9th month

Week 10 of the quarantine already! I finally got to see some friends this week! But of course still with 6 feet apart and we wore face masks of course. I just really needed to see and talk with someone in real life because I wasn't really able to do this for 10 weeks! Not because my host parents didn't let me, but more for my own safety and the safety for my host family. And I also know they won't be happy if I would just meet with a lot of friends on a Saturday night, so I just didn't do that. This week was a week as 'usual' with the girls and we did some picnics again and we made their homework and went outside a lot. On Friday it was really warm outside 86 F! (30 C) The girls and I had so much fun washing the car together and we had a water fight. Later my host dad came over and we went on a dinner picnic which was great! On Saturday I called with some friends, and it was one of my friend's birthday and I sent her a card a few weeks ago which arrived last week and she told me she was very happy with it! Later in the afternoon we departed to Harpers Ferry again, but now for a really exciting reason: WE ARE GOING TO DRIVE TO FLORIDA! And the grandparents are joining! Also because we are staying in the house of my host mom's grandparents who died last year, it is nice that they are joining us. On Saturday we drove for about 8 hours and we will have a stop in Chattanooga, (TN) over the night. We stayed in an amazing Air Bnb with a hot tub!!! I am so excited for the rest of our trip!! I really can't wait to see Pensacola and the beach there and I need a trip like this! Even though I still have to work and make homework with the girls, it feels a bit like 'vacation' I think. 

                                                                First stop: Chattanooga 

This week (May 18th -24th) was really nice! I am so happy to be in Florida! Such a beautiful place is Pensacola! The house where we are staying is great. The pool is awesome, beaches are gorgeous, the weather is also great and the nature is beautiful! I wish we could stay here longer! Even though everybody is working, and the girls have schoolwork, it still feels a bit like 'vacation' because of the environment here. But the girls are being quite tough since the last few weeks and they are frustrated a lot. So this happens with me too and that's why I miss my family and friends a lot. Luckily we went to the beach two times this week which was great and this always makes me feel better. I love the sea! We also did some picnics with the girls and I went out for some nice runs! On Sunday I did a canoe trip with the grandfather and Jana. It was quite an adventure because it was like we were in a jungle and we had to bend all the time for branches sticking out. And then.... The boat overturned.... Luckily the water was low and we could stand in the water but it was a real adventure! I loved it, even though I ended up with lots of scratches on my legs and arms and some bugs in my hair. I love it here!

Enjoying our time in Pensacola, Florida!

This week (May 25- 31st) was our second week in Florida. It was a beautiful week and we did so many great things here! Of course we went to the beach a few times, we went out for dinner and we swam a lot! But we also made an amazing boat trip with a rented boat! It was so nice! Luckily it wasn't too warm that day and it was a bit cloudy, because otherwise I am sure everyone would have had a sunburn... I also went out for a run a lot and I went to a tope climbing park with Jana which was great! On Sunday it was our last beach day and we made a great sand castle with grandpa and the girls! I had such a great time here in Pensacola, and I am so glad they all invited me to go on this trip with them! I loved it! I loved everything! Even the wild roosters that woke me up in the morning! It was great! Thanks to my wonderful and lovely host family! 

Really one of the most wonderful moments in the USA!

This week I can happily say that I am already here for 9 months now! I am proud of myself that I made it this far because of everything that is going on in the world about the virus. I didn't see my friends from here in 10 weeks. Not really because I wasn't allowed, but mostly to keep social distance and protect myself and especially my host family. And it was really hard to not see anyone. I got really frustrated and felt sad and lonely a lot, but I made it! Thanks to my family and my friends back home for always supporting me! And thanks to my host family for understanding my different feelings about being here and respecting me! I really don't want to go home yet! I love the girls too much to go already! They always really feel like my little sisters and sometimes even like my own kids. I have had many different 'jobs' in the past months, but I don't regret that I didn't go home when all of this 'shit' started. I would've regret it when I would have gone home. Then I wouldn't have gone to Florida for almost 3 weeks! On Tuesday we drove back and we had a stop in Knoxville, Tennessee. Then on Wednesday we finished the rest of our trip ( 6 hours) to the grandparents' house in Harpers Ferry where we stayed for one night. On Thursday we drove back to Philly. Here are many protests because of what happened to George Floyd. I was a little scared to be back, but it turns out to be ok here now. There also was a tornado warning a few days ago here in Philly. Luckily there wasn't a real tornado, but a lot of things were ruined by the heavy wind... But we'll see if the weather is going to be fine now. On Friday I met with Hendry and Bereket and we just walked outside and talked. On Saturday I met with Linda in University City (West Philly) and we did a picnic and a foto shoot which was really great!

The last pictures of our wonderful trip in Florida!

This week (June 8th- 14th) it was the last 'school week' for the girls! I am soooo proud of them! They nailed it! Despite of the virus, not seeing friends, not be able to go to school, and all the other activities... They did it! And they definitely deserved to have a little party because of that! And so we did on Friday! I made a special lunch for the girls with a waffle in the shape of an owl with ice cream and fruit on top. And I made 'official' diplomas for the girls! They really loved it! I also called with some of my friends from the Netherlands and this was really really great! I really needed them because I was completely lost... I have been stressing so much about what I should do after my Au Pair year. My host family already offered me several times to stay and my plan was to go home and study or work abroad, but because of the virus, that's a little hard now. On Tuesday when I went on a walk with my host dad he told me again that he and my host mom would love me to stay longer. They even offered me several things when I would extend... But I don't know if I can handle not seeing my friends and family much longer... I miss them soooo damn much! And when I see all those pictures of them being together i feel really lonely sometimes, even though I can also hang out with some friends here now. That's why I really liked to call with my friends on Friday. They told me I should just follow my heart and make a list with pros and cons of going home or extending. So I did. Then I called my family and they helped me with my decision, because for them it was already clear. Everything that was going on in my mind still made the decision really really hard... But now, I am very, very excited and happy to say, that I am going to be a US-citizen for 6 more months after my first year (so from today about 9 more months!) I am really excited to go traveling again in a few months!! In the weekend I met with some friends and we had a picnic and we biked to Fishtown which was great!

Fishtown with Linda and Annalena!

This week (June 15th- 21st) it was the first week of 'Summer break'. We went to playgrounds, had a lot of picnics, we baked and we played games and did arts and crafts. The girls were very excited when I told them I am going to extend for 6 months as their Au Pair after my first year is over in the beginning of September! I feel like the girls are happier now it is Summer break, because they don't have stress for school, they can play with friends outside and we can just do everything without caring about what time it is. But because they don't have school, it also means they are spending even more time playing 'together' and the oldest girl doesn't always like this. She likes to be alone sometimes, but the youngest one always wants to play with her. For that reason, they are fighting a little more which is kind of hard for me... But I always try to calm them down and play with both of them. It really helps that one of the parents sometimes do something fun with one of the girls and then I take the other one somewhere. It is good for everyone to be alone sometimes. In the middle of this week I called my grandma to tell here she wouldn't see me until next year in March... Of course she was very sad about that but luckily she said I should follow my heart and that she would always support me, no matter what. I also told my friends and family and I think they all support my choice and they are proud of me that I made this choice. This makes me feel better! I was so scared that most people would think this is a really bad decision. Of course my host family is really happy with the decision because they really wanted me to stay! Also in Philly everything is getting better with Covid-19. Next week Philly is supposed to go to 'green' (now we are still in yellow) which means everything will open up! I really hope this is going to work and I hope I am able to travel soon again! On Friday I had a really nice birthday party from my dear friend Linda (my first party since Covid-19!). Even though we wore masks and we had to be careful, we still had a really great time and we had some great cocktails and pizza! On Sunday the girls left to the beach (New Jersey) with my host dad, his girlfriend and her daughter. I will be off until next Thursday!

The party was great!!

This week (June 22- 28th) I had 4 days of because the girls were in New Jersey at the beach with my hostdad, his girlfriend and her family. I stayed at my hostdad's apartment and this was nice because I could use some time alone. Even though I couldn't do that much and my friends still had to work, I really enjoyed the great weather and chilled on the amazing rooftop a lot! On Wednesday two of my Dutch friends went back home and this was sad for me to realize. They are such amazing girls and even though I didn't see them that much, I know how much fun I always had with them! Later that day I had an amazing picnic with 4 of my friends and we ordered Thai food which was great! The sunset was really pretty where we had our picnic! We were on a public rooftop close to the river. On Thursday the girls came back and we had lunch all together at a restaurant we used to go to a lot before the 'corona time'. Things are finally going to open up slowly! On Friday it was a kind of 'weird' day for me because it would have been my grandfather's 79th birthday... But he passed away 2,5 years ago so it was a weird day for my family and I. On Saturday I went to some shops with Mariame, Alexandra and this was nice! In the evening I met with Hendry, Linda and Laura and some Au Pairs I hadn't met before and it was really great! On Sunday I went to the beach with my hostmom and the kids and after that I had a dinner picnic with some other friends at a nice rooftop which was great!

