USA!!

I spent my Christmas in Honduras getting to know my family there. It was a great experience and I am so grateful I was able to go and do that. We did some awesome things like go to Copan Ruins and go to a waterfall and just see some cute little pueblos.
But oh my goodness it feels so GREAT to be back in the United States with my family and my wonderful boyfriend. Going to Costa Rica was a wonderful experience and I'm so glad I went but I'm so glad to be back home.
I started school on the 9th and now I'm figuring out what to do with my life. It is a little stressful, but it's good and I'll figure it all out. So far I LOVE GCU. I love living on campus and being close to all my classes and my roommate is awesome. She is very clean and we get along very well. The only downside to living on campus is that I am so far away from everyone that I know so I spend a lot of time either alone in my apartment or away at other people's houses. Natalie and Dallas have been so kind and have let me sleep on their couch many a times. And I appreciate them.
Well hope everyone has a great week!

My last day

 Anisa buy 22 bags of coffee for her mommy

 me in front of my house

 hugging the gate...I'll miss opening the gate

 "action shot"

 My front door 

Anisa and my last time together in Costa Rica

   I can't believe it. It's my last day in Costa Rica. I've been waiting for this day because I miss my sweet boy and my family, but at the same time it came so fast. This last week has been very relaxing and in some ways boring because I haven't had a whole lot to do. It's really tried my patience. Anisa and I went to the Auto Mercado on Thursday so she could buy some coffee for her mom. It was hilarious seeing her put all of it in her basket and then check out with 22 bags of coffee. I was dying laughing the whole time.  After finishing all of her last minute shopping we got lunch for the last time together. Yesterday was Anisa's last day in Costa Rica was during a little break from her packing we went and got a donut. I'll miss the donuts here. And now it's today and I finished all my packing. 

  I'm so grateful for the opportunity to have come here and met all the amazing people I did. Who knew that so many people could all be put and grouped together in one school. I'm grateful for my wonderful family here. I don't know if I ever really described them, but my mama tica here has 5 kids. 4 of whom I know. There is Javier, Sergio, Ronald, and Marcela. Our house always has someone here whether it is one of her kids or some of her grandkids. I wouldn't have it any other way though because it's so homey and comfortable. My family opened their home to me and loved me and helped me so much with my Spanish. I will really miss them. Through the past 4 months I have learned to live with little. It's amazing to me how much stuff I have at home that I don't have here and didn't need here. When I get home I'm going to do some serious house cleaning. I have learned much and grown even more. Each person I have met here has touched my life in their own special way. I will miss Costa Rica, but I am excited to move onto the next chapter in my life. Tomorrow I'll be with my family in Honduras and in 11 days I'll be home in my sweet boys arms and with the parents and siblings I love so much. I cannot wait. Thank you all for following my experiences here. I love each one of you. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hopefully I'll get some pictures of the rest of my family here before I leave and be able to put them up. Life is good!

Time is drawing to a close

At this very moment I now have 5 days and about 12 hours until I leave Costa Rica. It's crazy how time can fly and be so slow at the same time. I can't believe it's been 3 1/2 months here, but I also now am just waiting and waiting to go home. I'm ready to go home. I miss home and my family and my sweet boyfriend and my friends. But through this experience here I've learned so much Spanish and have gained a lot of confidence in it. Before I came here I knew a lot, but I wouldn't really put what I knew into practice and now I would have no problem trying to communicate with someone...even though my Spanish isn't all that great. But I have also learned a lot about myself while being here. I've learned what some of my strengths are and some of my weaknesses. I've learned a lot about accepting others and realizing that every person has a story and different struggles in their lives and acts for different reasons. I have felt how important it is to surround myself with good friends who uplift and bring happiness to my life. There are some great ones here who can definitely put a smile on my face. I have made so many great friends here who I am going to miss so much, but also have made two great friends who will be right back in the valley with me. I can't wait to make more memories with them back home. While being here I have really had to just open myself up and find out what it is I want in life. I've felt my relationship with my sweet boyfriend grow even though it has been one of the hardest things to do to be away from him for so long. And I just really appreciate my family and all the support they give me. I have felt my testimony grow in lengths. The church is true! I know it is no matter in what language or in what part of the world. I've been blessed with so much. Costa Rica has blessed me and opened my eyes to all my blessings and taught me so much. Pura Vida
  This past weekend Anisa and I finished my Christmas shopping officially and also all the little food items I wanted to bring home. So finally no more worrying about that. On Saturday we went to the Festival de la Luz which is the biggest parade/festival they have here. We left at 3 to find a place because boy oh boy there were soooo many people there. The festival was supposed to start at 6 but by 6:40 we had only seen fireworks and some like people walking, but no big floats with lights. Anisa hurt her leg running with us and all that standing was really hurting her leg and by this time I was kind of sick of the cultural experience....that's what I called having all these people touch me and stand so close to me. One lady seriously had her fat belly/bladder thing right on my butt and her boobs on my back while this other lady had her baby basically laying on my back and just lots of touching and closeness and pushing so kind of annoying. So anyways by this time we were tired of it and her leg really hurt so we left. Good thing too because she barely could make it home. I felt really bad for her.
  On Sunday I had my last time in my ward here. It was a good Sunday the lessons in Sacrament were very good. All about having the Spirit of Christmas in our lives and Remembering Christ and Having Gratitude in our Hearts Always. It was really good. Then later that night my Relief Society President and Counselor came over and gave me a present and one for Crystal. It was just the sweetest thing. Even here Relief Society is the same. The sisters just serve and love others. I loved me ward here they were so great. I have been blessed in so many ways.
  Now time is drawing to a close I realize that it is not so much the beaches or the places in Costa Rica, but the people. My family here and all the friends that I have made and been blessed to know. They have all made me a better person by knowing them. Thankfully we have facebook to keep in contact right?
I hope that all who have read this weren't too bored with all I had to say and got a little bit of what life was like in Costa Rica. I hope someday I can return to this beautiful land with my sweet boy. I love you all! Have a good night

