Random Thoughts of the Day

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I´m having difficulties speaking English now because my brain is mixed up from all the Spanish. Today I ran, and I saw the mountains. They´re so beautiful. A ferocious little dog growled at me and tried to bite at my legs, attempting to protect his family´s territory. He was barely the size of a bunny. I was surprised, because one of the neighbors thought I was a Tica (that´s what Costa Ricans are called). Here, they say “adios” when people pass by, instead of “hola.” Not like the U.S. Everyone here knows each other. I drink coffee everyday, and I like it. I rarely did back at home. I like it because it doesn´t have the same jittery effect. They have this little contraption where there´s a bag over the mug, and they pour hot water directly over it. There´s instant coffee for you. And fresh as ever. I don´t need moisturizer here. Why would I, when there´s all natural moisturizer from the pervasive mist of the daily rain? Yesterday, it flooded like I have never seen before. Cars were almost floating in the streets. My mother said it was a depression; a seasonal wave. Three other girls and I were coming from the mall, Paseo de Flores. The taxi guy was really struggling in all the water. Ants here are really strong. Once, I thought I saw leaves moving on the ground, dozens of them, but there was no wind. Very confused. Then I looked, closer, and I saw a multitude of ants in a line, carrying leaves in an organized fashion. People here are really friendly and helpful. I especially love my parents here. My mother cooks really well, and I feel like I´m eating in a restaurant everyday, for every meal. In the morning, she prepares a little plate of fruit, already cut up and peeled, with pineapple (piña), guava, apple (manzana), watermelon (sanria), and orange (naranja). I have rice and beans about everyday. She adds cilantro to it, which I usually wouldn´t like, but it´s good the way she cooks it. She also likes to crochet, and will make me a shawl (un poncho) and a vest (una blusa). I knit with her sometimes. She calls her husband Bonilla, which is cute, because that´s his last name. Actually, when they get married here, the women keep their last names, and men lose them. Nice, for a change. My father is so sweet. He always looks out for me, and asks me how I´m doing. He told me that he wished that I would stay longer than the six weeks that are scheduled, because he likes me very much and wants to tell me so much. Here, the kids are very busy, with their work, school, novios… My sisters have boyfriends, and for some odd reason would rather spend time with them than me. Oh well. I still like talking to them, and watching American Idol with Clara. She´s the 25 year old.
I like Costa Rican Spanish. The prosody is different from what I usually here. The inflection steadily goes up and down. Here, we call everyone Usted, which I like, because it´s a very respectful form. They don´t use the tu form when addressing people, unless it´s children.

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Comments

[Ate Jing]

I'm seriously crying over here . . .
I don't know why, but I'm reading your entries at work (and I just saw the new pictures of yourself that you added to the first entry) and I can't stop tearing up. Ha. :*) I guess it's a mixture of missing you, being proud of you, wishing I was there with you . . .

[Yen]

Dearest Janice. Oh it sounds pleasant where you are. It feels a little odd that while we're up here you're down there and the days are passing by. I'm busy doing research and going to meetings. Studying for the GRE math is discouraging, and sometimes I get stressed out and want to cry. Those times I feel especially lonely (I live by myself). Actually today was one of those days. Reading your entry made me feel better, though. And Isabella has been a true friend to me so far all summer. She's a dear. We're both excited about your time in central America and can't wait for you to come back. <3