Costa Rican Craziness

Dear Sis. Johnson the Greatest,

Well, since we didn’t get a big email from you last week, all I have to go on from you is the few lines that you wrote me about how you will keep buggering on and how you love your new area and companion. At least, that’s what I think it said. I’m writing this to you on the plane from Houston (I was there again!) to Salt Lake, so I don’t have internet.

I’m glad that you’re liking Beaumont. What’s with all the French names? I don’t like French. Too many letters to express one vowel sound. Suriously. Hopefully, it’s better than the name.

Since I don’t know what to write to you, having no idea of your needs due to the lack of communication, I’ll just tell you about my week.

Well, I was in Costa Rica all week. Monday through Thursday we worked with our NGO, Friday we went to a research facility called CATIE, Saturday we went to this amazingly beautiful beach, and today we went to church and now we’re coming home. (Side note: the lady in the seat beside me is totally singing along to her iPod. Little weird, but whatever….) I can’t tell you exhaustively what we did, but here are some highlights.

So, the NGO we’re working with is called AED (this stands for something in Spanish, but I’m not sure what.) They are THE name in Costa Rica for corporate social responsibility, or CSR. That’s when companies recognize that they don’t operate in a bubble, and that they have to be mindful of the external effects that they have on the environment, economy, and community.

So, they basically teach companies how to be more socially responsible and do those things. They have member companies who they give trainings and tools to to measure sustainability. It’s super cool, and they do some amazing things. All week we talked with AED, met with their member companies, attended some of their trainings, and visited some of their more independent projects.

One of their projects is this amazingly complicated bridge between the ministry of education, the teachers’ unions, individual schools, and some private businesses to create this amazing information system that is changing the way public education is run in Costa Rica. It’s called PIAD, and it’s rung by this guy named Luis who is a lawyer and has a PhD in development economics, so we got to talk to him for an hour, and he’s kind of my non-profit, social development hero. If I explain more the technical details, you’ll get bored, and I’ll sound really nerdy, but suffice it to say that he’s cool.

We also visited a food bank that they helped start with Wal-Mart, and attended several of their training workshops. My Spanish is such that these were mostly non-comprehensible, and hence kind of boring, but I tried to not doze off.

One time we were trying to make it to this cement company to get to one of AED’s workshops, and the directions we got told us that it was close to the disco place called La Rumba, so we got out of the taxi there, but then the actual place was like 2 kilometers away, so me and my teammates ended up walking down the side of the road in our professional clothes, and asking everyone we met where this place was. Jess and I got a cool pic where we look like sister missionaries walking down this random road in our skirts and backpacks. Made me think of you. We saw some cows, and it was actually quite pretty, but we were about an hour late. Honestly, nothing we could have really done about it, though.

So, we basically went to trainings and meetings all day, and let me tell you it was quite a different perspective on international development. Most of the other teams were working in slum neighborhoods or with school kids, but we were going to fancy business meetings that always featured 30 minute long coffee breaks with little sandwiches, and the most amazing guanavana juice. (Seriously, you should totes try some.) Kylan, Jess, and I were just like, “Yep, this is development work. We’re eating quiches and sitting in air conditioning.” It felt more like a high-end business trip.

AED was super nice and gracious to us though, setting up all sorts of meetings and going way out of their way to help us not get lost; unfortunately, not so successful on that last point sometimes. There are amazing people doing quality work who really want to help others all over the world. I’ve met them everywhere I go. Like, Luis with the school program, could probably be making a lot more money doing something else, but he’s dedicated to what he does and feels like he’s making a real difference, which he is. That’s inspiring. It’s cool people like that. They give me hope.

We tried to get into the national football (soccer) stadium to see part of the under-17 FIFA women’s world cup, but we got there too late. We did strike up a lovely conversation with one of the ticket hawkers, before we realized tha the game had started at 2:00, instead of 3:00, and that there was only 20 minutes left. He was a rather attractive young guy with a great smile and awesome tan. We were joking with him as Jess (who speaks great Spanish) and Prof. Turley (who speaks 10% Spanish) haggled over ticket prices. When we went to leave, I went to shake his hand, but he refused and said that in Costa Rica women don’t shake hands they kiss. He then pointed to his mouth or cheek, and cheekily said, “You choose.” I got all giggly and embarrassed and said that I couldn’t, because you know, boyfriend and stuff, but then everyone was like, “you should have done it!” Missed opportunity I guess.

