Letter to Family

In October 2012 I was extremely luck and got to go home for my little sister's wedding. As I got prepared to go I realized everyone would have a lot of questions for me but there was no way I'd have enough time to tell answer them all. So I wrote up a letter and sent it to my family. As I think about what kind of things I want to talk about in my blog, I realize this is a good place to start. The basics of what life is like here. 

Hello to our Family in “The States”!!!

We wanted to send you all a note to let you know how we are doing in Okinawa. First, our new address!

Ben & Amy Unterreiner PSC 556 Box 556 FPO AP 96386-0556

If you plan to send a letter, be sure to write it just like that. There is no need to add a country because we technically live on US soil. You will use the same postage as if we lived in the states! Feel free to imagine the mail carrier taking it just down the street; it sure makes us feel better to think that way! 

We have been really lucky to find so many easy ways to stay connected with our friends and family across the world.

A little more about where we live. Okinawa is a “prefecture” of Japan and there has been US military stationed here since WWII. The island is about 400 miles south of mainland Japan. We live (and Ben works) on the southern end of the island, near the city of Naha. In our area there are 3 Marine Corp bases, 1 Air Force Base, and 1 Naval Base. Ben works on Marine Corp Air Station Futenma and we live on Camp Kinser. The two bases are about a 5-10 minute drive apart. The area where we live on Kinser is referred to as the “Towers”, which are basically concrete apartment buildings. Admittedly, they are all very uniform, but extremely practical in that they are excellent protection against the many typhoons experienced here during “the season.” We’ve been here for two typhoons and, even with winds up to 140 mph, we have felt, and been, very safe. Prior to living here, we’ve never been in military family housing. We are finding lots of perks. There are two other couples from Ben’s squadron who live in our tower and we get together a lot. We live on the second floor which our pup loves because she can people-watch off our balcony. Also, there is a large yard behind our tower for Sugar to explore and, since it is shared, there is a gardener who mows it. We have a commissary (grocery store) which is just a 5 minute walk up the street. As well as a convenience store, post office, library, gym, swimming pool, bowling alley, bank, church, and clinic all a 5-10 minute walk away. In addition there is a Subway, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Burger King restaurant. So living on base has been very American, and very nice.

We’ve also explored a lot “out-in-town.” It can get a little tricky because some things are different. For example, we had to learn to drive on the left side of the road- with our steering wheel on the right side of the car. This makes turning a little nerve-wrecking and using the rearview mirror confusing (it’s used by turning your head up and left instead of up and right). Also, in stores off-base we have to use Yen (¥) for currency. So understanding how much you are actually paying can be a headache. The rate fluctuates daily, but generally 77 Yen = 1 Dollar. So 500¥ is approximately $6.50, 1000¥  is around $12.50, and so on. But when something is labeled with a cost:  3495¥  it can be frustrating to try to work out in your head when you are so used to instantly knowing. (It’s about $45 by the way) The language is another difficulty, but luckily almost every store or restaurant has signs/menus which are translated to English, or at least have Lots of pictures.

As for us, we are doing well. We are taking advantage of the new adventures available. We plan to take a scuba course when it works into the schedule. And Ben is staying busy with work. He was part of a Re-designation Ceremony which transferred his squadron from HMM-265 to VMM-265. Which means it is now an Osprey Helicopter squadron (the First stationed outside the US) instead of a CH46/Phrog Helicopter squadron. On Sept. 19th Ben and several other marines headed to mainland Japan where their Osprey helicopters have been waiting for approval to fly to Okinawa and begin their duty here. On the 19th they received the OK, and Ben will be helping relocate them. If all goes to plan, the first Ospreys of the Pacific will make their home in Okinawa by the start of October. And as the Ospreys settle in on Okinawa, Amy will be packing her bags to hop the Pacific once again for little sister Kasey’s wedding.  So if you see her in the big green truck- driving down the wrong side of the road, be sure to wave!

Before wrapping this up, it must be mentioned that: We miss you all a lot! And we would be ecstatic to welcome anyone who dares to visit! :) It’s a long flight, but worth it! Hope you are all doing well and be sure to keep in touch!

