Monday, January 30, 2012

Hopefully you like this?

Just a taste of what is popular right now in Germany

This is a pretty popular song in all of Europe it seems....

Hallo aus Deutschland!

Ok! So a recap of my life here in Germany! I have met a few new people here in Kelkheim so it makes it easier for me instead of going all the way to Frankfurt to meet up with friends! :) I have met a neighbor named Miri, and by neighbor, I literally mean she lives 5 houses down from me and is AMAZING! Last week I did my normal routine of taking the girls to school and their random events for the week! On Tuesday I went out to Frankfurt and had dinner at a place called Sausalito's with Miri, Hannes, Meg, Katie, and Thomas, all were friends of Miri's that I had met and all are awesome! The food there was like a better yet, not nearly as expensive Chevy's! So it was delicious.. I only had a ceasar salad though because I was not crazing any of the fried food! After dinner we went to Miri's house and had some Sparkling wine, which is really just Champagne, or at least to me it tastes just like it! Once we decided that we will be going out to an "after work party" at a club called Living which is under the main big bank in Frankfurt I walked home and had a wonderful sleep! :)
On Friday night, Miri, Thomas, and I went out to eat at a place called My Thai, delicious Thai food, and had a few drinks and just talked about the differences between California and Germany and how all of our friends were similar and how we met and how we are all getting along. Overall a very chill and nice night!

On Saturday my host family left for Kessels, and I stayed behind because I had told Miri and Katie that I would go shopping for Carnavial! Apparently this is a huge event in the month of February and is like a Mardi Gras/ Halloween event here in Germany.. I think it is mostly celebrating my birth and is just a big party for me! Well we went to a costume shop and all found out costumes! I decided that I was going to be going as a nurse and found a super awesome costume! The party starts in 2 weeks, and aparently goes for 6 days straight, but the people that I am going with only for like 2 days and Sunday is a day of rest.. LOL But I think for my birthday we are going to try and go on that day..

On Saturday night I went out to a club here in Kelkheim called City Club, Miri's friend Robert was having a birthday so he had bottle service so we were all hanging out there for a while, and then I had gotten very tired and decided to take a taxi home early.. I was in bed by 3am and much happier on Sunday! :)

Sunday I had woken up early though and wanted to go to Frankfurt, so I messaged my friend Christoph and I took the train into a place in Frankfurt called Hochst (pronounced Hoochst) and had some lunch and then went into the main city and walked around for a little. Had a few drinks and then I was on my way around 9pm. Overall it was a very good weekend and the friends that I have met have been amazing and they remind me of people back home. My host family totally reminds me of my family in San Jose so it has made my adjustment here so much easier!

This Saturday I will be going out with Miri to a club crawl in Frankfurt and hopefully meeting more people! It seems Miri and I will be great friends! I am looking towards the future of our friendship!

I start my German classes next week, so people get ready to use some Google Translate because I will be trying to write in German!! :) Here are some recent photos I have taken of friends! Enjoy!!!


Bis Bald! xoxox!

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Check it!

http://vimeo.com/2539741

Check this video out, my dad sent it to me and is pretty awesome! ENJOY! :)

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Another Week!

I am still loving it here! The area is soo nice and I love the fact that you don't see a Starbucks or a McDonalds everywhere you go. Also, I never really appreciated the buses and trains like I do now. So awesome! 
This week went by pretty fast, it was just taking the girls to school and picking them up and cooking dinner and random things. Every morning when I get the girls up, Talya is pretty easy to wake up and get going, Aimee is a totally different story. I tried the whole leaving the room with Talya hoping that she will come down, but for a 4 year old she is very stubborn and is smart, because she knows eventually I will come back up to try again and bring her down. The one thing that I have learned works the best is saying that they can watch cartoons while they eat their breakfast and while I make their snack for the day! Other then that, she is like a brick wall and will not move for anything unless its cartoons and food. 
It is pretty funny to watch cartoons in Germany, they are very different and have catchier phrases then in America, the one that I hear every morning is a knock off of Blue's Clue's. It has the creepy little blue dog that goes around singing and then the older man who for some reason enjoys hanging out with a blue dog and singing songs about counting. Well this dog has this phrase where it always "dibah-dibah-dow" SOOO ANNOYING but it always manages to get stuck in my head for the whole day. The kids love it when I say it because the way I say it sounds funny to them. I will do anything to keep them laughing so I sacrafice my sanity by saying that over and over again.. Talya is still trying to get me to stop walking her all the way to class so she can be looked at as "cool" and not having her american aupair walk her to school is not cool apparently.. So I have been experimenting with "saying" I would stop and let her go, and then when she is out hearing distance Aimee and I play secret spy and follow her to her school.. When Talya finds out that we do this, it should be interesting and probably make her very paranoid. 

