"The Injury"

“Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not 
something you do in your spare time.” ― Marian Wright Edelman

My friend and fellow volunteer shared this quote with us and I really liked it and believe it so I thought I'd share :)

The title of the post is a very funny episode of the office which kind of reminds me of the stupid stuff I do to get hurt.

Due to a recent injury to both of my hands, this post may be a little shorter. Some of you know already, but for those who do not, I am clumsy. I don't mean I bump into things and trip once in a while, I mean I outright fall, a lot, along with the tripping and bumping. So, on my run Monday I ran the vuelta in my town, about 4 miles, at mile two I was walking down a hill, figuring running down it wouldn't be my safest bet, and as a truck was driving by I fell, not hard, just enough to be completely on the ground for them to see, laugh, and wave...which I reciprocated. I thought to myself, okay Alexa, that was a warning...be careful! I was careful, I got to the soccer field and was just about to stop running when whishhhhh, I fall. I fall hard. Of course I'm not thinking of the "best falling practices" everybody tells you about, so I stick both of my hands straight out to catch me while they slam into the dirt, rock filled road, along with my knees and stomach (thankfully not my face). First thing I did? Look around to make sure nobody saw, the construction workers on the salon apparently had the day off so I was in the clear. The next thing on my mind was, dang, I can't finish my workout and now I have to walk home, hands bloody, knees sore, and hope I don't see too many people. The only person I saw was a sweet woman who didn't laugh and only said "aww pobrecita" when I didn't say anything, held up my hands, and walked away to get to washing. I thought I was tough until I got home and started telling my oldest host sister what happened and I just burst into tears and laughter at the same time. Why? I'm not sure, I think I was still shocked but knew that it was funny because, well, I fell. So after she played doctor and bandaged me all up, I went on with my day, took a nap for a couple hours (along with my host sisters and mom in the living room...I got hurt! I thought I deserved it), and after washed the cuts with this alcohol scrub that said it was for wounds....only later (and after the burning pain) did I talk to Tyson and was told I only had to use soap, great. My thumb is still pretty swollen/immobile, but that should go away within a couple days. That was my great adventure of the week! Kind of a typical day for me, but with greater consequences this time.

Thanksgiving is coming up! I cannot wait because me and a few other volunteers are going back to Uvita to celebrate, I will miss home a lot of course, but come on...I'll be at the beach, I can't complain. We are going to have a potluck, eat it all, swim, talk, do whatever, and most of all, relax. I will be sure to get some pictures of the delicious food :)

Also, since December is almost here, and that means Tamale season is coming up in my town! I hear it is just a full month of eating, fiestas, and family time, I'm really excited to see how Christmas is in Costa Rica, just livin Pura Vida.

I hope everyone is doing well! Love you and miss you all every day :) I will post a picture of my right hand below...so if you do not want to see...exit the window now :)

How crazy is it that I'm in the Peace Corps?...it has been on my mind for so many years now that sometimes it almost doesn't  feel real and I have to stop and think about what I'm doing. I am so grateful for everything that has come my way, I remember when I found out last October that I wasn't going to be going anywhere and the emotions that came with it. Then I remember when Peace Corps called me in January and told me I was going to be invited to serve somewhere in Latin America...I was in shock. I had not heard anything from Peace Corps since October, had a new job, and all of a sudden had this thrown my way. However much of a shock it was, I am very glad and forever grateful for being invited to serve in such a beautiful country, with such beautiful people and amazing volunteers. 

A lot of people thought I was crazy for joining Peace Corps and would always ask me why I would want to do this. Why would you want to volunteer for two years and not make any money? Won't it be hard being away from home for so long? The answer to these questions always came really easy to me because yes, sometimes I can be crazy, but volunteering has always been really important to me and making money hasn't and of course I miss my family every day. But these answers seem so simple to me, and I imagine to the other volunteers, but seem so foreign to others. So if some of you are still wondering why I chose to do what I am doing, this is why.

I have had a passion for volunteering since I went on my first mission trip in 9th grade. I went on one every year in high school and were some of the best times I had. However, the moment that I think really decided these two years of my life happened when I was volunteering in Argentina in 2009 with some friends and I met a little girl named Flor, my Pacific Challenge friends can attest that I was in love, and she changed my whole view on life. I wrote my Peace Corps essay about this very little 5 year old girl and I have her to thank for putting everything into perspective and helping me know what I am meant to do...for two years at least. There are many reasons she influenced me so much but I won't go into them all now, I'll just say to never underestimate what you can learn from somebody, no matter how small they are.

This is Flor! :)

So, maybe that gives you a little insight of my decision to join the Peace Corps, maybe not, either way, I am very lucky to be where I am right now. Even though I am always missing my family and friends, I really feel like this is what I am meant to be doing right now, I also think I will get pretty quick at reading and learn a few new hobbies, so that's a plus too :)

I really just want others to understand why at least one Peace Corps volunteer decided to do this. I truly believe we all have a lot we can learn from everyone we meet, I try to keep an open mind and take advantage of meeting new people anytime I can, and I try to share my experiences with others. Sharing is caring right? ;) ...That was cheesy. I hope everyone has a great night!

Hobbies

I've learned that in the Peace Corps, you need something to keep you sane, something that you are in control over, and something you enjoy. So! I have decided on a few hobbies and thought I'd share so I'll actually carry them out for the next two years (and more!)

