Pura Vida!

I can't believe I'm finally here!  Costa Rica is just as beautiful as I remember.  I arrived two hours later than I was supposed to thanks to a delay in Dallas (whether it was hurricane-related or not, I don't know.  I had a smile on my face as soon as San José came into view through the plane's window.  I knew then and there that I had made the right decision.  I had a lot of misgivings the week before I left, and a lot of high stress the last couple of days before leaving, but they were all squashed as soon as I saw the awesome mountains and volcanoes of Costa Rica's Central Valley. 

San Jose sunset.

I had my first day of orientation with Máximo Nivel today, the school I'll be teaching at for the next six months. I finally met Ken, the founder and GM of the school.  Everyone here is so nice, and I know this is the right decision.  

Máximo Nivel

I'll be posting more in a few days about the new job. I'll start teaching on Thursday!!! 

The countdown begins...

Well, I have 19 days left in Flagstaff, my hometown.  I'm seeing everything differently, especially now, in October.  There's a reason October is one of my favorite months in Flagstaff.  The changing leaves and cooler nights, mixed with my changing sentiments of the city, are bittersweet.  The mountain lights up with yellow from the aspen leaves.  I have always loved this mountain town and will always call it home, but now everything's different. 

I'm growing tired of the daily routine, and as much as I love both of my jobs, it will be a nice change to be teaching, because I know that is my calling (at least right now).  I'm ready to experience a (relatively) new culture, and see things as an expat.  My friend Andres, put it this way last night in a text message: "You have a new vision of Costa Rica, not like a tourist, now like tica."  I want to go to different places like Arenal Volcano and Monteverde Cloud Forest, and still see it as an American, but Andres told me I could go to places like Puntarenas on the weekend and meet his family.  These experiences will make me appreciate the culture even more and expand my love and adoration of the Costa Rican people.

I know I should be living each day that I'm still in Flagstaff to the fullest and appreciating everything that Northern Arizona has to offer, but I can't help feeling antsy.  Costa Rica has been calling my name since I left it 4 1/2 years ago, and I love jumping into the unknown. My tica friend Pridian has been helping me look for apartments, and emailed me the other day letting me know that one of her friends is looking for a  roommate.  I might not even have to bother looking for an apartment.  It's close to the university (and my school, Maximo Nivel) and get this, I'd be paying $140 a month!