In my last post I said change was here... I didn't quite realize how much. That same day, about an hour after posting, Anne and Parviz told me the real plans - that they are heading to the States! So, I thought, I'm a bit more alone than I thought - but again I was wrong. Don Jesus and his family have been staying at the house with me and I am more surrounded by family than ever. Although I miss Laura and Linda, I have had just about the best week ever. I love them so much. Da. Delsa is such an amazing woman and the kids are all so great.
One thing we've done together is watch a bunch of National Geographic documentaries (Adrian especially loves to see 'videos') - there are a few all-time favorites, namely the Leopard and Wild Boar one, and the one about the Okanawa place in Africa with it's hippos, crocodiles, cheetahs, flood, forest fires, lions, and the last favorite is the one about horses in Ireland, oh, and about King Cobras in India.
They have also brought their TV down and one night we stayed up late to watch the soccer game between Costa Rica and the US. I decided to be the odd man out and cheer for the States - what a mistake. My team was, unfortunately, horrific. Maybe it was the small screen or the bad reception but my goodness, I don't think I saw a single good play from my team. Jairo and Archimedes have not let me forget it. One morning I just talked with Veronica. It was precious. Veronica is an amazing girl - she's about 12 or 13 years old and it is so great to watch her. She is such an adult and yet such a school girl, too. She cooks, cleans, and watches Lisbeth (her 2 year old niece) like the completely capable person she is - and then giggles like a girl her age. We talked about english (I am teaching her class in the school - she was telling me how the boys in her class tease her because they know I'm close with her family and therefore she should know english - and she has to assure them that she really doesn't know any more of the answers than they do), we talked about the tv shows she likes (dad, you might like this - they watch Xena on the weekends), she asked me why I don't use oil in my hair (they all do), and what I wear when I'm not in Progresso.. will I wear my Guaymi dress when I go home? and I said yes, of course, but only on special occasions. I love Veronica.
And Ania's laugh. Ania has such a good laugh. And Jairo teasing everyone all the time. And little Lisbeth who, cutely though obsessivly, is attatched to me - "Aliiichon! hale hadengo!" (let's play!) or "Hagwe!" and "Venga" (come here!) and "migit" (something like, 'do it' or 'copy me'). And when she doesn't understand me or when I don't respond soon enough she goes "eeh?" but loud!
Oh, and another reason I love these people: how they all came to my rescue when a huge snake decided to join me in my bathroom one night. That was an experience. It really was a big snake - like 3 or 4 feet long ... you think I'm exagerating, I assure you I'm not. I was just finishing up my shower and it was starting to get dark (luckily I had had the forsight to turn on the light before I went in - you see the switch is in the other room) I had just turned off the water and turned around again when I saw this tiny head peaking up over the wall on the opposite side of the room. It gave me a small fright and I was saying to myself - oh, I really hope that is really just a small lizard and not a snake. I planned to sort of keep an eye on it as I dried off and started to get dressed, but as I turned I noticed a little movement farther down.. inside the room...
(neadless to say, though not a good thing, I rather lost track of the unidentified little head). There is a hose hanging on the wall there and I had to do a double take as I saw a very large snake sliding down that hose. It was so large that at first I thought, no, that's just the hose... it wasn't. It was a snake about as thick as that hose but definitly darker and definitely entering my bathroom... and me without any clothing on and not wanting to cry out. Because of the insufficient light I couldn't really tell but I think it wasn't a terciopelo.. but there just wasn't enough light to be sure and good grief, let me tell you, I was shaking. At times terciopelos actually will attack rather than run away - and we are in an enclosed space together with no easy escape route (oh, how I cursed myself for having actually shut the door all the way). And even if it wasn't a terciopelo it was still a mighty big snake and I had nothing to fend it away with. Anyways, it got to the ground and slid to my left - towards the door, blocking my only escape. As it got a bit out of sight I got dressed as quickly as possible while still watching to see if it was coming out. When I was dressed and couldn't see it anymore I, as far away as possible, inched around that corner to see what was going on - I was hoping against hope that it had squeezed through a small hole in the corner there... I searched the floor and didn't see it - could it be true? had it just gone? Um, no, it had started climbing the wall behind the toilet and that was the first time I realized just how long the thing was. I don't know if I startled it or it simply didn't have enough grip to make it up but as I stood there watching (in horror, might I add) it fell on top of the toilet and I squealed and jumped back running back to a spot as far away as possible, and I believe I started to wimper just a little bit. I watched it as it calmly (thank God it was nonplussed!) slithered out, along the wall it had entered and as it went to my right I inched to my left and when it started turning the corner.. though it's tail was still quite close to the door, and had it wanted to strike I'm sure it could have reached me, I decided to run out of the bathroom, banking on the fact that it wouldn't actually want to attack me.
