"Wherever you go, there you are"

It's so hard to believe how fast four months have passed. Its strange how this place can feel so much like home. I find that few things truly will change in life. In all of my experience traveling, I have found many of the same realities; the only difference is that they may be manifested a little differently. Confucius once said, "wherever you go, there you are." I couldn't agree with him more. No matter where I find myself physically, not much in me changes. I am constantly growing and learning, but my habits and base don't seem to change. My struggles stick with me and my joys as well. I still procrastinate--everything--yet manage to get it all done and do it well. I still seek God. I still find the need to serve. And I still shower little and wear the same clothes. However, I have learned to do more of some things that I used to only do occasionally. I do stop and literally smell the flowers. I do put a smile on as often as I can. I take the time to listen to people, and listen to my heart. I look at the sky, day and night, and try to grasp how we could possibly be significant in a reality so grand. I have learned how much I truly do love my family and friends. I have learned be patient with what I don't know (although this will continue to be a challenge for me). Through some research for my philosophy class, I found this quote by Rilke and fell in love with it: "Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves...Don't search for the answers that couldn't be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to love everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way onto the answer." You could say that this is my goal. I don't know what will come of my life; if I will be rich or poor, if my future holds great pains or great joys, if love awaits or if I will even see another day, but I not preoccupied with it. I will never stop thinking about the world, about life and love, but I refuse to let my thoughts hold me still. I can only hope that through living, I can find my way to the answers. As I think about the world, I think that perhaps the world fights and struggles so much because it doesn't know where its going and maybe the solution is to just learn to enjoy the ride. Don't let enjoyment in life be confined to an extreme. Love everything.

As far as my past few weeks, I haven't been to the beach in awhile--saving money. But this weekend was the Festival de Luz which was really cool. I'm going to put some pictures below. The festival was awesome; a night full of parades, fireworks, clowns, fake confetti snow fights, and pure joy. Ticos know how to do it up. :)

School ended awesome. (I couldn't be happier to know that I am done with class till August) A 28 credit hour semester of straight As. I fell in love with philosophy, advanced my Spanish, and managed to enjoy nearly every moment. Last night, when I should have been writing my paper and studying for my final, I decided it was better to spend time with my tica niece, coloring, telling stories, dancing, singing, playing golf in my room with a coke bottle, ballon, and a laundry bin, who would have thought all of that would have paid off on my exam--oh yea...it didn't. But the reality is that it didn't matter. Things worked out. Things always work out. And I love it.

Anyways, I have 4 days left here in Costa Rica, then ill be traveling around until I head to Brazil on the 31st of December. This weekend will hopefully be one of great memories. Saturday I will be bungee jumping, and with the rest of the weekend, hopefully I'll hit the beach and hang out with my tica family.

Love you all and hope that you guys can find a reason each day to put a smile on and love everything. :)

¡Pura Vida!