first week

Now I've been in the States for 2 weeks and with my host family for one week.
And it is wonderful! Everybody is so nice to me, the kids are so cute and I felt at home immediately.
I also really like the area. There's a lot of nature and still many things to do and nice places to go to.
I drove an automatic car for the first time (so easy!), I had my first "Smores", I've been to baseball games for the first time (the kids played), to the movies, to really good restaurants and shopping in a mall (twice a week, haha).
Driving here is so much easier! I didn't know that you don't have the "left yields to right"-rule and that you can turn right even when it's red.
Now I (almost) know where everything is located and I already met some other au pairs.
Everything is great :)

Au Pair Training School

I'm finally here in the USA :)
After a loooong flight and a crazy bus drive I arrived at the Training School in Oakdale, Long Island. From the outside it's really pretty! But the inside..
Cold showers and the loudest beds I've ever slept in, well it's ok :D
The classes are so much fun, my teacher Joan is such a funny person!
We learn how to wash our hands correctly, that you should never shake a baby and we do arts & crafts :D
The au pairs come from all over the world, it's amazing! But still, I speak German most of the time since my roommates speak German and the friends I made, too.
Today we had the "International Sing-Along", where we heard childrens' songs from each country and at the "Candy Picnic" I could try candies from all over the world.
Yesterday I got a surprise from my host family :)
They sent me a surprise basket with a lot of Cultural Care souvenirs, candy and the New York City Tour! Made me veeery happy! Thank you so much.
So tomorrow: New York City - here I come ♥ 

TOMORROW!!

Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow!!! One last day in Germany.
One more day until I'm at the training school, 4 more days until I'm in NYC again and 5 more days until I see my host family :)
What a weird feeling I'm having right now: I'm am sooo happy and looking forward to starting my au pair year, but also a bit sad to leave at the same time.

All these "last times" feel weird. Watching a German movie for the last time, going out with friends for the last time, partying for the last time and so on.
But it feels good to know that soon all the "first times" will start: Meeting my host family for the first time, driving an automatic car for the first time, meeting new friends for the first time.
The "last times" do not hurt so much because I'm much more excited about the "first times" :)
Now, I'm done packing, I tidied up my room, I'm (nearly) done with my to-do-lists.
I am ready to leave and start an amazing year :)
Goodbye to my family, goodbye to my friends, goodbye to my guinea-pig :D
GOOD BYE GERMANY ♥
But actually "it's not a goodbye, it's a see you later" :)

Surprise

Wooooooow, I am SOO happy. My friends organized a surprise farewell party for me and I was so stunned when I came into the room everyone screaming "Überraschung!" and started crying immediately. (I cried many many times that night :D) I really had absolutely no clue! Thanks to everyone who was there! And a very special thank you to my besty Jenny & my cousin Michelle. I had an amazing night, that I will remember forever :)

Thank you for the yummy hot dogs and desert; for the best goodbye presents; for dancing (the hoedown) with me (for the last time) :D; for the decoration (that will remain there until I'm gone ;D);for being there making me happy, cry and laugh and just everything ♥

Getting started

Yes, I'm starting to pack, to tidy up and to do everything that has to be finished before I go.
Only 12 more days, I cannot believe it. Time is running so fast!

I am superexcited, sooo looking forward to starting my "new life" and meeting my host family but I also wish I could have just a bit more time with my friends and family. I'm trying to meet friends and do fun stuff every single day now. Partying, going out for dinner, sleepovers, going to the movies, hanging around etc. ♥

But there are still so many things to do before I go. (I have about a thousand to-do-lists :D) Clearing out my wardrobe, putting away the things in my room, giving away my guinea-pig - all these things make me realize it more and more that my life will change completely. But I really really like this feeling and the change of my life that is just about to happen.

I am enjoying the last few days with my family and friends in Germany more than ever :)