I had a great weekend!!

This week (June 29th - July 5th) I can happily say that I've been in the USA since 10 Months!! I went to the Poconos with my host mom and the girls from Wednesday till Friday and this was really great. We had a really nice stay in a house with a hot tub! The Poconos is a really nice nature area / river and our stay was close to Tobyhannah lake. Unfortunately there were snakes in this lake so I didn't go swimming there! But luckily there also was a pool! It was really nice to just be out of Philly for a few days again! On Saturday it was 4th of July and this is Independence Day for those who not know what this means. It used to be a great party with lots of fireworks, but because of Covid-19 most of these parties were canceled. Except at circa green, so that's where I went with a couple of friends. We ordered Indian food which was really nice and they played nice music at the rooftop! Later we went to the river and played some games and we watched the fireworks. It was still a nice day! On Sunday I went on a picnic with two other girls and in the evening we met with some friends and we walked along the river which was nice! I called with my parents and with some friends and I discussed the schedule for next week with my host mom because the girls are going to go to summer camp the next coming 2 weeks... I am happy to have some more time for myself but I don't know what I am going to do exactly yet... But I'll definitely cal with more friends!

HAPPY 10 MONTHS!! 8 Months left to go!!

8th Month

This week (April 6- April 12) We were in Harpers Ferry at the house of my hostmom's parents. We went here because we wanted to go out of Philly for a while because everyone was getting crazy. Also my hostdad had been tested negative a few days before we left so we were quite sure we wouldn't have the virus because we see him almost every day. We had a great time there an I really hope we will go back there soon. I went outside a lot with the girls because the nature is wonderful and there are not many people at all! You can go outside without being scared about touching things and risk to be exposed to the virus. We still have to be careful because we were staying at the grandparents' house but it felt more relaxing. I was also able to call with my friends more often because the grandparents spend some time with the girls too. Also we had 'Springbreak', so the girls didn't have any homework or something. We decorated Easter eggs, made some other things for Easter and on Sunday we had a great brunch with the family. Also my one of my hostmom's sisters came over with her husband on Thursday so we spend some days all together which was nice. We finished a 1000 piece puzzle again and this was a really hard one because there were lots of trees in it which looked all the same. I really hope we will go back soon! I really liked it!

Happy Easter everyone!

This week (April 12- April 19th) I didn't really do anything special. I went out for a run a lot and I did some exercising every morning. I was really busy with the girls and we went outside a lot. We did some baking. We did some school work. And I called with some friends which was really nice. Especially in this time I feel lonely sometimes and to be honest, I completely lost my mind now, because I don't know what to do... I just heard some of my best friends here are leaving, and I am really sad about this. Especially because I probably won't even have a chance to say goodbye to them... This makes me really sad... One good thing is that calling with my friends makes me feel better. So I call a lot during weekends. This weekend I called with my friends here and I also called with some of my friends in the Netherlands which was really really nice! I miss them so much! Especially now! But they really help me by texting and calling me sometimes! It gives me a little boost to go on here! And to be honest, I don't really want to go home yet, because then I still can't see my friends and family, I can't really work, I can't go anywhere, so it doesn't really make any sense for me to go home. But of course, sometimes I think about it because so many people are leaving now... But I'll see for how long I can handle it here with the girls. I really hope to stay here until the end of my Au Pair year and then travel in September. I also really hope the trip with my hostdad and the girls to The Netherlands still can go on... Let's pray for it!

This week (April 20th - 26th) was a little harder with the girls. They both couldn't really listen and the weather was quite bad and it rained a lot. Still I tried to make something of every day and we did some fun things. We started making our own dollhouse of a big cardboard box. I cut out the windows and made the roof etc. so the girls could already start playing with it for a bit. We are now working on the outside of the house and after that we can start working on everything on the inside of it. It is definitely gonna be a big project, but I like the idea! I also made a lot of fancy fruit plates for the girls because they seem to eat more fruit if it looks better! I called with some friends this week and I had to say goodbye to my best friend in the USA which was pretty hard! I am so sad Lara is leaving next week, but I can totally understand her! It was so weird sitting 6 feet apart from each other and talking with a mask on, but I really wanted to go to her to say goodbye. We had such a wonderful time together and we made the most beautiful memories together. So I am really gonna miss her a lot! On Friday we celebrated my host dad's birthday and we had a pizza kit from a really good pizza restaurant so we could make our pizza's and we had some other things which were really good. I made brownies with Jana and we made a caramel sauce for on top of the brownie and a white chocolate- oreo dip sauce which was really good! So for dessert we had a warm brownie with ice cream and the caramel and oreo topping! Yummy! On Saturday we went to Harpers Ferry again where we will stay for a week or probably even longer> I am happy to be back and the grandparents are very nice:)

Happy kids are the best!

This week (Aril 27th - May 3rd) was a very busy and also a tough week. Everything became a little too much halfway through this week. The girls are very sweet and I love them so much, but they are very hard to deal with sometimes. I know it's also very hard for them to do schoolwork at home and not seeing any friends, but still. It is hard to work 10 hours on a day if the kids are crying and screaming a lot. Of course they don't do that the whole day, but sometimes it all becomes too much for me and then I can't handle it anymore. So this is what happened on Thursday. I called my mom and this helped me a bit and then I went downstairs again and I still enjoyed the rest of my day. I also talked with my host parents about how I felt today and they really appreciated it that I told them. I am so happy they understand my feelings! This makes it much easier for me to talk more about these things that bother me in this pandemic. On Friday my dear friend Lara went back to Germany. I am happy for her that she is home with her own family, but I am really gonna miss her! We did so many great things together! During the weekend I called with a lot of friends in the Netherlands! I even think I called with too many people... Woops! But it was great and it made me feel so much better! We also had a really nice picnic and I finally found a place where I can get ice cream nearby! So happy! Yeehoo! We also had a lot of funny moments together as you can see in the pictures below and we went on some hikes which is great here in Harpers ferry! I am happy that we are going to stay another week!

Having a great time in Harpers Ferry!

Week (MAY 4- 10). Happy 8 Months USA! Woohooo! 4 months left to go! I am proud that I made it so far, especially in this hard time because of the virus. It was nice to still be in Harpers Ferry this week and we went on some picnics again and I went out for some runs. I called with some friends and family, helped cleaning the house a bit and I cooked together with my host mom for everyone every night. The girls were ok this week but of course there were ups and downs. But we had a lot of fun outside and we started making our 3rd puzzle. On Thursday we went back to Philly and the girls stayed at my host dad. On Friday they still came over to work on school and after that they went to him again. I made dinner on Friday and Saturday and I also called with some friends which was nice. I went out for a run on Saturday morning and I did the Run 5 Donate 5 & Nominate 5 challenge. I ran 5 km in 18:15 mins so I am really proud of myself! I donated $5 to the charity for the coronavirus and I nominated 5 friends. On Sunday it was Mother's Day and I made breakfast for my host mom and I gave her a card and her favorite cookies (snickerdoodles). Later when the girls came over, we had a high tea with tea sandwiches, brownies, scones, fruit and tea of course which was really nice! At the end of the day we did a 'girls night' with a face mask and we watched a tv show together.

Happy Mother's Day!

7th month

(March 9th-15th). What a hell everywhere! The Coronavirus. It is our biggest enemy now I guess. PEople are getting more and more crazy. Schools are closing, people can't go to work anymore, events are canceled, and even the grocery stores are empty sometimes! WHY?! I know it is getting a big deal now, but still. People are crazy! Hand sanitizer is sold out everywhere.. Just wash your hands ok?! AND THEN TRUMP.... OMG!!! 30 days travel ban for Europeans?! WTF! So many of my friends have parents that planned to come visit them in 2 weeks. My parents are coming at the end of Aril so I really hope they are lucky and can still come to the US. I am so mad! Of course there are many cases in Europe, but why would you do this? The virus is already everywhere I guess.
But anyways... I also did some fun things this week. I called with a boy from The Netherlands this week and this was very nice. I planned some things for my birthday and for my party next week. On Saturday I first went out for a run for about 2 hours and then I met with my friend Marielle and we went to Walmart to buy things for my birthday party and we walked around for a while and bought a smoothie. On Sunday I called my parents and my sister and then I met some friends and we had a picnic together at the river park which was great!

