spanish lesson: ánimo

My Spanish dictionary and phrasebook arrived in the mail yesterday. YAY!! I stayed up late trying to learn and absorb.
Did you know that dictionaries can be a source of encouragement (ánimo)?

There are two forms of the verb "to be": estar and ser. When conjugated, I am = estoy and soy. In general, estar is used for temporary things or moods while ser is used for permanent or definite characteristics.

So it reminded me that while in Honduras, I'm going to have a mixture of feelings.
Estoy nerviosa (I'm nervous)
Estoy avergonzada (I'm embrassed)
Estoy asustado (I'm scared).
But these will come and go, and I won't feel like this the whole time.

Then there are the other things that are really a part of me and won't change with time or the situation.
Soy de Canadá (I'm from Canada)
Soy cristiana (I'm Christian)

Moods and feelings change but my identity will not.
That was very encouraging. Thank you Oxford and Lonely Planet.