la felicidad

This is only the start of how I'm going to live out my senior year of college and my life in general.  I've come to realize that my life has become so much easier just by laughing a little (or a lot!) and I have become a happier person just by allowing myself to let my hair down and live in the moment. 

And let me tell you, it is a truly wonderful feeling to be genuinely happy and carefree!   :)

mis bebes

Before I left for St. Augustine two weeks ago, I was impatiently checking the mailbox hoping that my keyboard cover would come for my new mac before I left.  Finally it arrived, but as I was flipping through the rest of the mail, I saw an envelope from Faithful Servants Mission (who we served through in Bajo Tejares, Costa Rica).  Suddenly, my new keyboard cover lost all importance, just as it should, because I knew what this envelope contained: the photos of the two children we are sponsoring in Costa Rica.  I couldn't wait to see their precious faces again!  Here they are:

Greiven Chaves Sanchez
DOB: 7-07-07

Cristel Rodas Córdoba
DOB: 1-30-09

Aren't they just adorable?  I miss holding Greiven and I can't wait to meet Cristel for the first time.  I just don't know if I can wait until June 2012 to return to Costa Rica...

éxito

"The good Lord gave us mountains so we could learn how to climb."

Yesterday was the "big day":  I was to take my 3rd and final Florida Teacher Certification Exam. 
General Knowledge exam: √
Professional Development exam: √
Elementary Education K-6 exam: ?


I had saved the Elementary Education K-6 Content exam for last because it is by far the longest and content rich exam.  It covers Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Science/ History, Science, Technology, Music, Visual Arts, Physical Education, and Health.  NO BIG DEAL.


I've become more of a morning person since I came back from Costa Rica.  No clue why, because I certainly should have adjusted to the 2 hour time difference by now!! But having to be at the testing center at 7:30 am is just brutal.  


I began the 4 and 1/2 hour exam a little before 8 am.  I was chugging along and had reached the last section: Math.  That section was my confidence booster, because I love numbers!  I was on question 60 and clicked "Next" but another question didn't appear.  That's odd.  I thought it would at least told me that I finished the exam.  I waited maybe a minute and nothing happened so I waved through the glass wall for some assistance.  The lady who came to help me was unable to un-freeze the test and couldn't even exit the program to shut the computer down.  She had to shut it down by holding down the power button.  Now I'm not the most tech savvy girl around, but from experience, this method of shut down usually results in losing whatever you were working on before shutting down.  So as I'm watching the computer go through the black screen with flashing numbers, I asked the lady if I would have to start over completely.  Unfortunately, she said that was quite possible.  It's just funny that of all of the computers in the room, I would be the one person whose computer freezes!


I was soooo close to being finished with the entire exam and I didn't think I had the mind power to start all over.  While the computer was slowly starting up, I made up my mind that I would just have to take the test another day, as long as I wouldn't have to re-pay the $200 fee to take the exam.  The testing lady signed me back into the test program and I read the two words that determined my fate for the exam: "In Progress."  Praise the Lord!  All of my answers had saved and I got to pick up with question 61.  Although I had resigned myself to the fact that I would most likely have to retake the entire exam, I was very grateful that that was actually not the case!


Now I can officially cross the Elementary Education K-6 exam of my list.  √ because my score report read the four letter word that I had prayed for: PASS.  Woohoo!  Despite the computer problems (which Pearson should get fixed, by the way), I passed and no longer have to think about FTCE exams.  All I need is my college degree, and I will be officially certified to teach in the state of Florida.  That's just craziness, but good craziness.  


As planned (with the assumption that I would pass) Kelsey and I would "celebrate" by going to see Hangover 2; however, first she wanted to re-watch Hangover 1.  Once at Kelsey's house, I said I would be borrowing the couch to catch up on my missed sleep from the morning, but I just couldn't sleep through the Hangover!  I have probably seen that movie close to 30 times, and I know it's crude and inappropriate, but it never ceases to make me laugh!  As I was almost asleep, I would hear one of my favorite quotes from the movie and have to sit up and watch.  Therefore, attempt to nap = FAIL.  


There's a jungle cat in the bathroom!


-Nice man-purse.
- It's not a man-purse, it's a satchel.  Indiana Jones wears one.


Tigers love pepper.  They hate cinnamon.


You probably get this a lot.  This isn't the real Caesar's Palace, is it?


-Whose baby is this?
- I don't know; check its collar or something.


