A busy weekend is ahead for me. And I’m going to love every minute of it: this weekend, I get to give back to this nation that has been so kind and welcoming to me!

 

The Details

 

This morning, I’m riding with a neighbor to Grecia to attend the feria and get a few food staples, and to have lunch with him and Jon again. (Dear Francisco is still under the weather and won’t be able to join us).

 

I will try to remember to take some pictures to illustrate the update with later on!

 

Two Interviews Scheduled

 

On Sunday morning, a third year English language student will be visiting here to interview me. I’m her class assignment!

 

Then, on Monday afternoon there will be a second, third year English student who will interview me. I have sent them both my coordinates via Waze so they can drive up from wherever they live and find me.

 

I have no idea what they’ll ask me

 

I reckon stuff about life, career, how well I like Costa Rica  … whatever!  But they are supposed to videotape the interview and ask the questions in English so that their teacher (and my friend), Mauricio Marin, can see how well they did. It ought to be fun.

 

One of the students contacted me in English; the other in Spanish  

 

I let the one who texted in Spanish know that I’m a relative newbie in her language (although I did understand her text!) but that I am studying hard to become fluent.  She sent a lovely, encouraging response.

 

I hope she will feel confident enough to tackle the assignment in English.   I can help a little bit, if she struggles, and I have a translation app in case I can’t understand where (or if) she’s flailing, so it should work out fine.

 

 

 

Jon is fluent in Spanish — he has two students assigned to him, too…

 

Jon has lived here for more than 20 years and is masterfully fluent, so if his two students have trouble, he will be able to help steer them better than I will. But Mauricio has faith that I can do this — I did something similar last November, as you may recall, and I did okay.  So, I expect I’ll pass muster this time, too. Sure hope so, because

 

I LOVE giving back in this way to ticos

… who have been so lovely and patient with me as I navigate toward residency and eventual citizenship (providing I live long enough to achieve citizenship — it takes seven years!). Paying it forward in this way really floats my boat!

 

So… I may not have much time to post a blog this weekend but I will try to remember to take pictures (if the students are willing) so you can follow along vicariously with me.

 

I hope your weekend will be as filled or as empty as you want it to be and that you’ll enjoy it as much as I’ll be enjoying mine!