Some Personal Do’s and don’ts of Belgium

DO: sell some of your belongings and simplify your life

DON’T: pack just summer clothes when you are moving close to the Arctic

DO: keep an open mind

DON’T: stand on a frozen lake; the ice is much thinner than you think

DO: make international friends

DON’T: leave the house without an umbrella

DO: sample all Belgian beer

DON’T: ever show up to a guest’s house empty-handed

DO: show your appreciation for your friends and family

DON’T: think winter ends in December

DO: take a lot of photos

DON’T: make fun of slippers

DO: take night busses- they are hilarious

DON’T: try to sneak liquids on a plane

DO: zip up your jacket

DON’T: try to talk French in Paris; they will make SO much fun of you

DO: live life in the moment

DON’T: put wool sweaters in the dryer

DO: make friends in hostels

DON’T: be afraid to get lost

DO: check the conversion from Fahrenheit to Celsius when cooking in the oven

DON’T: Google map how far you are from home

DO: go on pub-crawls

DON’T: take this precious life for granted

DO: Skype

DON’T: forget where you came from

DO: tell your friends how much you appreciate and miss them

DON’T: be afraid to travel by yourself

DO: sort the recycling into glass, plastic, cardboard, and compost

DON’T: forget to Blog

DO: take chances

DON’T: let the weather forecast bring you down

DO: take the first metro home at 7am

DON’T: wear uncomfortable shoes

DO: backpack!

DON’T: stay inside your comfort zone

DO: act like a child –free spirited!

DON’T: let plans weigh you down

DO: work on following through

DON’T: strive to make others happy unless you are happy first – you need to have personal joy to be truly sincere with others

DO: move abroad

DON’T: ever say “I am too old”

DO: keep a smile on your face

DON’T: give up

DO: (the most important of them all) Say I love you when it feels right. I love my family with all my heart and soul; my mom, dad, and sister are my foundation. For all of my friends that helped shape me in high school and college, you are my inspiration and my voice of reason. Thank you for your unconditional support and for your friendship. I love you.

Just one CLICK!

http://www.worldtravelerintern.com/member/christina-pepino/

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME!!!

A few new photos :)

Mini - Update

You know how I feel about numbering things... so here I go ; )

1) Happy February to everyone!!! Spring is just around the corner! I cant wait for the snow to melt, the rain to stop, and little flowers to emerge from this ever so moist soil!!!! I have never appreciated the seasons this much! All I have to say... I love the sunshine, and miss it dearly!

2) I just purchased my flight to NY for March 23rd for my final TFA interview. Fingers and toes crossed!

3) I am also still in the running for teaching in South Korea! It is a program that would place me in a public school teaching English, sounds pretty neat! I finished my 13 page application, completed the phone interview, and got 2 letters of recommendation. Now begins the waiting game...

4) I am also applying to an internship program that is through STA travel, I heard about it a while back, and it is my dream job. NO JOKE. more updates to come : )

5) My host family is super, and things here are going really well. John is in a play called the "Jungle Bop" and he is a tiger. Gosh, he is just adorable! Kate just began acting class, and let me tell you, she could teach the classes! She is so expressive, dramatic, and just downright cute!!! Joy was asked by her piano teacher to play a song in front of the whole school for assembly tomorrow, and she has been practicing and doing well. All the kids are just super. Glory and Filip and doing well too, and are super kind, as always.

6) I am still loving my camera and taking pictures daily!

7) I am patiently awaiting Kellie & Jessica's arrival in late February, it will be such a great blessing to be able to see them both! I miss them dearly!!!

8) As of February 5th, I will only have 4 months left in Europe, so come visit me soon ; )

9) My mom just booked her flight to come visit in the beginning of May, and she will be celebrating my 23rd birthday with me.... Europe style!! I cant wait to see her!!!!!!!! WOOOOOT WOOOOT!!

10) I miss you all dearly and I hope this mini update finds you all happy and healthy in this wonderful year of 2010!!!!

All my love ~ Chrissy