On Friday I went with Nikki to the office where I can get my working visa. She was very nervous they were going to ask me questions in German so she had me learn some phrases. Just like My name is, and I am 23 years old! Well turns out you don't have to know the phrases if you just smile and nod and laugh at the appropriate time it LOOKS like you know what they are saying. So all in all my paperwork to get my work Visa are in the works and hopefully it will get here sooner then later. 
On Friday night I went to a local club here in Kelkheim called City Club, went with Matias and had a fun time, met some people from my town so it is nice to have some faces here that I know, and can possibly hang out with instead of taking the train into Frankfurt every time. 
Speaking of taking the train into Frankfurt, I went into Frankfurt last night to hang out with Christoph and I did it all by myself and it was soo cool and easy! :) There is a train station about a 10 min walk from my house and hopped on the train, took it all the way to the main station where I met Christoph and then we took another train to the main pedestrian area in Frankfut. When we got to Frankfurt it was not raining and all and absolutely no wind. Well within 10 mins of trying to find a bank it started to downpour. I talking like buckets, and then all of a sudden there was wind, so we had rain and wind all at once, quite the surprise and made for some good excercise, because we were running to get somewhere dry. Well when we finally did it was to this Australian bar called "Yours Australian Pub". Super awesome place! We got there around 9 and had some drinks and then kareoke started up at 10. I swear kareoke follows me everywhere.. It is a little ridiculous but still amazing! So after a night of dancing singing and of course drinking Christoph walked me to my train at 330am and sent me back on my way to Kelkheim! The hardest part of coming back is trying to stay awake so you don't miss your stop! But I got to my stop and walked home! 
Woke up today on the later side of the day, but still had made some great memories and can't wait to see what else Germany has in store for me! :)

Until next time!
xoxo

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Updates!

Hello!!
This weekend has been a very rude reminder that I am getting older and cannot stay up all night partying because I am totally dead to the world the next day. And when you have a 7 year old and a 4 year old who doesn't understand that the night before you took shots of alcohol that would otherwise never grace your insides it is an even worse idea. This all came about after deciding to go to a pub crawl with not really thinking that Europeans party all night and can do that, AND most of them have been doing that since their teen years. Let me start with my Thursday night, my host father Matthias and I went to a weekly meeting for people that are new in Frankfurt, and when we walked in I could already see everyone looking at him and I walked in and my first thought was awesome, everyone thinks I showed up with my dad. Sure enough, everyone did. All the people I talked to asked if he was my father, and eventually it just became easier to say he was my "host father". Everyone was extremely friendly and very excited about the fact that I was from California and that the GOVERNATOR once "ruled" my state. LOL No one here knows where San Jose, so I have decided to just say that I am from San Francisco because it is much easier then explaining where I am from. I met a girl from Santa Clara and we exchanged information and hopefully will be hanging out sometime this weekend! We got back around 1230 and that was fine because I could get some normal sleep hours.
Now... onto Friday night... We met at a central meeting place in the middle of Frankfurt, right away you pay 10 euros and they give you a wrist band a shot glass and fill up your shot glass with orange juice and vodka.. more orange juice then vodka.. Well after standing around for 15 mins, we get another shot and then are told to walk. We cross over an amazing bridge that had a beautiful view of Frankfurt (wish I had my camera) and we proceed onto the first bar. Well little did I know that those 10 euros you pay in the beginning buy you a shot at every bar. Mind you, it is not a shot of your choice, but they are all amazing! So we went to this bar and they are famous for their Apple Wine, very very sweet and good, but it is not a drink that I would play beer pong or any drinking game that requires you to drink a lot because it is incredibly sweet. Other then that we stood around talking to people in our group, and listening to random hits from the late 90's and early 2000's which was cool, but weird for me at the same time. I am used to hearing repeats of whatever is popular on the radio so it was nice to hear something different that wouldn't normally be played at a bar in CA. Well after that bar, we went to our 2nd bar of the night where I had the shot that was already provided and then the host mother also decided to buy me a Caparinha(sp?) which was amazing but it was something that my body was not used to because I immediately become friendly with everyone and was ready for me.
After the 2nd bar we went on to our 3rd bar, this one was underground almost and was very very smokey, not a huge fan but it was still cool. By this time, everyone in the pub crawl is everyone best friend and joking and having an amazing time! Some of the people who had started with us had dropped off, mostly because they were too drunk (1 guy in group was falling asleep standing up) or they liked the previous bar and wanted to stay. Either way it was still an awesome group of people! By the time the 4th bar came around our group had drunk from 15 to about 5 people, we went to this bar that was supposed to be our kareoke bar but it had just finished and was more of a bar with a dance floor in the middle, so of course I went out and busted a move with everyone in our group! After that the tour guide (christoph) and I wanted to go to a kareoke bar so we told everyone who was still with us if they wanted to go we were going now and sure enough everyone went with!
I swear this last bar was like the size of my kitchen at home.. SO SMALL! Well we went to the back found my kareoke song and proceed to wait and have a beer while we waited. Germans, trying to sing in English is not the best but you have to admire their spirit and the fact that they do the most random and fun songs! Our tour guide did Yellow Submarine, never heard that one done in the states! :) Well after I sang we decided to finally look at our watches and realized that it was 430am and that it was probably a good idea to get back because the girls would be waking up in about 2 hours. Well we finally got home at like 530, after walking to our car and everything. It was a very long night. I finally woke up around noon to some little 4 year old knocking on my door and seeing if I was still alive, once I reassured her that I was, I stumbled back into my bed and wished I had not taken that last shot of Jaggermeister. Well when I REALLY woke up around 2 I rolled out of bed and showered and went downstairs told the mom I can never do that again and she just laughed and said that there will be plenty more times like that. Sooo essentially I am screwed. Overall a good night but the aftermath was horrible and not fun at all.