The workweek accumulated with us staying up until 12:30 on Wednesday to try and come up with some topic ideas to pitch to AED to next day that we could work on. People were getting a little tipsy, and I got to know my classmates and Professor Turley better than I ever thought I would. Can’t say I didn’t kind of enjoy it, though.

Friday we finally left San Jose to visit this research institute where one of Professor Turley’s friends work. The institute is also a botanical garden where they do all this amazing research on best agricultural practices. We got a tour of the garden, and I’ve never been so amazed by plants. I feel like everyone he pointed out did something super cool. Plants that were natural mosquito repellants, plants that ate bugs, a leaf that was a natural sandpaper (which Jess later discovered was great for rubbing calluses off the bottoms of your feet), seeds that could change bitter to sweet in your mouth, every kind of flour and fruit imaginable, not to mention the drugs. That’s right, they had all sorts of crazy hallucinogens that I’ve never even heard of, but some of the ones that we did see were cocaine (boil three leaves for five minutes and drink for five hours of crazy energy!), morning glory (the most hallucinogenic crazy drug of them all), and this “natural viagra” called the black something….

That’s right. Plants do all sorts of crazy things. Whoda thunk.

That afternoon we listened to Prof. Turley’s friend and her colleague present their research. I’ve been thinking more about research and doctoral work, and it seems really cool. Who knows….

Saturday we got up at 5:00(!) to drive to this national park that had a jungle beach, meaning that the jungle went right up to the beach. It was amazingly beautiful (pics included), and we had a great time doing playing on the beach stuff. A raccoon stole my Dorritos out of my bag, the little bugger.

Sunday we went to church in San Jose again, which was great. They have an amazing little ward there. Made me wish I could understand more what was actually being said. I love the church.

Well, your quote this comes from me because I have no internet to look up some Dr. Who wisdom for you. It’s from said late-night brainstorming-what-the-crap-are-we-going-to-tell-AED-tomorrow-they’re-so-amazing session. I come out of the bedroom frustrated that I didn’t even have time to talk to Daniel that night on Skype:

Tonya: I’m so frustrated that this is taking forever and you (Prof Turley) just got here and we have nothing, and I don’t even have time to talk to my boyfriend! Grrrr.

Everyone else: *stares at Tonya

Prof Turley laying splayed out on the couch: Uh, sorry.

Tonya: *acca-awkward*: Oops. Well, let’s think of something….

We then proceeded to complete in 20 minutes with Prof Turley what we’d been brainstorming about for 5 hours over the past two days. Sometimes, you just need an expert.

I love you,

Tonya 

We saw some crocs just hanging under a bridge.

Jess and I would have been great companions.

We got lost and saw some cows. 

The school that we visited with PIAD.

The beach was pretty. 

Of Dead Presidents and Las Vegas

Dear Sis Johnson the Twenty-year-old,

I hope you had a great birthday! How did you celebrate? I hope it involved lots of delicious food and presents. Did you get the cool pen that I sent? If you didn't, please go pick it up from wherever you pick up packages. It is awesome. It has both a 4gb USB drive and a laser pointer. That's right. A laser pointer. Whaaaat?! I figured you could use it to play with small animals when you are very carefully not touching them as per Dad's instructions. Hopefully it works. It seemed like one of those things that might not be the most reliable. 

Also, you're 9 months in, which means that you might finally be feeling like you have some idea of what you're doing as a missionary. This surely means that you are about to get transferred or put in a leadership position. We have received instructions from your mission president not to make you trunky, so forget that I mentioned you coming home. "You didn't hear anything."

It's great that your comps with a ginger. I keep thinking of Dr. Who every time he regenerates saying, "still not a ginger," but he does like his ginger companions. Donna and Amy are both pretty gingers.  

