Jolynn - Jolynn Schwing

I'm heading to Costa Rica with two goals in mind. First, I hope to acquire more Spanish so that I can better communicate with the families of students in the Bilingual program at my elementary school. I'm an elementary school principal in Austin, Texas so I'll have no problem applying on a daily basis what I will learn at Intercultura Language School in Playa Samara, CR. My second goal, and just as important as the first, is to s-l-o-w d-o-w-n and enjoy some of God's amazing handywork while I recover from a particularly brutal school year. I consider this trip part learning adventure, part spiritual renewal leave. Hope you enjoy sharing my experiences!

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Joined on: June 15th 2005
Last Login: March 12th 2009

Blog Entries: 13
Photos: 112

TB Code: [blogger=4237]
Status: BLOGGER

Blogs & Travel Journals

by Jolynn, order by Date newest first.

By Jolynn
February 27th 2009

Adventuritas Africa

Enjoying a Pina Colada at Barracuda Restaurant on the Hill

I know, I know.....this time I've been mournfully remiss in my blogging duties. I don't want to say I have a "been there; done that" attitude about this trip but I've almost run out of things to write about. That, and spending a good deal of time online "Skpe-ing" with Wayne, not to mention studying my "nalgas"off, has led me to this day when I realize I owe you all at least one more dose of beautiful Costa Rica before I return home. I've had quite a few "adventuritas" here in Samara. No big ones this time (no ultralight flying over [View Full Entry]

By Jolynn
February 14th 2009

Back in Costa Rica! Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Guanacaste » Samara

En Route to the Airport

It was time to “make lemonade out of my lemons” so to speak. As most of you know, I was laid off in December from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Since I left Samara, Costa Rica back in 2006, I’ve been itching to go back so.. .here I am! Welcome to Jolynn’s Costa Rica Blog, Episode 3! On this, my third trip to Playa Samara, Costa Rica, I hold some bitter-sweet feelings. It’s the first time I’ve come, having someone special in my life back at home. But, after a few tears with Wayne at the airport and promises to email and call [View Full Entry]

By Jolynn
June 18th 2006

Some Things You Should Just Do and THEN Tell Your Mother Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Guanacaste » Samara

Jimmy and I (the noodle) After My Massage

I had the most fabulous weekend, again opting not to travel (much) because Samara is so amazing. Saturday we had glorious weather so I attempted an adventure of swimming to the island off of Samara. With camera carefully triple-wrapped in ziplock bags, I took the 45 minute walk to the very end of the beach at low tide to the place where I'd have the shortest distance to swim. I must have gone too far though because I found myself sort of stranded among some rocks. I finally made myself back to the beach and started out again. However, some ugly [View Full Entry]

By Jolynn
June 17th 2006

You Might Be In a Third World Public School If. . . Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Guanacaste » Samara

Coral's Class (Kindergarten)

Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore! Or at least, we're not in Round Rock Independent School District in Austin, Texas anymore! This week, I had the opportunity to visit the elementary school here in Playa Samara as well as interview the principal. It was something I've wanted to do since last summer so when my Spanish teacher gave us the homework assignment to interview someone in town, write a paper on it, and then do an oral presentation of what we learned, I jumped at the chance to visit la escuela AND have it "count" for my homework! Instead of sharing [View Full Entry]

$5th Grade Math$

By Jolynn
June 11th 2006

Monkeys, and ticos, and bugs, oh my! Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Guanacaste » Samara

Soccer is Serious Business!

I have for you, ladies and gentlemen, today's Top 10 List! I'm happy to report that I have not ventured outside of Playa Samara this week at all and am therefore not able to share with you the cross-country adventures I delivered last summer. Despite not traveling, a week in Samara can bring a person much insight as well as a most TRANQUILA attitude on life. . .and therefore, I share with you now. . . THE TOP 10 LESSONS I'VE LEARNED IN COSTA RICA THIS WEEK: 10. TICOS ARE VERY SERIOUS ABOUT THEIR FUTBOL (aka soccer to you and me). [View Full Entry]

By Jolynn
June 6th 2006

I'm Baaaack! Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Guanacaste » Samara

Leaving for Costa Rica!

Hola amigos! I'm back in Costa Rica, Playa Samara to be exact, for another round of adventures! First, a little disclaimer/apology: For all of you emailing me from home. .. THANK YOU. .. I love you for it! Please keep them coming! But, the internet service here is slow, slow, slow so I'm spending a lot of time/money trying to answer everyone individually. Hence, this blog! Please forgive me if I can't answer you each time you write :-) My story begins with my opting to book a charter flight (it's my dad's penny-pinching genes I guess) with a delightful little [View Full Entry]

By Jolynn
July 18th 2005

And now. . .The REST of the story Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Puntarenas » Monteverde

Beautiful Playa Samara

Hi all! By now, since I'm writing from Austin, many of you have seen me and been subjected to all 300 of my photos. However, I feel compelled to document the rest of my trip so that I have it for my own sake. . .so bear with me friends! My last day in Playa Samara (sniff, sniff) was probably the most gorgeous day of all, wouldn't you know. The color of the water was the most beautiful shade of torquoise--almost thought I was in Hawaii. I snuck in a few extra hours on the beach because I did what I [View Full Entry]

By Jolynn
July 3rd 2005

Rincon de la Vieja Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica

Rinconcita Lodge

This weekend I headed out to explore Rincon de la Vieja, a national park northeast of Liberia. The school arranged the trip for me and I found myself companioned with Bonnie and Marty, an older couple from Buffalo, NY. Bonnie had just completed Spanish 1, Marty Spanish 2. I, being the ever-so-fluent graduate of Spanish 4 would be the designated dialoguer. Off we went on Friday afternoon in a taxi the size of a go-cart. When Marty reached to adjust the AC (we are near the equator!), the driver, knowing no English, simply laughed at him. Our 2-hour treck to Liberia [View Full Entry]

By Jolynn
July 1st 2005

A TRUE Spanish test Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Guanacaste » Samara

My humble abode

Well the folks at Intercultura Language School could NEVER give me an exam that equaled to the true test I had this week in Samara. For those of you wondering why I haven't blogged or emailed much in over a week. . .here's my story: Last Saturday night I began to feel a sore throat that I knew was a tell-tale sign of worse things to come. I had prepared myself well for all kinds of intestinal issues that I'd heard were so common in Latin America. Of course no where in my ziplock of medicines could I find anything for [View Full Entry]

By Jolynn
June 24th 2005

Monkey Business Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Guanacaste » Samara

Monkey Mama

Today, after surfing, I had nothing but time on my hands. I decided to jump in one of the school's hammocks and read my book. . .pura vida, no? As I was reading to the sound of waves and palm branches, I caught a glimpse of our friendly neighbors, los monos. It was a cute little family. The dad, ever the macho, is the family's protector and stayed on a main branch while his wife and babies, some of which were on her back, took time to go out onto further branches to eat fruit. I started snapping photos right and [View Full Entry]

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