This past week from March 4-13 I went back to the USA to refuel myself for the second half of my study abroad adventure in Costa Rica. When I got back to Costa Rica, it would mark the halfway point of the semester. I decided the second week into my study abroad adventure I had to go back home for a week because I just couldn't make it without seeing my family and Michael for the entire semester. The plane ride was the longest plane ride I have ever been on (4 hours) even though I went to China once and it took 13 hours. The last 30 minutes were endless and all I could think about was running into the arms of Michael and hugging him. I also couldn't wait to see my family. I went through customs and thought I was going to die, they were so slow. Finally after finding my bag I walked pushing my cart with my heavy suitcase full of souvenirs through the exit terminal of international flights. My eyes were smiling and my heart was pumping. I saw many people waiting at then end of the terminal and then I heard my sister shout "There she is". The sound of her voice brought peace to my pounding heart and I began to feel tears forming in my eyes. My cousin ran and hugged me as I looked at Michael. Still watching Michael I hugged my sister, then my mom who said "ok go hug Michael". Standing there so wonderfully with a vase of my favorite flowers in his hand, I finally I got to wrap my arms around him as he wrapped his around me. I couldn't believe I was actually feeling a hug from him, its like I was dreaming. I looked at his face but couldn't let go of him and kissed him as many times as I could. I couldn't let go of him for the rest of the night. If you thought the flowers from Michael were amazing, just wrap your mind around this. I needed to take shower and asked my sister if I could use her soap and shampoo. Michael said he had it taken care of. For me he had: Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face lotion, body lotion, and chap stick. He had a new water bottle for me that had a filter in it to take back to Costa Rica since the water makes me sick. He had bought me gum and special droplets for your water to make you a better athlete. How do I deserve such a wonderful boyfriend? All the more reason wrap my arms around him for the rest of the trip.
The next morning I woke up and headed over to Waffle slam with Michael. Waffle slam is a breakfast tradition my Grandpa has. My Grandpa and Grandma live in the house behind my aunt and uncle, which is also next door to my house. So every Saturday we walk over there and eat waffles topped with fruit, whipped cream, and bacon on the side while we drink coffee and talk about the week and our weekend plans. It was so great to see my whole family all at once. Afterwards, Michael went to a Knights of Columbus meeting while I went to the beautiful South Park Mall to visit one of my good friends Jaclyn. We at Chick-fil-A together (which I desperately needed) and then went and did some shopping around the mall. Jaclyn works at Vera Bradley so she was able to use her employee discount to buy me a few things, then I payed her back. She knew exactly what I wanted and the colors I love, that girl is amazing. After the mall I went back home and got ready to go out to eat with my parents sister and Michael. We went to a wing place where we enjoyed wings and Margaritas, it was so nice to have a margarita since I haven't been drinking is Costa Rica! We had such a great night!
My sister and I!
I was so happy!
On sunday, I woke up and it was raining. I actually can appreciate the rain now! Michael, my mom and I all went shopping for running clothes and nice asics shoes, which Michael recommended. Then, since our plans of exercising outside were ruined, we met my dad at the Y and all worked out together and then rushed home to shower and watch my cousin do gymnastics. She has improved so much! The Michael and I went to mass and I got to watch Michael sing in the choir! Michael and I returned to my house and had a delicious spaghetti dinner with my family and then we watched the movie "Fireproof". What an awesome movie, I recommend it to everyone! It was such a great day and I got to sleep in my wonderful bed which is so comfortable!
She is so talented! About to do a back handspring!
Monday was Michael's Day. Because he had made my Valentines Day so wonderful, I wanted to take him out to dinner. First we went on a run around my neighborhood and then got ready to go out to dinner. Out of four places he picked my favorite pizza place (Wolfman's Pizza) We enjoyed a huge salad and the pizza of the month! Then we went to Rita's Ice and got a "Michael's Creation" Blendini which was delicious! I was so happy to treat him to a date for a change since he has brought me on so many!
Singing wonderful praise songs!
Celebrating Mardi Gras
So while Michael was at work every day, I spent the days with my parents at the ice cream store. I miss eating lunch with them so it was nice to just hang out. Wednesday night Michael and I rushed to Panera and ate food with no meat since it was Ash Wednesday. We then went to mass and had ashes spread on our foreheads. I had always wanted to see this Ash Wednesday tradition so it was very interesting to watch. Afterwards, we unexpectedly ended up having a free night to hang out so we went back to my house and had a great time just talking with my parents.
