What a busy time of year!!! I just realized that I have only been home one day in the last 13 days!!! My goodness! I went home for Christmas and had some wonderful down time with my parents and grandfather (and the 5 dogs!) In fact, I had a great time having the dogs around, oddly enough, it is therapy to me. :)

After the visit home I was back in California and I headed down to Orange County to spend some good old fashion fun with my best friends! We had a blast, and it just made me realize how lucky I am to have such an amazing family and group of friends.

So, it is New Years Eve today, and we all know what that means, tomorrow is a start of new years resolutions....I don't want to make a resolution that will just set me up to fail, so I have to make sure it is a good one, and doable!!!

One of them will be to go back to Costa Rica to visit, and I will make sure that happens!!! I promise! :)

Yay! It is that time again, Merry Christmas Baby!!! I love this time of year, as it is the only time of year I get to see my parents. I couldn't ask for a better family and I love getting up to see them. They live up in Cottage Grove, OR nestled in the lower part of the mountains. From what I have heard it has been snowing a lot for where they are, and the other day my mom said it was 6-7 degrees. BRRRRR!!!! I will be able to lounge in my jammies all day, hang out with my parents and grandpa, and 5 dogs! And these dogs have some serious character, so I might as well just consider them brothers and sisters. :) After that I get to go to work for a day, and then spend an entire weekend with my bestest friends (both live in CO). I have been missing them a lot lately, and I am SUPER excited to spend some quality time with them. Yay for the HOlidays!

Merry Christmas! I will keep you posted on my chilly trip, thanks to my co-worker that brought me some yummy, warm, snuggly scarfs! love you ames!

Thanksgiving is almost here!

Only two days until one of the most wonderful days of the year!!! Thanksgiving. :) As of right now, there is not a lot to share. But, our household did get a new puppy. His name is Samson, adn he is a cutie. Actually, he is very mellow. I am thinking it might be due to the fact that he is an English Mastiff and will weigh at least 160/170lbs! Apparently his father was 190lbs and his grandfather was a wopping 270lbs! Either way, he is cute....minus the loads of drool!

This year has really flown by, in a week it will be December! Can you believe that???? I am going to be spending Thankgiving with my extended Santa Barbara family~the Jolleys. :) I am on the list for bringing a vegetable....actually, it seems like every year I get that task.....hmmm, I will have to look in to that and find out what the story is. :) I am so excited to have Thursday and Friday off of work! I plan on doing a whole lot of nothing, some serious relaxing, and enjoying the moments of not sitting behind a desk!

I have been talking with my parents about coming home for Christmas, and it looks like that will actually happen. Seriously, with the prices of airline tickets, I am shocked that people still fly all the time. Well, I would if I had more money.....Speaking of money, where in the heck does everyone get that green stuff.....I am still trying to find that little lucky charm guy or better yet, win the lotto. ( I guess you have to play to have a chance to win at that though, right?)

its already November????

It is officially mid-November and I am shocked that the year is almost over. And yes, I have darkend my hair. Not due to depression, a quarter life crisis, or just crazyness...I actually dont know why I did it, but it is done. :) Kori has moved to Denver, and so far in the conversations that I have had with her, she is loving it! I gotta be honest, it is wierd coming home and seeing her room empty. I have been on a few craigs list missions this week to sell Kori's mattress, bed frame, and soon curtains, carpet and nightstand. :) I have met some very interesting people, but they have all been very nice. It is one of those things where you just feel awkward while you sit there watching them check out what is being sold. I literally feel like saying "do you want me to give you a moment"....ha ha ha! And the other funny thing is that I walk in to these sales not knowing what Kori has told them the item is priced at. ;0) I just wait for them to mention it and hope that it all works out and that is what she asked for.....

The weather here is hitting another "record" high this weekend. Apparently it is suppose to get in to the 90's or something crazy like that. What happend to Fall/Winter? I mean, it is November 13th and I am wearing shorts and a tank top!

This weekend I am heading down to Oceanside, CA to take my CPC Certification test. I have been studying a lot these past few weeks, and it just hit me, I am sick of studying!!! I forgot what it was like to sit with books spread out all over in front of you while you search for what you hope will be the right answer. Man! It makes the eyelids heavy!

