Bad Days

It's been a little while since I've updated this so I'll give you a short run down. I went on my first couple of outings by myself. I was a little scared at first of public transportation and not knowing the language in case I got lost. It went OK the first time...I walked around the city with Mara who knew the sites pretty well and could give me a little history along the way. I went to Postsdamer Platz with my family to meet another family for southern Germany. They had 3 girls and they absolutely loved me...they clung onto me all night. We saw Up! in 3D...and in German. It was strange but I followed it OK. The next night I ventured out again to meet 2 other aupairs. They both were super sweet and invited me out to watch New Moon with them when it comes out. I got lost that night and learned an important lesson about public transportation...know when the bus line closes and know which way the bus is heading!! My host mom drew me a map and told me what bus number to take but not that there are several buses with the same number but head in different directions. Bad Night.

I've been spending alot of time with the girls this week since they are on holiday from school. We've been bonding and having a blast. Today the host mom, Kerstin, Alena, and me went to KaDeWe which is a huge mall to meet one of Kerstin's guy friends for breakfast and do a little shopping before we leave for Mallorca on Saturday. Afterwards we came home to pack bags, put down the pool for winter, and just play around. I wasn't to happy to put down the pool because I hate the cold...and as everyone knows being wet when it's cold outside isn't fun either. I guess my face showed that because Kerstin kept saying Amanda why are you not happy. I'm here to work and I realize that sometimes I will have to do things that aren't "my cup of tea" but I will do it nonetheless. There has been alot of things that have gotten on my nerves but I'm alright, I get over it. But today I sat down and started to read the first few chapters of a new book when Kerstin said that I could go inside because it was going to take an hour or so for the pool to drain and then we could clean the inside out and put it in the shed. Well, Kerstin called me into the kitchen tonight and said we needed to talk because she wasn't happy about a few things. She said that I needed to 'work' for the 5 hours that I was suppose to each day and she didn't like seeing me sit down and that I needed to be smiling when we were outside today cleaning the pool. I need to always be doing things with the children...she likes action, action, action. And if I don't having anything to do and I'm bored that I should come to her because she has alot of work that I could be doing for her like doing their ironing. That pissed me the hell off. I have my alarm set for 7am. I'm going to get up and do the ironing for the children then go talk with Kerstin about what she considers me working. I don't mind playing with the children and doing their ironing but that will be consider in my 5 hours. I'm with the girls nonstop during the day...for more than 5 hours each day on the weekends and this week. Will I be payed overtime??? Because I'm not doing their ironing, dishes, making dinner, and whatever else for free. I hardly have 'freetime' but at night right before I go to bed and when I'm washing up in the mornings. Everything else I'm being dragged around by the girls. I'm sorry that I'm from the south and not accustomed to being out in the freezing cold for long periods of time. I hate the cold. And I'm here to help the children stay in line, teach English, and just be a helping hand...I'm not a constant source of entertainment. What it all boils down to is I need to talk to Kerstin and Henrick about expectations.

1 week anniversary!

Well, I have been here for 1 week officially today and I'm already in love with Berlin! Whew I fell fast. I can not say enough what a good time I'm having. The girls and I get along great and the parents are very nice. They even went as far as to give me a private phone line in my bedroom because they thought that their house phone rings so much that it bothers me!! It didn't, but it's the thought! and I'm sure no one will ever call me here so...hm. Yesterday, Lutga (polish good fairy, maid) couldn't make it so I helped with the laundry and ironing. They have a washer and dryer but do not use their dryer for anything but towels. There is a big laundry rack - board thing that they hang their clothes to dry on inside....even socks and undies because she doesn't want the clothes to shrink...that's understandable and everything but jeez!!! I feel sorry for Lutga now because she has her hands full with all that. I learned that they have a laundry chute! I guess its necessary since their bedrooms are on the 3rd floor. I am registered for my german lessons...start on November 3rd, the day after we return from holiday in Mallorca. I'm so ready to start classes because its frustrating going to public places and not understanding a word of what's going on around me. Saturday I'm going to dinner with a few other au pairs in Berlin. That will be a good thing...hopefully make some friends and finally get to try some German beer!