Well, I was away, safe and sound and went down and calmly told the Karolina that there is a snake in my bathroom. She called out to her father - and everyone heard and literally everyone there came to help - which might sound normal, but I flatter myself, it was because it happened to me. I have seen countless times when people report snakes - and they report snakes they are sure are dangerous, I had said that I don't think it was - but normally they don't flinch, literally. The day before Adrian had reported to Da. Delsa that he saw a terciopelo on his way to the house and of course she was on the case right away but Jairo and Veronica sitting there next to us didn't even turn their heads. But for me they all came, Jairo with a machete, Da. Delsa and Jesus with a long stick. Karolina and Adrian standing by me to see what happens. They didn't find it in the bathroom and quickly searched nearby but didn't see it; so, my snake is still at large. If I had said it was a terciopelo they would have hunted for it but because I thought it wasn't they didn't bother.. after all it was getting dark and that's a dangerous time to go looking for snakes.
Mostly though, what I have loved is simply watching them as a family. They have the same slight squables as every other family in the world - even an extremely different language doesn't hide that fact - but they all laugh together too. You laugh, and do homework, and laugh, and do chores, and come back from playing soccer, and watch tv and laugh, and eat, and laugh. It's been great.
But now, for the reason I'm here in San Jose once again: I'm here to welcome this year's group of youth who have come for service - they will spend 3 days in San Jose working on the Institute here and then three days in Progresso fixing up the Baha'i Center there. I came up yesterday, called some friends and as always they are the epitomy of hospitality and it's always a pleasure to see them again. After about 15 hours or more of traveling (this includes the usual: 2 hour walk down the mountain, 1 1/2 bus ride to catch my bus 8 hour bus ride to San Jose, a short taxi ride to catch a 2 hour bus ride (during rush hour traffic) to Heredia where they live) and for the first time I was doing it all alone... poor me (and speaking of poor me, without my iPod for I had left it here last time - but now we are reunited and all is good). But then I saw my friends and the world is right again just in time for me to have a good night's sleep. Today I've been making calls making sure the bus driver is on call and everything's all set. I still need to do some grocery shopping to feed these people tomorrow but then I'll head to the airport to meet them coming in. And hopefully from there Lynda will basically be in charge and I'll only have to be there if I'm needed... let's hope!
I can't wait to see Casey and Alex and Greg!
By they way, I've heard from Laura and Linda and I'm happy to say that they are both happy to be where they are catching up with friends and family.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Change is here.
Laura leaves today - in about an hour she will board her bus to Panama City, the first stage of her week long journey home to Greece (she'll spend a few days in England visiting friends). We had a good time at the beach - the food was indeed very good. The waves unfortunately were not ideal. The sea was quite flat until, few and far between, really big swells came but still only the really experienced were able to ride them. I, weakling that I am, did not even try the second day. The sun was too hot and also I knew if Laura and others were having difficulty there was no way I would really succeed... so I just watched and learned. Perhaps next time (after some serious training or something) I'll be able to go in and be a pro.
