Epic...cold

Well, I don't think it'll be news to anyone that I've spent my last two days being super sick.  I started feeling it on Friday, and combined with two days of pretty much being completely soaked through and sitting in wet clothes for hours on end, I came down with the worst strain of the cold imaginable.  And it's kinda funny, because I really can't even remember the last time I've had a cold that I took seriously.  However, this one absolutely terrorized me yesterday, so badly that I decided to stay home from school.  I spent the day in bed, cheered up by all of my wonderful friends and family giving me their sympathy, but still feeling like a steaming pile of you-know-what.  Facebook, I have to say, has got to be the greatest invention ever, especially when you want to stay connected when away.  It was great to catch up with all of you, so if I chatted with you at any point in time during my "epic cold," thanks:)

Today I felt much better.  I woke up with a clear nose, but the sense that I clearly wasn't quite through the woods yet.  I definitely felt good enough to go to school, and that was funny to me because I remember what a thrill it was to stay home sick as a kid.  It's just not the same when you're older, especially when you're essentially losing money while at it.  

School was a ton of fun as usual, and like Monday, I got more private lessons.  I think I mentioned on Monday that I was the only one left in my class (after writing a two-page rant about why the obnoxious 17-year-old should be removed).  Well, since then, it's been awesome. On Monday, I had class solo for the first two hours, but was then joined by a really cool gal named Michelle, who is from Canada.  She is about my age, and our Spanish is just about even. She joined our class for the last hour before lunch, just to kind of test-drive it.  After lunch, I had the next two hours for myself, which was awesome because with my questions (I always have many), I was able to kind of guide the class in the direction I wanted it to go.  Specifically, we worked on the imperative tense which is how you say things when you want to give commands.  I made sure that I got this down pat.  I can now safely say that I am proficient at telling people what to do!  Very pleased with myself for this...lol

Today, Michelle was back for the morning, and then again in the afternoon, I had class to myself.  I think I did pretty well, and even received a couple of nice compliments from Daniel telling me how much better I've gotten at knowing when to use the past tense versus the evil imperative that I complained about early on.  Plus, when class is set up like this, I have more opportunities to speak, which is really important.  I probably understand 70-80% of what Daniel is saying all the time with only the occasional, "de que estas hablando?" (what are you talking about?).  Tomorrow is the last class of the week, and then I'll only have one more.  I have really mixed feelings about this.  One one hand, I'm excited to go spend the week in Nicaragua, but on the other, I think another week would really do me good.  However, in the best interest of my own personal sanity (and those that I work with), I think I need to have this last week to decompress, and maybe even get a little bored so that returning looks a little better:)  Throughout the summer, I have asked myself, "Could you go back to teaching yet?" My first week off, obviously it was a, "HELL NO!"  Every day since, this sentiment has shrunken a little, but I still can't say that I am.  It's been nice having a long break from kids, but I know that I'll be excited to start the new school year, especially with a somewhat new perspective.

Today, I had to make a really tough decision, you know, like a life or death situation.  Should I spend my last weekend in CR up in Playa Tamarindo, or Miguel Antonio?  I'll give you a brief run-down on the two places:

Playa Tamarindo-  Ranked the #1 beach in CR.  Located on the Pacific coast, northwest of San Jose.   Also known as Playa Gringo-rindo, this place is notorious for it's party scene and beautiful beaches.  It's feel is compared to that of Disneyland with big buildings everywhere, top-notch bars, clubs, and restaurants.  It's expensive, but also one of the most popular spots in CR.   Traveling time from San Jose?  About 6-7 hours...

Miguel Antonio-  This beach is also located on the Pacific side, but is actually more east-south-east.  Travel time is about 3-4 hours.  Miguel Antonio supposedly has some of the most beautiful beaches as well, but is also situated on one of the country's most beautiful national parks.  Opportunities abound for great wildlife viewing, hikes, and back-to-nature type activities.  Not as expensive as Playa Tamarindo, but doesn't hold a candle to its nightlife.  Also supposedly has some of the best restaurants in the country.

And the verdict?  

Miguel Antonio.  I think I've gotten a lot of the partying out of my system.  No more pictures of me drinking beer, time for some pictures of toucans, sloths, and monkeys.  I'm "letting down" a bunch of our other travel buddies by not going to Tamarindo, but I can't pass up the opportunity for wildlife viewing just to get drunk.  I can do that anytime...

So I'll be leaving Friday at noon, and returning late Sunday night.  Hopefully I'll have some really cool pictures to share...

Pura Vida!