Anyway, I think it's awesome that you're having good teaching times. It sounds like your investigator pool has filled out a bit. That's good. The longer you are in an area, the more fluctuations you will see in your teaching pool. It's like the economy, it comes in waves. That's right. I just made an economics joke.  

So, it might surprise you to hear (or maybe not considering the frequency of my little adventures) that I'm not in Provo at the moment. I'm in Las Vegas. Daniel and I decided to elope. Please send gifts to my Provo address.

Pscyh! No, a girl in our ward is from Vegas and she invites a bunch of people down from the ward to visit her family every year, so we came down to enjoy the company and Red Rocks Canyon, which is a super popular climbing area just outside of town. We drove down yesterday afternoon because Daniel is in men's chorus and had a concert yesterday morning. 

It was a great concert. I got to see Daniel do the haka because they sang a Maori song and combined it with an abbreviated haka. It was excellent. 

On the way down to Vegas, we stopped in St George to do some climbing. We got lost trying to find the first spot we wanted to go to (this happens a lot. I feel like I spend 80% of my climbing time figuring out where the heck we can go.) So, we gave up after a few minutes and drove back down the road to a crag that was easily accessible from the road. We only had time to do two routes. Daniel led his first route outside, and I led a 10.C. Then the sun was setting, so we got on the road and kept driving to Vegas.

When we got here, we ate some dinner and then we headed down to the strip where we were going to get frozen hot chocolate, but then it was $11 a cup!! And we was like, "Ain't nobody got money for dat!" Instead, we just watched the fountain show at the Belagio and were entertained by this street magician who did some impressive sleight of hand with two red foam balls. The people you meet in Vegas. 

I forgot how diverse the rest of the world not-Provo is. It was good to see people from different walks of life. I did realize that there is a whole culture involving the consumption of alcohol that I just don't understand. I think that's OK, though, but it does create an understanding barrier between me and all the people who spend $30 for a yard-long margarita. 

Anyway, we went to church this morning and now we're just chilling together and getting ready for dinner. Tomorrow we're going climbing, and it's going to be awesome! I will send you pics. 

Other things that happened this week was a great Valentines day with Daniel. We went out on Thursday because Daniel had to work on Friday. The near-hour long wait was worth it partially because Daniel  and I read The Economist while we waited. That's right. We're nerds. 

After dinner, we went to see the Saratov Approach at the dollar theater. This movie is about two missionaries who get kidnapped while serving in Russia. In the end, the kidnappers release them after the Church and their family refuse to pay the ransom as it would set a bad precedent for kidnapping hopefuls all over the world. 

It was kind of a miracle that they didn't just kill them. You should see it. It's neat. I think you're probably at a low-risk for kidnapping as you are not in Russia, so no worries. 

I wish that I could update you on the Olympics, but I know nothing. I've only seen two events: the men's slalom skiing and the men's long-program skating. This Japanese guy in the most hideous, sparkly shirt I've ever seen won. This cute half-Chinese Canadian came in second, so that was nice. I think that men's skating is n excuse for the world's costume designers to show off all their worst designs at a venue where no one can tell them no. Blech. 

Your quote this week is from when the Doctor introduces himself to Rose for the first time, and talks about how awesome he is:  " It's like when you're a kid. The first time they tell you that the world's turning and you just can't quite believe it 'cause everything looks like it's standin' still. I can feel it. The turn of the Earth. The ground beneath our feet is spinnin' at 1,000 miles an hour and the entire planet is hurtling around the sun at 67,000 miles an hour, and I can feel it. We're fallin' through space, you and me, clinging to the skin of this tiny little world, and if we let go...That's who I am."

I love you!!

Tonya 

Classy Murder Mystery Banquets and Lead Tests

Dear Sis. Johnson the Sassiest,

Admit it. You're sassy, you sassy pants. I bet you're a sassy missionary too. I'm so glad that you get to stay in Louisiana for another 6 weeks. That means that you'll be in Lake Charles for 6 months, right? I was in Roi Et for 6 months. Roi Et was the smallest area in the mission for sisters, and I swear I invited every street in that area by the time I left. I think Lake Charles is a little bigger than that.