Zach Galifinakis is just hilarious!  And although the Hangover II was essentially the same story as the Hangover I, Kelsey and I still laughed our way through the entire movie.  It feels so good to laugh that much! :D


So that was my boring, uneventful, but good Thursday.
Buenas noches, if anyone still reads this.

21 años

     I know it has been a while since I have blogged, but it's not like I'm living the exciting life that I lived for two months in Costa Rica.  However, yesterday was a pretty exciting day.  I am writing this blog from my new MacBook Pro!  Around 8 am my parents woke me up with a dozen white and pink roses and several packages wrapped in pretty pink paper.  I opened the card which read "Congratulations on your new Mac."  I think my jaw dropped open because I definitely was NOT expecting to get a new laptop for my birthday.  
     Then, at 1 o'clock, I "let my hair loose" and did something I've been wanting to do for quite some time now.  Only 3 friends and my parents knew my plan, but for my 21st birthday I decided to go for it and get the tattoo I've been wanting.  Any of you reading this are probably thinking "WHAT?! Morgan got a tattoo??  That is so out of character for her!" Maybe it isn't something expected of me, but yes, I really did get a tattoo and I love it!
     Don't worry, I didn't a skull or some other funky design that I would regret 5 minutes later.  I got an Ichthus ("Jesus fish") on my foot.  
Galations 6:17  "Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus."

     The thing I had heard about getting a tattoo on your foot is that it is extremely painful.  I've heard that from people who them there, and I went to check out several tattoo shops before I decided where I would get the tattoo done at and all the places told me it was going to hurt.  So I was expecting the worst.  Timmy was my artist and our conversation while he was setting up was the following:
Me:  So how long is it going to last?
Timmy:  Umm, you know tattoos are permanent, right?!
Me: (laughing) Yes, I meant how long is the painting process going to last?
Timmy:  It's not painting!
Me: Fine, how long are you going to have an ink-filled needle bobbing under my skin?
Timmy:  Not very long, 5-10 minutes.  You're funny, did you know that?
Me: Yeah, I get that sometimes.
     So, I was expecting excruciating pain, but I would endure for that short amount of time.  Luckily I couldn't see through my knee, which Timmy also thought was pretty funny, but I didn't want to see it happen.  Surprisingly, I didn't think it hurt.  I actually started laughing, because it tickled!  Go figure!

     Two of my best friends and my mom where there for moral support.  I felt like I had the paparazzi after me, because both Kaley and Kelsey were taking pictures the entire time.  One of them even took a picture of me putting my sandals on after it was all finished...why? I'm not sure!

     After getting "inked up" my Mom took me to lunch at P.F. Chang's.  I must have stared at the drink menu for 10 minutes, so I ask the waiter what he recommended.  He asked me what kind of liquors I liked and if I preferred fruity drinks or not.  How was I supposed to know? It was my 21st birthday and thus, my first time ordering a drink.  I finally ended up going with the PF-X.  I can't tell you what's in it, except for Sprite, because that was the only liquid I was familiar with. Haha.  

     Afterwards, we went to visit my "Aunt" Shelly and then went to Andrea's Cheesecake shop to pick up the Almond-Amaretto cheesecake that had been ordered for my birthday.  MMMMM.

     By the time we got home, I barely had an hour before my friends were coming over for dinner.  We went to Emiliano'z Mexican Restaurant.  Few people know of it, but those who do sure are lucky because they cook real authentic tasting Mexican food.  During a lunch date with my dad at Emiliano'z several weeks earlier I had already decided to order a Passion Fruit Margarita. (Always good to be prepared!)  When the waitress brought my drink out, I was like oh goodness because the glass was nearly the size of my face!  After dinner they brought me this interesting dessert and sang Happy Birthday to me.  To be honest, I was a little disappointed that they didn't sing it in Spanish, but at least they called me "chica!" 
     So, let's discuss this dessert...it was a big fried tortilla drizzled with chocolate, caramel, honey, and then topped with whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry.  We passed it around and broke off pieces like picking a petal off of a flower.  After we had eaten all the "petals" there was a circle piece of the tortilla left.  Nobody wanted any more, so I went for it.  Before I knew it, all my friends and my parents were laughing at me.  I had no idea why... I asked if I had chocolate or whipped cream on my face, but they assured me that was not the reason behind their laughter.  Finally I think Caroline spoke up and said, "Look how much you've eaten, and you're still going!!  You never eat this much!"