Sunday Fun

Today me and the girls went all around the house with Post-Its labeling things in German and English. We thought it would be a fun and easy way for each of us to learn the opposite language. Right now I'm typing on a tastatur and drinking wasser. I'm having to get use to drinking mineral water and coke light (diet coke). Oh and I'm starting to like coffee alot more. They have 3 different types of coffee machines. I figured out how to work one and I'm sticking to just that one. In the afternoon Henrik, Elisa, and I went on a bike ride...well me and Elisa rode while Henrik jogged beside us...I don't have enough stamina to run for 5 miles yet. It was so much fun and beautiful. The park near our home is full of memorial status and all kinds of fun stuff to look at along the way not too mention the wooded areas look lovely because of the trees changing. I saw a pit bull and missed started to miss Max! We had bratwurst for dinner and it was sooo good...nothing compared to what is sold in the US! and things that I miss...American TV!!! There is a powerful antivirus program on the computer in my room that a technician is coming soon to fix...it's keeping me from getting on youtube...and hulu isnt available outside of the US. So if anyone knows of another way for me to watch some TV let me know!!!! I miss Cheez Its.

First days

Wow! There are so many new things to take in it's unbelievable. First of all, the keyboard is different so I have a hard time typing. My first day we went driving around so I could see the kids (Alena and Elisa) school and the hospital where the dad (Henrik) works. I went to the girls dance recital practice later that day which was 5 hours long all jetlagged. I dozed off so many times. The dance recital was today and it was so good! They are such good little dancers. They call it a dance premier and thought it was funny that we call them recitals. I told them red carpets are usually involved with premiers in the US. My bedroom is so nice. It has white carpet so I've been good not to wear my shoes in here. The neighbor has two pet pigs hahahahah! I can't wait to post pictures. The house is very fancy. There is a gate outside that has a button you press to call inside. Then you can dial some numbers on the phone to unlock the gate if you want them to come inside. Lots of other fun high tech stuff. Floors are heated. Towel warmers in the bathroom. I've made friends with their cats, the fat one Mia is my favorite. Oh, they have a convertable! We rode with the top back today even though its a little chilly...sooo much fun! Well, ask me some questions and I'll update this with more specific stuff later!

12 hours til take off

So I'm laying bed watching "I love you Man" and it't pretty freakin' funny! Great way to spend my last night in the USA. I also ate at Cracker Barrell...very Americana I thought. I bought a mind teaser thing there, you know those chain links that you have to think real hard to figure out how to get apart. I'm hoping it will be a good ice breaker with the girls. I'm really nervous about meeting them. I hope they like me! My mom left this morning and of course she cried! Sorry mom but I hate the sappy good-byes! Love you! She says one day I'll understand when I have kids. Maybe so? Oh, wisdom teeth came out Tuesday rather than today. Surprisingly, I'm not in very much pain. I've never had a blog before so I hope this isn't too boring. Next time I write I'll be explaing all my "first feelings" after arrival so stay tuned. It'll get better I promise!

Anticiapation

3 days before I leave...

I have brief moments where I feel like it's really going to happen but I don't think it'll set in till I'm in the plane or maybe when I wake up after my first day there and realize I'm not going to see my family and friends from home again for a long long time. I started packing for the first time today. I can only take 3 suitcases and 1 carry on and I'm not sure it's going to be enough. How in the world do you pack light for a year long trip!!?? I also went to the emergency room today because of my wisdom teeth. Apparently an infection has set in and it's caused me to not be able to open my mouth very far. I tried to eat a sausage biscuit and couldn't open my mouth wide enough to take a bite. By the blessing of God I'm going to be able to have them extracted before I go. Thank you Debbie, my much loved "Aunt". Atleast that's how I think of her as. I'll have them removed Wednesday then get on the plane Thursday. That should be fun.