update again

Well Blogging seems a bit hard – many things happen in short time. Where to begin? I’ll try to keep it shorter this same :)

I now “know” 3 girls who will attend the same workshop as I. Funny part is that they are all German - One Dane among 3 Germans. Especially since I have had 3 years of German and I still don’t understand a word. I recognize words, but don’t understand what they mean. Let’s hope they try to keep it in as much English as possible, at least when other people are around :)

I have got a new flight plan. I actually think this plan is much better than the other even though I have to get up earlier. I now fly Copenhagen – Brussels – Newark. My flight takes off from CPH at 6.35am- Which mean I have to be at the airport at 5am. But it means that I will arrive at 12.05pm in Newark which is perfect. The even better part of the new plan is my “in-country” flight. Instead of changing flights in the middle I can just meet up in JFK – place myself in the plane and waiting for it to land in Denver. Though it’s a little late. I will land in Denver at 8.48pm which is a bit unusual since most au pairs are planned to arrive around 6pm. I really don’t know why it has to be at that time, maybe because they want or desire that the au pairs is having a family meal together the first night.

For me it makes no different whether or not It’s 6pm or 9pm I will probably be exhausted no matter what. Most au pair-bodies who come from Europe will have a hard time adjusting. We fly back in time + we will have to meet to class around 8am and we won’t get off before 8-9-10pm At least that’s what we are told. Let’s see whether or not they will stick to that time frame.

So I think I will be exhausted no matter what time I arrive in Denver. So many new impressions, probably lack of sleep, workshop, time differences, another flight, another new airport, new culture, new family. It’s probably very normal to feel exhausted the first night and weekend.  

Friday (last week) I got my visa-document by mail. Wow that was a lot of reading. First I freaked about the picture.  I wanted the picture to be taken by a professional, so I didn’t make any mistakes. But no one takes that size of pictures, since it’s not a standard size. Well after freaking out, e-mailing the Danish office, panicking on facebook. Get calmed down by both agency, host mom and friend then I decided to make my own private alternative/creative photo place. I tried to take it myself, which wasn’t much of a success. So I had to wait for my mom to get home from work – so she could take my picture. We ended up with an okay result. And I just hope it’s accepted at the Embassy.

Then I filled out an online form to apply for visa, I went well most of the way at least. I was asked if Iintended to study while I was in the States. I said off course yes – since I need the 6 ects. Points. Then It wanted me to tell which school I will attend, which Course and which major or BA I was taken. And I was like, I really don’t know which course I want to attend or where. I have had listed 3 different places. But Haven’t gotten to the point to chose which one or what to study. I had to write something, since it wouldn’t allow me to leave it blank. So I was assuming that I will attend University of Colorado Boulder, for course of study: Not known.

Street address: Not known, Boulder, Colorado 80309. And for those who’s asking how hard can it be to find the street address. Ehm that can be quit hard since the addresses chances from department to department. And since I don’t know which course to attend, then I don’t know the department either. I tried to find the head address – without any luck.

But it just have to be like that – I can’t do better right now.

Today I paid my fee for the embassy and bought the envelope and the right amount to send it. I have gathered all my papers, only things missing is my graduation papers and criminal record – in case they doubt me.

Tomorrow I’ll stop by the Danish Agency so they can double check my papers and see whether or not I made a mistake in my online application (which I have printed out, so the agency could see for themselves) Some would might say: You have probably done it correct. But probably is not good for me in this case. This is my visa – the one thing that I HAVE to have sorted out correctly. If I show up on the embassy and something is wrong (or very wrong – don’t know how strict they are. But rumors say they are VERY strict)  Then it will cost me another 800 Dkr. ($142) to get to another interview when I have sorted the mistake out at home.  And yes an interview/visa costs 800 Dkr. ($142) So I really need it to be correct in the first shot.

So now I just need my visa and flight tickets. Then there’s only waiting time and packing down my room left. 28 (almost 27) days to go. 

Flight info, networking, researching and selling out!

