Shaking things up!

This morning at 4:55am things really got shaken up around here! I felt my first earthquake in Costa Rica! I don't normally get up this early but I set my alarm for 4:45 because I wanted to do a few things before work. I am wondering if I would of even woke up for the earthquake if my alarm didn't already go off! Maggie was also pretty sleepy and only woke up for a few seconds and just sat up as if to say "really, can you stop not I'm trying to sleep!!" I didn't even realize what was happening at first, I though just a really big truck was passing by at first and then when it didn't stop and got stronger I realized I was experiencing my first quake! So, then I HAD to know the magnitude. I kept refreshing the "todays earthquakes" page on my phone and then it finally came up and this is what I saw:

 A 6.1 earthquake! I experienced a 6.1 earthquake!! Then later they changed the number from a 6.1 magnitude earthquake to 5.8 magnitude earthquake. This is still stronger than any quake I’ve every felt! The only other earthquake I have ever actually felt was a 4.9 back in 2003. This was MUCH different! The weirdest part was when it was settling back down and I could feel the earth swaying back and forth! Yet another new adventure for me!

Thankful for Pan American Montessori Society (PAMS) in Costa Rica!

I am so thankful that I am able to do my Montessori practicum in Costa Rica! I've been learning a little more Spanish every day and slowly, I'm get over my fear of speaking in Spanish! I have made friends with people in the apartments that I live in, or rather, Maggie has made a friend and that has caused me to start talking with Luna's family (Luna is Maggie's friend). Everyone has been extremely nice and I have really enjoyed living in Santa Ana. 

Although, the main reason why I am so thankful to practice in Costa Rica is because I am able to work with people who also have a PAMS training. Because PAMS is not a huge society like American Montessori Society (AMS) or American Montessori Internationale (AMI), it is rare to find schools in the united states, where everyone is PAMS trained. I feel so lucky because I know many other teachers from my training have not had the opportunity to work with a PAMS teacher. Even though all the teachers are PAMS trained, because they were trained by different people than me, there are still some minor differences in the work being done. However, this is another thing that I absolutely LOVE because we are all open and willing to learn from each other! I could not have asked for a better work environment for my practicum! Everyday I have gone into work I just think to myself, “Wow, what a wonderful opportunity I have!”

Today, I am extremely excited to go to work tomorrow! I can’t wait to see all of the kids again and learn even more! I really feel coming to Costa Rica, even for the short time I will be here, has been the best decision I could have made! I would also like to thank everyone for helping me along the way and to those who have helped me since I have been here. I am truly thankful for this experience. 

First Day of School!!!

Today was the first day of school! Last week was a teacher work week getting everything prepared for the children to come. Today they came and it was simply wonderful! I got to meet all of the kids and they were all so wonderful!! I love them all and can't wait to get to know them better. I really do feel more complete being with the children! Here is a picture of all the teachers at the school I'm working at..

Also take a look at hometwo's website! 

Weekend update, part 2 (aka, saturday and sunday)

The last update took entirely too long for me to put together and I'm sure it took entirely to long for anyone to read. Now I well update you on the second half of my weekend, LA PLAYA!!!  I went to the Manuel Antonio National Park and saw all kinds of beautiful!

We got up really early (4:30 am) on saturday to go to the beach. It was about a 3.5 hour drive. The little blue dot in this picture is where we traveled to. I'm not sure if you can see it but we traveled from san jose. 

When we got there we parked and then walked up to the entrance of the park. This is where I do have one semi-complaint about Costa Rica.. Because I am an "international" and not a resident of Costa Rica I had to pay more for my ticket to get into the park. I understand why they would do this which, is why it is only a semi-complaint. We walked a long way looking at all kinds of plants and searching for animals (that we never saw on this walk) until we got to a beautiful beach. 

When we got up to walk to another beach we saw a family of raccoons wanting some food. This was extremely abnormal because they are nocturnal animals. However, because of all the tourist they have adapted to get up during the day to get food. 

These next pictures of are the next beach we went to. Carmen and I both decided we liked this one better. 

When we finally made it out of the park and back to the area where are car was I decided to get myself a little treat :) The sunscreen is in rememberance of how I forgot to put it on before we went into the park, resulting in a burnt forehead, nose, chest, and arms! Yay! 

We spent a little time at this restaurant and then went to yet another beach to finish up the day. Then we went on a hunt for a hotel. when we got to our hotel we saw this, an iguana! I've seen many iguana crossing signs since I've been year but have yet to see one! Now I understand the need for the signs!!! 

The rest of our night was pretty uneventful. We went to eat, I had another drink. We tried to search for a place to go and dance or something but we couldn't find anything near our hotel. We heard that the restaurant directly across from our hotel would liven up later. However, because we were up since 4:30 we both ended up falling asleep and not going out. Lame, I know, but it was still very enjoyable.

The next day we woke up and got breakfast. This was our view from the restaurant we ate breakfast at: 

After breakfast we went on another little adventure and found a more secluded beach where more locals like to go. It was a very nice beach and we spent the rest of our morning here! 

After we left here, we went to go pick up our babies (Maggie and Toby) from the place where they stayed for the weekend! Everyone seemed to have a great time this weekend! I know I sure did! I loved how relaxing Saturday and Sunday were. I promise next time I go, there will be more exciting adventures. 

Weekend update!

