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

Real Deal

Its all starting to become real. Costa Rica is in my reach. We have the seats on the plane booked, and my passport in hand. I'm ready. This week the Costa Rica class is finishing the last chapter of "Walking with Wolf." I guess I never thought we'd come this far. I have such a sense of pride for my classmates and me. The plane tickets symbolize the realness. I just want someone to pinch me, it's so surreal!

We leave the 6Th of April and return to Boston airport the 16Th of April. I'm a little nervous but I think once its closer ill be okay. My mom is so excited for me. She reminds me everyday what a great thing this is. On our trip my classmates were really thinking about going to the coast. We still need 1,500 dollars to have a truly awesome trip and do everything we want to do while down there. All we need is forty gifts of forty dollars.

PLEASE HELP THE ROBERT J LISTER COSTA RICA CLASS!!!!!

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

>Also the Robert J Costa Rica Class was in the Portsmouth Herald today, look for us and find out the latest fund-raisers and links to our websites!

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is to go to Costa Rica! Over all as a class we have raised $13,650 towards our goal of $15,000. All that we need is 40 gifts of $40. We're hoping to end the year with all the financial matters taken care of. From raking alone our class has raised $3,800, and just recently we have received a grant worth $2,000. We are doing great but with your help we can get everything on our christmas lists! (Except mabey a monkey!)

PLEASE BE A SECRET SANTA AND HELP THE ROBERT J LISTER COSTA RICA CLASS!

MONEYS!

Chapter 10 of "Walking with Wolf," talks alot about the different species of animals. In the Costa Rica Class theres kind of a joke with the monkeys and me. I tell everyone that once we get there I'm going on a hunt to find the cutest monkey and have it as a pet! Bryan especially tells me that , that will not happen. My class mates just let me dream.

There are four different species of monkeys in Costa Rica. The White Faced Capuchin, Howler, the Squirrel Monkey, and the Spider monkey. The monkey in this picture is a White Faced Capuchin or the (mono carablanca.) All the monkeys co- exsist with each other, and rely heavily on fruit.

The Spider monkeys are very active thoughout the day. They jump from tree to tree, and are scattered throughout the rain forrest. The Howler monkey loves to lay up in the trees and soak up the sun, they eat leaves, and all types of fruit. Howlers are called "howlers" because of the sounds that the adult males make.They howl when the troops postison is changing. White Faced Capuchin monkeys rely on fruit but heavily on insects. Some of there favorites are frogs, birds, and lizards.

Im so excited to go to Costa Rica I probably sound like a broken record. I want to climb the trees with the monkeys and live freely, Costa Rica seems like the perfect place to do that. We have made it to $11,650 and still have a few thousand to go. If you'd like to help you can check out our websites. Youtube , Blogger , and Paypal .

8th Block

Today in eight block was very chaotic at first. We were all arguing about absolutely nothing, Byran of course wanted to process things. He brought each of us up and helped bring us back to being team mates. His words were very powerful to me. Byran reminded us all of the personal growth we have gained, and how proud of ourselves we should be. After giving most of the kids in my class an example he gave me mine. He reminded me of when I had a school meeting to continue going to Lister. People from my old school were at the meeting and old principals , and new principals, as well as my old case manager from Sanborn was there. When Byran had told her how well I was doing she almost second looked at me to make sure I was the same person. He asked me to think of my old case manager, and asked me to think if she would believe all of the work I have done. I started crying immediately. I was crying because I was so proud of myself. My entire class just looked at me, and I think they understood. That was the most rewarding, and powerful thing that has happened during this whole experience for me. Bryan told me in the very beginning that he thought the class would help us grow and learn from things that regular classes couldn't give to us. Bryan was correct.

Thanksgiving

On November 18Th at RJLA we had are annual Thanksgiving dinner. It was a success. We had about 150 to 200 people come and enjoy the fun and of coarse the food! All the classes had there own little exhibit about what they've been working on throughout the year. For the Costa Rica class we had out a few lap tops with our websites for our blogs and for the leaf busters. We also had out a poster with pretty much everything we're about on it.

A lot of different types of people came to the Thanksgiving dinner. Friends and family, friends of the school, people that work for the community like firer fighters and policemen, children, the school board members, supporters of the school, and complete strangers. We all joined together and enjoyed a meal prepared by mostly the students and organized my guidance consular Erika. It was great. we had all the traditional Thanksgiving food you could imagine. I sat with Erika and her husband Jason with her daughter Camy that is only 8 months old. Shes just the cutest! They made me feel welcome to sit with them.

This has been one of the nicest Thanksgivings I've had in a while. To see all those people at the school because they believed in all of the kids there was very touching. I am so thankful for that day, my family, my health, and the Robert J. Lister Academy.

Look out for our posts, and articles in the newspapers. Thursday January 20Th we are going to have a fundraiser at the Heritage Commons - 2800 Lafayette Rd. Portsmouth NH. at the Papa Gino's. Come with your certificate and 20 % of any sale will go to the Costa Rica class. Id like to thank you to everyone for there support, and for helping make my dreams and the dreams of others come true. =] Thank You!