Today after a full day of recovery, we went into Frankfurt and Nikki showed me around. We took the train in so that I could see how it works for my future adventures in Frankfurt, and it is overall pretty easy and cheap! :) We got to the center and I saw a very old Opera house, built in the 1800s and has 5 different floors and has amazing acoustics which is rare because it is so old! After that we walked around a center that is famous for all of its restaurants! Then as we were crossing a street Nikki pointed out a watch tower which was awesome because its 1 of only 5 left in Germany, and you could only imagine all of the awesomness that happened there. We came next to this huge cathedral and I went inside with the girls and lit 3 candles and walked around a little and saw some really cool pictures and a really really big organ. Super awesome! Overall it was an amazing day and even better weather! :) Tomorrow I start my week all over again and have to take the girls to school and take care of them for the next 2 days because the mom is going out of town!

I will write more later this week! Hope everyone is well!!



xoxo

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Alrgiht, so it has been awhile but it has been pretty busy these past few days..

Sunday I went with Nikki to go and see where the girls go to school and see what my schedule will look like when the girls are in school with timing and everything. After all of that we went to a delicious Thai restaurant and it was absolutely amazing! It is right down the street from where I am living also so that place will be visited lots, that is for sure! We then went to another town to walk around and check it out and everything, and while we were there we tried to go and see a castle but it closed until May because there is a ton of construction going on! After that we decided to head home because it had started to rain really bad and it would not be a pleasant walk at all
On Monday it was the first day that I had to take the girls to school and everything and it is surprisingly very easy! I wake up a half hour before them (6am) get myself ready and then wake them up and get them fed and brush their teeth get them dressed and then we are off to school around 740am. I first drop off Talya whose school is right up the street from where we live so it is an easy walk. After I drop her off I turn around and walk with Aimee to the bus stop where we wait for our bus to take her to her kindergarten class. The bus usually gets us around 809am and then drops us off at the school at like 812. After that I usually come home and clean up around the house and think about what I am going to make Talya for lunch or practice my German. On Monday's the girls have gymnastics, and by gymnastics I mean its really just a gymnasium where the kids run around and play games and maybe they do a front flip or so.
Yesterday was a different story though, I decided that I wanted to go to the city center and check out downtown Kelkheim, well I ended up getting lost, but turned out I was just walking around in circles for 2 hours or so. Very long morning, but at least I know the area pretty well by now! I also made dinner the other night which was interesting because we don't have much here because no one has had time to go shopping or anything so it was pretty barren. But I decided to make some simple Chicken and rice and it went over with the girls wonderfully besides it being a little too spicy. The dad loved it though!
This Thursday I am going with Matieus to a meeting for people that are new in Frankfurt and that is pretty much us meeting at a local pub and having a few drinks and what not. Friday night Nikki and I are going to a pub crawl in Frankfurt which should be fun and great way for me to meet more people! I hope this weekend will finish with me having some new friends and having stuff to do on the weekends so the parents can go off and do things with the kids.