Feliz Cumpleanos a Mi!

 so happy to see some cactus

 lots and lots of fruit 

just more fruit and veggies 

 My mamita and my cake:) 

 My present! 

 Me wearing my present!!!

ring and chocolate from two of the most amazing friends

   It has been a really good week.  On Sunday after sacrament meeting Crystal, Anisa and I went to La Feria or a farmers market. It was really cool. I put some pictures above from La Feria. There was a TON of fruit and veggies. I had a lot of fun just looking around...there were some weird fruits and veggies I've never seen and lots that I do know. I had a lot of fun just walking around and enjoying the day and all the different foods. On the way out I bought a bag of blackberries for only $1. It was so awesome and they were AMAZING! I think Anisa and I are going to go back this Sunday so I can get some more.  After a nice day of exploring we all went home and bummed around the rest of the day.  

  On Monday after running in the morning we went to the artisan market to finish our shopping...I ALMOST finished just have to go tomorrow to get one more thing and then go to the grocery store to get some salsa and stuff to bring home. But anyways while we were there we saw two sister missionaries and started talking to them. One was from Utah and the other from Honduras. It was neat seeing them and being able to talk with them.  

   On Tuesday I just worked on my PT presentation all morning and got it all ready for the next day.  Then just went to school and did all that normal jazz and hung out with Crystal for a while.  So my mamita left for LA for a month yesterday so on Tuesday night we had a big dinner with all her family...it was like a big Christmas dinner and then also slash Rachel's birthday dinner. It was just really fun and tasty.  Then after they brought me out cake which was very tasty and gave me a present which turned out to be a red hat that says Costa Rica on it. They are just a bunch of sweeties doing all of that for me. I just appreciate them so much. I am so blessed to have such a GREAT host family here. I couldn't ask for any better.  

  Well yesterday was my birthday...big 21 now haha. Don't really feel older. But it was a great day. I appreciate everyone who said happy birthday and even those who couldn't or didn't know. I just love you all. I won't up to Feliz Cumpleanos on my door from my wonderful roommate. She is just great! So that morning I just prepared for my big presentation. Went to school and gave it...talking for an hour felt like forever in some ways and not so bad in others. I don't think I would be a good teacher though.  My teacher really liked my presentation though. She said she could tell I really knew my stuff and when students had questions I was able to answer then rather than looking to her for help. So that was awesome. After class Crystal, Anisa and I went to Mulitplaza for dinner and dessert. I pigged out. But I got up to get something and when I came back under a napkin was something hard, so I moved it and there was this ring and the chocolate that is above!  I had been admiring that ring like the last 2 times we went there and on the last time was just going to go buy it but when I went back it was gone...so I was a tiny bit sad. But instead my two great friends bought it for me. Aren't they just the best? I'm so grateful for them and all of their friendship they are just amazing! But after dinner Anisa and I bought this DELICIOUS crepe and devoured that. When I came home my roommate gave me this cute homemade calendar that counts down the days that I have left in Costa Rica and on each day it has a little Christmas song that she wrote on in Spanish and just lots of cute Christmas drawings. It was very sweet of her. So needless to say it was just a wonderful birthday. 

