News from the North Shore

It's a cloudy morning on Oahu, and thus, we are hanging out in our beach house on the North Shore taking advantage of the high speed wireless. I was wrong about Hawaii. It is still breathtaking after Costa Rica. And we are having a fantastic time here. There is something about vacationing with family that is so comfortable. For example, all of us are still in our pj's. Very nice. I am, however, experiencing a few struggles. Flushing toilet paper down the toilet is difficult. And I have a tendency to respond to people in Spanish at random times. It's like...a reverse language barrier. Kind of.

We spent the day on Wednesday at the Poylynesian Cultural Center. I haven't been there since I was seven, and I loved it. We had a great time, ate tons of good food, and tried our best to not sleep through the night show. Not that it wasn't extremely exciting...we were just extremely jet lagged. We all got some leis and snapped some shots at sunset. I think we are rather good looking. :)

Thursday we spent the day snorkeling, which was amazing. About half the family saw a sea turtle. Unfortunatley I wasn't part of that half. But it was a ton of fun, and I did see plenty of tropical fish. And also got plenty sunburned. Later we headed to Waimea and jumped off a big rock into the ocean. Actually, I guarded the stuff while everyone else jumped off the rock. Turns out I have a hidden fear of jumping off rocks. And there was a crowd, so I didn't feel like standing there talking myself into actually jumping for 30 minutes. Maybe next time.

Last night's adventure was going to buy fresh (I mean, they were swimming around that morning fresh) shrimp. Maria and Shane took initiative and made us a feast of coconut shrimp...mmmmm...I could live off of those. If they have to float me back the mainland because I don't fit on the plane, I hope you'll all still be my friends.

The end of the road

Here I am in the airport waiting for my flight, and this is my last chance to post from Costa Rica. What an adventure. I feel so grateful for the amazing experiences I have had in the time that I have been here. Today I got an email from a workshop participant thanking me for what we taught him. He told us that he just got a great job and that he used the techniques we taught him. He is ecstatic about his job, and it was one of the best emails I have received in a long time. It's great to find out that what you do really helps people.

Last Friday my sister Diana arrived here in CR. We have had all kinds of adventures together since then. The following Monday, Nikki and Laura, fellow interns who have been working in Puebla, Mexico, came to visit. We spent the day walking around San José, seeing the sights, and spending way too much money. Jonathan and Ezra were nice enough to accompany us as all five of us girls shopped and talked. They are saints. That night we had a FHE with our friends that doubled as a going away limbo party. It was a lot of fun, and it was so good to be able to see people again. Franklin came as well, and he got to meet some of the young adults from around here, which was great.

Tuesday Allie and I taught our last workshop, which was really special. We had a couple of special education students, who really needed some extra help, but seeing their confidence increase as we worked with them made it all worthwhile. While we taught, Diana, Nikki and Laura took off to the Pacuare river rafting trip that Allie and I did awhile back, and they totally loved it. That evening, the young men from the ward came over and threw us another going away party. We worked with them a few weeks ago on a skit from the Book of Mormon for camp, and we all really hit it off. It was so much fun to hang out with them and say goodbye.

In the wee hours of the morning on Wednesday the five girls took off to the bus stop hoping to find a bus that would take us to Quepos. We were lucky to find one that was leaving a few minutes after we arrived. The four hour ride was long and hot, but the views were breathtaking. We found a hotel (turned out to be a bit seedy, but it was VERY cheap...less than $5 per person!) that was in Manuel Antonio, right outside the national park, and we booked a canopy tour for that afternoon (huge zip lines that go through the rain forest). It was an amazing adventure. I did canopy in the park in San José, but, as they say here, "nada que ver". The views were totally amazing, and the rush of speeding over the rain forest was unforgettable.

The next day we headed to the park, which was another absolutely incredible experience. It is all protected land, and there are miles of gorgeous beached, walks through the jungle and animals everywhere! We had multiple run-ins with monkeys, including one where a monkey stole the bag of garbage we had, ran up a tree, and drank the remains of the three drinkable yogurts that were in there. After Allie wrestled the bag with the real food away from him. She made off with only a few scratches that hopefully aren't enough for her to contract some serious tropical disease. We visited three beaches in one day and didn't get as sunburned as you might imagine for a day like that. On the way back to the hotel, we walked through a torrential tropical storm, which was okay since we were already wet, but I did feel badly that Diana's copy of Harry Potter is now scarier outside than inside, with the destroyed cover and all.

We caught a bus back to San José and hit our pillows as soon as we could. Friday was dedicated to packing, cleaning and saying goodbye one last time. We went roller skating with Jonathan, Ezra and Luís Carlos, and went to lunch with Edwin and Rodrigo and their families. It was a good day.