I also will hopefully be catching up with some old friends while I am down in that area. I use to work at Sport Chalet in San Diego, for at least 4 years, and I am excited to reconnect with some of those people. (including my pal since I was a baby) So, this beautiful weather might just come in handy.

Toodaloo!

Bon Voyage Miss Jolley~

Well, it has been far too long since I have put an update on this blog.....I guess I have been busy? Um, no, I would say it is more forgetful! Nothing much has happend since I have returned to California. I have been working and getting caught up with the life I had put on hold for a little over a month. :)
Breaking News!!! Miss Kori Jolley is moving to Colorado! And the question you ask, what are you going to do? Ha ha ha, I know that is what you were asking. Well, here is the answer, I am staying here in Santa Barbara, working, and of course planning trips to visit my bff's in Colorado. I guess I should pick up a side job so that I can buy a good, warm jacket. :)
Costa Rica was such a wonderful experience. I learned a lot about myself, and I also realized that there is a part of me I put on hold for whatever reason that may be....I am so excited to uncover that part of me again. It is back to saying yes more, and letting go of the "no" or "I can't" attitude. This Thanksgiving I will be here with Kori's family (my adopted fam) in Santa Barbara. Last night Kori's dad was asking me what I was planning on doing for Thanksgiving and I simply smiled as we sat there eating dinner and said "this, this is what I will be doing." And Kori's mom jumped in and said "Where else would she be, of course she will be here" and that right there just made me smile.
I am really excited to have some more adventure in life, so lets kick up some dust and get to it! More to come, this time I promise.
HUGS!
(oh, and I still want to live in Costa Rica someday!)

a few pics from the trip

Just a few fun events in CR! The soccer games were a blast. The whole town would come down to the field, and cheer the 2 Montezuma teams on. I know!!! two teams in a town of 180 people....we can just see how much they love soccer there. And take a look at that snake, that was a fun little find on our patio. YIKES!!!!!

Here is the pic of the bruise I got from surfing, by day 3 it looked like my leg might detach from my body.....I could hear people around me gasp when I would walk by.....ha!

Here is one of the most amazing people we met on this trip, ME HERMANO Mike!!! He is the one that provided Kori and I will mulitiple laughs, memories, and fun! He is planning on coming out to Santa Barbara to check out schools and I can not wait to see him!!!!

Some of our Tica and Tico friends! AMAZING people!!!!!

More pics to come!

I can't tell you all how much fun this trip was. I am officially in the pura vida mind frame. Take things as they come, no stress....

:)

wow

So, here I am realizing that this crazy adventure had come to an end. It is a bittersweet feeling. I had one of the most amazing times on this trip, and I keep thinking that it couldn't possibly be over....but it is. I guess that I have to accept the fact that I have to get back to the routines of life. huh? I can't even begin to tell you how many memories were created in Montezuma, Malpais, San Jose......It is crazy. I am so lucky that I was able to experience this with such an amazing friend. We were so blessed in being safe and everyone that we met and of course every experience that we had. I have flash backs on a daily basis, but right now, that is what keeps the smiles on my face. Thank you everyone for this opportunity. I will continue to post my life adventures on here, too bad they wont be as fun filled.....well, who knows really.
besos!!!

I am praying for a miracle

and I hope it happens.

HOLY RAIN!!!!

It is POURING!!!! I am sure that a river is going to develop down the center of down town Montezuma......

You could be stuck in worse places right?

School is over and my time here in costa rica was coming to an end, until Gustav and Hannah decided to come along. The rainy season has definitely hit here, and the buses are no longer running. It is crazy to think that you are literally stuck somewhere.....at least it isn't the San Jose airport or the Texas airport.....me and my bad luck with traveling! Poor Kori, I have somehow rubbed off the bad luck on here. Sorry Kor! (and Jolley's I was planning on having your daughter back safe and sound, this is NOT my fault! Blame Gustavo!) OH! and thank you so much Donna for taking care of everything. Without you, Kori and I would have been sitting in that freezing airport in San Jose wondering how we would get warm. 