How's the new comp? Crazy that you're still in a three-some. How did the last one go? Did you adjust to having three people teaching? Was it like a party all the time? Three people is so much more fun than two.

I can't believe that you're  going to be 20! And the last Johnson child leaves tennagedom. That's it. I'm officially old, and Mom and Dad are ready to retire. I hope you do something awesome for your birthday like eat some ice cream or jumbo or cake or something. 

I am so grateful for your service and know that there is no other way that you could better be spending your time. What you're doing now has eternal consequences for you, your investigators, your companions, the members you serve with, and your family. Missions are so awesome. 

So, thank you and Happy Birthday. 

Anyway, I loved those stories  about the little boy praying for his Mom and accidentally finding that less active. How are Michael and Randy doing? The Lord is totally leading people to you because you are totally prepared and worthy to teach them. 

As for things going on with me, it's been a pretty great week. I had lots of tests (well, that wasn't part of the greatness) I didn't do so well in budgeting because all our prof said about the test was that it would be over everything that we'd learned so far, and then he and the TA went out of town for the week. Lamesauce. The other test went better, I think. Finance and budgeting were the two classes. I know, you're excited hearing about it. 

I found time to go to a basketball game too this week. We watched our cougs trump the Santa Clara Broncos (no, not THE Broncos who also got trumped but in the superbowl. Please take a moment of silence... It's OK though because everyone still loves Peyton Manning. I saw an article about it on the internet, so it must be true.)

Aside from studying, I went to a "classy mystery banquet" with Daniel. One of his friends from school wrote this whole mystery story, and then he invited a bunch of people to a fancy banquet. Every guest had a role assigned and we went around trying to found out who the "murderer" was and what not. 

It was pretty amazing. There were about 50 people there and the host knew everyone's part and how it all fit together. Daniel was a German scientist working on cold fusion, and I was a German oboist, who was playing in the Berlin symphony. Daniel put on this great German accent for most of the night. It was great fun, and I discovered that in addition to being a great Hermione Granger real-life-double, I also make a great bitter, German oboist.So, that was fun.

Last night I went to the ward Valentine's Day party. They had amazing fondue. Then my roommates and some guy friends from the ward went and got amazing tacos from that place that Dallin took us before. Yum, yum, yum.

This morning I got up painfully early for a Sunday and went to Music and the Spoken Word at the tabernacle in Salt Lake. My visiting teacher is in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir now, and it was her first time singing in the broadcast, so a bunch of us went up to support her. She sounded great! And looked great in their little half-mumus. 

The most ironic part of the whole venture was that no guys came. There were about 13 girls and no boys. Story of this ward. I did hear that some of the guys in the ward, upon seeing the picture we took in the tabernacle with all of those amazingly beautiful women sans men, said, "Dang, man! We should have gone!" Yes, you should have. 

Church was good and then Luiza made dinner and we had a lot of people over. All in all, fun was had. No tests this week too! Yay!

Your quote this week is from the Doctor again. I'm in season 5 now with Doctor the 11th and Amy Pond. I'm loving it more than ever. This is from the first episode when he finally comes back for Amy.

 Amy Pond: I thought... Well, I started to think you were just a mad man with a box.The Doctor: Amy Pond, there's something you better understand about me 'cause it's important and one day your life may depend on it: I am definitely a mad man with a box.

I love you!

Tonya 

Knew it. 

Happy Chinese New Year and Other Things

Dear Sis. Johnson my Favoritest, 

I can't believe it snowed in Louisiana. Are you freezing? I really hope that you went out and bought some warm clothes. I'm sure Mom can put some more money in your account in the interest of you retaining the use of all fingers and toes. I bought a pair of nice boots earlier this winter because I was tired of my feet being so cold. I would recommend investing. 

I'm glad that you're taking members with you when you teach. Sometimes a member friend can literally make all the difference with an investigator, especially when you're  working to overcome linguistic or cultural differences. I can't tell you how many times on the mission we were asked if there were Thai people at our church. We would reassure them that we were the only white people, but having a member there ups your cred about 1000%. 

