Arenal, again
Trip Start
Jun 16, 2005
1
31
46
Trip End
Aug 2006
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La Fortuna,
Costa Rica
Monday, February 27, 2006
Well, it's been an eventful month or so. I had to go back to the US for an audition with the Chicago Civic Orchestra, which I hope will be my job next year while I'm in seminary, and it went well. I was hoping that the audition would be a little later to give me a little more time in Costa Rica before heading back to the States, but it wasn't. So, I had a good break, though it wasn't much-needed yet. =)
Now I'm back, and I've had a week with the kids again. They've now started a new schoolyear, and so they haven't quite figured out their schedules yet. So, sometimes I have one child and sometimes I have 20 -- but I'm learning to cherish the slow days, because by next week, when it all settles down, I'll be hopping again!
Amy (the social work student who is doing her internship here and who works with me in the afternoons) and I went to La Fortuna this weekend with a few of her friends from language school to see Arenal Volcano. We left early Saturday morning, and it was very cool -- though it was too rainy the one night we were there to actually see the lava. But, the clouds cleared yesterday morning and we were able to see the whole thing, and smoke coming out of the top. We went on a guided hike through the rainforest, during which I saw my first toucan, and then we went to the Baldi hot springs on Saturday night -- it was part of the tour -- and then rode horseback to the waterfall on Sunday morning. Amy had a bad encounter with a truck, and her leg got pretty badly hurt (smooshed between her horse and the truck). Nothing major, we think, but definitely bruising and blood. Needless to say she didn't come to play with the kids this afternoon!
We got back last night. Gonzalo called me to tell me that one of my English students died yesterday morning. He had been riding his bike and a car ran a stop sign and hit him. He was 20, and spoke really well -- he only came by to practice his grammar, and we had been getting to be good friends. So, it's a huge shock.
Anyway, I hope you are all doing well.
Peace,
Elizabeth
Comments
Ash Wednesday
Dear Elizabeth,
I'm sorry that one of your students had an accident and died, it is especially hard to deal with when it happens to someone so young and eager to learn. This time must be very sad for you and his family.
Today is March 1 and Ash Wednesday, a time to be more penitent and a time for me to work on my patience.
My husband says that my flower is the IMPATIENT.
I will be challenged because we are redecorating and now that the paint and carpeting are in, I have to wait and wait for the furniture and window treatments.
It will probably be 3 months of an unfinished house.
It all started with a leak in the roof which caused damage to the drywall and stained the carpeting.
La Fortuna, what a great name for a city. I hope you really enjoyed your hike and time away.
Your mom and the music scholarship committee are getting ready for the March 11 concerto auditions. We always have a good time that day, the students and their families are so polite and enthusiastic. Your mom is the backbone and the brains of the committee, she does most of the work and really keeps us on our toes.
Good news about Ben and his engagement! Your mom says that his fiancee is very nice and very talented, that's good, she will fit right in with your family.
I taught for 25 years and only had one student with the same birthday as me. We became friends. She moved while in middle school and started writing to me.
I went to her high school graduation party, her wedding shower and wedding. Now she is going to have a baby but I will miss the shower because it is on the same day as the concerto auditions. She says that she will bring the baby to visit. I hope so.
Keep up the good work, Elizabeth and keep smiling.
Love,
Marge