The weather here has been so tricky. Basically one minute it is sunny and blazing hot, and the next it is raining like crazy! We have been fortunate in finding a place to stay near town that is really great. It is a cluster of places, three houses and two studios. It is beachfront and right next to a river, so you have the joy of falling asleep to water rushing by....The trick is that there are geese that are right on the river front that think it is appropriate to squawk all day and night. Pero, todo esta bien! There are many monkeys and various sorts of birds right on our property as well, so you will never be bored sitting out on the porch. It has been a pretty crazy trip, full of adventures, and some days the thoughts of what next????!!!! But thankfully, we have been well taken care of and we are safe. :)

The other day we met someone that took us out to Malpais again, but he showed us a beautiful beach where you hike out on these huge rocks that have natural pools. The waves would break on them and fill up the pools while you sat in them. The view from that spot was amazing. You were literally sitting in the middle of the ocean looking back at Costa Rica one way and the beautiful ocean the other. Kori is now called flaca taca (skinny one) because she was swept away many times by the tide when we were sitting in the natural pools. It was hilarious...And don't worry, I managed to scrape up my arm and get a few new bruises as well. It wouldn't have been such an adventure if that didn't happen. On the way back in we had to swim to get back to shore and Kori and I were thinking that we now really respect the ocean, those currents are so crazy and powerful! 

Recently we have had the pleasure of walking out to Cabuya Island. There is a town about 7 kilometers from here that has an island just offshore about 3/4 of a kilometer. During low tide you can actually walk out to it. It has a cemetery on site, which was a little creepy, but it was so neat to see. Apparently a lot of people walk out there during low tide to get to a surf spot just off the tip of Cabuya Island. Kori and I went back out there the other day and 3 guys were paddling back to shore. They said that they had gotten there at 8 in the morning, walked out and surfed for a few hours and then paddled back in (30-45 minute paddle). They were famished, but they said the waves were awesome. 

I am also amazed by the fishermen here. They dont use fishing poles, they use reels. And, they catch HUGE fish....which was a little creepy because I had just been in the same spot swimming moments before they reeled in the fish. I don't know how they manage to hold on to that string and not cut themselves, but I am figuring they know what they are doing. :)

These past few days there has been incredible surf. Nothing that I would surf in because it is way to big, but it is so much fun to watch others. (Steve, you are missing out on some incredible waves)

Also, THANK YOU all so much for covering for me while I have been gone. I AM SO THANKFUL! I promise to make it up to each and every one of you. I have no idea how, but you say the word, and I am on it! 

Courtnie, travel safe on your road trip! Keep me posted on your new adventures! I miss you a lot! 

Matt and Krista, make sure that Tully and Tessa haven't forgotten Kori, she is worried!!!!! (and she misses them like crazy, as do I!)

And Mom and Papas, it was AMAZING to hear your voice. I can't believe we haven't talked in so long, I really missed the sound of your voices. I MISS AND LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!

Move over sunshine, here comes the rain!

Wow! So apparently we had some good luck with the weather these past few weeks, because the rain has come and it is on a mission!!! I am beginning to think that I just don't have very good luck. We woke up yesterday and decided that we needed to do something fun, so what do we do? We rent a quad and head out for Malpais. It was so hot and the air on our faces felt amazing....And then, we became storm chasers. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves in to when we set out for Malpais. The drive there was great...hot but breezy. We crossed the river and were making our way down the hill in to Malpais when a HUGE storm hit! Literally it was like someone had a fire hose turned on us! So, we now know it is possible to be cold in Costa Rica. I was sitting behind Kori and we were getting hit so hard by the rain, it actually felt like we were getting pricked by needles. We had a very short visit in Malpais because we were scared the river would get to big to cross. Luckily we made it and on our way back to Montezuma we ran in to our friend Gerald. The look on his face pretty much told us that we looked like drowned rats. He just pulled up next to us laughing, so we joined in. As soon as we got back to Montezuma it stopped raining so we thought a trip to Cobano would be a great idea. Plus we had to go to the bank and gas station. Low and Behold, on our way to Cobano it started down pouring again!!!!! We made it to a little restuarant across the street from the bank to wait out the storm. After a few hours and some hot seafood soup, it settled down a bit. So, Kori ran across the street to get some money. As soon as she stepped in to the ATM section it started down pouring again. We sat there laughing at each other from across the street and after a few minutes she made it back to the restuarant. We had no idea what to do because the rain here is so intense, it hurts when you drive in it. But, lightbulb moment!!!! We went and bought GRANDE trash bags and made our own little ponchos. We have pictures, dont you worry! I am sure that we laughed the entire way home because not only were we wearing trash bags, but we intentionally went through mud puddles to get warm water splashed on us. It was FREEZING!!!!!!!!  Let's just say that we picked the WORST day ever to rent a quad. But, it was such a great day, full of laughter and memories! And now we are set on owning our very own quads....Watch out Jolley's, Kori is addicted!!!!!! 

