So there's a small group of us ladies that are working here in Costa Rica and every other Saturday we get together to catch up with one another, eat food, and talk about what's been on our hearts and minds. It's been such a blessing to have this kind of community in which we can speak our minds and know that the others support us. Also, we have some pretty awesome conversations!

One week, Kate and Michelle hosted us and Kate had a craft for us to do. So while we cut and glued and ate, we talked about where we are in our walk with God and any issues we are struggling with. Yesterday, we each took turns in telling what we would protest, it could be serious or something not so serious, and was very enlightning for all of us. Afterwards, Kate cut Allie's hair:). Oh, and dinner last night was shark! It was quite tasty I must say:).

Not everyone can make each week, but for whoever can, we always have a great time!

Dia de Independencia

September 15 is Independence Day in Costa Rica and is quite a celebration! The kids at the school worked for weeks before hand learning music things--band or choir or both--and making decorations for the school. The evening before the school had a celebration of sorts in honor of the day. The choir performed and the band also, and the torch (signifying the torch that went through the Central American countries to tell of independence for them) came in and there were a lot of national hymns sung--one for the flag, the national anthem, one for Independence Day, one for the torch...I think that was all:). On the downside, it took the parents 45 minutes to leave the school because of traffic...but you should know that the street the school (and my apartment) is on is only two lanes, one lane for each way. So there was quite a bit of horn honking for some time after the celebration. Thankfully, the next day we did not have school and I could stay up a little later listening to the cars trying to leave;).

There is also an Independence Day parade in each city. Colegio Metodista chose to join the San Pedro parade. Due to the time it began, I did not make it to a parade, but I could hear them, that's for sure!

Unlike the U.S., Costa Rica did not have to fight to gain independence. They, along with several other countries, chose to declare their independence from Spain, and Spain more or less said, "OK" since Costa Rica was not as profitable to them as other countries. Also, due to it's location (really, it's distance from the main cities) lack of major trading allowed those in Costa Rica to create a world far different from the other countries more controlled by Spain. Today, the celebration is just as fun and festive as the July 4 in the USA. In fact, the evening before, the whole country is synchronized (thanks to TV and radio stations) so that at 6pm everyone plays and/or sings the national anthem. It was really cool to experience a whole nation, as one, singing their country's song. I suppose it helps that Costa Rica only has one time zone, too:).

Traditional dances are a must!

Graziella and some other ILE teachers were asked to perform at the El Redentor Methdodist church

the band

running the torch in

lighting the barrel

the choir

On September 14, the school provided a typical breakfast for the kids and teachers. We had gallo pinto (rice and beans), fresh bread, and I opted out of the sour cream:). There were also marimba players playing traditiong music for us. I was in heaven--food and music!

first grade girls

first grade boys

the cart is a traditional symbol in Costa Rica



the marimba players!

it was so fun to see the kids in awe of the musicians

oh, the boys!

Manuel is an extremely enthusiastic soccer player, Costa Rica all the way! So on his work, he colored the pictures as the nation's flag!

there are several missionary kids in the school, and they serve as life-saving translators at times:)

second grade has begun studying space!

makind a solar system

Last Friday, I joined Andrea at a Mother's Day celebration the Lion's Club of Costa Rica hosted, which her mom had organized. This picture was towards the end, and the little old lady was dacing (salsa I think) and it was so cute! Latin dances are so much a part of the culture, all ages will dance! It was so much fun to see:) The whole deal was a lot of fun for me. I was the only gringa there among 100 or so Costa Rican women, and Andrea was the only one who spoke fluent English! I loved it! Afterwards we went to her parent's house to visit for a little while, and I met her younger sister. Her parents were very kind and welcoming, which is not unexpected here:). As it happened, her dad can understand enough English, and I enough Spanish, that we were able to speak our native tongue, with the foreign when needed, and understand each other! So the rest of my evening was a beautiful mix of both languages as we spoke about Obama (which was rather interesting), nearby beaches and what they offer, what Texas is like now and when Andrea and her husband, Geoge, (hopefully) come visit, and I don't remember what else! It was such a wonderful afternoon and evening!

Mother's Day was a few weeks ago and is a highly celebrated day here because the mama is the one who really takes care of ya! So at church, all the mothers went up and were prayed for and acknowledged. I also realized they make up the bulk of this church's congregation!

We have started Science Fair Experiments! This one was a lot of fun since they kids got to make noise:). It was also too cute to pass up for a photo-op! So far, we aren't wanting to pull our hair out over these projects, which is saying something I think--I mean, we have six classes of projects, and 8 groups a class....that's a lot of experiments! The kids are excited about doing them though, so right now that's the perfect motivator we need to get them to keep working:).

this experiment was to simulate how a frog gets its food

Of course, we also have the little ones who, no matter how many times you tell them to keep working, they still come up to give you pictures or make faces at you! Then they tell you, "I love you T.!" and give you a hug and you wonder why you can't make them work....;)

a pastor's son...he's actually quite the good worker and quiet and creative!

So for you gardeners, I know weeds are your constant enemy. But how many times do you have to worry about getting weeds out of your driveway or parking lot? Well, as you can see, our parking area is made of these weird concrete things that are like squares paired together...with holes, basically, to help with friction and flooding problems when it rains. On the down side, they are the perfect habitat for weeds! So one of many odd jobs that you won't really see in the states is a man coming in and weeding the parking lot!

