Making coffee is a long process!

     I am in a culture studies class and for $200 extra there was an optional field study so Linsey and I decided to join it because it takes you on trips you would otherwise want to go on by yourself. I like trips arranged by the school because I don't have to worry about the small details like transportation, purchasing tickets, etc. So our trip didn't start out so well, I sprained my ankle but it turned out to be ok for the rest of the day. We went to a place called Santa Maria. When we arrived in the city we went to a famous Catholic church. Its the church of the Negrita or The Virgin of Los Angeles. It was interesting. One week out of the year people come from all over Costa Rica and travel on foot for up to a week to come to this church. It is like some sort of sacrifice. In the church they start from the back and walk up to the alter on their knees. We saw some people doing it. So this church believes in the black virgin and some story about a doll, I don't know, I was really confused.
     After the church, we went to a farm where they grow coffee. It is some kind of crazy long process! The farm we went to is one of the providers for Starbucks. We saw the fields where coffee is grown and it is a lot of work. The Ticos said they usually have Nicaraguenses do the hard labor. I will try to explain the coffee process in Leah terms. They take the seeds off the bushes and then filter through them and dump them into some big bin. From there they are washed and then the skin of the seeds are taken off and then the bean is left over. The beans are laid out to dry and they shovel the beans around in straight lines. Then there are a whole bunch of other tests and I don't know, its really confusing. So anyway, we learned how to make specialty coffee drinks which was fun.
     For lunch we ate at some random place on the side of the mountain. It had an amazing view.

So Friday night I made BBQ Chicken pizza for my family. It was so much fun. The cheese here is different, its not as greasy. They have pizza here in Costa Rica but not a lot of specialty types like we have in the US. Since BBQ Chicken has been my new found favorite, I told them I had to make it for them. They absolutely loved it. I was so happy because they make me such delicious meals that I wanted the meal I made them to be delicious.

 People walking on their knees up to the alter

 Pretty church

 Fields of coffee beans

 Drying out the beans and sorting them in lines

Our instructor: How to be a barrista 

The view from the place we ate lunch

My favorite pizza! Now offered in Costa Rica!

The Longest Weekend Ever!!!

Ok so Friday morning I woke up at 5am to get to our bus leaving at 6am. I had no idea where we were going but Linsey said we were spending the night in a hostel so I just packed some clothes. I later found out we were going to the beach, yay! There was a big bus and a little bus so Linsey and I and a few others decided we would take advantage of having more room. So this is where it all begins...


El colibrí (The Hummingbird)
So as we are riding in the little bus with the windows down I here something make a little crash noise and feel something hit the side of me. I look down and there was some kind of insect or animal or who knows what the heck hit me! I screamed and pushed it away from me. It was a harmless little hummingbird! We picked him up and put him in a little case because we thought his neck was broken. I took some pictures and a video of him flying around the bus once he got better. He eventually flew away which we were relieved because he must have been so scared! This is the facebook link to see the bird video I took... http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=487527241038 


The Canopy
So zip lining is pretty popular in Costa Rica. We arrived at our destination in a place called Herradura which is near a town called Jacó. We got all geared up in our zip line attire and headed up the mountain. I wasn't nervous at all but lovingly reminded everyone of the episode on the office where Tony went to Costa Rica for zip lining and ended up in a full body cast. However, the zip lining was very safe and the people were very cautious. The entire zip line consisted of 15 separate lines from various gigantic trees. I have done a lot of cool things like bobsledding down The Great Wall of China but this had to be the best thing I have ever done. The rush of adrenaline was amazing and seeing all the greenery on a warm day with cool wind rushing past your face was wonderful. We were so high up from the ground and could look below like we were flying in the trees. Yes Lara, Baboon flew through the trees. 


The Crocodile Tour
The crocodile tour was very relaxing. We floated down the river and looked out for crocodiles and even got to see the pacific ocean. Various birds were pointed out but a bird is a bird is a bird, at least to me. So I wasn't exactly rushing to get my camera out. Finally we got to see our boat driver feed a real crocodile. The one eyed ruler of the river was named Fidel Castro. We got sooo close to the crocodile, I could have touched him... thats how close we were.


