!No Oso Perezoso's Aqui!

Tomorrow we will have been here for one week. I cannot believe how fast our time here is going.  I wish I could have posted every day but we just don't have the time. :) It seems like only yesterday I met my Mama Tica and her family. I remember being so nervous because I didn't know enough Spanish. After tomorrow night I won't see her again. All that nervousness is behind me know.

Today and Tuesday we were able to go to the Calle Hernandez Primary School to teach English. We had the chance to work with the estudiantes in the first and third grades. They were so cute! It was so fun to teach them the different members of their familia and propositions such as on, behind, in front of, next to and around.  They enjoyed telling us where to go and what to do. (I will post pictures this weekend).

Juan Pablo, Rachel, me and Isaac

Today we worked with the fifth graders also. They are more confident in their English and their teacher Dina has done a fabulous job with them. The schools are very different from the schools back home. Students here have more time to play and be interactive than in the US. In CR they focus on not just the subjects but HOW they fit together to create a bigger picture. It's amazing how much the students learn about other cultures. They are also very excited to learn; not just English but other subjects too. Being the only 'secondary' teacher, working in the primary school was fun but proved challenging because I had to constantly rein in my thought process. Nevertheless, I am still able to take that knowledge and make it applicable to my students. For instance, I can take what I have learned about the students here: having 'Brain Breaks", keeping lessons in context, working in heterogeneous groups, working to "demonstrate not translate" what they need to know and apply it to my classroom.  It was noted that student do better when they are in an environment they feel comfortable in. We could tell that Dina's students were very comfortable with her and trusted her implicitly.

Yesterday we visited La Volcán Poas and it's neighboring crater which is now an acid lagoon. The hike was pretty long and steep but we made it. Our guide Javier is fabulous and knows everything about well...everything! Except the IDK trees..lol Seeing the volcano was amazing. We arrived early enough to actually see where the magma shoots up as well as the path the lava takes on it's way down the mountain.

We have had an intense amount of Spanish this week. I feel like I have learned more in the past 4 days of class than I did in all the years I took in school. Our maestra Ana is wonderful; I love the way she teaches us and puts what we learn into context. What we are learning we are able to put into immediate practice outside of the school. I believe this is the main reason I have learned as much as I have already. Immersion into a culture really is the best way to learn.  We are being forced (in a good way) to learn and practice what we learn. It is necessary to understand and communicate with those around you because they may not understand English. This also makes me realize that while I know enough Spanish to get by (Tier 1 words); I do not know nearly enough vocabulary and know little about syntax. Still, I know there is a lot to learn.

So far I have not felt any of the effects of culture shock.  I don't know if that is because of my expectations for this trip or what. I do know that for me, the culture shock usually comes when I get home. I feel that I acclimate well to my environment but when I return home; home is the same but I am different.  At first connecting and conversating with the my tico family was muy dificil pero ahora it is way easier to comprehend what they are talking about.  I was even able to watch a movie in Spanish and understood what was being said (Yay me!).  Yo necisito más praticar porque I don't have everything down. But I'm getting there.  My mama Tica and I had a wonderful conversation last night. We discussed many different things including some of her past estudiantes. It is amazing that she has been doing this for 12 años!

Tomorrow we are going to visit La Carpio. I am very excited to meet Gayle and her team. I am hoping to get the chance to sit down with her and discuss poverty in CR as well as her thoughts on the women empowerment and the increase of human trafficking here.

I'm off to get some sleep. We've been going nonstop and I will be enjoying a sleep in (until 6am).

This Perezoso (sloth) is taking a siesta!

End Note: Yes I know that this is in "Spanglish" I believe it is necessary to keep it as I wrote it to show how my thought processes are being affected.  

Let the Journey Begin!!! Costa Rica here we come!

There are so many thoughts going through my head right now. This is it friends! I am currently sitting on a very comfy bed attempting to see to last minute details that I know are already done.  I am extremely antsy and can't seem to sit still.  12 hours from now we will be on a plane; on the first leg of our flight!!

I can't even begin to describe the words that I am feeling right now. Exhilaration because I LOVE adventures, being new places, seeing and doing new things. Anxious is near the top of the list too. Doing new things (while I love it) makes me nervous.  I am very Type A personality (those of you who know me are thinking...DUH...) So I feel like everything has to be perfect. I know this is definitely NOT the case, but what can you do? First it was what to bring to wear (shallow I know). Then it was if my bags were too heavy or too big...that got resolved.  After that it was making sure I got everything done for work and home to make me being gone easier for Chris and the kids. Now I am stressing over the gifts I brought my Tico family. It's too late now and I'm sure they will love them but not knowing a whole lot about them; I don't want to make any cultural faux pas and be "that American".

