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!!!