hola :)
I hear that everyone is enjoying the heat on the East Coast...I guess this is my payback for last year, when I was on the beach while you all shoveled snow. It´s actually been a little bit warmer and sunnier these past 2 days, but it always manages to rain at some point.
The resort at Punta Leona was nice, and we enjoyed just chilling out and having some time to take it easy. (Kate, I had my avocado and chips on the beach and missed you enormously)! We did have to run for cover a few times, but the weather sort of cooperated.
Julie is a Yoga instructer so she´s led 2 classes thus far, one was at Punta Leona, so thats been really nice.
Also, a raccoon grabbed my finger thinking that it was food. good times. I love bonding with nature. (true story. details in person).
Now we´re back to work for the week, with lots to get done. Just wanted to say hello!
xoxo besos!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Where Does The Time Go??
Per usual, I feel like the time is just flying by! I can´t believe that it´s already the middle of July!!
So far, so good, and I am settled in quite nicely. My days are pretty busy but tasks differ, and the students, my professor, and fellow teaching assistant are all awesome and really fun to work with. In the mornings I usually accompany one group to their service learning placement, either to observe or to do some translation and clarification if there is a need. So far I have been to about half, and will hopefully hit all of them this coming week, and next. I´ve helped out at the municipality where our students are working with Costa Rican high school students who want to learn more english, and will ultimately create a database with the University of Costa Rica, to help assist the teachers. I´ve also gone to an organization called Un Hogar Para Ser Feliz (A Place/Home to be Happy), which works to assist physically disabled and/or mentally handicapped adults. It´s been really interesting, the projects are awesome. And its nice to be on the other side of these trips, as opposed to the one doing all of the direct service. As Julie (the other TA) nicely put it, we get to ¨get our hands in the pot¨ and be involved where needed, but without the full committment or expectations. And its really nice to watch the students brainstorm and problem solve for themselves, with just a little prodding and input from me. And I get to see so many cool nonprofits and NGOs, which is always fun and eye opening for me.
There have also been lectures on some interesting topics, such as healthcare in costa rica, economic and social development, mental health, and related issues.
We do other activities geared towards cultural awareness too--and some just for fun! Last weekend we went to Volcan Poas, which is beautiful, and the coffee plantation that I visited last time. SO delicious, SO much caffeine, SO much money spent on coffee. but worth every penny...!
Sunday was not so cultural, as I went to watch the last game of the world cup with a bunch of my students, and we ended up going to a Fridays! But it was fun...we had a good time, ate tons of food, and it was a nice, non educational way to get to hang with and get to know more people in the group.
Today we went to EBAIS, the main public health institute that has clinics all over Costa Rica. It was interesting, we got to see a clinic and talk to a doctor there, and it complimented some of the health-related lectures really nicely.
This weekend we are going to Punta Leona, a beach in Guanacaste. I am so excited to chill out and do nothing...we just hope that there is finally some sunshine!! Keep your fingers crossed for nice weather and no rain!
Thats it on my end...looking forward to having some time in New York (and Boston for a few days) in August. But for now, I´m enjoying my second home!
So far, so good, and I am settled in quite nicely. My days are pretty busy but tasks differ, and the students, my professor, and fellow teaching assistant are all awesome and really fun to work with. In the mornings I usually accompany one group to their service learning placement, either to observe or to do some translation and clarification if there is a need. So far I have been to about half, and will hopefully hit all of them this coming week, and next. I´ve helped out at the municipality where our students are working with Costa Rican high school students who want to learn more english, and will ultimately create a database with the University of Costa Rica, to help assist the teachers. I´ve also gone to an organization called Un Hogar Para Ser Feliz (A Place/Home to be Happy), which works to assist physically disabled and/or mentally handicapped adults. It´s been really interesting, the projects are awesome. And its nice to be on the other side of these trips, as opposed to the one doing all of the direct service. As Julie (the other TA) nicely put it, we get to ¨get our hands in the pot¨ and be involved where needed, but without the full committment or expectations. And its really nice to watch the students brainstorm and problem solve for themselves, with just a little prodding and input from me. And I get to see so many cool nonprofits and NGOs, which is always fun and eye opening for me.
There have also been lectures on some interesting topics, such as healthcare in costa rica, economic and social development, mental health, and related issues.
We do other activities geared towards cultural awareness too--and some just for fun! Last weekend we went to Volcan Poas, which is beautiful, and the coffee plantation that I visited last time. SO delicious, SO much caffeine, SO much money spent on coffee. but worth every penny...!
Sunday was not so cultural, as I went to watch the last game of the world cup with a bunch of my students, and we ended up going to a Fridays! But it was fun...we had a good time, ate tons of food, and it was a nice, non educational way to get to hang with and get to know more people in the group.
Today we went to EBAIS, the main public health institute that has clinics all over Costa Rica. It was interesting, we got to see a clinic and talk to a doctor there, and it complimented some of the health-related lectures really nicely.
