First signing of apartment

So class is done, BARELY survived. It was the most unorganized, unstructured, nonsense class that I have taken in the program. The teacher would teach whatever popped into her head, whether it had to do with reading instruction or not. She would assign random things and say they had a due date but then expect them to be done on time. UGH so frustrating. I spent the rest of the weekend relaxing and recovering because of the business of the 2 weeks of class. This week has felt wonderful to get back to normal life. In the middle of the craziness of class, Jose and I were also apartment hunting. So we decided that we want to try living together next year (like school year-as in when I come back from the states in July). So I'm making the big jump and moving out of the complejo (school housing) to an apartment of my, well our own. If I don't live in the housing that the school provides, they give me a stipend to pay towards rent each month. I will use that to pay for the apartment. We went to look at 1 this past week and walked in and knew it was the right one. I mean all of you know that I am not very picky when it comes to things. I don't really need to look at lots of different things. If the first one I see I like, no need in looking any further haha. It's 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, living room, dining area, kitchen, laundry, A/C, has security, parking and most importantly is furnished so we don't have to worry about buying all new furniture. It's walkable (a long walk but possible) to the school but I/ we (if Jose gets a job there) will probably drive to work just because it's more of a time issue in the morning. I don't want to have to leave SUPER early to make the hike to work or be super sweaty when I get there. No picture yet but hopefully next time we go see it, maybe to sign the actual lease, we can take some. So it's very exciting but kinda crazy too. Jose will move in July 1st (while I'm at home) and then when I come back in mid-July, I will go there rather than the complejo. Everytime I think about it, it just doesn't seem real. Don't worry, just because I am moving into an apartment does not mean that I am staying here any longer. I will be back to the states soon. Other than that, just taking a week at a time and counting down until the end of the year (6 weeks, whoa!). We have next Tuesday off because it's Labor Day here. We work Monday but then have Tuesday off, who knows. My birthday is also coming up, 25! No big plans really but might go somewhere for the weekend. Hope everyone is doing well and I can't wait to see you so soon!

First trip to Panama (part 2)

Panama city :)

So I'm back and halfway through the next Framingham Master's Class. During each class, it pretty much takes over my life and consumes every ounce of free time that I have. Coming right back into it AND work after the week off was a bit of a shocker to the system. However, it's going well and we are halfway finished. Just 4 days this week, then the full day Saturday again and then we are done! After this class I will be done with 5 out of the 9 classes and will finish and have my masters next year, kinda crazy!

ANYWAYS, Panama was a great time. We left right after school on Friday and took the quick 2 hour flight to the city. We arrived to Panama City and just went right to our hostel. It was THE hostel in the city so was definitely full of all of the backpacker,hippee, people you would usually expect to be staying in a hostel. It was a Friday night and it was attached to a bar so it was definitely bumping when we arrived. We checked in and went to bed, exhausted.



Our 4 person bike ride along the Causeway.

Day 2 and 3 were days in the city. We spent the time exploring around the city, riding bikes on the causeway, and taking a trip on a boat THROUGH the canal. That was probably the coolest part of the whole trip for me. We went through 3 of the locks and I had no idea it was such a big process, SO crazy. Every boat gets held in each one and the water levels rise to put you up to the next level and there are some BIG boats that go through there. Something that I will never forget.

A big barge coming through.

Entering the first lock.

We then took an overnight bus to get to the island, Bocas del Toro. Everything went smoothly and we arrived very early the next morning to the island and checked into our lovely house for the next 4 nights. It was the perfect size for the 4 of us. On the island we spent the week hiking through jungles, some beach time, snorkeling, seeing some dolphins, and walking through some pretty gardens. I liked the island but we were very, very busy and didn't have much down time.



Our muddy hike....NOT my favorite thing we did!


After our time on the island, we were all set with tickets already purchased, to ride back overnight Friday night to get back to the city. BUT, when we got to the bus station (which is really all that is in this town) the office was closed and everyone was telling us that there was no bus because it's Good Friday and why would the bus company have sold us tickets? Well we were in a large dilemma and needless to say, a little frustrated. They told us that we could take a different bus, to a different city and there we could hop on a bus to Panama City. We hoped for the best and 2 buses later, nearly 11 hours, some blasting loud music, and freezing conditions, we made it back to the city at 6am. So now it's Saturday and we had 1 last day in the city to hang around before leaving super early on Sunday. We split up our group....the couple went off and then Carolyn and I hung out but it was good to have some separation after SO much together time. We explored the city a bit more and went to bed early for our early departure the next day.

Overall, it was a great trip but I realized a lot about myself on the trip. I do not like spending money and would much rather save money for things that I value in life. When traveling with a group, it's important to have a plan on what you are going to do and not just decide on the fly. Also, I don't like to travel as much as I thought I did. Don't get my wrong, I do enjoy it but I am just as happy relaxing at home and resting. We were so go-go-go that by the time I got back, I was more exhausted than I was before we left. I felt like I didn't have a vacation because I had no spare time. But that's life. Now it's back to work and back to Framingham. It's almost the end of April now, where is time going? I will be home in 2 short months, whoa that will fly by. Love and miss you all!


The view of the canal from the flight home, SO impressive!

First trip to Panama

I am back from my trip to Panama. It was a good time and I have lots to report on and pictures to post but have jumped right back into a masters class that is keeping me very busy. I will try to post this weekend or next. The class is a bit intense but wanted everyone to know that I haven't forgotten about you and that I will post as soon as I have time to breathe.

Love and miss you all!