SO let's start with the good news... I am starting a job on Monday (Au Pair for now) in Westcliff on Sea, looking after 3 boys, age 3,6 and 7. They have animals and are 5 minutes away from the dam (technically, it is called the sea).
Let me tell you about some of the stuff that goes on here.
The first few days I was here were HOT! I was miserable, cos you know I hate the heat. But, now we are experiencing some fantastic UK weather! Bliss! There are clouds, cool winds, bits of rain, green green grass and trees... It is REALLY awesome (turns out it is everything i expected!) The buildings are just like you see on the TV, the people are just like those on TV and the TV here has 900 channels and 200 radio channels... how exciting huh?
The other day I went to the biggest mall in Europe called Waterstone mall. The awesome thing is that I got to see all the shops they show on TV (Marks and Spencer, Starbucks, that sort of thing). This mall has two of each shop, one big one and one smaller one. This is where I got my new SIM (with ORANGE - mommy I bet you couldn't resist pronouncing it with the French accent huh?) I also went into the bank here to check their requirements. Then I had a tall hazelnut latte (at Starbucks!).
My days are spent as follows:
I am woken by Alicia (who, as she gradually wakes up starts to say 'mommy.... mommy mommy... mommy... mommy... mommmmmmmy mommy... you get the picture). Then if she has not been collected out of her bed will waddle out of the room. i then turn over and go back to sleep. I get up in the morning (EARLY) around 8 am latest... Then I come downstairs to face the masses. Alicia and Logan are generally bothering each other, so there is lots of screaming and crying... I walk straight over to the kettle and make a strong cup of coffee. I walk into the lounge and hide my coffee from the kids (Logan has a tendency to go after anything he can't have). I plonk down on the couch and stare at the TV which has children's programs on, and wait until my coffee is drinkable.
Then I get up and forage for food. I find something, and then eat it. I go upstairs to shower/bath. I usually run a bath because the temperature of the water is predictable that way. I walk upstairs slowly, dragging my heels...
I run the bath and then get in and out VERY quickly (the boiler still problematic, so the water is only ever luke warm - at best). Then I get dry with a HUGE bath towel. Next I go downstairs and stare at the TV... The kids run around and make a mess all day. Logan sleeps at 8:30 - 10 ish, then again in the afternoon. Alicia goes to playgroup Mon-Thurs morning. The rest of the time there are loads of different kids (all different days)... Not like Au Pair work. Then, Carl gets home and we feed the kids and then we make dinner for ourselves (Carl and Wendy are on a diet, so I eat what they eat). Then we sit and watch TV and go to bed. I generally get to bed late because there are such awesome shows on at night (like Bones, Heroes, ER, that kind of stuff). These days I spend most of the day sitting around and/or helping Wendy. The days are longer now than they were before. And Wendy does not talk too much (so I am left with kids chatter and sometimes we talk about her and Carl). I do my bit around the house, cleaning up mostly, and helping with the kids, to sort of pay my way (I think they appreciate that).
I cannot give you a daily update for the last week, as I have not done too much. I have spent most of that time on the internet trying to research my options here.
I have found that there have been a lot of hurdles, some I have gone over, some around, some under, and there are still many more on the horizon (but at least things are becoming a little more predictable). The lady I am going to work for seems to be very at ease and friendly. I have spoken to her on the phone a lot.
I have attached two pics, one of wendy and carl, the other of Logan and Alicia. Enjoy!
I hope that all is well on your side and that I provided some comedic relief.
Let me tell you about some of the stuff that goes on here.
The first few days I was here were HOT! I was miserable, cos you know I hate the heat. But, now we are experiencing some fantastic UK weather! Bliss! There are clouds, cool winds, bits of rain, green green grass and trees... It is REALLY awesome (turns out it is everything i expected!) The buildings are just like you see on the TV, the people are just like those on TV and the TV here has 900 channels and 200 radio channels... how exciting huh?
The other day I went to the biggest mall in Europe called Waterstone mall. The awesome thing is that I got to see all the shops they show on TV (Marks and Spencer, Starbucks, that sort of thing). This mall has two of each shop, one big one and one smaller one. This is where I got my new SIM (with ORANGE - mommy I bet you couldn't resist pronouncing it with the French accent huh?) I also went into the bank here to check their requirements. Then I had a tall hazelnut latte (at Starbucks!).
My days are spent as follows:
I am woken by Alicia (who, as she gradually wakes up starts to say 'mommy.... mommy mommy... mommy... mommy... mommmmmmmy mommy... you get the picture). Then if she has not been collected out of her bed will waddle out of the room. i then turn over and go back to sleep. I get up in the morning (EARLY) around 8 am latest... Then I come downstairs to face the masses. Alicia and Logan are generally bothering each other, so there is lots of screaming and crying... I walk straight over to the kettle and make a strong cup of coffee. I walk into the lounge and hide my coffee from the kids (Logan has a tendency to go after anything he can't have). I plonk down on the couch and stare at the TV which has children's programs on, and wait until my coffee is drinkable.
Then I get up and forage for food. I find something, and then eat it. I go upstairs to shower/bath. I usually run a bath because the temperature of the water is predictable that way. I walk upstairs slowly, dragging my heels...
I run the bath and then get in and out VERY quickly (the boiler still problematic, so the water is only ever luke warm - at best). Then I get dry with a HUGE bath towel. Next I go downstairs and stare at the TV... The kids run around and make a mess all day. Logan sleeps at 8:30 - 10 ish, then again in the afternoon. Alicia goes to playgroup Mon-Thurs morning. The rest of the time there are loads of different kids (all different days)... Not like Au Pair work. Then, Carl gets home and we feed the kids and then we make dinner for ourselves (Carl and Wendy are on a diet, so I eat what they eat). Then we sit and watch TV and go to bed. I generally get to bed late because there are such awesome shows on at night (like Bones, Heroes, ER, that kind of stuff). These days I spend most of the day sitting around and/or helping Wendy. The days are longer now than they were before. And Wendy does not talk too much (so I am left with kids chatter and sometimes we talk about her and Carl). I do my bit around the house, cleaning up mostly, and helping with the kids, to sort of pay my way (I think they appreciate that).
I cannot give you a daily update for the last week, as I have not done too much. I have spent most of that time on the internet trying to research my options here.
I have found that there have been a lot of hurdles, some I have gone over, some around, some under, and there are still many more on the horizon (but at least things are becoming a little more predictable). The lady I am going to work for seems to be very at ease and friendly. I have spoken to her on the phone a lot.
I have attached two pics, one of wendy and carl, the other of Logan and Alicia. Enjoy!
I hope that all is well on your side and that I provided some comedic relief.
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