  
     I felt like a little 5 year old because I had chocolate syrup all over my hands!  Then the bartender came over to ask me how I liked my drink.  Since I still had tortilla deliciousness in my mouth I remembered to use my manners and not speak with food in my mouth so I gave him a chocolatey thumbs up.  After the bill was paid and we were getting ready to leave, here comes the bartender with another face-sized passion fruit margarita that was "on the house."  No one would share it with me, because "it's your 21st birthday, not mine," and I wouldn't waste a free gift.  

     Let's just say by the time I had finished it and we were leaving, I was standing on the front porch of the restaurant doing some Latin dance moves I had learned in Costa Rica, while my friends and family stood in the parking lot in disbelief.  Then on the way home, I remembered one of my favorite commercials and decided to re-enact it.  With my mom driving, I rolled down my window, stuck my head out and squealed WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE like Maxwell the pig from the Geico commercial.  
     As if I hadn't eaten enough already, we had cheesecake and Costa Rican coffee for dessert after I opened presents.  All in all, I had a fantastic 21st birthday and felt very blessed to share it with my friends and family.  I'm so gracious to everyone who went out of their way to make my 21st the best birthday ever!

algo más

I thought I should share the video I made about our mission trip to Bajo Tejares, Costa Rica.  This will be shown during next Sunday's service (pending Pastor approval).  Hope you all enjoy!

pensamientos al azar

Meet my new friend Flip Flap. She came home with me from Costa Rica and loves her new home! She's solar powered, so she dances happily when the sun shines and goes to sleep when the rains come. (Just like me) I like Flip Flap even though she's just "chunche." (a thingamajig).

Life since I got home has been pretty boring, but in a good way. It's nice that I decided not to work this summer because for once I'm actually not running from one place to the next. I've already printed and completed a photo album of our mission to Bajo Tejares. Now this is real progress for me, considering the fact that my scrapbook from last year's mission to Mexico is still uncompleted. I'll probably need to take out a loan to print the rest of my pictures from studying abroad! That's what I get for buying a fancy new camera before the trip....1,902 pictures!

I've decided once again that I do not like American Food, so I decided to bring some Costa Rican flavor into this home on Tuesday night. Kelsey and I went shopping and I prepared a traditional Costa Rican dish: Gallo Pinto. (It's eaten for breakfast in Costa Rica, but I feel like beans and rice are better served for dinner). My recipe wasn't kidding when it said it served 15 people. I definitely should have halved that thing! And apparently I was still on Costa Rican time when I made the Gallo Pinto because once everything was on the table, it was 9 pm! Ooops, it only felt like 7 pm to me!

So this has been my first week behind the wheel. I figured my driving couldn't be nearly as bad as some of the taxi rides I took while in Costa Rica. I started out the week driving my mom's car simply because it is smaller than my tank of a car. After warming up with the Accord, I decided to take my Mustang for a spin yesterday. Ahh how I have missed the purr of that engine! I just went to Kelsey's house and about five minutes after my arrival, her dad comes in the room and asks me "So they park in the grass in Costa Rica?!" Oops, my bad. But actually, yes they do.

My driving has been fine, but my walking on the other hand could use some help. The Flagler College Dance Team would be happy to know that I can still do a split, as I did one in the middle of the parking lot of JoAnn Fabrics the other day. It was raining, so I don't feel like a complete loser. Not only did I skin my knee, but I also hurt my pride because I ungracefully descended in front of three cars.

It has been nice to see my friends again, and hear from the ones who are far away. But KALEY ELIZABETH McCANN, if you are reading this, I am coming to hunt you down!!!! (I forgive you for being MIA this week, but I MISS you!)

Poas y Paz (July 1, 2011)

Since several people have asked what happened to the end of my blog, here it is...  I have enjoyed blogging over the past two months, so don't expect this to be the last you hear from me; however, I will not be updating everday because a) that is too time consuming and b) my life in the US just simply is not as exciting as it was in Costa Rica!

For your sake and mine, when you read this blog entry, pretend you are reading it on the 1st of July when all this occured. I'm just 4 days late and several thousand colones short. No big deal.

