Costa Ricans ita-fy their words more than other Spanish-speaking people--that is, they add ita (feminine) or ito (masculine) to the end of lots of their words. It can mean little, or as an endearing term, something more like cute little.
For example, a taquito is basically a little taco. A tablespoon is a cucharada, while a teaspoon is a cucharadita. Hmm... does that mean a burrito (burro + ito) is a little donkey?
You may hear a teacher telling a group of children to wash their manitas, their little hands. Or she may call the kids chiquitos (little kids), or in an even more endearing way, they'll just add another ito and call them chiquititos (sweet little kids).
Something could be small (pequeño), or it could be really small (pequeñito). A little dog, similar to how we would say doggy, is a perrito, and your sweet Grandpa is your abuelito. A little house, like a cottage, is a casita, while a little shirt is a camisita. A little moment is a momentito.
Once we were invited to someone's house in the tardecito (the little afternoon?). We needed a little clarification on what exactly that time meant.
Names are also ita-fied. I've heard my friend Carla called Carlita, or Ana called Anita. We've decided to ita-fy our names too. I am also Anita, Michael is Miguelito, Julia is Julita, Caleb is Calebito, Dylan is Dylanito, and Jonah is our little Jonitito.
Can you ita-fy your name too?
Monday, May 5, 2014
Friday, May 2, 2014
The Zoo - Julia
Last Saturday for a young men/young women activity we went to the zoo. I personally think they don't need a zoo in Costa Rica since the country is a zoo in and of itself, but whatever.
A few weeks ago when we were planning the activity we decided we were going to the zoo, a few weeks later they changed it and said we were going to a museum instead because it was cheaper, then the week before the activity they changed it again and said we were going to the zoo, and the morning of the activity they said the museum, and right before we left to go they said we were going to the zoo. So that was kind of exciting. Before we went to the zoo we went to a baptism which was really nice, and then around noon we went to the zoo.
It wasn't a very big zoo, so the leaders said just go wherever you want and meet back together at 2:30. I walked around with my friend Stephanny. She's from Canada and obviously speaks English so I hang out with her at most of the church activities. The zoo was so small that by 2:30 (so about two hours) we had seen all the animals in the entire zoo twice. There was also only one animal at the zoo that you couldn't find in the wild in Costa Rica,and that was an African Lion. The rest of the animals included lots of parrots, toucans, and macaws, some monkeys, some crocodiles, and a few other things.
I didn't mind the lack of exotic animals though and thought it was fun, plus me and Stephanny took a bunch of pictures, I think about 250 (and that's just on my iPod not counting the ones on her phone). We only took a few of the actual animals though, most of them were of each other. #selfie
At 2:30 we met back at the gates and had hamburgers for lunch and hung out for a little while. I ate with Stephanny and a girl named Noilyn and we took more selfies :).
After we finished eating and taking pictures we got in the cars and drove home. Overall it was a really fun trip and I enjoyed going :).
A few weeks ago when we were planning the activity we decided we were going to the zoo, a few weeks later they changed it and said we were going to a museum instead because it was cheaper, then the week before the activity they changed it again and said we were going to the zoo, and the morning of the activity they said the museum, and right before we left to go they said we were going to the zoo. So that was kind of exciting. Before we went to the zoo we went to a baptism which was really nice, and then around noon we went to the zoo.
It wasn't a very big zoo, so the leaders said just go wherever you want and meet back together at 2:30. I walked around with my friend Stephanny. She's from Canada and obviously speaks English so I hang out with her at most of the church activities. The zoo was so small that by 2:30 (so about two hours) we had seen all the animals in the entire zoo twice. There was also only one animal at the zoo that you couldn't find in the wild in Costa Rica,and that was an African Lion. The rest of the animals included lots of parrots, toucans, and macaws, some monkeys, some crocodiles, and a few other things.
