Transition.

I've become a little bit more accustomed to life in the U.S. over the past week or so, but some things continue to be a little difficult for me. I feel extremely bored everyday. I went from the hustle and bustle of city life to the quiet, peaceful life of rural Tennessee, and I think that's been the hardest on me. Hopefully that will change soon, though. I'm in the process of apartment and job hunting with some good looking prospects in both. I think if I can keep myself busy I won't think about how quiet everything is here...

In other news, I've put some music to some lyrics I wrote in Costa Rica, and created my first post-Costa Rica song. I really like it. It's a little different than what I usually like, but it's upbeat and snappy, so we'll see how it continues to develop. Hopefully I'll be doing some jamming with some people this week and start forming a band. Gigs would be awesome!! :-)

Other than that, not a whole lot is going on at the moment. My friend Elena that I met in Costa Rica is coming to visit in about 3 weeks, so I'm really excited about that! Also, my best buddy Ellen is coming in for July 4th weekend, so I'm pumped to see her, too!

Hope all is well with everyone! Thanks for reading!

Pura vida,
Amelia

Adjustment.

So, I've decided to continue blogging. I'm keeping this blogsite, though, because I feel like it signifies the start of something in my life. I started this to jot down thoughts and keep people updated while I was living in another country, but living in another country changed my life. Therefore, I'm going to keep my address as ameliaincostarica...a part of me will always be there...

Things have been slightly odd since I returned. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that I'm actually back in the United States. I'm somewhat indifferent to missing Costa Rica immensely and not wanting to be in the U.S., but nevertheless, it's very strange to return home. I feel like life should have stopped here while I was gone, but it didn't of course. I don't feel like I fit in completely. Hopefully these feelings will change soon. I am enjoying being able to drive myself around and my parents' good cooking, so at least those things are going well, lol. I just feel really overwhelmed at times, and need to take frequent breaks to just chill by myself. I'm sure I'll be fine in a couple of weeks, though.

In an attempt to keep myself busy and my mind off of leaving Costa Rica, I'm putting applications to find a job. I'm also going to be playing a few songs at a restaurant/bar in Cookeville called Vinnie T's. I'm really excited! I wrote about 6 or 7 songs while in Costa Rica, and I'm excited to play them in public. I'm ready to get on the ball about this booking gigs stuff, and I can't wait to see what the future holds. I feel like it's going to be a great rest of 2008 and next year as well. I currently have about 3 semesters left before I graduate, and then I'm off to the big, bad world! I'm not exactly looking forward to that, but life moves forward and so must I.

I hope all of you who read this continue to read this and leave me feedback. I'll try to keep it regularly updated with the random adventures in my life! My next traveling trip could possible be to Hong Kong in the next couple of weeks or so, and my buddy Elena that I met in Costa Rica is coming to visit in the middle of July! July is going to be a good month! :-)

Hope all is well with everyone!

Pura vida,
Amelia

Headed back

This will be my last post in Costa Rica. I went out last night for the last time to say good-bye to some of the amazing people that I've met here, and this afternoon I'm going to have coffee with my closest friends here. I can't believe that this experience is almost over! This time tomorrow I'll be sitting in the airport getting ready to board the plane that will take me back to the life I once knew and will now continue. I feel like I've been on vacation from my "real" life for 5 months. It's time for me to go back and pick it back up again. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I'm so thankful that I was given the opportunity to experience these past 5 months. Forgive me if it's all I talk about for a while. It's a huge part of my life now, and I have so many great stories. If you're at all interested in hearing about them, just ask, lol! I can't wait to see all of you guys, and thank you so much for keeping up with me while I've been here. I can't thank you enough for all of your love and support. I'm not sure if I'm going to continue this blog after I get back, but keep checking back just in case! :-)

Pura vida para siempre,
Amelia

La playa otra vez y una semana....

So, I'm officially coming home in 1 week! Crazy, huh? It seems like just yesterday I left to come down here. The past couple of days have been spent doing things to prepare for my leaving. I got all of my grades, and I passed everything with flying colors! I'll get full credit for all of it leaving me with very few credits left before I graduate...scary. Today I went around with some of my dear friends and took pictures of the places that I've loved while living here. Unfortunately, my camera broke about 2 months ago, so I'm relying quite heavily on my friends to take pictures for me. I really appreciate it, lol.

My plan for the next week starts of with me going to the beach one more time! Yay! We've decided to go to Tamarindo and all of the surrounding beaches close to it. I'm especially interested in seeing Playa Conchal since apparently there isn't much sand there, just shells, that sounds really cool. Other than that, I'm hoping to maybe go horseback riding on the beach. I think that would be so neat! Mainly, though, I'm just excited to spend one last trip with all my girls. I am so thankful for the wonderful bonds we've made while being down here.

After the beach, I'm sure everything will be a big blur: one last get-together with my exchange program group, packing, and saying my good-byes. One more week in Costa Rica! Ahh!! United States here I come!

Pura vida,
Amelia

11 days...

As of today, I only have 11 days left in the country of Costa Rica. It's so bittersweet. I had no clue that I would feel like this. I spent today painting graffiti on a wall today with some of my closest friends here. Don't worry, we had permission. It was in the backyard of one of my friend's boyfriend. I never knew that "graffiting" could be so fun! This is just one example of the incredible memories I've made down here. It's so weird to me to think that I won't be able to see these people everyday anymore. I've formed such amazing bonds over the past 5 months. It's going to be really difficult to say good-bye.

On the other hand, I had a Costa Rican cheeseburger today for lunch, and I can't wait to have a hamburger grilled on my parents' grill on which I can put whatever I want. Cheese, hamburger, mayonnaise, and pickles...it's going to be great! :-) My biggest concern at this point is that I'm going to have difficulties integrating back into American culture. I've been reading a lot about a syndrome called Reverse Culture Shock, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to have it. I've been missing the United States as I looked at it pre-Costa Rica, but what if it looks completely different when I get back? I'm sure I'll be fine after a couple of weeks or so, but it's still going to be really weird for me.

I am looking forward to seeing all of my friends and family again, though. 5 months is way too long to go without seeing the people you love! I hope all is going well for you guys, and I'll see you in 11 days!! Yeah!!

Pura vida,
Amelia

Feeling Patriotic

I've been sitting in my room for the past 30 minutes watching history be made in the United States. Barack Obama has clinched the nomination for the Democratic Party making him the first African-American to be a presidential candidate for a major party in the U.S. It's a little surreal to me that I am living in a foreign country while all of this is going on. I teared up a little bit while listening to him speak making me realize how much I love and miss home. Living in the United States I've never really known where I'm from since I've moved around so much, but moving to a different country puts things into perspective. My home is the United States, it doesn't matter that I can't say I'm from one particular state. My heart is in the good ole U.S. of A., and I feel so honored to be a citizen of this great country. I'm so excited that I get to vote this year, and I will definitely take full advantage of that right. I'm coming home in a little over 2 weeks, and I think I'm ready. I'm ready to drive with the windows down and the music blasting, eat hot dogs and hamburgers cooked on the grill, feel the sun on my face while riding in my Dad's boat, watch the fireflies buzz around at night, walk into a store and be able to ask the clerk where something is and understand everything he or she says completely, and I'm ready to celebrate July 4th like I've never celebrated it before. I love traveling and I've enjoyed these past 5 months more than anything in my life, but I know where I belong. Traveling will always be one of my passions, but I know that I will always go back to the people, places, and country that I love. Hope all is well for everyone up there. I'll be back soon...

Pura vida,
Amelia