Manuel Antonio Hostel
After the tours a group of 18 of us left the other USAC students to go to Manuel Antonio, a beach on the pacific coast. We arrived a little before sunset and checked into our hostels. We had to stay in to separate hostels. One had a better view of the ocean but I think mine (backpackers) had better amenities, plus we got our own room. This was my first hostel experience... it was alright. My mom knows how to find great hotels for amazing prices, so we always stayed in luxury... the hostel was very nice but I just don't like dirty people that stay in hostels. Luckily we got our own room with bunk beads, it was like camp, did I ever mention I never liked camp? Anyway, public showers and public sinks, gross. But this place had free internet, breakfast in the morning, a pool, a bar, and a restaurant. Not bad for $10 a night! We ate at a restaurant right across the street where our waiter took our order, and then made all the food by himself. He was so nice! After dinner I was so tired and just went to sleep!


Manuel Antonio Beach
I woke up around 7... one of the first to wake up, I'm such a morning person now. You know, the kind thats annoying and cheerfully says good morning to everyone. I know, its hard to believe. However it is true! After breakfast we packed up and went to the grocery store to grab lunch for the beach. I went by what my sister Lara did and bought nutella and bread. It ended up being great. Some people took the bus but it was a 2 mile walk downhill so why not walk? This gave us the chance to really see local restaurants, gift shops, and views along the way. Finally we got to the beach. It was beautiful and I loved that trees provided shade from the hot sun. This made me love the beach because I didn't have to bake all day. As we got to the beach we saw a large group of people singing praise and worship. Their church is on the beach! It was beautiful! We joined in and sang with the acoustic guitar in the background. Then we stayed and listened to their message being taught first in English, the translated into Spanish. After that I chilled in the shade on the beach and listened to Dave Matthews. Then Linsey and I went shopping for a bit. After about 3 we left the beach and went back up to where our hostel was to eat before we left on the bus. We got on the bus at about 5:15 and got back at 10:15. Why did it take 5 hours when it was supposed to take 3? The traffic is terrible because of all the one way roads. Ugh! It was nice that we didn't take a public bus though. We rented a 20 person bus to take us back for $14 each. 


The weekend felt like forever but it was awesome!

 One of the zip lining drop offs

 Feeding the crocodile Fidel Castro

 Panorama of the sun setting with one hostel to the right

 Me laying in a hammock at my hostel... my hammock is better

 View walking down the mountain to the beach

Manuel Antonio Beach

Muchas cosas por hacer

     Hello all! Ok so yesterday I woke up and for breakfast we had "super empanadas"! This empanada was like so freaking huge! I was like Mami, I can only eat half of that thing. It was filled with beans and cheese and then the outside was of course dough. Then I had fresh Manga (sweeter than mango) a banana and pineapple, all soooo fresh! Also, every morning I drink coffee and orange juice and take vitamins. Wow, Costa Rica is making me healthy! Afterwards, I went off to school for my Spanish Business class. Its the same teacher that I have for Stylistics. We have a grand total of 6 people in our class. Three of them are from the past semester so they speak very good Spanish and I think sometimes they show off... haha most of them are nice though. We did a skit, I love skits! It was about a mom and a dad getting a call from the teacher that one of their kids was skipping class to go out with a guy and selling drugs. The other was starting a food fight, ironically, haha, I was the food fight starter. So after class I was like ok, I'm going to go buy a gym membership! Usually it costs $100 for 3 months but the owner is American and gave it to me  for 4 months, yay! Then I returned to campus and went into the city of Heredia to go shopping with 7 other people. We just went in random stores and went to the Catholic church and a religious cemetery, which was actually very beautiful. I went back home afterwards and went to the gym and ran 2.5 miles, yay! Thanks to my wonderful boyfriend, I have been inspired to run races and hopefully a half marathon. On February 27th, the is a 10k in Heredia. Thats what I want to run! Its only $8 and you get a shirt and a medal, haha cool! It is also one of the top ten races in Costa Rica! So yeah, I am going to run almost every day to get ready for this race! Afterward I went home and had dinner and just hung out for the night with my family. I talk to them for hours in Spanish. I love talking to them, it is such a great way to experience culture and practice my Spanish. I am already getting so much better!  The night always ends with skyping with Michael. I always tell my Mami that after talking with Michael, estoy llena (i'm full -like of happiness).
     Today I didn't have class but I woke up at 7:30! Again more fresh fruit for breakfast and some kind of cheese casserole thing. Idk, it was good. Then I sat and talked to Mama Ana and Fabian (the bro) for a little bit. I showed them my book of malas palabras (bad spanish words) They loved it! Especially Fabian. After I went to the gym and ran 3 miles! Then I ran into the owner of the gym and she gave me a tour. I didn't know but the 1st level of the gym is actually temporary until next month! This gym is amazing, there are two more levels. There is going to be underground parking and then a store to buy clothes with i'm guessing the gym name on them (scorpio) and then a pool for children, an exercise room for children, doctors offices, smoothie store, a jacuzzi, sauna, and then the workout room has a beautiful view of the city of San Jose. Also, the membership includes the option of my own personal trainer and all the classes I want to go to! I may try Jujitsu because an olympic champion from Cuba teaches it, this lady is a BEAST! She has muscles like mad. After that I went back to have some lunch because Mama Ana wanted me to try espinica... I was like ok. I found out from recognizing the fact that po-pie (Poppye) gets stronger from this food, that it was in fact, spinach, creamed spinach at that on a bed of rice. It was good! haha I have never tried my moms creamed spinach, i'm always like Guacala! (yucky). But here, I have found it is good. Afterward I hung out at my house and then went back to the school for dance class. I learned the merengue, cumbia (which I said was more like an African monkey dance) and la salsa! It was fun, and a great workout! Then I came back and at a mystery dish of platanos mixed with I don't know what and yeah, its been a good day. The weather here makes me so happy and I love that I can walk everywhere. I love going exploring but I wish I could walk with "someone" at night when its cool and dry and explore. During the day is fine, i'm just working on my tan haha.