A friend who's been traveling around Costa Rica came down for a day from San Jose.. which is a long enough journey as it is.. and he came on his motorcycle. Wow. And he had a rough journey as well - the long hours, getting soaked by the rain - twice, the clutch on his bike fell off. Poor guy. But we all had fun and hopefully that made up for it all. We did some surfing, biking, walking, ping-pong, saw 'wild' horses running on the beach, met some new people from Holand, Norway and Costa Rica and had some good food and good conversation.
It will be so strange going home today. I'll get back to the house and everything will seem normal - Doña Delsa will be there waiting for us to return, I'll go in a get a drink of water, then I'll head up to my place and it will be empty. Only a few of my things will be there. I'll take all the time I want showering because no one will be waiting. After dinner I'll go up alone, I won't hear anyone else zipping and unzipping their tents, in the morning I'll start my day without anyone there. It's so interesting - one of the hardest parts about my year of service was accustoming myself to never being alone and now at the end I'm alone again and not really looking forward to it. But really, it's only at the beginning and the ends of the day that I think I will feel it. Inbetween I will be with friends from the community or they will come to the house to visit. I'll have to prepare and give all of the classes that previously we were all doing. And besides, soon a large group of youth will arrive and I certainly won't feel alone :). I wonder what they'll be doing - I've heard quite a few different versions, but I don't know what will turn out... I think tonight I will try to get out the plans from Anne.
Well, farewell to Laura and Linda, it's been a pleasure. We'll keep in touch - you guys need to start that process 'cause I'll still have little internet access for a while - and I can't wait to visit you people in Iceland and Greece!
A friend who's been traveling around Costa Rica came down for a day from San Jose.. which is a long enough journey as it is.. and he came on his motorcycle. Wow. And he had a rough journey as well - the long hours, getting soaked by the rain - twice, the clutch on his bike fell off. Poor guy. But we all had fun and hopefully that made up for it all. We did some surfing, biking, walking, ping-pong, saw 'wild' horses running on the beach, met some new people from Holand, Norway and Costa Rica and had some good food and good conversation.
It will be so strange going home today. I'll get back to the house and everything will seem normal - Doña Delsa will be there waiting for us to return, I'll go in a get a drink of water, then I'll head up to my place and it will be empty. Only a few of my things will be there. I'll take all the time I want showering because no one will be waiting. After dinner I'll go up alone, I won't hear anyone else zipping and unzipping their tents, in the morning I'll start my day without anyone there. It's so interesting - one of the hardest parts about my year of service was accustoming myself to never being alone and now at the end I'm alone again and not really looking forward to it. But really, it's only at the beginning and the ends of the day that I think I will feel it. Inbetween I will be with friends from the community or they will come to the house to visit. I'll have to prepare and give all of the classes that previously we were all doing. And besides, soon a large group of youth will arrive and I certainly won't feel alone :). I wonder what they'll be doing - I've heard quite a few different versions, but I don't know what will turn out... I think tonight I will try to get out the plans from Anne.
Well, farewell to Laura and Linda, it's been a pleasure. We'll keep in touch - you guys need to start that process 'cause I'll still have little internet access for a while - and I can't wait to visit you people in Iceland and Greece!
Monday, May 25, 2009
A quick one
I have quite a bit of news to share... changes are coming. Linda has left this part of the world. She is currently in England with old and new friends doing a Ruhi book 5 study for two weeks before she heads back to her beloved Iceland. I am happy for her - I know how much she was looking forward to her trip to England and to being home in Iceland where apparently the Faith is having some good growth. She is going back with some great skills and I know she'll be a great asset to her community.
The community was really sweet saying good-bye to her. She hadn't planned on having a despedida (a good-bye party) but the very last night she was there they threw something together at the Baha'i center and many people came to wish her well in the future, tell her how much they appreciated her service in the community, and to assure her that she would always be welcome back in Progresso.
