New beginnings (Part 2)

Wow, blog, it's been awhile. I read my last blog just recently, and I realized that I needed to update people about the new stage of my life that I'm about to enter into (and sort of already have).

Since my last post, I've returned to the U.S. The transition was a lot easier than I thought it would be, since I was back home and in my "comfort zone", so to speak...skating, teaching a beginner Spanish class, volunteering, and still teaching English online.  Before I left Costa Rica, I was scanning The Literacy Center's blog and saw a job opening for Program Manager. I didn't know she was leaving, but I emailed her and the Executive Director asking about it, and they both wanted me to meet with them about possibly taking the position! I didn't really think it was a possibility, since I didn't have all the job requirements, but they basically said I could train for the job, and if I didn't think it would work out, I could opt out at any time. It's now mid-September and I've been the Administrative Assistant for almost 2 months, which will be ending the end of this month, but I will continue to train for the Program Manager job until November 1st, when I will officially start. The non-profit world is a perfect fit for me, and it fulfills my life goal, which has been to help people improve their language skills, no matter their race, ethnicity, educational background, etc.

This job is just what I've been searching for, and although I still want to continue traveling abroad, I think this is the best choice for me right now. I actually got offered a teaching job at a school in Cuenca, Ecuador, but I would like to travel there first, and with four paid weeks off a year, I'm hoping to travel around South America some more.

I'll post my summer adventures soon...I got to do some traveling within the U.S., first to California to see my family and bestie, then to Colorado for a week visiting my skating friend Max, then to Idaho for my annual BBR adventure.

Costa Rican despedida/Back in the U.S.A. (Part 1)

My contract with Maximo was up at the end of July.  I was sad leaving the great staff and friends I had made along the way, as well as my students.  Thank goodness for social media so I could keep in touch with all of them! As sad as I was to leave, I had made up my mind to come back in September for at least a few months.  I had a potential job lined up, but it wasn't a for sure thing when I left Costa Rica.  Two other girls from Maximo were leaving too, so we had a little goodbye party or "despedida".

Home was great.  It was so great to see all my friends and of course, my parents.  It had been 8 months, and being in the comforts of home again was refreshing. 

I had been a little down my last month of teaching, I think mostly due to burnout.  It's great to know that when I need to and when I can, I can go home again and clear my head...one of the best (and worst) things about Flagstaff is that nothing changes.  This is especially great if you've moved away.

The first week I did experience some culture shock.  This was to be expected, and I think the altitude that I knew for 24 years and loved was the most shocking part.  I was so tired the first couple of days, I didn't really want to do anything, but I got back to my old self just in time to go to one of my absolute favorite places Challis, Idaho for the annual Braun Brothers Reunion Festival.  It arguably beats Disneyland for the happiest place on Earth.

Dad and I got to hang out with our friends, The Departed, and see our old friends Gunda, Jerald, Jenny, Jared, Josh, and some of their friends and enjoy the best music not heard on the radio.  My favorites included:

Todd Snider backed by The Departed,

 

Wade Bowen,

and Randy Rogers Band!

I love this festival...knowing I might have to miss it next year is going to suck, because it's the best out there right now!

Culture Shock

Since arriving in Costa Rica, I've been experiencing culture shock.  It's definitely an interesting set of emotions...there are even stages like grieving! It's different for everyone. 

Wikipedia defines it like this: Culture shock is the personal disorientation a person may feel when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life due to immigration or a visit to a new country, or to a move between social environments also a simple travel to another type of life.

"Symptoms" include (starred ones are ones I experienced):

Excessive concern over cleanliness and health

Feelings of helplessness and withdrawal*

Irritability*

Anger*

Glazed stare

Desire for home and old friends*

Physiological stress reactions*

Homesickness*

Boredom

Withdrawal*

Getting "stuck" on one thing

Suicidal or fatalistic thoughts

Excessive sleep

Insomnia*

Compulsive eating/drinking/weight gain

Stereotyping host nationals*

Hostility towards host nationals.

Like any move, it just takes time. I'm already 100% better from two weeks ago, and every day I'm here, the more I adjust. It will be interesting to see if I have reverse culture shock when I go home for Christmas!