Craziness in Costa Rica!!!: My 21st!!!

This past Friday I turned 21! I wasn’t expecting that we would really do anything because Friday was a travel day to Manual Antonio National Park. However, I was sitting at the table Thursday evening doing my homework when all of a sudden the girls and my host parents filed in singing “Happy Birthday” with a cake and masks. I was so surprised and felt so special!!!! The girls and my host family even bought me gifts. The girls gave me an umbrella since the one I bought here in Costa Rica really doesn’t work. My host parents gave me these guayaba flavored jelly cookies from CafeBritt. That evening we continued the celebration with cake and ice cream after dinner. Friday morning I woke up only to find balloons everywhere! Liz and Jen had woken up at 5 a.m. and blew up all the balloons and placed them throughout the house. They had also hung up “Happy Birthday” banners all throughout the house. After getting dressed, I walked downstairs only to find a decorated table filled with “Happy Birthday Hats” and these noise maker things. My host parents once again presented me with a gift-it is a necklace with a key on it. My host mom told me it symbolizes the entrance into this new phase of my life. She told me that she wished me many blessings and a life filled with happiness. It was so sweet of her!

The girls and I then headed out to school with our backpacks and weekend bags for our trip to Manuel Antonio. At our break time I was again surprised when I was presented with a cake from our school and singing from the UNK students. I then received an additional gift of being able to skype with my parents from back home. Although the skype was in and out and cut off after 20 minutes or so, it was so nice to see everyone. I was greeted by exciting news from all: John passed his Driver’s Education course and will be able to get his license right when he turns 16. Dave and Annie have officially booked the church and will be married May 31^st, 2014. Finally, Paul and Katie informed me of their engagement earlier that morning. My family was sitting in our computer room skying me and would soon head out to the farm to celebrate its 125 year anniversary. I wish more than ever I could be home this weekend to see all me extended family and join in the celebration!

We arrived at Manual Antonio late Friday afternoon and the girls and I got ready for a night out. I was surprised, touched, and blown away when I walked into the hotel lobby and saw that all the students from UNK would be heading out to dinner to celebrate. As usual, it was pouring as we tried to find a restaurant to eat at. We climbed on the bus and eventually found a nice pizzeria. We were planning on going out after eating, however, the rain put a damper on everything and we just decided to head home and hit the hay because we had an early day ahead of us.

The UNK crew and I!!!

I cannot thank the four girls I live with, my host parents, and the other UNK students enough for helping celebrate my birthday. Liz, Jen, Amanda and Nicki went through a lot of work to make my day special. They went above and beyond in all aspects and it makes me realized how blessed I truly am. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart! I am so blessed to have each and every one of you in my life! I may not have been able to celebrate my 21^st with my blood relatives; however, I was able to celebrate with my Costa Rican family!!!