I am also getting ready to say goodbye to Laura. She also has had her despedida and left Progresso. Again, the community came to give their heartfelt thanks, love and well wishes. I personally tried to say a little and couldn't get everything I had planned to say about her out... and Besigo continually teases me about how I "fell" and started crying.. and then when she's done teasing she admits that she almost cried too - but that was my fault.
At the moment, Laura and I are in Pavones, a world famous beach for surfing. Unfortunately it isn't being to kind to us - no good waves. I am sorry for Laura - but for myself I'm not sure I could have handled surfing anyways - I am just not strong enough to get myself out there. Of course, to be completely fair, I am rather exhausted. I have been hiking all over the mountain with Laura as usual, having unusual late nights, and then on Saturday I participated in the community soccer games. I am so sore. It is so weird.. I could have run for much more time.. but my muscles were so tired. I guess I am not used to usuing all the ones you use for soccer. I almost scored twice.. like quite close.. but I it did not happen and although everyone says I played well, they also wont let me live it down.
Anyways, Laura and I need to go bike back to the place we are staying to get back in time for the family like dinner.. everyone comes when the bell is rung to eat together. It is cute. They tell me the food is good. I sure hope so.. I am starving.
more later.. either tomorrow or on Wednesday. ciao
The community was really sweet saying good-bye to her. She hadn't planned on having a despedida (a good-bye party) but the very last night she was there they threw something together at the Baha'i center and many people came to wish her well in the future, tell her how much they appreciated her service in the community, and to assure her that she would always be welcome back in Progresso.
I am also getting ready to say goodbye to Laura. She also has had her despedida and left Progresso. Again, the community came to give their heartfelt thanks, love and well wishes. I personally tried to say a little and couldn't get everything I had planned to say about her out... and Besigo continually teases me about how I "fell" and started crying.. and then when she's done teasing she admits that she almost cried too - but that was my fault.
At the moment, Laura and I are in Pavones, a world famous beach for surfing. Unfortunately it isn't being to kind to us - no good waves. I am sorry for Laura - but for myself I'm not sure I could have handled surfing anyways - I am just not strong enough to get myself out there. Of course, to be completely fair, I am rather exhausted. I have been hiking all over the mountain with Laura as usual, having unusual late nights, and then on Saturday I participated in the community soccer games. I am so sore. It is so weird.. I could have run for much more time.. but my muscles were so tired. I guess I am not used to usuing all the ones you use for soccer. I almost scored twice.. like quite close.. but I it did not happen and although everyone says I played well, they also wont let me live it down.
Anyways, Laura and I need to go bike back to the place we are staying to get back in time for the family like dinner.. everyone comes when the bell is rung to eat together. It is cute. They tell me the food is good. I sure hope so.. I am starving.
more later.. either tomorrow or on Wednesday. ciao
Monday, May 4, 2009
In Canoas, once again... but what comes next?
The rains are coming back to Costa Rica. I can't tell you how happy I am that they are - I was beginning to fear that I wouldn't get to see the rain forest again before I leave. Of course, this means that I now have to wear boots again (and live through a couple weeks of blisters) and it really means that I have to stay on top of my laundry - no more slacking off and then doing it all in one day because my clothes will dry in a couple of hours of sun. No, back to every day laundry that might take days to dry. But, with the bad comes the good: beauty. With the rain comes the colors. I have never seen such blues and greens as I see here. The sunrises are absolutely spectacular. As I walk down the mountain at 5 in the morning I have to simply stop and take it all in at least 7 times before I reach the bottom. Across the valleys the mist passes through. Over the bay there are dark storms, that sometimes come our way, but sometimes just let us know they're there with the sound of distant thunder. I love this weather.