This morning Allie left at 4am. I went for one last stroll through San José and bought a few final items. Then I met up with the missionaries and Franklin for a last meeting before leaving. Then Diana finished up the last of the packing and Jonathan and Pamela drove us to the airport, which was so wonderful of them. And here I am. I don't think that it has really hit me yet, but in a few short hours I will be back in Provo. Fortunately, a few short days after that, I'll be hitting up the beaches of Hawaii. Not that they are going to do anything for me after this. But it will be so good to spend time with my family and catch up on life in the USA.

Until the next adventure...

Sarah, honorary Tica.

A few recent events, in no particular order

1.
Where? Arenal volcano, La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Who? The twins, Allie and I, and Ashley and Katy, Allie's friends from CA.

What? Hiking halfway up a volcano through the jungle, in the rain, in the dark...and watching lava roll down the sides. Driving to natural hot springs, and having our guide tell us to "take off our clothes" at the side of the river, and then hiking along it in our bathing suits, ducking under barbed wire (apparently we only paid for the ghetto tour that evening) and swimming under the stars in a natural jacuzzi. Riding horses the next morning to a waterfall, and swimming in the pool at the bottom. Amazing.

2.
Where? The fruit market, Romoset, Costa Rica

Who? Pamela, Ashley, Katy, Allie and I.

What? Trying and buying all kinds of amazing fruits. It was a delicious, and beautiful adventure.

3.
Where? Irazú volcano, Tierra Blanca, Costa Rica

Who? Allie, Ashley and I. And the kind couple who drove us from Tierra Blanca up the Volcano for only 15 dollars.

What? We headed out on an adventure on our own, and caught a bus to Cartago, and then found another bus to Tierra Blanca, and then hitched a ride with aforementioned couple. This is the third volcano we have visited. No lava, or even smoke this time. But we felt like we were on the moon. Hence, the alien shots. It was really cool. Literally. I think it was the first time I've been cold since I've been here! Like, ear-hurting cold!

4.
Where? The employment center, San José, Costa Rica and Los Yoses chaple

Who? Franklin, Allie and I, and Elder Hills and Elder Milhoun

What? Being present at the missionary lessons of Franklin Campos. He is incredible. He's like a sponge. I was walking home from Church with him last Sunday, and he turned to me and said (in English, and pointing to his Book of Mormon) "This is exactly what I've been looking for!" Franklin was baptized Saturday, July 28. He has great faith, and I am so excited for him to continue to progress in the Church! When the Elders taught him about the Word of Wisdom, he said, that coffee was the only thing he ever used. The Elders were getting ready to talk with him more about it, when he said "...but, I saw online that you don't drink coffee, so two days ago, I told my sister that I'm not going to drink coffee anymore." He was way ahead of all of us.

5.
Where? The "Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica"

Who? Allie and I. And a few hundred other people.

What? Falstaff, Giusepi Verdi's opera. We were running late, from a meeting with Franklin and the elders. There was TONS of traffic, and the taxi wasn't getting anywhere. So we got out and ran through downtown Costa Rica. In heels. I feel lucky that my ankles are in tact. But the opera was beautiful, if a little artsy, even for me. We even ran into some friends there!!
6.
Where? The employment center, San José, Costa Rica.

Who? Allie and I. And TONS of participants.

What? We have taught as many workshops in the last two weeks as we taught during the rest of our time here. Or at least close. One of our favorites was one that we taught in English to a group that is about to graduate from an intensive English program, and is preparing to go out into the job market. They were a ton of fun.

