Golden birthday

This weekend was so great. I had so much fun. My friends and family seriously delivered :). I turned 24 on 24th of October...therefore it was my golden birthday. And of course when you live overseas you need to do birthdays big. On Friday, my friend Albin took me out to this place called the pasta house and to get ice cream. So good. We had a lot of fun. On Saturday I slept in and went for a run to make some stomach space for our celebration. All I knew is that I needed to go to Kate's at 4 and that she had my outfit. So I went there and she gave me a painting that she painted for me. Seriously awesome. Then she told me the party wasn't there and we went out. Eddie was there and gave me a gold gaudy necklace. We then walked past the Jones' house and they gave me more gold chains. Then we went to my director's house, but the party wasn't there either. They gave me huge gold hoop earrings. Then we went to peggy's, but the party wasn't there...just a tiara. at this point...people are just dying laughing as I walk down the street. lol we were even offered drugs...don't think about that one too hard. After Peggy's we went to Medrano's and he gave me a bracelet. Then we went to Sondra's, which was the makeover house. Kate gave me this small bag with my outfit. I was nervous because it was so small. She found this amazing gold dress at a thrift store and then brown gypsy pants on which she sewed gold sequins. Then Sondra did my gold makeup and I was set :). Albin came and picked us up and we met at Erin and Courtney's where everyone else was. There was confetti cake and icing (that mom sent). The house was all decorated and Eddie made tacos. The cook. I love taco night. I seriously have the best friends here. How awesome to have such cool people around even though you live so far away from everything that you know. We danced and sang and played games. It was so fun. Then today we went to church and my Tico family made a dinner for me and celebrated. It was just so great. I'm so thankful. Such a great birthday...thanks guys :)

Erin with the nose ring and Drew with gold plated teeth :)

More mistakes...

Since I know the main reason anyone even reads this blog is to hear about my mistakes in Spanish...I thought I would share another one. So I'm trying to set up our basketball schedule and making horribly awkward phone calls in Spanish. Here is a basic summary. I was so frustrated. Please note that everyone is in the office listening to me speak in Spanish.

Call 1: Couldn't hear anything because the rain was pouring on the room and this guy's gym class is screaming in the background. I'm screaming, he's screaming. Nothing accomplished.
Call 2: Same thing...this time a lady.
Call 3: No answer.
Call 4 (my favorite):
Man: How can I help you?
Me: Hi, I'm a basketball coach and I'm looking for teams to play....etc.
Man: Sorry this is a chicken store.
Me: (totally oblivious) oh that's fine, can I speak to the coach?
Man: Ma'am, we sell chickens here.
Me: What?
Man: Like, chickens you eat. They don't play basketball.
Me: I'm an idiot. Adios.
Everyone in the office: dying laughing.
Call 5: raining so hard I can't hear. I have to ask at least 7 times no exaggeration) to write down a correct email. Still don't have it right. Everyone now in office gathered around laughing.
Call 6: I ask to speak in English this time. Lady says yes. I talk for at least two minutes. Then she proceeds to forward me to someone who speaks English so I can do the whole thing again.
Call 7: Lady answers saying Good morning! Seeing as it's afternoon... I start laughing because thank God I'm not the only one who messes up phone calls. She doesn't think it's funny. I hang up.
Therefore, there is no basketball game this week. However, we might be able to get a good deal on a chicken dinner. Fail....

First Basketball game

Coming back from two weekends outside of San Jose has been exhausting. Life hasn't been all that peachy the last few weeks, but God is always faithful. He is once again reminding me that depending on Him is the only way. Prayers would be much appreciated :) Apart from that, here is a funny conversation for you about our most recent basketball game. We show up at this school that is virtually empty and that is also rumored to be the best around. I have to admit, some (very little) dramatization was added ;):

Me: Hi, we're here...is your team here?
Coach: Yes they're here...is this your team?
Me: Yes, where is the locker room?
Coach: All of them?
Me: Yes....
Coach: They're kind of small.
Me: I realize that. Where is the locker room again?
(interruption) Maug (my team member): Coach! They have a wood floor!
Me: I'm talking. Stop drooling on the floor, someone has to clean that up. Go to the locker room.
Maug: Where?
Me (to the coach): Where did you say that locker room was?
Coach: Over there...but I wish you would have told me your team was young.
Me: (to my players) boys! stop staring in wonder and go change. (to coach: I did tell you my team was young and small at least three times.
Coach: Oh well I just won't play my starters.
Me: Yah, I suggested that the first time we talked.
My team: Wow this gym is amazing! We're going to get killed!
Me: Shutup and go change.
Coach: But I didn't realize...
Me: Now you know.
Coach: Well I don't know if you know this but we have this tournament going on right now. We're hosting all the best teams from Central America.
Me: I think I might go find that locker room.

