The one where Stuart invites a friend..

Picture: Some of us gringos that teach at blue valley! The girl between van and carl is Megan, she is an aide here from NJ, The tall one with the pink tank top, her name is Abby Franklin. She is married to a tico and is a like our big sister here. We love her and she is coming with us to Panama for spring break. She is Vanessa's teacher. Tracy Waters is in the blue shirt, her and her husband just moved here and she is awesome too. Random fact, she said no 5 times to her husband (now) when he proposed! The other girl, I don't know her name, but she is nice :) This was at the beginning of the 5k race at blue valley!
Story: Last night it was us 3 at the house alone and we made some cookies and were sitting down to watch a movie. As I was about to sit, a thing launched itself from my seat to the floor in a matter of seconds. Turns out we have geicos now. Scared me to death and all three of us were immediately on the highest part of the couches and couple minutes later Stuart runs across the ground and hides under a rug; again on the highest point of the couches..yes there was screaming. Picture this: three girls holding boxes arguing who moves the rug with the umbrella to then catch stuart when he runs with our boxes. Finally moved the rug and Stuart ran into the kitchen through a crack in the door. Again, Stuart wins. The rest of the night all three of us were looking all around and dreamed about lizards, mice and other things.

Speaking of dreams..you know what is annoying? Dreaming about lesson plans, objectives, materials and activities. I wake up stressed over the lesson in my dream. Not cool.

We had Family Day at Blue Valley Saturday! We were there from 8-3, it was a long day. They had so much food and water slides, inflatables, runs, games.. so much fun. I loved it.

Funny Lying Story: Today on the bus this guy sits by us and speaks fluent english and our conversation went like this:
-Where are you from?
*Oklahoma
-I studied in Austin Texas for 4 years at UT in architecture. I am an architect and studied architecture at UT. Do you have names? Isn't Oklahoma in the Midwest? (At this point I am thinking, ok moron if you spent 4 years at UT and didn't know Oklahoma was above you then what the heck did you learn?)
*Yes, Emma Grace and Vanessa.
-Where do you live and why are you here?
*We live in Santa Ana (lie) and are working.
-Where in Santa Ana? Do you have a phone number where I can reach you to practice my English and you can practice spanish?
* Nope.
Thoughts: Oklahoma is right above Texas, You did not study architecture at UT because you are riding the bus and live with your mom, you told us a million times you love the US and were in Texas, you speak fluent english and want to practice it...Wow. People are ridiculous.

Other thoughts while I am here:
-I have the best boyfriend, there is no comparison
-I am starting to get homesick, but love it that I am here
-Aunt B, there is a woman here that reminds me so much of you! Youre the best though! :)
-I wish I understood Spanish, I am still translating in French
-My friends are coming into town this week!! I AM SOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a wonderful week and thank you for reading!!!!
Trishhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

The one with the new roommate

Story: I was minding my own business and using the restroom in Vanessa and I's bathroom and all of a sudden a black furball runs across my feet and goes behind the toilet in a hole in the wall. Its our new roomate: Stuart Little. Awesome. I don't think its going to talk to us or make boats with us and win races.

Vanessa left this weekend to be with her family that flew down, so Carley and I had a date weekend. We went to get my first sushi on Friday night... I would say I loved them cause 16 rolls later I was satisfied(side note: the waiter brought us the wrong order so we got 8 free ones). 24 rolls in all this weekend..woops! Friday night, Carley and I woke up to a 4.4 earthquake. Elza and Nicky ran to our rooms making sure we were ok, they said that was a very strong earthquake for two reasons 1. it lasted several seconds and earthquakes are not usually that strong here 2. The epicenter was in San Pedro*very close to Escazu!

Went back to stinky San Jose to buy tickets to go to Panama for Spring Break! Bring on the Canal!

We went to church at the International Baptist Church today. The pastor was from Gutherie... small world right? The song leader sang at an incredibly high and awful note, and I was surrounded by men on one side..I didn't know how to sing! But that usually isn't abnormal.

