December 2011
1 post
November 2011
5 posts
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That time I went to Amsterdam.....
Okay, this is a month overdue, but here goes…
3 DAYS IN AMSTERDAM! (end of october 2011)
So, My boyfriend visited me for the last 10 days of October, and for 3 of those days, we (along with 2 au pair friends) went to Amsterdam! We used http://www.eurolines.com for really cheap bus tickets and we drove up over night. We stayed in a hostel in front of the red light district and had...
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Last 2 weeks in Paris.
Due to visa troubles, I have to return to the USA 5 months earlier than expected. Since I changed host families, I was too lazy to register with a school and I didn’t receive my contract with the family in time for my OFII appointment. Technically today is the last day that I’m legally allowed in the country without a validated visa. I tried to extend my stay by a few weeks so that I could get...
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Going to London this weekend :)
I love being able to make last minute international weekend trips! <3
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the au pairs celebrate thanksgiving
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October 2011
5 posts
just got back from a 3 day trip in Amsterdam!...
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I think I owe you guys a lot of updates.
Let’s start with MY BIRTHDAY WEEKEND
I celebrated my 19th birthday on October 8th, and I have an amazing day planned. But when I woke up, my stomach didn’t feel right. I met up with some friends for the flea market, and I remember that I kept saying how my stomach was bothering me. I would be walking and then get the overwhelming urge to puke everywhere. I thought it could have been...
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My weekly schedule
I thought I’d give you guys a rundown on my weekly schedule, it’s basically the schedule of most au pairs in Paris, with some changes of course.
Monday, Thursday, Friday
Get up at 8am to help take the kids to school, return by 8:30.
8:30am-4:10pm Sleep a little bit more, do laundry, iron, empty dishwasher, or hang out with friends
4:20- Pick up the oldest kids from school and walk...
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finally settled down in Paris
I finally feel comfortable and happy with my living situation. I even bought furniture(ish things) and decorations for my room from ikea the other day. I’m so happy living here, I just need to find more to do to keep myself busy.
It took 5 weeks and a change in host families for me to finally feel like I have a place in Paris, but finally I am happy with where I am (: I could definitely...
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marche aux puces
FLEA MARKET! Apparently it’s the biggest in Europe. It’s at Porte de Clignacourt at the end of line 4. I visited this morning and it was pretty cool! They had some interesting things like a lot of hookahs, cool clothes, cheap shoes, knock off bags and wallets. They had a lot of bongs too. It was weird hahaha. I ended up just buying a shoulder bag/tote thing for my sister. It’s...
September 2011
26 posts
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all settled in at my new home!
I’ve been with my new host family for almost a week now, and it’s actually great! The kids are easy to look after, and I get more things like a navigo and cell phone. I have to do more housework than before, but it’s not bad at all. I’m really happy here! I’m so glad that I switched.
My new home is in the 18th, or Montmartre. I live in front of the Sacre Coeur and...
Anonymous asked: Hi! Do you speak any English where you are living in France, or are you pretty much just speaking all French? Also, your friends in the pictures, are they friends that went with you or are they friends you made in Paris? If you made them in Paris, would you say it is easy to meet and make new friends there? Thanks hope this made sense c:
The suggested blogs to follow thing just suggested...
THIS IS A SEPARATE ACCOUNT AND EVERYTHING.
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amazing weekends with friends always make up for...
MONTMARTRE!
(photos courtesy of Sophie because my camera doesn’t have a cord just yet)
Sacre Coeur :) Right behind my new apartment (and the family’s too, I live in still!)
Okay, so I think I need some sort of an update. I told my family that I’m leaving, and my last day is on Friday (5 days from now! SO EXCITED TO GO!) And things have been uncomfortable and rude since...
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I’ve only been here for a little over two weeks, and I’m in love with the city. I live in Paris, and that really hasn’t hit me yet. I’m an ocean away from everyone I love, but it doesn’t seem that way. Somedays, I’ll be running through the metro to transfer trains to meet up with my friends, and when I stop to take a breath, I look around at the mosaics in the...
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so apparently i can't even shower here.
Charlotte: *goes to take a shower after dropping kids off at school*
Host Mom: No you can't take a shower right now, we don't have enough hot water for everyone to shower today.
C: What do you mean? It's not being used and the kids won't be showering until this evening?
HM: I know but there's only so much water, so only enough for me, the kids' bath, and my husbands shower.
C: Sooooo basically it's all good for everyone except me. cool.
hungerhurts-butstarvingworks asked: How did you get your au pair placement?
Vintage shops in Paris →
Today in Paris I got this really cool comic book!
I have yet to get anything for myself, only souvenirs for other people! So this was what I wanted. It cost 18 euros! It’s absolutely adorable! It’s about a cat who wears a hat and smokes a pipe and some lady that works with kids. I think they’re dating and she stays at his apartment all the time. I’m not positive but I’m sure that it’s not her cat. Anywho, the...
franticmess asked: RE your last post: Just tell the parents of your current family that you need to talk to them, and then tell them that things with them are not working out and that you have decided to go to another family. Theyl probly be annoyed, but u have to do whats gud for u. The language schools are good, but most familys will pay for u to attend them, so ask the new family if they could help you pay? And...
