Well. It's been quite awhile since I have assaulted this space with a flurry of photos. So, without any ado at all, let the brigade begin...

Way back, long ago, in the month of April, my parents came to visit this place I call home. They stayed nearly two weeks and together we experienced the range of beauties Costa Rica has to offer: the hectic city where I live, the life-filled rainforests and we ended the trip at the restful beach. Having them here - seeing, experiencing, breathing in my life made this existence I have chosen seem more real. My dad made friends with everyone he encountered, no language barrier could hold back his charm. And my mom supplied Krysta and I with the most accurate description of our work and lives here to date, saying: It is not sexy, but it is good. And I, well I was just ecstatic to have them here.

After our two weeks in paradise I flew back with the parents for a California visit. Once again it proved to be such a refreshing time of friends and familiar faces. The culmination of which was surely the beautiful celebration of two lovely friends coming together: The wedding of Garrett & Acacia.

I then returned home to Costa Rica, only to repack my bags and board another plane a mere two weeks later. This time the destination was Austin, Texas. There I visited a dear friend who at L'abri became a part of my very person. Her name is Kari and our days together were filled with stimulating conversation, lots of laughter, new people, good music, some doses of whimsy and lots of driving.

Driving to Mississippi that is. A one nights stay along the way in New Orleans where we danced, selected our first round drafts, frolicked in a park in the wee morning hours and ended up at Flo's. After approximately 14 hours on the road we reached Oxford Mississippi and entered into a magical land. The magical land that consists of hours of substantial conversation, with a background of guitars and voices singing, lots of coffee and pictures, and meals that are cooked and enjoyed merrily together. For four days thirteen of us nested in a cabin in the woods of Mississippi. Brought together for the purpose of joyfully attending the union of two precious friends: Aaron and Marcie. It was such a sweet occasion that I will cherish for years to come.

And now I am back in Costa Rica. Upon my arrival to the San Jose Airport, greeted by the smiling faces of Krysta and Dustin, all hesitation and, might I say dread, of returning to this tropical country dissipated. I was reminded once again that it is relationships that form and sustain my life, and in this time, those relationships, that community, is found here in Costa Rica.

And so for the past week and a bit I have once again been settling back into this place. Living with Felicia, working at the tutoring center, language tutorials twice a week, and lots of fun outings interspersed between... my life feels full. Here are a few highlights from the past two weeks:

The Tutoring Center has started a Girls Group that meets every other Friday. It's pretty great and I love being a part of such an intimate time with the girls. Two Fridays ago we took the girls to the National Park in San Jose. This was a big deal. To get out of Los Guido for a day, to experience the city, to play in the park, these were all big deals. If you want to know why, or more details, just ask. Or look at Krysta's blog as she, in general, is much better at articulating the significance of such things. But for the purpose of this post - here's a photo.

We took a weekend trip to Valle de Orosi. Where we picnicked, swam in the freezing river, continued to swim in said river as the black clouds opened up and water fell from the sky, relaxed in a natural hot spring and stopped for a lunch with a gorgeous view.

And last night we went to see another French film. With Spanish subtitles of course. Ironically I think I have seen more French films whilst living in this country than ever before. On the drive downtown we dropped Josh off into Peace Corps land. Along the way he played with my camera, here is what happens when one Josh Hardester is entrusted with a digital picture taking device.

And now it seems we are up to date.