Love always,

Ben and Amy

(And Sugar)

Pictures:  #1: Taken by Ben, a Shisha Dog. Usually seen in a pair, they are placed at entrances to protect from bad spirits.  #2: The Japanese Symbol Meaning “Okinawa.”  #3: Sugar on our main balcony which faces the East China Sea (look VERY close.. its out there)  #4: Yen! The smallest bill is 1000¥ (approx $12) so we end up with a lot of coins.  #5: The emblem for Ben’s new Squadron VMM-265 “The Dragons.”  #6: Ben & Amy high in the hills in Northern Okinawa

Hai!

Hello from Japan!  I find it a little difficult to start this post because, there is so much to talk about, so much going on. My last post was about reflection. The future was unknown so my focus was on how I got to that point. Now its about the present, and the past. And the future too. So first off- I'm very glad for the experiences of my past. I feel much more solid, much less out of control, much wiser for the experiences I have had Before a big move like the one we just had. 

A good place to start: 

I talked before about relating to country songs.  "Time Marches On" (The only thing that stays the same is: Everything Changes) has always related to me and helped when I first got married.  "Heads Carolina, Tails California" definitely related when we made our cross-country move. And I told many people how Country music didn't have song for this global transition. Then I heard Brad Paisley's song: Southern Comfort Zone. And I was proven wrong. 


When your wheelhouse is the land of cotton,
The first time you leave it can be strange, it can be shocking

Not everybody drives a truck, not everybody drinks sweet tea
Not everybody owns a gun, wears a ball cap boots and jeans
Not everybody goes to church or watches every nascar race
Not everybody knows the words to "Ring Of Fire" or "Amazing Grace"

I have walked the streets of Rome, I have been to foreign lands
I know what it's like to talk and have nobody understand

I know what it's like to be the only one like me,
To take a good hard look around and be a minority

I miss my Tennessee (Missouri) Home
And I been away way too long
But I can't see this world unless I go
Outside my Southern Comfort Zone

Seriously, Nice work Country Music.  And while I have not, my Husband HAS walked the streets of Rome. 
So, I miss my Missouri home. And we've been living away way too long. But I'm seeing the world, outside my Midwestern Comfort Zone :) 
More to Come. 

Here we go again

I sit now in the brightest corner of our house here in Bonita California. The room is full of wide windows that give me a spectacular view of the California hills. Outside it is a typical 73 degree San Diego day, not a cloud in the sky and a gentle breeze that cools our house, which has never needed air conditioning or heater. Why, one would ask, would you choose to move away from such an amazing place? ........I shall, out of respect for the sanity of my own mind, not attempt to answer that question. :) :) But seriously, change is ahead once again for my little family (that is: Ben, myself, and Sugar) and we will have to leave this great place behind, as we did our home in North Carolina, and our family in Missouri. This time, however, our move will send us around the world; to Okinawa Japan..

Nerd in me alert- I'm reminded here of Timon in the Lion King.. particularly in the Lion King SNES game. At the start of the game he appears on screen and simply says "It Starts.."  Thats really where I sit now. At the start of the next adventure. Whew. Adventures. Did I know I was going to have this many adventures when I married Ben? Never imagined it for a second. Would it have mattered? Not in the slightest. It keeps things exciting for sure. But if I'm being honest I don't mind a little boredom.. :) But as I was saying...

It Starts.. 

It truly started over a year ago, when I was faced with the reality of Japan. Ben claims I knew we were going to Japan long before this.. but to be honest I knew the Ospreys were going to Japan, I knew 561 was going to Japan.. I was either completely unaware or in complete denial that Ben and I were going to Japan. Then I attended the first Coffee with the Command Team for VMM-561. That is the squadron Ben joined when we moved to San Diego. And its freaking awesome if I do say so myself. Our CO is spectacular- friendly, understanding, informative, actually  knows my name, and not only that knows my background and supports my husband :) and our Family Readiness Officer was better than I've ever seen- once again friendly, understanding, informative, actually knows my name, and takes part in our spouse socials which is awesome. We (and this is the first squadron I've considered myself a part of) also have a kick-butt "patch" and "motto" 

 Ben and I at his re-enlistment in front of the Pale Horse motto, also the patch (top left) and 00, VMM 561's flagship with their Pale Horse emblem. 

