Tuesday 10/7/08

Today began as usual, a morning run. I didn’t have class until 11, so I had a nice breakfast of empanadas with Mami and Papi instead of my usual bowl of Corn Flakes on my way out the door. At breakfast I learned that it was my little cousin, Maria’s birthday. I offered to make a cake before I headed off to class. My willingness to make a cake spurred on their decision to throw a party for Maria, who was turning 8. I woke Pamela up because I knew she’d be bummed if I made a cake without her. We made a cake before I headed out at 9:30 (isn’t it amazing that I have to leave 1.5 hours before class just to get there on time!) At class I found out where I’m doing my internship in a few weeks. I’m going to move to a small town called La Virgen de Sarapiqui where I will be working in a school helping the English teachers of all grade levels. I’m excited for a change from the big city and it will be interesting helping teaching English (since it’s one of my many options post-college, which officially begins after this trip!) Class went well and we had an amazing speaker, John Stam, who’s been living in Costa Rica for over 50 years and is very involved in Nicaragua. After class we had an orientation for our upcoming Nicaragua trip (this next Monday). I rushed home to frost my cake and make it home in time for the party. I have to admit, my cake was pretty amazing. When I get a chance I’ll post some pictures. I frosted it, spelled Maria in M&M’s, and made flowers and other designs with the extra M&Ms. We headed to my aunts house and had an amazing surprise party for Maria. We danced, we ate, we sang and had an amazing night. Everyone loved my cake. My aunt told me, “McKenzie, this is good. You can get married now”. Why is food always equated with marriage everywhere I go in Latin America? After a long night of partying we finally headed home.