Au Pair Life – Page 6 – Darkk Horse Travel

I Have Confidence In Me

Published on September 3, 2014 by EmileeLeave a comment

Life has been pretty hectic, lately, so I’ve decided to put all my would be little updates together in one post. Being an au pair is about as difficult as I thought it would be (and I’m a pessimist, so…). I’m just so glad that I have a couple of years of nannying under my belt so I know that this is normal. Never was there a child and nanny who immediately became best friends with the stranger their parents suddenly tell them to obey. There’s always a transition period, and unfortunately that’s what I’m going through right now.

That being said, I love the little town I’m living in. I wish there were more people my age, since it seems like everyone here is over 50 years old, but the city itself is absolutely beautiful. I’m kind of ok with it being more quiet here, even though I’m used to living in the city. That being said, I miss Seattle with all my heart. But, here’s to making the most out of the relatively short amount of time I’m going to be in France. Can’t wait for this to become the best year, ever!

1. We got a puppy!!

10616653_10203956793173587_3556346518671995813_n — Meet our new Sussex Spaniel, Joplin! (Yes, the same as Janice) He’s such a sweet boy!

Yes he’s the cutest, but he’s also a bit of a brat. This makes the grand total of dogs in this house four, and I’m hoping that will be the last of them. Even though I love dogs, having four running around all day is a bit draining, especially with a howling pup.

2. I visited a castle a couple weeks ago!

This is a video I found that shows the castle I went to the weekend before last. I loved taking pictures, but (of course) video is always so much better. Enjoy!

3. Artists I’m currently in LOVE with:

This is my next book purchase. It’s called “Parissiene” and is by Dominique Corbasson. It’s a bit pricey, ringing up at almost $40, but the illustrations in it are to die for (and, it’s only sold in Europe). Basically it’s going to either be my birthday (which is coming up! September 19th!) or Christmas present to myself. I can’t wait!

I saw this book reviewed online and decided to give it a try! It was originally written in French and is illustrated by one of my new favorites, Isabelle Arsenault. The story was beautiful, and I am absolutely in love with the illustrative style. This book was also my first experience with free 24 hour shipping via French Amazon. It was a win all around 🙂

4. Every time I get nervous about my job…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfZ5GN9ePBM

^^This is the song I started singing in the airport on my way to France (completely subconsciously), but, of course, there is also the original which I was first inspired by. This song is running through my mind again and again. Spirit of Julie Andrews, help me. (Original version below)

5. We started school!

The first day of school was yesterday and I don’t think any of us could have been more excited. The past week and a half I’ve been with the kids 7am-8pm, which has been brutal. But, I’m glad with the school schedule, I now have some free time to get things done during the middle of the day. Hurray for freedom!

6. Phrases for the day:

You’re in trouble = Tu es en difficulté

If you don’t sleep, there will be no chocolate with snack = Si vous ne dormez pas , il n’y aura pas de goût de chocolat avec le snack.

Why is she crying? = Pourquoi elle pleurait?

Play nice or don’t play at all = Joue gentil ou ne pas joue du tout.

Calm down = Calmes-tu.

How was your day? = Ta journée s’est bien passée? or Comment était ta journée?

Where does it hurt? = Où est-ce que vous avez mal ?

Don’t hit your sister (brother) = Ne frappes pas voter soeur (frére)!

My French is not very good because I’m American = Mon français n’est pas très bon parce que je suis Américaine.

France In Color

Published on August 29, 2014 by EmileeLeave a comment

Taking walks is a huge part of the culture here, in France. It’s the cutest thing to see all of the old people on their walks, or biking with their significant others. Everyone drives in Seattle, but here no one seems to mind taking the longer distance. I’m not sure that I’m onboard with the idea of two walks per day (I love walks, but maybe not that much), but I love grabbing my camera and taking some shots with the kids while we’re out and about.

I Got A Postcard From Seattle!

Published on August 29, 2014August 29, 2014 by EmileeLeave a comment

Have I ever told you guys how much I LOVE snail mail?! It’s my absolute favorite thing, and I was so happy to get a postcard from my former roommate yesterday! It made me so happy to open up the mailbox and find something for me. Somehow it made me feel like I belonged, a little bit more. There’s nothing like getting mail to make you feel like you’re finally settling in somewhere 🙂

Let’s Play A Game Called:

Published on August 28, 2014August 29, 2014 by Emilee1 Comment

French food is great, but there have been a few times when I’ve seen things pop up and I wondered what the hell they were. This is the first installment of (probably) many questionable items. Ready, set – here we go.

1. Warm milk: I don’t really understand this, as an American. I don’t think I’ve ever seen milk kept warm, sealed and packaged like this before. Of course, I’ve seen it done with Rice and Soy milk, and the such, but never cow milk…this really surprised me – but who am I to judge?

