tHe uPdaTe

Hi Everyone~

As you can see, I didn't write or post anything for ages. But hey, look! We finally got caught up! (the posts you see for June and May are actually from all semester, click on the months at the right)....Life has been so busy, so so busy! But all in all, everything is wonderful. We are coming to the end of our time in Costa Rica, I think a favorite year in both of our lives. Our lives have been really different--well I don't know if there exists a place like Mastatal anywhere else. But both of us have had amazing mind opening experiences. And both of us have really grown a lot through what we are doing. It definitely makes the time we have spent apart (we see each other around 1.5 weeks a month) easier because we have both been so inspired and happy. As you can also see (in the pics!) we have both been able to visit each other's worlds, too.

Classes are over for me! Now it is job searching and thesis time. I am really excited about what I am writing about. Many of you know, but I am designing a Peace Studies and Sustainability Dev. summer leadership camp. 1/2 of my thesis is a breakdown of that program and the other half is me talking about why it is important: kids aren't learning peacebuilding skills and values in school and camps are a great place to learn, etc! Hopefully, someday it becomes a reality. It would really be an amazing blending of what both Red and I are passionate about.

However... even if that takes a while to get going, I can use the curriculum I am creating for it in other settings: in a school or after-school program, too.

As the pictures will tell, for me life has been about friends from all over the world, cultural events, class (peace, human rights, sustainable development, conflict transformation...), a couple weekend trips, and music. While life for Red has been about creating, living deep in the jungle, living sustainably, seeing amazing nature, and living in a wonderful community of hardworking artist types.

In July, my father is coming for graduation! Then, I am going to be a dialogue facilitator at an amazing kids peace camp called "Kids4Peace" (follow the link!). The camp brings 12 Jewish, Christian, and Muslim kids from Israel and Palestine to summer camp with 12 American kids. All between the ages of 10-12. The mission is to break down stereotypes and promote religious tolerance. I couldn't be more excited to be a part of this important work.

During July, Red will be with his folks and then I will go to mine and well, that's all she wrote for now :)
All we know past that is that Father Jared will be conducting a marriage for his cousin in September. Oh yeah, and we are going to try to settle in the US of A... for a bit.

Love you all! Thanks for everything--we realize we are very lucky people!