My First Week In Belgium

First of all, I added a musical background for those of you who are fans of understanding thoughts/feelings with music (aka me) Feeling Good-Muse

Although it has only been one week, Belgium already feels like home. Between understanding public transportation, trying the greatest foods/wines/beers, understanding the politics and history, and falling asleep at night in the beautiful home of my host family I have found so much happiness in this experience.

For those of you Brussels Program Alumni wanting to know more logistical stuff--so far I have explored a bit in Grand Place, Wezembeek area, Shuman area, and I've gotten lost more times than I'd actually like to share. True story I have't cried yet. That's good right?

Today I found out I will be interning with the Communications team at The Friends of The Earth Europe (https://www.facebook.com/FoEEurope). The two women I interviewed with were so absolutely incredible, kind, warm, british, and passionate... I honestly couldn't have wished for a better opportunity to fall into my lap. Also, it looks like this internship will let me use my photography skills--photos to come!

School is great, another shout out to all of the Brussels Program alums who sang praises to my newest professor & director of the program "Jerry", he is SO incredibly smart and motivated for us to learn and to give us the best experience. He has so much patience and understanding but is all about efficiency and getting as much as we can out of our time here.

My host family is wonderful as well, thank you thank you thank you to Kristen, Courtney, and my lovebug Kelly for recommending them to me. I have my own room, cozy bed, desk, and SO MUCH closet space (it's being well used).

In unrelated news I have found a way to watch hulu/netflix and am avidly keeping up on Parks and Rec and soon House of Cards. I miss the States a lot, but a lot less than I anticipated. My friends, my sister, my mom, my family, MY CAT, my berks apartment, DC, California, oh and THE SUN. But honestly it's great. I don't think I've ever felt so blessed. Yes, it is different, yes it can be frustrating but on the same token this is not "overcoming adversity" by any means, this is embracing opportunity and saying yes (within reason), because I realize how beyond privileged to be here in Brussels, preparing to travel and exploring a beautiful city rich in history AND getting more education. Mom. THANK YOU. I know I wouldn't be here without you.

It's been one week, but it already feels like home. I know already I will be back after this journey ends. The people I've met and the happiness I feel is not only re-assuring but enlightening. And to quote Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse "It's a new dawn, It's a new day, It's a new life, for me, and I'm feeling good."

Bisous.

Pre-Departure

As I prepare for my adventures abroad, I have taken a lot of time to reflect on what has gotten me to the place I am today. A daughter, a sister, a friend, a junior student at American University, a former intern in DC, NYC, and CA, and a photographer. While college has put my love of photography on hold as I pursue a degree in International Studies I am reminded of my love and passion for stills of everyday life. As I look forward to the travel and adventure that will take place during my time in Europe, I am quietly anticipating re-kindling my relationship with landscape photography.

Much of this last year was spent stressed, missing my family back home, worrying about my financial behavior and, finding a more mature balance to my life. Finding balance was quickly offset by the drastic change that is finals week in DC and winter break in S. California. While personal space and boundaries disappeared and we quickly got on all of each others nerves, looking for "space", I've realized that I won't be feeling this way for a very long time. In this next adventure I will be unfamiliar and uncomfortable, even if just at first, that kind of adjustment is disconnecting.

For this reason, I have decided to begin a blog. Now--hear me out, I am entirely prepared for this to only be read by my Mom, Sister, Dad, Grandma, Great Grandma, Uncles, Aunt, Grandpa, and the wold bunch of my family, perhaps some of my friends in the Professional Foreign Service sorority I'm part of, a few former professors, and so on.

So--If you're some unknown internet surfer looking for something to read--this is going to be a lot of sarcasm, a lot of cat references, a lot of #change, and photography of Europe.

I leave to go back to the east coast in 8 days, to Brussels in 14 days, and turn 21 in 16 days. It is going to be the adventure of a life-time, and while I'm sure there will be ups and downs, bear with me as I will be missing you all dearly while I am away.