More to come!!!!!!!

I LOVE COSTA RICA!!!!!

Hi all!!!! Today we just got back from Malpais. We stayed at the Malpais Surf Camp and it was amazing!!!!! (anyone who comes to Malpais must stay here, it is incredible and cheap!) They had everything you could possibly want; a pool, a pool table, ping pong table, fun music...ah, the list goes on and on. It was so beautiful too! I can not believe the luck that we have had with the weather here. :) We rented some quads yesterday and took them up the coast in Malpais. We traveled with Mike and Kristian (both students at our school) and at first Kori and I didn't drive them because we thought they were going to be too hard, BUT when we got behind the drivers seat, we pretty much took over driving after that. Don't worry mom and dad, I still have all of my limbs. :) 

We had to have the quads back by 10 that night with the gas completely full, otherwise we would be charged some crazy amount of money. So, Kori, Mike and I went out on a mission to find Mike a shirt (because that silly guy forgot to pack one) and get gas. (keep in mind that Kristian is still back at the hotel waiting for our returns) We arrived at the first gas station in town only to be told that they were out of gas, but tomorrow they might have some. So we ended up driving up the mountian (with a very steep incline) and getting to the other gas station (about 7 kilometers out of town) only to be told that they were also out of gas. We figured that these quad companies have a deal with the gas stations....some crazy conspiracy I think. So we made our way back down the mountain and headed back to our place (I think we were gone for over 2 hours....Oops). We arrived to our villa only to find a note Kristian left saying that the key was at the front desk. That was sign number one that we were in trouble.....OOPS!! It didn't matter though, we had so much fun, no one was going to take that away from us. And we had a great story to tell him too, so he didnt have much time to be mad at us. :) 

After a long day of beaching, swimming, and quading around we had dinner at Brisas Del Mar. Steve and Donna, you will appreciate this more than anyone else....and just to confirm, the food is still absolutely amazing. :) After that we decided to ride around on the quads for a bit, but when we set out it started raining. It was soooooooo hilarious! and so worth it. Kori and I both had some sort of fo-halk going on because only the top part of our hair got wet. ha ha! 

Later we went back to return the quads and had the genius idea of asking how much it would be to keep them over night. It was only $15 so we were in!!!!!! This morning Kori, Mike and I all set out on our last little adventure with the quads. It is VERY hot today and I am sure that I have a few burns on my tookus. Oh well! PURA VIDA!!!!!

Before Kristian left we asked him for the taxi drivers phone number so that we could get a ride back to Montezuma. He pulled out the card and said here is "Air Condicionado's" phone number. We all looked at each other and bust out laughing. The whole time that Kristian had been in Costa Rica he had been using this guy as his driver and he thought his name was Air Condicionado because his business card said "Air Conditioning"-Marino. He actually said "Hola Air, Como estas?" ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! I still can't stop laughing at that!!!!!!! 

We met another guy in Malpais, Tommy, who is also from Santa Barbara. It is crazy how many people from California are here. The word is out!!!! :)

And Krista, I am not kidding about the sweating thing. In fact when I get back, lets just sit in a sauna for a few hours a day. It will melt everything off!!!! 

I miss you guys a lot!!

LOVE YOU MAMA, PAPAS, and MORFAR (that is Danish for my grandpa)!!!! 

