I love them! I had the house to the house for a couple hours this weekend and I got to cook myself dinner. This is what happened.
Sporting Events:
I don't like them. I've given them so many chances. In high school I tried to be a good West High Golden Bear, and failed miserably. Then I thought college might change me, but here's what happens every time. I'm surrounded by thousands of screaming fans, which is mistake number one (never go where everyone else is). Next, I don't understand what's going on (well with football anyway). I get a perfectly good bottle of water confiscated. Then I'm dying of thirst, but I can't leave my seat because it would be impossible to squeeze back into the little space I have created and carefully guarded. Speaking of which, people won't stop touching me. And I have to stand for 5 hours. Every time I go, I'm looking for someone to leave with me around half time. Sorry I know that's all very unAmerican, but it's just how I feel.
With that in mind, let it be known that last night I took a deep breath and boarded a bus for the biggest rivalry soccer game in Costa Rica. See, here I am :)
And I have to admit it was pretty cool. These people love their soccer, and I was scared for my life the whole time. There were about 30 gringos wearing Liga jerseys in the middle of a bunch of Saprissa fans. Like we weren't enough of a target already, we had to wear the wrong color. We made it in safely, learned how to cuss in Spanish, got garbage thrown at us, and were escorted out by the police. And we were on Costa Rican TV! Yes, that just happened. (video made by my friend Amy Peterson)
Arroz con leche and panadarias:
Like. Warm pudding rice vanilla goodness. Muy muy rico. And it seriously takes all of my willpower to walk by the panadaria in my neighborhood everyday and not stop to try something new. Wish I had a picture... I can't wait to try to cook all my favorite Tico foods when I get home.
Sticking out:
Do not like. I'm tired of being stared at, whistled at, and laughed at. Some people can ignore the cultural differences, but I feel it constantly in the bus, in the market, at restaurants, on the street. I want to make myself blend in, but it's impossible. I'm learning to accept that it's okay. I'm learning to value my own culture as well as this new one, but it's hard to reconcile in my mind how different my reality is from other people's and to be okay with that.
Mountains:
There are no words. Last weekend we visited a nearby volcano, and I cannot describe the feeling of breathing in fresh air, seeing open land, laying on grass. I'm a mountain girl in my heart. That's all there is to it.
Facebook:
Facebook is my only communication here, not only with lots of people at home, but also with my friends here because we don't have phones. This leads to some pretty long, entertaining group messages. As thankful as I am for technology, I'm very tired of that blue and white screen. And yet, every time I open my computer, I find myself going there. And then I'm annoyed so I leave the page... only to get back on minutes later. Does anyone else have that problem?
Hot dogs for breakfast:
Need I say anything more?
Thanksgiving without my family:
:(
Here are a couple scriptures that I have been running to this week:
Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenent, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:4-6
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the Spirit that he has made to dwell in us." James 4:5
As I've battled against my flesh this week these words have been striking. I want so badly to think about me, what I want, how I feel, and where I'm going. But Jesus wants me to look at him, wait on him, and serve him here. So please pray for me to do that well!
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