Teaching at the school is going well. We've started work on the Science Fair projects, which is no small task this year! I have six classes, six groups per class, of projects to do and have the kids completely ready with them by late September! We'll be running through lessons in the near future, that's for sure! While I have not been in the high school again this semester, I will be meeting with the principle to discuss possibilities for next year. This is also a new development thus far for me: I plan to stay in Costa Rica until July-ish of next year, then within a month or so end up back in Cookson, OK, working with the people in that area, predominately the Cherokee. But until then, I'm very excited about what next year might hold for me! I am also planning on doing some work with the mission teams that come down here, mostly provide help for VBS's and such so I can continue to work in the Colegio in the mornings.

pilgrims to La Negrita

August 1 was the final day of the Catholic's pilgrimage to La Basilica de los Angeles de la Virgen in Cartago, about 1 hr. from my apartment. Some of the pilgrims walked all the way from Guanacaste (a 5 hr. bus ride from San Jose), and started the Sunday before. Over 400 years ago, Mary "appeared" to a little girl as a doll, whose name/image is now known as La Negrita (little black doll) and this Mary is the patron saint of Costa Rica. All Catholic's are "encouraged" to make the pilgrimage to her church each year to ask forgiveness. This year, approximately 2.3 million people--the equivilent of the central valley's population--walked to the Basilica. The reason for so many? Last year's was canceled due to swine flu. (I find this ironic, for some reason.) The Basilica is extremely beautiful, and should the Pope visit, well, you'll know where to find him. However, aside from it's beauty, the building has a strange feeling inside. Not surprising, I suppose, when you see people walking on their knees to La Negrita.

Michelle, Denita, Graziella

A few weeks ago, my tutor (the one with the purple and pink skirt), Graziella, and her dance group performed tipical Costa Rican dances for the community. A group of gringas, dancing like ticas....it was really fun! She put in a lot of effort, and they danced great! The white dress is more common to the more social, city-girl dancer, while the middle dress is common from the country. The bright colors of Graziella's dress are tipical for dancers who put on shows--they are fun and flashy! Each of the dresses in the picture and of the women in the whole groupd are hand made, even the decoration on the blouses. Talk about an act of love! I also hope she can teach me, and that I can get a dress for myself:). Also, she is an extremely talented spanish teacher, and I am very blessed to have her tutoring me 4 hours a week. I can understand quite a bit now! For instance, Sunday I ended up in a drug awareness session for teenagers (long story!) and I understood 80% of the presentation! I'm very excited about that!

A few weeks ago, we had a Music Day at school. The different musical groups of the school performed some pieces, along with a high school duet pair. The choirs were fun to hear and do well. I just wish the high school was not still forcing the kids to play recorder. Hopefully, I will be able to help out in some way. One music teacher is teaching some of his students some other instruments, but said equipment is old and of a limited variety, as the pictures show. This is another area I'm trying to help with.

A few weeks before I left for vacation, I was able to visit the orphanage site. The walls are up and some flooring was done, by now probably all done! It is very exciting to see it going up. I know the Tatum family is very ready to be in their home:), though Meredith and I will miss them terribly!

I have had a wonderful time back in Texas for vacation! Lauren and Jon's wedding was absolutely beautiful and went very well. Same for the reception. We all had a wonderful time, and I was able to visit with many friends, catch up, and just have fun with them! I can't wait to see her pictures. And thankfully, I didn't make a single mistake when I played piano at the wedding, of which I am very proud of myself for doing. I don't think that's ever happened to me before! Then Mom and Dad and I headed up to Ruidoso, NM for a few days. It was great! You could smell the pine trees in the air, and it was in the 50's when you woke up in the morning! One day we went to the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site north of Tularosa. It was awesome! I was in heaven, aside from the scorching heat, that is.

Well, vacation time is finally here! I managed to finish things up for the semester at the high school (hope they figured out the rest!) and the primary had it's English Day. Meredith's brother came in Wednesday afternoon and we headed up to Volcan Arenal for a few days! It was a great trip and the place just beautiful! The volcano even rumbled several times a day while we were there, so that was fun:)! And the breakfast...absolutely wonderful! Of course, I like any kind of free food generally:).

I went to church today with a team from Georgia. Allie's parents are heading it up, so it was fun to see them again. Her mom translated the sermon, which was really cool to see. I was proud of myself for catching most of it! Granted, he had to pause for the translator, which is a huge help, but hey, I got it! It was a really nice service. They have a band that leads the worship music, and you could really feel God's presence among those singing and worshiping. It was awesome!

Well, I'm heading back to Texas tomorrow for a wedding this coming weekend, and to renew my visa:). And to see family and friends, of course! And I'm very excited to be going back:). Six months is a very long time to go without anything from home or being there. It's also going to be a time for me to be emailing and praying about this coming semester and next year. The principle's got some ideas, but I'm not sure we're on the same page and was unable to keep our appointment to discuss them, so please pray that the right thing will come about, whatever it may be.

My plant is still alive! Although, I'm not sure if it should be getting more sun...it's hard to tell:) I'll move it before leaving tomorrow, and when Meredith returns from Panama this weekend, she can be the judge:) She and the Tatum's are heading south tomorrow before I leave to renew their visas too! I just wish the timing had worked out to where I could join them:).

And now I must finish the last few things for tonight and get my beauty sleep, because tomorrow's going to be a long day! Keep my travels in your prayers!

Paz