*Dotter, you would love the black beans and coffee here. You would be in heaven every day! I sure am!

Just to show you how much traveling has affected me: In my dream last night, it was my wedding and I chose one of my friends to be a bridesmaid..well turns out I realized after the ceremony that she couldn't be one of my bridesmaids because "they" wouldn't let her cause she didn't have a passport and another form of identification with her. WOW! So turns out my little 1st grader took her place..oh dreams.

Thank you for reading, I am officially half way done after this week! Then I graduate! Woop!

Tricia

The one where Carley and I run..

When you run in your state do you typically:
-See cows that are surrounded by no fence?
-roosters everywhere
-the sweet aroma of sewage everywhere
-guys yelling at you every second
-not wear an ipod in fear of getting mugged
-jump over sewage
-have to run on gravel
-see beautiful mountains around you and still have a breeze with warm sunshine
-get nervous that cars will get as close to you instead of giving you plenty of safe space
Just some thoughts and views of what its like to run in Costa Rica :)

At the supermarket the guy that was behind the counter working asked Elza in spanish, "Who are these beautiful girls with you ?" Elza answered without cracking a smile "They are my daughters" and we walked off. Made us feel so special. I made a joke to Elza right after saying "I wonder how many states men he thinks you have been married to, to get girls looking as different as us!" ha I think I am funny.

This weekend we are chilling!! HURRAY!! Things we are possibly going to do:
-Fresh Fruit Market Saturday Morning at 5 am (cheap and freshest fruit there is!)
-My teacher Mrs Pacheco is having her birthday party at this really fancy place in the mountains on Friday night. Carley and I are dressing up and going!
-Sunday- I am really excited about this, we are going to an International Baptist Church that supposedly has mostly gringos and its in ENGLISH! yay!

Teaching:
-I am taking over slowly, took over Science subject (my favorite)
-Kids are literally so crazy here. While my teacher was lecturing, I looked over and the boys are playing red rover in the classroom!!! No wonder I am exhausted every day.
-I am more strict with these kids than I have been with any other class or group of kids I have ever had. I can't let them play red rover when I am teaching!
-I got my first kid present today! I was so excited! The girls made my some post its that I had on my desk with my handwriting on them and glued flowers and grass around them hahaha. Loved this.

Thank you for reading!
I have been really focusing on what it means to "Walk In Love" as our Savior would put it. Everything that I react to, respond to or do...am I walking in Love?

MEISS TrEshEa (phonetically here)

The one where we reversed on the on ramp..

First before I start here is my mail address:
669-1250 Escazu
San Jose, Costa Rica

This past weekend the OSU crew took a trip to Arenal. Arenal consists of an active volcano that is surrounded by a chilly rainforest! My favorite thing we did this weekend was going to the hot springs. Basically, it comes down to this: the most beautiful swimming pools and scenery that you could ever imagine is this but instead of chlorine and tap water this is natural springs! There is different temperatures in each pool surrounded by waterfalls. The highest degree was 153 F! The one we loved that felt like perfect bathwater was 95 F.

I also got a 70 minute antistress AMAZING massage for $30...beat that U.S!

We went on a lava tour that night, but the volcano was covered in clouds so we didn't get to see any red hot goo.

Um, STILL sick with throat infection..think this is week 4. Pray for healing, this is frustrating.

I posted the pictures! Gosh, I wish they did anything I saw justice. I love it here!

Oh, about the title. On our way home we are in San Jose and our van driver is merging on the highway and decides half way on the highway lane he doesn't want to get on this highway. Of course the logical, safest and easiest way is to reverse.. (hmmm) So we did. We reversed very far back and got honked at the entire way down. I turned around to watch just in case we got hit, at least I could brace myself. We made it thankfully. I wonder how much a ticket would cost in the States if someone did that?