An Update :)

I just got back from Cabo Blanco, a beautiful natural rain forest here, and it was beautiful!!!! We didn't see any animals, but I was okay with that considering we have monkeys at our place. This morning I woke up a little early and walked in to town. Before I left our place a little monkey came over and sat down in front of me. He was so cute, but after seeing the cats ear that looks like it was attacked by a monkey, I decided to keep my hands to myself. So far everything has been so wonderful. Although, I swear one day before I leave I will get hit on the head by either a coconut or a huge lizard. They are out to get me!!!!
We took the bus to Cabuya to go to Cabo Blanco today, but it wasn't that crazy bus we took the other day. This time there was no rolling back down hills, but there was a lot of bouncing. What is amazing here is that the bus will wait for you to go grocery shopping. Why don't we have this attitude in the states? Everything is so stress free here, I LOVE IT!!!!!!
It was pretty funny the other day when Kori and I went to Ylang Ylang for lunch. We sat next to this girl that talks SO loud, and basically heard all the town gossip. We are starting to think that people know things because they happen to sit by here sometime, not because it is such a small town. We met two guys from Santa Barbara here last night, this world is sooooooo small! I am also shocked by the food here. I am pretty sure that all I eat here is bread, rice, chips, and some fish. Please don't let me continue to eat this way when I get home unless you throw me in to the sauna for a few hours a day. I am telling you man, sweating is the key point in the carb overload I am on.
I was at the beach with my freind Vera yesterday and while we were talking we took our eye off the tide. And, that was a huge mistake!!! A huge wave came up and took my sandals, shirt, shorts, and I had hardly enough time to throw my bag in to the bushes above me! I was able to recover my clothes and sandals, but the walk back to school was pretty uncomfortable. Many of our friends here stopped and asked what had happend to me. I had forgotten a towl so I was drenched and covered in black sand!!! Ah heck, what can you do? ;)
I love the new people at our school. They are such a riot to hang out with at school. Literally the stories that Kori have told about Mike are SO true!!! He keeps us laughing! I am sure he will have a great one liner at least once a day. Don't worry, we will keep you posted.
I think we are off to Malpais tomorrow with some of the people from the school. I am sure it will be a blast! Hasta Luego!

un moto para 3 por favor ;)

Man, it feels good to sit in this air conditioned room, and it gives me a chance to blog! So a few days ago, while lounging in the hammocks, we saw a truck drive by with 5 kids in the back. Three of them were standing by the cab, another was in a car seat that was sliding around, and the last one was in one of those things that you have a baby use to learn how to walk. It was hilarious!!! At least they were trying to be safe right? ;)

Kori and I are getting use to riding on a moto with our friends, soon we will have to take a picture. Three people on one moto is quite comfy though. Our friend at school said he saw a family of 5 on one once, that is something I have yet to see. Either way, the lifestyle here is sooooooo different. I am officially use to havine a meal for 2 hours minimum and just not caring what will happen next. It is hard sometimes because I am such a planner, but pura vida is really starting to wear off on me. :) 

Last night after we had dinner I had to walk home and it was raining sooooooooo hard. I ended up falling down in the street and just laying there laughing. It was quite a site. I couldn't see a foot in front of me because it was raining so hard. And today.....well today it is BEAUTIFUL and SOOOOOOO hot!!! we are really lucking out. I am curious to see what the next two weeks will bring. 

BESOS!!!!!! 

hola!

Hey there everyone! I am so shocked that another week has gone by.....So much has happend. This past Saturday we went on the canopy tours again with some of the students at our school. It was really fun, but some tourist that was there decided it would be a smart idea to put his hand in front of the zip line. Kori and I were at the top of the platform with one of the guides and the sound it made was horrible!!!! Then he told us what the guy had done and I almost threw up thinking about what it was going to look like. We got to the next platform and the tip of the guys finger was freaking missing! It wasnt a huge piece, but it was enough to make me feel pretty sick. We had just arrived at the waterfalls too, and everyone was pretty much feeling a little sick and I can say for sure that it ruined the rest of the trip for everyone. He was fine though, nothing to bad.
Apparently there are a lot of whales that go by the beaches here. I have not seen any, but some of the other students have. I accidently called a whale basura *trash* instead of bayena and i have yet to live that one down....The ticos like to make fun of me, but come on, I am trying!!!!!

