¡Estoy una estudiante en la Universidad Veritas!

So okay, the Spanish language is finally making its way back to me. Definitely not completely, but enough to at least understand conversations at the dinner table. (Yes, it was that bad before). No, I won't come back speaking fluently. But I am picking up even the simplest of things that make me feel a little bit more confident.

Note to self: Keep practicing the language when I go back to the states or I'll lose it again.

I love my teacher. I love my teeny tiny class of five. And I don't even mind that it's a four hour class starting at 8 am. I'm in Costa Rica where schedules don't matter, and no one wears watches (unless you're from the U.S.). It's nice to have some sort of routine I can follow every day. It's the only time since I've been here that my type-a personality is being paid attention to...probably a good thing.

I really love this university too. It's super artsy fartsy, and there are always Tico students out and about doing, making, and creating all sorts of things. Just the other day me and some other 'gringas' (slang term for girls from the U.S.) were asked to help make an AXE deodorant commercial. Our job was to tackle him in the street--pretty ideal situation considering he wasn't half bad to look at.

The immersion is starting to kick in

Losing my appetite, feeling lonely, sleeping excessively, and crying easily are just a few things I have stumbled upon recently due to some culture shock. It sounds a little dramatic, I know. But it's been four days now, and I'm happy to say that things are definitely looking up. I finally feel a little bit more comfortable with everything and I'm really starting to absorb more of the Costa Rican culture.

And I am very proud to say that the easiest things I have adapted to are the changes in my living conditions. Taking quicker and colder showers, sleeping with a lack of air conditioning, and using a waste basket for used toilet paper (that's right, no flushing) are just minor things that have influenced me to appreciate the small things in life. Bear in mind, I am not complaining. My family is nothing less than generous. I am very well taken care of over here.

"Pura Vida." The literal translation: pure life. But the significance is much more important here in Costa Rica. It's a way of life, implying that we should live in the moment, that life is good. Everybody here is so calm and relaxed. Nobody's rushing. Nobody's anxious. Talk about adjusting to change!

It's awesome.

Okay and dinner last night...I had some great zucchini dish with ground beef, vegetables, and rice, topped with some cheesy, soup-like sauce. So far, definitely my favorite!

Be jealous. Very jealous. :)

Casa de Costa Rica

I'm not gonna lie. Out of all the rooms in my home-stay, I got a pretty sweet setup. Privacy to the max! It's been hard not to stay in my room considering how much space I have.

Not to mention, my Spanish is really not up to par and neither is my family's English. It's easier to avoid the crickets chirping if I just keep to myself. The language barrier between me and the mother of the household has been a little discouraging. I thanked her for being so patient with me though (in Spanish, might I add). She and the rest of the family are really sweet and extremely generous; it's just been hard to express my gratitude.

P.S. I had an amazing tortilla soup tonight with an arroz con leche for dessert. Mi cena fue deliciosa! And that is my room upstairs on the left. Tight balcony, I know.