1. Drawing- There is so much beautiful nature here, I think it'd be really cool to learn how to draw it. Even if it turns out horrible, I don't actually have to show anyone.

2. Reading more- Which I have already started doing, I am on my 6th book in two months!

3. Playing guitar- I just think it would be really relaxing once I learn a few songs...first thing first...I should buy a guitar.

4. Writing- I journal some, but I am starting to write more and more, these too may very well never be shared...but it's relaxing.

5. Yoga- Maybe I'll start with Youtube videos to learn? Or maybe another volunteer can help me out, I just know it has helped a lot of volunteers relax and stay in control of their feelings blah blah blah, but I do want to give it a try.

That's what I am going to start with! I know it's a lot but I thought posting hem on here will hold me more accountable to actually sticking to these things. I'll let you know how it works out! :) Love you all!

Busy busy busy

Good Morning everyone! You wouldn't believe how many times I've logged on in the past month, started to write a post, then decided it was just too much work. But now, with candy corn at my side and Mumford and Sons playing in the background, I feel thoroughly motivated to write this post.

The past month has been nothing short of crazy with a trip to the beach with a few friends, continuing my English classes, taking AND managing to get a 91% in a rural tourism class (taught in Spanish, thank you very much), two nocturnal tours near my town, hiking through the international park by my house, traveling to San Jose for the week, and more...but I'll stick with the most exciting things. Oh! I will not forget my new food list at the bottom, which has also been a failed attempt to keep track of, there are just too many!

About a month ago, my beautiful white Mac (RIP), died. It was a devastating loss, but gave me an excuse to visit two friends in a nearby site and make an impromptu trip to the beach. My friends are living in a town close to the border of Panama, so I managed to at least not spend double in Costa Rica and got a better deal on a PC...I won't comment on my feelings about this computer, I am still Mac bias and this computer still needs to win my love. The most important thing I bought though, was TWO boxes of cereal for a total of $4...so cheap and made the next couple weeks great for breakfast. Anyways, after getting that, we ran to the bus and caught it at the last minute to go to Uvita, a beach about 3 1/2 hours from their site. It was beautiful and I'll definitely be going back more than a few times.

The rural tourism class was also a big time taker in the last month. It was every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday for 5 hours a class, we learned a lot, played some games, had a test, and learned about tourism. Pretty self explanatory, but I am now a proud holder of a certificate from the national university for completing el curso Turismo Rural Comunitario, if anybody wants to send me graduation presents, feel free.

So skipping right on ahead to this last week, I have been in San Jose since Sunday for an All Volunteer Conference (AVC). Technically the conference didn't start until Tuesday, but when it takes you 12 hours to get to where you're going and you have a meeting Monday at 4, going pretty early is necessary (not that I'm complaining about seeing friends for an extra day). AVC was really cool, I got to meet all of the Peace Corps Costa Rica volunteers and, like always, I was really impressed. Every volunteer is completely different but I am amazed by how great each one is. There was a talent show, different training sessions (on interesting subjects), an artisan market where we could buy hand made things from the different sites, a bake sale, and "speed dating" to get to know the Peace Corps staff better. It was a quick conference, but really great. Then Wednesday night was Halloween and, not to brag, but I think Peace Corps Volunteers are pretty creative and had some fun costumes. Thursday I got my OFFICIAL Costa Rican residency card, where we had to take a picture and I may have had some smurfette blue still stuck to my face, it did not want to come off. That night we got to stay in a really nice hotel in San Jose, Austen cooked a delicious dinner for us, and we relaxed and watched TV...in English, it was a great night.

Heading back to Fila Tigre on Friday was, as always, nothing too different, the creepy old men sitting with me at lunch, then staring at me on the bus, you know, the normal occurrence. So after the 7 hours driving, I got to San Vito, where my amazing host family came to pick me up, we did some shopping, I got some mail (thanks mom and dad!), and we left just to have the car break down five minutes out of town. So after waiting two hours in the dark, we finally got a ride and made it home by 7:30, making it an 12 1/2 hour total trip for me, but totally worth it.

The past two months have flown by, and the next few are going to be just as crazy and filled up. We are hopefully making a trip back to Uvita for Thanksgiving, which I can't wait for, and we have our in service training the first week in December. Just for formality, I will say that I will try to update this more, which I do try, it just never works the way I plan. So there you go! I'll update on my life again later, I miss and love everyone tons!

Below you will find....the food list! I know it's what you all wait for the whole month...you don't have to remind me of that...

My Food Obsession Continued...

- Prestinos

- Arepas

- Homemade Tamales

- The Subway cookies when I get to go to San Jose with foodie friends

- Leche Agria (pretty much sour milk but with sugar...weird deliciousness)

- Broccoli and cauliflower, I loved it before, but now have a huge appreciation for it when I get it.

- Have I mentioned the Tilapia?

- Bread with Lizano black bean spread and cream cheese (Haley and Kyle will defend me on this one)

- Chicharrones (no matter how bad they are for you...I don't care, I will not stop)

I think that's it for now!!

Making Tamales

At the tourism fair...if you want authentic, beautiful, handmade wood furniture, I know the place!

Me and my host parents with our tourism certificates

Ice cream in san jose :) yum

happy halloween!

On a night tour...yes i am that giant in the middle

On our hike/horse ride

In La Parque Internacional La Amistad by my house :)