A Wild Week

We have been so busy working and having a great time that I haven't stopped to tell you how much we're working and having a great time! July 5th we went on a business trip to the Caribbean coast. Too bad all business trips can't be like that. We got there and rushed to the local chapel to teach the first part of the workshop. We had a great turnout and we really enjoyed teaching. The majority of the participants are PEF candidates who haven't had the chance to take the workshop yet, which is a required part of the application process, so it was really rewarding to be there. There are no stakes in Limón, the province where we were teaching, so we were in a district of the church there. The next day, we didn't have the second part of the workshop until 6pm, so we headed to the beach with Rodrigo and his family. The beach was called Manzanillo, and it was absolutely gorgeous! I thought I had already seen beautiful, but...wow! We saw more wildlife, and I chased down some really cool crabs with my camera.
That evening we finished teaching the workshop with fantastic results! The people were wonderful, and humble, and gave really powerful interviews. I loved it!
We got back and the next week started working like crazy! On Tuesday we taught a workshop in the office and were filmed by Jan VanOrman, who works for the International Vice President of BYU, and his crew, the producer of a film they are making about the ERS program, and the director of the Kennedy Center. We taught another workshop in the evening especially for PEF candidates, and were filmed again. Wednesday it was a repeat, but teaching the second part of the workshop. We were exhausted by the time we finished at 9pm Wednesday. We didn't get much of a chance to rest though, because at 6:30 the next morning, our managers and Brother VanOrman and the crew picked us up to go on a "trip" to the coast. We drove, and drove, and drove, and then ended up at Los Sueños, an amazing resort owned by Marriott hotels, where we set up the cameras outside the spa (we were sorely tempted to ditch the interviewing and get a facial and a massage) and then Allie and I were interviewed about the experience we're having here. I guess they were impressed, because when we were done, Jan VanOrman (probably in his 60's, white hair and all) said "You two kick butt, man!" We thought that was great.
The next day, Rodrigo picked us up at 6am, and we headed back to the coast to teach another PEF workshop in Puntarenas. So to all of you who think we're not working here, let this be a lesson to you. It was a great workshop, and we fell in love with the people there. Again, they live in a district, and don't have a lot of contact with other members of the Church, and it was so fun to get to know them.
We got back to San José around 7pm, and the Roldan's picked us up to go see...Harry Potter! Despite not being an official Harry Potter fan, I must admit that I really liked it. And it kept me awake. Which says a lot, considering my state at that moment.
Sunday was great. Franklin, a young man we taught in the workshop came to church with us. He had so many questions and was really open to learning about the gospel. We had a great experience there with him, and he came over for lunch afterwards so we could continue to answer his questions. It was amazing. He is so excited to learn more. He has been reading the Book of Mormon since, and told me that he knows that it is true and that this is the true Church. We are meeting with him and the missionaries this evening. He is an amazing person, and has so much light! His family is already telling him not to investigate the Church or read the Book of Mormon, but he feels that it is the right thing to do, and says that he will do it anyway. Wow. We love missionary work! As a bonus, he applied the principles he learned in the workshop and already negotiated a better schedule and a higher salary. We are proud of him!
On Monday Allie's friend Ashley flew in and Tuesday Katy, another friend arrived. We have been balancing having fun with them with our work schedule, but tomorrow we are taking off to Arenal, the most famous volcano in Costa Rica. The twins are coming with us, and we're excited! Natural hot springs...lava flowing from the volcano at night...waterfalls...cloud forests with hanging bridges...Costa Rica's largest lake...as long as you promise not to get too jealous, I'll let you know all about it.

The 4th, Tico Style...

Happy 4th of July! So, today's the 5th, but I just thought I'd send my festive spirit out there anyway. Yesterday was a great day. I think a classic movie, and one of my favorites, says it best...

-"Christmas tree through window....how am I going to file that on my insurance claim?? They're still pissed about the fire we had when Joe Jr. barbecued in the stairwell!"

-"Hmm...missed that one..."

-"Too bad...Great sausage!"

So, it wasn't the stairwell, it was the fire escape, and it wasn't actually sausage...it was hot dogs. But we managed to have a relatively authentic 4th of July celebration right here in San José, centro (think, no front yard, no back yard...just a curb that is usually occupied by a few homeless friends picking through the trash). It was pretty much amazing. We invited a bunch of friends over, made baked beans and corn on the cob, and...loved every minute of it! We even added s'mores to the menu to make it really authentic, and our friends loved them! We were a little nervous that we would get kicked out of the building, but the only person who discovered our indoor bbq was our Spanish neighbor Pepe, who just gave us some grilling advice and asked if we wanted some "drinks". And he didn't mean soda. It took awhile to convince him that we really don't drink alcohol, but in the end, we got away with the whole thing without a hitch!

We played some crazy games, and Allie entertained with the guitar (which we borrowed from Pepe. It can come in handy to have overly-generous Spanish neighbors around.) and I think the party was a hit!

Today we are headed off on another "business trip" to Limón, on the Carribbean coast. We'll be teaching the workshop out there, and the trip is doubling as a vacation, so we plan to hit the beach as much as possible. Should be a good time, and definitely interesting with Rodrigo at the wheel. Carribbean climate report coming right up!

Life in Paradise

I promise that we are working down here! I really do! It's just that...why not take advantage of the time you're not working to have fun? Especially when you happen to be working in a place like Costa Rica. This week was amazing. We taught a workshop that really challenged us- we spent a lot of time one on one with participants to help them understand the principles of the workshop, and it really paid off. At the end of the workshop, we asked people what they enjoyed most about the experience (it is a 10 hour workshop that we teach over two days), and the overwhelming response was that they had learned things about themselves that they didn't know before, and had realized that they posessed many qualities that they had never noticed or valued. It is so rewarding to work with people! The next day Allie and I were in the offie, and Jenny, one of the participants, came in and asked to talk with us. She expressed her gratitude again, and told us she had wanted to get us something, and then presented us with leather coin purses. It was so sweet, and we could tell that she had really been touched by the principles we taught as she thanked us over and over again with tear-filled eyes. "For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward" (D&C 58:28).

