pelirojo!

This week has been absolutely wonderful. Life here is so simple and I love it. I go to bed every night around 9:30 and wake up to the sound of the rooster crowing and the dogs barking at the farm across the street at about 5:00 or 5:30 am and the sun is already brightly shining. I have ample time in the morning to read and journal before getting ready for the day ahead.

Classes have been going well. I’m taking 8 credits. The one class is to enrich our knowledge of Latin American Culture, specifically in Costa Rica (since this is where we are), and the other class is entitled “Intensive Advanced Spanish” which consists of conversation, grammar, and literature. Much of the homework is very hands-on which is excellent. Many of our assignments consists of exploring different parts of Costa Rica and writing about it, or interviewing our family about certain ideas or ways of life. It is super interesting and a great way to work on Spanish. The grammar homework is a little more mechanical, but I need that—some things are worth hammering through even if they are not the most enjoyable.

Amalia lets me help her cook dinner every night, yes! It’s so much fun to spend so much time in the kitchen as this is something that I don’t have much of an opportunity to do at college. Two nights ago my cousin (primo) Daniel came over and he was another little helper in the kitchen for dinner. I know we’re not really supposed to have favorites, but he is for sure my favorite cousin that I have met thus far. He is 6 years old with fiery red hair (love it!), freckles, and the sweetest personality. In case you were wondering, he’s a 100% Costarican and red hair is really rare here. He is super affectionate and very well behaved. I took him for a walk in the rain and he had his tiny little blue rain boots on and we jumped in every puddle we came across and played on the swings in the park. He’s coming to visit again this weekend and I am thrilled. Kids are the best.

This weekend will be a busy one for sure, but in a good way. I’ll be attending my first dance here in Costa Rica—at a disco club. Oh man! It should be quite the experience. My group and I will also venturing into San Jose on Saturday for the day to visit one of the museums (this is part of our homework).  Then on Sunday I’ll be helping out with a service project planting trees in a nearby park—I’ll be wearing my sun hat for sure. Got to keep up this pleasant pallor…

Just a few more random tidbits: Laudema, the grandma around here is probably one of the funniest people I have ever met. This morning at breakfast she asked me “So Amanda, do all the boys like you?” and I replied, “what?” and she said “when you walk by do they whistle at you like this” and then proceeded to whistle. She says the funniest things sometimes.  Lastly, good news, I found an internet café right around the corner from my house and it’s free!

Hope this gives you a little peek into what’s going on down here.
Sorry I can't put captions on the pictures...it's not working for some reason, but most of them are taking around my neighboorhood and the little boy is my "cousin," Daniel.