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I've been here for 11 days now
…And I’m looking to change my host family. It’s just not working out, and I can’t discipline the kids. They threw rocks at me and the 8 month old baby the other day, and I wasn’t allowed to punish them, and the parents did NOTHING. Also, the schedule isn’t working out and I’m not getting the most out of my experience. I have to stay home all day everyday...
thisismybasket asked: Hey, I spent all of 2009/2010 as an au pair in France close to Valence in the Ardeche Region. Enjoy your stint as an au pair. Lots of ups and downs, but well worth it in the end :) Don't forget to go to the south of France and check out Cassis (best corner of France)
that awkward moment when you're flipping through a...
My (ex? i don't even know) boyfriend's mom has...
Something about that makes me very sad. It’s like he’s trying to forget me?
Oh well, it was me who chose to leave.
Things will get better, this is only the first time I’ve felt semi-sad while in Paris.
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it's probably impossible for me to completely sum...
I’ll start with pictures from today first. I still don’t have a cable for my camera, so these are pictures that other people took. Enjoy!
Hanging out on Le Pont des Arts! This is the third time I’ve gone this week! It’s my favorite spot in Paris so far. You can see the top of the Eiffel Tower to the left!
I’m blurry because I’m laughing a lot, Romney was...
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Le Pont des Arts
So far, this bridge has been my favorite sight in Paris, and I know it’ll remain to be in my top favorites. This bridge is in the 6th arrondissement, crossing over the Seine. Couples from all over the world come here to place a lock on the fence, with their names and date on it, to serve as a symbol of their undying love. You could tell that some people had some nasty breakups, because the...
You’re wonderful. I’m writing all of the information down right now! :) merciiiii
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adventuring in Paris!
I just got in from going out with a friend. We saw the eiffel tower and then walked around searching for french fries and then we started drinking. We each had a glass of wine, a beer, and we split a pina colada. We couldn’t find a good bar but it was a lot of fun regardless! We’re going again tomorrow, but we plan on partying harder. SO EXCITED!!
I have the baby’s baptism...
infinite-sailboats asked: i'm so jealous of you ): i sit in french class every day looking at all the posters and wishing i was there. you are truly lucky xxx <3
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this entire family has super cool indoor shoes...
I WANT THESE, AREN’T THEY ADORABLE? I’m going to have to ask my mom for them for my birthday :) they’re too cute to pass up
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ma chambre
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jet lag, you are the enemy.
I woke up about an hour ago- at 4am, and I’m feeling a little nauseous. I blame it all on the jetlag. Plus, I’m feeling pretty crappy about my french, but I guess it’s just my first day so I shouldn’t expect much but it’s making me feel pretty stupid. I don’t think the children mind all that much, they just like having someone to listen to them while they ramble...
August 2011
19 posts
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these french just keep on pouring the alcohol...
Bonjour from Paris! Well, a suburb to the south of Paris. I finally got here, and since I arrived, it’s been constant kissing, hugging, and clinging on to me. That sounds cute but the kids actually WON’T leave me alone. I played with them for hours and then told them that I was going to my room to sleep because I didn’t feel well, and they followed me.
I’ll have to write...
astarryday asked: I think it's amazing that your going to Paris. It's so beautiful over there and I hope you enjoy every second. Good luck and don't forget to wear berets!! :)
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tomorrow is my last full day at home :(
Time is flying. Too fast maybe. But I’m departing on tuesday afternoon, and arriving on wednesday morning.
Tomorrow I’m having breakfast out with my mom and boyfriend, and then taking my mom to the airport. She has a business trip in Paris and will be there at the same time as me! She might be meeting my host family :)
Anyways I gotta get back to packing. And maybe practice more...
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So I leave in 5 days...
I can’t believe that it’s so soon! I keep getting random bouts of butterflies in my stomach. I’m excited, nervous, sad, and very happy all at the same time! And I can barely sleep which really sucks.
I’ve been lounging around the house, packing a few things here and there, but mostly slacking off. Today I’m going to babysit my two favorite girls for the last time!...
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10 days and counting...
Soooo I did a French fashion show for my friend and I completely tore up my suitcase and unfolded everything. All of my progress in packing is gone but at least now I know how damn good I look in my cute new clothes :)
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12 days and counting!
I cleaned out various parts of my room today, and now I’m practicing my french :) Things are going very well! I can’t believe time is rushing by like this.
I got an email from my host family, they sent me vacation pictures :) so cute!
My mom is already attempting to buy my ticket home for Christmas. I mean, I know it’s good to book tickets in advance, but I’m pretty sure...
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13 days and counting.
So… my progress today has been nothing.
I went to ridiculously ugly shoe stores with my mom to pick out walking shoes for Paris and walking to class (apparently my school is a 30 minute walk away, yay physical activity!). Anywho. Lesson of the day: All. Walking. Shoes. Are. Ugly. Take my word for it. I did leave with a pair of KICKIN’ red trainers. They will suffice! I also attempted...
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Checklist to finish in 13 days (This should be...
Clean out my room. Make it look like there was never a messy/unorganized teenage girl living here.
Clean out my car. Oh man, I’m gonna miss my car.
Go present shopping for my host family. I’m thinking oreos, peanut butter, and american candy?
Finish packing/search for a bigger carry-on? This packing is driving me insane!
Take pictures. I’ll show my host family my life in...