10th month

This week (July 6th till July 12th) it was the first week of summer camp for the girls. I practiced driving my hostmom's car together with her and it felt like I used to drive every day again so that's good! My host parents decided it would be best if I get my US driver's license because I am actually officially not allowed to drive with my Dutch or international driver's license anymore. First I was a little sad because I really hated doing my practical and theory exam in the Netherlands because there they are really strict about it, but I decided just to give it a try in a few weeks or so and try to calm down and just do it. I like driving and I would love to drive more and now it's summer break my host parents really need me to drive the girls to more things which is great! Next week I can finally drive alone so that's nice! This week I met with Hendry a few times at my hostdad's apartment building because the pool and rooftop are opened. It's actually only opened for residents but for some reason they think Hendry lives there so now they 'know' his face and he can just go in there, (So funny)! On Thursday night I did a picnic dinner with some friends again which was great and I called with my sister and my best friend which was really nice! I also heard from my hostmom that she is gonna take me and the girls to New England, in Maine from July 18th till July 25th! I am sooo excited for this! I can't wait to go there! And I am so lucky I am still traveling a lot with my hostfamily during this pandemic! I am very thankful for that! During the weekend I just hang out with friends, we went out for a walk, had some ice cream and we chilled at the river. On Sunday I went to Wissahickon by bike which took me 40 mins but it was amazing! I really love this park because it is beautiful and just the fact that it is pure nature makes me so happy and calm. I also called with my family on Sunday which was nice.

#Me, swinging life away!

This week (July 13th - 19th) was the second week of summer camp for the girls. I had to drive them by myself this week which was great! Unfortunately there was a lot of traffic tho… Every day when I had to pick up the girls in the afternoon there was soo much traffic that it could even take me an hour to get there, (instead of 35 minutes..) But anyways, I like to drive and it is so much easier in an automatic car! I also had a little more free time when the girls had summer cmap, so I went to the pool a lot again and I chilled on the rooftop with Hendry. On Thursday night I hung out with some friends and on Friday too. On Saturday we left to New England, Maine, with my hostmom and the girls. We had a short stop in Stamford, Connecticut, to have some lunch and to meet my hostmom's friend there and then we drove all the way to Wells, (beach area in Maine). Our stay here is so wonderful! It is so nice and we even have our own golf cart! There's a gym, pool, clubhouse (18+) and the beach is pretty close (5 mins drive). So I am excited to stay here for a week! Also something really exciting happened today because my hostmom's sister got her baby! It is a really cute little boy, named Jack! I am so happy for them!

Vacation in Maine!

This week juli 20th - 26th I was in Maine the whole week! I had an amazing time and I did a lot of fun things! I went on a sailboat for the first time and I went on a real lobster boat! We went to the beach every day which was awesome and the weather was great! On Wednesday I went to Boston which was also really nice! I walked 23 kilometers but it was definitely worth it! I went to the Boston Common, Botanic Garden, Tea Party ships, Freedom Trail, Monument and Mike's Pastry shop. I tried lobster and it was better than I thought! My hostmom even ordered a whole lobster and she could choose the lobster she wanted! I had never really seen that in real life before so it was pretty exciting for me! I had such a great time in Maine and I hope to go back there ever again! On Friday it was my dad's birthday and my family went to Vlissingen as a surprise for him! Unfortunately my sister and I couldn't give him the present I bought in Nashville (a cap from Coopers-> famous tv show) because we didn't go to the Netherlands anymore. On Suday I called my family again and I heard my cousin is pregnant! I am soooo excited and happy for them!! I can't wait!! I also called two of my dutch friends and one of them was turning 20 today so I wished her a happy birthday! Miss them all so much!!!

 I had such a great time in Maine and Boston! I'm in love with Boston!

This week (July 27th till August 2nd), the girls had summer camp again. Or at leas they were supposed to have summercamp. They both went to tenniscamp on Monday and Jana really liked it, but Elin did not. So my hostparents immediately tried to find something else for Elin. They ended up with the same camp the girls went to last year and Elin really loves it there. So on Tuesday Jana went to tenniscamp and Elin to Pre K camp. On Wednesday Jana couldn't go to summercamp anymore. We told her this was because someone got the virus in her group, but it actually was because there were shootings on that place on Tuesday night... And the area where her tenniscamp was, was West Philly which is not the nicest area but her camp seemed to be fine.. But the rest of the week I did a lot of fun things with Jana and took the girls swimming after Elin's camp so she still had a great week! I had to say goodbye to three good friends unfortunately... Two of them are going to extend with another family in another state and one girl went back to Poland. I'm sad so many people are leaving..
This weekend I made lunch with Alexandra (a Brazilian Au Pair who's gonna move to a new family next week). I made bananabread and she made yummy risotto! Linda also joined us and I rode the electric scooter of my hostmom to Alexandra's house (30 mins!) It was the first time I used this scooter and my hostmom never used it either but it's so fun!! I loved it! I also met my Local Coordinator for a little bit because I passed the place where she was having lunch with her family. Right before I left, Bereket also came over to say hi. I also called with some friends and family this weekend which was great!

Enjoying my time back in Philly