Back to my story, when Ben arrived he joined VMM-561 which had just "stood-up" or begun. One way our command team kept the wives happy was by having a Coffee with the Command Team, where they kept us up to date as to what in the world was going on. :) It was an amazing idea, and it helped so so very much throughout the transitions to come. That night we all showed up fresh off the news our husbands had given us the night before. We were going to Japan. All of us, with very few exceptions. Denial Smooshed. Thankfully the Coffee with the Command Team calmed most of us down, and helped me see there was light at the end of the tunnel.. and possibility ahead. 

But lets be honest. I had just moved to San Diego maybe 2 months before. I was still unpacking, half of our house was in our trailer, I didn't know the people I was living with (and there was a bunch of them), and I had just made myself comfortable with the fact that I was too far from home (Missouri home) to drive there anymore. So now we are moving WHERE? To Japan? But not really Japan, this little island south of Japan called Okinawa. Um.. K.. Smile Amy. Adventure. What saved me, and continues to save me each time I freak out inside (which thankfully happens very little now) is our marine corps community. They've been there. They know. They lived through it, loved it, got the t-shirt. And Everyone who had been to Okinawa  had nothing but amazing things to say about it. Great food, Great people, tons to do, Job opportunities out the wazoo for teachers, etc. etc.

So we were going to Japan. We ARE going to Japan. Our stuff is already on its way to Japan! We're going. Its final. Ha! Sorry.. that's the Military wife in me coming out. Since I'm being honest here, I won't believe it til I'm on Japanese dirt. After the year we have had since that first Coffee with the Command Team, I am in a state of constant preparation. At first that meant preparation for the move, now I see it means I am preparing myself for the next hiccup, the next change, the next big laugh by the mc when they tell us whats Really going to happen and then tell us nevermind. :) I was right about one thing- it is exciting. :)

We did ride quite a roller coaster this past year. Due to a new rule in the military, Marines who have served 10 years and are not selected as a Staff Sergeant would be, in a sense, "let go." Ben is not to that point yet, he hasn't even reached the point to be considered for Staff Sergeant. But, while we are in Japan, he would reach 10 years. Because, on paper, there is no guarantee he would be selected, we were told No, you are not going to Japan.  I recall now telling someone (probably, unfortunately, my mother) that it was 98% certain we were NOT going. (The Cubs fan in me is screaming: JYNX!!) Soon after we found out there was a waiver process Ben could go through that, if approved, would allow him to extend his contract past 10 years and go to Japan. So while everyone else got their orders (in October) and prepared to go to Japan, Ben worked on his waiver and eventually turned it in. He was also informed it would be an official re-enlistment instead of an extension. Getting the waiver done was tough. There was a brief period in there where it felt like we were begging for approval, not an easy thing to do. It made us a little bitter about the whole process. But thankfully we, once again, had our military community keeping us excited, reminding us what we had and how far it could take us. Thankfully this occurred because we also found out it wasn't by choice he was jumping through these hoops, but, since he was considered a careerist, a requirement to attempt. Eh, ok, whatever. As I said, thankfully we had passed the bitterness quickly and were mostly content to wait again. So we waited, and waited, and waited, and the waiver got lost, and they found it, and we waited. Meanwhile I attended spouse socials and told them - "we don't know yet" over and over. We worked on our paperwork for Japan and attended informational meetings, just in case. We prepared to the fullest we could without actual orders. And we waited some more. Finally.. 7 months after our 561 friends received their orders, Ben got the OK. Yes. We are going to Japan in August. I expected to have a moment of dread, or fear, or some kind of surge of emotion when we got the word he'd been "approved." I did not. And it was at that point that I realized I was going to be ok. Maybe the military is a roller coaster, but I'm ok with it. For once in my life, that climb to the top of the roller coaster, that click-click-click that prepares you for the big fall did not scare me, it eventually calmed me, and when the big drop came, when we got the yes, I was able to see it for what it really was. A great part of the ride. I know military life can be crazy. I know things may change at any moment. But it no longer makes me lose control, I do have control. Because of that control I was able realize this wasn't going to change my life, not really, my life is what I make it. Going to Japan is just where I'll be living it for the next 3 years. Japan will be another part of my story. A new chapter. In the long run, not some great mountain to climb, just a detoured path along the way to the summit. A pretty one with lots of Cherry Blossoms.

