Cherie, 17
Today was a pretty good day. We originally had two interviews planned, but things changed, and we were only able to do one. It was kind of relieving, but at the same time, it was a little disappointing that we lost the opportunity to meet Epsy Cambell. At first, the interview at the US Embassy seemed to be basic, with them just telling us background information and leaving out the important details that we actually wanted. But after a while, things started to pick up and we were really able to get some interesting questions answered.
Overall, both of the interviews that we completed in the last two days went well and we were able to get out a decent amount of interesting information. I also wanted to add that I think we came up with really intense questions, even if we didn't get to ask all of them or recieve the answers we wanted. I was a part of the first group that stayed up late on Monday night to come up with the first round of new questions, and I was really impressed with what we came up with in the end.
My progress in eating the food kind of dropped today. I had my usual lunch of chicken and water, but I didn't eat anything for dinner. I'm no fan of broth and rice and whatever they had for desert, but I wasn't really hungry anyways, so I wasn't really worried about it. However, I did try the ice cream at the dairy we visited in the morning, despite the fact that I really didn't like the kind they gave us.
Well, we are just about to leave for the jazz cafe event, so my time here is ending.
I'm really hoping to get photos up, because all the ones Ms. Arenth chose of me and for me aren't really flattering.
Hope all is well back in the States! I would say I can't wait to see you all, but I'm really having a great time, so going home doesn't seem like a good option right now! These past few days have really been amazing.
(I still miss you Dom, and I'm going to ask Mr. Oliver if he does too right now, so I'll let you know in my next posting)
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Day 4 of Costa Rica
Kiera, 16
Today was one of my favorite days so far. We did a lot of running around today, but it was fun. First thing in the morning, we went to a place called Dos Piños. It is a organic dairy factory located in Alajuela, Costa Rica. It was a gigantic factory, that was really up-to-date on everything. I liked visiting this factory because it gave me the realization of how other companies outside of the U.S. run.
It was interesting how their milk "leche"can be kept out of refrigeration for up to 6 months. The two tour guides explained many things to us, which gave each and everyone of us, a different insight on how their business works. One thing that we though was really funny is that the security gaurds had guns on them, and Matyas made a funny comment saying ¨Wow, they must really serious about their milk." They were really nice to us, they gave us ice cream, and a stuffed animal, in the shape of a cow.
The second great thing we did was visit the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica. I was kind of upset that we couldn´t take photos or video tape it, but it was a great experience that gave me a little thought of a future career. We met with two women that both have important jobs. I cannot recall their names, but I do recall most of the information they gave us.
The first lady talked to us more about economic and social affairs that the Embassy is involved with. We had some questions asking about the projects they are doing to benefit Costa Rica, and it seems like one of their main goals for the country is to ensure a safe envirnoment. I believe that is a really important goal, because Costa is a really "outside-the-box" country, but in a good way. They abolished their military, which shows they have a different mindset, and they don´t believe in any type of violence.
We asked both of the speakers about how their personal beliefs and values, influence their political decisions. They both responded by saying that it´s their job to represent the United States, and they may have their personal views, but they have to do their jobs. This statement related a lot to my thoughts of career, because I want to become a district attorney one day, and I have a lot of thoughts about the death penalty. I feel as though sometimes it will be difficult, because of the career choice, and sometimes I think about my future, and I don´t know where to draw the line. The second lady I related to a lot more, because she is actually being relocated into Afghanistan next month. It´s a dangerous thing, just like becoming a district attorney, so right now I think my biggest question of life is "Where do I draw the line?"
Today was one of my favorite days so far. We did a lot of running around today, but it was fun. First thing in the morning, we went to a place called Dos Piños. It is a organic dairy factory located in Alajuela, Costa Rica. It was a gigantic factory, that was really up-to-date on everything. I liked visiting this factory because it gave me the realization of how other companies outside of the U.S. run.
It was interesting how their milk "leche"can be kept out of refrigeration for up to 6 months. The two tour guides explained many things to us, which gave each and everyone of us, a different insight on how their business works. One thing that we though was really funny is that the security gaurds had guns on them, and Matyas made a funny comment saying ¨Wow, they must really serious about their milk." They were really nice to us, they gave us ice cream, and a stuffed animal, in the shape of a cow.
The second great thing we did was visit the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica. I was kind of upset that we couldn´t take photos or video tape it, but it was a great experience that gave me a little thought of a future career. We met with two women that both have important jobs. I cannot recall their names, but I do recall most of the information they gave us.
The first lady talked to us more about economic and social affairs that the Embassy is involved with. We had some questions asking about the projects they are doing to benefit Costa Rica, and it seems like one of their main goals for the country is to ensure a safe envirnoment. I believe that is a really important goal, because Costa is a really "outside-the-box" country, but in a good way. They abolished their military, which shows they have a different mindset, and they don´t believe in any type of violence.
We asked both of the speakers about how their personal beliefs and values, influence their political decisions. They both responded by saying that it´s their job to represent the United States, and they may have their personal views, but they have to do their jobs. This statement related a lot to my thoughts of career, because I want to become a district attorney one day, and I have a lot of thoughts about the death penalty. I feel as though sometimes it will be difficult, because of the career choice, and sometimes I think about my future, and I don´t know where to draw the line. The second lady I related to a lot more, because she is actually being relocated into Afghanistan next month. It´s a dangerous thing, just like becoming a district attorney, so right now I think my biggest question of life is "Where do I draw the line?"