There are so many beautiful beaches here, and it is great to have them all as classrooms. There hasn't been a day that I dont take some time to go swim or just lay on the beach. Yesterday one of our friends here took us surfing again. It was so much fun. I went out with him first for a couple of hours and then we walked back up the beach to get Kori for here lesson. Here is where it proceeded to get funny. He went and got another surf board, and then told me that while he taught Kori I was going to practice paddling.....I was sooooo exhausted after the lesson and I thought he was joking, but nope.....he said that I need MUCHO PRACTICAR!!! ha ha ha!!! So, I went out for another 30 minutes or so and snuck away when he wasn't looking. Don't you worry though, he took great care of us. He ended up making us lobster that he had caught the day before....I couldn't even remember the last time that I had had lobster, and it was SOOOOOO good. I wish I could upload a picture of where we were learning to surf, but the internet here doesn't really give you that option unless you want to sit in a chair for many hours....I will just show you all when I come back.
Today we started class again and we were soooooooo happy to have our teacher again. Frederico is so awesome and he is very patient with us, which is what I need right now. The other night I made it a goal to only speak Spanish. It was difficult, but everyone was helpful. I just have to make myself do more of that. We have met so many people here and it is such an amazing experience to hear how other people have found Montezuma. Another ten students got in last night and we sat out in the hammocks talking. There are quite a few people from California, but there are also some from D.C., England, Kansas, and I believe Japan. There is such a crazy mix.
We just learned today that if there is a full moon and it rains that night, then it will proceed to rain until the next phase of the moon. On Saturday we had a full moon and it definitely rained, so the weather is changing a little. We have been so spoiled with sunny weather, but to be honest, the rain has been nice. It gets a bit cooler. The only problem is the walk in to town in the mud. Most of my white clothings has cool splotchy brown spots everywhere. It is all good though....I am having such an amazing experience.
I miss you all lots and lots! I wish I could hear your voices. Just know that I love you all to pieces!!!!!!!!

Todo es bien!

Wow, so time just flies, literally I feel like every day blends together. I am shocked that so much time has passed already. Spanish is starting to make a little more sense. So is having a beach as your front and back yard. I just keep thinking how blessed I am to have this opportunity. Kori and I have a new teacher this week. His name is Fredrico (dont forget to roll your r's!) and he is great. I feel like I am learning a lot more, mainly because he can talk louder than the river that runs by our school. Our other teacher Luz spoke so softly so my responses of Si and por supuesto started getting a little old. I have come to the realization that this little town is going to miss me. :) I am sure that I am freinds with at least 80% of them. The others I just haven't had a chance to meet. Estoy encanta con Montezuma. It is so ridiculously gorgeous here and we have been so lucky with weather. Don't get me wrong, it rains here, but most of the days are very sunny. Yesterday Kori and I were on the beach talking with some friends and within seconds a storm came in, lets just say that we looked like drowned rats in about 10 seconds. It was like someone was throwing buckets of water on us. 

The soccer games have been a lot of fun too. They havent been so lucky with weather though, every time there is a game it down pours, but todo es bien because we get to sit under a little building while we watch. 

The other day I went in to town with a friend, Gerald, who we met here in town, to get gas (yeah, you actually have to drive 7 kilometers to get to a gas station from Montezuma) an go to the bank. He was able to use the atm but the gas station decided to close a little early, and even with extreme begging, they wouldn't let him get any gas. This is where I was put in quite a funny situation. We started driving back to town and we took a different turn and he proceeded to say to me "Jamie, you get to meet my family. I dont have any more gas so I have to go pick up the quad" and I thought to mysely.....What?????? So, we got to his house and I watched some tele with his mom and brother where I proceeded to not use the Ud. formal use of conversation. OOOPS!!!! So, I am sure they thought, "gringa" but that is okay, it was an experience I won't forget. At least I had learned from Kori's meeting with another of our freinds families that you can say "Mucho gusto conocerle" which is a formal way of saying it was a pleasure to meet with you. 

One of my favorite things is when you are in the middle of a conversation with someone and they ask you something and the response you give is "gracias." I have experienced this about 10 times a day. Sometimes it gets a little overwhelming and that is the only thing you can remember. 

Literally, I am FINALLY enjoying the cold showers. It still is a bit of a shock, but now they are something that I look forward to. I went swimming at the beach today and the waves here are SO strong. I think I kissed the ocean floor a few times, but thankfully I was able to scramble out before it got too serious. 

