And So it Begins

the winter shopping begins....

the cleaning out begins....

the fighting of "seriously, you need this?" begins..

     We have reached the point of packing in my new adventure. This means we have also reached the stress of "how the hell do you pack for a year?" I know I won't be stranded and there will be many shopping opportunities but I want to be prepared. Maybe a little bit more prepared than I need to be. I like to stick to the motto of "You can never have enough". Probably not the best motto when you are moving into someone else's house. Monika, do not worry too much. 

     I should probably add the fact that my mom is now napping after 10 minutes of going through everything. Everything was already too much for her. It might be good I am leaving for a year after this experience.......

     As I start to get everything ready, though, I am getting so much more excited. The realization of it is coming closer and I am so ready to go. Only 5 more weeks, 4 of which I will be out of town most of the time. Good planning on my part, I know.

     I am slowly starting to say goodbye to everyone and it is bitter sweet. Not being able to see my nephews and niece for a year is sad to think about but thank god for FaceTime so it won't seem as though I am too far away. Everyone is so supportive and optimistic that it makes everything better, so wish me luck as I continue my stressful packing. 

43 Days and Counting

As many of you already know, I am going to Germany in 43 days to be an Au Pair for a year. Even though I do not leave for a bit of time, I decided to start blogging now. I have been asked questions that I have answered many, many times, so I've decided to put them down. Here they are:

Are you excited?
YES, I am extremely excited. 

How did you find the family?
There is a website called www.aupair.com that I joined. I know it sounds sketchy but I assure you it is not. You choose different countries, your preferences, and look through different families. I almost felt as if I was on a www.match.com. Monika, the mom, emailed me and we have been communicating ever since. We decided it was a match and that I would be going there at the end of the summer. 

Have you met them? 
No, but we have Skyped a couple of times. They are currently vacationing in the United States so we will be meeting up in New York in about two weeks. 

How old are the kids?
Alex is two and Tim is eight. 

Do you speak German? 
I speak a little bit of German since I did take it in school for three years, and thanks to Rosetta Stone for brushing me up on it.

Do the kids speak English? 
The kids do not speak English! Monika speaks perfect English so I am not too worried. Tim is taking it in school and we are sure that Alex will pick it up easily. 

Are you nervous? 
Yes, I am going to a different country by myself! The excitement overtakes the nerves almost completely, though. I will be living with the family which makes it much less nerve racking. 

I will be blogging my whole time there to keep in touch with everyone and to share my experience. I hope you find some time to read and I do not bore you too much :)