And here we are.. our bags are packed, our minds prepared. We have a few good-byes to say and then we are on our way. 

It Starts...

Heads Carolina, Tails California

Since my world is about to change so drastically, and communication with those I love will be based mostly online, I decided it was time to reboot this blog I used in 2010 to tell about my Costa Rica experience.  I also found a saved post that never got published. So before I write how I'm feeling now- Its best I share what I was feeling THEN.. and then I will basically be repeating the emotions when I talk about now :) This was written, I believe, in January 2011:

I've been a bit busy since the last time I posted. New challenges, milestones, and  changes took over every free moment and conscious thought.. and unconscious thoughts at times. I find the title of this post to be very fitting considering the changes- and since my last  post mentioned how I've found country songs to lyricize my life at times.. So- the last 7 months..

When Ben and I first started dating- most dates involved a popular activity in Perryville, Missouri for teens.. country road cruising. :) We made a game of it, flipping a coin to decide left turns from right, and ended up in different counties or on creepy dead end roads, and somehow always ending up on "C" Road..which I swear goes everywhere.. Heads or Tails, Left or Right. So.. it seems fitting that a country song about flipping a coin- mirrored one of our recent choices.  About a year & 1/2 ago we got news that the osprey program was finally heading west.. it would no longer ONLY be in Jacksonville, North Carolina- but was going to set up in San Diego. And because my wonderful husband is so uniquely qualified and awesome :) he would have no problem getting onto the list if he wanted to. So there was the opportunity for huge change, for a cross country move. There was the decision- Carolina? or California? Heads or Tails?

So we never literally flipped that coin, but the decision was made and change was ahead.. when Ben deployed we knew it was the last time all of our friends would be together- with other deployments and moves ahead, well- everything changes. We soon saw that 2010 would be our "Lost Year".. and looking back it was Lost- but amazing at the same time. Ben and I spent a total of just 3 1/2 months in the same place.  A half a month in January was spent preparing to be apart. The last weeks of August were spent attempting to spend time together when Ben got back and I was beginning my student teaching.. And then we spent September, October &; Half of November together. "Together" But not so much. I spent all my time after school writing lesson plans, grading papers, writing reflections, and working on projects.  Despite this, I did manage to help pack our entire house and did my best to assist Ben as he remodeled our bathroom and finished up our house projects.  It wasn't until December that we got to spend "REAL" time together. I was finished with student teaching and school, Ben had transitioned to California, our house had sold, and we were Home with our families.  So 2010?  Remains the Lost Year. But what an experience.

Time Marches On..