Another rewarding part of this week was working with the Young Men in our ward to help them prepare their skit for camp. I guess word got out that I study theatre, and the Bishop and Young Men's president asked me to help. It turned out to be so fun! They are a great group of kids! We got together for a preliminary rehearsal, and then a few days later, the YM president and one of the young men (Guillermo) met me in the office and we worked together to come up with a script. They are presenting the story of the conversion of Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah. A couple days after that, we got together for another rehearsal. They are doing such a great job! One of the deacons is named Alex, and we assigned him the part of Ammon. When I told him a little more about the story of Ammon, he was really excited, and today I told him to read Alma 17, the story of Ammon and Lamoni's flocks. He seemed pretty excited about that. Nothing like a little arm-cutting to get a kid reading the Book of Mormon.

On Thursday, Allie's parents came down to San José from a resort they had been staying at in Guanacaste. We showed them around the city a bit on Thursday and then they took us to dinner with Edwin and his wife Flor, and Rodrigo and his wife Paola. Friday morning we got up early to meet our river guide Luis, and took a long drive to the Pacuare river to go white-water rafting. On the way there we stopped in a town called Turrialba for breakfast, and were completely charmed. The trip was one of the most amazing things I have ever done in my life! The Pacuare is in the top 5 best rivers in the world for white water rafting, and we went on up to level 4 rapids. The rapids were amazing! A little scary and a lot of fun! I felt really safe when we found out that Luis, our guide, is on the national rafting team. He is my age, but is so experienced. Allie's mom, Jerie, was thrown from the raft twice, but was amazingly resiliant, and bounced right back. The best part of the trip was the scenery...we rafted through a rain forest, and there was this gorgeous mist in the tree tops and toucans flying overhead. There were waterfalls around every corner, and we rafted right under one of them. At one point, we floated through a narrow canyon with jungle trees towering over us and spilling their vines over the river. We got out of the raft, and just floated on our backs. It was truly incredible. It was breathtaking and highly recommended to all. At the end of the run, we got out and were fed a delicious lunch, and said goodbye to our safety kayaker, Fabian (who did all kinds of flips and tricks in his kayak all the way down the river), and got back in the van with Luis for a long drive back to San José.
Luckily, Allie and I are full of energy, and as soon as we got home, we speedily got ready for the Institute dance, and only made our friends Ezra, Jonathan, and Luis Carlos wait a few minutes outside our apartment when they came to pick us up. The dance was a blast, and we loved seeing lots of our friends there and making more of them at the same time. Luis Carlos doesn't consider himself much of a dancer, so Ezra and I thought it would be funny to sign him and Allie up for the dance competition. This is a pic of Ezra and I right before we started plotting...The clown who was announcing everything called their names over the speaker, and Allie promptly hid in the bathroom. Luis Carlos, who hadn't danced all night remained in his seat. The clown was fairly persistant though, and kept calling for them. Eventually Ezra turned to me and said "Should we go?" Hmm...I can hold my own with salsa and merengue, but they were playing seven different types of dances, and there were only about 6 couples entered in the contest. I shruged my shoulders and said, "Okay..." I guess I deserved it, for signing Allie up. Ezra and I didn't know half the dances, but we kept smiling, and it was actually really fun. Or maybe just funny. Needless to say, we didn't win. But we had a good time losing.
We also had a blast dancing with some of our girl friends. Here Nathalie and Tatiana are attempting to teach us to samba. :)

Saturday we had planned to go to Poás, a nearby volcano, with Allie's parents, and we decided to invite the Roldan family, from our ward. Sharon and Pamela are the sweetest girls ever, and Ezra and Jonathan (the twins, and the same friends from the dance) are fantastic. The whole family speaks English and the twins both served missions in the U.S. Anyway, when they showed up, the whole family had come! Their parents decided to join them, which was great, and Luis Carlos forgave me for signing him up for the dance contest enough to come too. We rented a car, and followed them to the volcano. The drive there was absolutely beautiful. The countryside here is as beautiful as the beaches! It was a cloudy day, but we caught a glimpse of the crater and had fun looking out over the edge. We hiked to another crater, that is no longer active, and is now a beautiful lake. On the way back to the car, we decided to take another look at the main crater, and were glad! The clouds had moved to the side, and we got a great view! The leaves and ferns here are amazing too, and we had a great time checking them out on our way down from the volcano. I decided this one can be my new umbrella, since I have successfully lost both of mine.

From there we went to lunch at a local restaurant and had a great time talking and getting to know each other. Allie's parents and the Roldan's parents really hit it off, and everyone had a lot of fun. We weren't done having fun yet, though. We kept driving, and went to La Paz, a gorgeous waterfall. We took lots of pictures, and I think we would have jumped into the pool to go swimming if we had had our suits. We enjoyed some crazy tropical fruits, and then started the drive back home. I switched places with Pamela and rode with the Roldan family in their van. It was a great ride home, and I love their family! They are so fun, and such great people.