   Today has been good. Just been relaxing. And went to my last Alternative Health class. That class wasn't always my favorite so I am happy to be done with it. I mean I learned some good stuff and my teacher was very nice it was just a little unorganized and crazy sometimes.  Then Crystal came over to use my computer and now I'm here just listening and watching some fireworks go off and looking at the moon enjoying a beautiful chilly night in Costa Rica. I am quite excited to head home though. I can't wait to see my family and friends and my sweet boyfriend. only 20 days...well almost 19 now I guess and 10 or almost 9 days until I head to Honduras. I am excited. Hope everyone has a pleasant night and a lovely weekend. LOVE YOU!

Never again

   On Thursday we had Family Day with our school.  It was up at a park near our school.  All of the international students and their families went to the park with a dish to share with everybody. My mamita made arroz con leche and it was soooo delicious....I wish I had some more right now. It was a good time. We played some games and just hung out and talked with each other.  I love just spending time with my mamita. I'll be sad when she leaves. She is leaving on December 7(my birthday) for the USA to spend a month with her granddaughter there.  She just had a baby so my mom is excited to see the baby and have time with her family.  So family day was a lot of fun. I'm glad the school does something like that for us and for our families.
  Friday Crystal, Anisa and I went to the Artisan market to finish our Christmas shopping. I was pretty determined to get it finished...thankfully I have another weekend since I didn't get it finished but I got most of it finished which is really good. Only really have to buy for my dad and get a few other small things.  Christmas shopping is hard sometimes, so I hope everyone likes my gifts.
  Today I went shopping with my tica family. Never again. Considering I have family from Honduras and I sort of remember going shopping with them and just the different culture I should have known it would have been the process.  But anyways we went to this mall. First store we got to...spent who knows how long there. Way too long that I do know. I think my mamita and her daughter looked at every piece of jewelry in that store. And every store after that was exactly the same. I went along just in case we went some place where I could buy contact solution but we didn't go anywhere like that so I'll just have to take a taxi to Wal-Mart this next week. I guess shopping wasn't totally bad. I got out of the house for a while and wasn't a bum all day. I need to get out and do things more because otherwise this last two weeks here I think is going to drag on. I am quite excited to go to Honduras. Then home!!! only 14 more days in a few hours till Honduras and 24 days till home. I really cannot wait. I have loved it here and learned so so much, but it is just time. I need to go home. I'm getting quite homesick. But it'll come before I know it. I can't believe I've been here over 3 month now. Just is crazy. Time does fly sometimes.

I have the BEST boyfriend in the world

I got my package and was SUPER excited about it:)

 singing/dancing chicken ha

 all of my goodies 

better view of all my goodies from my sweetness

   Yesterday I got a package in the mail from my sweet boyfriend. He is absolutely the best. He sent me all the little things he knew I would be missing while I am away and he sent me sweet little notes to go with it. It was like the best gift I could have gotten. I'm just so grateful for him and his sweet self.  He knows I'm a sucker for the holidays and this year I am missing some of the best holidays of the year...like Halloween, Thanksgiving, my birthday, his birthday, and Christmas. So to make up for that he sent me a little bit of all the holidays so that I could enjoy them. 

  I went to check the mail yesterday because I was expecting the package and I was SUPER excited to see that it finally came in. Of course it wasn't that easy. The university was too lazy to get it so I had to go downtown to the post office to get it. So right after my class ended at 5 Crystal, Anisa and I took a taxi to the post office. Of course the day we want to go downtown there is a protest so traffic is crazy so we got like a little more than half way there and decided to walk. We just wanted to get there before the post office closed. Well after some walking we made it. Then we waited in line(of course)...because only trusty window 7 was having people go through. Then I got my package(this is me stating the obvious on some things sorry) and we(mostly me) couldn't wait to open it so I opened it right there and then in the post office. It was seriously the best thing EVER!! In my little box was a scarecrow, a pumpkin, a singing/dancing chicken, a tree thing, decorations for the tree thing in a box and another in a little baggie, 2 bags of candy corn, a bag of kisses, and some fruit snacks and random candies. I was seriously AMAZED and Curtis' packing skills. I couldn't get everything back in the box so I had to put some in my backpack. Then when we walked home I guarded that box with my life. I was NOT going to let someone take my box. 