Fun Fact!
In Costa Rica they don't say de nada (your welcome) because here it means like "whatever, ok" so when you want to say thank you, you say con mucho gusto, which is similar to what you say when you meet someone, mucho gusto.

My thought of the day
All girls need to shave their legs

Suggestion of the day
Don't wear a skirt walking down the street in rush hour. It gives Costa Rican men more of a reason to display their "macho-ness" and whistle, wave, a say hola chica

Ta Luego!

                                            Beautiful stained glass in the Catholic church!

                                                        Linsey and I in Central Park

                                              Me praying with non padded kneeling... things

                                                         The beautiful Cemetery

Una día preciosa!

Today was so great! I woke up at 8am and for breakfast I had the biggest pancake ever! I need to take a picture next time! It was like soooo thick! I was like so full. I had it with syrup but Mama Ana said usually she will make it with white cheese baked in the middle because that is how her and Rosaly like it. (By the way, I have no idea when all this food is cooked, its just always ready!) After breakfast Mama Ana, me and Michaela talked for like 4 hours! Oh, Michaela is a student from Australia here for one week. She doesn't speak any Spanish but can understand a general idea when someone is speaking. She is so nice! She leaves next week to live in the rainforest of Costa Rica for 2 weeks! I've heard there are a lot of bugs there. So anyway, while Mama Ana was talking either I was translating or Rosaly was. Its so fun to learn new words in Spanish. I also learned some history about Costa Rica and their interesting relationship with Nicaragua. Very informative! After talking Michaela wanted to find where her school was and go on a "wander" which is Australian for go on a walk. So we walked into the downtown area and just looked around. Eventually we found her school. I found this shop where a bunch of pottery and wood products were sold. They had tons of piggy banks made out of clay. I bought one and the lady even painted it purple for me! It is so cute and it was only $2! Its like a real piggy bank too! The kind where if you want your money, you have to break the piggy to get it. After we came back Linsey came to my house and then we left for our cooking class! When we got there, (on time by the way) the rest of the group had already left. We found two other friends that had been left behind as well, April and Kennesha. Ok, we make up like half the class. So we all took a taxi to this very nice gated neighborhood. The food of the night was empanadas! There were 3 types of empanadas:

1. Meat, tomato, garlic, and onion

2. White cheese, parsley, and tomato

3. White cheese and ham

Oh my goodness, these things were sooo good! I love empanadas and can't wait to make them for my special someone... oh yeah, and my family too. haha. 

Favorite memory of the day: Walking down the street and some random car yelling "Hey white girl!" I mean, lets be honest, i'm like really white!

Some flowers from my backyard:

 

                                                                The bird of paradise

                                                                         Orchid

                                                                     Other Orchid

                                                 Central Park in Heredia

                                          Custom painting of my piggy bank!!!

