Horseback Riding in Costa Rica =]

While in Costa Rica I had very limited Internet access. I would have like to have written this blog the same day but had no wifi at the place we were stayng in Monteverde. On Friday April 8Th we went horse back riding. It was a gorgeous day out and I was so excited to get on a horse because i haven't been on one since I was 8 or so. The sun was beaming on me while in the tour van, I remember the weather being around 100 degrees.

When we got to the ranch were we would meet our horses, i looked out at all the evergreens and forests that covered the roads we just came from. I took a deep breath in. Inhale. I felt a little nervous but so ready to get on a horse. There were 9 horses 7 for those of us that road and 2 for the guides. My house Rontone reminded me of myself! My last names Tirone and his names Rontone. I got a good laugh from that.

I jumped on Rontone and headed off down the steep, rocky, and intimidating trail. Rontone was a very good horse and he had fire. He didn't want to just walk, he wanted to trot. The intensity ran through my body, and I really enjoyed all the scenery

Home Again

Now I'm home and I can't get Costa Rica out of my head. I look back on all the work I've done, and hard work truly pays off. I tell everyone about my adventures with my class while in Costa Rica. Most just "ooh, and ah," and other travelers tell me I have the " bug." Apparently it's what you get when you love traveling. My friends mom has been all over the world, and she says she can see it in my eyes.

I went to Costa Rica a shy 17 year old girl. I came back a rejuvenated, calm, young woman. I realize now that the world is my play ground. In Costa Rica the wind just blows a certain way against your skin. If I closed my eyes I'd feel like I was on a cliff, standing on the edge. When i opened them I'd realize I was standing still in a field of long grass. But at the same time felt dangerous.

The sky's are so deep and the clouds are so puffy, it feels like your looking into the sky forever. The plane ride back was a hard one because I just found thins new person, and this new place. My friends mom was right, I have the "bug." I'll be back to Costa Rica, and hopefully see many other things in my life time. Pura Vida.

Adios Monteverde =[

I’m very sad to be leaving Monteverde and the cloud forest. It truly is the most beautiful thing I've ever been privileged to see. The people were so welcoming and warm. I felt at home, but obviously very far away. Out of all the exciting and crazy things we did I loved the Butterfly Garden. One symbol for Monteverde is the Blue Morpho butterfly. In the garden there were at least a hundred of these beautiful creatures. They are deep and silky browns when their wings are up, but when down, it’s like a rainbow of blues and they form circles perfectly all aligning. The symbolism behind the butterfly to me means freedom, and letting your spirit fly. In Costa Rica that’s truly what I feel I have done. As the Tico's have continuously taught me, pura vida; pure life.

Were Here

Inhale. Exhale. I get off the plane and am welcomed with happy faces and sunshine. My first thought besides getting my luggage is, putting my shorts on! Flower in my hair and im ready to get on our taxi and go the cloud forest.
The ride in was AMAZING. The scenery was like nothing ive never seen before in good old New Hampshire. The trees are much higher the leaves are much greener. The flowers colors are vibrant and bonita (beautiful). I was and am over welmed with powerful emotions of good feelings and vibes. I am so proud. Pura Vida , good life.

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!

Research Project!

Over the first half of the school year we learned marketing and economics. The Costa Rica class learned a lot about Costa Rica, and now we're going to learn about certain things that interest us about Costa Rica. For example, my research project is going to be a little different from the others but still have the same idea. For my other classmates there project is about a comparison between NH and Costa Rica. My project is progressive education vs traditional, and the idea that it's the whole reason that this class was even possible.

Without Bryan's knowledge of progressive education the Costa Rica class would most likely not exist. My project will have to do a lot with this class in general. I want to video tape all the hands on things we do and the independence we get from this class. I want to show people what a helpful way of learning progressive education is. John Dewey is the founder of progressive education. One of his famous slogans is " Learn by Doing." For so many of us at Robert J Lister Academy, learning by doing has helped a great deal.





Costa Rica here we come, full force and ready to research. The end result for my project will hopefully look a lot like Bryan's when he went to Costa Rica. It's the video that sold all of us to join the class. To have a video of all of the class, and so everyone that's followed us and supported us can see and follow us in Costa Rica. Check out Bryan's YOUTUBE page so you can see all the videos.

Lights, CAMERA, Action =]

Yesterday was a very nerve racking day for me. I had to get in front of a camera and act like I was talking to a bunch of people. I was actually only talking to Bryan, but still was not my cup of tea. My goal for the video recordings is for a lot of people to watch and see the different personalities between all of my classmates. We all want the Costa Rica trip, yet we all want it for different reasons.

I believe that with all of the personalities it will be hard for someone not to be able to relate to any of us. Like Winston maybe, if you love to be outside and are very intelligent you can relate. Or like Mariah, someone who is so driven, and strong. Maybe even like me, someone who is shy but waiting to break free. Check Myself (Kristine), Brittney F, Brittney N, Josh, Winston, Mariah, and soon Hailey's video recordings and learn a little bit about each of us and what we think about Costa Rica and the book "Walking with Wolf."



http://www.youtube.com/user/ListerCostaRicaClass#p/u/9/Ze-Pc70hnqI



Also help us get to our goal of $15,000! We are almost there, and with your help theres no stopping us! Thank you all for your support. Here's our paypal page if you'd like to help!

https://sites.google.com/site/listeracademycostaricaclass/donate