   Needless to say I have the most wonderful amazing boyfriend in the world. He sent me all the little things I was missing and his little present was the best gift I could ask for. How did I get so lucky? I just love him so much! 

Cartago and lots and lots of walking

 My and my mama tica

 my roomie, my mamita, and I:)

 this little guy is on the door to my bedroom

 La Basilica in Cartago

 nothing beats a good ole jumping picture 

 got it with all three of us! 

 some ruins in Cartago 

 my long lost cousin Sara Raquel

so happy

Dientes! I love these candies

    It has been a really good and pretty productive week.  I'm glad it's going like that otherwise the days would drag on and that would be a major bummer.  Well this week Crystal, Anisa and I ran every morning M-F at 10 am. At first it was really hard, but it got better and better. So hopefully this week will be a little better for us. I don't need to go back to the United States totally obese haha.  So not a whole lot went on during the week. Just ran, walked around, did some learning(sort of) and did some homework.  On Wednesday Crystal and I walked to El Centro Commercial Del Sur...which is a big outdoor mall.  It's really close to some places we've eaten and shopped and walked around so I do not really know how we had never been there before..but we hadn't.  So while we were there I bought two pairs of fake Keds for only 6700 colones or like $13. Which I thought was a pretty good deal. They are super cute too. One pair is bright pink and the other pair is bright orange....and I am in love with them.  Thankfully I have them. My keds are muddy and look gross from horse back riding, my tennis shoes are muddy from hiking, one pair of my sandals got ruined here, another pair got ruined at the beach. So basically I have one pair of flip flops, my Toms, and dirty shoes or ruined shoes, but now I have some new shoes. Later Wednesday night Anisa, Crystal and I went and watched Colombiana. It was WWAAAYYY better than I thought it was going to be so I was glad we went. On Thanksgiving we went to the NAU adviser's house to have a little dinner. It was pretty good compared to nothing I guess. But it was nice to be with friends and just have a good time.
   Thursday night I came home to my mama tica and her granddaughter decorating the house for Christmas and I got super excited. It looks so cute now. But it was fun because her granddaughter's son Julian was helping out and he was just hilarious. Now the house is all Christmasy. Then my mama tica and I and later Sara took some pictures together. That was our first picture together so I was excited about that. she is such a sweetie. 

   On Friday Crystal, Anisa and I went to Cartago. That is the old capitol of Costa Rica and there is a huge basilica there where during the holy week and all that everyone(who is Catholic) goes there to worship and ask La Negrita(La Virgen de Los Angeles..their version of Mary) to cure or help them in some way. The basilica is huge and beautiful.  After looking at that we just walked around for hours. We found some cool ruins and some cool shops to look at. At one candy store we started talking to a worker whose name is Sara Raquel and I told her my name was Raquel and my sister's name is Sara and she basically hugged me and said we were cousins. I think from her I got like 4 hugs in one sitting. She was hilarious and a lot of fun to talk to. After spending the whole morning and most of the afternoon we headed home. Then Crystal and I went to the temple with our ward. It was GREAT!! I definitely needed it and just felt so peaceful afterwards.  

   So yesterday was a shopping and walking day. Crystal, Anisa, Jessica, Jane and I walked to Centro Commerical del Sur and walked and shopped around there. I bought a super cute croquet top there that I LOVE! Then we decided to walk to Multiplaza del Este which is at least a good 40 min walk from el Sur and el Sur is like a 10 min walk from my house. So needless to say by the end of the day our feet really hurt and we were done walking.  

   Today was a good day in church.  The primary had their program. It was super cute to see all of them singing and giving their little testimonies. There was one little boy who knew his stuff. He knew all of the songs and all of the actions to the songs. It was so cute. And tomorrow my mamita is going to show me how to cook gallo pinto which is a traditional Costa Rican breakfast. WAHHOOO!

Feliz dia de gracias!

Here are a few pictures that I took during my chat with the fam bam today. I miss them like crazy and can't wait to see them....it'll come before we know it:)!!!

