Feliz año nuevo

Blog more? Yes, I would say that is one of my resolutions for 2014. 

I started this blog with the intention to post often about my experiences and such while living abroad, but so much changed all at once for me. Naturally, my focus was elsewhere, with all that comes with a new country, new language, new job, new friends, new everything! I have missed expressing myself through writing and would love to have this whole experience printed into a hard-bound paper copy one day (as I did with the blog I kept while attending NYU). So, here I go.

Already this year is off to a killer start. My long-time close friend, Michelle Hammond, has moved to Costa Rica to live with me!  I could not be happier about the situation.

She is such a great friend who I've know since I was 14 years old. We've always gotten along so well. One of my biggest struggles the first 6 months of living here has been loneliness. In a very short amount of time, I've become friends who some amazing and wonderful people.  

I just realized, I need to start taking more photos of people and not things. The picture above is one of few I have of these great people I'm talking about. To know them all has been such a blessing. However, it just isn't the same as having a long-time friend with whom to share the experience. To live alone is not my favorite thing in the world, as it turns out. It's only been a day and I can already feel the difference. I lived alone for the first time beginning when I bought a house in 2012. In total, I lived alone for about 1.5 years and hope to do so never again.

2014 is a wide-open book with blank pages. I really have no idea what it holds, besides great things. I'm nervous and excited as to what could be around the corner. I decided not to continue teaching English as I have been since coming to Costa Rica. 

I'm not ruling it out completely as an option and am considering trying my hand at private tutoring lessons. We shall see. 

What I do know for the immediate future is that I want to do some traveling with a purpose, volunteering somewhere in need and learning Spanish better. So, I guess I would say those are resolutions number 2 and 3. Wait, no. They are number 1 and 2. Blogging about those experiences is third. Priorities, people.

Again, I know great things are to come this year.  2013 was a challenging, progressing year. I finally accomplished a goal I've had for years (to certify and teach English as a foreign language abroad) and, in the process, I have learned a lot about myself. Here's to more of that and much more this new year!

Estoy Cansada

Yes, I'm tired. Very tired. I took on a lot all once and I'm feeling it. It's good to be busy doing what I came here to do, though. I'm grateful so much for the opportunities available and am trying to take advantage of it all. Next month should be better, once in more settled and accustomed to the routine I've for going on.

I'll post more later when I'm not so tuckered out. 

La Semana Primera

The first week.

I successfully complete my first official week of teaching English! It was intense and a lot of material making, but all done!

Time for next week! I procrastinated preparing for next week and am quickly learning that this will not fly. This program is still fairly new, which means there is not just a book of ready-to-go lesson plans for my taking. I'm lucky because I came at a time when there are most or some completed lessons and materials to go along with those lessons, but it's still very much in the tweaking/growing phase. Even though it's a lot more work, I'm excited to be a part of the growth.

Tomorrow starts the high school gig! This job makes me more nervous, for several reasons. First, it's for real. This is high school, not an evening class that someone is paying for because they want to learn English. Second, this is high school, and that means teenagers. And connected those teenagers are parents. I don't know what's going to be worse. Ha. One plus side is that I'm not creating lessons from scratch. They have a textbook we work from, so that's easier than the first job, as for lesson planning. 

Tutoring also starts this week. I'll be going to a third school to tutor these two girls. Here's one of them:

She drew a picture of me (her interpretation). So sweet. I may only be tutoring them for a month or so. We'll see. The principal asked me yesterday of I would sub for some classes for a few weeks. I'm talking to her about it tomorrow. 

There is definitely endless opportunity here for me to teach English. It truly is a huge relief and blessing. And even another opportunity is to help a local tour company edit their brochures and possibly tutor some employees in the future. The guy who talked to me about it let me and my work colleague and new friend go on the kayak tour for FREE! Well, in exchange for the English help. 

It was an amazing experience and so much fun, even though I felt seasick THE WHOLE TIME. Who knew kayaking in the ocean was not like kayaking on a river or lake, like I did in Puerto Rico?? That was my first time kayaking. This is my second. And my upper body strength is not what it should be. Ha. At least I could enjoy all the beauty that surrounded me. Too bad I didn't take more photos. I honestly couldn't do anything but try and sit still on the boat ride back. Blast this sensitive stomach of mine!

Mañana, mañana

One more week down. That makes almost three, and I could not be more ready to begin working. It may sound crazy, but I can only hang out and do nothing in a beautiful place for so long. It'd be different if I was on vacation and taking tours and seeing the sights of the country....but I'm not. I live here now. It is real life, and real life with no job to keep me busy? Ha! I've never heard of such a thing. Not my reality. Not now, probably not ever. Pura vida, eh?

Side note: Pura vida is a common saying here in Costa Rica, the literal translation being the obvious (pure life, aka: the good life). But people use it as a quick greeting/goodbye, a way to say things are going well, or as a way of saying thank you.  And probably several others ways. 

