Sorry We Lost the Bananas

My first couple of days in San Jose have been interesting to say the least. Yesterday, Claire and I left our house early to go on a field trip to the Poas Volcano and some waterfalls. On our way to find the bus we got a little bit lost and ran into a pretty unfriendly Tico. After confronting us, this man pulled out a switchblade and demanded our backpacks. We were eager to comply to his wish. After a couple seconds of panic, Claire and I followed the man's other order to walk away. So there we were in the middle of San Jose at 6:30 on a Sunday morning with nothing but shear terror. We walked back to our house pretty defeated and angry at the world. Our host family was very kind and tender, covering us in hugs and kisses. They continually told us how valuable we are to them and our Momí fed us extra delicious food. I'm feeling pretty spoiled at this point. I've been told that our Momí is the best cook out of all the host families and mae, let me tell you it is good. I hope to send some pictures when I get another camera. Our Papí has also shown his concern by giving us a series of lectures about safety in the streets. 

We've learned a lot about walking the streets of San Jose. I consider my street cred to have gone up several notches. Not only am I getting to study Spanish in a world-renowned university, but I'm learning how to survive.

I was feeling kind of bitter towards Ticos yesterday but after Claire and I arrived at the house today soaked from head to toe we were became well aware that they are not all bad. Our Momí had cleaned our rooms and brought us hot chocolate. Ella es una Santa! 

Our first day of classes went well, we both got into the class that we were hoping for. All is well. 

I consider myself truly blessed. Yesterday in my devotion I came across this verse: 

 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam, 

though the mountains tremble at its swelling. 

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, 

the holy habitation of the Most High.
  God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; 

God will help her when morning dawns.
  The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;

he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. 

Psalm 46:1-7

Even under attack I know that God is still God. He is far more powerful than any fears I have. This year I have experienced some pretty frightening things, but I know where my security is. Praise the Lord! I have a firm place to set my feet. Soy una hija de Dios.

Pura Vida

Today I began my first full day in San Jose, Costa Rica with a full on allergy attack. Because I am here during the rainy season everything is slightly damp. It kind of feels like being at the river. 
I met my sweet host family. They are Luz and Manuel, mis abuelos! Luz is one of the best cooks I have ever met. For dinner last night we had "comida tipica de Costa Rica". This consisted of rice, black beans, green beans mixed with carrots and meatballs, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, and tortillas. Muy Rico! It is so much fun being in the house. It is like several different little houses put together into one with awnings to keep the rain out. Their granddaughter Laura and their son also live here. All the different family members are hard to keep up with, but hopefully I'll learn the names. 
For breakfast we had a plate of fresh fruit, mango, banana and some other orange fruit. Also a heaping plate of black beans with rice, eggs mixed with something, and tortillas. And coffee with milk. Deliciouso!
I'm definitely a fan of the food but it is going to be hard to get used some other aspects of Costa Rica.
Such as, the pace. Everything is slow here, except for the drivers. The walking is slow, even the time. Hopefully this will ween me off of my obnoxiously fast American pace. I also desperately need to learn to exchange colones for dollars in my head. I am terrible with math and throw a foreign language on top of that and it's over.
Today, we took a trip to the mall with Manuel to get some essentials and then in a little bit we are going to our orientation at the university.
I'm so excited about all that I'm going to experience here.
I'll leave you with some phrases that the ticos use.
In the morning you say "como amanecieron?" (which means something along the lines of how did you wake up?) and you respond with " bein por dicha" (meaning good-luckily) 
I'll write more later! 
Pura Vida, 
Emily

A little DIY day

Due to all of the craziness of this past week, I am back home and have a considerable amount of free time. The tornado that happened on Wednesday damaged a large portion of Tuscaloosa, including the neighborhood I lived in. (I'll post more later)...

As for today, I decided to take a break from sorting through the craziness of moving back to my parents' house. I have the most wonderful family and friends, they helped me carry my belongs about 2 blocks in order to get it to the cars. So this week I have the daunting task of organizing it all.

 Here are my projects that I had fun with today! First, a little wedding flower arrangement practice. Mom and I are hoping to do the decor ourselves, using wildflowers and mason jars.

Found these flowers out in my yard and stuck them in an old mason jar and coke bottle. I used some strips of fabric and rafia to add a little bit of a rustic feel. (Don't you just love my little pine cone owl!)

My second project was decorating my new journal. I used:-Composition notebook
-2 large sheets of scrapbook paper
-1 pc embossed paper
-rafia
-modpodge

 The key to any successful modpodge project is being generous. You have to apply m.p. before you put the paper onto the journal and after. Doing this will give your whole journal a nice finished look.

I don't know if you can tell from the pictures but on the front cover I put one of my all time favorite verses of scripture.

"Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."-Psalm 73: 25-26

This verse has been on my mind a lot lately. When you suddenly are in a position where you truly grasp that you have no control it will terrify you. When I was huddling under a pillow with my roommates this week listening to the world come down around us I realized how little control I actually have. I cannot keep myself alive and I cannot truly hold anything. That day belongings became the least important things to me. How much more valuable is life?! And I know with full confidence that I can lose anything in an instant, but I will never be separated from the Lord. Praise God for His protection and bringing good things out of terrible situations. He is Good. 

I hope you remember how truly blessed you are. Don't forget to tell your family and friends how much you love them. 

Grace and Peace 

-e