Got my flight info.

 I’m going Copenhagen – London/Heathrow – New York (EWR) on January 9^th.

Luckily I don’t have to get up at 3am like last time. I will have to be at the airport around 6am. Which is actually okay. Right now I’m in contact with the Danish agency. I can’t find my flight at the time they say I should take off from Heathrow. They (Agency) say it’s 10.25 – but when I check the date and the flight number on Heathrow’s website then they say 11.25. Then I told the agency that – but they keep saying 10.25. I don’t know if the website is giving me the time from the Danish time zone. But that would be very unusual. Basically ALL companies give you the times in local times, so no one misunderstand.

The agency will contact me again when they have had confirmed my flight tickets. I rather fly 10.25 – otherwise I just need even longer! And I don’t like to wait :/ Time will show – as long as I get there! :)

CPH – LHR :: 2 hours flight

LFR – EWR :: 8 hours flight

After the workshop on January 13. I will go to New York (LGA) to get my flight to Cleveland, where I have only 40 minutes before I need to get my final flight heading for Denver!

LGA – Cleveland :: 1 hour 49 min. flight

Cleveland – Denver :: 3 hour 27 min flight

I really hope my earplugs works! Otherwise I will be in pain… I have this with my ears when flying. My head can’t equalize the air pressure. Like my head can’t cope with the fast changing. Many other people are chewing gum, yawn or hold their fingers on the nose and “pushes” the pressure out. I’m not able to do that. So the pressure inside my head is way too high or way to low and that is really, really painful! If I just move the tiniest slight the pressure will change and I will cry in pain.

Know I have tried these plugs I have to put in at least 30 minutes before I enter my flight. And they seem to work – when they are not falling out (which have been my own fault). I feel the pressure like everyone else but it’s not painful any longer. So I think I’m gonna buy a new set to bring, since I have used these many times now. Some would might say “Have you seen a doctor?” the answer – Yes of course have. But they say nothing is wrong. And like tell them, something must be wrong! It’s painful, I’m crying and screaming – that’s not normal! And no I’m not afraid to fly!

But at least I have found a way to deal with my “problem”  :)

Networking, networking, networking.

It’s told to be one of the most important factors to get a successful year.  I – like many other people use facebook. I have found Euraupairs page on facebook and have now found two girls. One girl is arriving and attending the same workshop as I in January – she’s going to live in New Jersey.

I also tried to find girls from the area I would be in. I have found a girl who lives in Denver and she have told me that there are 9 firls from Euraupair and many other girls from different agencies.

Then I tried to figure out who my CC will be, when I live in Boulder. And it shows that Boulder don’t belong to the Denver area, So I probably don’t get the CC the girls from Denver has.

Euraupair was very kind and have told me that The area coordinator will contact me, within a few days to tell me. Normally you would know who your CC will be when you get the placement papers. But right now my host family has address in Seattle and not in Boulder since they haven’t moved yet. But it’s so nice that they will contact me and tell me, even though they don’t have the new address yet.

Maybe I’m a bit too pushy? I don’t think so. “If you don’t ask you don’t get any answers.”  I’m a person who likes to know what’s going on, and what is going to happen, who will I need to go to, and who will be in my cluster. I like networking!

I think it’s great to start friendships before even going there. Then You have a familiar face, and someone who says “hey lets meet when you get here” The girl from Denver have told me to write when I arrive. So if she goes to Boulder or I go to Denver then we can just write each other and ask if we could meet. That’s great! And that is also what’s the au pair life is about. New friends, new adventures and exploring other cultures - whether it’s your own, the American or a third culture.

With networking comes Researching!

Yes I said researching! Find out as much as you can before going. I have started with Boulder and Denver - regular facts and what to do. I have found places I want to go myself, places where I can take the kids, places where I can go with the family (if they are up for the things I have found of course), things I can’t wait to see (like festivals, parades, venues etc.)

