This is one of my favorite photos from Costa Rica. This was taken from the ferry ride across Lake Arenal. I just thought it was one of the most dramatic-looking landscapes and looked so other-worldly, not to mention beautiful. In fact, during the whole journey from La Fortuna to Monteverde it really struck me that we were in the middle of nowhere. It was one of those moments where I felt that I had somehow dropped off the face of the earth. No one in the world knew where I was, I could have slipped away from existence so easily, and in fact that's how it really felt: that I had momentarily ceased to exist. It was a feeling that wasn't scary or strange, but kind of cool, like it was natural for that time and place.

I'm back

WHOA! What a whirlwind the past few weeks have been. I returned from my 10-day trip to Costa Rica more than a week ago and only now have I had a chance to write anything here. First of all, CR was amazing! Heather and I had such a good time together and I encourage anybody who has even a passing interest in wildlife to go. I have never felt so much admiration for nature. In the wild, we saw three different kinds of monkeys (spider, howler, and white-faced capuchin), sloths, racoons, three different types of tarantulas, bats, butterflies, birds, leaf-cutter ants, and a wild boar named Charlie. Not to mention tons of flora of the rain forest variety. The landscape was absolutely breathtaking, a cross between the rolling green hills of the English countryside, the peaks of New Zealand, the otherworldliness of the Scottish Highlands, with sprinklings of randomness such as volcanoes, beaches and rain forests, sometimes all mashed together! We went white-water rafting, did tons of hiking, and I went on a canopy/zipline tour while Heather went horseback riding to coffee, sugarcane, corn, banana and guava plantations. The people were so friendly and, even though I speak maybe five words of Spanish, I was able to get around okay. Of course, I relied mostly on Heather's proficiency in the language to get us from A to B and to not get ripped off by taxi drivers. Our last destination, Manuel Antonio (or Mantonio as Heather calls it) was practically paradise. Many people come there to visit and just never leave. There are billboards everywhere for real estate and property. The land is very inexpensive and who the hell wouldn't want to live on a beach on the Pacific coast that boasts it's very own tropical rain forest where the wildlife comes right up to you?

As soon as I got back, Marissa moved from Florida back to her home state. She is currently staying with me at my parent's house while we prepare to MOVE INTO OUR OWN APARTMENT! That's right, folks, you read right. We managed to find a place in Brooklyn through a friend and we move in Monday, Labor Day. So excited! It was extremely fortuitous indeed because the space in my parent's house is getting cramped. Now, all we need is a few good (and strong) men to help us move and we're set.

Also, congratulations to Alli and Ed on their ENGAGEMENT! Finally. We all knew it was going to happen, it was just a matter of time. Apparently he was going to ask her over Christmas in Wales, but the moment just felt right last Saturday apparently. I finally get a brother (-in-law)! Best of all, as Maid of Honor, I get to wear any dress I want. Not that the wedding details are even close to being decided. It might not even be a big one, perhaps a small destination wedding in, say...Wales :::wink wink:::.

It's been hectic and stressful, but exciting, and I can't wait to get settled into my new place. I'm really hoping this will be the first in a string of homes that does not include my parent's house, although it's so nice to know I can always go back if I needed to. They have been incredibly amazing and supportive of me and while I mucked about foreign lands and through various jobs until I landed on my feet. I just can't believe that I actually have...it took me long enough.

Reflective

Okay, I realize my previous post painted me as kind of a sentimental sap who only lives in the past (cue Pan-like flute). Also, the idea that I'd rather be settled down than jet-setting around the world is only partly true. Most of the time the idea of being settled somewhere for the rest of my life makes me feel trapped and anxious. But I can see the appeal of it to other people and I feel like someday I'll want to do the same...just not in my 20s.

I'm actually very lucky in that, although most of the time I'm either reminiscing or looking forward to something, I can actually live in the moment from time to time. What I mean is that--as morbid as it may sound, I sometimes get tired and fed up with life--but I can also recognize those moments when I truly love living. Most of the time, this corresponds with good weather ;-), good friends, and good music. But it can also be something simple like accomplishing some small task. This feeling sort of washes over me and fills me with contentment. Too many people don't recognize all they have. I guess it's human nature to take things for granted. Hell, I do it all the time--I get impatient and grumpy with my loved ones. But in the end, I'm so grateful to have them at all, even when I feel like I'd be better off without anyone.