HELLO!
I am now practically ready to pick up and head to Chile, as I received my Chilean Student Visa today! Now all I have to do is, well, pack. I've already kinda started by putting the clothes I for sure am taking hanging together in my closet. I've also gotten rid of a lot of clothes and still need to do another "keep or go" with them before I go. I figure, if I can live without them for a whole year, then why do I need them hanging up in my closet? right?
I am now practically ready to pick up and head to Chile, as I received my Chilean Student Visa today! Now all I have to do is, well, pack. I've already kinda started by putting the clothes I for sure am taking hanging together in my closet. I've also gotten rid of a lot of clothes and still need to do another "keep or go" with them before I go. I figure, if I can live without them for a whole year, then why do I need them hanging up in my closet? right?
Here are some other things that I have been doing to prepare for my trip:
1- listening to Spanish music, podcasts, news, etc.
2- watching Spanish TV now and then, too bad that there are mostly cheezy soap operas (but it reminds me of Mexico, haha!)
3- I've been doing research on Chile, its culture, history, customs, food, climate, language, etc.
4- I bought a "Chilenismos" pocket book which includes a Spanish-English/English-Spanish dictionary for words specific to Chile.
5- I've already made a connection there! My second cousin was stationed in Valparaiso for 2 years when she was in the Peace Corp and her host mother still lives there. I've already contacted her and have her phone number so we can meet!
6- My very good friend, Becky, is there now, and boy, have I been asking her tons of questions.
7- Last summer I stayed with a host family in Mexico for 2 months and had an internship and all....that has been a major blessing and will have really prepared me for going to Chile, speaking Spanish 24/7, a different culture, etc.
8- I'm saving up the big bucks while working at California Pizza Kitchen! And speaking lots of Spanish with the Mexican workers there! It sure makes work a lot more interesting.
9- I'm taking 2 summer classes now so that my academic load abroad will be easier. :) I won't want to be stuck in my room studying all day, ya know?
10- Looking through travel guide books for suggestions/tips/anything I can get.
11- During the Spring semester at Hope, I read a novel from Chile for my final research paper for my Spanish Lit. class.
12- I've been eating lunch around 2:00pm each day. This is a lot more similar to the time Chileans eat lunch. So now the change won't be as drastic! [I haven't been doing this on purpose though, it's just the time I get home from school, this practice has been embraced as a preparation now!]
13- I'm learning how to dance latin dances, especially salsa and bachata. :)
14- I get a Spanish "word-of-the-day" from spanishdict.com everyday in my email!
13- I'm learning how to dance latin dances, especially salsa and bachata. :)
14- I get a Spanish "word-of-the-day" from spanishdict.com everyday in my email!
15- Lastly, I've been praying, praying, praying for God's help. Here's a good chorus from a song that's been on my heart. It's short, sweet, and exactly my prayer:
Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving, I'll be a living
Sanctuary for You Thanks for reading! Diane