Oh! One of my favorite parts of the weekend.. I met this adorable old couple from Montreal at the springs and they spoke french and english. I practiced my french and they basically adopted me as their daughter. I loved being able to speak and somewhat understand a different language.
Thank you for reading and pura vida
Trish

The one with the changes

All my teachers and professors have told us, "Don't hang out in the teachers lounge, too much gossip, negativity.." My question is: Does this apply when I don't understand a word they are saying, because its in Spanish?

Somethings I have been thinking about:
-When I come home, I will either a) forget how to drive b) be a crazy lunatic driver like the people here c) be extra careful
-I graduate the week I come back
-I am wanting to sleep in a bed that I cant feel wooden planks on my back :)
-I wonder if my guard is being let down or if I was over cautious at first, because I am feeling comfortable here, even though I still stick out
-I am not in the bible belt, I am in the Catholic belt now.
-Blue Valley is unlike any school I have ever seen, its so different than anything I was taught.. I can't say much about this environment on my blog though.
-My teacher and I are so much alike, she is so amazing and I am learning ALOT from her
-I have 19 students..12 of them have learning disabilities..talk about frustration to extra patience, God is good.
-The Lord is showing me how to rely on his STRENGTH and not my own. I have been praying that my heart breaks when His does, that I see the world through His eyes, and that He uses me to spread His light with my actions and words.
-I love Costa Rican Coffee.
-Everyone has maids here. Its common for everyone to have one that: cooks for them, cleans their dishes, cleans their house, and even watches their kids. Its sad to me, because I see how lazy people can get and have less connection with their kids because instead of the mom or dad carrying their baby around, the maid does...any thoughts??
-Throwing your toliet paper in the trash can is one of the nastiest things, the pipes in CR are too little for toliet paper
-We are not the only Americans, we are from the States, people are Americans here too!
-My blonde hair and green eyes is obvious to the world down here. Our taxi cab guy looked at me and goes "Oh your beautiful hair and light green eyes, you must have a boyfriend.." all in spanish and then I said What?! and He goes "I am crazy, Crazy Carlos" wow.

-Well thats all, I hope everyone is doing well, thank you for reading if anybody is haha.
-Mr. and Mrs. Armour I am praying for you today and I love you both so much as my other family.

Tricia

Picture Post!

Not in Order:
Carley and I at Manuel Antonio

My kids on our field trip!!

Carley and I's beautiful handstands on beautiful Manuel Antonio

This is the COSTA RICA NEW PRESIDENT!! Laura!! We met her at the game, it was so awesome!!!!

The coconut, this guy was selling them on the beach for a dollar. you stick a straw through the thin layer and drink the milk! So good, refreshing!

The one where I am never going back to San Jose

If you really want to insult someone say "You smell like San Jose". That cannot be topped.

This weekend, the OSU crew is going to Manuel Antonio or Capos. It supposedly is this beautiful beach that everyone talks about. To get our tickets on the public transportation bus, some of us needed to go down to San Jose to get tickets. The others took care of the hotel. Vanessa, Carley and I were the ones that had to go get the tickets.

The place where we needed to go in San Jose was called the Coca Cola area. All day, we heard people say "Why are you going there? That is so dangerous! I don't even go down there in my car!" Great.. we were so scared out of our minds. We did everything possible to prevent being mugged or getting lost. We didn't carrying anything with us and stuck our money in our clothes. We walked fast, kept our heads up, no smiles, looked around and acted like we belonged there. We got called "beautifuls, hot girls, prettys, and some guy said he loved us" We also go spit at.. that was uncalled for. It smelled awful downtown and there were so many homeless people there. We stuck out cause we were gringos for sure. We got the tickets and got on the bus and made it. Thank God for His protection.

I am so excited about this Wednesday! Gigo, our home stay brother, his girlfriend got us 5 box seats for the professional soccer game!!! I have been wanting to go so bad and they surprised us with tickets!

Travis gave me a verse that I want to share! "...Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips." Job 2:10

In everything, we should give glory and thanks to God! We are not supposed to have an easy life, Christ told us it would be hard to follow Him.

Que te vaya bien!
Tricia