You will never believe this but Kori and I have a cat. he is hidiously ugly and I am sure that he was in a fight with a monkey because his ear looks like it is about to fall off. He won't go away though, literally, I feel like he is our cat. I know mom and dad, I dont like kitty's but I am forced to like this one!!!!!! What to do what to do. And Steve and Donna, we have decided that if we shave Monty frequently he would LOVE it here!!!! ;0)

I miss you all lots and lots! I apologize for the infrequent blogs, but the computers here are SO hard to use!!! 

HUGS!!!!! 

I am tired of "second doubting" myself

As you can see by the title of this little message, I might be losing the ability to speak english....Seriously my brain is on overload and I am beginning to think that I am going to make up my own language here soon. This past week has been full of adventures. Spanish has been a little overwhelming, but the ticos here are so willing to teach. Wednesday night there was a storm here that was like no other rain storm I have ever seen. The entire sky was full of lighting pretty much every second. It was so incredible!!! And I am sure that we got more rain in twenty minutes here that Santa Barbara will see all year. 

The challenge of walking to town when it rains is pretty hilarious.....You should see the backs of our legs. They are covered in mud. :) and not only that, most of the trip to town is up and down hills, so let's just say that I have been doing all kinds of surfing. :) ha!

Everyone here greets you with a kiss and an "hola guapa" and I have to say who doesn't like to here "hi pretty" all day long. It just makes you feel pretty, even if you are saturated in sweat. 

Soccer games are a big deal, and they are SO much fun to watch. Most of the town settles in under a covered area and watches. It has been so incredible here! I wish I could be a bit more witty today, but I dont have the patience! The computers here are SOOOOOOOO slow and very dificil to use. :)

Ciao for now! 

sweaty is the "new black" ;0)

todo es bien!!!!!! ;0) After two days of traveling we arrived in Montezuma on Thursday. When we landed in San Jose a huge storm came in, so our little puddle jumper flight was cancelled. We ended up having to stay in San Jose for the night at a great little place called Brillas del Sol. I would recommend it to all of you ;0).

It took us some time to get settled but so far we have had lots of good food and we are meeting many people. We went out kayaking on Sunday for Kori's Birthday with some new friends they attempted to teach us how to surf, If I had my camara right now I would upload a picture of my battle wounds. (dont worry, there will be pictures when soon!) Let's just say thay my entire right calf is black and blue and my left arm has a knot the size of a baseball. oops! Apparently I need to keep practicing. The school is absolutely amazing. It is a little overwhelming right now because there is so much vocabulary that I need to learn. Our teacher is an amazing woman that has traveled all over the world and she is quite a character. There are about 15 other students here, many of them are also from California. One of them knows the company that I work for because he lives in San Francisco and I am pretty sure he said he had surgery at one of the centers we manage. It's a small world! 

The school has a great location, literally right accross from the beach. The third floor is the "Tranquil" spot, and it is filled with hammocks and chairs overlooking the beach. I have spent a lot of time up there. We also have the Montezuma River that runs right next to the school, and of course there are so many animals. I think I am going to have to buy one of those nature cd's when I return just to make sure I can fall asleep. 

It has been VERY hot and suprisingly not as much rain as I thought there would be. Don't get me wrong though, when it rains here is POURS!!!!! And man oh man, sweating is just something I am going to have to get use to. Oh, and when they said that a cold shower is refreshing after a hot day, um, they were wrong. It literally takes my breath away when I get in but as soon as you get out, it is back to sweating. Oh well, that is why "sweaty is the new black" ha! The computers here are kind of hard to use, mainly because thier keyboards are a bit different, so it makes blogging and emailing a little hard. Pero Esta Bien! 

I definitely miss everyone! Cuidate!!!!!! Besos y Abrazos! 

Ciao! 

Finally!

It is finally here, tomorrow I am off to Costa Rica! Yeah! It has been quite a challenge counting down the days because they were never close enough, and yet today I can say that I am leaving on a jet plane tomorrow! ;0) I had a bit of a struggle with packing. You see, when someone tells you that you need to pack for a month, you would be suprised at what you think you "have to' have. I am pretty sure that I packed my bag about 6 times before coming to the conclusion that I just needed to purchase a bigger bag. There were only so many times that I could say goodbye to items that I "had to" have. It got hard.....(ha ha ha, just kidding)

Anyways, I am ready for this adventure to start, and I plan on taking you all with me! I will be in touch! Big HugS!!!!!