Happy Thanksgiving Family and Friends! Today so far has been a great day. It doesn't really feel like Thanksgiving here, but it was really nice to be able to talk to my family today for a while. It made me feel like I was there with them for a little bit. Being here has made me definitely appreciate all the blessings in my life. I'm so thankful for my family and all that they do for me and all the love and support they give me. I'm thankful for my wonderful sweetness, Curtis, and all that he does for me. He sometimes has to put up with a lot with me and my crazy self, but I appreciate him so much.  He helps me get through the hard times and can always put a smile on my face. I'm thankful for all my friends. For the friends back home and my friends here. Em and Brie I can't wait to be reunited with two. It feels like it's been forever...especially with Brie since it's been since May. I miss my friend Jared who is serving the Lord in Uruguay right now, but I know he is doing amazing things and just being such a good example. I miss my Anyyy(Anya) and living with her and Katie and our kitties and having our random bum days and going to get some Pho together. Ahhh I can't wait to get back and do all of that with her. I miss Heber, Brendo, Alli Rydberg and can't wait to see you all. Thank you guys for being such great friends. I love you all. I'm so thankful for the great friends I've made here in Costa Rica especially Crystal and Anisa. I know for a fact I can go to them when I need to vent or just need some company and I know we will have many great adventures in the future when we return home.  Being here has made me thankful for things I take for granted like my car, certain foods, the holidays, the snow, my Lola, and of course my family and friends. I have been blessed with such an amazing family here in Costa Rica I am truly blessed to have them and be able to live with them. They are just amazing!! I love the Holidays and am grateful that I was able to be a little part of it with my family today. Remember all your blessings and all the things to be thankful for. I love you all. You all have touched and blessed my life in so many ways and can't wait to see you all.  34 days! Feliz dia de gracias! Disfruta y come mucha comida para mi:)

murciélagos, caballos, y un poco de la escuela

Me and my horse Emperador

getting ready to be a pro rider

 isn't such just a pretty little bat...her face screams happiness

 me touching the little sweet bat above

 this little girl was so cute and little 

 felt like I was home for a second!

found this little guy just hopping across the ground while we were taking a little hike through the jungle

 suspension bridge that we walked across 

suspension from the ground 

 walk way in our hotel

biggest chicken I've ever seen(the white one)

     This weekend was a really good weekend. I was a little skeptical just because we weren't really informed about what the plan was or what we were doing or if they were feeding us or anything, but I'm very glad that I decided to go.  So we left San Jose at 9 Saturday morning. There were supposed to be 3 girls including me from my class going with our professor, well one of the girls got sick and couldn't go. So it ended up being just me and this girl named Alejandra, our profe, and the driver named Edwin who has now taken me on 4 excursions.  Well we left and went to this town to just check out an Ebais which is like a little clinic or the lowest level or medical help in Costa Rica. It's crazy. In some places in Costa Rica it can take like a good hour or two to get to a hospital so if you have an emergency and need help right away and the Ebais can't help you which they can't really handle emergency situations then most likely you are screwed. So after some learning the fun began. We got to our hotel....which was very nice I liked it a lot. We all got settled in and went to eat lunch. It was very nice because our meals were included with our stay. So for lunch we had casado. Casado is rice and beans with some sort of meat and usually diced potatoes and/or a little salad. The name is funny to me because basically casado is like married and so they named it that because young married couples could only afford rice and beans and meat so they named if after that.  After lunch Alejandra and I took a good 2-3 hour nap and then just hung out and watched tv till dinner time. For dinner guess what we had...casado. Luckily they gave us some tasty fruit drinks with our meals so I switched mine up to add a variety to my meals. After dinner Alejandra, my profe and I went to this reserve and learned about bats and were able to touch and look at 3 little bats. They were cute little guys. Then we were able to release them back into the wild. It was really a cool experience. A lot of the tour was just us learning about bats from this guy and I know that sounds kind of boring, but it really wasn't. The guy had this passion for bats and just made the whole presentation very interesting. He even showed us these cool nets and how they capture the bats without harming them. 

   So then today we woke up and had breakfast. Guess what I had...gallo pinto which is rice and beans with eggs. Well then we had a horseback riding tour for 9 hours this morning. It was a lot of fun and now basically the only thing I haven't done in Costa Rica is white water raftering which I don't know if it'll happen. But I'm pretty satisfied with all the experiences and awesome things I've gotten to do while I've been here. But anyways my horses name was Emperador. He was very handsome. We walked through lots of mud though and I felt bad for him. He didn't seem to like the mud and tried to avoid it as much as possible. I do know for a fact though that my butt is going to be quite sore tomorrow. It is already sore so I can't imagine what tomorrow will bring. After our tour we got back to the hotel and had lunch...I still wasn't really hungry because I had such a big breakfast, but I knew if I didn't eat lunch I would regret it in an hour or two. So got some lunch and guess what I had casado....again. By this time I was sick of rice and beans and meat. I do not know how someone can eat rice and beans for every meal. It would kill me. Luckily for me my tica mama doesn't do that to us. For breakfast we have some break with cheese and jam and fruit. I used to get some variety like occasionally cereal or something but that hasn't happened for a while which is ok. For lunch I usually eat a sandwich or Ramen or go get pizza or something. For dinner we have rice with meat and salad usually...with the occasional pasta dinners.  