There are, I admit, times it goes a little too far. For instance, a couple weeks ago, lightning struck a tree about 2 meters away from the girls house. It practically exploded. The bark flew off the tree, the tree itself split and it was smoking - literally for seconds it was on fire. I, personally, was a bit "asustado" and I ran out of my house without my shoes, in the rain, getting my book wet and my feet very muddy. I saw the bright lightening, the smoking tree, heard the popping of the tree and I was not positive that it wasn't going to fall over and crush my house right then and there. I realize now that it will take a while for the tree to actually die and fall but at that moment I wanted to get to as low ground as possible.
Even so, I am really looking forward to sharing it all with Casey and Alex and Greg. I am so glad they get to experience it. Can you believe it's only a little over a month away? By that time both Linda and Laura will have gone. I will be alone, thinking continuously that I have only a few weeks left, and then they will come and cheer me up! I will forget that I soon will go back home and need to search out the world and find a new place for me in it. Of course, I know that for a few weeks my place will be home (perhaps even months!) and it will feel completely right. I am so excited to see everyone in Huntsville again - my family and friends have been missed (I'll probably realize just how much when I get there again). I do fear that in this current economic situation I will not have quite as many opportunities to choose from as I might otherwise have hoped, nevertheless I am hopeful and really interested to see where life takes me next and what great things I'll get to do. After all, it's an interesting question: what comes next?
There are, I admit, times it goes a little too far. For instance, a couple weeks ago, lightning struck a tree about 2 meters away from the girls house. It practically exploded. The bark flew off the tree, the tree itself split and it was smoking - literally for seconds it was on fire. I, personally, was a bit "asustado" and I ran out of my house without my shoes, in the rain, getting my book wet and my feet very muddy. I saw the bright lightening, the smoking tree, heard the popping of the tree and I was not positive that it wasn't going to fall over and crush my house right then and there. I realize now that it will take a while for the tree to actually die and fall but at that moment I wanted to get to as low ground as possible.
Even so, I am really looking forward to sharing it all with Casey and Alex and Greg. I am so glad they get to experience it. Can you believe it's only a little over a month away? By that time both Linda and Laura will have gone. I will be alone, thinking continuously that I have only a few weeks left, and then they will come and cheer me up! I will forget that I soon will go back home and need to search out the world and find a new place for me in it. Of course, I know that for a few weeks my place will be home (perhaps even months!) and it will feel completely right. I am so excited to see everyone in Huntsville again - my family and friends have been missed (I'll probably realize just how much when I get there again). I do fear that in this current economic situation I will not have quite as many opportunities to choose from as I might otherwise have hoped, nevertheless I am hopeful and really interested to see where life takes me next and what great things I'll get to do. After all, it's an interesting question: what comes next?
Saturday, April 18, 2009
It's been too long.. appologies
Wow, it really has been a long time since I've done this... sorry about that. I haven't had much internet time lately it seems.. but that's also not completely true I guess. Well let's recap about a few things.
