It was an ordinary Friday afternoon, and I was just finishing up a letter to a pen pal in Belgium.  We met while both studying abroad in Brazil, where I had arrived to study for 6 months in a foreign language and culture exactly a year ago.  As I shared my first experiences of college with her, I began to realize how similar some things I was experiencing right now were to those I was going through a year ago in Brazil.  Number one similarity: It was so exciting!

...(back to the letter)
I'm sure you know the feeling, you're experiencing it right now in Belgium: going to college for the first time, finally being at a place you can call your own, being responsible for your own life, and being free to explore the world.  Many aspects of being here at college remind me of being a foreign exchange student in Brazil where I met you, but with even more freedom, and with that more responsibilities, and more at stake (looking at the score from my first exam...).  But it's a process and a challenge we must all go through at one point in life.  After all, Mines wouldn't be so legendary if we ALL got A's on the first exam.

What can I say?  Living is golden here.  As you know, I come from a town called "The Middle of the Desert", Utah, so I am new to living in such a vibrant place.  I have always been very in-tune to the culture and natural environment associated with a place, a habit probably acquired from having the chance to absorb a whole new environment during my stay in Brazil; it's something I pay attention to.  What I picked up on here is that people in Colorado are, in general, more happy and healthy due to their captivating and easily accessible outdoor surroundings, and there's proof: Boulder, CO was once voted healthiest (least overweight) city in the US.  You can see it in the people too; try going to the supermarket with white wash all over your legs (a remnant of the M-climb earlier that day) and not having some stranger smile and start up a friendly conversation with you.

The campus itself is very nice (despite the slight construction obstacles).  It's just the right size, not too big, not too small, everything in perfect walking distance (especially from the traditional dorms), complete with cute little squirrels scurrying around.  You look out the window from my 3rd story room, and there are mountains galore!- close enough to even walk to and climb from campus.  Even when it's raining and a big foggy cloud is engulfing the M-hill it's beautiful, perfect for running by the creek.  Did I mention, the main attraction in Golden: Clear Creek!  It's evidently the thing to do for fun in small-town Colorado (as I saw in great numbers when the town was full of people for the bike race): jump in a freezing cold river!  Or option 2: float down a freezing cold river on whatever you can find that floats!  It turns out to be surprisingly enjoyable, especially when paired with sipping home-made root beer from the local farmer's market.  I have always adored Colorado, it's like the outdoors of Utah, but less desert-like and more mountainous, in addition to just the sheer freedom of being in Colorado (or otherwise, the freedom of not being in Utah).  It's not that I don't like Utah (I am just so excited to be in college here in Coloradooooo!).  And don't even get me started on how excited I am for the snow. 

It's been a great first 4 weeks, I've already learned so much and met so many people- so many like-minded people.  I walk out the door carrying a keyblade, am nearly tackled with excitement by a neighbor in my hall, end up having a photo shoot, and then I remember why I came here, and know for certain that I am destined to be here at Mines, and nowhere else.  :D

I hope you're also having a great first-year of college in Belguim!
Your good friend,
-Joelle