OK, so I've had a busy weekend and I have A LOT of pictures to share!

So far I am loving Costa Rica! I have really enjoyed everything that I have done so far but I've been a little spoiled. This is my last week before I start working and then my blissful view of Costa Rica may fade slightly. I'll be moving into my apartment on Sunday and then I start work on Monday. This means I have a very short turn around before I get everything settled and start work (this seems to be the story of my life). When I move into my new apartment on Sunday I'll be sure to post several pictures of my tiny little apartment!

That's enough of an update now for the pictures and stories of my wonderful weekend!!! :)

First it started out by going to a volcano with my Carmen's mom, Luisa. I love being able to do things with Luisa because she is so patient with me and my horrible spanish! Our sentences to each other end up being half spanish and half english, the true definition of spanglish. Here is a picture of us at the volcano:

Here is a picture of the crater of the volcano. There was a lake of sulfer that was a greenish color that you can really see here but it was kind of creepy or at least to me it was.

It was really cold and windy up there! I'm may not only be holding back my hair in this picture but also holding my ears because it was so cold!


















Our next stop on Friday was La Paz Waterfall Gardens this place was beautiful and I'll get to those pictures in just a minute. But first, look at this beautiful picture that I took on the drive from the volcano to the waterfall.

I know it's breath taking!!! Look at that beautiful blue sky and that green grass!!! The first thing I want to show you about the Waterfall Gardens is kind of strange but Luisa and I both think its worth sharing!  It's the sinks in the bathrooms! They were beautiful and very creative! The little rock looking thing to the left of the soap was how you turned on the water on and it came trickling down like a little mini waterfall! I want a sink like this in my house one day, when I marry rich! (ok, I'm just kidding it will probably next to my house because I'll be so poor I'll have to wash my hands in a near by creek).

This is the view of the walk way up to the lodge. The lodge was a beautiful hotel where you could stay! So beautiful... 

The first "attraction" we stopped at was the birds! Look at this fun little toucan, I think his name might be Sam. 

I got to hold a different toucan! I think his name is also Sam (I might be a little birdist)!

Luisa also got to hold Sam. He was a very friendly bird! 

This bird scared me like 5 times while we were walking around the bird house! He would just come out of no where! I think he was a little on the crazy side! 

Here is a video of a crazy albino squirrel it was starting to remind me of Finding Nemo and Madagascar where all the animals seem to be a little off when they are living in captivity.  I hate squirrels but this was a little funny and I had to video and share!

Next stop was the butterfly observatory!!! There were literally thousands of butterflies and they were all beautiful! This is a video of them all fluttering around. 

This butterfly landed on this lady and then opened up to show how beautiful it is! 

This is where all the baby butterflies come from! :) 

Next we got see where all the monkeying around happens at La Paz. 

Before I actually came to Costa Rica I heard a lot about how beautiful all the humming birds are here! Well, I havent seen any except for here, I really hope I get to see more soon! 

Here I am with some cows... 

Now for the main event, the waterfall!!! It was BEAUTIFUL!!!! 

 

I took a video of the waterfall so I would be able to share what I was seeing and hearing. Please excuse my shaky camera work! 

Well, I’m back in Costa Rica! This time I’ve got my adorable puppy Maggie with me. It was interesting to travel with a dog but it’s a pretty awesome experience. Maggie did very well traveling. She had a few freak-outs and chewed a hole in her bag but overall I was very shocked at how well she did. When we were actually on the plane she didn’t even make a sound. She only woke up once and kind of whimpered but that was it! I was very proud of my baby! Here is a picture of her waiting at the gate with me before we boarded! 

The most difficult thing about traveling with Maggie when I got to Costa Rica was gathering all of my bags! I had her, a backpack, a purse (with a purse in side), a large duffle bag, a suitcase, and her kennel. Plus the way they have the airport set up in Costa Rica is very different from the way the Atlanta airport is, no one can come into baggage claim to help you with any luggage! I was very glad that Nichole gave me a Wicked Westie luggage tag! I was able to spot my suitcase quickly and take a picture of it before I found the rest of my things :)

When we finally were able to meet up with Carmen we left the airport and then went to her house. I was exhausted by this point! Maggie and I both took a nap and then went for a walk around the area where we are staying for the first couple of weeks we are here! So far Maggie is loving it here! She can walk around, she has a friend to play with, there is green grass, the weather is WONDERFUL, everything a dog could want! Here are some pictures playing around outside! 

I’ve also done some sight seeing since I have been here. Carmen’s mom, Luisa, and I took a bus into San Jose and walked all over the city! We walked for about 2 and a half hours straight! I loved every minute of it! I got to see so many things but as usual failed to take very many pictures. I was able to take pictures inside a beautiful church! 

I also found out that San Jose has a version of the cows in Atlanta but instead they have doves! I like this SO much better than the cows! Here is just one of the many doves in San Jose. 

Now I have to do a little bit of bragging for everyone who has been stuck in the cold! Here is a picture of the weather I have been living in for the past few days! Yes, it has been wonderful! :) 

This is my update for the first half of this week! I’ll be updating again after the weekend! Tomorrow Luisa and I are going to a volcano around here, which I hear is beautiful and then this weekend Carmen and I have a trip planned to go to Manuel Antonio National Park. I promise I’ll take plenty of pictures while I’m out and about. I’m sure I’ll post a few on facebook but then explain them more in detail here!