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| Spider Monkeys |
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| Capuchin Monkey |
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| The Lion |
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| Scarlet Macaw, Dylan's favorite bird. |
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| I can't remember what this is called but it was really weird looking. |
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| Caleb said he saw the peacock with it's feathers up, but I didn't. |
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| Another kind of macaw. |
I didn't mind the lack of exotic animals though and thought it was fun, plus me and Stephanny took a bunch of pictures, I think about 250 (and that's just on my iPod not counting the ones on her phone). We only took a few of the actual animals though, most of them were of each other. #selfie
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| Me and Stephanny |
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| We can't take serious pictures. |
At 2:30 we met back at the gates and had hamburgers for lunch and hung out for a little while. I ate with Stephanny and a girl named Noilyn and we took more selfies :).
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| Noilyn, me, and Stephanny |
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| Stephanny, me, Brandon, Noilyn, Caleb, and Daniela |
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| Picture of us taking a selfie :) |
After we finished eating and taking pictures we got in the cars and drove home. Overall it was a really fun trip and I enjoyed going :).
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Another New Fruit - Hannah
I don't know what they're called, but to eat them you open the pod and suck the fruit off the seeds. They look a little like cotton ball-covered cockroaches, but they're actually quite sweet and fun to eat. (I'm sure I just sold you on that description, didn't I. I should totally be a food blogger.)
Thursday, April 24, 2014
To Really Live - Hannah
My heart has been heavy for a friend who lost her battle with breast cancer last night. She was diagnosed last fall, and recently the cancer spread to her brain and then throughout her body. Since then, the doctors told her there was nothing more they could do, and her health declined rapidly. She left behind a husband, three young children, and much loved family and friends.
In addition, I have recently been listening to radio episodes of Enduring It Well on the Mormon Channel. In the program, the host interviews people who have been through difficult experiences and talks with them about how they have been able to endure. The experiences range from dealing with eating disorders to becoming paralyzed, to dealing with loved ones who have been incarcerated, to dealing with chronic disease or death of a loved one. Listening to these various accounts I am struck by one of the common threads--how much even small acts of service mean during difficult times.
One man spoke of a tragic plane accident he was in, and how even though most of the passengers were killed, he survived but with badly burned and broken legs. He spoke of his trip to the hospital, and of the woman who held his hand during the transit, and how much that meant to him.
Another woman spoke of the tremendous gratitude she felt for a young man who saw her son (who was in his early 20s), out walking late one night. Her son had Asperger's and was struggling with many issues, and this man took the time to talk with him.
These stories, along with the death of my friend, have caused me to reflect on my life, and what I value. I have such admiration for people who see a need, and in that moment, reach out. They don't serve to be seen, and they don't serve to feel good about themselves. They simply serve because it's the right thing to do. I want to be that kind of person, but so often I fall short.
A couple months ago when we were going on one of our excursions, I learned of a children's orphanage which was near one of our destinations. I thought it would be neat to visit and help out how we could. But after I contacted some people, I got the sense that many people (especially foreigners) wanted to come visit, but it was sometimes disruptive to the childrens' routines. Many people wanted to donate items, but they unknowingly donated more mosquito nets than they'd ever be able to use.
I also questioned my own motives. Is this something I wanted to do so I could blog about it? Is this something I could do so I would feel good about including a service project during our trip?
Ultimately, we ended up not going to the orphanage, partly because I wasn't certain what good we could accomplish there. And certainly this doesn't mean I don't value helping with these kinds of projects, because I absolutely do. I have nothing but respect for people who embrace a cause and make incredible things happen with it.
But I've been feeling lately that sometimes the most meaningful service is the things we do day to day, with the people who are around us. It's everyday kindness and thoughtfulness.
I'm reminded of two women who approached me several years ago in a department store. I had been dealing with a child who was throwing a tantrum and I was trying to purchase my items and leave. These women came up to me and told me how they thought I had handled the situation very well. I was super frazzled at the moment, and so grateful for their comment. I'm sure they have forgotten that instance, but I have not forgotten their kindness and willingness to reach out to me, a stranger.
Marjorie Pay Hinckley said, “I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.”
