Mixed Emotions
I started this post a week ago. I want to tell everyone how I
feel and how everything is going. However, the truth is that I do not know how I
feel! Every minute, I change my mind and I feel a different emotion. And, I
cannot decipher the emotions that I am feeling! I can’t wait to drive my car
and see my family. But, I am sad to leave my home here. I will miss my
Barva-Heredia bus dearly.
Yesterday,
I was feeling really down about leaving Heredia and about not being with my family
in Chicago for a wedding (the gloomy afternoons do not help much!). I made
myself feel better by laughing and eating dinner with my family. I told a funny
story and my host mom and sister were laughing hysterically (this proved to me
how much my Spanish has improved since it is hard to show personalities in
another language and because humor usually gets lost in translation). We ate a delicious
typical soup and relaxed together. I was sad, happy, unsure, and a little
confused.
Tonight,
I do know that I feel happy….on top of the world, on Cloud 9 kind of happy! I
had an amazing day at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens and at Volcan Poas. I
enjoyed time laughing and taking selfies with new and old friends. Tomorrow I
am going to another city with my host parents to visit some family. Tonight, I
am thrilled (and exhausted). In an hour I will probably be sad to leave as I
continue to pack. In two hours I will probably be sad because I will be looking
at photos from the wedding in Chicago. And in three hours I will be happy
again, falling asleep in my perfect bed in my perfect room with the fan on “high.”
I am
not sure if I will post again before I leave (I leave one week from today). I
will be sure to post a final reflection at some point and maybe some
last-minute photos once I finish exams this week. On a final note, I think I am
going to pass all of my classes here!!! Woohoo.
Volcan Poas in the clouds.
Jumping in the waterfall!
Little candid photo.
The best director in the whole wide world!!
La Paz Waterfall (one of about 6 or 7 in the Waterfall Gardens)
Some of my favorite ladies.
Silly people...using a gigantic leaf as an umbrella.
Volcan Poas (last time we went it was all white!)
He just decided to perch himself on my arm!
The new group of ISEP students and me.
Dear Caitlin,
ReplyDeleteFunny I was thinking about you last night regarding what you just wrote about! I can only imagine your extreme mixed feelings!!! Don't know about whose wedding you are missing, but I have read this blog and know how you feel about your Costa Rican family, your fellow students, and everything you have learned and enjoyed while there. It will feel weird being back in the States after being in a different world for some time! But I know in this electronic world we live in that you will be able to keep in contact with all of your Costa Rican family and who knows maybe you will go back some day! Enjoy every minute left, enjoy all your new favorite foods, make even more memories, and know that we can't wait to see you! I will be thinking of you this week and pray for a very safe trip back. Drive safely and know that you are always in my thoughts and prayers!
Take care, enjoy, & love,
Lucy