Ok, so long ago there was life as usual. Then came the fast.. and there was life as usual except that I was hot and thirsty the whole time. Then came my family!! (well, some of it anyways)
We had an awesome vacation (at least I really enjoyed it). They flew in to Panama City, Panama so I traveled (in all) about 11 hours to meet them there on a Saturday night. Sunday morning we went to the Temple and it was really nice - unfortunately it was the height of the dry season so it wasn't green and misty and beautiful like I remember it the first time - but it's still peaceful and beautiful. Next it was time to get to a tropical beach! but to break up the long bus ride we stayed the night a bit over half-way at a hostel called the purple house... and that night we walked to a little restaurant and had the best batidos ever (basically they're fruit smoothies only with tropical fruit like papaya and lots of sugar - very yummy). The next day we hopped a bus to the crazy boarder, crossed over, and continued on our way to Zancudo! There we spent two days completely chillin' It's such a peaceful place. I really do enjoy it there. We played in the waves a bit.. walked along the shore (I love that there are really very few people ever there).. and played with the camera :). Then we headed up to Progresso to check out where I live and what kinds of people I hang out with and what sort of things I do! Unfortuantely, for me that meant back fasting for two days. And also unfortunately it was still the height of the dry season and to me everything looked so dead and drab when really this is the most colorful place ever! Really, it's the colors of the rainforest that I will miss so much. Mostly it's just greens and blues but the colors are soo.. colorful. I wish I could have shared that. So, in Progresso we visited some of the neighbors, held some baby parots, drank some fresh coconut juice (milk?), Casey came with to see if I ever actually did anything worthwhile and spent the whole time disturbing the pre-youth class (gosh Casey, stop throwing things at the oh so adorable Progresso kids!) headed up the mountain on my favorite (though by far hardest) walk (three cheers for Mom, and sisters too), and then down the mountain to celebrate Naw-Ruz at the Baha'i Center (about a bazillion cheers for Mom and sisters for doing both of those walks in one day - quite impressive). Then, early next morning it's time to head back down the mountain and up to San Jose on the long -though admittedly beautiful - bus ride. We stayed at friend's Hesh and Zar's house (eternal gratitude to them for their so special and never ending hospitality). And, woops, I couldn't actually make the very last leg of the journey - the taxi ride to the airport. I'm afraid I got food poisoning (or something) that night and had to simply send them off in a cab and go back to bed. My appologies for a not so wonderful goodbye.
About a week or so later, Laura's family came to visit. Her mother from Greece and brother who lives in Switzerland both came for almost two weeks - so they actually had like 4 days or so to explore Progresso. With this excuse Laura, Benjamin, Linda and I tagged along behind Don Jesus and visited an area that's untouched... wow, so that's the real rainforest. Benjamin was swinging of vines, we were walking the ridges of mountains, and finally we came to the Rio Claro and up to a little waterfall with a beautiful little swimming pool. We were jumping off rocks and Don Jesus caught a lot of shrimp - so big and yummy! and we built a little fire and cooked them to have with our lunch. It was a very nice day (though hard over 6 hours of hiking altogether). So then they left to enjoy other scenic spots in this part of the world...
... and then came another Instituto. Meaning, friends from El Salvador came and we had a week long intensive Ruhi book course. The people from El Salvador are so wonderful - it's always so much fun to have them around. And, I met Kelsey Bulkin - and people, wow, amazing voice. At the moment she's setting prayers to music and my goodness, it's just beautiful. She's got a myspace.. if you want to hear beauty check it out.
and now we're almost back to life as usual. Although, the national convention is this coming weekend.. so not quite.
oh, and there was one more thing throughout all this. A couple months ago Linda sent me an application for a future job opportunity so I had to fill that out and send it in, and then about a couple weeks ago I came down to have an interview. So, thanks to her I've been thinking about my future a lot recently... which is hard to do when you have no idea what it will actually be.. and when all you really want to do is live in the present and enjoy the right now because you know it's simply the best. So, I'm still waiting to see what happens. It simply comes down to was I the best they had to choose from or were there others better. We'll see. I could be living in Huntsville searching for jobs.. or in August I could be moving to Virginia. We'll see.
It's sad that the time here is coming to an end. Both Linda and Laura are already beginning making their final plans for leaving. They both have only a little over a month left. My goodness. Change.
And I just found out that my counsins Alex and Greg are gonna come on the youth trip in June!! Now I'm really looking forward to the youth trip! And this is unconfirmed but I think Casey is gonna come too! Yay even more!! I wonder what we're gonna think of for them to do?
And then, after that - I should be home to celebrate July 4th with everyone in true Hunstville style!
so.. that's my recent past and future in a (rather large) nutshell ... but pictures are worth a thousand words, so they say, so look at facebook for details!
