Dharma Initiative, anyone?

Since we started our experience at CRSMT, we've continually heard the phrases, "You've been called to this program" "Each one of you are not here by coincidence" and "You don't choose massage, massage chooses you." Now, I've heard these slogans used plenty of times in reference to ministry, overseas missions, or a good reason to join a missions trip. Massage school was the last place I expected to hear it. But as some of my classmates and I started to look around, we couldn't help but think of LOST (the TV show). It's tropical, we all live in a compound together as a community and the Howler monkeys sound eerily like the black monster. (Some even say that the monkey noises are what they used to tape the show). And our first week here we even saw smoke rising from a "pile" down the beach. Craziness!

But truly LOST or not, it's been a lovely experience. We are all growing and learning and becoming closer and I love it. When I told people I was coming to massage school in Costa Rica, I got a lot of "WHY COSTA RICA?!" My response was, "WHY NOT?!" :) :) I'm surrounded by a lot of people that share that same adventurous spirit and desire to learn and grow. It's refreshing and inspiring. And while I miss miss miss loved ones and the comforts of home, I am so happy to be here and be challenged every day in the ways that I am. Plus, if I can do massage in the heat of the jungle while being bit by mosquitoes, with roosters crowing, geckos crawling overhead, dogs barking, birds chirping, sweat dripping and thunderstorms brewing, I can do it anywhere, right?? :) I think so and I can't wait to offer this service to hurting people. Praise God for helping me discover a avenue that will connect me to others and bring me across paths I might not have crossed otherwise. My hope is to make a difference for Him holistically and enjoy the journey along the way. So maybe He had a plan in all this in bringing me to this place? His purposes and ways are far above mine and I am so thankful He cares enough be in charge of the intricate details of our lives. What a good and loving God we serve!


My HOME, a.k.a "Dharma house"

Crossing friends have arrived!!

Weekend in San Jose

Downtown San Jose


Kari and I at a Park


Nicole and the Roller Derby Team


Caution, Coconuts!


Courtyard Garden at the home we stayed in




On Campus at Costa Rica University


So when a campus police officer says to you "Get on the back of my Motor Bike" in Spanish, he is probably joking! :) :) :)


Sara and her mother, Olga - Precious people


Heading home on the bus back to Samara

Quarter One is Done!

I am officially finished with Anatomy, Holistic Studies, and Swedish Massage. It seems crazy that we have finished an entire quarter in 3.5 weeks but feels so great! I now know how to give a full body massage, have grown in my knowledge of the body and its functions, and know a ton more about health and nutrition. I enjoyed each of my classes but am ready to say hello to some new ones! This weekend a couple of roommates and I took a trip to San Jose. We are staying with some friends and went to see a volcano today! Tonight we're off to a high school Oktoberfest with German food and tomorrow morning, Roller Derby! Nicole my roommate competes in RD in Bend, Oregon and is excited to practice with the San Jose team tomorrow. I am excited to watch! After this we'll bum around San Jose and head to the mountains for our last night here. We head home on the bus back to Samara Sunday and start all new classes on Monday at 8am. Also new starting next week is our clinical hours! As of THURSDAY we will be massaging the public at a reduced rate. It seems crazy that its already time to do this for real but I feel very prepared and I pretty much can't wait. :)

Also this week as of Monday....my CROSSING FRIENDS COME!!! Cami Brubaker, Kari Stembel, Desi George, and Krysta Bush are ALL coming to visit for a week. I cannot tell you how excited I am to see their faces and hang out with them all week. So let's just say the week ahead is going to be a GREAT ONE.

I will try to update more often in Quarter Two. Our internet has been so sketchy lately and that's the reason for the lack of updates...besides studying 24/7. :) But I will try try try to update more. I now have Blogger on my phone as an App so that should help so much! Here are some pictures from the last few weeks... And here is my daily schedule for those of you that have asked or are praying for tests, etc...

8-10:05am-1st class
BREAK
10:25-12:25- 2nd class
LUNCH
1:25-3:25-3rd class
3:30 - Beach or workout
4-5-Study session with instructor a couple times a week
5 and later-Make dinner and study and Skype

Feel free to write me anytime. I love hearing from home! I miss you guys and usually want to go home at least once a week. Its been such a great time here though and I know it will be over before I know it!

Volcano Iranzu - East of San Jose


Roommates, Kari and Nicole





Onion Farm on the way up to the Volcano


Thai food!


Holistic Studies Presentation
Our last assignment for this class was to prepare and make a completely healthy meal made of only fruit. They gave us $30 so we made fruit skewers and Patacones. Patacones are fried plantains smashed and garnished with guacamole and tomatoes. The other 3 houses on campus were assigned Vegetables, Meat, and Grains. We brought it all together and had a feast after our presentations. It was extremely healthy and extremely delicious! :)



Veggie meatballs and raw zucchini spaghetti with sauce


Fresh fish and shrimp


A rice dish called Quinoa - delicious!



Holistic Studies teacher, Meghan and classmate, Melissa


Anatomy teacher, Kristin and roommate, Kari


Costa Rican girls in the Independence Day Parade


Amazing Drummers at the Parade


Classmates at the Costa Rica Independence Day Parade (Melisa, Meghan, Justine, Kari)

This is my church. Me and Paul Washer have a great time here. :)




Random badger? I saw today on a hike to the Volcano!

More Pictures

Zephur the Campus Dog

Skeleton Man

Flowers on Campus

Fruit Plate from a nearby German Cafe

Market Purchases!

Rain, Surfing and Such Things

WE ARE IN RAINY SEASON!!! :)

It now rains every day which is a beautiful relief from the heat. Today it's actually rained on and off all day which is great study weather. Despite the rain, I was able to take a break (3 hours!) and learn how to surf. It's my new favorite form of exercise! I was scared but it was actually easier than I thought. We had a great instructor who is #4 in Costa Rica for surfing. He was patient and spent a lot of time with me and two other girls in my class. Such a fun experience! He said now that we can grab a board anytime we want for the rest of the time we're here. I said, "Sweet!"

As far as classes go....last week we started a class called Body Mechanics and that ended today. I am still taking Anatomy and Swedish Massage and will start my Holistic Studies class tomorrow. In Body Mechanics we also took Yoga which was more challenging than I expected. I thought the exercise was meant to relax you, but OH NO! Even though I did fall asleep four times during our first session, the rest of it had me red faced and vein popping. Such a good workout for building muscle and stretching every part of your body. :)

Tonight I'm settling in to do homework. My schedule after class usually looks like....go for a run, or to the ocean, grab veggies at store (across the street...so nice!), make dinner, and study/Skype the rest of the night. It gets dark here at 6:30 (like pitch black) so we stay in usually after this and cook and study. Tonight I made fresh fish, green beans and avocado.

Here's a pic of us...

MONKEYS!!

First Things First

Campus flowers

Playa Samara!

My bedroom

The classroom

School front gates

Gecko #1 of #100,000,000

Goodbyes

Goodbye hand made of brownies by the one and only...

Paula Klunder (LOVE this lady!)

Dear friends, Tom and Paula Klunder

Great friend, Kyle

Best bud, Jessie

Grace Community Coffee-serving-friend, Carole Miller

Ligonier Crossing friends, Cassiee and Bernardo

Brother, Mike :)

Nephew, Logan

Sis n Law, Tonya

Crossing Ladies

(Mindy, Stacy, Erin, and Cam...LOVE these girls!!)