That quote strikes me as interesting, partly because when people hear the phrase "[to] really live," it seems they usually think of things like travel, adventure, or success. But to really live, like Sister Hinckley suggests, means to really love. And I believe that.
I wish I was more open with people, warmer, more complimentary, more thoughtful, less reserved. Ultimately, I suppose, that is what the Atonement of the Savior is for, to enable us to be more than we are. And I plan on becoming more.
As our Costa Rican adventure is winding down, I am reminded of the things that are most valuable to me--my relationships. I love the people I have associated with here, and I love the people I will be returning to back home. I want to show them that.
And can I just add that I hate cancer.
In addition, I have recently been listening to radio episodes of Enduring It Well on the Mormon Channel. In the program, the host interviews people who have been through difficult experiences and talks with them about how they have been able to endure. The experiences range from dealing with eating disorders to becoming paralyzed, to dealing with loved ones who have been incarcerated, to dealing with chronic disease or death of a loved one. Listening to these various accounts I am struck by one of the common threads--how much even small acts of service mean during difficult times.
One man spoke of a tragic plane accident he was in, and how even though most of the passengers were killed, he survived but with badly burned and broken legs. He spoke of his trip to the hospital, and of the woman who held his hand during the transit, and how much that meant to him.
Another woman spoke of the tremendous gratitude she felt for a young man who saw her son (who was in his early 20s), out walking late one night. Her son had Asperger's and was struggling with many issues, and this man took the time to talk with him.
These stories, along with the death of my friend, have caused me to reflect on my life, and what I value. I have such admiration for people who see a need, and in that moment, reach out. They don't serve to be seen, and they don't serve to feel good about themselves. They simply serve because it's the right thing to do. I want to be that kind of person, but so often I fall short.
A couple months ago when we were going on one of our excursions, I learned of a children's orphanage which was near one of our destinations. I thought it would be neat to visit and help out how we could. But after I contacted some people, I got the sense that many people (especially foreigners) wanted to come visit, but it was sometimes disruptive to the childrens' routines. Many people wanted to donate items, but they unknowingly donated more mosquito nets than they'd ever be able to use.
I also questioned my own motives. Is this something I wanted to do so I could blog about it? Is this something I could do so I would feel good about including a service project during our trip?
Ultimately, we ended up not going to the orphanage, partly because I wasn't certain what good we could accomplish there. And certainly this doesn't mean I don't value helping with these kinds of projects, because I absolutely do. I have nothing but respect for people who embrace a cause and make incredible things happen with it.
But I've been feeling lately that sometimes the most meaningful service is the things we do day to day, with the people who are around us. It's everyday kindness and thoughtfulness.
I'm reminded of two women who approached me several years ago in a department store. I had been dealing with a child who was throwing a tantrum and I was trying to purchase my items and leave. These women came up to me and told me how they thought I had handled the situation very well. I was super frazzled at the moment, and so grateful for their comment. I'm sure they have forgotten that instance, but I have not forgotten their kindness and willingness to reach out to me, a stranger.
Marjorie Pay Hinckley said, “I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.”
That quote strikes me as interesting, partly because when people hear the phrase "[to] really live," it seems they usually think of things like travel, adventure, or success. But to really live, like Sister Hinckley suggests, means to really love. And I believe that.
I wish I was more open with people, warmer, more complimentary, more thoughtful, less reserved. Ultimately, I suppose, that is what the Atonement of the Savior is for, to enable us to be more than we are. And I plan on becoming more.
As our Costa Rican adventure is winding down, I am reminded of the things that are most valuable to me--my relationships. I love the people I have associated with here, and I love the people I will be returning to back home. I want to show them that.
And can I just add that I hate cancer.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Making Apple Crisp - Hannah
Last Saturday we had a Young Men/Young Women activity at our home, where we taught the kids how to make apple crisp. A couple months ago, Julia said that they were planning some Young Women's activities, and were asked if anyone knew how to make apple pie. Julia said our family doesn't usually make apple pie, but could make a similar desert called apple crisp.