Ok, so long ago there was life as usual. Then came the fast.. and there was life as usual except that I was hot and thirsty the whole time. Then came my family!! (well, some of it anyways)
We had an awesome vacation (at least I really enjoyed it). They flew in to Panama City, Panama so I traveled (in all) about 11 hours to meet them there on a Saturday night. Sunday morning we went to the Temple and it was really nice - unfortunately it was the height of the dry season so it wasn't green and misty and beautiful like I remember it the first time - but it's still peaceful and beautiful. Next it was time to get to a tropical beach! but to break up the long bus ride we stayed the night a bit over half-way at a hostel called the purple house... and that night we walked to a little restaurant and had the best batidos ever (basically they're fruit smoothies only with tropical fruit like papaya and lots of sugar - very yummy). The next day we hopped a bus to the crazy boarder, crossed over, and continued on our way to Zancudo! There we spent two days completely chillin' It's such a peaceful place. I really do enjoy it there. We played in the waves a bit.. walked along the shore (I love that there are really very few people ever there).. and played with the camera :). Then we headed up to Progresso to check out where I live and what kinds of people I hang out with and what sort of things I do! Unfortuantely, for me that meant back fasting for two days. And also unfortunately it was still the height of the dry season and to me everything looked so dead and drab when really this is the most colorful place ever! Really, it's the colors of the rainforest that I will miss so much. Mostly it's just greens and blues but the colors are soo.. colorful. I wish I could have shared that. So, in Progresso we visited some of the neighbors, held some baby parots, drank some fresh coconut juice (milk?), Casey came with to see if I ever actually did anything worthwhile and spent the whole time disturbing the pre-youth class (gosh Casey, stop throwing things at the oh so adorable Progresso kids!) headed up the mountain on my favorite (though by far hardest) walk (three cheers for Mom, and sisters too), and then down the mountain to celebrate Naw-Ruz at the Baha'i Center (about a bazillion cheers for Mom and sisters for doing both of those walks in one day - quite impressive). Then, early next morning it's time to head back down the mountain and up to San Jose on the long -though admittedly beautiful - bus ride. We stayed at friend's Hesh and Zar's house (eternal gratitude to them for their so special and never ending hospitality). And, woops, I couldn't actually make the very last leg of the journey - the taxi ride to the airport. I'm afraid I got food poisoning (or something) that night and had to simply send them off in a cab and go back to bed. My appologies for a not so wonderful goodbye.
About a week or so later, Laura's family came to visit. Her mother from Greece and brother who lives in Switzerland both came for almost two weeks - so they actually had like 4 days or so to explore Progresso. With this excuse Laura, Benjamin, Linda and I tagged along behind Don Jesus and visited an area that's untouched... wow, so that's the real rainforest. Benjamin was swinging of vines, we were walking the ridges of mountains, and finally we came to the Rio Claro and up to a little waterfall with a beautiful little swimming pool. We were jumping off rocks and Don Jesus caught a lot of shrimp - so big and yummy! and we built a little fire and cooked them to have with our lunch. It was a very nice day (though hard over 6 hours of hiking altogether). So then they left to enjoy other scenic spots in this part of the world...
... and then came another Instituto. Meaning, friends from El Salvador came and we had a week long intensive Ruhi book course. The people from El Salvador are so wonderful - it's always so much fun to have them around. And, I met Kelsey Bulkin - and people, wow, amazing voice. At the moment she's setting prayers to music and my goodness, it's just beautiful. She's got a myspace.. if you want to hear beauty check it out.
and now we're almost back to life as usual. Although, the national convention is this coming weekend.. so not quite.
oh, and there was one more thing throughout all this. A couple months ago Linda sent me an application for a future job opportunity so I had to fill that out and send it in, and then about a couple weeks ago I came down to have an interview. So, thanks to her I've been thinking about my future a lot recently... which is hard to do when you have no idea what it will actually be.. and when all you really want to do is live in the present and enjoy the right now because you know it's simply the best. So, I'm still waiting to see what happens. It simply comes down to was I the best they had to choose from or were there others better. We'll see. I could be living in Huntsville searching for jobs.. or in August I could be moving to Virginia. We'll see.
