Here it is, the start of my new blog. I've started this blog to keep everyone updated whilst I'm away but also to hopefully, by the time the year is up, help out other potential au pairs.
That's why I moving to Paris in 2 1/2 weeks time, to move in with a family I've only ever met through Skype and become their Au pair or 'big sister' as they like to refer to it as. I thought I'd start this now because it turns out the lead up to leaving is just as important as the leaving.
So I'm a 22 year old scenography and theatre design graduate, I graduated at 22 because I already had a gap year before uni. I had some crazy notion during that first gap year about Au pairing but never actually did it. Then 6 months ago everyone was getting their life together, deciding what to do after uni and all I had in mind is that when I left university I didn't want to move home. I thought about travelling, I thought about working for free throughout Europe, I thought about cruise ships; I basically thought about it all. I eventually decided I wanted to be somewhere for a period of time before moving on again, I particularly wanted to improve one of the three languages I speak awfully a little bit. So 3 years later I came back around to the idea of being an Au pair, this time I was determined to see it through. I love working with children and I've had a lot of opportunity over the years; through church activities, teaching dancing and in my first gap year I child minded a lovely little boy, I was in no doubt I could manage looking after children. I signed up to Au Pair World ( www.aupair-world.co.uk HIGHLY recommended) wrote a profile and sat back to see what would happen. I said I'd go to Germany because I speak German best, France because I freaking love everything French and Switzerland because why the hell not?? One week and 65 families applying to me later I was a bit stressed by the whole thing, how did I choose what family was right for me? Then I came across a family of four looking for a new 'Big Sister' a little girl who loves dancing, an older boy who love Lego and parents who love food and will pay for my French Lessons. Perfect!
Applying to be an Au pair isn't that easy though, the family have to get to know you, they are after all, inviting you into their house and trusting you with their children. So it was another couple of months, e-mails to and fro, a Skype session where I was so nervous I couldn't even say 'Bonjour' and then one boring Monday evening I received an e-mail asking me to go and be their Au pair. Getting a job has never been so exciting.
Fast forward to now; I've finished my degree, I've graduated, I've been working as a barmaid in a typical Kent country pub and I'm two and a bit weeks away from the start of my new adventure. People keep asking me if I'm nervous, honestly? I bricking it BUT I'm also excited beyond belief, Paris has been my dream for years now and I'm actually going to live it.
The thing I'm least looking forward to is leaving everyone, I have an amazing family and some beautiful friends here, it's been super nice to be back this summer and have some time to spend with them all. Within the time I have left here I have 1 pub leaving do (I have become rather attached to my lovely Kent pub and will be tough to say goodbye), 1 family leaving lunch (one of those long, drawn out, boozy ones if I get my way) and 1 friends leaving BBQ (at which I intend on getting drunk and telling everyone I love them). Before all of that though I have an important trip to make, back to my university town of Aberystwyth, the place I called home for 3 years. It's my bestest friend's Bear birthday so what better reason!? especially when my other best friend Robs puts me up for the nights. I have a funny feeling it'll be tough though, going home after grad week was hard enough and I knew I was coming back but this will be farewell for a really long time. I'm not entirely sure I'll ever say goodbye to Aberystwyth, that place has some of the happiest memories of my life within it, I studied, worked, lived and played there; I only ever returned home for a week at a time so Aber really was home. My two best friends still being there is just an added bonus, I envy them for staying on for the summer and beyond, I really hope my Aber bubble never fully bursts.
In more practical news today I went into the bank to pay in some money and ended up having to have a loonnngg chat with the lovely Natwest people about what I should be doing, notes had to be made on my account and new cards had to be ordered. I thought it would be fine to just go to Paris and carry on using my bank card as normal, I was wrong. It's not too much hassle to sort out but I'm glad I have do it now. The thing is though, that wasn't even on my list, I still need to sort out my phone, get a tablet (sod lugging my laptop everywhere), buy new luggage, decided what to pack.... and so it goes on. In other words arrrgggghhhhh 2 and 1/2 weeks and I feel completely unprepared! (Instead of sorting more stuff out though I decided to write a blog, nice one Kate)
More updates to come, peace out.