Are you getting transferred? Is is transfers week. I predict that there is a 70% chance that you are getting transferred. There's my "phayagoning" skills coming in handy. "Phayagon" means to prophesy in Thai, and it's  what we would call it when all the sisters in the mission tried to predict  where and when we would be transferred. Since there was only about 20 of us it wasn't that hard, but I suspect  that your mission has many more sisters now. 

Anyway, keep up the good work. From my accounting, you've been out more than 8 months, which means that you're coming up on your half way point. This is when you've been on the mission so long that it feels like forever, but you still have an eternity in front of you. Don't worry, it'll fly by.  

I remember looking at the airport signs in Bangkok and thinking that I would never actually go there, and then, BAM! It happened, and I was like, "Wait... WHAT?! What happened to my mission? I want it back!" But some days, hours,  moments will be longer and honestly a struggle, so just keep on fighting. In Thai, they say, "Suu Suu!" It literall means, "Fight, fight!!"

Things here are going good. This week was kind of low key too. I did a lot of school stuff all week as per usual. I'm learning all  sorts  of interesting stuff about government finances and budgets.... Said no one ever... 

Just kidding. It really is interesting to learn about where all the services we take for granted come from and the process in deciding what gets provided and how. Interesting... but occasionally a little dry. 

Other things. Thursday Daniel and I played racquetball. I'd never really played,  so he taught me how and then proceeded to beat me soundly twice.  

Friday night we went to see "The Book Thief"  together. I'd already seen it  and read the book, but Daniel hadn't. He cried at the end. I re-read the book this week too. The book is so much better than the movie,  but the movie  is excellent too. 

Saturday I went to a Chinese New Year Party at the Wilk. 

The Party in A Nutshell:

The Wilk ballroom has been set up with lots of round tables. There's a large screen  at the  front broadcasting the Chinese Times Square equivalent of a New Year's celebration.

More Asians than I've ever seen in  Provo  mill  around waiting in line to get food,  which according to my friend Liz, is Americanized Chinese food, which she would never eat in China.

The walls and ceilings are adorned with red Chinese lanterns and random banners with indiscernible Chinese characters on them. 

I wait in line behind a pack of teenage Asian girls who occasionally  look up from their banana-cover cell phones to communicate with those around  them. 

After we finally get food, a variety show of sorts starts, which, of  course,  features lots of karaoke. This may sound very stereotypical. Yep. My favorite part was when they made white people who couldn't speak Chinese get up in front of everyone and sing along to Chinese songs with sound-cancelling head phones on. The point was to have someone in the audience guess the song. I played this before, but we called it Helen Keller. If  you're wondering why, try it.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Today was a great fast and testimony meeting. Fasting is hard, but it's always worth it. I'm sure  you've  heard that the Broncos lost the super bowl. A more accurate description would be the Broncos got smeared across the field by the Seahawks. 

Daniel and I stopped watching after the Seahawks  were up 40 points in the 4th quarter and read the Economist together on my iPhone. So, that was disappointing, but like a true sports fan, we lift our heads and say, "Well, there's always next year."

Your quote this week is  again from the Doctor. Love him. It's from the last episode with the 10th Doctor when the Doctor's bringing the alien salvage ship into the atmosphere so he can stop the Master and save planet earth, " There's an old Earth saying, Captain. A phrase of great power and wisdom and consolation to the soul in times of need. Allons-y!!" 

Just remember that next time you're feeling down about missionary work.

Allonsy!

Tonya

Why are Mean Girls quotes on Harry Potter memes  the funniest thing on the internet?

I know.

St. George and Awesomeness

Dear Sis. Johnson the Greatest,

I'm writing to you later than usual this week. That's because it's Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and I'm remembering all the awesome stuff he did by sleeping in and having fun.

Tragically, I did not get your  facebook  figured out before I came back to school. I give that assignment back to Dad, so ask him about it.

Point of fact, you didn't teach me how  to lead climb. I knew how to lead climb  before I started climbing with you. I don't think we ever lead climbed together,  actually. However,  I do owe to you my renewed interest in climbing post-mission. A fact that I thank you greatly for.

