Wow! its been soooo long since i´ve done this. But I just have such exciting things going on, I thought I should share with that 2 or 3 people that might actually read this. I am in Costa Rica. It has been interesting, full of lots of rain and lots of Spanish.  I really like it here, things are so laid back. We wake up really early and walk to our school about 20 minutes away... its not a bad walk, if we dont get lost again :)  If you ever hear about rainy season here... its all true! it rains at least once a day... if not all day long, but somehow the weather still seems pretty nice, its humid, but not too hot. Which is good. We have class from 8 to 12:45 where we can eat fresh pineapple, mango and watermelon while learning about the perceptual environment of intercultual communications all at the same time. and then have the rest of the day free to explore, we haven´t gone too far yet, just a little downtown san jose on a tour and around the local area.  Things are soo cheap here, in neighborhood shops anyway, and they feed us well! Too well almost, and with traditional food, which is great but yesterday I had the biggest craving for a twix bar... so a few of the girls so sweetly brought a twix to class for me.... i think i need to ration it for the rest of the week. Jamie and i went and bought oreos last night too... a little comfort from home I think is all we needed.  So.... we can´t flush our toilet paper here... which is gross! and we have to wash our own undergarments (in the sink from what i hear) I know, how wierd is that??? We have a dance class this afternoon and then might go to a movie tonight... i mean it is two for one day in Costa rica... and a movie only costs 3 american dollars to begin with.  I am getting really excited to see an active Volcano... an upcoming trip we are planning, and to go to the rainforest... so far we have been pretty metropolitan.  Almost all the wayne people went to a bar on monday, let me tell you that was an interesting experience... definitly not something I want to do on a regular basis... but still very much fun! we had our first taxi rides and had to ask for the meter, or "maria".  Our host family called our taxi which we later found out was an unofficial aka... unlegal taxi... yikes!!! from now on were gonna call ourselves! But they are very nice, they are about 80... so more like grandparents than parents, but they treat us well and are looking out for us. So I guess thats all for now, i will write more later, a good way to help me keep track of my experiences... even if nobody reads or comments. I miss my united states though... And i miss everyone and my Jesse like crazy! Our God is so faithful, even so far away from my comfort zone! Praise Him for that! Okay, es todo, adiosito mis amigos, Hasta Luego!!!!

Well Hello, my fellow xanga-goers.  It has been a long time since I've posted anything, so I thought I was about due.  I'm home for the summer, in Illinois, if anybody is in the neighborhood feel free to stop by.(How nice would it be if that was really applicable to anyone?).  So, one thing I've learned since I've been home is how loosely I use the term "home".  I mean this isn't where I grew up, and its definitly not where all my friends are! (I miss you all by the way!) I've realized the only reason I really call it home, is because my "place of residence is here"(for three months out of the year), and my family is here.  But the funny thing is how much I've noticed the past couple of weeks that as we grow up, our friends become our family too. I mean, I don't really miss Wayne the town... with its whole 4 fast food restaurants, 24-hour convenience store and no clothing stores for 35 miles. I find myself homesick for the home I have found in all the great friends I have there.  I appreciated you all when I was there, but being gone, I know I will never take you for granted!!! The community we have there is amazing and I wouldn't trade it for all the restaurants and shopping malls in Illinois.  If I haven't had the chance to personally thank you all for your profound influence on my life, don't feel slided... it's only because I'm probablly afraid I wouldn't be able to carry on a conversation without bursting into tears.  But don't worry your time will come  Hope everyone's summer is going great, and I hope to talk to at least some of you before it is over.  I think I might go insane if I don't. I love all of ya! PRAISE JESUS for experiences he gives us to grow us, and remind me of that tomorrow when i'm not so optomisitc. Have a wonderful day my friends!

----Sarah