Spoonless Cereal

One of the many things I get to encounter down here is new experiences--each and every day. Or in this case, every morning since I've been in Monteverde. I haven't been able to locate a spoon for cereal in the morning since I've been here. The first day was really rough... I had already poured the milk before I realized I didn't have any utensils. I used a combination of slurping, scooping and every other bad food eating habit your parents tried to break you of as a child.  Since then, things have improved because I just eat the cereal dry.

However, things are really looking up for tomorrow as I have finally located the utensil drawer! I know this isn't my first rodeo (pronounced: roh-day-oh) and I have lived in this apartment before, but I definitely misplaced the utensil drawer. I won't try and rationalize how I couldn't find it because you'll never believe me, but it's not where you'd think (or like) it to be. I only stumbled upon it when I was diagnosing why the refridgerator was no longer running. Killed two birds with one stone didn't I?

Take a gander at the foto below and tell me where you think the drawer is. First person to guess correctly gets a free bag of coffee... : )

I am fully aware that I'm setting myself up for failure--only because looking at this picture it is now really obvious. Nuts.

Not a lot else going on (clearly). I actually have a lot more grad school work to do than I care to admit to, so it's probably time to get started for the night.


Looking forward to eating cereal like a decent human being tomorrow,

Jessica Lynn

Back to Work!

In the office today and back into my normal routine.

No running this morning (see picture below). Sometimes at 5 a.m. when it's pouring down rain and 20 mph winds, it's just better to call a duck a duck, make a phone call and go back to bed... So I did. :)

Weather is still pretty yucky at the moment, and I'm glad to be indoors today. There is plenty to do so I'm never bored. Student count is down this week at CPI Monteverde so it's rather quiet, but the 'locura' will begin soon enough. :)

Back to work for a bit...

In the words of my sister via autocorrect:

Pita visa,

Jessica Lynn

Settling In

Today has been immensely productive in regards to school work. Not too thrilled about the assigned project or how much time I've devoted to it, but too much of a perfectionist to give less than 100%. As my hermanita noted, "Ah yes, the Schulte family curse." :)

Between grad school assignments I did manage to get out and run and go to lunch with Muni and her family--see picture below! Of course, I went for ice cream afterward as well. :)

Rain just set in and I'm supposed to walk to Muni's for dinner...nuts. But it's Costa Rica and pura vida :)

I've also attached a picture of the jacuzzi from last night. Holy Toledo. Who wouldn't want to learn Spanish here?! :)

That about wraps up today--I start work tomorrow! Buenas noches amigos!

Chao,
Jessica Lynn

Liiiiive Action!

CPI Heredia

And...we're back! The Costa Rica blog is up and running again :)

If you're wondering where the title came from, do yourself a favor and tune in to, "Call of the Wildman," on Animal Planet and have some patience with it. You'll be glad you did.

I'm in Monteverde right now and getting my Spanish skills back on track. I just spent the afternoon with Muni and my boss Jonle. It was so great to be back and visit with them!! I finally got to meet Muni's baby too :)

My morning was spent running and talking to my former professor from UD-he brought another group this year! I've also worked on a grad school project all morning :( When Muni and Jonle came over we headed to Monteverde Whole Foods and then Muni and I walked to into Santa Elena to get more groceries.

Time to work some more and then go to Jacuzzi Night at CPI with Muni and Jonle and her family!

Mas información pronto!

Pura vida :)
Jessica Lynn

Guanábana en Ohio!

My guanabana cravings have been satisfied. I found guanabana pulp in Ohio today at Jungle Jim's!! Incredible.

I will survive until June. :)

Mercado Mexicano

Here is the video from the Mercado Mexicano that my students created in class. One of my students requested that the video be put on my blog, and I thought it was a great idea!

My students are fantastic, and I'll miss them dearly next year when they are in Español IV. They will love la Srta. Hayes though! : )

Track and teaching are moving along! I'm having a great year and can't believe we are going to be out in 1.5 months. Where has the year gone?! This year has been yet another great year of growth and learning as a teacher and coach. I am starting to come into my own as an educator. :)

Okay, students are here and I'm preparing to teach. More to come on my year later...It's been a full (and fulfilling) one!

Con cariño,

Jessica Lynn

Official 5

It's official as of 3 weeks ago. I am returning to Costa Rica for the 5th consecutive summer! I couldn't be more thrilled. :) The last two days in my Spanish III classes we've had a "Mexican Market" simulation and the students could only speak in Spanish. It got me REALLY excited to travel again. It must be in my blood...

Anyway, June 8th I'll return to my Pura Vida and my blog will pick back up to it's normal pace and updates. Look for more to come soon! I've had an amazing 8 months back in the States!

This was taken in Talkeetna, Alaska last summer, but the vibrance reminded me of Costa Rica.

Amor,

Jessica Lynn