Thank You! =]

I really love Robert J Lister Academy. Without my school I don't think I'd be as good off as I am. In Walking with Wolf, the book consistently talks about how Wolf and the group of people he went to Costa Rica with stayed a group. Meaning they stuck together, they didn't separate and could always lean on one another when they needed help. They were a family pretty much. And as crazy or weird as this might sound, my class, in fact my entire school is a family. As much as we fight, and yell, we always are there for each other.
I know that my classmates in the Costa Rica class are definitely my group;my family. We are a team, through anything and everything. But one thing that really made me know for sure that my entire student body supported the class and had faith in the Costa Rica students was when we had a raffle for a laptop held at the Harlem Wizards game. A few of the teachers actually were playing and most students showed up to the game to support us. It touched me sincerely to feel that I had my entire school behind me, to know that the Costa Rica class just wasn't doing it by ourselves. Our classmates are happy for us and are showing spirit in their school. That was a very gratifying moment in this process.
6 months ago I did not have much school spirit at all. I was at a really big public school, in which I hated! (I have never been a fan of school, I am frustrated easily with work and give up) When I came to RJLA I wanted to change and they were just the people that were willing to help. The kids, teachers, and the principal. I had a lot of support and a lot of new spirit I never thought I had! Ha I thought I was being taken over by body snatchers! I literally had felt and had a totally different opinion about school. In Walking with Wolf, every time there was a road bump and Wolf, Kay, Lucky or anyone of them fell off the horse they were always there to pick one another up. I was finally at a point in my life where that was okay for me. I was allowing people in to help me, and to help pick me up when I fall.

To have supports in my life is a great thing and I believe it will make me so successful. It helps me have self confidence in myself and it's good to know others have confidence in me as well. I just want my peers and supporters to know how much they mean to me. Thank you so much for everything, even just reading this blog. If you'd life to support our Costa Rica class in more than one way our Facebook page account is up and running. Our PayPal account is accepting online donations. Our article will be in the Portsmouth Herald/ Seacoast Online over the weekend. My class is hiring out for our leaf raking on October 23rd - November 7th.

Check us out at http://sites.google.com/site/listeracademycostaricaclass , thanks so much and have an awesome weekend!

Chapter 5 "Walking with Wolf"

Something that jumped out at me in this chapter (in Walking with Wolf) is when it came to cutting down the trees. Wolf was sick and tired of chopping trees down with axes - he wanted a faster way of doing things. Back in the states they of course have chainsaws. The tico's became very curious about the loud machine. When Wolf showed the tico's it was almost like they laughed at him because they have been cutting down trees for years with axes. They've always done things their way and Wolf has done things his way. I liked that Wolf thought he could finally teach the people that had taught him so much something about his culture and his technology. But at the end of the day Wolf still ended up learning from the ticos.




The message I receive from the book is that there is always something to be learned out of every situation, even when you think you have the upper hand. This is something that has taken me a while to understand. Being the teenager that I am I think I know everything. I'm learning so much from my class and from my class mates. This experience has helped me be much less conceded and listen to others. Costa Rica class has taught me to be considerate of others. I know I have to pull my weight in this class along with everyone else , so our dreams can come true- whatever that means for other people.





In the past I've had a lot of trouble asking for help, leading me down a bumpy road. So like they say, "it's better late than never". Please help my class get a chance of a life time, and see, and learn things we never thought we would. If you would like to help please send a check, payable to Robert J. Lister Academy-Costa Rica Class. Mail to 35 Sherburne Rd Portsmouth NH 03801, to the attention of Kristine Tirone. Please leave a return address so I can personally thank you. =] Also keep an eye out for our fundraising at Texas Road House and dates that RJLA Costa Rica Class will be lawn raking.

Chapter 4 "Walking with Wolf"

While reading chapter 4 it spoke about Kay getting Hodgkin's disease (a lymphatic cancer). Lymphatic or lymphoma is cancer in the lymph nodes (apart of the immune system), it can spread to the lungs and the liver. I can only imagine what kind of struggles she was going through. She just got over a horrible divorce and she must have figured her weight lost was due to depression. She was fainting, and having a hard time breathing. That's when she finally went to the doctors and was diagnosed in 1990. Kay felt as though her body was falling apart. She was always getting sick. Hodgkin's attacks the immune system. She went back to Canada in 1990 after her medical blow.


Back in 1952 there was a lot of illness in Costa Rica. Lucky and Wolf along with many other community members got Hepatitis. Some symptoms of Hepatitis A are jaundice, flu like illnesses, itchy skin and abdominal pain. During this same time Lucky was pregnant and lost the baby due to jaundice. It doesn't say whether or not it was a coincidence but I can make a connection with the two.


These really spoke to me in the chapter because I'm working towards getting my LNA certificate during my senior year of high school. I'm learning all about disease and illness. When I'm finished with high school my plan is to move on to college to get my RN and become a pediatric nurse. When I read that Lucky lost her baby to jaundice it made me really think of my future and the work field. If I plan to go down the path of being a pediatric nurse I'll either witness miracles everyday, or heartbreaks. Its strange because when reading the chapter I got a little emotional when I read that her baby died. I guess I was upset that it didn't get a chance at life, and I feel like I can give families and babies a chance. No parent should have to go through that.