When Ben and I first started dating, it seemed like our life was reflected in Country songs. Every decision we were making, tough time we were going to go through, all the happiness we had was summed up nicely for us right there on the radio.  One of our favorites is still "Time Marches On". Because, how can you argue with that? And of course, in addition to that is the line (in that song) "The only thing that stays the same is: Everything Changes." That line fits quite nicely with our lives.. predictably unpredictable is how I decribed it a few weeks ago. But lets be honest, right now we have a plan. As crazy as the next 6 months is going to be, it is planned out.  Somehow that fact is not as comforting as I thought it would be. I guess because right now it seems like there is so much going on at once. And yet, without Ben here, its like nothing is going on at all. In case you haven't guessed already I talk in circles anytime the military is involved. They drive me to it because they do it themselves :). Anyways. I looked back today at the blogs from my trip. Somehow those 3 weeks seem like a lifetime ago. And yet I feel I was just there yesterday (see what I mean about talking in circles?). The experience was so amazing. Sometimes it doesn't seem real that I was there, that I did all that, saw what I saw and lived where I lived.  Amazing. I think the reason it doesn't seem real is because I came home and "Time Marches On"..
The night we returned to the US we got in LATE.  At the airport I was introduced to family members and loved ones who were so excited to see the others in my group return. I have to admit that was a little hard, there was no one for me to introduce. I had planned to spend that night at Terri's sister's house south of Wilmington, but I was ready to be home in my own bed. I got back to Jacksonville about 1am. I was so excited to be back in my own house, I think I stayed up until 5am.  Ok, so it was part excitement and part the fact that I had missed all the season finales of my TV shows and it was driving me crazy to know they were stored in the DVR and I would be waiting til morning to watch them. The next day I unpacked and organized and got myself ready to drive home to Missouri.  Sure, I could have rested here a little longer, but the empty house was lonely. It was time to be with family and time to see my Sugar.  I drove home on Wednesday (I didn't realize it at the time but that was my last Solo trip TO Missouri from North Carolina.) Ben and I will drive it together in December when we cross the country.. but no more crazy 14+ hour drives to Missouri.  (I'm still doing a crazy solo 14+ hour drive BACK to North Carolina with Ben's truck however) It took me a few days to adjust to driving and the number of people here. Actually the day after I got back I went to Walmart and I was shocked at how many Marines there were. 4 years I've lived here and in 3 weeks I'd forgotten all about the fact that there were Marines in this town. :) I was pretty stoked to see the Osprey fly over the house. I may be a dork in that respect but they make me smile. Back in Missouri, it was great. I was so happy to be with my family and see my neices and nephews. It was so nice just to sit and relax with them, but also I could have sat and talked with everyone for hours. I tried to show them pictures, I think it got to be a little too much to see them all in one sitting.  But it was great to talk to other people about it.  I mean, for 3 weeks I was talking to people who were going through it with me, and then to my instructors- in Spanish- I'm surprised my family didn't tell me to shut up about Costa Rica after awhile.  My visit to Missouri was special because I had my neices and nephews with me each night.  One at a time of course.  I loved it.  Its so awesome to see how individual they are and I wouldn't trade that for anything. I got to see that David analyzes movies just like me, Isabel has a hilarious sense of humor, Autumn is so brave to add to a conversation even with people she doesnt' know well, Isaiah has the best manners and wants to know everyone, and Samuel is just constantly estatic (we had been driving in the car maybe 5 minutes after leaving his house and he looks to me and says- This is SO Much Fun!) I'm so lucky to know them. And I'm so so excited about my Godbaby who is coming so soon.  :)
After my trip to Missouri, Sugar and I came back here and started putting everything back together again. I think my first day here I was so overwhelmed as I sat down to write a to-do list.  Impossible.  I still think it is impossible.  But I have to do it.. I had a week until Summer Session II started so I got to work on projects around the house. And currently I'm still in the middle of almost all of them. I'm proud to say the living room is finished.. almost. I have to hang some things on the wall, but other than that, it is finished. And if I hang nothing on the wall, its actually one less thing to take down and pack. So I may skip that all together.  :) It'll all get marked off that to-do list one way or another. 
I'm currently taking two classes at UNCW's Main Campus.  PE/Health Methods and Children's Literature. One class begins at 8 am. That means I have to leave my house at 640am in order to get to Wilmington on time. Its a long drive and I don't even want to think about how much gas I'm using.  I usually get back to Jacksonville around 345pm.  Its a long day but I have to get these two classes in before the fall semester. Its so strange to be in classes with people I don't know. In Jacksonville, at the Extension campus, most of us were in the same classes together, or in SNCAE so I knew the people there. This is a little different but I'm enjoying it. 
So Time has marched on since my trip.. But, as I pointed out- it seems like nothing at all. Its all a blur because Ben is usually my focus.  I can't believe he's been gone since January.  I can't believe I've done all I have minus him.  The great thing is that through email I feel like he's right there with me. But, its not the same I'm afraid.  But soon, he'll be here again. Soon he'll be back.  I try to stop my train of thought there. I try not to think beyond it. Because once Ben is back is the scary part, the stuff I'm not prepared for. Student teaching, packing up the house, Ben leaving.. Stop Stop Stop. I always back track and try my best to focus on Ben being home. And 80% of the time that works.  I'm so excited for that event, that it blurs out anything that happens after. But the other 20% I wish time would stop after he returned. That we could have a few weeks of peace.. spend those weeks together focusing on nothing else. But.. as I have to admit 20% of the time.. Time marches on. And in reality, we'll have 5-7 days before my fall semester and student teaching begins.  Yikes.  But tonight I'm going to backtrack.. I'm going to make it an 80% night and think of how great it will be to sit beside him in his new truck :) and how estatic our pup will be when he comes home.  The end is in sight... and so is the beginning..
Time Marches On...