That's cool that you're looking for Spanish speakers in your area. I'm sure  that you'll  find lots of people to teach. How's your Spanish  coming?  All those years  of high school Spanish starting to pay off, eh?

Tips  for learning a language:

1. Read the Book of Mormon in that language. Read aloud  to work on pronunciation.
2. Speak it as much as possible.  Since  your companions are Spanish  speakers, speak with them. *Note of caution: if  you really need to communicate something important, though, use English.  Also,  you  will  get tired of trying to speak  Spanish, so don't fell bad about speaking English with them.
   
3. Pray. A lot.
4. Make flash cards. Carry them around with you.
5. Carry a little notebook around with you in which you can write  down the words you hear but don't understand. People will like it  when you do this because  then they'll feel like they're participating in your language learning and that you really care about what they're saying. 

Let  me know if those help.

Good  job on using the area book. That's crazy that your have five of them. Sounds like you're doing exactly what you need to do to be an awesome missionary, and I'm sure  that the Lord will reward you awesomely.

When is transfers? I feel like your chances of staying in Lake Charles are a a lot  smaller  this time,  but then again,  your  third could be  called to Brazil at any moment....

Things I did this week.  Well, it was a pretty regular school  week until  Friday when we went to St. George. My friend,Ammon, and I had been planning a climbing trip to  St. George for  the  long weekend. Luiza, Ammon, Daniel, Kevin, Tyler and I all piled into the twinkie. All six of  us. Just like when we were kids.


We drove  down and listened to music, talked,  and had a great time. We were staying with  Tyler's grandparents who are retirees  in Hurricane. They  had a super nice house and they were out-of-town for the  weekend, so it  was  super nice of them to let us use it.


We spent the  night there, and I tried  to get everyone up early to  go climbing the next morning. It was like herding  cats. Now, I know how Mom felt trying to get us all  out the door in the morning. 

We finally left at 10:00  and drove over to  Snow Canyon State Park  where we climbed the rest of the day. We used my new rope and your rope. We set up a total  of  three routes. With six  people, it took a while  to send everyone up all  the routes. I led  two, one was a 5.9  and the other  a 5.10a-c. Ammon led  the other one.


The place was beautiful. I love  southern Utah and St. George in particular. I attached pictures as evidence.

So, climbing was awesome! All the gear worked great and everyone felt super hard core, and no one got hurt. All plusses. Also, the weather was perfect. 65 and sunny. We didn't want to come back to cold, smoggy Provo.

Sunday we went to a YSA ward in St. George  where all the Dixie State College students go. We were only able to stay  for sacrament meeting because Tyler's grandparents came home early, so  we  had  to run home to clean up the house, which we might have left a mess...

We  finished cleaning  right as they  walked  in. They were super nice folks with this  tiny Yorkie named Biff. Seriously, this dog was smaller than the neighbor's dog, Jasmine. Wish I'd gotten a picture for you.

We chatted for a bit and then went for a walk back over  by the State Park. It was again beautiful. I love the contrast between the light blue sky  and the  orange-red  rocks.  The desert flora makes it interesting too.


Then we went back  to  Tyler's house, and Ammon cooked everyone an amazing dinner as thanks for letting us use their house.

Then we drove home, and now it's Monday morning and I'm writing this to  you. 


Your quote this week is from the guide book that Daniel bought for me in St. George  about the city, "As a base of operations in the war  against gravity, the city of St.  George makes an admirable headquarters," also, "The  landscape of southwestern Utah is a geological stew. Take a few million years of detritus accretion, add some precipitate, and metamorphose on low for three eons. Fold, wrinkle, then fault, and top with several lacolithic orogenies and serve....  In layman's  terms  this means you  can't swing  cat  without hitting some type of climbable  rock. Previously swung cats  may  be adopted at the city animal shelter."

I love you!

Tonya

Some silhouette shots of me cleaning the top of the route as the sun set.

Daniel, Kevin and I. Pretty  indicative of our  personalities.

Leading the last route.

I love these awesome people!

Epic  reach to the anchor!

Let's be honest, you spend  a great portion of your time  trying to figure out  where  to go.