reflections

So, as I'm sitting here waiting for my last round of laundry to be done so I can finish packing to go home, I can't help but reflect a little on my time here so far.  I've now lived and worked in France for 4 months and 19 days!  How insane is that?!  As much as I've been anxiously anticipating going home for Christmas, it almost seems unreal that it's that time of year already.  I feel like so much has happened in these past four and a half months, but it has also flown by. 

In a mere 4 and a half months, I have seen 6 countries, 17+ cities, traveled by plane, train, bus, and car.  

(We also drove through Luxembourg (which has a Dunkin' Donuts!!) and flew out of an airport in The Netherlands.  But, I don't think those really count.)

Just for my own recollection (seriously, not trying to brag here) I wanted to break down everywhere I've been thus far:

France:

Annecy

Lyon

Paris

Strasbourg

Colmar

Yvoire

(and countless small countryside towns)

Switzerland:

Geneva

Bern (that pit stop for Indian food counts, right girls?)

Germany:

Munich (Going to Oktoberfest is still probably my most favorite memory/weekend so far)

Spain:

Barcelona

Sitges

Ireland:

County Kerry

Dingle/ Dingle Peninsula

Killarney 

Belgium:

Brussels

Leuven

Bruges

I have met so many incredible people, including both au pair friends and family members of my host family that have treated me so kindly. 

But these people ^ in-particular: SO grateful that they have been part of my journey here!  Wouldn't have been the same without you guys!  We also help to keep each other sane and endlessly laughing when we're together; can't ask for much more. 

I have also attempted to really learn a new language, and while my french is still pretty pathetic, it's definitely better than it was when I first arrived. 

So unreal.  Like I've said before, I often take a step back and can hardly fathom that this is my life right now.  Sometimes (okay, a lot of times) being an au pair is hard.  It can be an awkward job that requires a lot of tongue biting and more flexibility than you can imagine.  But these experiences and the places I've seen with the friends I've made make it totally worth it.  Can't wait to see what the next 6 months will bring!

But at the same rate, I CANNOT wait to get home to America tomorrow!  So ready to trade in euros for dollars and crepes for pancakes.  Friends, you can likely find me at Crofton Jazzercise Fitness Center working off my Europe weight or at Dunkin' Donuts/Starbucks indulging in the coffee I've missed these past few months. 

See you soon!

ch ch changes

So, I have some exciting news that I figure it's time to get out there.  I've only shared it with a handful of people back home, in case something happened and plans changed, but it looks like it's pretty official: 

My host family is moving to London!  I repeat, my host family is moving to London.  And I get to go with them.  WHAT!?

How this came to be: My host dad, Andrea, had been pretty upset with his current job for awhile.  He started to job search around late September, him and Sophie both agreeing that their time living in the french countryside might be coming to an end if he could find a new job elsewhere.  They are city people after all, and while they're not quite ready to go back to Brussels (where they're both from), they're ready for a change.  In late October, Andrea got offered a new job in London, and accepted quickly after, with a start date of March 1st.  We didn't know for awhile though what this would mean for Sophie, me, and the kids.  (Andrea has family he can stay with for awhile in London, if need be.)  Sophie is also contracted with her company until the end of April.

What has (tentatively, but most likely) been decided: Andrea will go to London by the first of March, regardless.  He has been actively house hunting (from afar) so we'll see if something comes through by then or not.  Sophie, myself, and the boys will stay back probably until the mid-end of April.  The boys will have (another) two week break for Easter/spring in April, so we will probably go during that time (and hopefully there will be a house by then).

So, things are very much still up in the air, but it looks like I will be finishing out my stay in Europe in London!  And I am REALLY excited about it.  As is the entire family.  My host parents even have thoughts about living in the US at some point, so they figure London will be a good stepping stone to that.  

For me personally, I think by the time April rolls around I will definitely be ready for English speakers and a faster pace of life then the country side offers.  Not so good for my (finally improving) french, but we can still speak french at home.  Plus, there are 8 chipotles and 42 jazzercise locations in the greater London area.  What more could I ask for?!  Bring it on!