It is hard to believe it has been just over 2 months since we got back from Costa Rica when it feels like we left 2 days ago. Looking back at all the new experiences and friendships that I encountered while there. As most of you already know, we had to choose a independant research project. I did mine on 3 different mammals found here in NH and down in Costa Rica, my goal was to compare them to each other to see how they interacted with their enviroment and how those interactions effected their enviroment. I would like to say thank you to all the people out there who supported us.

Pura Vida

Hello from Costa Rica.

I am still having trouble believing that we are actually here. Two days ago we got to go horse back riding then hike to a water fall. When we were done swimming in the water we hiked back to the horses and rode back. For being near the equator it's is pretty chilly at night but hot during the day. Yesterday we saw a tarantula and a pair (partners) of Quetzals. I will try to have another post in a couple of days. Pura Vida

Pura Vida 3

Hello once again from Costa Rica. Today we went on zip lines over looking the rain forest. I was not scared when I was on the zip lines but rather when I was on the platforms. We went on 13 different zip lines of all different lengths, heights, and views. The views were amazing and breath taking. My favorite line was the last one we got to do was the very last one which was the highest and longest if them all. After we went zip-lining we went to what is called the Tarzan Swing. The Tarzan swing is a platform which you jump from and go swinging by two ropes attached to your harness. I was scared once again of the platform but once I was in the air it was amazing. Well, it has been a long week here but fun. Until next time Pura Vida

Pura Vida 2

Hello again from Costa Rica.

The plants here are amazing compared to back home. The trees here are almost all green and are approximately 100-200 feet tall, 3-6 feet thick, and has a large array of branches. Where we are staying is a family farm that grows sugar cane, some bananas, and coffee. We have been being supplied with delicious coffee and sugar from the family farm. When we look out the windows of the cabin it is all plants with the exception of one window which you see one of the many gardens.

Until next time Pura Vida

Pura Vida

My Research Project

The topic I have chosen for my research project is comparing different animal species that we have here in America, and down in Costa Rica that are the same. The four species of animals will be porcupines, white tailed deer, raccoons, and bats. The reason that I have chosen this topic is because I want to know how the same species of mammals interact and survive in a different environment. The things that I will study is how they search for food throughout the year. The reason that I chose this is because here in New Hampshire, animals who are active year round, have to search and dig for food when there is snow. In Costa Rica the animals deal with nice weather with rain each day and do not have to search much for food. I also want to know the life expectancy of the mammals there compared to mammals here.

my reflection of the book

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Passports

I finally finished the application process for getting my passport on Monday 12-13-2010. A majority of the class have gotten their passport info completed and are waiting for it.

Looking Back At Raking

Now that we have finished raking, it seems as if it was worth it all. We ended up hauling a lot of leaves (as you can tell from the pictures). The person in the black shirt is Winston Poindexter, and the person in the middle of the picture wearing a brown jacket is me (Joshua Goodin). When we were hauling the leaves to the dump site we were having some difficulties pulling the tarp loads of leaves due to the weight of all the leaves. we did jobs in Portsmouth NH, local jobs in Maine, and one job in Rindge NH.
WE ARE PROUD TO BE CALLED
THE LISTER LEAF BUSTERS .

During the course of time we were raking, I have gotten better at dealing with problems on the job by putting them aside till after the job. I also learned how to judge the best place to start on a job and what equipment to utilize at that location.

We would like to thank everyone who supported us so far. We hope you will continue to support us in the future.

We would also like to thank Mr.Joe Arnstein of Portsmouth NH, and who is also a teacher at the Portsmouth High School.

Thank You

Joshua Goodin and the rest of the Costa Rica Class.

Class Relationships

So far during the time the class has been raking, we have learned to get along with one another instead of fighting. Since we are getting along, we have been working more as a team. We are getting more work done in shorter amounts of time. We have worked very hard and long days fundraising by us raking. We are happy that we are to finish raking this Sunday after days of raking. The rest of my class and I would like to thank you for your support.

Facebook/PayPal

Have you seen our Facebook, and if so do you like us? Please share with your friends and family so we can grow our community. Look for our article in the Portsmouth Herald / Seacoast Online over the weekend. We are hiring out for leaf raking October 23rd - November 7th. If you're enjoying our blogs, there are plenty of opportunities to support us in the next few weeks.

Check us out at our website. Have a Great Weekend.

Chapter 6

This post is about the book, Walking With Wolf, and modern day Costa Rica.

Right now in Costa Rica, they're having problems with Nicaragua that could lead to war. The reason that this is important to the book, and to our class, is because the whole reason that Wolf and the other Quakers moved to Costa Rica and then formed Monteverde was due to it being a non-military country. The other reason that this is important is because Costa Rica has not had a military in over 60 years. It also means... no military... no wars. The major reason Wolf and the other Quakers moved to Costa Rica, was the U.S. Govt started a peace time draft. What that meant was, that during a time of peace, the U.S. Govt forced people to go into the military. Wolf and some other Quakers were thrown into jail for what they believed in., which was peace. Costa Rica's not going to have a regular military, it is a Govt police force called Fuerza Pública. The Fuerza Pública officers are dressed, and equipped with military equipment (mainly from the USA). These police officers are wearing lead vests (bullet proof vests) that say "POLICE" on them. These forces are carrying M16 assault rifles, and what is described as 50-caliber machine guns. The reason that this is a major change in Costa Rica, is that because these tensions could possibly lead to a war that could affect the Quakers Pacifist ways. Costa Rica has been doing everything it can to protect themselves from war.

As soon as I get more information I will make a new post.

SOURCE:

http://www.amcostarica.com/

Chapter 5

This post is about chapter 5 in the book Walking With Wolf. The topic of this post is about the highways of America compared to Costa Rica.