This week (March 16th - 22nd) was the first week without school for the girls. This means I would have to be their personal 'teacher' now. I first didn't now how to do this, but as I do like teaching kids new things, I was also very excited for this. This would be a real challenge for me and I liked this. Especially because I got my TEFL-certificate (which allows me to teach English abroad) teaching the girls would give me the opportunity to figure out if I really like teaching. On Thursday was my birthday... I was sad that I couldn't do anything with my friends because of the Coronavirus, but I still had a nice day! I had a great pancake breakfast, my hostmom decorated the living room and the girls made such a nice art project for me! I also got a huge box from The Netherlands with presents from my friends and family which I loved so much! All these lovely people! I miss them so much! Especially on days like this... I called with my parents, family and friends and this made me feel happier. I still was a little sad because we didn't do anything special because my hostparents both had to work, but when I came home we ate all together (with the whole family) and we had Chinese food which was so good! I also decorated the cookie dough cheese cake I made with the girls and this was soooo yummy! The first time I made a cheesecake and it was soo good! On Friday I went out for a run in the morning which was very bad at the beginning because I had stabbing pain in my side... But after 30 minutes it was gone and I ran very far! 18 km in 1 hour and 40 minutes! Pretty proud of myself! Lara came over real quick to drop off a present from her, Linda and Gian-Luca. I was very sad when I heard Gian-Luca was already on his way to Germany because he didn't want to be in quarantine because of the virus any longer here... We planned to go to Cancun together in May so this is really sad! I am gonna miss him so much!!! :( I also heard Karolina is leaving next Monday... She is already in her second year and she can still go back to Poland because she is a citizen but I am very sad she is leaving!!

I had a very nice birthday, despite of the pandemic!

This week (March 23rd - March 29th) was the second week without school. It was an exhausting and long week, but I still tried to stay positive and I went outside for run and this really helped. I also called with some friends in The Netherlands and this also helped a lot. It makes me feel better when I see them more often. I am very sad that I had to cancel my trip of next week to Puerto Rico and Miami and I really hope that I don't have to cancel my trip to Mexico! And I really, really hope my parents can come at the end of April. The 26th of March it was my hostmom's 40th birthday. I made salted caramel brownies with shortbread bottom and stroopwafel cake. For breakfast I made mini croissants, cinnamon rolls and French toasts and she really loved this! Unfortunately my present for her wasn't delivered yet so I really hope it will be delivered soon! We had a nice party despite of everything being closed because of the virus.

Happy 40th Birthday to my hostmom!

This week (March 30th - April 5th) was a very busy week. The girls still can't go to school so I am their teacher now. And of course they think they can do whatever they want now so it is very hard to deal with sometimes. We went outside a lot and the girls rode their scooters and I ran behind them. We did some arts and crafts for Easter and we played games. On Wednesday I heard something terrible... Trump decided to extend the 30 day European travelban… This means my parents can't come anymore and also if they were able to come, everything would still have been closed. I was so sad! My  mom was crying when my family called me... We had al so much been looking forward to see each other again at the end of April... We planned the whole trip to New York, Boston, Niagara Falls and Toronto and now it's all gone! I am so sad! On Friday it was my sister's 17th birthday. When I called her she started crying... I was so sad to see her like this... We miss each other so much! She is my best friend, so I can't see her like this... Luckily she still had a nice birthday! She really deserved it! I baked cupcakes with the girls for Elin's birthday party. We celebrated her birthday on Friday, even though her real birthday is next Monday. We did this because we departed to Harpers Ferry (the grandparents) this Saturday and then we wouldn't be able to celebrate it with my hostdad. So we made cupcakes and I had the idea to make a pie of it and we added unicorn decoration. Also we couldn't miss Elin's favorite dinner she has every week but especially now: Spaghetti! It is always so funny to see how she eats this... She is such a mess!!! But it was a nice little party. On Saturday we went to Harpers Ferry with a car full of stuff! It is very nice to be out of Philly for a while, because you can't really go anywhere and most shops are closed. Harpers Ferry is a very pleased area and it is way less crowded. And the nature is wonderful! I love to go out for a run or hike here and the grandparents are so lovely! Very Happy to be here! I hope we'll stay here longer than a week because I love it!

Elin's wonderful 6th birthday!

6th month

Finally trying the Philly Cheesesteak!!

This week (February 10th - 16th) I had a lot of things going on. Some nice things, but also some things that were awful... The beginning of the week was like usual. On Monday the girls had music after school, Elin's therapist came, and Jana had soccer. On Tuesday we went to the Dutch school and I finished my TEFL-course on Wednesday. I am a little proud of myself because I did this 168-hour online course within only 6 weeks! And I have spent way more time to the course as I am someone who writes down all the important things... But I made it! Now I only have to wait for my certificate!! And then on Thursday... One of the worst days in my life I think now... I went to the gym, and when I was doing an ab-workout I slipped my arm while I was holding a weight and it bumped against my mouth... A piece of my front tooth broke off! I was so sad! I didn't know what to do... I made an appointment at the emergency dentist immediately and luckily they could fix it 2 hours later. But then it turned out to be almost $600 for that very tiny filling to fix my tooth! OMG! WHY?! Why do these things always happen to me, I asked myself. I had to fill out a whole claim for my insurance here and this took me literally 2,5 hours! I needed so much information for this.. And now I really hope I will get some money back. In the US, dental care is usually not covered, but I might be lucky because it didn't happen while I was eating. But I'll see... My parents said they want to pay for it but I don't really want that, because it is my own fault.. I called them a few times this week and I got a really sweet Valentines card from them! I also called with a good friend in The Netherlands and this was great! There is also something else that is very exciting and I want to tell you about! I am going to Puerto Rico and Miami during Spring break! I am SO EXCITED for this!! I am going there with 2 other girls who are also Au Pairs!On Friday night I met with some German friends and we watched a movie and went to the swimming pool. On Saturday I went to a public event in Philadelphia with the same German friends. It was in a movie theater and we watched the movie 'To all the boys: p.s. I still love you'. It was really great! On Sunday I went out for a run in the morning. 18 km in 1 hour and 50 minutes! I am a little proud of myself (not want to be braggy, but I am just proud I made it so far!) After that I finally tried the Philly Cheese Steak together with my Dutch friend Marielle. It was really nice, even though I am not that fond of steak.


(February 17th- 22nd). OMG! Don't ask me how, but I got all the money back for my tooth! I am so happy! I never expected to get almost everything covered by the insurance because usually dental care is not included I've heard. But I am lucky I think! So when I got the money back I couldn't wait for booking my trip to Mexico in May! I am sooo excited for all the trips I am going to make this year! And about this week- it was a more 'relaxing' week, as the girls didn't have all their activities because of President's Day on Monday and they didn't have to go to the Dutch school. On Tuesday my hostparents discussed things together, including my vacation days. I was so pleased to hear I could go to Mexico, because I actually don't have vacation days left (as I only have 11 except the weekends), but I will just work a whole weekend in trade for more vacation days. (Because I usually don't have to work tat much during weekends and most of the time I am off.) On Friday I worked until 11 pm and I searched for stays in San Juan and Miami. I also looked for possibilities for what I can do when I am back home, but it is so hard! I can barely think about what to do... So many choices! On Saturday I met with my German friends to talk about the trip to Mexico and in the evening I met with other Au Pairs to have one last party all together because Prenisha is going home:(
She is already here for a second year so she has to go back home now... Too sad! It was so great with her every time we met all together! We had a sleep over at Karolina's house which was really great and on Sunday we had a brunch at Prenisha's house. The food was yummy and it was very nice!

One last time all together!!:(

This week (February 24th - March 1st) I had a busy week because I had to plan a lot of things and the girls had noon dismissal. I had to plan things for my birthday (which is in two weeks already) and I had to think about when I want to celebrate it for my friends here. I also wanted to plan something for next weekend because then I am already here for 6 months! OMG I can't believe it! Wow! Time flies and before I know I am already home! But I am really counting down to April 22nd when I can finally hug my parents and my sister again! Can't wait for this! But I am also really looking forward for my upcoming trips (Puerto Rico, Miami and Mexico!) And I am also very excited about something else.... I will be on a holiday in The Netherlands with my host dad and the girls during summer for one month! The flights are booked so now it is official! I can't wait to do things with my friends! I miss them so much! I called with one of my friends this week and this was really great! I also called with my parents and my sister which was nice too! On Friday night I watched a movie with Gian-Luca at my host dad's apartment building which was great and on Saturady I had a farewell party again, but now from Karolina. Her family is so great and close together! It's a big family but still they are so close and they all love Karolina so much! I talked with all of them and some people thought I was Karolina's replacer as an Au Pair and that was very funny! On Sunday I just relaxed and went out for a walk.

