Lister Academy Costa Rica Class - Kristine: March 2011

Welcome

My name is Kristine Tirone. My goal is to do something I never thought I'd be able to do. Meaning, I never thought I'd even get close to having the opportunity to leave the country, or be involved with a class in this way. Setting standards for myself and working towards something is a new thing for me. I'm writing this blog to raise money to send my class to Costa Rica. Our class, as a whole, is trying to fundraise over $15,000. This will fund everything from our food, a place to stay, to our flight.

I'm getting a new understanding of what it's like to deserve what you work for. Before, I would sit back and let everyone do the work and I would take the credit. My personal struggles got in the way of my everyday functioning. My focus on education was lost to my other struggles. Not only was I not understanding the work, but I had an increasingly low work ethic. This all started to change over the summer of 2010. Bryan, my teacher, makes it known that he has an extremely low tolerance for slackers. I didn't want to disappoint him, and this motivation was new to me.

I realize as my interactions with people started to change, I started to as well. Bryan always expected nothing but good things from me, and I've given him nothing but that. I suppose if you feel a certain way or act a certain way, you become a certain way. From there it's history, ever since I've excelled in my school work and always do what I say I will. You're only as good as your word.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

16 Days Away!

The Costa Rica trip is 16 days away! I think my classmates are really excited. I'm still a little nervous about the plane ride, but I think my curiosity is getting my better half. I can imagine stepping off the plane and walking into pure paradise. I'm ready for the sun. Last night I finished tying the loose ends of everything I need for the trip.

Now I have to realize the last bit of work will be the hardest. The Costa Rica class is just working on the research projects right now. This 16 days seems like it will take forever! We have a good-bye dinner on the 31st of March. The class will be serving Costa Rican food and will be asking for 5 dollars for a meal. Hope to see you there!