2. Mayo in a toothpaste tube: Can’t get much better than that, huh? It’s a little bit odd to see this in the fridge, or even being used at the dinner table, but I guess we do have squeezable mayo in the US…it’s just not normally in a tube like this where you literally use it exactly like toothpaste (rolling the end and all).

3. I’m not really sure what’s in the top of this bad boy (maybe honey??) but the bottom is vinegar. There are several bottles like this one in the kitchen, and although you can’t see it – they come apart when you use them individually, and then fit perfectly back together to create (what looks like) a solid bottle.

4. I was a bit concerned with this one when I first saw it squirted into a cup. I’m still not sure what it is entirely, but it’s an add water kind of solution that you then drink. The kids love it!

10514545_10203915662745352_2951873288474420602_n — Somehow I don’t think this would fly in the US…

5. Every morning the kids eat bread, cereal, warm milk and this. Basically it’s like Nestle chocolate milk, but what was the most shocking (obviously I’ve seen chocolate milk powder, before) was the artwork on it…Behold: ———->

6. Little crackers from heaven: Ok, so these little biscuits are the best thing to ever happen on earth. The first time I tried one I almost grabbed the whole package and ate the entire thing. In fact, when I FINALLY go grocery shopping on Saturday I’m going to be grabbing a couple of packets, for sure. Basically they’re like graham crackers/a square of animal cracker like taste with chocolate in between. Because let’s be real – if there’s one thing the French love, it’s their chocolate.

Bumble Bees

Published on August 25, 2014August 31, 2014 by EmileeLeave a comment

Yesterday was the first day that I watched the kids, alone. All three of them. It was pretty hectic, I’m not going to lie. They are all extremely high energy, and the semi-barrier of language made communicating with them a little hard, all around. But aside from them trying to kill each other over UNO and rugby tackling during soccer, it was fun to be able to paint, play some soccer (aka football) and get out of the house.

My favorite part of yesterday was stopping to find time to look some insects. I know it sounds frightfully interesting, of course. But I definitely took some videos of flys (which allow you to get SO CLOSE, here) and some photos, also. After we went to the park, we also found a little flower garden where there were tons of bumble bees (an American name which the kids thought was HILARIOUS), and as the kids found the biggest ones, I hopped around on my camera trying to get the best shots of the fearless insects. Here are some of the fruits of this labor, and some other adventures from yesterday:

The Holy Trinity

Published on August 24, 2014August 31, 2014 by Emilee3 Comments

10616586_10203883529702046_9064390188779260381_n — Church.

Like any given Sunday in the life of moi, this morning I went to church. Being a Christian, and it being Sunday, that fact is a fairly unexciting statistic. But, what made today different, was that “going to church” meant going into a gigantic medieval style stone structure filled marble carved statues (we’re talking 8-10 feet high, including a skeleton reaper which is #hellapunk) in a small French town. Oh, and that it was Catholic. Which I am not.

Now you may think there would be some cultural differences for an American Protestant girl who ducked her way into a party where no one speaks her exact verbal or spiritual language, and you would be right. But overall I felt incredibly refreshed by the experience. The reason I was there in the first place was because it’s the only church within 30 miles of where I live. Not gonna lie – the lack of options is kind of a bummer.

The church service was as traditional and conservative as you could probably find anywhere, complete with a pipe organ and higher than usual pitched singing. It reminded me of church coronations/marriage scenes from Elizabeth or Ever After. But, overall I loved the service. It was pieced together with biblical scriptures and interval hymns (In French, of course, which was amazing) and I loved that it constantly engaged those who were there to worship.

Afterward, I stopped by the flower shop across the street and bought a little purple flower bush to bring some life to my room. It worked. I’m so much happier seeing my little plant ward every time I walk in the door. It really is just the best for someone, like me, who is obsessed with the natural world.

The final excitement for the day happened when I logged in to my favorite websites, Hulu and Netflix, to relax for the evening. Then, to my utter astonishment, from BOTH websites, I was told that they did not work within the country I was operating. As in – there was NO Netflix, Hulu or Pandora in THIS WHOLE COUNTRY. Try to grasp my horror. It was quite severe and really couldn’t have been worse. I’m not ashamed to say it, I adore all of these websites, and being able to relax and watch a movie is essential to bringing together my feeling of home.

I’m starting to realize more than ever that, sometimes it’s the littlest things that make home feels like home. Like Netflix. Or a random little shrub in your room.

