New beginnings

It's been almost a week since I signed the teaching contract with Maximo Nivel.  I've asked what seems like a thousand questions to the director, a new co-worker, the BridgeTEFL program advisors, and my Tico friends Andrés and Pridian.  All of them have been great with dealing with these questions, and Pridian even offered to drive me places, help me find an apartment, and go with me to buy a phone.  

I really couldn't ask for much better right now.  I'm still riding an amazing high that I hope won't go away for a long time.  I don't think leaving my tutoring job at CCC will be that difficult, and even my co-workers at the rink won't be that hard to say goodbye too, even though I love all of them.  Even saying bye to my parents won't be too bad...I will cry leaving my figure skating family, and I'm dreading it.  I've been skating with most of them for at least five years and a lot of them I've grown really close to.  The students I teach will be really hard to leave, as well as my Literacy Center family.  They've given me so many amazing opportunities (especially the executive director, Carynn) to grow as a teacher and I don't know if I can ever thank them enough for everything they've done for me.  My students there have been amazing as well, and I'll definitely be sad the last class...I had one learner come up to me the other day and say that there won't be anyone that can replace me.  

That statement is why I teach...I've always wanted to change people's lives in a positive way, and right now I feel like this new chapter is exactly what I need.  Despite the misgivings, doubts, sadness, and nervous feelings that I have right now, the excitement of the unknown outweighs all of them.  I remember crying on the flight home from Costa Rica 4 1/2 years ago, and now I get the opportunity to go back and fulfill what I struggled so hard to achieve with my bachelor's degree. 

New Job!

Yes, you're reading that title correctly!!! I got a job! On Tuesday, I signed a contract with a school called Maximo Nivel in San Jose, Costa Rica! I'm so excited for this next phase of my life. I have to be in San Jose by October 29th so I can attend the teacher orientation and I officially start teaching on November 1st.

Here are a few pics from my last trip to Costa Rica.

Me at Volcan Poas

SO green!

Me soaking wet at La Paz Waterfall!

A beautiful beach on Isla Tortuga

Downtown San Jose

Beach at Manuel Antonio National Park

Beach right outside our hostel in Puerto Viejo.

I love this picture. Can't wait to see Andres & Jorge again! :)

PURA VIDA!!!!