Yesterday me, my mum and my best friend (Annerie) went to visit the Koumans family for the last time before they leave to the U.S.. The kids were a little shy, suddenly having three total strangers in their house was a bit too much. We had a nice talk and when leaving my mum was finally convinced that these were very nice people and I was going to be just fine staying with them. They showed us pictures of the temporary house we're going to stay in untill they find a permanent one in Bainbridge. It seemed very nice for something you're only going to stay in for a short period of time. It's on walking distance from the ferrie and there's a park across the road. When we left it felt really weird knowing that the next time I am going to see them is at the Airport in Seattle just a month from now.
When I got home I also saw that a new feature on the AuPairCare site had become available as I matched with this host-family. I can now see all the Au Pairs that live in the Seattle area ( 54 Au Pairs in the Seattle area alone ! ) and I can also contact them through email. There are Au Pair from all over the world; Japan, Mexico, Germany, Bolivia, Sweden, Malasia, Colombia, Thailand, Ukrain, Sweden, Chili, Korea and France. Except for me there are no Dutch Au Pairs so far in the Seattle area, but that's okay, cause I prefer meeting people from other countries and cultures anyway. I send an email to this girl, Kyoko, who's from Japan and has been an Au Pair in Bainbridge Island since January 2008. She extended her year with another twelve months so she's been living there for quite some time now and I think she can tell me somethings about what it is to live there. Unfortunatly she replied that she's going away for a few days, but she seemed very happy I emailed her and promised to get back to me after the 4th of July.
Only 35 days untill get on a plain and fly 8 hours to get to NYC! And then three days after I'll have to go another 6 hours flying to Seattle. I can't wait till this month is over^^.
Thanks for reading!
maandag 29 juni 2009
zaterdag 20 juni 2009
Going to America
Yes, I've finally got a date for my arrival in New York! The 3rd of August my plane will land in NYC. I'm already counting down the days. Why'm I going to NY? It's the first stop in my year of living in America. After being an Au Pair last summer in France, I decided being an Au Pair is the perfect upportunity for me to work, travel, learn and experience new things and make new friends. With the Au Pair Care program I've also got the upportunity to follow some classes at college while I'm there.
The family I'm staying with is the Koumans family. Josy and Matt, and their two kids; Ben (6 yrs old) and Sophie (4 yrs). They're an American family who spend the last 3 years living in the Netherlands, but they're moving back the 3rd of July. I've met them two weeks ago and think this is a wonderful family to stay with.
After my arrival in New York I will attend a 3 day training course with other Au Pairs, who will be working in different areas in the United States. After the training I will fly to Seattle, Washington, and join the Koumans family in their temporary home there. Because the family sold their home when they moved to the Netherlands they still have to find one again near Seattle, in Bainbridge Island. The family already has contacts in Bainbridge and has told me they heared of a few other families there who also have Au Pairs. This is a good chance for me to make friends. Also there are a lot of college's there and the city of Seattle is only half an hour on the ferrie.
Even though the plan was to leave in July at first, August seems right around the corner. After this next month I won't see my family and friends for over a year. And after I return I will most likely move away to study in a different city, so there'll be quite a few people I won't see at all anymore. Luckily school is over, I got my diploma, and I now still have a full month to celebrate my vacation and spend some extra time with friends. Going to Walibi World and going on a camping trip with 3 of my closest friends are in the program for this month. Along with graduation, my last weeks of enjoying being old enough to legally drink alcohol, a few birthday parties and ofcourse a good-bye party.
On this blog I will post some preperation activities and while in America I'll update this blog regularly.
Thanks for reading!
The family I'm staying with is the Koumans family. Josy and Matt, and their two kids; Ben (6 yrs old) and Sophie (4 yrs). They're an American family who spend the last 3 years living in the Netherlands, but they're moving back the 3rd of July. I've met them two weeks ago and think this is a wonderful family to stay with.
After my arrival in New York I will attend a 3 day training course with other Au Pairs, who will be working in different areas in the United States. After the training I will fly to Seattle, Washington, and join the Koumans family in their temporary home there. Because the family sold their home when they moved to the Netherlands they still have to find one again near Seattle, in Bainbridge Island. The family already has contacts in Bainbridge and has told me they heared of a few other families there who also have Au Pairs. This is a good chance for me to make friends. Also there are a lot of college's there and the city of Seattle is only half an hour on the ferrie.
Even though the plan was to leave in July at first, August seems right around the corner. After this next month I won't see my family and friends for over a year. And after I return I will most likely move away to study in a different city, so there'll be quite a few people I won't see at all anymore. Luckily school is over, I got my diploma, and I now still have a full month to celebrate my vacation and spend some extra time with friends. Going to Walibi World and going on a camping trip with 3 of my closest friends are in the program for this month. Along with graduation, my last weeks of enjoying being old enough to legally drink alcohol, a few birthday parties and ofcourse a good-bye party.
On this blog I will post some preperation activities and while in America I'll update this blog regularly.
Thanks for reading!
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