First Week!!!

Hello All!

Currently writing this at the kitchen table, waiting for the kettle to boil so I can make myself a nice cup of Earl Grey! I'm so sorry it has been so long since I have updated this blog but it has all been such a whirlwind. The question is, where do I start?!

The first four days in America were spend at what is called the 'Au Pair Academy' and it was here that around 100 au pairs had an orientation! The days started really early (about 6.30am) which was prety harsh seeing as all of us were severely jetlagged! Depsite this, however, the days were really fun we learnt things such as 'childhood development', 'activities' and First Aid/CPR- we all took some things more seriously than others! The instructors were so friendly and welcoming but at times a few of us felt they were fairly patronising, especially when they had us all doing the 'finger on the lip, shhhhhhhhhh'. All this happened at the hotel we were staying at in Newark (I shared a room with two girls from my state). All of us au pairs got the chance to go on a nightime New York tour and I've attached a few photos for you all to have a look at! We got to spend a little time around Times Square and also got to walk around the World Trade Centre which was really interesting, especially as our tour guide had lots of stories to tell. A few other au pairs and I were lucky enough to explore New York on our own the following afternoon/evening as we did well in our Pre-Departure projects- not bad for doing it all on the last minute! It was this evening that myself and a few others really explored, walking a fair amount of blocks to reach the 'Flat Iron' building where we discovered not only a really cool market selling food and unknown designers clothes and accessories BUT this 'eatery' where there were about 100 different types of soft drinks and choices of sushi, salad, pizza - it was the kind of place you had to see, to really see the excess! I think that is the main difference I have noticed here, everything is so big and there are so many choices; for example there are around 4 shelves of deodorant in a pharmacy and an American 'small' is a European 'Medium or Large'.

Unfortunately, the flight to Washington DC was cancelled on Thursday when I was meant to be flying with three other au pairs...a storm termed the 'East Coast Soaker' by CNN News. Needless to say, none of us were overly impressed when we had to return back to the hotel. Our host families were upset/disappointed and my host family were on a mission to get the agency's permission for me to get a train instead. They refused to grant approval on terms of 'safety', so we flew the following day without any hitches. Yet, when we got onto the place it was the smallest thing I've ever been on- my row (Row 9)was the back row with about 5 seats at the back like a bus so all of us au pairs were together. I'm not going to lie but it was possibly one of the scariest things I've been on as it was so turbulent, drinks were shaking on the put down tables and we basically felt we were on a rollercoaster but in the sky!

Panic over. My host Dad, John, Rose (their current au pair) and Lizzy (their oldest son Bobby's girlfriend) met me at the airport with a banner made by the boys and some balloons. I was so pleased to have finally arrived but jet lag was definitely taking it's toll and I have definitely spent the weekend running on adrenalin, Pro Plus and lots of black coffee! The weekened was really busy as the boys were playing lots of sport, I've managed to unpack all my things in my lovely room (where Tracy my host Mum had made me a HUGE basket full of lovely things such as candles, slippers, snacks and beauty products!), watched Kevin play soccer , hang with the family and try out driving! Saturday evening the family had a 'cook out' inviting over family and my friend Rebekka's host family who live just through the woods! We had a BBQ and had a good laugh, although I nearly fell asleep at the table later on! I don't think I have ever been so exhausted, except after music festivals after a week in a tent! Sunday's here are really leisurely, everyone does what they like during the day whether it's reading papers, having a lie in or just watching American football...I still can't understand it and something tells me I never will!

Today was an early start, I helped Rose and Tracy get the two youngest boys ready for school doing their packed lunches and making sure they had everything they needed! Rose drove them to school, but afterwards I drove and we went on a bit of an adventure up to the nearest mall (even though it wasn't open yet)...also experienced rush hour traffic going into DC. DC isn't at all far away so I feel this is somewhere I'll visit regularly, especially as there are lots of interesting exhibitions coming up...Pre-Raphaelite to name a few!

Will update soon on how my first week with the family goes! About to have lunch with Rose, then we are off to the spa to have our nails done with Tracy! Think we are hitting the mall later!

Also, will put the photos up in a little while!


Americanisms

'Cleets' - football boots with studs
'Pick up line' - for getting the boys from school (will explain later when I have more time!)
'Playdate'
'Mac and Cheese' - Macaroni Cheese