so I can’t exactly say I’m jealous, but I heard Atlanta got snow. A little pissed, cuz I love snow, but just so that yall know…its 76 degrees with a cool breeze and sunny here. So yeah, not gonna trade that for anything. It’s very nice here on campus, but I don’t know that I can really put many pictures up on this thing. First, I don’t totally know how, and second, the internet connection here is not so fast. Better than the "You’ve Got Mail" days, but nothin lke home. No complaints, though…trust me.

So the apprehensiveness is not really here anymore. While it still hard for me to believe I am here to live for the next 2 and a half months and this isn’t just a vacation, its getting comfortable. We have 10 free hours of internet a week, so facebook, fantasy sports, espn, and well…thats about all I ever look at. But yeah, haha, they’re all available in short spurts. Which if you know me, ESPN is essential. The real next test, I suppose, is tomorrow afternoon when we go to our homestays. I am to be living with an older couple that has an 18 year old nephew living with them. I’m very excited, especially about hangin out con el nieto (figure out what it means if ya don’t know).

My spanish is definately getting better already. In our SPAN2002 class yesterday we just did conversation the whole time, which helped a lot. I wish the focus was more on that than on grammatically correct issues. The style of teaching is so much better in my opinion here than back in the States. Rather than a memorization and regurgitation at the proper time, called exams, haha, it is a synthesis focused style of learning. There’s no multiple choice, but rather understanding personally. Like the Rabbinical Hebrew way of learning, as an example. Our way of learning is, what is 2+2? a child would answer, 4". But in Hebrew times with their educational styles, if asked what is 2+2, a student would respond with, "what is 16/4?" Its a questioned based learning. I’m a fan of this…and as a result, the classes are more entertaining and enjoyable.

I’m eager to walk around campus on all the trails. Our campus has multiple buildings, cabanas, bungalows, and classrooms, but there are also trails that lead through the mountains everywhere. The wild and adventurous side of me is ready to knock ‘em all out. Bugs aren’t a big problem on campus really, but apparently on the trails, ya better bring the bug spray. We also have horseback riding class 10 times early in the morning. Had the first this morning, I learned how to rope a horse to prepare setting the saddle and such. Los caballos nombres estan Chele, Moro, Huesos, Chola, y Zonto. Haha, I hope thats right…? The food is very good, and I hope to get to help cook some. Im also…get ready for it…learning to drink coffee black. BOOM! get off me. Costa Rica is making me all cultured and stuff.

The guy I’m rooming with is named Arthur. He’s a great guy, very sociabale/personabale. He is from Tech, but not the average lame-o nerd that goes there ;-) . Tonight we’re smokin the pipes and chillin out. Needless to say, I can’t wait. There are 13 girls to 4 guys here, so the odds are phenomenal, haha. It’s a really cool group I’m with. I’m just tyring to be patient for whatever is ahead and take it all in slowly. I’m so very blessed. And so very small. And God is soooooo very big. I think thats the biggest thing I’ve learned so far. So out of my smallness…Buenos tardes, hijo!

stay strong. love.

-M@

—-by the way, in the chance that my rommates read this…please record LOST for me. That and the March Madness games. It’s gonna be hard to miss ‘em. But Go Dawgs! and even moreso for basketball, Go Heels!