paraíso

This weekend I went to the caribbean and celebrated my 22nd birthday (which was way better than my 21st, not going to lie). There are no words that can fully describe lying on white sand in the sunshine with the lightest breeze blowing through the palm trees. It was restful, tranquilo and full of so much joy.

Even though they do not do justice to the beauty that was the weekend, I will give you with pictures of paradise.

 we played frisbee in the water and didn't loose it! (photo cred: Ticcia)

 Our hostel: Cabinas Lika S.A.

 Joshué!

 Method of transportation: Rent-a-bike! $5 for the day. 

 Cocles beach with the beautiful Bean. 

 Josh, David and I - we bodysurfed a bit

 Cocles

 More bodysurfing!

 transportation again

 Yoga!

 New beach! Manzanillo - 13 km or 8.08 miles down the track from Puerto Viejo

 Jump pictures - always a must. 

 it was so beautiful

 Supermarket in Puerto Viejo

 Playa Negra - just outside of Puerto Viejo

 Sociology majors ftw!

 Playa Negra otra vez

 One thing I didn't do, but wish I had: Diving

 Reef runners. Also - popular manner of advertising. 

 Scenes from a morning gander in Puerto Viejo

 "Feel the Caribbean" - lots of hippies here my friends. 

 Stellar iced latte - the bartista put in about 5 frozen cubes of coffee, filled the glass with milk and added espresso

colorfully painted trunks on the drive back :)

What does one do when their life has become focused on one thing: the next step - getting a job. I don't want a job to define me, I would rather have a job is what I want to do. I know the right thing to say is "I want to do what God wants me to do." Frankly, I have no idea what that is. I haven't felt connected to God in quite a few months now and that is hard for me. I want my relationship with Him to grow, but I don't know what I have to do to get to that place where I am willing to put aside distractions for it. Not to mention I really don't know how to read the Bible.

Meanwhile, other random things:

1. Beach tomorrow!
2. I got to sing in English class today
3. At least two people who I have had multiple conversations with in the last week have told me that I sound like I am from Spain.
4. Cuba is a real option for the Costa Rica Center - all approvals are in and the first trip will be next fall.
5. Kyle and Kirsti are in Central America with me!
6. Got my passport back with my year long, multiple entry Chinese visa
7. I keep missing people on skype, which can get frustrating.
8. Emily's Cuban-American grandparents talked to us about having lived in Cuba today. Their experiences are incredible. They also brought us chocolate.
9. Learning about ethics and really trying to apply yourself is challenging and sometimes scary in the way that it makes you change your mind, or at least articulate what you believe.
10. I leave you with this video. Watch it. 

notes for a Wednesday

1. Dogs bark so loudly in this neighborhood.
2. This weekend is my birthday celebration trip to the beach - I abandoned my decision to not plan anything and found a sweet hostel in Puerto Viejo online and now I feel like we have a full van heading out on Friday, hopefully.
3. Good thing - I'm feeling the lack of sunshine.
4. Got my passport back today with an added Chinese visa! 1 month + 10 days!
5. I feel like mustaches are a cross-cultural thing. Maybe in order to create peace in conflict, male leaders need to come together and discuss their mustaches.
6. Construction here has two speeds: really stinking fast (hooters) and the pace of a snail (every other building)
7. Slow internet teaches patience and fuels frustration - a dichotomy, I know.
8. Everyone seems to be getting someone sick or run-down. Prayer for health would be good. I have a nice lump behind an ear that feels like a swollen lymph node or something along with my stuffiness.
9. JOB SEARCHING IS TERRIFYING (if you haven't figured that out from earlier posts)
10. Batidos frescos = que bueno :)
11. Mama Kuki has this wonderful saying "Que cosita más divina!" - one of the ladies I work with said it on Monday and it made me smile.
12. Also with the boss - she told me that if I ever need anything, just ask. I guess when I didn't come in on Monday last week because of my eye they were very concerned about me. I work with the most wonderful people :)
13. Office Depot in Costa Rica looks exactly like Office Depot in the United States
14. Buses are ridiculous here. I love them. They are fun to watch people on. For instance, I saw a few people in sweet plaid shirts the other day. I also saw a few great hairstyles. And some great old ladies. They're pretty stylish here.
15. Michael Buble Christmas album. Bought it on Amazon. Winner.

I find myself tired all the time. I'm not really sure why; I feel like I'm not doing much other than homework and class, but I guess the language still has a toll on you as well as the adventures of travel. Sometimes it is bad having something that you are looking forward to very much in the future, because it makes it difficult to live in the moment.

This trip to Puerto Viejo is overwhelming me. I am SO excited. Mostly to get out and do something not in San Rafael or Heredia. I'm also hoping to get to Manzanillo, or at least go out in that general direction. Apparently it's a great place to ride a rent-a-bike too from Puerto Viejo and the short ride between the towns has some of the best beaches in Costa Rica. Praying for sunshine.