In these pictures:

First is our Cooking Class at CPI, Monteverde.. don't we look stylish in our hairnets?

Next are pictures of when we read to and worked with students at the Monteverde Public School, I like the picture where I'm sitting on the ground in my skirt and muddy shoes.

Next are pictures from the Trapiche tour.  It was pouring that morning but Emily, Terri and I got to ride in the Ox cart. We saw an example of how they make Sugar Rum (although its illegal now) and also the big vats where they mix the sugar cane.  There is a picture showing how we got to help make the candy.  It was almost too sweet to eat! almost...

Next are the pictures from our hike at Santa Elena Reserve. There is a picture of me standing inside a tree and of the crazy stairs we took through the reserve. Next is the tower we climbed and the amazing view we saw at the top... Thats Arenal Volcano in the distance. After about  five minutes at the top the clouds came in and Sonia took a very cloudy/windy picture of me.

After the group shot is a picture of me teaching a lesson at the Monteverde Public School. Technically it goes before the pictures from the Reserve but I dont have the patience to try to move it there! I taught in almost all Spanish with some help of course. :)

More pictures tomorrow..

My last week in Costa Rica

(Written- Sunday, June 6)
As I begin to write this I am on my way back to the United States, but I have much more to tell about my last days in Costa Rica.
Wednesday we all dressed in our boots and "old" clothes to work at a Coffee Co-op in Monteverde. At the co-op we all helped plant coffee. Some dug holes and other planted the small plants. It was interesting to see the field in which we were planting because it went up a steep hill. After hard work we returned to CPI for Spanish classes. After class I spent some time at the Internet cafe before heading home. With my computer acting up I was thankful for this. Many computers are available around Santa Elena. Santa Elena, a small town of Monteverde, is full of hostels, internet cafes, travel agencies, laundry services, etc. All of Costa Rica is very tourism centered but it is especially clear in this small mountain town. Most families have a member involved in tourism. Many drive tour buses or arrange excursions and etc. The internet cafe I used most was in an old school bus. The owners spoke only a little English and tried to stike up conversations in English to learn more. After a short time at the internet cafe I went "home". While doing my "tarea" (homework) Karla called me in to watch the news. There had been a Tornado (as of now they say maybe it was a hurricane) late the night before in Quepos and Manuel Antonio. the news showed images of the destruction which had occured in the place we'd visited just 8 days before. It was shoking to see. Trees and electric poles were scattered on the streets and business and homes torn apart. There was no electricity or water. It was such a shock to see the beautiful place so torn up.
Thursday was the 3rd of June, Ben and I's 4th anniversary. Our groups' plan had been to have a morning free, but the threat of bad weather Friday led us to move our Zip-line canopy tour to that morning. So Thursday we got geared up in harnesses and protective helmets and headed out to the Zipline. There were many nervous questions aske d by the group before this activity, but I was ready to go. :) I was the first on the 'practice' zip line and it was great. There was a kind of rope/bungee cord set up which helped us stop at the end, but if necessary we were taught how to brake. We road a tram up to the frist "real" zipline and had to climb a large tower to get to our starting point. All in our group, except Dr. Huber, went on the zip lines. (All = Me, Emily, Terri, Shelby, David, Dr. Powell and Sonia-our chaparone) A few cables we did tandem since they were not very steep and we needed more weight to be sure we'd make it across. I went across cable #1 with Terri and it was amazing. The views were great, even though we only had about 30 seconds to see them. Emily and Shelby came together after us and about 20 meters from the end, they stopped. Something about their arm positions had caused them to be braking almost all the way across and so they had to pull themselves in. After that, however, all the cables (a total of nine) went without any trouble. Most were sole and two more were tandem. It as such a fun experience. After our morning of "flying" we had lunch at Stella's, a great little restaurant and bakery near CPI. Our Spanish classes that day were, again, a lot of fun. Our "Profesora" had us acting out vocabulary words. She also had us finding vocabulary in song lyrics and sorting out Curious George pictures while describing, in Spanish, what was happening.