On Fridays, children don't come to the mission, so it is a free day for the groups staying at the mission that particular week. Lalo, our wonderful bus driver, picked us up at 7 am for the day's adventure. Think 7 am is early? Well think again, because in Costa Rica, the people rise when the sun rises, and that's 5 am. And that's why they drink coffee! (or that's why I do at least) We began our two hour journey to Volcán Poas. I was very excited to go to Volcán Poas because, although it was about 30 minutes from Heredia, it was one place Flagler actually didn't visit. Volcán Poas hasn't erupted since 1996, so it was completely different from what I had seen at Volcán Arenal several weeks earlier. Poas has a steaming crater of boiling torquise water, a laguna (lake) which used to be another crater, and also many walking trails.

 (The cake purchase is a story of its own. It is a miracle that we and the cake made it back to the mission in one piece. I have taken many dangerous taxi rides during my stay in Costa Rica, but the return ride back to the mission was by far the scariest taxi ride I have ever taken. It was POURING rain, and the taxi driver's window was completely fogged up. My dad was in the front seat and he said there was no way the driver could see through the glass. I was in the back with Sam and Andrew. With every turn, the three of us would slide up against one door or the other.  I was holding the cake, and we were all praying we would make it back in one piece. Although ALTO means stop, those red octoganol signs mean little to Costa Rican drivers. Most just hold the horn down to let others know they are coming through an intersection, but this taxi driver didn't even slow down when approaching the intersection, nor did he blow his horn! He sped through at what my dad guessed to be at least 40 mph!)

Spoiled much?!  (I got tired of walking)



the crater





the lake, which used to be a crater

After leaving Volcán Poas, we heading to La Paz Waterfall Gardens. I had been here my first weekend in Costa Rica, but I was very excited to return, because I had enjoyed it so much. And I was doubly excited to have the opportunity to show everything to my parents in person instead of just through pictures. Since I had already been to La Paz, the women in our group had asked me for suggestions on what to wear. A) walking shoes are a must if you want to see the waterfalls; other than that it really doesn't matter, but I suggested wearing shorts and sleeveless tops because it can get pretty hot at La Paz. Well, bad call on my part. As our bus pulled up to La Paz, it began to sprinkle, and then the sprinkle turned into an aguacero (downpour) which never let up. Welcome to the rainy season in Costa Rica! Against my will, I wore a poncho. We were quite the colorful family.



FYI: that smile on my face is fake.  Wearing a poncho is against my personal dress code.

 
Despite the rain, I had a great time spending the day at La Paz with my parents. My mom loved the colibris (hummingbirds), and the orchids. And just because I had been to La Paz before didn't make the day any less special. This time, I held a toucan, and so did my parents! (last time I simply took pictures of the toucans) Also, the oxen who were closed up in their pen/pin (?) last time I went, were out loose this time. Well not, running wild, because they were attached to a coffee cart. I was so excited to see them out. I had seen many coffee carts throughout my visit to Costa Rica, but this was the first time I had seen the oxen pulling one! As we approached, a park employee came out of the casita and told me we could get into the cart and he would take our picture! How fun!




colibri, before my camera battery died :(



I don't think too many people hold a toucan in Costa Rica on their birthday!!



going for a ride!

 The waterfalls were just as gorgeous as I remembered them, but they were much more forcefull because of the heavy rain. Judging by the amount of waterfall pictures I found when I loaded my mom's pictures onto the computer, I can safely say that she enjoyed them too.

 

After we had returned back to the mission that night and eating our last Costa Rican dinner, my dad and I snuck down into the downstairs kitchen to retrieve the birthday cake we had been hiding since yesterday. A portion of the icing was messed up, but we were a-okay with that and the next paragraph will explain why. My mom had ask that we not do anything special for her birthday, because simply spending the day together as a family was the perfect gift, so she said. But what's a birthday without a cake?? We also hung a FELIZ CUMPLEANOS banner across her bunk, and I've already been informed that it will be recycled for my birthday in less than a month. haha

¡sorpresa!

(The cake purchase is a story of its own. It is a miracle that we and the cake made it back to the mission in one piece. I have taken many dangerous taxi rides during my stay in Costa Rica, but the return ride back to the mission was by far the scariest taxi ride I have ever taken. It was POURING rain, and the taxi driver's window was completely fogged up. My dad was in the front seat and he said there was no way the driver could see through the glass. I was in the back with Sam and Andrew. I was holding the cake, and we were all praying we would make it back in one piece. Although ALTO means stop, those red octoganol signs mean little to Costa Rican drivers. Most just hold the horn down to let others know they are coming through an intersection, but this taxi driver didn't even slow down when approaching the intersection, nor did he honk his horn! He sped through at what my dad guessed to be at least 40 mph!)