Fun Day!
Ashlee, 18
Today was a fun and interesting day. This morning we went to our interview at the Legislative Assembly hall and learned a lot about Costa Rican history.
This afternoon we went to La Carpio to help pave a road and it was hard work. I didn't think that I could ever do work like that. In a way today was easier to work because it wasn't as hot as yesterday. This experience today made me really appreciate where I live and the way I live.
Today was a fun and interesting day. This morning we went to our interview at the Legislative Assembly hall and learned a lot about Costa Rican history.
Interviewing and finishing up work in La Carpio
Matyas, 16
Today was a rather long day. We got up early to get ready for our interview with a person from the PLN (one of the major political parties here in Costa Rica) his name was Francisco, but he went by the nickname "Chico". He was a very talkative man, but still an entertaining one. He would answer each of our questions with a story that usually lead to a different topic, but then he would go back and finish what he was saying before. The down fall of the interview experience was that we had to get into dress clothes (button shirt, tie, suit jacket, slacks, dresshoes) and the building wasnt using it's airconditioning! I thought for sure that I was going to get heat exhaustion, which I think I was actually pretty close to getting because my head was killing me by the end of the interview. I'm doing fine now and am quite content because of the work we finished in La Carpio.
Today in La Carpio we mixed up cement by hand and shovel, not by and machine or mixer or anything. It was a pretty back-breaking job, with all the bending down to mix up the gravel, dirt, cement mix and water together with the shovels. Then when we finally got it to its ideal conditions we layed it down to the area where the metal grid was layed down and the people who lived there were gliding a long piece of wood over the cement to level it out. Alyssa and I were asked to level part of the road by this method and I found it to be pretty fun.
The part that moved me the most though was after we had finished the road and given the donation to the people, Rosario (a lady who was a co-owner of the daycare in La Carpio) got us a cake and Coca-Cola to eat and drink as a sign of her, and the rest of the community's gratitude. I just found it moving because these people barely have anything in the first place, yet they had gotten out of their way to get us a treat for a sign of gratitude. I wasn't expecting any kind of material "thank you" and I was fine with that because I just wanted to help them, so when we DID recieve a cake and cola, I just felt really appreciated.
Today was a rather long day. We got up early to get ready for our interview with a person from the PLN (one of the major political parties here in Costa Rica) his name was Francisco, but he went by the nickname "Chico". He was a very talkative man, but still an entertaining one. He would answer each of our questions with a story that usually lead to a different topic, but then he would go back and finish what he was saying before. The down fall of the interview experience was that we had to get into dress clothes (button shirt, tie, suit jacket, slacks, dresshoes) and the building wasnt using it's airconditioning! I thought for sure that I was going to get heat exhaustion, which I think I was actually pretty close to getting because my head was killing me by the end of the interview. I'm doing fine now and am quite content because of the work we finished in La Carpio.
Today in La Carpio we mixed up cement by hand and shovel, not by and machine or mixer or anything. It was a pretty back-breaking job, with all the bending down to mix up the gravel, dirt, cement mix and water together with the shovels. Then when we finally got it to its ideal conditions we layed it down to the area where the metal grid was layed down and the people who lived there were gliding a long piece of wood over the cement to level it out. Alyssa and I were asked to level part of the road by this method and I found it to be pretty fun.
The part that moved me the most though was after we had finished the road and given the donation to the people, Rosario (a lady who was a co-owner of the daycare in La Carpio) got us a cake and Coca-Cola to eat and drink as a sign of her, and the rest of the community's gratitude. I just found it moving because these people barely have anything in the first place, yet they had gotten out of their way to get us a treat for a sign of gratitude. I wasn't expecting any kind of material "thank you" and I was fine with that because I just wanted to help them, so when we DID recieve a cake and cola, I just felt really appreciated.
Let me catch you up
Cherie, 17
I have barely blogged this whole time, so theres going to be a lot I have to catch you up on.
I have barely blogged this whole time, so theres going to be a lot I have to catch you up on.
Day 2 - Yesterday was a pretty amazing day. We went to La Carpio in the morning, and though I felt really sick from not eating anything, I still had a good time and got work done. I think I spent a good hour or two trying to "beat the rock," as Mr. Oliver would say. It took a lot of work and time, but eventually Alyssa and I got this huge rock out of the dirt. Then we took a bus ride to the high school, where we played games and spoke to our penpals. That whole experience was interesting and exciting too! I didn´t eat dinner but I did have some chicken at lunch!
Today - Today´s experience at La Carpio seemed to be more signifgant than yesterday. I felt a lot better eventually, so I felt good enough to do more work. It was really hard mixing the cement and shoveling the rocks over and over again, but it felt good. I don´t think I´ve ever worked that hard in my life! We did an interview before we went, and though it was kind of awkward, it went great!
Now it´s time for the really exciting news! At dinner, I thought I wasn´t going to eat again, but I decided that that wasn´t a good idea, so I tried the fish, and it was delicious! I also had a good amount of chicken at lunch and they gave us cake in La Carpio, so today was a really good eating day.
I got a lot of good photos from yesterday and today, that I hope to be posting later on when I have enough time. For now, I need some sleep because apparently building a road is tiresome!
P.S Hello to everyone at home! I miss you dearly! I hope you're not all crying from my absence, I will be home soon. (Ms. Wilds, you owe me a box of teddy grahams! :))
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