The hardest thing I think for me will be learning to let go. It happened when I was in Zim and I know it will happen here too. As American's we get so focused on time and schedules that we really don't see or live in the moment. I am looking forward to entering "Tico Time". I think this will be a great reminder for the future. Whenever I get stressed out as a teacher; I will remember my time in Costa Rica and that some things are out of my control and to take life as it comes. This time will also help break down the wall of my 'perfectionist' self...another thing I struggle with.

My personal growth will always effect my professional growth; I am excited about this chance to learn more about who I am.  This is all well and good of course, but I am also interested to see how schools work in other countries.  I feel that God has led me to teaching and I know that he has led me to have a heart for international missions and those in poverty. This trip seems to be the chance for me to take a glimpse into my possible future. The desire to work internationally has grown exponentially in the past few years. I am almost certain that God is leading me, one step at a time to work in underdeveloped nations. I don't know when or how.  In the meantime, I will be able to use my experiences from this trip here at home. By living with a host family, I am (albeit, temporarily) becoming a part of their culture instead of being an observer. Even with the language barrier (which will help me empathize with my ELL students) I am hoping to connect with my host families and the students we come to meet. These first hand experiences (the fun and struggles) will give my students a greater depth of knowledge and a more personal investment in their own education.

This trip is going to make me a better teacher, sure; but it's going to make me an even better person.

T-Minus 9 Days and Counting

Dear Friends,

As most of you know, I have been highly anticipating my trip to Costa Rica. Over the past several months my thoughts (and "neurosis"lol) about this trip have taken a back burner to all the other goings on in my busy life.

At last the time has finally come when my spring classes are finished; the last paper has been written and now it's simply a matter of time before final grades come out.  It is now, on the eve of my departure that I am done planning and am (finally) able to focus on the adventure that lay before me. It is also now that I realize the largeness of my trepidation of going to another country with only the rudimentary grasp of the language. Needless to say, my dear husband has been ready with encouraging words (and the paper bag) . LOL (Love you Snootchie!)

Even with my emotional roller coaster (ranging from OMG what was I thinking?!? to Heck yeah, bring it ON!!), I know that this is going to be a marvelous adventure and the trip of a lifetime.  Isn't that what this trip is about after all? Immersing myself in a new culture, seeing new perspectives, learning new things. Oh it's a scary and exciting thing - I don't know if I'm petrified or exhilarated!! As many, MANY of you (my friends and colleagues) have said, I am made for this.

Yes folks, I WILL be one of those crazy, quirky teachers who have wonderful adventures and bring back exciting stories home for my students.  That thought among others will lift me high above my swirling emotions and land me on solid ground. I HAVE been made for this. This is the Lord's plan for me. I know who I am.

I leave you now to go tie up all the loose ends I need to before I go. I leave you with an excited and adventurous spirit and most of all I leave you with HOPE. 

Blessings my friends,
~Lynn

Lord, please ease my reservations and open my eyes, soften my heart and let me speak with boldness in this new place; please grant us traveling mercies and servants hearts. Amen.

A Word of Thanks

First off,  I would like to thank the UNCW Summer Education Abroad and the EEMLS Study Abroad Grant Committees; without whom I would not be able to embark on this incredible journey. You are a blessing. I am honored and eternal grateful.

To EVERYONE over at the UNCW Office of International Programs, thank you for all that you've done and will do for us while we are gone.

Dr. Liao, thanks for keeping me straight with the deadlines!

Dr. Powell, Thank you for opening up this trip (and your home) to me. I expect you will see my OCDness come out a bit on the trip ;) , so thanks in advance for your patience...lol  & I can't wait for us to work together this summer!

I would also like to thank MO and TC for their brilliant recommendations (and the late night texts...), without you guys I never would have received the amount in grants I did.  You ROCK!

My last thanks goes to my parents, my husband and children. Your constant support, encouragement and patience have no end. Thank you for being excited for me and seeing the big picture. Without you, this trip would not be possible. I promise to come home safe and bring back presents! <3

XOXO
~L