T-MINUS 6 DAYS (SHIFT OF CONSCIOUSNESS)

Charli-B

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WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE!!! we leave in less than a week and I’m sooooo EXCITED!!! I CANNOT WAIT TO EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENT CULTURES, see all the museums, and eat the all the savory food!!!  EEEEK!!! **heavy exhale** I can feel the adrenaline rushing to my fingers as I try to type as fast as I’m thinking.. so far it’s not working. 🙂

I’m also excited about the change that is coming, not in the physical sense but the in a higher consciousness. My outlook on life is about to change dramatically. How?? I don’t know. but I cant feel it. The shift is real. (Google
the ‘Shift of Consciousness’  PLEASE.. Google it.)

PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS

Charli-B

My only preconceived notions of Belgium are what I’ve seen on the movie Blue is the Warmest Color on Netflix. It looked like ant other lower- middle class neighborhood I’ve seen. Granted it WAS only a movie, the environment of where it took place was no facade. Though, after watching the video of the Residence Meuse Campus in Liege I was proven wrong within the first few seconds! IT’S IN THE CITY!! ^^) Words cant express how overwhelmed with excitement I am.

NUTS & BOLTS OF SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION ASSIGNMENT

Charli-B
This assignment was enlightening for me. I posted on Facebook asking my friends if anybody had experienced learning a second language; the response was shocking.  I found quite few commonalities in their responses’. Some said it was difficult because they were young in a new country (Spanish speaking -Learning English in the U.S) where their peers spoke English; another said it was “like a puzzle” (Spoke English; Learned French) because their parents spoke french in front of her and her brother when they didn’t want to them to know what they were saying (that was one made me laugh :). Their motivators were touching and i could feel the tough love in one their words  (LOL) but here are what a  couple of them had to say:
” I was motivated by my parents, who told me that I better learn [English], or else I would be left behind” 
-Gibran
“I was motivated to learn sign language because I had a deaf friend that I wanted to talk to.” -Tiffany
” I was motivated [to learn English] because I moved here haha”
-Luz
“My motivation was to understand my parents, and I also quite honestly thought it was cool to be able to speak and understand another language
(French)”
-Annique
The process and obstacles they went through to accomplish what they wanted (learning a new language” was truly inspiring:
GIBRAN 
“Awkwardly enough, I didn’t exactly go through a systematical process. Most of the class spoke to me in English, so I paid extra attention as to what they say and what they’re doing. It came natural talking English, since most of the class spoke English and my teacher was actually bilingual. She helped me translate certain words and phrases.”
 
LUZ
“I just moved here, got hired in a Mexican restaurant and learned English working as a hostess and since you don’t have to talk much, I wasn’t afraid. Also, speaking on the phone was very very scary for me!”


ANNIQUE
“The process is a long one. But, the fastest way to learn is to immerse yourself in that language by going abroad. For me, one semester abroad equaled years of learning from books.”
After reading my friends responses about learning a knew language, I’ve learned it can be challenging but well worth the obstacles. I also gain insight from each one of them that one should motivated. Simply put: if you want something that bad, for any reason, you’ll apply yourself to it and come out successful
PART 2: “MOTHER OR FREEDOMI had to write either the word mother or freedom on a scratch piece of paper. Choosing the one that meant most; i had to look at it, and then think what it meant to me (mother). Then on second sheet, write one or two descriptor words of the most disgusting thing I could think of; which was pig feet and Chitlins (Chitterlings on Google). With the disgusting sheet (Pig feet and chitlins) I had to get a visual (which was clear as day -the smell too) and then kiss it. Gross. With the sheet I wrote”mother” on, I had to place on the floor and step on it.My Response: Yes I was hesitant, and yes, I complied. I felt sad afterward. I felt as though I was stepping on my mom. Even though we weren’t instructed to get a visual, one came instantly when I saw the word “MOTHER”. 

IT’S REALLY HAPPENING

Charli-B

5826012It’s so surreal to me to sit and think to myself that this time next month i’ll be in Europe. I remember when “go travel across Europe” was on my mental bucket list. Now i’m constantly double checking and triple checking to make sure I have everything I need, making sure I have all the necessary documents making sure i’m not packing any “American Clothing” (so that I’m not a walking target) man oh man..  I think I may have to take my shoes back they’re bright turquoise and lime green.. (typical American running shoes) but they’re cute and I only paid $20  for them SOOOOOO they can stay ^^). Anyways.. I believe i’m living proof that if you want something, all you have to do is go get it. You may have to work your ass off for it but you’ll get it if you truly want it. That’s how  I was able to go on this trip -Because I wanted it, and because I believed I could make it happen. So I did. (Like my homepage says: She believed shoe could, so she did.) #PEACE