Wow!

Again, words escape me, and that's really saying something.  Today was another great day.  I stayed in last night, but rather than socialize with my Tico family, I decided to lock myself away and enjoy the cable TV in my room (with Spanish subtitles, of course).  It's always funny to watch Spanish TV...often times, it's a program that's translated with a pretty strict Mexican dialect, which is not always applicable to the kind of Spanish that we might hear in CR or in CA. However, it was a nice respite, and despite the mild feelings of guilt for not being social (thanks mom), I don't regret it one bit.

So, today was a good. one.  I made it just in time for class (on the minute to be exact...9:00), and we met in the garden.  This was a nice break from our somewhat dreary classroom.  Again, it was a great reminder of what a lot of kids probably feel like in my own classroom.  It wasn't that I didn't want to go to school, it's just the fact that I know going into it that I have five hours of pretty intense study where I know that I won't necessarily be "successful" and/or know what is going on.  However, since my dark place episode, I've made a promise to myself that I won't be negative (you hear that, Robin?).  If I struggle, I'll just laugh it off and keep trying my best. Today was no exception...

Now, let me get to the best part of the day.  After class, I went to my Salsa lesson.  Yesterday, I totally stunk it up and felt really bad, like I'd never learn how to dance this way.  Today, I started with this new girl, who was...how shall we say???...not friendly.  Insert your own "name" here...  

I realize now that it wasn't MY problem.  SHE sucked, not me.  I ended up doing the next song with the girl in my class (the German who I thought was...insert another "name" here). However, I think she's taken a liking to me.  She's actually quite nice, and was an awesome person to dance with.  It was almost like something "clicked" with me, whereby I was suddenly able to dance with relative ease.  I was busting out all sorts of moves that we had been taught and it felt GREAT!  I can now say that officially, I can dance Salsa!  I'm SO stoked about that:) Although I won't be there tomorrow for classes (and I'll get to that in a second), I'm looking forward to next week when I feel like a pro, and hopefully get moved into the "advanced" class. Wouldn't that be something?  Me?  Advanced?  LOL

After class, we were supposed to meet for a movie, and later, drinks.  However, just about every Costa Rican in the country showed up and that spoiled our plans.  We ended up just going out for drinks.  Now, you don't need to hear about us drinking (I'm sure you can imagine me doing that...), but I will say that it was a fun night because we ended up back at the same bar I was at on Monday night.  We got there and although at first I was standing in a corner, I worked my way back through the crowd and became part of the nucleus.  It was funny, because earlier I was talking trash about how "these are the kinds of people I USED to hang out with in my fraternity days..." and then all of a sudden, I'm working my way into the crowd, and ultimately, playing some HILARIOUS drinking games with them.  We played one game called "Chickens Up" which was insanely funny, and then another where you do some "hand signals" which require some sort of memory.  That one was tough...

I will admit that I boned out on them because I didn't want to have a hangover tomorrow (wait, it IS tomorrow!).  Class is ROUGH with a headache.  Tomorrow, we are going into San Jose to visit "El Museo de Oro" (Gold Museum) for the first part of the day, and then back to class. Then, at 3:00, we will be making our way towards the bus station for our first trip to THE CARIBBEAN!  That's right...we are going to Puerto Viejo, which is a town that I've been dreaming of for quite some time!  It is going to be EPIC.   I'll give you an update when I return Sunday night...

In the meantime, thanks for all of your comments and emails:)  They really do make me feel connected.  I know I haven't gotten back to all of you, but I'll do my best to try and do that in the days to come.  I hope you are all doing well and I look forward to catching up with you soon!