I had my first hot shower in over a month last night

...and it felt like a beautiful, warm hug.

It's all been said and done, I graduated (technically at the top of my class, and I'm proud of it--I worked hard!). Now I'm officially a TEFL teacher on vacation with my mom. We're staying at this adorable place called the Tico Adventure Lodge, I can't really describe what makes it so cute so I'll have to take and post pictures. I'm enjoying some early morning complimentary coffee on our deck, and I'm actually wearing a long-sleeve shirt, sleep pants, and socks! It got downright chilly here last night, and they've built their land here with lots of trees and natural shade to keep things cool. Mornings and evenings in Samara are pretty pleasant for how hot it is during the day. Yesterday morning, I had to get up and walk across town from Cristina's to here, and I didn't have any sunscreen to wear and I forgot to put any on before my mom and I went for a 2-hour walk on the beach. I am a lobster. In pain. It's kind of frustrating after all my hard work to build a beautiful brown, natural tan (I got lots of compliments) AND never having burned once since I've been here. I haven't looked at my chest yet, but it was the worst part and it still hurts this morning.

But honestly, what am I complaining about? I am still in Costa Rica (pinch me, everyday), and I had the best pizza of my life last night. And ice cream here, don't get me started: it's flat-out the best ice cream I've ever had, ever. Their version of "vanilla" is our "cake batter/sweet cream". Oh yeah. I'm having fun, and I'm also excited to be coming back home to the States in just three days. Pura Vida!