Yummy Polish food at Karolina's Farewell Party!

On March 3rd my sixth month was over already! OMG I can't believe it! I am proud that I made it so far and I am so grateful I made this wonderful decision! I love it here and I can't wait to see more! I really want to thank my family, friends, colleagues and everybody else I have already met here for always supporting me! I am so lucky to have so many beautiful people around me! To celebrate my 6 months in the USA, I went to New York with my Dutch friends on Saturday! 6 months ago we departed to New York City together from Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam). We were so excited to start with our adventure! After a bad start of the day because I missed the bus, it was a great day! My bus departed from a dfferent station than usually so I was waiting at the wrong station. We had so much fun together! It was a great weekend! We sang so loud on the streets in New York City that I felt kinda embarrassed because of it... But we had a great time! And on Sunday I met some new Au Pairs, including one Dutch Au Pair, named Aaliyah, who just arrived. One girl from Poland, named Julia, who is already in her second year. And one girl from Italy, named Mariame, who arrived 1 month ago, right before the Coronaviruse became a real thing in the world... I an getting so sick of this virus... People are making much more drama about it as it is a real thing now. But do I really need to stay home because of it? It will go everywhere, all over the world so than I wouldn't be able to go anywhere... Everyone is going to the grocery store to buy lots of things in case they will close.. SO SILLY! But ok, I can also understand they don't want to risk a lot of people get sick in a really short time because then the hospitals can't handle all the patients anymore...

New York with my Favorite Dutchies!

5th month

In my fifth month already! This week (January 6th - January12th) was so exciting! I went to
Universal Studios and Island of Adventure with Lara in Orlando and this was so great! No words! It was AMAZING! Especially the Harry Potter world was so great! We tried the butter beer and this was delicious!! All the rides where it looks like you are really in the movie. Even the waiting lines were so great! The weather was also great! I wore shorts and t-shirts all weekend! On Friday we went to Disney Springs which is part of Disney World but then this is for free and this was really nice. On Saturday we went to Island of Adventure in Universal which was great and I loved all the rides! On Sunday we had breakfast at IHop and then we walked to the Universal Studios which was also really great! Unfortunately our flight was delayed and I finally got back home at 5:30 AM! I couldn't sleep in the plane unfortunately but on Monday I woke up at 9 and then I went to the gym. This made me feel much better.

Weekend trip to Orlando with Lara!

The week after I went to Orlando (January 13th - January 19th), I didn't really do anything special. I just had to work and the girls had all their activities again so I was busy with this. I also worked a lot on my TEFL-course and I called with some friends in the Netherlands which was great! It felt like I was sitting next to them. On Wednesday I booked my trip to Nashville with Linda, another German Au Pair and I am really looking forward to this! During weekend I met with a few German Au Pairs (Lara, Linda and Gian-Luca) and we watched a movie on the rooftop of my hostdad's apartment complex which was great. On Saturday we went to the Cheesecake Factory and shared some cheesecake which was amazing but soooo heavy! But I absolutely recommend it! It is also a great place to have lunch or dinner and it is not too expensive but just like other restaurants! And in the evening we went swimming and we watched a movie again. On Sunday I watched the girls for a few hours so that my hostmom could meet some friends for lunch and after that we went out for dinner at Marathon. After dinner I met with Marielle, (a Dutch Au Pair) and we talked a lot about everything which was great! She is already here for 8 months and she is going to extend her Au Pair adventure with another family!

Cheesecake Factory with Linda and Gian-Luca! 

This week (January 20th - January 26th), I worked a lot on my TEFL-course and I finished the 79-hour methodology course! It took me only two weeks to finish this so I am proud of myself! And I was really excited for my trip to Nashville with Linda! On Thursday, she came to me after work and she could stay here so we could go to the airport together. At 3:30 we woke up, and at 4:00 am we departed to the airport! Yeah Nashville, here we come! We were tired but to excited to sleep and we looked where we wanted to go first. We had a stop in Atlanta for 1 hour and a half so we also saw a bit of that city. The airport was soooo huge! Luckily we catched our second flight on time! When we finally got in Nashville, we took a lyft to our Airbnb which was very awesome and really close to the center! We unpacked all our stuff and we made a plan for the weekend. Then we went to the city and went to some highlights and we had dinner together at Johnny Cash's Kitchen and Saloon. We went to the Country Music Hall of Fane and Museum, Music City Center, Tennessee State Capitol, and in the evening we went to Broadway (the music row) which was so great! I loved the sounds from the live bands you could here everywhere. On Saturday we went to the Tennessee State Museum, Bicentennial Park,  Parthenon Centennial Park and we went to a bar in the evening which was awesome. On Sunday we went to the largest hotel in the US, Gaylord Opryland hotel, which has 2888 rooms. We were so surprised with this amazing hotel! And you can just look around inside for free! Cool right?! After this we went to Grand Ole Opry (Music theater in Nashville) and we went to Cooter's Dukes of Hazzard museum (with cars from an older tv show) and this was also cool! Then it was time to get our stuff and go to the airport... Bye Bye Nashville! You were beautiful!!

Weekend trip in Nashville was so great!

This week (January 27th - February 2nd) It was kind of a normal and 'relaxing' week. I just had to work according to my schedule, went to the gym every morning, picked up the girls from school and brought them to their activities. We had a lot of fun together and we danced on Dutch Carnaval Songs!! I also worked a lot on my 'TEFL- course (Teaching English abroad). I am now at the grammar part of it, which is a lot, but I like working on it! I also called my parents and I helped them finding hotels for when my parents and my sister are coming (in April). We are going to make a tour to the East coast together and I am really looking forward to it! I can't wait to see them again! I miss them so much, even though I am not homesick! I also called with a boy in the Netherlands which was really nice! He is a really good friend and we used to do athletics together and during weekends we sometimes went out for a run together. It was nice to talk to him, because I don't really call with boys usually, because most of my Dutch friends are girls! My sister was in Rome this week and she didn't even have to wear a winter coat there so I was jealous of her! OMG! I wish I was in a warm country now, as it is really cold here now (and it is still not freezing... So I am scared for what is coming..) On Friday I went to Max Brenner, a chocolate Restaurant in Philly with Marielle and this was soooo good! I was really really full but it was so nice as you can see on the pictures down here! On Saturday I called my sister and I called with my best friend which was really great! I miss them so much! My best friend feels like my sister too!

The waffle from Max Brenner!!!

This week (February 3rd - February 9th) was kind of the same as last week. I had to work aa little more because the girls had noon-dismissal for 3 days, but day had a play date on Wednesday with one of their friends and they still had their activities so it was totally ok. I finished the most important parts of my TEFL-course (in only 3 weeks) so I am proud that I already made it so far! I finished the 79-hour methodology course and I finished the Grammar part which were both very hard sometimes. On Friday I it was exactly 5 months ago that I came to Philly! Can't believe it! Time flies! On Saturday I went out for lunch with Bereket, Prenisha, Karolina and Hendry in Fishtown, Philadelphia and it was really great! Afterwards we went to Hendry's house and played 30 seconds. After this I biked all the way back home and got ready for the Cluster meeting for tonight. We were going to watch a women's basketball game at a university. It was my first basketball game. And it was so cool! Especially with all those cheerleaders! And the University of Pennsylvania won the game!! After the game I went to Fashion District to meet with Lara, Linda and Gian-Luca at the game hall and this was fun! We also talked about the trips we would like to make together:) 

Great weekend!

4th month

In my fourth month already! I can't believe it! But as you can read in my blog, I have a weekly routine now so not only for me but also for you, it's not that fun to write and read something about my life here every day. That's why I decided to update my blog only once a week with a short summary. I hope everyone agrees with this and that you still like to read my blog:)

This week (December 9-15) I bought all my Christmas presents and some other things for Christmas. On Friday night I watched the movie Home Alone with the girls and Paige, which was really fun! On Saturday I bought the Christmas presents for my hostparents together with Lara. It was great and we had so much fun! Later that day I went to Prenisha to have an 'early Christmas dinner' together with Hendry, Karolina, Bereket en Angelika. It was sooo great! Everyone brought some self-made food and it was really good. We put on some Christmas songs and were wearing Christmas heads. After this we played some games and drank together and then we relaxed a bit. After that we went to Blue Cross Riverink because we rented a Wintercabin again. (This is a cute wooden launge home which is cozy and really warm. We played games and I gave the photo frames with the photo collage to all of my friends adn they really loved it. Then we went back to Prenisha and they were all hungry, but I decided to go home because it was 1:00 am and I was awake since 5:30 am so almost a whole day! We had so much fun! I love these crazy people! Unfortunately, they are all already here for their second year and some will have to leave in February and March:( Don't want to think about that!