This weekend we are going to Punta Leona, a beach in Guanacaste. I am so excited to chill out and do nothing...we just hope that there is finally some sunshine!! Keep your fingers crossed for nice weather and no rain!
Thats it on my end...looking forward to having some time in New York (and Boston for a few days) in August. But for now, I´m enjoying my second home!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Desert to Rainforest, Hummus to Rice
Who says you can't go home again??!
After 3 flights (NY to Boston, Boston to Miami, Miami to San Jose) and zero hours of sleep, I finally made it back to Costa Rica! The students all seem great and really excited to get started, which is a good vibe to start the trip with. Dropped them all of at their various home-stays and then, at long last, I arrived at the door of my casa. Such an adorable reunion with my hostmom, and soon after, her daughter and grandkids. It really felt like coming home.
It's still a bit strange and surreal to be back in my neighborhood and school, it feels like I could have just been here yesterday. Very different experience to be here to work as opposed to study, and with different people, but i'm getting back into the swing of things. It will take me some time to adjust, but it's great to be back!
Had an early dinner with my professor, Lori, and the other TA, Julie, and I was proud that I was able to find my way around and navigate like an old pro. Sleep deprivation soon caught up to me and I fell asleep at 9:30...but I guess thats a good thing, I needed to be fresh for today.
We had a full day of orientation for the students, and they're starting to get situated and ready for spanish classes and their service learning. All in all, we're off to a good start.
One note is that I do have internet in my house now...it seems to be a bit shaky and sporadic, but nevertheless, I should be relatively accessible. S0 e-mail and skype away!
Other than my continuously saying things in hebrew, and the fact that it has been POURING, I'm very happy. I'm used to the perfect weather of Costa Rica, and this rainy season business is no joke. I know that its important for the environment and rain forest and ecosystem and blah blah blah, but I want to be dry!! When I was studying abroad everyone back at home was shoveling snow while I was at the beach...and now all of you are at the beach, enjoying the sun, and I'm watching thunderstorms. I much prefer the first option!!
So to sum up: the program looks good, my tan is fading, my belly is full of rice, beans, pineapple, etc etc, and I am settling in nicely.
Costa Rica 2009 friends: it is SO weird to see all of your houses, eat at vishnu (but its still SO GOOD), pass signs for Zapote, and generally be here without you all, and in rain rain rain. All of you need to come back and play with me!!!
After 3 flights (NY to Boston, Boston to Miami, Miami to San Jose) and zero hours of sleep, I finally made it back to Costa Rica! The students all seem great and really excited to get started, which is a good vibe to start the trip with. Dropped them all of at their various home-stays and then, at long last, I arrived at the door of my casa. Such an adorable reunion with my hostmom, and soon after, her daughter and grandkids. It really felt like coming home.
It's still a bit strange and surreal to be back in my neighborhood and school, it feels like I could have just been here yesterday. Very different experience to be here to work as opposed to study, and with different people, but i'm getting back into the swing of things. It will take me some time to adjust, but it's great to be back!
Had an early dinner with my professor, Lori, and the other TA, Julie, and I was proud that I was able to find my way around and navigate like an old pro. Sleep deprivation soon caught up to me and I fell asleep at 9:30...but I guess thats a good thing, I needed to be fresh for today.
We had a full day of orientation for the students, and they're starting to get situated and ready for spanish classes and their service learning. All in all, we're off to a good start.
One note is that I do have internet in my house now...it seems to be a bit shaky and sporadic, but nevertheless, I should be relatively accessible. S0 e-mail and skype away!
Other than my continuously saying things in hebrew, and the fact that it has been POURING, I'm very happy. I'm used to the perfect weather of Costa Rica, and this rainy season business is no joke. I know that its important for the environment and rain forest and ecosystem and blah blah blah, but I want to be dry!! When I was studying abroad everyone back at home was shoveling snow while I was at the beach...and now all of you are at the beach, enjoying the sun, and I'm watching thunderstorms. I much prefer the first option!!
So to sum up: the program looks good, my tan is fading, my belly is full of rice, beans, pineapple, etc etc, and I am settling in nicely.
Costa Rica 2009 friends: it is SO weird to see all of your houses, eat at vishnu (but its still SO GOOD), pass signs for Zapote, and generally be here without you all, and in rain rain rain. All of you need to come back and play with me!!!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Back on the Road!!
Hello again!
I am back to what I do best...packing up and giving my passport lots of love. After graduating in May and supposedly entering the "real world," I decided that getting a job, applying to grad school, and generally being a responsible adult just wasn't for me (yet...). I'm sure that doesn't come as a shock to anyone.