   It was a grand weekend. And now tomorrow my friends do not have morning class so we can do stuff together...go on adventures, run, and just hang out. I look forward to it. 

Remember to Smile!

Us after the talent show

 This very cool tree with the leaves climbing up up. In Puerto Viejo

 Porcupine tree. In Puerto Viejo 

 Eating a tasty lunch. In Puerto Viejo

A delicious breakfast. In Puerto Viejo

 Our room in the coolest hostel 

 From the top of a pretty high tower. In Puerto Viejo

 just chilling at the hostel. In Puerto Viejo

 hiking through the forest in Puerto Viejo

 coolest little tree house/research place

little breakfast area in our hostel. In Puerto Viejo

      It has been a pretty good weekend. Of course it's had it's ups and it's downs, but I think for the most part it's had it's ups. So last Friday the 11th Veritas had a talent show. Originally I wasn't planning on going, but since I have no class on Fridays and no plans and Crystal, Jessica, Anisa, and Jane were going to be in the talent show I went. I was pleasantly surprised by all of the talent that was shared with everyone. I everyone who performed did a great job. Jessica, Anisa, and Crystal were in a literature class and their profesor writes his own poetry and not only that when he traveled to the USA he loved Arizona the most and more particularly the Navajos. Since Crystal is half Navajo he got very excited. Well in the talent show they read his poems in spanish then translate them to english and the last one Crystal read in Navajo. They had some pictures in the background with some music. It was just a cool ambiance.  After the talent show I just hung out at Crystal's house until she had to leave for her trip over the weekend. 

     The next day I left freakin' early for Puerto Viejo with my Alternative Health Class.  After a nice long drive (like 4 hours) we made it there. When we got there this indigenous man took us on a hike through the forest/jungle area.  It had rained that day so of course it was very muddy. After a nice long 1-1 1/2 hour walk through mud and lots of hills and falling we made it to this like house, research area which basically looked like a huge giant tree house. It was so awesome. The guide fed us a tasty lunch then we walked up to this really cool tower where we could see all around. It was just incredible and beautiful.  After a short walk back...you'd think that since it took like an hour or more to get to the place it would take like an hour back, but nope that of course was not the case it took like 20 min maybe. But during the walk home it started pouring..of course!! But it was all just hilarious and we were able to see so much beautiful nature and animals. That night we stayed in the coolest hostel which kind of looked like a huge tree house also. It was just super neat. I liked it. 

    The next day we just went to the beach and hung out. We took this cool walk up to this point at the beach and it was just incredible. I don't have any pictures of it, but it was just such a beautiful view. Then we headed home. It was a good weekend...I needed a good weekend like that. Before I left I was kind of stressing out because of money situation and trying to think of what to get everyone for Christmas and then just being homesick. I think not having a lot to do lately and just sitting at home has made me really homesick. But luckily for me Crystal, Anisa, and Jessica don't have morning class any longer so we can start running more together and just walk around. I would just like to keep busy for the next 30 days I'm in Costa Rica. 

   This past week has been good, but a little slow. Happy for me my money has come in so I don't have to worry about that anymore! WOOT WOOT! I also was able to apply for housing at GCU and even got housing in the apartments and not in the dorms! YAY for me I got so lucky. I may be rooming with some random girl i don't know, but at least I don't have to live with a random girl in the dorms. 

    Today was a great day. I woke up to beautiful weather with a beautiful blue sky, a little breeze and warmth. So I really didn't want to spend all of my time indoors. And any time I did spend indoors today I had my window open and my curtains up so I could enjoy the weather from my room. We just all went to a park and talked and enjoyed the sun. When we were leaving this sweet lady that we had seen earlier and talked to a bit came by and asked us if we liked ice cream and handed us these ice cream bars. It was just a sweet simple act of kindness, but it was great. She made 3 girls days.  Then later Crystal came by and we went and got some lunch/snacks together. And now there are fireworks being lit that I can see through my window. It's pretty. Now tomorrow I'm going on a field trip with my Health Care class...but we have like no itinerary and I really have no idea where we are going. So it's going to be interesting. But you all have a great weekend! I love you all. Remember to smile:)