Pensando! (Thinking!)

A thoughts post before I get going on other things!

Being an exchange student is an absolutely incredible experience. I can see so many changes in myself.

First off, I can speak Spanish. I know it still has a long way to go, but I CAN speak it. I'm living in a foreign country and communicating with the native people in their language! Now that is a cool time when that hits you. I have friends that only speak Spanish. I go to school in Spanish. I can sort of understand music and tv in another language. I can sit down and write an email to a friend completely in Spanish without thinking too much. I know it's not near to being perfect, but I am so proud of myself for how much it has improved.

I like corn and hot dogs now. Yes, I know that's not as impressive as knowing a foreign language. But being on my exchange has made me ready--and even excited to try new foods. I've never been a picky eater, but now I really love trying new things. And I even like the things that I didn't like before. I've learned to just keep an open mind.

I have a lot more self-confidence. I really do. I've never had the highest confidence about my looks. I knew I was pretty, but didn't feel like I was especially pretty. But this time of being a blonde in Chile has helped with that. I always feel beautiful and I'm starting to realize that.

I really hate having a messy room now. In the US, that wasn't exactly a top priority. But here, it bugs me if it's messy. Maybe it's that I feel bad being disorganized in another person's house, but I don't think that's all.

One more change is my relationships. Coming from a big family in a small town, almost everyone I knew, knew my family. And so I was the little sister of whoever or the daughter of Ernie. And because my family is made up of the amazing people it is, they started out with a good view of me. And that is nice and easier to be good when you have that reputation to live up to. But here it's different. I could be a different person here. No one knows my family here. They know ME. They know ME for who I am. And when I look at the relationships I have with my friends in school, I am so happy. They see me as the happy, loving, smart, exchanges student and person I am. And that is for the way I have acted. And with my families here too. They see me (I hope) as the happy, helpful daughter I try to be. And that is so satisfying. It's so great to see that people like me for being ME.

I'm independent. Yes, I still rely on my family (in the US and here) and my friends. But I do a lot more things on my own than I did in the US. I take a bus alone to the house from school. When I get lost I figure it out. I figure out how to get my homework done. I'm figuring out this language. When I have problems, I work through them. When I'm frustrated with myself or other people, I figure out how to move on.

Well. Those are just some thoughts off the top of my head. This exchange is making me a lot better and stronger!

I have been really loving life here in Chile lately. I've always loved it here, but now I really feel at home in this amazing country. I'm decent with the language. I feel part of the family. I have amazing friends I feel comfortable with. I've been here almost 7 months and am here for about 4 more. I have a lot of trips and activities and the time is going to FLY by. But I'm planning on living it up!