Coming up in April I have some friends that are planning on visiting, my friend Jenna wants to come more towards the end of March and see the family and the town that I live in and hang out, and then my friend Sean is going to come sometime in the beginning of April and travel with me for a bit. We were thinking, Dublin, and Italy and of course hang out around Frankfurt! That is not for a ways away though, so hopefully everything will pan out! Oh! Also, those of you who wish to send me things or letters or anything (letters would be awesome) I can give you the address here! With your letters though, if you could include a very simple recipe that I could make for the kids. Nothing too crazy because they don't have the most developed taste buds! :)

Love and miss you all!!! xoxo

Tschuss!

Friday, January 6, 2012



Hello!!!
Above are some pictures from my first night here in Austria! As you can see the girls have already taken to my very well! They are such a wonderful family and such wonderful girls I am very happy to be their Aupair! The last couple of days have been SO hectic! My last blog stated that I had been stuck in London.. which was wonderful(NOT) well the next day I made it to the airport without a problem and was able to get on my plane! For some reason I started at seat 7 and then when I got there they had moved me to seat 33 even though there was maybe 15 people tops on the plane.. No idea why they did that at all but whatever, I just stretched out for the time I had and took a little nap! 
When I got to the airport in Munich it was all smooth sailing from there! My luggage was all there and nothing was missing or broken! Nikki was there to meet me right away and we hit it off immediately! The hour and a half drive to their cabin in Austria was her filling me in on customs that I should know so I don't stand out too much! 
1. Always say "Hallo" or "Guten tag" when entering a room
2. When eating always keep one hand on the table, and if you are using a knife a fork you must keep the knife and fork in your hands at all time while eating.
3. DO NOT put your feet up on a coffee table unless you are in the comfort of your own house
4.When doing cheers with someone at dinner you must look them in the eyes, not cross arms with someone sitting next to you, and always take a drink after.
That is all that I can think of now though, there were some others but those were the ones that stood out!

The little girl in the first picture is Tayla, she is the oldest, and then the second photo with the little girl on the floor in Aimee (pronounced Ah-Meh) she is 4. The other little girl is Lorena, their cousin. All girls are very sweet and are getting along fabulously! They are absolutely obsessed with Hello Kitty and when I showed up with my Hello Kitty luggage tag and my coloring books they freaked out and went right to coloring!
Tonight is the last night in Austria before we all head back to the house in Kelkheim! So excited to see the house and get my own room! I have been sharing a room with the 2 little girls! Last night was so crazy! We left to go to dinner around 7 and there was like a blizzard outside with so much snow! When we left the restaurant everyone was worried that we would not make it home because the car does not have 4 wheel drive! But we made it! Over night though there was 2 feet of snow and it has not stopped snowing yet and it is 6:30pm! Today we went sledding in the front yard and played in all the fresh snow! I took pictures but will post them later! Time for dinner! Love and miss you all! xoxo

Bis Bald!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012



Landed in GERMANY!! And I am hanging out with the girls in Austria at the cabin for the girls now school! The girls and the family are absolutely amazing and so friendly! It is so crazy because everything is soo white here! I love it! As of right now Aimee( 4 years old) is brushing my hair and saying that I have enough hair for a 100 hairpieces.. Computer is going to die, I will post a few of the pictures I took today! Love and miss all! :)

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

First leg of my trip went.... smoothly. Until I got to Heathrow where I proceeded to find out that all the flights going to Munich were cancelled because of bad weather. Well I booked myself on another flight for tomorrow in the morning and then had to pay to get a hotel so I dont have to sleep forever long in the airport. Let me tell you. IT IS NOT CHEAP HERE! I am sitting here in the Holiday Inn, starving, but dinner doesnt start till 6 and apparently the bar is closed for the day.. SOOOO essentially God hates me and wants me to starve and be tired and grumpy and all that fun stuff. I really really wish tomorow goes a little better!

Wish me luck on finding a drink somewhere! :)