It's sad that the time here is coming to an end. Both Linda and Laura are already beginning making their final plans for leaving. They both have only a little over a month left. My goodness. Change.
And I just found out that my counsins Alex and Greg are gonna come on the youth trip in June!! Now I'm really looking forward to the youth trip! And this is unconfirmed but I think Casey is gonna come too! Yay even more!! I wonder what we're gonna think of for them to do?
And then, after that - I should be home to celebrate July 4th with everyone in true Hunstville style!
so.. that's my recent past and future in a (rather large) nutshell ... but pictures are worth a thousand words, so they say, so look at facebook for details!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Inspiring
This video was sent to me by a friend and I thought I'd share it with you all.
http://www.vimeo.com/2320032
(By the way, there's a picture or two of the Guaymi community of Panama - and I was just there this weekend and met some of them! They are really inspiring... have me tell you about them sometime.)
http://www.vimeo.com/2320032
(By the way, there's a picture or two of the Guaymi community of Panama - and I was just there this weekend and met some of them! They are really inspiring... have me tell you about them sometime.)
Thursday, January 29, 2009
two in one day
what a treat! I just wanted to also say a thing or two about what's been going on the last few days but it didn't really fit with the conference.
I have been out to the bean fields to gather beans a couple times now. And once we get back we have to de-cascada them. And then we cook them and eat them! So, I've had hours and hours of sitting on the front porch unshelling beans. It's a time consuming job getting new beans.
But in other bean news, the weather has not been very good. It has actually rained quite a bit - which is very bad for the one time of the year that it is very important for it to be hot and dry. The process of gathering the beans to sell or to store for the year depend on it to be dry. I've never seen it, but they've described the process to me: they pick the entire plant and spread it out to dry. Then they beat it to remove the cascadas - the pods. Then they scoop it up and let the wind blow away the pods while the beans fall back down. But for any of it to work, the beans need to be completely dry.
What else? Not really very much.. I was sick again last week. I usually get one cold a year.. but that was three in 2008 and already another in 2009... what's going on? I feel like I'm the healthiest I've ever been (for sure I'm the strongest) - why do I keep getting sick? unexplicable. (unless you count a long tiring trip to Nicaragua and some cold weather on a San Jose mountaintop without adequate covering... ). But, no worries, I'm fine again.
Speaking of worries, two nights in a row there have been terciopelos found very close to the house. And, I and Linda will be alone at the house for the next four days... but Don Jesus and Doña Delsa will be there at night at snake time.. so, again, no worries! (note to self, new batteries for my flashlight).
I have been out to the bean fields to gather beans a couple times now. And once we get back we have to de-cascada them. And then we cook them and eat them! So, I've had hours and hours of sitting on the front porch unshelling beans. It's a time consuming job getting new beans.
But in other bean news, the weather has not been very good. It has actually rained quite a bit - which is very bad for the one time of the year that it is very important for it to be hot and dry. The process of gathering the beans to sell or to store for the year depend on it to be dry. I've never seen it, but they've described the process to me: they pick the entire plant and spread it out to dry. Then they beat it to remove the cascadas - the pods. Then they scoop it up and let the wind blow away the pods while the beans fall back down. But for any of it to work, the beans need to be completely dry.
What else? Not really very much.. I was sick again last week. I usually get one cold a year.. but that was three in 2008 and already another in 2009... what's going on? I feel like I'm the healthiest I've ever been (for sure I'm the strongest) - why do I keep getting sick? unexplicable. (unless you count a long tiring trip to Nicaragua and some cold weather on a San Jose mountaintop without adequate covering... ). But, no worries, I'm fine again.
Speaking of worries, two nights in a row there have been terciopelos found very close to the house. And, I and Linda will be alone at the house for the next four days... but Don Jesus and Doña Delsa will be there at night at snake time.. so, again, no worries! (note to self, new batteries for my flashlight).
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