Christmasfeelings with these crazy people!

This week (December 16 - 22) the girls were almost the whole week at Arjan's place, so I had much more free time! On Thursday after school the girls went to gymnastics and then they went back to Paige. On Friday Paige's family came over because it was her mother's 70th birthday! We set up a big party and I made fancy cupcakes with the girls. I also added Dutch stroopwafels in the cupcakes. Those are like caramel waffles. Paige's mother really loved everything! I made a Dutch apple pie for her and I made a birthday card which she also loved! On Friday evening the family went out for having dinner and I had to watch the girls and Lara came over. We talked about our trip to Orlando and booked our hotel and we decided we want to go to Universal Studios and Disneyworld! So excited for this! 

This weekend I went to New York again to meet a friend from the Netherlands that I haven't seen since 5 years! Her name is Francisca. We were sooo happy to see each other again! But because we hadn't seen each other for so long, that we didn't even know each other's voice and it was so funny! We have so many things in common like we both love to travel, wake up early, explore the world, meet new people etc. It was so great! Esmay and Robin (other Dutch Au Pairs) also came and we went to Hudsons Yards, we had lunch together and we went to Central Park to and it was sooo funny! I shared a pizza with Francisca. but it was a 'little bit' larger then we expected.... But it was really yummy! At Central Park was a big Christmas Market and it was cute to walk there all together! After this we made a lot of pictures and then Esmay and Robin went to Union Square and Francisca and I went to Rockefeller Center. We stayed at a Airbnb in New York and On Sunday we woke up at 6:00 am to go to the Brooklyn Bridge and we wanted to take beautiful pictures with the sunrise. It was sooo great! and then I went back to Philadelphia and she went back to Massachusetts.

What a great weekend with those girls!

This week (December 23-29) was finally the most wonderful time of the year! CHRISTMAS! I was looking forward to see Paige's family again and I was so excited for giving the girls my presents! On Monday I only had to work from 10 am until 3 pm and on Tuesday I went to the gym at 6:00 am!!! Soooo early, but I made it! After that I helped the girls with getting dressed and when Paige got back from the gym we waited for Arjan to go to Harpers Ferry (Paige's parents) again. Every house we passed while driving there was decorated lovely for Christmas. The girls were sooo excited because today was the day Santa would bring all the presents. In the evening we went to the Church in Harpers Ferry and we had dinner all togetherOn Wednesday we had breakfast all together and then we opened all the presents. I got some presents too! I got a lovely warm scarf from Paige's sister, some earrings from Paige's parents, Candles, a powerbank and some other small things from Arjan, and last but definitely not least: $100 from Paige and Arjan together! How sweet! I really appreciate it! Everyboday was so happy! Later in the afternoon on Christmasday, we had an early dinner all together and then we watched a movie. We also went out for a walk.

Christmas in Harpers Ferry with the whole Family Fleming!

On Thursday I woke up at 5:45 am because I as going to Washington DC! I was soo excited! I wanted to see too many things in just one day, but I made it! I went to The Capital building, Washington monument, World War II memorial. Botanic Gardens, Holocaust Museum, Smithsonian Air and Space museum and African Art Museum. So definitely a bit too much but it was sooo great! I asked many people to take pictures of me at all those different places and they were amazing! I literally walked 26 km this day! I was happy when I finally got back home! My legs hurt so much! And it didn't help to sit in a bus for 3 hours... But it was definitely worth it! It is easy to see everything in DC in one day even though not everything is close to each other. All the museums are free! How great is that!?! On Friday I had to work until 7 and after that I went to Lara to discuss where we want to go in Orlando and what we need to arrange for New Year's Eve with the other girls.

Washington DC! The Capital of this huge amazing country!

This week ( December 30th - January 5th) it was New Year's Eve. I was very excited for this! I reserved a wintercabine at Blue Cross Riverink for my friends and I. I didn't know all the people who were coming with us, but at least I knew 4 of the 10 people! I also reserved a table at a Chinese restaurant which would have a buffet and I bought so New Years decorations to make pictures with in the evening. The day before New Year's Eve totally ruined my New Year... I found out that I by accident reserved a wintercabine for 10:00 am instead of 10:00 pm... And of course the other times weren't available anymore. All the money was gone... I could only change the date and go another day with my friends. How can I be so stupid?! Luckily the other people weren't mad on me and they said we could go there on Saturday night and just go to the river park after dinner on New Year's eve. I made a bananabread for everyone and this was yummie. We brought games and snacks and we had so much fun! So even though I messed it up, we had a great night! 
On Thursday the girls had to go to school again and they had gymnastics. On Friday night I went out with Lara and Gian-Luca, (both German Au Pairs. I met Gian-Luca with New Year's Eve and he is one of Lara's friends. On Saturday I met with some friends and on Sunday I went to the center city with Lara and I bought a new phone because I really needed a new one. I bought the iPhone 11! It is so much cheaper here then in The Netherlands but of course it was still expensive and it hurted a lot to spend so much money but now I am very happy I did it!

HAPPY 2020 everyone!!

3rd month

Monday November 4, Paige and I brought th egirs to school and I walked the last half way to school. I dropped Elin and we were exactly on time because of the traffic and then I walked to Jana's doctor's appointment. This was about 18 minutes walk and when we got there we met Arjan and he went to the doctor with Jana. He came back from China yesterday so he had a very bad jetlag. It is 12 hours later in China so for hijm it was already evening. I went to the gym and when I came back home the cleaning lady was at Paige's home again (she comes every 2 weeks) and I talked to her for a long time. She is so nice and sweet! I think I can better talk with her than with my hostparents because she really seems interested in me and she Always helps me and my hostparents are too busy to talk to me sometimes. So for me, it is great that I sometimes have someone else to talk with! Then I made lunch and made some snacks for the girls and then I biked to Arjan to drop of the Ipads, headphones, stuffed animals and medicines. After that I walked to school to pick up the gris and to go to the music school again. After music, Elin's therapist came to Arjan's home and Jana made her homework. Then we had dinner all together and went swimming for an hour and then the girls had dessert and went to bed. I went home again and also went to bed.

Tuesday November 5, my day started very early because the girls didn't have school today. I went to Arjan at 7:00 am and made breakfast for the girls and then I made homework together with Elin. After this I took the girls to the center to look in some shops. We went to an arts and crafts shop for about an hour, we went to love park together and to the grocery store to get some stuff Arjan needed. Then we got back home and I colored with the girls for about two hours! Jana really loved to teach Elin how to draw things. After this Arjan went to Klokhuis with Gijs and his mom and I could go home because I started working very early today and went to the gym again. Then I went back home (Paige's home) and made dinner and I watched a movie. Then Paige got back home and I talked to her for a while and we both went to bed!


On Wednesday I first went to the YMCA again and after that I called with my sister. It was really nice to speak to her again and we talked about a lot! She Always makes me happy! I really miss her! After we called I saw an e-mail about the follow-up assignment about the photography course I had to make. It is much work I had to do, but I like it. I have to edit 10 pictures with Polarr on my laptop and  I had to choose 1 photographer and re-create one of his or her pictures. I chose for Barbara Kruger because her photographs with text in it really inspired me. At 2:00 pm I went to Arjan and grabbed some snacks for the girls and then I picked them up at school and brought Elin to her playdoctor. Then I went to the playground with Jana and after that we got back home and had dinner. Arjan was going out for having dinner again and I brought the girls to girls scouts and after that I gave them dessert and brought them to bed. At 11:00 pm Arjan got back home and I went to bed at Paige's home.


On Thursday, I first went to the YMCA and after that I called with some friends. It was really nice and we had to laugh very much! We called about 1,5 hour together and we didn't want to stop but one of my friends had to study and I had to make my lunch because I had to go to Arjan earlier today to make dinner. At 1:00 I started cooking at Arjan's place and at 2:30 I walked to school again to pick up the girls and go to gymnastics. But the girls didn't have much sleep tonight because Elin had a night mare again. Arjan also went to bed while I was cooking because he was so tired. When I picked the girls up from school Elin fell a sleep on my lap while Jana was playing at the playground at school so I decided to bring Elin home and go to gymnastics with Jana. AFter that we had dinner together and we went swimming and then I got back home to work on my follow-up assignment again. After that I went to bed.