Friday we ended up having a partial free day. I was able to get my laundry done, check my email and begin to pack everything into my big suitcase. My host family had a washing machine and drying but it cost too much to use the dryer so they hung clothes to dry on the line outside. When it rained they tried to dry everything inside, but this took many many days and clothes never did dry completely and smelled a little funny. For this reason I paid for my laundry to be done at one of the service places. Our group met to go the bank that morning and pay our "Exit Tax". We had to pay $26 in order to leave the country. We had lunch at "Johnies", where most of us ordered a hamburguesa and papas (hamburger and fries), we'd grown a little tired of beans and rice. We had our last Spanish class that day and about 445, a graduation. Sonia put together a great slide show of our three weeks in Costa Rica with Spanish music in the background. We were given diploma type certificates and took pictures with our teachers. It was really nice. Afterwards we headed "home" for a last night with our families.
I arrived home and started organizing and deciding what I really DIDN'T need to take back with me. I was still organizing when Karla got home. She was wearing the North Carolina shirt I'd given her the night before. She called me into the living room where she was watching the news. She asked me about my day and said she had good news. She said she'd found out for sure that morning that she was pregnant. She and Erick were so excited and we decided to go out that night to eat and celebrate. We went to Morphose, a new restaurant which Erick actually helped built. It is a butterfly themed restaurant and the building is uniquely shaped with a roof like a squiggle ~ Inside it is beautifully painted all over with scenes of Costa Rica. I spent a long time just obsrving it all. Erick was explaining to both Karla and I about how it was constructed. It was a nice final dinner and night with them.
Saturday mornign I left my homestay early and met the group at the clinic meeting point. It was a sad ride to San Jose, I think we all had bonded with our host families. But we had some beautiful views on our way down the mountains. Of course,that actually made it more difficult to be leaving such a peaceful, beautiful place. We arrived in San Jose for lunch and it was a bit of a shock for us all because it was so noisy there. The cars and people were so loud and intrusive. It made us miss Monteverde. It was all overwhelming. We visited the National Theater and History Museum and then walked around the San Jose shops. We said goodbye to Javier and then headed to La Condesa. It was the same hotel we'd stayed in our first weekend in Costa Rica. Being there allowed us all to think about how far we'd come. I remember all the worries we had our first weekend about our host families and Spanish classes. There we were three weeks later with so many meaningful, amazing experiences behind us. We ate dinner at the same restaurant we had that first weekend. We all sat and laughed and reflected on the past weeks. This morning we all had a last breakfast together. At 830 Emily, Terri, Dr. Powell, Dr. Huber and I head to the airport with Sonia. Shelby stayed because her kids had come and they were spending the next week together in Costa Rica. David was staying another three days to see more of San Jose. We said goodbye to Sonia at the airport and left Costa Rica at 1230 pm.
2 1/2 hours later, at 5 pm Eastern time, we arrived at Ft. Lauderdale. We went through customs, which was a new experience for me. We had a short lay over in FL and at 745 we got on the plane for Myrtle Beach. Hearing so many English speakers has been a bit of a shock and probably the most unexpected thing we had to get used to was the time change. At 745 in Costa Rica, it was DARK. The sun was down by 6pm there. Now, as I type this in the plane headed from Ft. Lauderdale to Myrtle Beach, at 750pm, the sun is just beginning to go down. I was excited to see a Dunkin Donuts at the airport, but their coffee doesn't compete well with Costa Rica's. What made me most happy was to be able to turn on my iPhone and connect to the internet. I was able to talk back and forth with Ben via email and called my Mom. It was so wonderful to hear a familiar voice. And to hear about familiar things. I am so ready to be back in my own bed and then back to Missouri..