Fearless: My Last Two Months

Bonjour!!

Today marks 2 months exactly. 64 days since I left my house and drove to the airport with my parents (and two lovely friends Abbey and Jessi). I still have absolutely no regrets for choosing to do this exchange. Only that I should have convinced more of my friends to do exchange as well. 

I feel like I have grown more as a person in the last two months, then I have in the last year. I am more mature and accepting of people and situations then I have even been before. And in addition to being more accepting of people and situations around me, I am also accepting of myself. I have confidence is what I do and the decisions I make. 

To recap the last two months, I have been to France three separate occasions, made a ton of new friends (both exchange and Belgian), halfway learned a new language, gone to concerts,  and have eaten my weight in all the delicious Belgian food. I have learned to take trains and busses. I have been completely lost... but learned how to navigate through a foreign city.
One important thing that I have learned during my stay here so far is to be fearless. And by fearless, I mean to take chances, say what you feel, give your love to everyone you meet, and stick to what you believe in. I realised that everyday we encounter so many opportunities to do new things, but we hide underneath what is comfortable to us. We shelter ourselves with our friends and materialistic objects. After being in put into a foreign world, where everything is a little uncomfortable, I have been able to see that: 1) You can never really be bored 2) We have the ability to learn just about anything 3) You have the power to better yourself everyday 4) You from 5 years ago has nothing on present you 5) You have gotten through so many moments you thought it was all over. 

I hope you all have the chance to travel someday, and that you take that chance. It was once said "The world is a book and those who do not travel only read one page". I could not agree more. I have come to realise that a bad day here is better than a normal day anywhere else.
I am so happy to be here, surrounded by people I love and love me too. I could not ask for anything more perfect right now :) We will never be younger then we are now... so go EXPLORE.

DAVID GUETTA!

My Rotary Club is BEAUTIFUL!

Skye

Life is Good

Well, I have been here for nearly two months! I can't believe how fast time flies. My first month here seemed to drag on forever, but now it's like time is passing by like pages in a book. I have had some crazy adventures and done so mnay things.
A few weeks ago Joisy and I took a train for 40 minutes to Namur just to get a Starbucks. We were 'whitegirl deprived' haha. It was definatly worth it though. We reminised how easy it was to swing by Starbucks on our drive (in our own cars) to school. It was definatly a freedom I took for granted. But on the contrary I feel like there are things we take for granted no matter where we are. For example, Joisy and I went to Liege yesterday (French course was cancelled in the afternoon) just for Chinese food (it only cost 3€!). Being able to just hop on a train to go shopping or out to eat at a cheap restraunt is definatly something I love here.
School is actually really good. I only had one really bad teacher, and I think she was only bad because she hated all exchange students, but luckly I no longer have her class. For the most part my teachers ignore me, ask if things in America are different then here (duh), or make fun of my American accent. I like school because I have been able to make really good friends. I can't really have good conversations with them yet, but they try to use their English and I stumble through French. They really like to hear me (well Joisy and I) speak French. When I practice a speech in study hall, they all stop to listen (and correct me). One thing I need to accomplish is going to a school party.  A lot of people in my grade the Rhettos (Rhetto=Senior) throw partys like every weekend, at their house or in a public building. I get invites all the time, but I am still hesitant to go, knowing my French isn't great and I am not super close with anyone quite yet.
My French is still pretty terrible. But I am still proud of myself for learning so much. Sometimes people even praise me for speaking in French :). I think the pronunciation is the hardest part. My Spanish class is the biggest mind game ever.
Fashion here is also really different. Girls wear leather boots and skinny jeans. Not yoga pants and Uggs. -_- Some girls even dress like they are in a fashion show, with heels, a skirt, and leather jacket. I feel really out of place in my Toms, jeans, and flannel, but I think every part of being an exchange student is being out of place. On the plus side, I really like to shop, so soon enough I will be a boot wearing Eurogirl.
Last week I went to France again with my school. It was for a "religious retreat" for 4 days. I really didn't want to go at first, just because the idea of it really worried me. It turned out not to be as bad as I thought. I had a really great time bonding with some of my classmates (they love having their hair braided!). It was a little uncomfortable at first, but I survived :).
Well that's what I have for now! If anyone has a blog idea, that would be super helpful!

xx,
Skye