On Friday, I went to the gym at 6:00 am to run on the tread mill and then I went to Arjan to help with making breakfast and bringing the girls to school because he was very busy with his work. Then I went to the gym at his place because I was not done with my workout and after that I got back home to work on my follow-up assignment for my photocourse again. It took a few hours but I am very happy with the result! After this I made my lunch and went to Arjan to grab some snacks. Then I picked up the girls from school and brought them to their first Hip Hop lesson. They really enjoyed this and they were very happy! They looked so cute while they were dancing like no one else was watching them! After we got back home I read together with Elin and then we had dinner at Marathon. Then I went out at Fado (Irish Pub) with some friends and we met there at 8:30 because then they didn't check ID's yet so we could go in and drank something. But unfortunately some girls didn't really like it so they wanted to go somewhere else at 11:00 pm and I went back home because I was sure I woudn't have been able to get in in another club because of the bouncers. I went back home and finished my follow-up assigment and handed it in. I am happy with the result! Here you can see the picture from the photographer Barbara Kruger I re-created.

My re-created picture from Barbara Kruger

On Saturday I first did a workout at home and then I had a small breakfast. After this I walked to Fashion District (shopping mall) and went to H&M and Burlington to look for winterclothes, but unfortunately I couldn't really find something. After this I went to the Magical Gardens of Philadelphia together with Lara and this was so great! It is a garden with walls that are made of recylce things and mosaic and it is so beautiful! It is small but it is a wonderful place. Philadelphia has a lot of these walls you can see when you walk through smaller Streets a few minutes away from Center City! Then we had some lunch together and I went back home to relax a bit. At 5:00 pm I was at Arjan's place because we were going to the Kidz Bob concert together with 3 other families and the kids. Kidz Bob is a great kids band and they cover top 40 songs so that's why I wanted to join them. It was really great and the children can sing so beautiful! I realluy liked it! When I got back home, Paige was also back from Miami and I talked to her for a while and then we both went to bed.

Kidz Bop concert & Magic Gardens in Philly

On Sunday, November 10 I slept a little bit longer than usualy and when I woke up, I went out for a run and I ran about 10 km. When I got bakc home, Paige was still sleeping so I tried to be quite and I made some breakfast. Then I updated my blog again and made a list with all the people I have already met here and talked with in the US. It turned out to be people! So Great! So many great new people! I love to meet new people and make new friends! At 11:00 am, Arjan brought the girls back to Paige's home and I had to watch them until 1 and I called with my parents and my sister together with them. This was really funny and the girls really liked to speak with them. After this I made lunch for me and the girls and then  Paige got back home and went to a pumpkin place with the girls. Af ter this we had dinner together and we watched a movie. Then Paige brought the girls to bed and I talked with Paige about the schedule of next week. After that, I went to bed.

Linvilla Pumpkinland

On Monday, November 11, the girls didn't have school and I first went to the gym before Paige had to go to her work. Then I helped the girls to get dressed and we went to the Franklin Institute. After this we played in Love Park and we picked up the lunchboxes at Arjan's place and then we went back home and had a late lunch. After this I painted their nails and braided their hair and then we had to go to music school. After this I made dinner for the girls (rice with corn, peas and chicken) and then I gave them a quick rince and we drew together for a while. Paige got back home earlier so she could bring the girls to bed. After this we talked about the plan for tomorrow and then I went to bed because I was really tired.

No School this Monday!

On Tuesday, November 12, I brought the girls to school and then I went to the gym. After this I did the laundry and I called with my family. It was great to speak to them again and I also talked to my sister. Then I made some lunch and I prepared dinner for the girls because they had Klokhuis (dutch school) again after school. At 2:30 pm Arjan picked me up to go to school and pick up the girls. Then Gijs also joined us and we went to Klokhuis. I went to Trader Joe's to get the groceries for Arjan and then I went to Starbucks where he was working on his laptop and I worked on my laptop too. Then we picked up the kids and went back home. I gave them a small desert and brought them to bed and then I finally had my own dinner and also went to bed.


On Wednesday, November 13, I made breakfast for the girls and I made their lunch and Paige was ready earlier this morning so she could bring the kids to school and I didn't have to go with them. I went to the gym and after that I went to Honey's Sit (Restaurant) where I had brunch with Annalena (German Au Pair), Laura and Alexandra (Au Pairs from Colombia). It was really great! I only knew Annalena but the other girls were very nice and we had very much fun together! I had pancakes with bananas and chocolat chips and it was so great! After this I talked to Annalena for a while and then I got back home. I got a letter from the parents of one of my best friends and I really liked this!! At 1:00 pm I went to Arjan to cook dinner and then I bought a hot chocolate with my own bottle because I figured out that you can refill your own bottle and then you only have to pay the refill costs! So gret here in the US and its better for the environment as well! After this I went to school and brought Elin to her therapist and I went to a grocery store with Jana. Then we had dinner at Arjan's place and I bathed the girls and then I went back home.

Honey's Sit with Laura, Annalena and Alexandra

On Thursday, November 15, I first went to the gym and then I went to Five Below to buy a hat, gloves and a scarf and now I am also 'winterproof'. It's getting colder and colder her and I am a little bit afraid for the winter, but we shall see what it's like. Then I went to Arjan to make some snacks and I went to school. On my way to school I texted Ilana if she wanted to grab a drink together. I met her 1,5 months ago at the Franklin Institute and she is a nanny and her kids go to the same school. She is so nice and it is so great to have someon like her to talk with when I am waiting to pick up the girls from school! We went to Saxyby's and I had a hot chocolate of course. Then we walked to school and let our kids play at the playgournd there for a while. Then Ilana got back home and I took the girls to gymastics. After that we went to Marathon to have dinner with Arjan and then the girls got a donut as dessert and we went back home. I helped them with putting on their pyjamas and brushing their teeth and then I went back home.


On Friday, I first went to the gym and then I went to Arjan to fold the laundry of the girls and to pick up their stuff. Then I got all the letters out of the mailbox and I got two! One from my uncle and one from the grandma of one of my best friends! So cute! I even had to cry about it a little bit because I think it is so sweet and cute if someone's grandma sends me a letter! After that I met Ilana at Rittenhouse square and we talked for a while and then we walked to school together and let the kids play for a while. Then we went to Taney (bigger playground quite close to the school) and their they played for about 2 hours. After that I brought them to hip hop and I could go inside the dance room the last 15 minutes and this was really great. They seem to enjoy it! After that we got back home and I gave the girls a shower and Paige got back home. We made dinner together and then we watched funny videos and Paige went out with a friend.


On Saturday I woke up really early because of the girls and I made them some breakfast. Then Paige went to the gym and I did some arts and crafts with them. I also finished my Dutch food for bringing to my friends this afternoon. I made something we call 'appelflappen' and 'kaasstengels'. The girls really liked them! When Paige got back home I went out for a walk. When I went outside I looked in the mailbox and then I saw a pink envelop and I immediately knew from who it was. It was a postcard from one of my Best Friends in The Netherlands. She wrote a very nice and cute message and she even put on some parfume! I really miss this girl! Especially her jokes! After reading it I went out for a walk and I called with my sister. Then I got back home and made myself ready for going to Bereket's place because that's where we were meeting up all together. Everybody made something from his or her home country and it was sooo great! I especially loved the things from South-AFrica because there were some more spicy things which I am beginning to like better. We had so much fun! I love these people! Just being crazy, and just be who you are and it's great! After this I got back home to relax a bit and then I went to bed.

Food from all over the world with my crazy friends!

On Sunday I first made some breakfast for the girls and Paige went out for a workout and after that I went to the gym too. I ran on the tread mill for an hour and then I walked on the stairs for 20 minutes and I burned 1350 calories for the whole workout! Then I took a shower and made some lunch and after that Paige took the girls to Please Touch museum and I walked to the Liberty Bell for the cluster meeting. It was really great to meet all the Au Pairs of my cluster in Philly again and we drank something together at an Irish Pub and this was really nice! After this I walked around the city with Lara and we talked for a while and then she took a bus back home and I walked back home. I helped PAige with getting the groceries iniside and then she made cookies with the girls. After this we made dinner together. I made a ceasar salad and Paige made spaghetti and then we had dinner with the girls. After this we tried the cookies which were really yummie and we danced crazy together and we had so much fun! Then Paige went out to meet some friends and I brought the girls to bed.

Cluster meeting at the Liberty Bell!

On Monday, November 18, I first made some breakfast for the girls and I made them ready for school and then Paige and I brought them to school and I walked the last part with the girls. After that I went to the gym and then I walked back home. The cleaning lady was at our home again and I talke to her and this was really nice! I told her I found a new babysitting adress for during weekends for earning some extra money and she was really happy for me. She also told me that she could ask families where she has to clean if they need a babysitter and when she was gone she texted me only one hour later that she found a family who needs a babysitter! So great! I really love to talk with the cleaning lady because she really yunderstands me and takes the time to talk to me! At 2:00 pm I walked to school again and met with Ilana at Saxyby's and we walked to school together. Then we let our kids play for a while until I had to take the girls to the music school. After that Paig got back home and the therapist came for Elin and then we had dinner together. Paige went out and I gave the girls a shower and brought them to bed. And then I started making my own budget list with things I want to do in the US and after that I also went to bed.