I found some pages about Boulder and I’m totally in love with the city already. This was only confirmed by one of my friends who have been to Boulder twice. He was like “it’s SO awesome! And then there is this sportsbar/restaurant who have the greatest nachos, you have to try them!” And of course he doesn’t remember the name. So I will search for nachos in a sports bar. Thank you Mathias, good advice ;)

Always find different info about where you live – it might make it easier when you recognize shops and street-names from pictures and maps. Maybe it will make me feel more “home” when I recognize these kinds of things.

Selling out!

Yes, I have found that 23 kg isn’t much for a whole year! Many advices from host moms, former au pairs, CC’s and so on say “Bring half of what you think you need and a handful of money!”

The chance that I find some awesome clothes in States is way too big. And then when I get home I have too much clothes. So things I never wear, things I can’t fit any longer, have worn or don’t like is for sale. Second-hand-purchases are very popular here in Denmark and instead of just toss it, then I’m able to earn a little money and someone else will get the joy of my stuff.

And all of this got longer than I thought. One last info: my visa forms will arrive within 1-2 days – then I just need to get an appointment at the embassy, I just need those documents so I can book a meeting. So long :)

Update

Well, Christmas have hit the nation. And Christmas lunches, gatherings and dinners have started. My Brother turned 24 yesterday. So he invited family and friends to our house to celebrate. It was a great evening with cake, buns and coffee. Nice to see so many happy people!

Today my family hosts a cousin/family gathering, with all the cousins from my grandpa’s (dad’s side) side of the family. We will start to make Christmas decorations, Christmas cards and all that kind of things, while having a cozy time, talking laughing and just feel the Christmas spirit. Then we will eat together and what happens afterwards is never known. And that’s probably also the best! ;)

Though I am a little sad. Many aren’t able to show up even though they have known the date for a year. And they started with, “yes I’m defiantly going to be there” Reason is that all these Christmas gatherings also is going to involve goodbyes. Many of the people who attend these things are people I only see few times a year – if I’m lucky. So I don’t get to see these people again before I leave for the States. Now there are people I won’t have the chance to say goodbye to. And I really looked forward seeing all these people.

I love the gathering, it’s a few times a year we are able to catch up. We live in different places, have different lives – so I love to get together. But next year I’m not around, but I really appreciate e-mailing and facebook! I won’t get all lost, but Facebook is not the same as catching up in real life. That’s one of the downsides. Part of the game and experience. But I’ll get new friends and an extra family so I have no complaints.

Well something totally different. My Placement papers got here Tuesday. It’s always nerveracking to wait for the mail to arrive. But it got here! And it’s official, I’m leaving Copenhagen, Monday – January 9^th. I haven’t got my flightplan yet. But it won’t be long before I get that one.

The funny thing about these placement papers is that it’s kind of divided into two places. My family is moving from one state to another. Right now they live in Redmond – Washington and will move to Boulder – Colorado. So half of the information: addresss, phonenumbers,  CC’s etc. is connected to Washington. Rest of it: places to study and facts about the new city is connected to Colorado.

So I have no clue who my CC will be. But I’ll find out on the way. I could imagine that it depends on where we will live in Boulder.

But it’s just a fun thing to read, half of the information is useless  for me.

In the moment I have a lot of dreams while sleeping. It’s like: worst-case scenario playing. No one likes me, the family is angry, we can’t find solutions, I don’t get trough immigration, I won’t catch my plane. Everything goes wrong in general. I really hope it’s only in my dreams, those scenarios will happen!!!

I have started doing homemade Christmas cards and small gifts in cardboard. Really makes me relax.

Well, in three hours, guests will arrive. Another storm is hitting Denmark. Our roof haven’t been made yet. So I really hope damage will stay at a minimum!

Countdown, papers, plan, baby signing :)

Well, a storm hit Denmark yesterday. The wind was fierce with gusts of hurricane strength. But as far as I know nothing have been broken, not even the Christmas lights! But since I live in the gable end of the house, I have been awake many times, because of the howling wind. But I’m okay; I’ll take a nap if needed.