It's funny because I've heard from a few different people how much Costa Rican's love apple pie, but no one seems to know how to make it. Also, I have heard that some Mormons here have this mistaken idea that Mormon women from Utah are great cooks, especially when it comes to baking. I fall very short in that category, but I do know how to make apple pie, thanks to my mom who taught me to make it for Thanksgiving dinners growing up. And I would have gladly helped them make some apple pie, but our oven is so unreliable I'm afraid it would burn. But apple crisp is a little more forgiving, and so we made that instead.
At home, apple crisp is a relatively inexpensive dessert. But here, apples are fairly expensive because they're imported. Butter is also quite expensive, about $1.50 for one cube. It's also not super common for people to have ovens. Many people just have a stovetop for cooking. So even if many of the kids know how to do it now, I'm not sure they'll be able to make it again in the near future. But I think they enjoyed it anyway.
The youth in our branch are a good group of kids, and I'm glad we were able to do spend the afternoon with them.
It's funny because I've heard from a few different people how much Costa Rican's love apple pie, but no one seems to know how to make it. Also, I have heard that some Mormons here have this mistaken idea that Mormon women from Utah are great cooks, especially when it comes to baking. I fall very short in that category, but I do know how to make apple pie, thanks to my mom who taught me to make it for Thanksgiving dinners growing up. And I would have gladly helped them make some apple pie, but our oven is so unreliable I'm afraid it would burn. But apple crisp is a little more forgiving, and so we made that instead.
At home, apple crisp is a relatively inexpensive dessert. But here, apples are fairly expensive because they're imported. Butter is also quite expensive, about $1.50 for one cube. It's also not super common for people to have ovens. Many people just have a stovetop for cooking. So even if many of the kids know how to do it now, I'm not sure they'll be able to make it again in the near future. But I think they enjoyed it anyway.
The youth in our branch are a good group of kids, and I'm glad we were able to do spend the afternoon with them.
Friday, April 18, 2014
Easter Eggs - Hannah
Easter egg dyeing poses a challenge for me, since there are no pre-made dyeing kits at the store. That's been my exclusive dyeing method for years.
I know. I'm boring.
So this year I went to Pinterest to find an alternative. After sorting through the super intricate designs for the non-design challenged people out there, I found a simple idea. Basically, you color the eggs with crayons while the eggs are still warm, so that the wax melts onto the eggs. We broke quite a few eggs since it's hard to carefully hold a hot egg.
But we still had fun and I think they turned out pretty well.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Return of the Rain - Hannah
We thought we had until May before the rainy season started up again, but we are already in the thick of it. It started a couple weeks ago. It hadn't rained for days, until one day it rained hard, and then again every day after. Strangely, it wasn't gradual but just switched from dry to rainy season in one day.
There are things I love about the rainy season. Already, the grass is turning from yellow to green. And I love the booming sound on the roof when the rain falls in torrents. I also like the fact that dust no longer covers the roads and our car. The rain is packing things down nicely. I'm also hopeful that we'll see some frogs again--I'm guessing they hang out elsewhere when it's dry.
However, there are also downsides. It's difficult to get the laundry to dry. There were a few days this week where the sun stayed pretty hidden, and when it did start to rain, we had to bring in the wet laundry and hang it around the house. The rain also makes for more inside afternoons, and for children who have a tendency to go stir-crazy, that can be a challenge.
All in all, though, it's nice to see the rain again.
There are things I love about the rainy season. Already, the grass is turning from yellow to green. And I love the booming sound on the roof when the rain falls in torrents. I also like the fact that dust no longer covers the roads and our car. The rain is packing things down nicely. I'm also hopeful that we'll see some frogs again--I'm guessing they hang out elsewhere when it's dry.
However, there are also downsides. It's difficult to get the laundry to dry. There were a few days this week where the sun stayed pretty hidden, and when it did start to rain, we had to bring in the wet laundry and hang it around the house. The rain also makes for more inside afternoons, and for children who have a tendency to go stir-crazy, that can be a challenge.
All in all, though, it's nice to see the rain again.
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