On Tuesday I made breakfast for the girls again and helped them with getting dressed an brushing their teeth and then Paig brought them to school by herself again and I went to the gym. After this I took a quick shower and I biked to the  center to buy a little present for the girls for Thanksgivinig. They don't really give presents here with Thanksgiving but I just wanted to buy a little present. So I bought mini squeezies (little things you can squeeze and then it gets it's Original shape again). When I got back home  I called with one of my best friends in The Netherlands and it was really nice to see her again. We talked about a lot of things and it was really funny! After this I made dinner for the girls and i had some lunch and then Arjan picked me up because we had to pick up the girls and bring them to Klokhuis. After we dropped them I practiced driving the car with Arjan together because Paige has an automatic car and I had never driven an automatic car before. It was so easy! You only have to drive! I liked driving the car, so probably next week I can drive the kids to Klokhuis (with Arjan sitting next to me). Then I went to Starbucks to work on my budget list again and after that we brought the girls and Gijs back home and I made them a little dessert and then I brought them to bed.


On Wednesday, November 20. I made the girls ready for school again and then I went to the gym and called with my mom and my sister. My sister has a testweek that is starting this Friday so she was a little bit stressed and that's why she needed me. I needed to talk to her too because I didn't know what to do during the Christmas break. After this I made lunch for me and the girls and went to Arjan to drop all their stuff. Then I walked to school and saw Ilana when I was on my way. We let the kids play for a while and I talked to her which was really nice. There were kids selling snacks to collec money for charity so I bought the girls little chocoloate pretzels. After playing for a while we walked to Arjan's place and made some homework. After that I brought Elin to her therapist and went to whole foods market with Jana to get some stuff we needed. After this we went to girls scouts and then we had dinner at Arjan's place. Then I talked to Arjan for a while and went back home.

On Thursday, I first went to the gym and after that I made pepernoten dough. This is a Dutch recipe for little cookies which taste a bit like gingerbread spices and we usually make these with Sinterklaas, a Dutch holiday between Thanksgiving and Christmis. With this holiday we get lots of sweets and presents and we also wanted to celebrate it with the girls because they go to a Dutch school. Then I met Ilana and we bought a drink together and then we walked to school to pick up the kids. We let them play for a while and then I walked back home to make the pepernoten. The girls really enjoyed making them and we kept on making jokes! They were really yummie and we ate a lot of them! Then we went to gymnastics and after that we had dinner at Marathon again. I ordered my own created salad and this was really yummie! Then Arjan went out and I brought the girls to bed. When he got back home around 11:00 pm I went home and went to bed.

Baking Pepernoten

On Friday I first went to the gym and after this I called with some of my friends which was really fun. So nice to see them again! I really really really mis my friends! I mis talking with them and making jokes with them, going out with them, having lunch together and just being crazy withh them. We talked for a long time and then I really had to go unfortunately… I was going to have a picnic with the girls at Rittenhouse square so I had to make some things for that. I walked to school with Ilana again and then we picked up our kids and I went to Rittenhouse square. I bought the girls a hot chocolate and then we had a picnic at the Park. Afer this we went back home and I made dinner. Then we had to walk to hip hop and the girls really liked it. While they were having hip hop, I walked around for a bit and then we walked back home and ate our dinner. Then we went swimming and a babysitter came to take it over from me. I went to Franklin Square and City Hall with Annalena because this was decorated for Christmas and it was really beautiful! After chilling there for a while and talking with each other we both biked back home.

Franklin Square with Annalena

On Saturday I went to the gym in the morning and then I went to AC Moore, an arts and crafts shop that has everything. I bought some nice papers to make birthday cards for some of my friends and then I went to City Hall tomeet with some friends because it was Karolina's birthday yesterday. Some of my friends went ice skating, but I didn't want to because I am going to go ice skating with the next cluster meeting probably and you have to rent skates. Then we bought a drink and sat with Karolina and her family and after that we had pizza together. After that we all went home to get changed and make ourselves ready for KArolina's party. Around 6 pm I went to Karolina's and we did some games. It was really fun, but unfortunately I had to go home when they went to a bar because I am not 21 of course... Then I went home by bus which was a bit annoying because the bus didn't come so I had to wait outside in the rain for 30 minutes... But I finally got back home and went to bed.

On Sunday, November 24, I woke up a little later and went outside for a walk and I went to Target to buy new shoe laces because one of mine was broken. Then I called with my parents and my sister and also with my grandma which was really nice! Then I met a new girl, named Alexandra, from Brazil and we did some shopping together. We both bought some new shoes and Alexanddra bought a new IPhone which is soooo cool! She bought the lila iPhone 11 and it looks sooo great!! We also had some ice cream together which was really yummy! After this I went back home and helped Paige with getting the Christmas tree inside and then the kids couldn't wait to decorate it with adornments! I had some dinner while they were decorating the tree and we put on some Christmas music which was fun! Then I made a plan for next week and went to bed.

Making new friends!

On Monday, November 25, I made the girls ready for school and I made their breakfast and lunch and then I went to the gym. After this I went to the center to bring my postcards to the nearest post office and I had to get some stuff for Paige. I went to AC Moore (arts and crafts shop) to buy some things we can make for Christmas when we are at the grandparents house over Thanksgiving and I bought some things at the grocery store. Then I went back home and made my lunch and the snacks for the girls and then I met Ilana at Rittenhouse Square. We talked for a bit and walked around and then we walked to school to pick up the kids. After that we let them play for a while and then I went to the music school again. When we got back home I made dinner and then Paige got back home. I updated my blog and looked at the pictures we made at Karolina's party and then I went to bed.


On Tuesday, November 26, I first made lunch for the girls and brought them to school by Uber and then I went to the gym at Arjan's place. After that I took a quick shower and called with my best friend from The Netherlands and this was so great! We called for more than one hour! And it was so cute because my friend told me that she felt much better after we facetimed with each other! I really miss this girl!:( After that I ate my lunch and made dinner for the girls because we had to go to Klokhuis again. After Arjan and I dropped them and Gijs, we went to Starbucks. There I tried the peppermint hot chocolate and this was really nice! I walked aroun because the weather was quite nice and grabbed another drink and then I had dinner with Arjan at Sweet Green. I had a salad which was great. We also did the groceries and then we picked up the kids and went back home.


On Wednesday, November 27, I first went to the gym and then I called with my parents and my sister. After this I went shopping in the city and I bought some new sweaters and a really great pants for only $70 all together because of the big Black Friday sale!!! I am soooo happy!! And I am sooo excited for Thanksgiving tomorrow! Can't wait! At 2:00 pm I walked to Arjan to make the snacks and then I walked to school and picked up the girls and we went to Elin's playdoctor. Jana and I walked to Wawa to grab a hot drink together (French vanilla latte) and then we got back home and I made dinner. Elin's other therapist came a bit later and after that I showered the girls and braided their hair while they watched 'primitive evolution'. This is a really nice YouTube channel with guys who are building houses for all kinds of animals. It is so great and the girls loved it! Arjan went out for having dinner and I stayed until 11:00 pm and then I went home and collected the last stuff I needed for the weekend in Harpers Ferry!


On Thursday, November 28, It finally was the day of Thanksgiving! I was so excited to meet the family! Around 9:00 am, Paige and I collected all the stuff and we went to Arjan to pick up the girls. Then we drove all the way to the grandparents house in Harpers Ferry. When we got there, the rest of the family had already started cooking. We took all our stuff inside and Paige's mother brought me to my room. It was a cute little sleeping room for myself! They have a very big house with an amazing view over the mountains. They also have a second home 3 blocks away which is used for AirBnb. This is a huge light blue house. I played with the girls while the rest fo the family prepared dinner. We had a great dinner with Turkey ofcourse, mashed sweet potatoes with pecanuts, mac & cheese, salmon, vegetables and another oven casserole. For dessert we had 3 really yummy pies: pumpkin pie, pecan pie and apple pie. When everybody was sitting at the table, the girls and I gave all the things we made for the grandparents and for Paige and I gave my present to the girl. They all really loved it! After having dinner together we watched a movie and then I went to bed.

Happy Thanksgiving!

On Friday, November 29, It was Black Friday. This means that a lot of shops have big sales. But I didn't really need something so I only bought some heels I really wanted. In the morning I made breakfast for the girls and then we decorated some ornaments and penguins. After we were done with this we went out for a walk together with uncle Josh and this was really funny! After lunch we went to a place with Christmas trees to look for one for the grandparents but they didn't have nice trees so we went to another place and they had a lot so we bought one there. We also had some hot chocolate and sat at the campfire for a while and then we got back home and ate the left overs from Thanksgiving.