Soooo off to Israel I went for a lovely 5 weeks. The first two weeks were with a program, which was a cheap way to get back to the Holy Land. It was not at all what I expected, and the goal was to teach me about (and then make me become) orthodox. No success on their part, but I met some great people, learned a lot, and had a good time. I spent the next three weeks traveling around and visiting friends, which was really nice and fun and HOT. I had plans to make it to Egypt but did not succeed...however, I did spend a day in Petra, Jordan, which was really amazing and interesting.
While I was there, a bunch of people asked me if I was keeping up a blog again, which was really sweet and flattering...I didn't think anyone except my mom actually cared or read it! So that's why I'm keeping this up again...back by popular demand :)
After a long 12 hour flight back to NY, helped along by some xanax, I made it home safely on July 1st. I have a few days at home, and on the 6th, I am headed back to Costa Rica!
I will be there for one month, working as a Teaching Assistant for my professor from Northeastern. I am SO excited to get back, although it will be really weird to be without my friends from my study abroad experience in Costa Rica. We are working with the same organization, so I am very familiar with the area and the people, and I get to live with the same host family, which I am most excited about!! It will be a fast switch from hummus overload to rice and beans overload, but I think I can handle it.
The trip is the same model as the one that I went on when I went to Mexico in a few summers ago. The students study language and do service learning at various organizations in Costa Rica. They also have lectures, field trips, and some time to travel as well. It looks like it will be a great program, and I'm so excited to get started. There has been so much work and preparation before we leave over the past few months that I am ready to actually get to Costa Rica and put everything into action.
The past 5 weeks have all been focused on learning and practicing Hebrew as much as possible, so I have completely mixed up or forgotten all of my Spanish. Hopefully it will all come back after a few days, but my brain definitely has been getting a work out.
After Costa Rica, I get to spend a few days in Boston, then I have the rest of August to hang out at home before...drumroll please...moving to Ecuador for 8 months! That's right...I am buying a one way ticket and shipping off to South America to live in the Amazon Jungle teaching kids. I will be the Assistant Coordinator of a program that works to bring education to children in this area of Ecuador. More information on that as the time gets closer, but suffice to say that I have a crazy, fun, exciting year coming up! In between all of this I will have to find time to apply to grad school and prepare for real person-hood. But I won't rush that process.
SO. That's me. Whats up with all of you? Please keep in touch!
Happy 4th of July. Lots of love to everyone.
I am back to what I do best...packing up and giving my passport lots of love. After graduating in May and supposedly entering the "real world," I decided that getting a job, applying to grad school, and generally being a responsible adult just wasn't for me (yet...). I'm sure that doesn't come as a shock to anyone.
Soooo off to Israel I went for a lovely 5 weeks. The first two weeks were with a program, which was a cheap way to get back to the Holy Land. It was not at all what I expected, and the goal was to teach me about (and then make me become) orthodox. No success on their part, but I met some great people, learned a lot, and had a good time. I spent the next three weeks traveling around and visiting friends, which was really nice and fun and HOT. I had plans to make it to Egypt but did not succeed...however, I did spend a day in Petra, Jordan, which was really amazing and interesting.
While I was there, a bunch of people asked me if I was keeping up a blog again, which was really sweet and flattering...I didn't think anyone except my mom actually cared or read it! So that's why I'm keeping this up again...back by popular demand :)
After a long 12 hour flight back to NY, helped along by some xanax, I made it home safely on July 1st. I have a few days at home, and on the 6th, I am headed back to Costa Rica!
I will be there for one month, working as a Teaching Assistant for my professor from Northeastern. I am SO excited to get back, although it will be really weird to be without my friends from my study abroad experience in Costa Rica. We are working with the same organization, so I am very familiar with the area and the people, and I get to live with the same host family, which I am most excited about!! It will be a fast switch from hummus overload to rice and beans overload, but I think I can handle it.
The trip is the same model as the one that I went on when I went to Mexico in a few summers ago. The students study language and do service learning at various organizations in Costa Rica. They also have lectures, field trips, and some time to travel as well. It looks like it will be a great program, and I'm so excited to get started. There has been so much work and preparation before we leave over the past few months that I am ready to actually get to Costa Rica and put everything into action.
The past 5 weeks have all been focused on learning and practicing Hebrew as much as possible, so I have completely mixed up or forgotten all of my Spanish. Hopefully it will all come back after a few days, but my brain definitely has been getting a work out.
After Costa Rica, I get to spend a few days in Boston, then I have the rest of August to hang out at home before...drumroll please...moving to Ecuador for 8 months! That's right...I am buying a one way ticket and shipping off to South America to live in the Amazon Jungle teaching kids. I will be the Assistant Coordinator of a program that works to bring education to children in this area of Ecuador. More information on that as the time gets closer, but suffice to say that I have a crazy, fun, exciting year coming up! In between all of this I will have to find time to apply to grad school and prepare for real person-hood. But I won't rush that process.
SO. That's me. Whats up with all of you? Please keep in touch!
Happy 4th of July. Lots of love to everyone.
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