costa rica's independence day

here are some pictures from the independence day parade....which is a huge deal for the schools who participate.  at my school, they prepared more than a month in advance, with 1 1/2 hour practices (at least) every day.  it was intense, especially listening to the drumming (LOUD) for that long.  it was a learning experience for me.  a few days before the parade, i was "told" that i was going to help with the parade. the day of the parade, my job changed as being in charge of 2 girls to provide water for the kids from our school.  our location: behind the drummers :)  above is a picture of Don Carlos (the principal...who is rarely at the school), Kim Stilwell and me...with a huge rash all over my body.  it got progressively worse throught walking in the blazing sun during the parade.  
from our school, there were kids doing gymnastics, carrying huge flags, drumming, dancing, playing glockenspiels, riding in a truck....etc.  we had it all.  

the day of the parade, jared was finishing the final paperwork for us to get this motorcycle.  we had always talked about getting one, and now that my school is about 10 minutes away, it made more sense for us to get one sooner than later.  it has been great.  jared takes and picks me up from school...and he can run errands faster in town while at the center. dont worry, wearing helmets are a law here...we both have one....and, our license plate is coming soon! which is pretty cool :)  

i have been enjoying cooking here.  its fun to make new things to see how they turn out.  right now, i just made flax seed crackers....and they are awesome!  i am so excited because they taste just like a flax seed flat bread i bought a few summers ago and wanted to find a recipe for it!  you can get most things here in costa rica (for cooking).  food is expensive here, almost more expensive than the states.  we pretty much just buy the basics: beans, rice, milk, bread, flour, sugar...i have just began to buy chicken breasts and some ground beef, spaghetti, fruits and veggies.  thats about it.  oh, i also get tuna and nuts for making peanut butter and usually eggs.  

we usually eat beans, rice, a steamed vegetable with a slice of avocado and tomato and maybe some chicken on the side.  when i get sick of eating that, i make spaghetti, pizza and i just experimented with lasagna, which was a real treat!  its fun to cook for jared and he seems to like my cooking.  

what do we do in our spare time?  well, on sundays....watch TV and frantically check fantasy football stats (jared).  me, find new recipes to try with ingredients on hand...and sleep.  i usually choose one game to really pay attention to.  on weekdays, we like to swim during lunch (if it's nice) and just relax.  we usually like to play a game or watch a movie if we have one.  its pretty relaxing.  i just started another beth moore study with 2 other ladies called, jesus the one and only.  i am really enjoying it!  oh, its in spanish.  but, thankfully, my mominlaw scanned the english version for me.  it will be a good learning experience...oh, such is life.  

i broke down the other day on the way to school because i didnt want to go.  i felt like a little kid begging his mom not to make him go to school.  it is challenging....and a HUGE learning experience, which my mom would like.  i have to say it is crazy teaching somewhere where i only know about 3 rules.  i learn from mistakes.  no one really tells you in advance what to do.  if you mess up, someone tells you.  

ok, well...thanks for reading.  thank you for your prayers and support!  we could not be here without you.  God is taking us through the sanctification process.