On Saturday, I woke up earlier because of the girs and I went out for a run in the beautiful nature around Harpers Ferry in the direction to DC. I ran about 15 km and it was a bit hard sometimes because of the many hills but it was great! Then I had breakfast and the family was cooking because some cousin's were coming over to have brunch all together. We had 3 kinds of quiche, some salads, bagels, vegetables, smoked salmon and 3 pies as dessert. I ate way too much because it was all so yummy and it was really nice to meet everyone! We took some pictures with the family and then they left and we stayed about 2 hours longer and then we also got back home. When we were back home I saw a lot of mails and little boxes in the mailbox for me! One of my friends gave me a letter with a chocolate letter and Dutch pepernoten! My grandma gave me 2 letters and I got a postcard from the mother of one of my friends with a funny book. So sweet!! I was tired but Karolina's mom reserved a winter cabine for her and her friends so I wanted to go there too. It was really great and we had very much fun!

Winterfest with my crazy friends!

On Sunday, December 1 I first did a workout at home because the gym opens at 9:00 am on Sundays and Paige asked me if I could watch the girls from 10:00 untill 12:00 pm so she could go to the gym and do the groceries. Then I made breakfast for the girls and for myself and we did some arts and crafts together. Then we watched the movie Frozen together and Paige got back home. After putting all the groceries on the right place we had lunch together and then I went to City Hall to meet some friends. They were all German Au Pairs and I only knew Annalena and Lara, but the other two girls were also really nice. We walked through the Christmas market but because it was raining, we didn't want to stay outside for too long so we went to Fashion district to sit somewhere and grab a snack. I had cinnamon rolls which were really great! Then we went to some shops because there still was a lot of sale because of Black Friday. My mom asked me if I wanted to call my sister because she really needed me, so I went home earlier to call with her. It was nice to speak to her, but unfortunately we didn't have much time because it was already late in the Netherlands. So I told her I would call her back tomorrow!

On Monday December 2, I first made breakfast and lunch for the girls and then I went to the gym again. After that I biked to a post office because someone tried to deliver a package for me but I wasn't home because of Thanksgiving. I thought it was something I ordered online, but it turned out to be a big package from my parents for Sinterklaas (a Dutch holiday that's kind of the same as Santa who gaves presents). I almost started crying because this was soooo sweet. I immidiatly called them when I got back home and I wanted to thank them for it! Itsaid that I should open it on December 5, because that's the date Sinterklaas brings all the presents in The Netherlands, but because there were also some presents for the girls, I wanted to open it tonight because tomorrow they have Klokhuis and on Wednesday they will go to Arjan again. After eating my lunch I did the laundry and then I picked up the girls at school and we went to Music School again, Then we got back home and I mad dinner and Elin's therapist came again. When Paige got back home we could finally open the box all together and the girls loved it! They also got pepernoten and there were even presents for my hostparents! So cute! The girls started drawing in their new coloring books! After that I was really tired and went to bed.

On Tuesday December 3, I first made the girls ready for school again and then we took an Uber to school. Because it was Tuesday, there was a lot of traffic again because of the trash pick up. That's why I wanted to go earlier. After this I went to the gym at Arjan's appartment and then I went back home. I looked on my laptop to look at some possibilities for what I can do next year and after that I made dinner for the  girls because they had Klokhuis again and I made apple pancakes for lunch. Then we picked up the girls to go to Klokhuis and we went to Starbucks. I tried the Chestnut Praliné latte this time and it was really good! After this we went to Trader Joe's again and then we went back home.

On Wednesday December 4, Elin was sick and she had to throw up several times this night so I brought Jana to school and Paige could stay home untill noon so I could go to the gym after bringing Jana to school. Then I took a quick shower and went upstairs to see how Elin was doing. I brought her som water and then she fell asleep again. I did the laundry and made my lunch and then Elin woke up and she felt much better. She was really hungry so I made her some tomato soup. 

Arjan picked up Jana from school so I could stay home with Elin. She watched some tv while I called with my parents because they got the card I sent them for Christmas. Then I made some drawings with Elin and I made dinner. Only Jana had girls scouts today so it was great that Elin didn't have to go there. After girls scouts Arjan picked up Elin and I was done with work. I went to Christmas Village in Love Park and this was soooo great! It was really cute!!

On Thursday I first went to the gym because Arjan told me that Elin felt better and that I didn't have to work in the morning. After that I went back home and packed all my stuff for the weekend course at the LIU. I made my lunch, went to Arjan to make some snacks and then I went to school. Because Elin was really tired, I decided to drop her at home and go to gymnastics only with Jana. There I met Hendry again and we talked about the weekend course and what time we are going to meet at the Bus station tomorrow. I was really excited to go to the LIU with Prenisha and Hendry! After gymnastics, we had dinner at Marathon and I decided to try something new. I had the chicken pesto sandwich with mozzerella and oven dried tomatoes and it was really yummy!! After that we went to Insomnia Cookies to get a dessert for the girls. Arjan went out to drink something with a friend, so I stayed untill 11 pm and then I went back home and went to bed.

Friday morning I woke up at 7 am and I did a workout at home. Then I took a shower and checked if I had all my stuff for the weekend course. I dubble checked if I had my homework! Then I walked alll the way to the Greyhound station (about 40 minutes walk) and I grabbed a French vanilla latte. Then I met Prenisha and Hendry and we went to our bus. We all claimed 2 seats for ourselves because we wanted to sleep and there weren't that many people luckily. When we finally got in New York we ate some lunch and took the train to Hicksville station.There we met Daniëlla, a friend of Prenisha and Hendry and we went to the shuttle bus that brought us to the LIU for free and we went inside to get some papers and the keys for our room. It was a really nice room and it was also quite big. I liked it! I told Prenisha that it was okay for me if she wants to share a room with her friend Daniëla. When I chose my room, a girl came in because the door was open and she asked me if she could sleep here too. I was totally okay with that because I love to make new friends and it was a bunk bed, so it didn't really matter who you shared a room with. Her name was Bianca and she was from Austria and we talked a lot about everything. Her hostmom works for Cultural Care so she is totally obsessed with all the rules and that's a bit sad for Bianca... When we were settled we went downstairs to grab our dinner box. Thenw e had to go to the school building for our classes. Luckily it only was from 6 untill 8 today. After the class we met everyone in our rooms again and we put on some music and we made our own party. It was really fun!

On Saturday Bianca and I woke up around 7 and I took a quick shower. Then we went outside for a walk and we tried to find the building where we had to get our breakfast, lunch and dinner for the rest of the weekend. When we finally found it we met the others and ate our breakfast. It was a really nice buffet with everything you wanted! Then we went to our class and today we had classes from 9 untill 6.... So a really long day. Luckily my teacher was soo funny and she was fine with everything! We colored some butterflies, talked about child development and she told us her stories. Then we had lunch in one of the other buildings. After that we made a presentation about different ages and I had to make a presentation about 6-year-old kids with 4 other Au Pairs. One of the girls and I decided to portray everything the others of our group said like dancing, running, jumping etc. and we had so much fun while we practiced it! then we presented all our prewsentations and after that we watched a part of the movie 'Mathilda' because this also has something to do with child development. Everything she does to her parents is actually the result of all the agression she has becaus eher parents don't listen to her. So actually, the movie is quite vindictive, instead of only funny. After class we had dinner and this was also really good! then we went back to our rooms and Hendry joined us and we put on some music again. Everyone was really tired so we went to bed around 10 today. 

LIU Child Development course with Prenisha!

On Sunday, December 8, I took a shower and then we went downstairs to go to the building where we could get our breakfast. Then we went to our classes again and today we had school untill 12:30. Luckily we could leave a bit earlier and I got my certificate! Unfortunately they spelled my name wrong... But I am happy that I have got all my 6 credits now even though I am only here since 3 months! After school we took a train back to Penn Station ( New York) and then we met some friends from Philly and New Jersey. It was really great and we had lunch in a great chinese restaurant and we went to Rockefeller Center to admire the big Christmas Tree and the light show. This was sooo great!!! I have never seen such a beautiful Christmas Tree in my whole life! We took some pictures together and then I decided to go back home because I was really tired and Hendry and Karolina wanted to stay until 10 pm and Prenisha was going to stay in a hotel with a friend. I went to the Bus station and grabbed a drink. Then I slept in the bus because I was so tired. When I got back home I saw all the beautiful decorations Paige had for Christmas and I talked to her about my course for a while. Then I went to bed.

New York, New York!!