I think the Costa Rica trip will really help me get my ducks in a row, and shoot for the stars. I feel like if I can reach my goal and make it to Costa Rica then I can be the nurse that I want to be. My class can't make it there on our own. If you'd like to help us make your dreams come true please send a check, payable to Robert J. Lister Academy. Mail to 35 Sherburne Rd Portsmouth NH 03801, to the attention of Kristine Tirone. Please leave a return address so I can personally thank you. =]

Why I Want To Be Involved With The Costa Rica Class

My teacher Bryan sends out a message that you shouldn't be okay with the bare minimum and you should always strive to want more. This is a concept that I've put much thought into. I think it's a very strong message. "To always want or expect more of yourself" is a good value to have.





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.


He explained that over the summer we would be working hard to raise the money. At the end of June my classmates and I went to Shell on Middle Street to host a car wash. The most exciting part of the day was when we got a huge mobile home and Winston got on the roof and we washed the whole thing! Towards the end of July our class worked at the Stratham Fair. We had a table at the front for people to sign up for a raffle and we had our own booth. In the booth we sold a lot of things. Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pillows, and raffles. I had a lot of fun at the fair. I worked 2 days at the fair and one of the days was a 12 hour day. The best part for me was getting to know Bryan a little more and seeing a lighter side of him, and seeing what he enjoys in life. And that truly is to work with kids, and be with the person he loves. Carmela is Bryan's wife and she's awesome. Shes really nice and makes really cool jewelery. Carmela helped out at the fair and the car wash as well.



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. Your only as good as your word.

George Fox & Quakerism

Walking with Wolf is a book I've been reading with my class , it's a book about families moving to Costa Rica to get away from the wars and to be able to believe in what religion they'd like.In the mid 1600's a man named George Fox founded a group called Friends of the Truth. Friends of the Truth was a group followed by people who had an alternative method of worship. I found Fox to be a very interesting guy because I appreciated his methods and how he presented himself. George believed that you didn't have to go to church or a place of worship to believe in God. He believed that if you believed and if God was real he would be with you anywhere you chose to pray. I'm not a Quaker but I agree with parts of Quakerism. I think it's a very respectable religion.





In 1650 Justice Bennet charged Fox with blasphemy. Bennet called Foxes followers Quakers as meaning the synonym of tremble , because supposedly they tremble at the word of God. Bennet's beliefs were not only offensive to me but outrageous. Just because George didn't believe the same as him he became the total outcast. Fox didn't push any religion or belief upon anyone, so why does anyone have the right to do that towards him or anyone else. This is exactly why we made the 1st Amendment. We all have rights, even if your not an American I believe that you deserve your rights just as much as the next guy. Nobody has the right to take away someones religion. I think Bennet was scared that Fox might have been different than him, and anyone different is a menace.





Fox and his followers were not only beaten for believing differently but imprisoned for not changing their minds about their beliefs. That is so sickening to me, it seems very prejudice. Just because something is different than you, it's wrong or weird. In reality different is change. Friends of the Truth believed in Peace, Equality, Integrity, and Simplicity . I believe that those are all the qualities that it takes to be truly be happy, and enjoy life, those are the values I live by.

"Walking with Wolf" Chapter 2

During chapter 2 I got a much better understanding of who Wolf was. This chapter had a lot of information for me to take in. Something that caught my attention right away was the religion aspect of Wolf and learning about him in that sense. Wolf is a Quaker, and when you think of religion you think of something very formal or traditional.

In the beginning of the chapter I figured that Quakers went to church and they were very generic in the way that most religions go to church to pray. They actually have these meeting were they sing songs, and talk about quotes. They do pray and speak of spoken messages but its very laid back I suppose.

On pages 11-12 of the book it talks about how a man named George Fox founded a group called "Society of Friends of Truth". People around him started calling him a "Quaker" and meaning it in a derogatory manner. Since then Quakers have saved the name and taken pride in it.

After reading the second chapter I learned that Quakers aren't very judgemental and do not push their religious beliefs upon anyone. They understand that people are different and believe in different things. Quakers are peacemakers. I agree with a lot of the ideas of being a Quaker.

"Walking with Wolf" Chapter 1

My thoughts on Walking with Wolf were that it was semi-confusing. I didn't quite understand who was speaking at all times. I felt that between the tape recorder, Kay,and Wolf it made it slightly harder for me to follow.

A few things I might like to research in the future would be the Tapir and Mortadela found on pages 4 and 6. I believe that the Tapir is a bird perhaps and that the Mortadela is a type of meat I'm not really sure what type though. Later on in the class I would like to get a better understanding of the diverse animal life in Costa Rica.

I personally can't wait until my class moves on to Chapter 2. I want to really get a better understanding of the book and I want to learn more about the culture and ways of the
'Ticos' a common name used for Costa Rican's.