UPDATE
Well, it has certainly been a long time since I have last updated and I now sort of finally have time. I am still in Costa Rica; I have only another 22 days before I head home. I have been having an amazing time over all. Costa Rica is a beautiful country and I am so happy to be here. Aside from the terrifying thunder and lightening storms and occasional down pours, the climate is hot, humid and wonderful. I love it when it's sunny out but it's usually easy to handle. I have spent quite a while working on a tan, which I can proudly say that I have (even on my tummy and legs).
Two weeks ago we finished professor taught classes and last week we began our independent study projects. I am working ridiculously hard on a project with my friend Alan, from Swarthmore. We are establishing a long term study of three different tree plantations on the Firestone Center property. We hike up the hill and trek out in the woody, brambly, prickly, buggy, plantations to measure tree diameters, height, under story growth (which includes counting individuals plants and doing species identifications). It's so exhausting and I'm almost to the breaking point. We have spent 7 of the past 8 days out in the field collecting data, some times my days starting at 6 a.m. and I don't get home until 5 p.m. Last night I was so exhausted that I went to bed at 8:00.
I love my host family and I am going to be so sad to leave them. I am such good friends with my host mom, she's wonderful and totally spoils me. My host dad has been hilarious and has sort of been teaching me how to play the guitar. It's always a treat when my 16 year old host sister is home because she lives out of the house at a boarding high school and even when she's home she's doing homework. She's beautiful and smart and very inclusive. My 15 year old brother is cute. He spends most of his time at home lying on his bed listening to the radio. He also dances traditional dance. My two younger sisters are fun. They play fluxx en espanol with me. The 12 year old finished the puzzle that I brought as a gift. The 11 year old is wild and almost always happy. Although sometimes she has a very whiny voice which annoys me.
I am excited to go home but worried about leaving. So excited to travel with my mom and Laurie when they come and not to have more school work.
Two weeks ago we finished professor taught classes and last week we began our independent study projects. I am working ridiculously hard on a project with my friend Alan, from Swarthmore. We are establishing a long term study of three different tree plantations on the Firestone Center property. We hike up the hill and trek out in the woody, brambly, prickly, buggy, plantations to measure tree diameters, height, under story growth (which includes counting individuals plants and doing species identifications). It's so exhausting and I'm almost to the breaking point. We have spent 7 of the past 8 days out in the field collecting data, some times my days starting at 6 a.m. and I don't get home until 5 p.m. Last night I was so exhausted that I went to bed at 8:00.
I love my host family and I am going to be so sad to leave them. I am such good friends with my host mom, she's wonderful and totally spoils me. My host dad has been hilarious and has sort of been teaching me how to play the guitar. It's always a treat when my 16 year old host sister is home because she lives out of the house at a boarding high school and even when she's home she's doing homework. She's beautiful and smart and very inclusive. My 15 year old brother is cute. He spends most of his time at home lying on his bed listening to the radio. He also dances traditional dance. My two younger sisters are fun. They play fluxx en espanol with me. The 12 year old finished the puzzle that I brought as a gift. The 11 year old is wild and almost always happy. Although sometimes she has a very whiny voice which annoys me.
I am excited to go home but worried about leaving. So excited to travel with my mom and Laurie when they come and not to have more school work.