Abriendo los Ojos por Fin

  Tomorrow is the day!! 3 and a half months later, my wonderful journey is finally coming to an end! This week has blown by, with finals, presentations, and of course packing. I really have not had time to even sit down and think about the huge change that will be occurring tomorrow.

   Thinking about it, I don't even know how I feel about leaving! Yes, I am ecstatic about coming home to my cozy bed, family, and all the amazingness that is Christmas and New Years. But, I am not excited about leaving this warm, beautiful country. I love bazillion different types of fruits I each each morning, the music, my wonderful family, and exploring.

  I'm going to miss the delicious breads, and making a daily visit to the bakery for coffee and empanadas everyday after class. And the traveling- don't get me started on the traveling. At our farewell lunch today, we went around and told about some of our most memorable moments, and every single one occurred at some point while we were traveling. We had everyone almost in tears from laughing so hard!

   These last few weeks have been pretty busy, so reflection time has been limited. I was really concentrated and studying and writing, and on top of that I had to do some Christmas/ souvenir shopping, and now the last few days I have been packing. I'm also still working on a small handmade card for my family. Busy busy! Taking the time now, I realize how sad I am to leave. As cliche as it sounds this has been if not a life altering, at least an attitude altering experience. I have really learned how to take life in strides now. When you stop worrying about the little things and instead start learning to savor every detail, the way you feel and experience life changes.

   I keep telling friends how proud I am of myself because I rarely cry here! Its very true. Back home I am the emotional friend. I get my feeling out by crying, for everything. Yet, right now I can't remember the last time I cried. My biggest fear is that I'm going to get home and forget all I've learned here, make an about face and return to who I was.

   For now I'll remain optimistic. I don't believe the last few months will just disappear from my mind. There is no way the things I've seen and lived through here will go without a fight, they made to big of an impact on me. I think about every thing differently. Development, human rights, the United States and world relations- so many sides to all of these things that I would've never learned from a book. Being exposed poverty, real extreme poverty especially in Nicaragua- I still get a lump in my throat just thinking about it.

  All these things have helped me realize certain huge things concerning my future. I want to pursue international relations more then ever now, and while there are so many sides to it I think I truly belong on the diplomatic side. I decided I am definitely going to pursue my dream of studying law, except I hope to be able to focus on international and human rights law. But before all of this, I want to apply for Teach for America.

  Ok, random much? Yes, its strange considering I love being abroad and I like to look at things internationally way more then dealing with the complexities and frustrations that is the US government. If I learned anything here though, it was that the importance of education is unmatchable. With everything we studied- development, economics, politics, participation, human rights- it all came back to one thing. Education. It truly is what fuels change, and if I can make a difference in any child's education I will be beyond happy.

  Good bye Costa Rica, it has been real!! One last HOORAH tonight before we all fly our separate ways.

  Hmmmmmmmm, where to next??

Day 102

    102 days ago I arrived in San Jose, a bright-eyed student fresh off the plane, leaving the USA for the first real time in my life. I remember being dropped off at my host family’s house thinking, “Wow, this is it,” right before my amazing host mom Hilda ran out of the house to give me a huge hug and tell me how worried sick she had been since my flight had gotten in late. 

Walking in Parque Nacional.

   That first week was a nightmare. My confidence sunk to an all time low, despite the fact that I could communicate better then almost all of the other students. I did not feel comfortable walking through the streets, and getting me to explorer downtown with its throngs of people, tiny streets, and overall dirtiness was like pulling teeth. One of the biggest challenges was regaining my confidence and independence in this new place.  Not to mention the fact that I had to make friends, without the luxury of being stuck together 24/7 in dorms. Facebook became our best friend in communication, hence the next biggest challenge: making plans and meeting up without cell phones. I could have gotten a local phone but I wanted to experiment and see how my semester would go without a cell phone glued to my hand like my Blackberry has been since the day I bought it. Like all things in life, there was no choice but to overcome! Little by little I pushed myself to explore further and further, first with friends then alone. I got over my initial fears, and learned to channel them into awareness and safety. I regained my confidence, and improved more then I imagined with my Spanish skills.

   Although I’m still not allowed to cook and clean for myself, I gained my independence in other ways, mostly these last few weekends exploring San Jose and all it has to offer. I made friends, AMAZING ones! And while I am not walking away with a whole groups of new friends, I am leaving with two new best friends that have helped me more then anyone through the last few months. Together we’ve dealt with homesickness, illnesses, and traveling, tough situations, and yes, even long distance break ups. I quickly got used to the fact that internet was our best way to communicate, and we all have gotten pretty good at getting to the designated meeting spots on time, without losing anyone. 

    When I think back on this experience and how I’ve changed most, I’d have to say besides all the academics and what I’ve learned, I think its been my ability to adapt and keep a clear head when reacting to situations has changed the most. I have truly accepted the “Tranquila” Tico attitude, and I hope more then anything I can maintain it when I get back to the hectic streets of DC.  I have really learned how to just be happy and grateful here, of everything I have, and at all times.

After some gift shopping in an arts market.

   I look forward to returning to DC and regaining my full independence! I can’t wait to be living and cooking again with my best friend, listening to music as loud as we want and cooking what we please. I can’t wait to walk around the beautiful clean streets, go running by the National Mall, and just calling up friends to grab lunch. I look forward to so much, but at the same time I am very sad to be leaving my new family and home. I hope when I get back I can spread some of my tranquila attitude with my friends and family- Oh and cook for them all the amazing stuff I’ve learned to make here!!

    

Update on life here in the CR: My last weekend here has just officially ended! It was a great on though, and ended up being a great way to tie up the semester. Friday included a nice sunny lunch in Parque Nacional, which is downtown. I had never really taken the time to visit this landmark, as it is usually raining. However, this sunny day was brilliant, and besides getting some sun, we got in some great people watching. Afterwards we walked to a local artisan market and did some gift shopping. The market was incredibly small and cramped, and everywhere I turned people were trying to usher me into booths, thinking I was some flustered gringa. Loved the look on their faces when I spoke nearly perfect Spanish right back at them. I am Cuban ya know!! 

   Saturday was just as sunny early on, but because of looming clouds we headed to a mall/ theater after a quick walk downtown. After asking nearly everyone working in the area to tell us about this movie called, “ Todo Sobre mi Desmadre,” we finally figured out it was actually Get Him to the Greek.

     Saturday night turned out to be one of the best experiences I’ve had here thus far. Carlos and Hilda invited me to help them decorate the Christmas tree! I felt so integrated into this amazing family; I was even allowed to put the star at the top! We spent about two hours decorating, listening to Christmas music, and doing normal family stuff.  We celebrated finishing with a toast of wine, and I could not have been happier. This morning I took a nice long jog around the University of Costa Rica campus, just thinking to myself that life could not get better then it was at that exact moment; the sun shining through the gigantic trees, cool breeze blowing, every thing falling into place. Tomorrow starts finals week, my last week.  Take a deep breath and…… GO!

Decorating the tree with Carlos!

                                 

Tico Thanksgiving continued....

Here are some pictures from the actual dinner I cooked here in Costa Rica! Finding ingredients was a bit more of a challenge then expected, but I made due with canned/ boxed food. Everything turned out much better then anticipated. My family here put so much into this dinner it was touching! They set up the fancier dining room which we've never used, and asked me plenty of questions about the tradition. My host mother Hilda gave a beautiful prayer before hand, and we each went around and gave our thanks. They told me how much they enjoyed this holiday and its meaning. Thanksgiving abroad was fabulous, and I felt even more blessed about this opportunity then I had before.