Decisions

Well, I can't really say much here since I last wrote. Not much has happened. I can say that classes are going well and they are almost over. I have only about two or three left. I don't really know that much Spanish, but at least it is a start. I did have to finish my project, which was entitled, "Todo Sobre Mi and Mi Amiga Mejor". I wrote a whole page actually, but I know the tenses were all wrong. I only know present tense and even then, not all that well. I had my dictionary and used it quite a bit and tried to find the correct use of the words, but even then I am sure it is a bit odd. I know all the accents and such were off too, but for the little bit of Spanish I do know, I was surprised to get out a whole page. Again, it helps me as a teacher because I have an idea of what my students are capable. With a little time, concentration, and a dictionary, you can at least get an idea out there. Still, you have to be okay with making mistakes - I think too often people are scared to try because they know it will not be up to standard.

I did not go to the beach once yesterday and mostly stayed out of the sun - which is actually good for my skin. It's so funny that we try to get tanned and darker when we are really just damaging our skin. Sometimes life is very backward (but I will admit that I like be tan, too - it just seems to look better). Now that I am older and can visibly see the damage that has been done, I understand it better.

There were several people at our house again yesterday, but still I ate with just Anne and Susanna usually comes and sits for a bit and eats a little. When we came home, Antony, the cousin who is the taxi driver, was there with his English/Spanish dictionary. I guess we've inspired him to pull out his stuff since we keep trying to talk and it doesn't go well. He did invite us out this afternoon to go to some new beaches, to which I am looking forward. Tamarindo is nice, but it's time to see something new. I also pet the dog a bit - Rambo is his name. He is a very sweet puppy. I shared my dark mint chocolate too - I was glad they helped me eat it. I took out the candy I had brought for the son in my host family for Christmas, since we didn't celebrate Christmas and we never see the boy. I share it with people here at school - although the Milk Duds were just one big melted mass. It has to be pretty warm for that to melt into a big mass, doesn't it?

I was looking at the brochure I had last night and think I may take off on Friday now and go to Arenal Volcano and then the next day go to Monteverde cloud forest. That will get me to my hotel Sat. night in San Jose area and give me plenty of time to get to the airport, since I don't know if there will be stricter security. You know, the last foiled attempt was also the last time I was out of the country in Argentina. When we came home we had to get rid of all liquids because it was just a few days after they discovered that plot. Why do these things happen when I am out of the country? Last time I was coming back from Europe we were stuck in London due to a strike. On my way to Kenya I saw them arrest a man right beneath our plane we left on a few minutes later. Hmm...no wonder flying makes me nervous. Although I have to admit that terrorist attacks don't seem to scare me nearly as much as just the idea of the plane falling out of the sky. I think part of it is that I just don't understand aerodynamics well and don't get the idea of having no soil under my feet - just air. Anyway, I am still praying for my miracle of loving flying. I am not at that point, but my trip here was fine - not enjoyable, but fine. I'm praying for the LOVE of flying. :)

Alright, I am going to sign off. I think I may walk down and talk to some people about my possible trip this weekend before I fly home. Hasta luego!