About a week in

Hola again! Today is Wednesday, so I'm "working" in the office all day. I have actually just been checking email. I'm supposed to have a meeting in a little bit though, so we'll see. They gave me a laptop to use while I'm here, which is gonna be super useful. The tech guy- veni, is really nice and helped me set it all up. This weekend, Eric and I are gonna go to the beach (theoretically) so that we can celebrate the 4th of July.
I moved into my own house this week, which looks really empty, since I have no stuff. I'm going for a minimalist decorating scheme. My refrigerator is supposed to come today. It's nice to have a little bit of privacy, but I've still been going over to Marta's house (which is like 8 feet from mine) every day to visit. She's the sweetest, most grandmotherly person ever. I have a cold, and last night she made me soup. Souper awesome!
I have been helping Eric with the English classes, and getting to know the families around town. I have met a few of the families in the Habitat housing project, and they're all very friendly, always serving me coffee and fresh baked bread. A lot of them have little kids, who are cute. A lot of them are still a little wary of me, but some of them have started talking to me. I've been talking to them, trying to get an idea of what kinds of projects they'd be interested in participating in. I have a lot of freedom to start projects that I think up, so I'm brainstorming things that will benefit the families.
On Sunday, I went to a festival in San Pablo (the next village up the mountain). There were dancers from a high school on the Carribean, and drummers. It was fun. Yesterday I went and walked around Cartago by myself, so that I could find out where everything is. I need to make sure that I can navigate by myself once Eric leaves. I saw some cool places; they have really pretty ruins and a church in the middle of town.
All in all, I'm really liking it here. I think that I am at an advantage in the village, because I know what its like to come from a small town where everyone knows eachother. I like it =) Every single person you walk by says "buenas" or "adios" (which is like a passing greeting here). I get a lot of attention from the teenage boys around town, but nothing bad, I'm different, so I guess that makes me interesting. Everyone here asks me at least a few of the same 4 questions: 1- Are you cold? 2-How do you like the food here? c- Do you have a boyfriend? 4- Are you Catholic? I think that usually, they're content with my answers, and most people have ackowledged that its ok if I'm not Catholic, as long as I'm a Christian. The moms of the village are always excited to hear I don't have a boyfriend, and are pretty eager to set me up with their son/nephew/godson/friend/grandson/etc. I have become failry proficient at saying "I'm not really looking for a boyfriend" in Spanish =)
I should be getting some pictures up soonish. Keep an eye out.
muah!

JUST GETTING STARTED

Hey everyone. This is my blog. I have created it in hopes that those people who want to check up on me, see pictures, etc. can come here, and those who are less interested do not have to be subjected to mass emails. Also everyone SHOULD be caring about how I am doing and if you dont then change your attitude and get back to me! Side note- keyboards here are different and i cant find the apostrophe so bear with me =)

Anyway my first weekish has been good. I am living in Santa Rosa de Oreamuno, which is about an hour outside of Cartago. I live on the slope of the Irazu volcano, which I have been told isnt dangerous, but I have my doubts. I have my own little casita (which I am moving into tonight officially) with 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, living room. Rent is only like US$140, so its a great deal. I live behind the house of a really awesome elderly couple (my host grandparents) named Doña Marta y Don Ponchito. Theyre really sweet, but I hace a hard time understanding them since they talk so fast and with so much Pachuco (slang). I have a really big extended host family, and most of them live in Santa Rosa, so I have mostly been getting to know them all.

I am here to replace the old Habitat volunteer, Eric. He is still here until the end of July though, so Ive been spending most of my time following him around and learning the ropes. I am going to be responsible for taking over all his projects, plus starting any new ones that I think would be worthwhile (Ill keep you posted on that). I am also taking over the teaching of English in the Primary school (5th and 6th grades) plus 1 night class for adults. I think I{m really going to like teaching, but we{ll see.

I spend one day ish a week in San Jose working in the Habitat office. Otherwise, if I want to use the internet, I have to take a bus to Cartago (Im at an internet cafe there now). So, I{ll gonna try and stay up to date, but the office has webfiletering that keeps me off most sites (this one included) so don{t worry if you don{t hear from me TOO often.

Overall, its totally gorgeous here, but a little bit cold up in Santa Rosa. It rains a lot, but is really a nice change from Tucson. Down in the cities, its way hotter. Ok, t hat{s my update for now, I{ll try and keep everyone posted. Ciao!