That's why I moving to Paris in 2 1/2 weeks time, to move in with a family I've only ever met through Skype and become their Au pair or 'big sister' as they like to refer to it as. I thought I'd start this now because it turns out the lead up to leaving is just as important as the leaving.
So I'm a 22 year old scenography and theatre design graduate, I graduated at 22 because I already had a gap year before uni. I had some crazy notion during that first gap year about Au pairing but never actually did it. Then 6 months ago everyone was getting their life together, deciding what to do after uni and all I had in mind is that when I left university I didn't want to move home. I thought about travelling, I thought about working for free throughout Europe, I thought about cruise ships; I basically thought about it all. I eventually decided I wanted to be somewhere for a period of time before moving on again, I particularly wanted to improve one of the three languages I speak awfully a little bit. So 3 years later I came back around to the idea of being an Au pair, this time I was determined to see it through. I love working with children and I've had a lot of opportunity over the years; through church activities, teaching dancing and in my first gap year I child minded a lovely little boy, I was in no doubt I could manage looking after children. I signed up to Au Pair World ( www.aupair-world.co.uk HIGHLY recommended) wrote a profile and sat back to see what would happen. I said I'd go to Germany because I speak German best, France because I freaking love everything French and Switzerland because why the hell not?? One week and 65 families applying to me later I was a bit stressed by the whole thing, how did I choose what family was right for me? Then I came across a family of four looking for a new 'Big Sister' a little girl who loves dancing, an older boy who love Lego and parents who love food and will pay for my French Lessons. Perfect!
Applying to be an Au pair isn't that easy though, the family have to get to know you, they are after all, inviting you into their house and trusting you with their children. So it was another couple of months, e-mails to and fro, a Skype session where I was so nervous I couldn't even say 'Bonjour' and then one boring Monday evening I received an e-mail asking me to go and be their Au pair. Getting a job has never been so exciting.
Fast forward to now; I've finished my degree, I've graduated, I've been working as a barmaid in a typical Kent country pub and I'm two and a bit weeks away from the start of my new adventure. People keep asking me if I'm nervous, honestly? I bricking it BUT I'm also excited beyond belief, Paris has been my dream for years now and I'm actually going to live it.
The thing I'm least looking forward to is leaving everyone, I have an amazing family and some beautiful friends here, it's been super nice to be back this summer and have some time to spend with them all. Within the time I have left here I have 1 pub leaving do (I have become rather attached to my lovely Kent pub and will be tough to say goodbye), 1 family leaving lunch (one of those long, drawn out, boozy ones if I get my way) and 1 friends leaving BBQ (at which I intend on getting drunk and telling everyone I love them). Before all of that though I have an important trip to make, back to my university town of Aberystwyth, the place I called home for 3 years. It's my bestest friend's Bear birthday so what better reason!? especially when my other best friend Robs puts me up for the nights. I have a funny feeling it'll be tough though, going home after grad week was hard enough and I knew I was coming back but this will be farewell for a really long time. I'm not entirely sure I'll ever say goodbye to Aberystwyth, that place has some of the happiest memories of my life within it, I studied, worked, lived and played there; I only ever returned home for a week at a time so Aber really was home. My two best friends still being there is just an added bonus, I envy them for staying on for the summer and beyond, I really hope my Aber bubble never fully bursts.
In more practical news today I went into the bank to pay in some money and ended up having to have a loonnngg chat with the lovely Natwest people about what I should be doing, notes had to be made on my account and new cards had to be ordered. I thought it would be fine to just go to Paris and carry on using my bank card as normal, I was wrong. It's not too much hassle to sort out but I'm glad I have do it now. The thing is though, that wasn't even on my list, I still need to sort out my phone, get a tablet (sod lugging my laptop everywhere), buy new luggage, decided what to pack.... and so it goes on. In other words arrrgggghhhhh 2 and 1/2 weeks and I feel completely unprepared! (Instead of sorting more stuff out though I decided to write a blog, nice one Kate)
More updates to come, peace out.
I think you will be a great "Big Sister"! Sunday lunch WILL be a boozy affair and I am so excited to read along with your adventures! M and I can't wait to come and visit! xx
ReplyDelete