Dear Costa Rica

The time has come for me to say goodbye. It seems bittersweet to leave as I am sad to leave my new friends, and so excited to be back in Minnesota continuing with my life as a teacher.  The goodbyes here have seemed to last a life time, as I have left part of my heart with all my new children at Jardin Central and with all the wonderful teachers and staff there.
Thank you for all the beaches; puerto viejo, carillo, punta uva, manzanillo, samara, manuel antonio, jaco, punta leona.  Thank you for the excitement of riverrafting in the tenorio river and sharing it with my mom, what an exciting time.  Thank you for the volcanos; Arenal and Irazu they were full of beauty, I was so happy I was able to share the experience of Arenal with Adam.  Thank you for reminding me that I do not like little dogs, and I love DJ, my big dog at home.  Thank you for showing me an experience of a different world of education and pushing me to realize it is not wrong just different. Thank you for all the teachers at Jardin Central who were oh so caring and welcoming every single day, even if at times I didn't understand a word they were saying. Thank you for all the Spanish, the new words, the naughty words, and of course the awful subjunctive that continues to haunt me in my sleep.  Thank you for the sun, so hot that it bite's your skin every time you walk into it and colors your skin red or a deep chocolate brown. Thank you for my Costa Rican Family, Flor, Rafa, Kathy even though it has been hard for me you have gone above and beyond in making me feel part of the family, you have shown me the way you live your everyday lives and accepted me into your own as your hija.  Thank you for reminding me I do not want a life that does not include my love, Adam.  It is time for me to go. Thank you for all the experiences, good, bad, difficult, and wonderful.  Thank you for teaching me Pura Vida.
Con Mucho Mucho Amor,
Pura Vida
Breanna

*Minnesota here I come*

Last Weekend

This has been my last weekend here in Tres Rios.  I was contemplating traveling, but decided to stay here to get some stuff done and ready to go for the big trip home on Thursday.  We had a three day weekend as there was no school on Friday.  I am starting to feel like I will be quite sad to leave all of my students this week as a lot of them seem to really love me!!!
My friend Carmen and I have been walking at a track everyday to keep busy, as well as running errands around Tres Rios.  Yesterday I paid my exit tax so I don't have to do it at the airport, I also found gifts for my co-operating teacher, and we saw a move, Horrible Bosses or in Spanish "Quiero matar mi jefe".  It was a pretty funny movie, it was nice to see something light hearted.  
This evening I am heading over to Carmen's home to help her make Sopa Azteca, it similar to tomato soup but with Chicken and cheese and tortilla chips, it's quite delicous but takes a couple hours to make. 
This week my computer died so I have no photos to share with you, and I have been slacking on the blog posts. 
I have finished the actual teaching part of my student teaching and start to re-observe for my last three days in the school starting tomorrow.  It feels pretty good to keep checking things off my list. 
I hope this finds you all well!
See you soon Minnesota :)

Los Romeros

(Just a little more Umbrella Culture for you)

Today I have reached single digits in counting down to go home. Can you tell I'm ready?  I feel like I have had a lot going on the last week or so to share with you.
I had my final observation from Educators Abroad/ Hamline. Everything went great, the kids acted a bit different having someone else in the room, they were doing things like screaming randomly etc. It definitely threw me off gaurd, but that is what teaching is all about right?  In the end I received an outstanding job and great work from my observer and am now wrapping up my final steps of Student Teaching.   Hamline has already sent in my licensure papers and submitted my final passing grades, so needless to say I'm feeling pretty good about becoming a teacher.

In Costa Rica I have realized they have a lot of holidays, many holidays are ones surrounding the catholic religion.  Today, August 2nd, Is "Day of the Virgin of the Angels".  This is what I believe to be the largest religous holiday here in Costa Rica, and here is why;  people walk to Cartago, from ALL OVER. People fill the streets, they are called romeros and they walk.  Some say they walk from Panama and from Nicaragua and from all over Costa Rica. It is really quite amazing that someones faith and belief leads them to do this.  The romeros have come in all different sizes, shapes, and ages.  I have been lucky enough to see the main road where everyone walks as it goes directly through Tres Rios.   So everyone walks to this big church, kneels up to the alter and asks the Black Virgin for something.  Then they turn around and I would guess take public transportation back to their homes. This is a huge deal, the schools are closed today, to honor the holiday. 



                                                                                  This last weekend I headed to Jaco beach to try and

 keep myself busy.  It really is the hottest place I have ever been. I don't know why it get's so hot, but it is HOT all the time.  I stayed in a hostel and really enjoyed myself. It was nice to not be running on anyone elses schedule.  I met up with friends who are also part of the program, DJ and Janelle, on Sat. night for a couple of cocktails and a beautiful sunset (the only sunset I have seen while I've been here).  I soacked up a bit of sun, just to make sure I am tan for my return to the states.

I have been continuing with my private Spanish Lessons, working on the subjunctive. It has been going really well, the problem is, the more you learn, the more you realize you don't know. It can get quite frustrating at times.

Five weeks from today is the first day of school, so I am really trying to wrap my head around everything and start preparing.  Soon enough I will be back on Minnesota ground, and am more then excited to get back to my life back in the States, and start the next chapter.