the Anticipated intro

Welcome everyone!

This will be my new blog, so grab a seat and make yourself comfortable. I hope it to be something like a travel diary that I indeed want you to read.

On January 30, 2009 I fly out to Costa Rica and to make it all the more dramatic I intend to share my experiences as I live abroad for four months.

"Expectations?" you ask? Of course! I will be studying in a tropical climate for a quarter of a year; of course I expect to get sunburned. Truly though, studying abroad is something I have been anticipating since I was in high school. I could say I have been idealistic about the results of this journey--I'll grow up and become the woman I know I can be--I'll return and have a new vision of the world and its people--I'll be able to communicate thoughts on a new level. Of course. But none of that happens overnight or on a plane.

This is going to be hard work I am anticipating that: a country where English is certainly not the primary language, where norms and expectations are somewhat different, and where I am truly alone. Though no one can really ever be alone. There will be no home mere hours away or straight telephone lines or anyone who has any claim on understanding me. So instead I must learn to understand a place that speaks through its trees and culture and art--really listening for the beauty in life. This is what I am so anxious to begin--to begin what I have long prepared for.

What I really want to say is thank you: to my family and friends and all those who have ever dared to share their passion. What I respect most of all is your courage.

I hope to hear comments from all those with an extra minute. I'll try to keep this up bi-weekly.

Until San José,

Anna