Let's see. The weather here has been dreadful lately. We have had one sunny day in the past week, and the rest was darkness and rain. I really hope it clears up by the time my sisters get here after the program! It's supposed to be getting summer here too, not lots of rain. It's honestly not that bad though because I have not had to use my light therapy my entire time here in Costa Rica.
Today I went to my fourth session of anger management at the San José hospital, one of the tallest buildings I think I have seen here yet (9 floors). I've decided to title this blog (hence the title) based on my emotions I've been feeling here during the program. One of the biggest things I am practicing here is tolerance. While this country is similar to the United States, it is also very different...especially for me the religious aspect. But I have fabulous insurance here - like everyone else ;) - so the therapy sessions are free! It has been very interesting for me to go to therapy here (in a different country) and see parallels in therapeutic practices with what I've experienced back home. I know that psychology is universal, but it's always interesting to see similarities in different countries around the globe. She also speaks English, by the way, otherwise I wouldn't be able to understand anything! We are doing Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, which is a form I have never experienced before! Anyways. I believe that all students experience a change in their tolerance and acceptance level whenever they live in a different environment and culture, it's almost necessary! Especially when you are living in a host family that is very different from the one you have back at home, like mine. But this experience has been wonderful for recognizing what you are most thankful for. I never realized how comfortable and fortunate I am to have the independence I have in the United States. I have been so babied here with my host family it becomes quite annoying sometimes, but that coddling is very common in this culture.
There are so many differences and similarities I can point out between Costa Rica and the United States I have observed throughout this experience. But that would take a VERY Long blog and would end up being more of a novel. I will say that it is very interesting to come from a country of many different cultures to one that Catholic-based and has one main culture since it is so small. I feel like there is a church on every street here (definitely more than schools I believe)!
Tomorrow we are going to visit the Volcán Irazú and one of the most important churches in Costa Rica, La Basílica. Like many visits we have done here, the weather really determines if the experience is going to be as awesome as everybody claims it is. For example, many people here have said that the beaches are beautiful...but it can only be so much if it's down-pouring the entire day with no sun. The weather here is also very unpredictable and can change in less than an hour sometimes. Therefore, I hope that we have clear weather tomorrow so we can have awesome sights from atop the volcano. I have been so blessed with so much wonderful touring of sights that I have a hard time finding time to upload all the pictures on my facebook and organize my photo albums. I am so grateful for technology and photos because I don't want to forget with old age the beauty of Costa Rica after I leave. I'm also glad that my friends and family back at home can read this blog and follow me along my adventure! *stares at floor* And there is another cockroach crawling along on the floor towards the bathroom...another one... This would be the third one I have seen so far in the past three months! Haha, cockroaches are so common in the households here that my friends have started naming each one in their houses.
So friends and family, I love it here but can't wait until I'm back at home in California with loved ones. Since I won't most likely be touring on the weekends anymore (to save money for when my sisters get here and also because I'm focused on academics and getting all As in my classes), I hope to write about the actual volcano trip, what happened, and anything else interesting that happens in a week. ;]
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