely recommend it to anyone. It will greatly challenge your food choices. It's good. :) Anywho, yea. My host mom and I (since I've been getting home so early) have been watching this telenovela together that starts at like, 4:00 and ends at 5. I usually catch the 2nd half, so she catches me up on what's going on, we watch, we talk, then she goes to cook "supper" / cafecito. So it's really just chill.

Work is awesome as well, so far so good! Thus far I have organized some library books (and am going to be helping set up the new organization system for that), sent some emails, did some research on how to improve our website, typed in some reviews of the "Mini-LASP" that some professors just did here, and other randomness. I like working in this kind of environment, where I'm given things to do, but then have some independence to do them. It's exciting. :) And it's exciting to think that the students will be here in less than a week, but I'm also just enjoying this time of calm before the storm. ;) Hahaha. I don't mean that in a negative way! It will just be way crazier around here. :)

The first day the head honcho, Don Antonio, told me that I should think through what some of my goals/priorities/expectations are for this experience, so I know now what I want to be working at. Hmm. So I've been thinking about that for a while. 1) Work on my Spanish. I'm planning to be tutored like, 1 hour a week specifically to work on some Spanish, which should be great. 2) Get to know the staff on a new level. They are the ones I'll be around the most, and I want to learn from their experiences what it's like living and working in a foreign country, and what it's been like working with college students in this type of environment, since it's something I may want to do. 3) Get to know students. I do want to get to know the students, and spend time with them and let them feel like they can tell me about anything. But I guess I don't want to just get totally and completely wrapped up in hanging out with them. Which brings me to #4) Getting closer with my host family/ with the friends I have now in Naranjo and Grecia. I would like to spend some weekends out in Naranjo and Grecia, though not all of them; maybe not even a majority of them. But i guess 1-2 times a month I would like to go out there and reconnect with everyone, just because they were so special to me, and I would like to continue getting to know them and spend time with them over the next 10 months. Yea. Well so after thinking about it, I guess that mostly sums up the main part of my goals here. Plus, get some job experience, travel experience, and maybe sort of search around to see what kinds of jobs are lurking around in Central America, just in case I want to work here someday. :) Which is possible! Anything's possible!

Well, I sincerely thank you for reading my ramblings. :) Know that I miss you and want to hear from you any time!! Oh, and I'm going to post a few pictures at the bottom of this post, just views from my house, views of my office, and of my room. All the pictures I have for now. :) May God bless you today and onward, and I thank you for your friendship and for reading my blog. :) Amor y paz.

Ya llegue a costa rica!!!

Here I find myself once again the land of PURA VIDA! I am so excited to be back in CR, though of course it was insanely hard to leave home and my family and friends. I am going to miss you all SO MUCH, but like my mom told me on the day I left, its easier because I know Im following Gods call.
So far, everything is GREAT here! When I arrived on Friday, my co worker Laura picked me up at the airport, and we talked the whole way to the office. It was great to see all the professors again, and to know that I will get to know them on such a different level this time around! Im very excited. Then I settled a bit into my OFFICE (with a window, ooo) =) Haha which Ill post some pics of later.
Then they took me to my host familys home, which is just about 10 minute drive up the hill, and it is so pretty! They used to run a restaurant out of their home, and it is so beautiful here! The view is insane (which ill post pictures of later) and they are the sweetest people! My host dads name is Oto, and he teaches at a sort of vocational school. My host mom, Beatrice, is an awesome cook. I will not be going hungry! Then my host sister Maria Fernanda is 18 years old, and is studying in her first year of medical school! They are all super nice. Yesterday, because it was Mothers Day in Costa Rica, we went ALL over and visited family! Awesome, but needless to say, a bit tiring for me! =) We went to Santa Ana to visit la familia de Beatriz, and stayed there for a few hours (we even ate KFC for lunch, totally made me think of home!) and then in the afternoon-evening we went just down the road from my house to Otos parents house, where his huge family all gathered for some cafecito and lots of laughter! All in all, it was a great time!!
Now today is sunday, and my family doesnt really go to church. So, i think I might have to do a little searching, and see where I can go on Sundays, because I think i will miss it way too much not to do anything for 10 months! This morning I just decided I would read from Psalms, to focus on praising and just on God this morning. It was really good, and I think ill probably read the same ones again tonight, just to get them in my head. I like having this time set apart to really get more into the word. This next weekend im thinking about visiting my host family and friends in Naranjo, and ill definitely go to church there! So well see what happens. =)
Tomorrow is my first day of work, so im glad i have today to just sort of chill and relax, update you all on facebook (we do have internet in my house, so im on my sisters laptop right now), and just spend some time. My sister is actually gone right now, because shes taking lessons to get her drivers license! Crazy crazy! And my host dad is actually at work all day, pobrecito! So its just me and my host mom, whos doing some laundry and cooking something that smells AH mazing. shoot. im going to have to find some way to work out around here. =)
well, i suppose this is all for today. as soon as i finish decorating the office, and i upload some pics from the house, ill be sure to send it all your way. =) i miss you all soooo much, and thanks for taking the time to read my wandering thoughts. =) muuucho amor y muuuuchos abrazos y besitos!!!!!!!

Wow I'm bad at this.