Here in America we we have millions of cars, millions of roads, and thousands of highways. All of which most take for granted, but most countries that have none or very few of these think of them as a necessity. The reason most Americans take these things for granted is because almost everyone owns a car and grew up with one. Countries like Costa Rica that have just started getting more motorized vehicles and paved roads. Many roads in Costa Rica were impassible for vehicular traffic before they were paved, due to deep ruts from wagon wheels pulled by oxen or due to extremely deep muddy roads. In order for jeeps and other vehicles to get through, they had to dig and fill in holes and tire ruts. Now that there are some roads and highways are paved more vehicular traffic was coming to Costa Rica. Here in the United States of America, we have thousands of paved highways with millions of cars driving on them per year. In Costa Rica, there is one highway that is paved, The Pan American Highway. Here in the US we have smooth highways in almost all of the country, but in Costa Rica, the smoothest parts of the highway are like our bumpy, pothole infested roads. In Costa Rica, although driving at night is allowed, it is not recommended due to the bumps and potholes. The bumps and potholes are not the only reason it is not recommended, the other reasons are the sharp turns, and bad light that can lead to a crash.

Chapter 4

This post is about chapter 4 in the book Walking With Wolf.




One of the things that I found interesting in this chapter was how long it took to hook up to public water lines. When Wolf and the other Quakers started of in Costa Rica they had to dig wells to get a water supply but even then there was not much water. Another way the got water was by natural springs and streams. Even though it was coming from the ground the were always concerned about pollution in the water. It was after 1962 when they finally hooked up to a public water line.


Another thing that I found interesting was how long it took to get public power rather than a generator powering the towns or having no power at all. Before 1957 people of Monteverde had no power in their homes. In 1957 Reuben Rockwell built a hydroelectric plant just a few miles away. But the only problem was there was no power during the day due to the power going to the sawmill. They did not get public power until 1990.


The reason I find these things interesting is because we have had both for over 80 years now.



Today, here in America, people freak out if they do not have power for more than 12 hours where in Costa Rica they just got it 20 years ago. During the ice storm back in December of 2008, most people lost power for almost a week. I did not have it for three days and it was really horrible, especially where my generation was raised with electronics.



In conclusion, I think that this is important because they are really new to modern technology compared to us.

My Mission

My name is Joshua Goodin.

My name is Josh and I am a student at the Robert J. Lister Academy. My mission in this class is to go to Monteverde, Costa Rica to study the native plant and wildlife. The reason I want to study those subjects is because I have always been interested in foreign countries and nature. I also want to study the geographical terrain for my future plans of joining the military when I am of age. We need to raise about $1,800 per person to be able to go. We have done alot of hard work already. This is not a vacation - this is a learning opportunity of a lifetime. We have a class we are taking and we will be studying topics like the economy, ecology, world affairs, etc. Another reason I want to go is because I have never left the country. This will change my life to be exposed to a new culture besides here in America. The reason it will be a life changing experience is because most people do not get the chance to leave the country, and I could be one of them. I also want to see what it is like in a country without a military, unlike America. In a place like America, everywhere you look there is some type of military image. I want to see how the people of Costa Rica live without a military. In Costa Rica, I will study hard, and make the best of the time spent there.

Chapter 3

The topic of this post is about chapter three in the book Walking With Wolf. In this chapter Wolf talks about many interesting things. He talks about the abolishing of the military and being arrested for not signing the draft.

In the beginning of the chapter Wolf talks a little bit about the civil war of the 1940's. he then goes on to talk about how the military was abolished in 1948. Ever since then people from around the world have been attracted to the area. the main reason so many people were attracted was due to the thought of a nonmilitary society.

When he talks about why he was arrested he said it was because him and a couple of his friends did not sign the draft because it was during a time of peace. When he went to court the judge did not want to be to harsh on them, nor let them off to easy. What the judge then said was taken to heart by all that herd it. He said "this is a government of laws and not of men, and so long you live here , you should abide b the laws of the land... those who oppose the laws of this country and this form of government, even when it goes to war, should get out of this country and stay out".

In counclusion, I am looking foward to learning more about Wolf and Costa Rica.

Chapter 2

The subject of this blog is about the second chapter of the book Walking With Wolf.

In the beginning of chapter 2, it is talking about the beginning of the Quaker religion. It is talking about it being started in the mid-seventeenth century, which "was a period of great Religious and political ferment". For all followers of Quakerism after that it was a way of life.

It then goes on to talk about how life was for Wolf when he was growing up. both sides of the family were Quakers. Their education was in Quaker schools. It goes on to talk about how Wolfs mom was put into a mental hospital.

After that it goes on to talk about historical facts about W.W.II, the Presidents, military drafts, and many other things.

In conclusion I hope to be able to learn more facts and be able to relate to the book and to a Whole lot more.

Chapter 1

The subject of this blog is on the 1st chapter in the class book Walking With Wolf.

In the begining of the first chapter, Wolf is talking about what he saw when he looked out over the tops of the trees and thinks back to how it was in the begining. When he starts walking he describes what he see's and hear's. What he heard was the song of a black-faced solitare which had pierced the momentary stillness.

What I found interesting was how many different types of plants. There are pink impatients, which is an African plant that was brought there on European boats. It is very comfortable in its new surroundings. The land is almost nothing but plants. There are thousands of plants living in perfect harmony together.

Another thing I found interesting was the snakes. Its is reffered to as the land of legendary serpants. There are the poisonous Fer-de-lances, colorful coral snakes, eyelash vipers, and aggresive black snakes. the chances of seeing a poisonous snake is low and the chance of being bitten by one is remote. Most of the time someones day is ruined not by the snake but by their fear of them.

In conclusion, I hope to find many more interesting things and learn something new.