Pura Vida: No Worries

Photo: http://www.visitcostarica.com/

Every new thing I do is the new most amazing thing I've ever done. In January, I'm going to Costa Rica! I found out on the the 3rd (a week ago as I'm writing this) that I my application was accepted for a class that involved a biology research trip to Costa Rica. I didn't have time to be excited until now (and I barely have time, now).

I got an acceptance email on Thursday. I had a weekend backpacking trip to prepare for because I was leaving Friday. Then, I was gone until Sunday afternoon. The backpacking trip was part of a class, so I was busy learning and working my butt off all weekend, but it was one of the best weekends I've had in a long time.

When I came home from the trip, I had some "being a good friend" to do. Someone I care a lot about was in need of love and support. I love to love the people I care about. Don't get me wrong, it's sad when they really need it because I hate to see them hurting. Still, it makes me feel good when one of my friends come to me when they need something.

Anyway, Monday, I had no classes because it was Labor Day, so we took the kids to the zoo. Yes, the zoo, after I had just hiked more than a dozen miles with a 35lb backpack. I said I would, so I did... after I dosed myself with ibuprofen.

Tuesday, I went back to the zoo for an adult volunteer meeting. Then, I took a class designed to teach me the basics of front gate work, so I can volunteer to be that awesome, bubbly person who greets you and takes your tickets. I had planned to go grocery shopping after that, but the class ran long and I didn't have time. So, I was home for a little while before I went back to campus to take the test for my Outdoor Ethics class.

Wednesday, I had classes from 8am to 4:45pm and an online math quiz to take when I got home.

So, today....

Today, I'm finally trying to take a moment to let this sink in.

Reasons this is amazing:

1. I've never been out of the country before. 
2. Dr. Carello is my hero, and she's one of the professors who runs this trip. 
3. This will look great when I'm looking for a job after I graduate.
4. It sounds like it's going to be incredibly fun, not just academic.
5. 110 species of bats are known to live in Costa Rica, including fruit bats and vampire bats.
6. 52 species of hummingbirds.
7. There are over 300 different endangered species in Costa Rica. 
8. Seven active volcanoes.
9. Supposedly, older natives are pretty short so furniture is about 6 inches shorter there... I'm gonna fit right in. 

I'M 

SO

EXCITED!

Nature Nerding

How do you relax, recharge, and reconnect? It's Labor Day. It seems like this is the weekend when just about everyone tries to do those things. For most holidays, we invite family into our homes for celebrations, or go to their homes instead. We decorate and plan and cook and it can be crazy stressful. Labor Day is just different for most people.

We often spend Labor Day outside: at a park, in an open space... probably near some water. A few years ago, before Cub was born, we spend Labor Day teaching the girls about directions and compass use in a big park. Last year, I took the kids to an open space near our neighborhood, we packed a lunch, ate under a huge tree, and played in a creek. This year, I went backpacking with a group of other college students.

I'm taking a class called Outdoor Ethics and Leadership. We learned a little about map and compass use, and a lot about leave no trace camping. The class consisted of three girls and three boys with a professor and a student aid. It was amazing.

Probably the most important skill I got to practice and reinforce within myself was patience.

I don't think I could have asked for a better group of peers, but there was one member of our team who was a little less helpful and sometimes even a bit frustrated (and frustrating). The rest of us proved (for ourselves and each other) over an over again that a certain level of maturity and patience was the best way to deal with a bad attitude. After all, we were all there to help each other.

From little things like being physically incapable of getting your water bottle back into its pocket because it's behind you to bigger things like wounding yourself on the trail, we all need help. We help each other pitch tents, set up tarps, cook food, find a place to potty in the dark, get our packs back on, filter our water, wash our hands (someone has to hold the bar of soap for you when you're getting water from a canvas bag hanging from a tree), and understand the ethics of leave no trace camping. We put up with each other's snoring, tossing and turning in the night, lagging behind on the trail, and speeding ahead.

We didn't really know each other before this weekend, but I feel like I know these people better now than I do some of my friends. I actually think I know myself better now. And, as a parent, and a friend, I can see that I have changed, at least temporarily.