Yikes people. The last post on this blog? February. Yikes again. Lo siento (I'm sorry!)
Well, here it is, the 23rd of may (24th technically) and I cannot believe where I am in life. Graduated from college. Moving to costa rica in 2 months. Friends getting married. People spreading across the globe. My sister going into jr high. *sigh* sigh*sigh*. Ch-ch-changes are always coming along, aren't they? I feel pretty prepared for most of them at this point in time. I mean, graduating college was weird, but it was most definitely time for it to happen, so I'm good with that. I mean, of course I will (and do) miss being surrounded by all of my friends, but you can't stay in one place forever. I find that as bigger changes come and go in my life, I learn how to take them a little more easily, or at least I can find new ways to handle the stress and fear that comes with change. One day at a time. I realized the complete truth and importance of this little phrase during my study abroad experience in Central America, and I try to remind myself of it every single day, in every minute that I feel scared about the future or begin overthinking life just a tad too much. One day at a time. Here I am, in this moment. How can I love God? How can I love people? WHAT is most important in this very moment that I find myself in? These are the questions that I have to learn to ask myself. What is this moment meaning for my life? What will I give in the time that I have in this one day? I don't need to freak out about the future, because I can't control it. Heck, I can't even control the present, really. And oddly enough, I am becoming more and more comfortable with that fact. Hm. It feels nice when God displaces worry at the center of our lives. :) I am here on purpose; with a purpose; to love God and love people. Finito: the end. Fin. Love is life, and life is about loving. Yeah, I can sleep well with that on the brain. :)

Woops.

Well, let me just say sorry for my own laziness over the past few weeks or so. :) I'm glad to catch back up on the good old blog, I must say.
How is life..how is life? Hmm. Quite the question. I am having a great time actually! Still working on remembering that each day comes as it comes, and that me fretting about the future is not doing anyone any good. Though, of course, it still becomes an issue now and again. :) However, I'm slowly learning more and more how to keep that fear of the "next step" from inhibiting me in the present, which can only continue to inhibit me in the future.
I am home for the weekend, and it feels good to be here with my family. I miss them so much sometimes when I am gone, and it's been almost two months since I last saw my parents, so I am definitely enjoying time at home with them (and my precious Fiona). :)
Each day continues as a process of processing, as I like to say. Processing not only my semester abroad, but life in general, and all the new info I receive as I go along. I have started to become more and more interested in dedicating myself to really living simply, and not only to do that on my own, but also to share that type of living in a community of believers. My capstone class (It's my favorite class, ever, can't lie) is challening to me; challenging to my ideas about the world, about what peace means in this world, and about just everything in general basically! :) I enjoy a good time of deep conversation and thinking in the midst of a lot of shallowness, it reminds me a lot of my Costa Rica time in LASP when all of life was basically intense. :)
Well, it's 12:58, and even though for me, that's early, I figure I'll use the fact that everyone here around me is sleeping to justify turning in. Don't worry, I'm sure I"ll be back soon. Cuidate!
Peace & Love

Sleeping In...

So there's this song I love by Nevertheless called "Sleeping In"... Here's the part that strikes me:

"I've been sleeping in for days, Cause when I am awake, I will have to face my life. And I get carried away like I'm the only one, Who's ever felt the way that I do. But I can hear you say you're not the only one, everybody hopes to get through."

Sometimes, I love sleeping in. Okay, a lot of times I love it. But sometimes I really do feel like I'm sleeping in because I'm trying to avoid it. Life. Change. Hurt. Love. Loss. all the good and all the bad things of life. Why? I don't know, honestly. It's a scary thing, living! There are days (most days) when I feel good and loved and trustful of all things God has coming my way. Yet, there are those days when I want to eternally hit the alarm clock, in my dream world where nothing really changes, where I don't have to move on, where people I love aren't left somewhere behind me. The beauty in life is the fact that it changes, and I know I can't see how beautiful things are without sometimes having to walk through the rain to get there. But there are those days, those times, when I lose some trust in life, in myself, and yes, even in God. I've gotta admit it, I've got to be true. It hurts me to feel that way on those days. I mean, how can I doubt the One who loves me more than I can ever even fathom? How can I doubt the love of the cross?

I know I shouldn't overly beat myself up for feeling this way. Like the song says, "you're not the only one, everybody hopes to get through." I do hope to get through, and I do believe deep down that I will get through. Today is just one of those days where, for some reason, I start to doubt what I can do through Christ's power and love. I can do ANY THING through Christ who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:13) Why do I forget how much I've already done, how far Christ has already brought me? Just one of those days when I need to remind myself of how loved, how blessed, and how powerful Christ can be within me if I ask Him to come in and take my life....

Whew, I can't think about it all anymore..so until la proxima vez. Amor y Paz....

El primer post!

So this blogging thing I think is going to make my mind say "whew" at the end of every night! Why, you ask? Well, it's this little thing called LIFE that sometimes seems to make my head spin out of control :)

Since I returned from my semester abroad in Costa Rica, life has been great, I mean I really have no complaints. (Minus that it's cold here..and I lost my tan) Haha no, but honestly, life is good! But there's just this part of me, some part that feels lost, that doesn't believe I really did all the things I now see myself doing in pictures. What a weird place the mind is, yeah? That I can spend four months somewhere, come home, and all the sudden it's like it never happened. I'm still trying to deal with that reality change...

And as I deal with one change...here comes the next!....Graduation...basically a four letter word! Haha just with 10 letters. ;) I think that's why this semester feels so overwhelming to me, even though I have the least amount of credits ever (12..awesome) I feel more stressed than I think I ever have in college. Boo. That's not how it should be! Perhaps it's this thing called the "Real World" everyone keeps bringing up. Though, I don't really think the real world is so tough and scary...I mean, if I can pee in the ocean for a week with the Kuna, and plan a sweet spring break trip in a country I've never been to, what CAN'T I do? :)

Well folks...I've gotten out my words for tonight..until next time....stay classy.

With the peace & love of Christ.