Countdown has also begun. It started yesterday even though it should have started Thursday. But who cares. It’s 43 days to go. That is not much time. I still haven’t got the official papers – so they really should arrive with the mail today or tomorrow. After the official papers have arrived, I should receive my flight plans. I remember last time I got my flight plan. I had to go the airport at 3.30am to get the flight to Frankfurt airport. I would arrive around 7am. Then I needed to wait until around 10am where I would take off with the plane heading towards JFK, New York. New York time I would arrive around noon – which mean it would be around 6pm at Danish time. That means around 14 hours of traveling. And nobody knows how long it will take to get through the immigration in JFK. That’s just part of the game.

So right now I need my papers, need flight plan, need a password so I can book at time at the American embassy, so I can get my visa.

Then I need to go to the Town hall, where I will probably spend a few hours getting my international driver license, a form where I can resign myself from the country. (When you’re supposed to go out of country more than 6 months then you have to do this.) I need to talk with the tax center, since I won’t have an income in Denmark for a whole year.

Then I need to go to the embassy to get my visa, they will take my passport and sent it to me and I would be able to enter the states (or: they can actually refuse me entry to the states when I arrive. Hopefully that won’t happen. I don’t see any reason why they should.) I need to go to the doctor, have a last check out, just to be sure. Even though there probably nothing to find. Need some prescriptions. So I can get my Birth control Pills and then I bring some anti histamine for my allergy, just to be sure.

Then around 8 days before departure I will get my tickets in hand, along with something else that I don’t remember right now.

And then all there’s left is packing and actually going. Saying goodbye for a time. Don’t wanna think that far ahead yet. One thing at a time.

In the moment I’m killing time learning baby signing. Which is quit much fun for me. I can count to 10, say animals names, milk, more, cookie, share, color, baby, tree, eat, drink and probably much more. I have made a game out of it. Do the sign before the baby on the video does… That can be very fun.

But I also killing time with baking a lot of Christmas cakes/cookies and do some Christmas shopping, and yes I do Christmas shopping very early. I don’t have a need to rush the day before Christmas Eve (where we get present in Denmark) with all the others. I like to take it slow and be done early, and I’m almost done, just 2 or 3 presents from the goal.

All for now.
Correction: a few tiles from my gable end have been broken, and have possible made a small hole trough the roof. But we will have to check that later. 

Happy, Calm and Exited - We have a Match!

..In the beginning I said, that you could follow the rollercoaster ride. I hope you got the feeling!

I’m very happy know, not thorn or twisted. I’m calm, happy, exited and I can’t wait until January where I will meet my “new” family!

Yes I decided to match with the family. And I have absolutely no doubts. This is what I want, and they are the right family! now I just need to get the official papers. But wanted you to know….

I decided not to go to the job interview in Denmark when I woke up this morning. I had a very bad night sleep. So many thoughts in my mind. I couldn’t find rest. Talked to my mom shortly in the morning and took the decision. Contacted the nursery and told them that I needed to go somewhere else. Then I wrote the e-mail to the family. And now I’m just relived. I know what to do know, in about 7 weeks I will be with my family in the states, and I can’t wait to see them and get to know them!

No tears, not thorn and defiantly not twisted! Just happy, exhausted and exited. Will go to bed..

PS. Have started to translate all Danish posts into English. They will soon be seen on my private website, will tell when the site is up running again.. :)

Thorn, Twisted, Tears

I have to warn you. This is going to be a very long post. I haven’t been posting in two months now. Many things have happened, many things didn’t manage to stick to my plan. My mind is twisted, I find myself in a confusing, unrealistic world. I have no idea what to do or say, I have way too many hours to do nothing which means that I have way to many thought in my head.  Let’s start from the beginning, maybe it won’t be in correct order, but I hope you understand.

