Respite from Respite...

I've been working like a crazy woman these past few days, doing respite for HH. I'm working because I know they need it, but it's exhausting. I've already worked 27 hours in 3 days (20 of those were straight) and have about that many left to work by the end of Saturday.

So I'm appreciating the break that was scheduled in for me today. Yesterday was an endless day. I go back from 3-3:30, 5-8, and then sleep over starting at 11pm.

In other news...Sarah comes back tomorrow! I'm excited, although sad she had such a short break at home. We leave in just a few days for Connecticut, a trip I'm really excited about.

Life here has pretty much gone back to normal. Work, killing time, thinking about books for next semester....except now I'm dreading the classes, worried I'll be "bored out of my gourd."

It will be good. At least it's only one more semester. And I have people to talk to :) That helps tons.

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas...

Merry Christmas!

¡Feliz Navidad!

Although the scenery outside remains brownish-green with no snow in sight, (that's only in my dreams, I suppose...), may you have a blessed Christmas wherever you are. Enjoy the day, the people, the food, and everything good about it... Jesus was born today!

Popping the Bubble

It's the new title of my blog. And I think it deserves some explaining. I realize that I haven't posted in a week, more or less.

I'm home. I ran across an airport to get home, but I got home, all in one piece. And as I look back on my semester and answer the "How Was it?" question, I've come to a conclusion for myself. I'm popping the bubble I live in.

Popping the bubble? You ask. The world is large, my friends, and my world got bigger by visiting Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and even Miami. My world is bigger by knowing people around the US and around Central America. My world is bigger knowing different perspectives.

And I want my bubble popped. I want to expand the way I understand things. And so I'm going to be 'popping the bubble' from now on. And my blog has moved from "La Vida Costarricense" to "Popping the Bubble." That's my mission.

beach

beach.
rain.
overcast.
sand.
beautiful.
friendships.
time to say goodbye.
change of scenery.
excitement.
nervousness.
anticipation.

Trying to leave Central America...and they won't let me leave!

Okay, so it's not as scary as it sounds on the title.

I'm in Guatemala City, hanging out in the airport, using free wireless, and waiting impatiently because the connection is slow and flaky. But it works, so I'm not going to complain too much. And it's free, which is rare now in US airports. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 2:55, but it is now leaving at 4:04, putting our arrival into Miami about 45 minutes late. Ultimately, it's not that big of a deal. We're spending Friday and Saturday in Miami for re-entry, beach visits, and a isit to Little Havana, but it would be nice to get there instead of just sitting around in the airport.

My trip to Guatemala was amazing. For 4 1/2 days I worked at a center for malnourished children, playing with them, loving on them, and just plain helping out. It was amazing. I've never seen more malnourished kids in my life, but they were also amazingly happy. Go here
for some amazing pictures!

Tomorow we go to South Beach for the day and have a talent show at night. On Saturday we're having "re-entry" orientation as well as a visit to LIttle Havana. Sunday I fly home, hopefully getting in at 6pm if stand-by works out well!

You can call me cell phone anytime after 8pm tonight, if you're one of "those" people. If I don't answer, I'm busy. But leave me a message and I'll get it!

Jehovah Jaira and much blessings.

One more blog for the road...

Hello my Friends,

I realize that it’s been an eternity since I’ve last blogged. To be perfectly honest, I’ve been swamped with so much to do that I haven’t even had time to go to the internet café. Last night was one of my favorite times all semester - I cooked for my family, we hung out, and I got to give them a scrapbook I made. This week was filled with projects and meetings and tests and all sorts of “end of the semester” type stuff.

Why? You ask. Yes, I do have two more weeks. But on Sunday, we leave for Guatemala. We’ll be there for ten days and then we’ll be spending the last three days of the semester in Miami, doing a “re-entry retreat.” Hopefully the experience will be hurricane-free this time!

Looking back, I’d say it was a good semester. Yesterday someone asked me that if I was given the opportunity to repeat this semester, would I do it? The truth is, this semester was great for the culture experience, for the friendships gained, for the family gained. But I’m not sure I would do the rest of the experience. I ended up having some struggles along the way these past few weeks in reference to differing opinions and frustrations with grading.

So, if it were everything but the way class is conducted, I would do it again. I would do the language school, the trips, the host families, and all of that. I wouldn’t do class where I’m left trying to form my own opinions and feel like I’m drowning or forced to believe (or say) something I don’t believe.

But, I would do the rest again. And I won’t look back negatively on this experience. My host family was such a huge blessing.

In other news, I went to the beach last weekend. Go here for pictures. There are also pictures of “Flat Stanley,” which some of you might understand what that’s all about. If not, you can always ask me later. Oh, and my Thanksgiving pictures are on there too. It was a beautiful (and tasty!) turkey.

Blessings to you all. Until Guatemala, or Miami, or Iowa (or whenever I get to the internet).

Jehovah Jaira