                                           Cooking class with my favorite person!

Domingo y mi primer día de clase!

Yesterday I woke up and had breakfast with the family. Usually its hard to have a lot of people to come together at the breakfast table because schedules are so different but Mama Ana, her daughter, her daughters boyfriend, and her niece were all there! It was so nice to sit and talk to everyone. Mama Ana asked me if I wanted to go to church with the family. She told me later that in all her 5 years of hosting students, she has never invited one to go to church but she said I am a very open person (haha I probably talk to much) because I talk about going to Michaels church, my sisters church, and always trying new things. So she invited me to go. I was nervous because the family is Catholic so I didn't know what to do and when if its all in Spanish. In English, I understand what to do, but Spanish is a different story. To my surprise, only the host father Roberto goes to a real Catholic church. But the rest of the family goes to a church like 5 stones, or Southbrook, very contemporary! It was awesome! It was outdoors but under a tent. The church is very new so they have church under a huge tent and they are building walls around the tent. It is so nice to be at church and have a cool breeze blowing on you constantly. After church everyone stays around and talks and there is a little ice cream stand! It is sooo cute! My brother Fabian bought me a strawberry ice cream on a stick. These things don't have artificial colors or preservatives, I love Costa Rica! I learned from Mama Ana that she now attends this church but it is not common at all for Costa Ricans to go to a contemporary church. She was so happy I liked it. When I got home and ate lunch, I decided to go to the mall to find a cell phone. Its about a mile walk from my house and I can't figure out the bus system to save my life (I don't even know where the bus stop is) so I just say whatever and walk everywhere. The mall Paseo de las Flores was massive I couldn't find anything! I found a cell phone store and bought a number and minutes (about $5 and you have to show your passport to get it) and I was like um ok what about the phone and he had one but it was like $120, I was like no way. So basically I bought a chip and had no cell phone. I then found out to not buy a cell phone there because the prices are all jacked up. I went back home and took a siesta because I couldn't think about that phone anymore. After dinner I started reading the book Jane Eyre. I'm not a very good reader and usually don't have time to do it but in Costa Rica, life is more simple and so yay! I can read a book I have always wanted to read! I woke up at 6:45 to eat breakfast and go to school. You may think wow thats early! But the sun rises at like 6am and everyone is up early, its actually very easy to wake up! My first class was from 8-11, Spanish Stylistics. It was like any other class, but there was like 12 people in it. After that I went and got a cell phone. Its hard finding these things so the first place I saw that displayed their prices, I bought one, a Motorola, it had color! Linsey says its bobo haha. I like it though! It was like $60! I ate lunch on campus since I had my next class form 1-4. Lunch was like $3 for a huge plate of food and a gatorade. After lunch I had my next class. Latin American Culture studies, it was alright too, basically its like a history class, I like history. After class Linsey and I went to find the Mercado (The Market) Its like half underground or something, I need to take pictures. You can buy anything from meat, fish, spices, rice, beans, or sweets here! I love all the panderías (bread stores) here, they smell sooo good as you pass them! Anyway, in the market, meat is like hanging everywhere, gross. Nothing I haven't seen before though. Afterwards Linsey and I tried POPS, the only successful ice cream chain here in Costa Rica. I heard the ice cream was the best. It was good, but almost like the stuff you can buy in the grocery store. Maybe next time I will try the yogurt. Afterwards, it was the perfect temperature for a run. I ran up my street and it was 5 o'clock traffic everywhere which meant every time I tried to breathe, a bus passed by and spewed smoke at me! Ay! I got back and took a cold shower. Most Costa Ricans take cold showers because they say it is better for you, I have heard that before. So now I feel great after a cold shower! Muy interestante. Well, the only class I have tomorrow is Latin American Cuisine! Yay for cooking class. I have it 5pm-7pm so does that mean we get to eat what we cook? I hope so! Hasta Luego!

                                          The tent church!

                                People eating ice cream and the ice cream stand after church

                                            That's a crazy scary sky!

              The street I live on, be jealous haha, gates and bars everywhere you go!

                                           My bobo cell phone, I kinda like it, old school!

Orientation!