Hanging out at the ice cream store! My mom looks great after loosing 20lb while I was gone!
I think I ate a little ice cream every day... I missed it so much!
Thursday was an awesome day! We had a wing off! A wing off is where two people make their own style of wings and then everyone judges them. Michael and I made wings using a special recipe from his second mom, Mrs. B. She also sent us the most amazing bleu cheese recipe I have ever tasted. The bleu cheese combined with the wings made my mouth have an orgasm! I never knew homemade wings could taste so good. The competitor, my cousin Grant ended up winning though... but we all know why he won :) What was awesome is that my friend Mikelyn came over to enjoy the wings and even brought her adorable son Eli who is so cute when he eats ice cream! After the wing off we went to Hickory Tavern, a bar/restaurant which has karaoke night on thursdays. My dad sang Johnny Cash and Michael and I went Glee style and sang "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Don't Stop Believing" Michael is an amazing karaoke singer, don't let him convince you otherwise. When we got back to my house Michael wanted to go on a cold winter walk around my neighborhood. He ended up bringing me to a bench and had a gift for me. An Irish Claddagh ring. I had never heard of this ring and he explained it was a promise ring which symbolized loyalty, friendship, and love. Was I dreaming... no, I'm wearing the ring right now so it was definitely a reality!
Mikelyn and me!
Delicious!
The Competitor!!!
Mikelyn's Eli, so cute!
As the week was going by so fast, I started to get so sad! Time never flys like this! After spending the day with my family at the ice cream store, we came home and went on a walk around the neighborhood. When Michael got there we wanted to try out our kite that Michael had ordered off the internet since it was a windy day. Too bad the kite was damaged! We decided to go to Target to see if by chance they had any and they actually had a selection! We bought a turtle and flew it while the sun set... I know, its like another dream that really happened. After flying the kite we decided to go out to eat to one of our favorite Restaurants, Carrabas. However, we had to find something with no meat in it since it was friday! Success! We had italian bread, delicious vegetable soup, and a salad with eggplant instead of meat. I have never had eggplant before and guess what? I liked it a lot!
A quality kite for only $5!
Turtle flying in the sky
Saturday was probably the most wonderful and sad day at the same time. It was the last day I would spend in Charlotte until I returned. We of course went to waffle slam and I ate an extra half a waffle... why not? I would be missing 8 more Saturday waffle slams. After that, Michael and I went shopping for a picnic. We bought another kite, cheese and crackers, wine, fruit, stuff for turkey sandwiches and borrowed a picnic basket from my grandpa. We went to Francis Beatty Park, a park about 15 minutes from my house in Matthews. I thought it would be a great place to go since it had a small lake. Michael and I drove to the park with the windows down listening to classical music. When we got there we displayed our picnic out with all our food and our kites. We used the new Dayton Flyers blanket I got Michael. We sat, drank wine, at food, and talked the whole time. I had never been on a real picnic before and it was the best one I have ever had. Michael and I flew kites too! The wind was great on the lake!
How perfect!
How perfect again! Claddagh ring!
After the most wonderful day in the park, we went back to my house to enjoy my last dinner in Charlotte. We went walking on the trail in my neighborhood, launched my cousin Grants rocket, played frisbee and learned about throwing disc golfs, we enjoyed shish kabobs from the grill, sang a little, and played a game of scrabble... which Grant won, since when did he get smarter than me? After everyone was gone and I was in my room packing I hugged Michael and cried, I didn't want to leave and I know now that I won't be doing any long trips alone in the future.
The ones with the frisbee talent
Shish kabobs!
Rocket launching preparation!
Sunday morning I woke up depressed and Michael took me out to breakfast. I didn't want to look at him because I knew I would just cry some more. We waited in the airport as long as we could until I had to go. Michael waited with me in the security line and watched me go through security until I had to find my terminal. The entire flight I still wanted to cry... but luckily a nice guy sat next to me and talked about his fishing trip he was about to go on. I kept repeating to myself, 8 weeks and then forever. I'm in Costa Rica for 8 more weeks and will try my best to make the most of it. Its hard when you leave your family and the person you love for such a long time. But I have learned to appreciate the USA so much more and I know I won't forget it. Studying abroad has so far allowed me to learn a lot about myself and about life outside the USA and for that I am grateful. I am still dreaming of the day that I return home though!
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