Mixed emotions

I spent all this weekend, which was extra long due to a national holiday, lamenting that I have only one week left in Costa Rica.  To be precise, I'm not sad about leaving the country, because I'm sure I'll be back to this beautiful part of creation, but I am sad about the end of my class because I don't know when I'll get to just sit and learn so much again.  This is the first time I've been a student in twenty-one years, and I have loved every minute of it.  (The irony just occurred to me: I graduated with my master's before most of the students in this program were born! Even though I have not been tempted to party with these young whippersnappers, I just don't feel all of my 50 years.)

Giving my last presentation in class

The professor doesn't look bored, does he?

Auburn University has a large contingency here, and they invited everyone in MLSA to join them on an excursion to the Pacific coast, staying in the town of Quepos, and enjoying activities in and around Manuel Antonio National Park.  I am so glad that I went!  I got to see and learn about lots of flora and fauna while hiking in the park, hanging out on the beach, and kayaking down a river in a mangrove of the rainforest.

A Jesus Christ Lizard, so named because it runs on water

Sloths are so cute

And these capuchin monkeys are a hoot!

Sunset on the Pacific in Quepos, Costa Rica

The reference to my mixed emotions is because at the end of this lovely weekend, I learned that my sister's cancer has returned.  Suddenly I just needed to be home.  But she doesn't even have a plan of action yet; indeed, she hasn't even met with her oncologist at MD Anderson in Houston, so there is nothing I can do in the US at this point.  I get home very late Sunday night and start inservice Wednesday, so I'm going to have to figure out when I can help her the most: in Houston for surgery/treatment, or when she's back home in Ohio- or maybe when she's in Houston and I can help with her kids in Ohio; I'll just have to wait and see.  (If any of you reading this happen to believe in the power of prayer and positive energy, as we do, please hold up my sister Stephanie.)  For now I am trying to stay focused during this last week of learning, do well on my final exam, enjoy my new friends, and soak up as much of the culture as possible.  I'm planning on going to the "DaVinci the Genius" exhibit at a museum here in San José on Thursday afternoon.  Not that Da Vinci has anything to do with local culture, but it looks fascinating, and since I still haven't been to Italy, I'll take this while I can get it.

I should probably mention my own family for once: I miss them too, but thanks to Skype, I see and talk to my husband and one or more child almost every day.  I really miss the daily hugs and kisses and their physical presence and energy, but I still feel very close and connected.  That's why I'm able to enjoy my time here so much.