Today was my first real day in Costa Rica!!! Haha I just want to take pictures of the meals my host mom (Mama Ana) makes for me... its so much food, i'm always like I'm so sorry I can't finish! She is so nice. I had the traditional dish gallo pinto which is rice and beans, then I had a platano which is a fried plantain, eggs, a block of cheese, orange juice, and coffee. Mama Ana dice que una desayuna fuerte es mejor para un buen día. Translation: A strong breakfast is best for a good day. My host dad walked me to the meeting place at my school. I am so close to the school, I am so walking every day! So anyway, orientation was actually pretty fun. I met so many new people and everyone seemed pretty nice. We watched and orientation video and it was so funny because they told us how to use the shower which I actually needed to know because the night before I took a cold shower! Mama Ana asked if it went well and I was like siiii haha, it was so cold. Now I know though! I got a tour of the school campus which is actually pretty big! I checked in my classes and found out I needed to rearrange some things. I think Linsey and I are the only ones who are not taking a language track. We aren't taking one because we have already take all the classes at UNCC. So they said we are taking a bunch of electives but they count towards my major... I don't know, but so far this is my schedule:
Monday: 8am-11am Spanish Stylistics     1am-4am Spanish Culture studies
Tuesday: Latin American Cuisine (a cooking class!) 5pm-7pm
Wednesday: 8am-11am Business Spanish (apparently this is super easy)
Thursday: Libre! No classes!
Friday: 8am-11am Spanish Literature
Also the Spanish culture studies class came with the option to pay extra and go on 3 weekend tours so Linsey and I definitely signed up for that!

Ok so you may be thinking that I have a lot of 8am classes, but for real, most people wake up at 6am over here. And they go to bed at like 10:30... So my schedule is kinda different, I like it! So after orientation I went home and chilled and then later I at dinner... more rice with potatoes and carrots and beef, then I met Linsey and decided to go out and find the downtown area of Heredia. I'm not sure if we found it or not but we did find out a lot of stores close and are only open in the afternoon, not at night. Night time is for bars and what not. But being me and Linsey, we didn't look for a bar, in fact we went to Mcdonalds. Many of you readers are thinking... Why would you satisfy the American norm and go there? Well its open 24/7 and had free bathrooms! This Mcdonalds must be the place to be because it was bigger than our average Mcdonalds and packed full of people! They even had a separate area for coffee and smoothies, it was like a cafecito! Linsey and I decided to get some water and split a Mcflurry because it had their local candy in it. It was good! I don't know what the candy was but it was good! We cracked up when we saw the sign for Mcpinto bahahahaha which is like their traditional breakfast gallo pinto but at Mcdonalds. Interesante. After speaking some Spanish and some English throughout the night, we said adios and went back to our homes. I sat and talked with Mama Ana and my host sister Rosaly. They are so nice! I met Rosaly's boyfriend who is an electrical engineer and I was like ahhh I miss my engineer... haha they are probably thinking dang that girl talks about her novio too much haha oh well. They seem to really enjoy my stories and are always asking questions so maybe they do like to hear things! They ask me questions and I love answering in Spanish! My room is so cool, the windows are always open and I hear cars and busses in the distance... which helps me sleep better... i'm weird. Anyway... Tomorrow is Sunday and then I start classes Monday! How crazy! Tomorrow I hope I can get a cell phone and a Costa Rican flag!!!!!

                                   The campus of Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica

                         Scenery of Costa Rica from Campus with mountains in background

                              The street I walk on like everyday to get to school

                                            Bahahah I crack up every time I see this

                                              The local favorite i'm guessing

I have arrived!!!