Yah...we lost. No need to report the score...but I was proud of those boys. They had fun and they had such a good attitude about it. It's not easy to play the best school your first game, but they were awesome about it. So, our epic season has started and we're doing the best we can. More to come after our next game :)

Nicaragua

We spent the past 5 days in Nicaragua and it was absolutely fabulous. We packed a lot in, but I learned so much. I love traveling to new places to see God's creativity both in people and in nature. It was so fun to see new cities, new beaches, new people and new food. I've definitely concluded that going to the beach is so good for your soul somewhere deep down. Kate and I went to Nicaragua with two missionary families for fairly cheap (prices are considerably lower than in CR)...plus since we were staying with a family, we rented houses for cheap. It was about an 8 hour bus trip, but wasn't bad except for passing the border. In Granada, we stayed in an absolutely beautiful house. Granada is an old European city, so the architecture and color are beautiful. There are many churches and the people are so friendly. I absolutely loved it. I could definitely see myself living there. We toured the city, visited some church plants, met some great people and ate the best calzone ever.

Kids from the church plant

We were able to drive and see the biggest lake in Central America and look at a local volcano.

Kate, Ellie, Karis and I at Lake Nicaragua

We also went to a town called Masaya, a town considerably poorer, but full of passionate Christians. We went to the market and visited a church there. Kate and I went into this service and absolutely everyone was singing at the top of their lungs. It was so bad! lol I'm not a good singer, so I can say that, but I mean tone deaf. I loved it. I belted it out. Anyway, they start talking about us in there. They said in Spanish that they were thankful for the poor gringos that came even though we didn't understand anything they were saying. lol I raised my hand and let her know, that we actually did understand. slightly embarassing. They apologized. Then they asked for everyone take out their Bibles (which of course we didn't have with us at the moment). EVERY single person turned around to look at us and see if we had brought ours. Now it was my turn to apologize. ugh. Really funny though. On Sunday morning we went to a baptism in Lake Nicaragua. Everyone got in with their clothes on. I really wanted to...but I unknowingly wore a white skirt and thought that would be a bad idea...bummer! We then walked around Granada and took pictures. There are a bunch of churches there, so we took lots of pictures. After that we visited a mission home for girls rescued from sex trafficking. It was awesome. It gave me some great ideas and freshly renewed my desire for working with sexually abused girls.

One of the children in the home :)

I'm really excited about that. On Monday we drove to the beach and had a lot of fun there. There was like no one there and we stayed in a cheap but really nice home. I loved it. Overall, I really just had a blast. There are more pics on facebook, but I put some of my favorites up on here. Well...I need to go to bed, thanks for reading!

Puerto Viejo...otra vez!

Greg begged me to take this picture with sand all over us :)

Our group minus Drew (who we couldn't get out of the hammock)

This past weekend we went to Puerto Viejo on the Carribbean for a couple of days. There were 9 of us and we rented a house there for super cheap. It was a little ghetto, but we love that aspect of life :). The weather was great and the waves were pretty good. It was so awesome to have guys with us on this trip for so many reasons. 1. Eddie can cook (therefore, we ate well) 2. Drew was a bouncer (therefore no drug offers or getting hit on too much) 3. Greg has about equal energy as me (therefore I was entertained the whole time without bothering Kate). lol so it was really good. We must have played football in the waves for hours. On Monday morning I didn't hear my alarm clock for the first 30 minutes that it went off and when I finally tried to get up I felt like I was hit by a bus. So great :) This week is going well...super-busy but good. We're leaving for Nicaragua this Friday, so please be praying for our safety. There is a lot on my heart and mind this well this week, so prayers would be much appreciated this week. I can't really go into specifics, but there are a wide variety of things and I would just love your uplifting. God knew exactly what I needed today though. I was working with one of my Autistic students today whom I just adore and he told me he loved me for the first time ever. I tell him all the time and he's never really responded...plus sometimes I can just be the crazy lady that makes him do his work all the time. :) He also cracked me up because yesterday he loved the lotion I had on. He kept sniffing my arm and telling me I smelled like cake. lol Sharon did give me this cake smelling stuff over the summer. Anyway, today when I came to school he kept smelling my arms at different parts of the day and finally just came out and disappointedly asked why I didn't smell good and cakey today ;) I love my job...

Me posing for Kate...awesome

Nerd Day

Student Council!

Andrew (my bball team captain) and I

Eden and I rocking the nerd look

Well this is going to be really short because I have a lot to do before tomorrow! I have to give a staff enrichment presentation on special ed for our inservice day and then right after we're going to the beach...so I need to plan and pack! I'm so excited! There are nine of us going and we're all staying in a house. Should be interesting. I'm hoping it's not super ghetto because I picked it :). This past week has been a good one. Sunday was great...Bengals won and we were able to watch the Colts win while eating chicken wings at the Mullinax's house. Amazing. Basketball is going well...I love my team and I feel like I have a way better idea of what I'm doing this year. I also got TWO packages in the mail this week and two letters! YES! I think it's because this is my golden birthday month... lol I'll be 24 on the 24th. We are planning a massive fiesta :). Anyway, the best part of this week was nerd day. I don't know if I mentioned it, but I am one of the student council teacher reps this year and we're trying to do it big this year. I've posted some pics for your enjoyment!

Some teaching staff :)