Prepping for Belgium

     Howdy! Before anything is said, I must explain that I have never been one interested in blogging, nor reading blogs. But as a journalism major, its best to continuously write to keep up the journalistic skills. Also, with such a large endeavor in front of me, I would love to keep those interested, informed of my progress (including the professor I must email to receive academic credit).
       A small intro: I'm a senior at New Mexico State University, majoring in Journalism with an emphasis in Advertising and minors in agriculture, leadership, and marketing. As a requirement to graduate, I must fulfill 10 credits in a second language. As an avid fan of both dairy products and tulips, Dutch was my first choice. I mentioned this to numerous people, and received mostly negative feedback. "What in the world are you going to do with Dutch?" "What kind of job can you get with Dutch?" and "Employers are going to laugh when they see Dutch on your resume".
     Thank goodness for my mother being a dreamer. She backed all four of us children in whatever we wished to accomplish, whether is was traveling the world, selling boots, feeding cows, or learning Dutch. When I talked to her about studying in the Netherlands, she didn't once give me a look of doubt. Never once mentioned cost, nor prgamatics of this new-found dream of mine. She instead said, "You are going to school to learn what you want and to do it your way. Don't follow some piece of paper that forces you to be unhappy in your education".
     She and my sister began helping me research programs where I can learn Dutch abroad, and the cheapest, most safe way to go about it. And Tah-Dah, they ran across Dialogue- an intensive Dutch Language school in Brussels, Belgium. I am still in the process of finalizing everything, as the wonderful individuals at the financial aid department have had some difficulty with the dollar to euro exchange.
      WE are set to depart the beginning of March. My sister will be touring with me the first week there, as a trip overseas is nothing new to her. She spent a semester studying at Reading University in London. She is also bringing along her friend Monique. Three girls traveling Europe... ought I worry? My navigational skills are comparable to say, those of an uncharged GPS. Potential yes, but the nonetheless lacking. Hopefully, with a couple extra people, I am less likely to get on the wrong train or eat gum off of a handrail. Haha just kidding, I wouldn't do that, but you gotta love Elf!
     So how am I spending my time until March, you ask... I work part-time and have also been creating funky, chunky western jewelry. I love to have hobbies, and although this is an awfully expensive one, I hope to make some profits for spending money in Belgium. I'm also in the process of acquainting myself with both the Dutch language and culture prior to leaving. Hopefully, this will assist in the culture shock and make the learning a little easier. I will also spend this time celebrating my brand new nephew, Payton, who will be here anytime now! So excited! Congratulations Reed, Katie and Kailee!
    So please wish me luck in the process of getting all my squares filled so that I can hop on that big 'ol metal bird, and leave the US of A for Belgium! Stay tuned and I'll update ya'll and start a countdown of days till I indulge myself in waffles and chocolate! (I know, I sound like a fat kid, but yum, right?!)