Un temporal...

Hello to all! Things are going well here as everything rapidly comes to a close. I had my last tutoring lesson today and I can honestly say that I'm going to miss my tutor. I definitely had some difficulties with her during the semester but all in all, I think she helped me immensely and she reminded me of my grandmother, Gigi, a little bit. She's 70-something years old and continues to learn about everything that she can. I hope I'm like that when I'm that old.

Things are starting to get a little sad now as we wrap things up. I've met so many wonderful people and formed bonds that I hope will last a lifetime. Right now the country of Costa Rica is in a "temporal," translation- we're getting buckets and buckets of rain for 6 days straight. The more little meaning of the word, however, means temporal or temporary. I think this is a very fitting word for what I've been through over the past 5 months. Everything in life is temporary. When I first got here, I was so homesick, and slightly lost as to how go about fitting in down here. I was treating the entire situation like it was permanent, and in hindsight I have no clue why I was worrying so much, lol. The past few years have been like a whirlwind for me and I think the biggest thing I've learned is that everything is temporary. If I'm going through something difficult, I know now that I just have to hold on tight and keep my head up high because it'll probably be over really soon. This trip has made me understand so many things that I didn't realize before, and it's just crazy to me that it has only been 5 months out of my entire life. How is it possible for someone to change so much in only 5 months? Given the right conditions and challenges, I was able to conquer some of my fears, become more outgoing, and learn more than I've ever learned before. I am truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to go through this. I hope everyone gets the chance to go through something like this. It's SO amazing!!

So, stepping away from serious mode for a second, let's go back to the raining thing. Yes, it's been raining here for 3 days straight and it's supposed to continue until Sunday. It wouldn't be so terrible except that I have to walk everywhere I go. The taxis are ridiculously busy, because no one wants to walk in the rain obviously, and it would get expensive if I took a taxi everywhere. So, I'm just kind of grinning and bearing it. I love rain, but I'm sure by Sunday I will be very tired of it, lol. I'm also 75% sure that my umbrella has a leak in it...have you ever heard of an umbrella having a leak in it, lol? Of course, that would happen this week when we're being slammed by a tropical depression. Oh well, as the Ticos say, "Pura vida!"

I'll be home in a little over 3 weeks, and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone! Hope all is well in the good ole U.S.A. :-)

Con amor,
Amelia