PuraVida::CostaRica

forgive my sweaty forehead and burnt scabby nose, but this is one of my favorite pics from the whole trip.

January: decided to go.

February: payed downpayment.

March: purchased plane tickets.

April: payed program fee.

and all the sudden it was here.

May 5, 2012. The day we'd been waiting for.

We got in the car with our Mama's and our Laura,

and we were on our way.

Destination: SLC International Airport.

We checked in, payed our luggage fee;

Shelbie's bag - 29 lbs. My bag - 48 lbs.

We gave our hugs and kisses,

and waved and waved and waved.

It was finally real life.We were going to Costa Rica.

Lots of lounging in airports and 7 hours of plane rides later,

we landed in San Jose.

6:07 am.

We were picked up by a man named Leo who took us to our house.

We drove through the country side,

And spoke some broken Spanglish.

We drove into the Residential Espanolita,

Where we were greeted by Juan and Angie Orozco.

And there it began.

The days felt like years, but the weeks flew by.

Rice and beans. Rice and beans. Rice and beans.

Pineapple, Mango, Papaya, Bananas, Plantains.
Game shows, Singing Contests, A TV without an off switch.

Stolen iPones, Buses, Accidents, Police Officers, J-Walking.

Round Abouts, Peanut M&M's, and some more Rice and beans.
And guys, the most darling little children.

Valeksa, Ian, Isabella, Maria Paula.
Mariana, Gabriel, Suelen, Samantha.
Little children who babble in Spanish,
Even when they know you don't speak a word.
Children who want to swing and swing,
And write the English ABC's.
Little Costa Ricans that look like they're American,
And so. much. hair.
Puzzles and memory games and coloring books.
Little toy cars and dirty scraped up knees.

Swinging and sliding and naps on the ground.
Snack time and Coca-Cola and whipping cream.
Dirty diapers and homework and runny noses.
Smiles and tears and holding hands.
Brushed teeth and bleeding gums,
And PJ's and sweats and braids.

It was heaven. I was in heaven.
Just to forget myself and sit crossed legged on the ground,
And hold a child who needs a little extra love,
It was incredible. It was life changing.

Seriously, if you ever EVER have the opportunity
To travel abroad and serve God's children,
DON'T PASS IT UP.
Go. Serve. Get your hands dirty. Sweat.
Sweat and sweat and sweat.
Get sunburnt and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Because I promise, I KNOW, you will not regret it.

Pura Vida, kids. And Happy Costa Rica.

Sleepovers & Lunch Dates.

I'm looking forward to days filled with hellos, and welcome homes, and I've missed yous.

Instead of goodbyes, and good lucks, and I'll see you soons.

I'm grateful for sleepovers, and lunch dates, and walks down memory lane,

And don't miss the heartache, the longing, and the fear of it never being the same.

I can't wait for the six solid weeks that I get to bear testimony, and be an example,

And become the inspiration for young teenage girls, just like my counselors were for me.

I'm excited for days filled with longboarding and laughing and the canyon air,

Instead of the library 4th floor study room, bony landmarks, and formaldehyde.

I'm counting down the days until I get to get on that plane, sitting next to my longest friend,

And go sing songs, and get dirty, and feel the sunshine kiss my cheeks, and not think about me.

I'm secretly so grateful that they're not going to Chicago, but only to PaloAlto,

So that I can plan road trips to go kiss those chubby cheeks and smell that baby boys head.

In a way, I'm grateful for a harsh goodbye, and for tears, and for the knot in my chest,

Because it proves that it wasn't all for nothing, but also that I've got so much to look forward to.

"Happiness is a direction, not a destination" & I'm defffinitely going in the right direction.

I am happy, life is good, and the sun is shining. I love today.

-Abbs.

Summer Condo Contract!!

I'm going on lots of fun adventures this summer which will get me out of Provo for 10 weeks. 

I would really hate to be paying rent for my place if I won't even be here, so my contract is for sale

May 1 - August 15.

I'll be asking $850 for the whole summer which is a huge discount from the $1155 I'd pay.

University Avenue Condos

Private Room

Dishwasher

Washer/Dryer

Big Kitchen & Living Area
Leather Couches
2 People to a Bathroom
Free Internet

Great Roommates

Awesome Ward

Tons of Above & Underground Parking

Right the middle of downtown Provo

BYU approved.

If you need a place, or know of anyone who does, PLEASE contact me. 

Its a beautiful apartment, and for a private room, this price is a steal!

Please help a girl out and contact me by

leaving a comment here,

emailing me at abbyjean33@gmail.com

or messaging me on Facebook "Abby Richards."

Much much appreciated!!

xoxoxAbbs.

tear ducts.

even though i considered having my tear ducts removed

because the water works wouldn't turn off all day.

and i could write about how my midterm didn't go well,

and about how i've missed matthew all day long,

or how i can't seem to get the image of a balloon out of my mind.

i could even write about how i forgot to switch my laundry over from washer to dryer,

and how i forgot to take my chapstick to school and my lips almost fell off,

or how i got stuck behind the coupon lady at walmart. again.

yes, those contributed to my smeared makeup and red eyes.

but the rest came early this morning when i sat in the temple,

and two sweet old men laid their hands on my head,

and confirmed me a member of the church for a girl named Abigail Tucker.

and when i sat on the back row of the chapel, 

and flipped open my scriptures, not knowing what I'd find,

and I turned right to 3 Nephi 11,

and i got to contemplate "One By One"

and pause to think about "The Light and the Life of the World."

and then as I sat in his tiny little living room filled with friends,

everyone grinning from ear to ear,

sitting next to the girl who knows me best,

listening to a brother bear testimony,

and a best friend read the words "You have been called to labor.."

and when i got a text from the girl with the most tender heart,

who just wanted to tell me she was thinking of me,

and that she was praying for me.

those are the tears that were welcome.

those are the ones that make me grateful for this day.

grateful for my tear ducts that allow me to feel,

to express emotion and let it all out.

grateful for good people and great friends.

and grateful for the gospel.

i AM grateful for this day.

the last balloon.

i did it.

i let it go.

the last balloon.

for good.

for ever.

for always.

it floated away,

and took a piece of me with it,

and i cried.

i woke up this morning feeling weird.

weird in a way i've never felt before.

like i wasn't sure if it had happened,

if it was real.

like i didn't know if in a month or two or six or eight,

we'd talk again,

and we'd fall back into it.

in a strange way, its like a weight was lifted.

like my whole body was sighing "finally."

i was relieved, but sad.

i was smiling, but my cheeks were wet.

i've had a pit in my stomach all day,

because it IS real.

it did happen.

and mostly because, it was mutual.

i said it, and he agreed,

he re-said it,

and i nodded yes.

it ended with a "see you soon" 

and it was over.

i opened my fingers,

and let the balloon go.