Soooo I am in Costa Rica! Ok, so this morning I woke up and said goodbye to Michael as he went to Vegas for the weekend and then I headed to the airport. First of all, my bag weighed 54 pounds... definitely had to take out that hair dryer. So naturally my carry on luggage was sooo heavy! Linsey had two bags overweight so I took some of her clothes, we made it work. So after getting past checkin and security it was about time to get on our flight. We took off at 11:22am and it was only 3 hours and 40 minutes to Costa Rica. I sat next to a Tica and she said don't trust anyone in San Jose... comforting. Haha, its ok, I saw the movie Taken so i'm not about to tell a random guy my address. Anyway, we arrived and I looked out the window and saw beautiful mountains. I couldn't wait to go! The line in customs was like forever, then we got up to get our information checked and well... we don't have student visas. (Little side note if you ever travel abroad in Costa Rica. You need to apply for a student visa like a month before you leave... Two days before I left I stumbled upon the checklist of information I would need for my visa and after many phone calls, I realized that I won't be getting a student visa. HAHAHA woops, at least Linsey and I are in the same boat) So anyway, we told the cute Tico in customs who complimented our Spanish that we would  only be in Costa Rica for 40 days... which is true because we are going to Nicaragua, and then returning back to Costa Rica. If you want to leave Costa Rica, its $26 dollars... they really want you to stay here I guess. But that trip will eliminate the need for the student visa which was $200! I'll take the $26 fee. So we after customs, we got some cólones, the local currency and then went out looking for our families. We went outside and the USAC (University Studies Abroad Consortium) team was waiting for us. Immediately we were speaking Spanish! They led us to our family and Linsey and I said hasta la vista! My family greeted me with a hug and cheek kiss... I love this culture! Then we drove to Heredia. The weather might I say is amazing. Its dry and 70 degrees! My family says its cold! My family's house is beautiful. I have my own room and also internet! My host father loves to cultivate and has a beautiful garden, so much like my dad who loves the outdoors! My host mom is so nice and soo sweet! They have two kids, a daughter who is 20 and a son who is my age! Cool! The best part is, I live so close to the school! I can even walk! Haha, many people might think thats dumb but I have always wanted to walk to school! Its only a kilometer! Which actually saves money so I don't have to ride the bus! Also, running is very popular here and something I have lately been getting into! I am so excited!!!! I have already been speaking soooo much Spanish and my host family is pleasantly surprised and keep telling me I speak very well! Wow, thank you UNCC teachers for preparing me for this! Well, my host mom is cooking dinner right now and it smells amazing! I have already had a cup of coffee, wow, it was soooo good! As I was unpacking, the feeling of 4 months finally set in and I realized who I was going to be missing very much... my family, my friends, and Michael. But everyone is so supportive and I could not ask to be surrounded by anyone better. My host family is Catholic which is awesome because since Michael is Catholic, I know a lot about Catholicism! Well, its dinner time and I'm super hungry, hasta luego!

Well today is the day! My plane takes off at 11:30am and then its a straight shot to Costa Rica!!! I am so excited!!! Still waiting for that 4 month feeling to set in. Saying goodbye to my family was so weird... but we are already planning trips for this summer which includes a camping trip with my Aunt, Uncle, Cousins, and Michael. Then Michael are going to Michigan for two weddings! 4 months away is really not a long time, I hope I can get the most out of the culture as possible! I really don't know what lies ahead... will my host family be there at the airport? I don't know... Did I pack too much or too little? I don't know... All I know is i'm ready for anything and going to another country is all about adjusting to their culture, so we will see how it goes!

                                  The biggest duffel bag ever!!!

All my bags are packed I'm ready to go
I'm standin' here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin' it's early morn
The taxi's waitin' he's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could die

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

One more day...

Well I have one more day left in North Carolina before I leave for Costa Rica!!! I am excited yet nervous about not seeing everyone I know for the next 4 months. It was such a blessing that it snowed the past few days in Charlotte because I was able to spend time with my parents, Lara and Philip, and of course Michael. None of us had to work so we ended up putting a puzzle together! It was great to just hang out all day, make hot coco, watch movies, and play in the snow while attempting to drive. The hardest part about packing is trying not to over pack. Every time I see something, I think "I need this!" who knows if I really do though. And also, I just found out today that I don't get any free checked bags!!! Haha oh well. Today I had Chick-fil-A for the last time! It was so sad, I hate saying goodbye to all of my wonderful friends that work there, I also have some really great bosses and my operator is such a perfect Chick-fil-A owner! I'm going to miss working there for the next few months! It hasn't really hit me yet that I'm leaving, but it will soon...
I had an amazing going away party! It was pretty unforgettable and I have such awesome friends who came! I love them! I had my family going away party tonight and all I can say is my family is amazing. Tomorrow is a secret goodbye dinner with my favorite guy in the whole world! Then it will be goodbye for 4 months :)

Going away party with Hispanic beer!

                                 I am really going to miss him...

           Putting together a 1000 piece puzzle... yes Michael is holding the lamp

                                   The final product! Minus 6 pieces the dog had for snack

                                   Some of the wonderful Chick-fil-A crew      
                  
   It snowed so much! We had to go shopping because thats what you do in Charlotte when it snows