Pura vida, indeed.

Tomorrow I begin teaching, and I'm both excited and a little nervous. I ended up getting this job offer pretty last minute (which is also a thing Costa Ricans are known for..."Tico Time"). It's different than the one I mentioned previously (I start that one next week). This one is at the school where I certified to teach in February. Here it is (second floor, left side of the building.):

A couple of rooms are rented out at this building and that's the school. It's called Lingo TEFL Language Institute.

I knew a teacher was leaving (Laurie), so I had my hopes I would fill her spot. Well, there was absolutely NO sign of them offering it to me. In fact, the director even referred me to a job opening she knew of as a reservation person at a hotel resort, trying to be helpful. I appreciated it greatly, but was bummed I wasn't getting offered a teaching job. Well, the day Laurie left, I was asked if I was still interested. And I was. 

Three places. I will be teaching three different places, all of which are great opportunities, with room to grow. I'm feeling very grateful that everything is continuing to work out.  And this is the view from my balcony this very moment...

Not too shabby.:)

Trabajo!

Less than two weeks here and I've landed myself a legit teaching job! I'm beyond excited.  I'll be teaching a morning English class at a local private high school. It is called El Colegio de Ecoturistico del Pacifico. When I was here in February I met a girl named Amy who was working there. She was really helpful then, and I kept in touch with her when I was back in the States. Turns out, she decided to move back to the U.S. and it was right before I arrived. I had asked her multiple times for the email to her boss at the high school before I came, which she never sent. But I get here and ask her again and she tells me that it'd be best to just go by in person. She also let me know that her position had been filled, but maybe she was hiring others. I went by on Monday with my résumé, and sure enough, the principal told me she had already filled Amy's position. She also said she had just hired another person a few weeks ago. I knew I might be out of luck, but it was good to make contact anyway. 

Well, as we kept talking, I could tell she really liked me and saw that I had the desire and skills to teach. By the end of our conversation, she began to say she isn't sure if the person she just hired is working out and that she will have to make a decision to keep him or not. I was keeping my "cool" but inside I was like, "hire me!!!". 

Well, she did! I got a call at the end of the week with the job offer. :) And I'm super happy about it.  I'm also starting up my own private class with some people who've been wanting to learn English. My friend, Laurie, who I certified with in February, knew about a woman who had a spare room in her house and wanted to  start a class. That begins this week! This will be like my own little baby...starting it up all on my own and everything. The woman is looking to grow it eventually and have it be a more legit language center eventually. So far, she knows about 5-6 people who are interested.

Good things are happening and I haven't even been here two weeks! It's amazing.

Today I have to say goodbye to my dear friend Laurie. She heads back home today and I will miss her terribly. We became great friends in February when certifying together, kept in touch while I was gone, and now have had two weeks to hang out again before she goes. And she has introduced me to so many good people to know. And the tutoring and the opportunity to teach at that woman's house! 

She's been a huge positive influence in my life. I'm so glad I planned to come back when I did to be able to see her again. We will always be in touch, I know that, for sure.

La Comenzando

"The Beginning"

It has been almost one week since I began this new chapter of my life. I thought it'd be fitting to document it in words and photos for my own record, but also to share it with those who are interested in knowing what I am up to. I did the same when I lived in New York City and ended up getting the blog printed in book form. It tuned out great and I hope to do the same with this one.

This is me my first day here. I'd say the look on my face says it all. At peace, relaxed. 

I ended up renting a place from the director of the TEFL program where I certified. It's location is prime, walking distance to everything I need. And it's less than a 5-minute walk to the bus station that takes 10 minutes to get to this place!

Not too shabby, eh? The apartment has a spiral staircase! I always wanted to live in a place with one of those!

I guess you'd call it a studio apartment, but it's two levels. The bed is upstairs, complete with balcony and hammock!

It's better than I imagined, overall, and I think it fits me very well. And the price is definitely right. I could see myself staying here awhile.

I met my next door neighbors today. A cute little family, a younger couple and their 2-year old son. And they speak English! The man gives tours in the national park nearby, so his English is very good. They will be a great family to know, so friendly and helpful. 

I've been spending most of my time, so far, with my friend and former TEFL cert classmate, Laurie. Unfortunately, she will be leaving me very soon to return to the States. 

Today we stopped by a thrift store and she found some items to keep her warm in Arizona...?? Ha. We were both very surprised to see winter apparel here. I will be very sad when she leaves, but am glad that I arrived a little beforehand. It's been great to reconnect and hang out again. 

I will be meeting with a few people tomorrow to find out about potential teaching opportunities. Laurie kept reassuring me while I was back in the States and she was here, that'd I'd have no problem finding work. I believed her and am possibly seeing it happen sooner than later! Exciting!

More to follow later.:)