ahorado!

I believe this means "hang man" in spanish. Today there was an assembly and I spent the morning help decorate for it, instead of teaching class. Occasionally we would rush into the class, and either play hangman or teach the kids to sing "happy birthday" in english. They actually already knew how to sing happy birthday, but they enjoyed learning it again.

It has rained a lot here. It poured this afternoon and thundered and lighteninged rather magnificently. Yesterday, I tried to go for a run with Kate (lol there are so many kates). The Kate I run with is different from the Kate I work with. The Kate I work with is leaving this saturday. But yesterday Kate and I ran for maybe a mile when it POURED. Man...it comes out of nowhere here and it doesn't stop. We got soaked, but at the same time it was fun holding our arms out and reaching for the rain.

I wish I felt as tranquil as I sound. In reality I don't. I have good moments and I have bad, that people have told me are normal. I've felt really sad these past couple of days, but last night I felt really peaceful and unburdened. I think that these feelings are going to be normal and a part of my life until I return home to somewhere where I truly can feel safe to.

I've been taking a taxi everywhere I need to go and walking with someone else when possible. I haven't had to walk alone, and I've decided that I'm not going to.

I've also been spending time alone and thinking. I've decided that next time I go abroad to volunteer, I am going to try and find somewhere rural. I don't like the fast pace, dirt, grime, and fences of San Jose. I don't like the bars or the night life. I want a quite place where I can think and read at pleasure. Here I feel rushed. Not near as rushed in the US. But still rushed.

But we'll see. I'm looking into traveling to the fair trade farms that are in a small town called Agua Buena. I would get to stay with a family there and hopefully see a different part of Costa Rica than the city.

But there is beauty everywhere. The picture I posted above was one of my favorites I have taken. The students were coloring outside, and it got hot so they hid under the tables.

They are so adorable!