Dolor de la cabeza

I really wish that I had a secret video camera where I could record the expression on my face when I am trying to understand what someone is talking about. I have been told in the past that I have very distinct facial expressions (reason #1001 I avoid poker). Here in Costa Rica, although my mouth may be spouting affirmations such as "Oh si, si...claro" (oh yes, yes, sure) who knows what my face is saying! I am positive it is pretty intense - could be that I am leaning in and staring at their mouth with unblinking eyes, or it could be a hint of confusion with a slight head tilt (similar to the way your pet dog looks at you) , or at times an unconscious head nod and pursed lips where I say to myself, "Wow....no idea. Not a clue", indicating to the speaker that comprehension has reached a low point. It can be humbling, because at times I do not want to admit to them, or myself, that I don't understand what they are asking, but in the long run, it is better to just ask them to clarify. Because my face is saying, "Huh?" anyway, right? I may was well be consistent.

It has been a whirlwind of a week, and I have already accomplished quite a bit. My documents are with an official translator (they even have to translate my birth certificate), and when I have those back I have to go get a series of stamps (I shake my fist at all those who falsify documents, forcing the rest of us to pass through no less than 80 hoops to prove that we are who we say we are and we did in fact graduate from college). I have a meeting today with the woman at the University that is responsible for helping international students, to find out what I need to do to get a student visa. I have been to a spinning class and a salsa aerobics class, and located a yoga studio nearby. I was fortunate enough to attend a Rotaract meeting last night here in Heredia (Rotary club for young adults ages 18-30) with the Megans. They have an extremely active club, and since my host club is not here in the Heredia, it is nice to know that I can participate in their weekly service projects. I move in with my host family this Saturday and begin language school on Monday and hope to get a cell phone sometime next week. We are also going out salsa dancing tonight, which I am excited about (understatement of the year). I have been sleeping soundly, mainly because it takes so much energy to do everything - speaking, shopping, listening to the radio, reading, watching telenovelas, etc. I am completely exhausted by 11 p.m.

All that said, I am off to study, and by study I mean lounge around on the couch and watch telenovelas (soap operas) while eating a papaya. Very important preparation for graduate school, as well as a fabulous lesson on how to transition into more dramatic facial expressions and reveal your evil plans out loud even when you are alone in the room.