Familia Fiestas

This is love

Me infront of my house even though half of it isn't showing..more photos to come:)

Vale before her friend's quinceanera! 15 is the important birthday here- not 16 :)

Mi Amor Fiorella

Me with Fio my precious little sister

My mom Nela & Alfredo's mom..what a crazy drive

Vale and me and the Plaza in San Jose

My walk home

Vale at the ranchero

& Me :)

My first monkey in Costa Rica! So cute

A picture can't even capture the beauty here..

-Week 2-

Fun Facts:
Starbucks uses coffee from Costa Rica.

There are snakes outside my house. Apparently they come out at night. There was one in my garage last month...a big one! Ahhh I hope I never see one here.

People think my 14 year old sister and I look the same age (Haha...she looks older, I look younger. This will be good for me in ten years, right?

If my mom Maureen was a Tica she would be my host mom here. I can't wait for them to meet.

The new stadium here opened in San Jose!! Soccer game Costa Rica vs. Argentina tonight... wish I could be there but tickets are SUPER expensive. Like $300+.

Highlights:
My sister Vale and I have sleepovers almost everynight.

I went to pick up my sister from her birthday party sleepover...1/2 of my class greeted me!

I saw the rain forest! And soo many animals- my first monkey face to face :)

I have friends! I am really close with the other IN student who teaches at my school, my coordinating teacher, and am starting to hang out with more people during the week.

My host mom's Dad said that I was doing well with speaking Spanish. It was the first compliment about my Spanish that seemed genuine. I talked to him for a awhile, and understood everything he said! :)

My (basically) personal trainer is getting me into shape, and I already notice a difference despite ALL of the AMAZING food I am eating.

I told my family about everything that is going on at home. It made us so much closer, and it is such a burden off my shoulders. I feel like they understand me better.

I finally felt like myself again for the first time in two weeks :)


Surprises:
My teacher had to go to court this morning, and they didn't get a sub for me. Let's just say it was a crazy morning, and I was soo happy upon her return at lunch time! It is weird because in the U.S, I would have no problem with this. However, here school is so different (30 minute blocks), there is a bit of a language barrier at times, and I'm still not accustomed to it all yet. A boy asked me a question, and I must have misunderstood it (I knew he wanted to leave the classroom to go get something...) But, I didn't realize it was a bunny! He came back with a bunny and the class went nuts.

I never thought I would adapt to "Tico Time"- but I have gotten used to it!! I go to bed early usually too during the week!! (10:00-11:00, which is REALLY early for me)

One of my sister's friends looks EXACTLY like my friend Xavi from IU--- minus a couple years. Weirdd

I got skype!! I am better with this technology stuff than I thought...even though it took me a whole two hours to figure out my sound :) It has been so great getting to talk with and see my best friends back home...it is exactly what I needed. Now, my family needs to get Skype! If I can do it, you can do...seriously