Last time I posted I hadn’t heard anything from anyone. I was jealous at all the other au pairs, they had what I want. I decided to sign up for a non-agency matching site, in hope of finding a family who would enter the program. I had many, many families who wanted me from the States. They just didn’t want to be in a program, because they think the agencies trick them; they simply don’t trust the agencies. But I don’t want to go to the States illegally. I have an agency and that’s how it’s going to be. I changed my “dear family letter” and made a few changes in my profile at EurAupair in hope of a family would contact me through my agency.

I had one family contacting me, she was like: I have chosen you! And I only had 2 days to decide, so I told her that it was way to short time for me to decide. She had to spend some more time getting to know me. She never responded back.

I also got offers from families in Europe. In the beginning I turned the offers down. But more came and I started realizing that I might should forget USA and head off to somewhere else. I had contact with many families in Europe, especially families from Switzerland. I ended up with one family from Switzerland. They sounded perfectly. They even invited me down for a couple of days. Just to see if it would work. The family and the children were all very nice, boys will be boys and babies will be babies. But it didn’t feel right. The family agreed, so I didn’t sign contract with anyone.

Then I got home, I had turned down a job offer because I was 95% sure that I was going to Switzerland. I could have had a job in Denmark now. I still don’t have a job.

Well I started dating a guy, very sweet – I don’t know him that well yet, so don’t jump into conclusions – I’m still single!

Then a family contacted me – from the states – via EurAupair! Family with two children: a 3 y.o girl and 4 month old boy.  Moving to another state in December and want me to arrive in January. Their family life and lifestyle is very different from mine I think.

It’s a very healthy family. And with healthy – I mean really, really healthy! They have a dog (I’m allergic) but it’s one of those non-shedding breeds (hypo allergenic). The fact is that I have never had a dog; I know they need to be walked, have food and water, needs to be pad etc. But I don’t have a clue how to behave around a dog, when it lives the same place as I do. They will move to Colorado, near Denver, a city with many young people around. They travel a lot, because they have family and friends many place around the states. So the au pair they chose will see so many things, when she just follows them.  

Then I have applied for a job in a nursery. 30 hour weekly. And they have called me in for an interview tomorrow. But I’m so split right now. These jobs don’t just show up when you need it. I’m not even sure to get it. And if I want to go to the States, then I have to go now, before I get a boyfriend, an education and a flat. This opportunity won’t show again. But I will lose a job because of me being an au pair for the third time! I’m so scared.

Just had a talk with my dad. I have told him my thoughts, he thinks I should go.

I made a plan myself: If I get the job at the nursery tomorrow I will stay in Denmark. If not I will go to the States. But it’s just not that simple.

If I get the job tomorrow: I will have a stabile job, the chance to get my own place, maybe get a boyfriend (who knows) I will earn my own money again. But I also risk, that I will regret that I didn’t leave for the rest of my life.

If I don’t get the job: I will go to the States. I don’t think any au pair is 100% sure of their decision. How can you be 100% before you leave? You have no idea what to expect. Many say afterwards: “I’m so glad I did this for me. I will never regret my decision” But I think all au pairs have a little doubt before leaving. If I leave for the States, I will give up the third job, a place of my own, a potential boyfriend and a clearing in my life.

I’m thorn and in tears. Have no idea what to do.

Off-day

I know I haven’t posted anything for about month now. But seriously – you would get so depressed if you read my thoughts. No need for that.

The fact is that I’m starting to get very frustrated. I don’t have a family, should have left Denmark October 10. – That’s not going to happen. I read other au pairs blogs – and I’m now starting to get very jealous. I want what they have. I don’t understand why I’m not going. I don’t understand what’s wrong with me – since there is no family calling. Why doesn’t they like me, I should be easy to like.

I’m starting to think that I should just let it go – Then it’s just not meant to be. But I want it so bad, I almost had it. I should have started thinking about packing all my stuff down by now – but hey I’m not going, no need to pack. Trying to figure out how to get picked by a family. Maybe I should start all over on my application, and dear family letter. New pictures, more laid back letter. Anything!

Well this ended up being very negative. And I’m still jealous. 

Some days are better than others. Lets just say that today I have an off-day