I am sorry to sound like a spoiled American brat, but when I first found out I would have no access to Netflix, Hulu or Pandora I was pretty seriously considering booking it out of France…ok, so I wasn’t, but I was pretty upset. I don’t have many of my movies with me here in France, so it’s really important to have these resources. Would I die without them, no. Would I be a lot less happy about life? Yes. LUCKILY, I have amazing friends who let me in on the secret of Chromzising websites and making them work with Hola. I couldn’t be more happy.

Today has been a full and relaxing day, overall. I actually had the guts to tell my host family I didn’t want to go with them, the kids and their grandparents to the park, a decision which needed to be made since it’s my day off and they keep trying to “include me” on these days – which is nice…but I’ll be with the kids this week 7am-7pm every day (school doesn’t start until next week) so I think I’ll have quite enough kid time for the week without going out on my day off. Instead I stayed home and wrote letters to any and everyone I could think of. I ran out of postcards, but I plan on getting more on my next trip outside this petit-chateau.

Also, if you’ve asked me to send you a letter/postcard please please be patient. I’m mailing out the first bunch today, but there are still some people I’ve missed that will have to go out the next time I have the courage to go into the post office and ask for stamps.

Oh, yeah…I have a sauna in my bathroom. As in, the bathroom is only for me and there's a sauna in it. Awesome. — Oh, yeah…I have a sauna in my bathroom. As in, the bathroom is only for me and there’s a sauna in it. Awesome.

Red, White and Blue

Published on August 24, 2014August 31, 2014 by EmileeLeave a comment

French, American and British Flags flying high this weekend.

I love being in Europe, again, to recognize the American soldiers who fought and died to assist in the liberation of the globally oppressed, during WWII. We, as Americans, don’t really celebrate the victories, only the end of the war – which I’ve always thought was a pity.

But, walking around the French streets today, and seeing American flags flying in recognition of US assistance in the Liberation of Paris, was awe inspiring. Proud to be an American, today. But even more proud of the men and women who fought (and still fight) to bring peace to their fellow humans in distress.

Read more about the celebrations: http://www.le70e.fr/en/liberation-territory/liberation-paris

Once Upon A Dream

Published on August 23, 2014August 31, 2014 by EmileeLeave a comment

Today was pretty magical. And even though I’m tired from running around, the fact that I’m tired from running around inside of castles makes the fatigue bearable.The castle pictured is the Castle (or Château) of Sully-Sur-Loire and was a medieval fortress for generations of Dukes in this area of France. I would go on and on about my day, but since a picture’s worth a thousand words, I’ll let you see the results, instead.

Quiet Before The Storm

Published on August 23, 2014August 31, 2014 by EmileeLeave a comment

It’s only been a few days since I’ve been in France, but already I’m learning the importance of nap time. My schedule right now is a little bit off from what it could/should be because only one of the kids is here (the little girl) and the boys are at camp until later today. The family also is getting read for guests this weekend and school doesn’t start for another week, which is going to be rough. While taking care of kids is always challenging, taking care of kids who don’t speak your native language AT ALL and whose language you only speak about 70% of is a category all in its own. The combination of language translation and jet lag make for a tired stew, but this is where I’ve discovered the beauty of nap time. One whole hour of silence. Praise the Lord.

Within this hour I have so squeeze every drop out of every minute by blogging, artsying, reading, writing, texting, Facebooking and any other kind of social media. It’s a fun time – who knew I could be so productive!?

So far the transition hasn’t been as bad as I thought it would be. Yes there’s a bit of a language barrier, but luckily the little little girl LOVES that she (as the youngest) gets to tell someone else how to speak. She’s extremely helpful, though and loves having me tell her how to say words in English…half of which she can’t actually pronounce. But it goes both ways, because when she laughs at me for not pronouncing something perfectly in French, I tell her how to say it in English and then we both laugh together at our inefficiencies.

I’m pretty curious/terrified to see how the dynamics will change when the two boys arrive tonight. They are, apparently, a handful, and also DO NOT speak English. Joy. But with kids you just never know. Sometimes having more kids in a house actually mellows, rather than stressing them out.

A couple days ago I went on a walk with the little girl and her mom and we saw the Chateauneuf castle and went to a couple of shops. I notched all of these awesome rocks on the walkways and I think it’s flint. I’m not 100% sure, but I absolutely love it. Time to make some arrowheads! (Not really, but I think it would be cool conceptually).

Right now my list of things to do include:

– Get a French bank account

– Get a pair of slippers: This dog hair is cray

– Buy containers for my knitting needles and paintbrushes

– Stamps for letters

– Find some people my age to hang out with!!

French phrases of the day:

Don’t move from here: Ne gouge pas d’ici

Get out = Sors

You must do as I tell you: Tu dois faire ce je the dis

Be quiet = Taisez-vous

Sleep Well? = Bien Dormi?