Visit with the BFF

This week I was given a gift.....spending quality time with my bffs! We went out to dinner, and I am sure that our waiter thought we were crazy because of all the laughter coming from our table. But that is what our friendship is....fun, laughter, stories full of suprises....it just doesn't get old. In fact, it gets better and better each year! Oh and only 28 more days!!!!! I can't wait! (no puedo esperar!!!!)

Congrats Karen and Jeff!!!! ;0)

This weekend we celebrated the engagement of Karen and Jeff! It is always amazing to see two people together that couldn't be suited any better! It was also wonderful to catch up with some great friends!

Congrats Karen!!! We love you! ;)

The things we do to get to CR ;0)

I know!!!!! I can already picture you right now.....First of all you are laughing, Secondly you are asking "are Kori and Jamie driving a train?" and Thirdly you are wondering do they still make Conductor overalls....Let me go ahead and start with the first because to be honest I am laughing too. There wasn't a moment on this day that I didn't want to burst out in laughter, and I actually did a few times (Especially when I would see Kori ride by with a train full of kids and adults with the most ridiculous nursery rhyme songs playing). Secondly, the answer is yes. Kori and I drove a train on Saturday at Spanish Days up in Santa Ynez to earn some extra money for our adventure in Costa Rica. ;0) We had a day full of suprises, one of them including giving Matthew Leblanc (Joey from Friends: "How you doin?") a ride in our train.

tee-hee there he is!!!!

I am sure that Kori had the same urge as I to say "How you doin?" but we held back and tried our hardest to not be star struck. It helps when there are a hundred screaming kids around you that are SOOOO excited to ride the train. ;0)

And Thirdly, the answer to your question is yes. They still make the stripped conductor overalls. I believe if you go to Sears, you can order a pair for yourself. They are quite comfortable (but not so much in 90 degree heat).

After a full day of driving the train we came to the understanding that we (two girls) had to load it back up on the trailer and drive it home to Santa Barbara. That in itself was a thought to ponder, but we got our hands dirty and packed it up. There was no diagram to show us what straps to use and where to put them. We stood there holding mulit colored straps trying to visually go back to that morning (an early one) and see where they had been.....But that didn't go over to well. Instead my handy dandy partner in crime Kori strapped on a plethora of bungees and I jerry rigged the multi colored straps (and I swear it looked pretty similar...at least in my mind it did) and we were off!!! Let's just be h0nest, that night we went to bed at 9:30...on a Saturday.....man, driving a train can be exhausting. Till the next adventure........

The countdown has hit 48

Okay, so you can go ahead and just say it to my face. I am like that kid you told too soon that you would be going to Disneyland. They just won't stop talking about when it's time to go and is it time to go yet? Seriously, all that I can think about is July 31st....Costa Rica....language school....waterfalls.....hiking......monkeys.....Ah! I am going to have to find myself some distractions to get through the next 48 days. Feel free to send me some ideas. ;)

Latest News

:0) Ha! I just had to share this. I found out about an hour ago that our place in Montezuma might not have hot showers! ha ha ha! I don't know why I am laughing.....here let me tell you what they wrote. "Depending on where you stay, you may find a very curious hot water system in your shower. This will be located on your showerhead and be accompanied by live wires (not the safest when you are soaking wet!) Try not to change the settings while the shower is running or you may get shocked! (what?) The trick is to lower the water pressure so that the water can be heated more quickly. Other showers will not have hot water at all. Don't fret though, most of the time this will be a welcome asylum from the Costa Rica Heat."
Now you try shaving in cold water!

The Excitement Begins

It is official! I will be moving to Montezuma, Costa Rica for the month of August 2008 where I will go to La Escuela Del Sol. Kori and I are packing up or bags and signing up for an adventure of a lifetime. Montezuma is one of the most beautiful towns I have ever been to. I am so excited to take this adventure! And dont you all worry, I plan on keeping this updated with every detail!
:)