Sweated Chicken with the Pope

Days 1 and 2 are in the books.

I spent most of the day just hanging out at the school before going ‘home’ around 7:00 p.m. I am staying with Mayi and her family. Yay! I love staying there. There is another chaperone, Jesús, staying there as well, along with a woman from Kansas. It’s a full house!

I woke up this morning and went for my first run. 5 miles. It was toasty even at 5:30 a.m. I am hesitant to venture too far from my home stay (even with pepper spray) so I ended up running numerous laps around a church and soccer field. Looking forward to running in Monteverde…

I was re-trained in a couple of areas today that I needed to brush up on. This is useful considering I dive right in to my first group this weekend. We have added some new things this year like a Twitter account, Facebook page and other fun things to keep parents and the public in the knew about what all CPI is doing. It’s a great thing for the school, but it’s a lot of work for us chaperones!

I tried to be productive, but sometimes it’s a ‘hurry up and wait’ kind of thing. I did translate an entire itinerary into Spanish…so, that’s good.

Anyway, speaking of translations, Meggie tagged me today in a photo of a horribly translated menú.

What exactly is a Sweated Chicken, anyway? And do you like your Pope served with salad?

This is why you hire out for these sorts of things... : )

Hopefully heading back to the homestay soon. Yo adoro a mi familia tica!

Chop of pork,
Jessica Lynn

Back in Costa Rica!

The picture is a little dated. It's my official CPI picture from 2 years ago.

Estoy aqui! I made it. The flights were easy and I flew through customs.

I somehow managed to seat myself right in the middle of two groups of high school students on the flight from Atlanta to San Jose. Mom reminded me that I am just getting ready for next summer when I might bring my own group. : )

Glad I'm in safe and sound. My Spanish is going well, so I'm muy emocionada about that.

It's sooooo good to see everyone! There are so many people here in Heredia right now. I can not believe it's been a year since I've been here.

All right, I'll post more later!


Pura vida,

Jessica Lynn

When Pigs Fly

...I'll run a marathon.

That's what I told myself for 24 years of my life. And then, at 24 and 1 month, I thought it suddenly sounded like a good idea.

I ran my first full marathon on May 1 in Cincinnati. It was great! I had, arguably, the BEST pit crew covering great lengths and areas to ensure my success. To be completely honest, I could not have done it without them.

My mom and sister cheered from the sidewalks and cheered even louder as I came in to the finish.

My brother started the race with me and then jumped back on the course for the last 1/2 mile to run in with me. As I was immensely fatigued and ready to cross the finish, he talked me through the last grueling steps, pointing out people that I should try to catch or to beat. I apparently had enough gas left to try to hold a conversation with him until he informed me, "Let me do the talking, just run." I liked that idea the best. What an amazing thing to have him on the course with me.

And then there is my dad. I have trouble finding the words to describe my immense gratitude and love for his desire to see me through my entire journey and make sure that I had everything I needed to succeed. I covered 26.2 miles that day. My dad covered 15 miles on foot to ensure that I had dry shoes and socks if I needed them, food, gels, and support. My excitement (and relief) was evident in my running and expression when I saw him at miles 11 and 19 waiting patiently along the route with all my extra gear and food.

Of course, the food he handed me at mile 11 I promptly handed back to him at mile 19 after being tired of carrying it. Although, I think it was a good thing because he didn't have any food out with him, and if you do the calculations, he still had a 7 mile walk back to the finish line to meet up with the family. We are bringing his bike next time. : )

I had such a positive experience that I am going back for more this fall. I think I'd like to qualify for Boston seeing as though I finished 1 minute off the current qualifying standards. Next year, they become a little more difficult, but I'd like to still try. Plus, my sister and I have to run one together...although she has since sworn them off. Love you, hermanita osita. : )

Okay, I am off to Costa Rica in 3 days! Just spent a weekend at the state track meet and relaxing by the pool today! Oh the life of a teacher and coach... (P.s. I get my own room next year!!)

Ok, hasta pronto,

Jessica Lynn

Chicken Bowl Thursday

I did it, students. I did it. I ate the chicken bowl that you have raved about all year.

What exactly is a Chicken Bowl you might be asking? I'll explain. It's a heart attack, life-shortening bowl of "goodness" served in our school cafeteria. The fine of art of creating this mixture includes laying soggy chicken nuggets on the bottom, followed by a heaping spoonful of imitation mashed potatoes, only to be smothered in less than impressive gravy, covered with corn and piled high with cheese. I think it's a fair assessment to say you will have lost 2 years off of your life just for consuming one.

Nevertheless, because I love my students dearly and am a woman of my word, I promised to consume one. I waited until that last possible day to do it too. And apparently by waiting until the last Thursday of the year, I also got the worst chicken of the year. Official reports the next day explained that the chicken was "nasty." Awesome. (Like the soggy nuggets were the ONLY thing pulling the meal down.)

(Thought I could get away with just holding the fork up and pretending.)

(Oh no, I went in for the real thing...mmmm.)

Good news though, I never have to eat another chicken bowl. I have proof that I consumed some of it. (See above pictures). : )

Anyway, exciting things are happening in my life--including my annual departure to Costa Rica in 2 weeks. Whoo!

Time for bed though...Last day of school tomorrow! (very mixed feelings about this)

Pura Vida,
Jessica

Ice Storm

I am currently on my second snow day in a row from school due to an ice storm that rolled into the area on Monday night. I just saw where we are now cancelled for Thursday as well--third day in a row. I guess it's time to get out tomorrow or I'll go stir crazy. : )

The picture above is from my trip to Utah this winter. Despite all of my summer posts that usually make it into this blog, I absolutely LOVE winter and snow. I am the last one to complain about getting 10 inches of snow or it still snowing in March. Last year, I took my first ski trip out West with my brother and some of his friends, and now I'm addicted. It's amazing to me that I still live in Ohio. : )

Anyway, I'm pretty tired of being cooped up, so I'll venture out tomorrow assuming the roads are decent.

Happy Snow Days!

Jessica Lynn

Carrera de Aventura

It's November...not much to recount but here is an update:

Just finished talking to Meggie in Costa Rica. : ) Pura vida.

Life is moving along quickly. We'll be at Christmas before I know it. I can't wait for it to snow!!

School is great! I adore teaching Spanish 2.

(Note to self: if you want a fun activity for your Spanish 2 classes, create an adventure race in the wooded area behind the school.)

Probably the biggest success yet this year came in the form of an adventure race for my students two weeks ago. The frantic deer that ran past one of the groups just added to the excitement. I need to come up with an Easter egg hunt for Spring. : )

Okay, like a good teacher I'm going to grade and go to bed.

Buenas noches!

Jessica Lynn

La Realidad

I’m back to it, all too soon and all too abruptly it seems. Reality. That’s what was inevitably waiting for me when I returned to the U.S.

I took my time adjusting myself it seemed, but it wasn’t enough. I was so rudely awakened today with a nightmare about school and not being in the right classroom. And so it has begun…

My family and I went to Lake Cumberland a week after I returned, and my brother and I got some big air on the wakeboard, while my dad carved the water on his slalom ski and mom was a good sport about it all and even got out there too. Kristen, still recovering from a back injury patiently watched it all take place.

I finally willed myself into going to school this week. I’m not sure what I accomplished but I think it helped me get back into school-mode. I think I may be ready come Monday.

My blog is signing off unofficially for the summer today. There will be periodic updates like last year, and most likely reflections of my summer that creep up on me when I least expect it.

To those returning to school, Buena Suerte y que te acompañe : )

Ahora vamos por todos, todos vamos por ellos.

Amor,
Jessica Lynn