Guinness is Good for You

When I last left you, I was debating what to do with my week and a half holiday time, and if you have any significant level of intelligence, the title of this post should answer that question. But for my less beer-savvy readers: DUBLIN! My time here in London has been good, but full of schedules, budgets, and responsibilities. But my time in Ireland had none of that.

It was the travel feeling I was craving. When you wake up in the morning, and think, I could do anything today. When you're walking down the street with absolutely no objective, and the strange surroundings fill you with euphoric melancholy, and a longing for something you once had, but cannot remember. When you become genuine best friends with a stranger, but only for a night. When you stay up way past your bedtime singing songs with cute boys with guitars. But, most importantly, when you find that one moment, in the middle of everything or anything when the world around seems to stop, and you feel simultaneously like the most important and the least significant thing in the world. This is the feeling of traveling. This is the feeling I found in Dublin.

My arrival in Dublin, was not nearly as pleasant. After forgetting my sea-sickness pills at home, I faced a three and a half hour ferry ride across the rough sea from Whales to Ireland. Despite having a tax free shop on board that sold everything from Christmas ornaments, and tourist trinkets, to t-shirts, ties, and Rolex's, and of course booze, their shelf of medication did not include a single brand or option of travel-sickness drugs. That was a three and a half hours I was not keen to experience again, and despite having a week in Dublin, my first stop (after my nap in the hostel, of course) was a drug store to prepare myself for the ferry journey back.

My days in Dublin went much smoother. I met some fantastic new people, and even ran into some fantastic ones I already knew (One girl who stayed in the same flats/ apartment building as me in South Africa was staying in the same hostel!) I took a tour guided by some guy who will be appearing in an episode of  next season's Game of Thrones (Everyone in Ireland has auditioned for Game of Thrones, its a fact.) I toured the Guinness Storehouse and poured the perfect pint of Guinness (even though I struggled to drink it without making that "I smell a fart" face.) My exploring included Saint Patrick's Church, the tomb of the Saint Valentine, Trinity College, the Leprechaun Museum, O'Connell Street, and Temple Bar. I ate a full Irish breakfast, watched some Irish step dancing, (even tried some... on a stage... in front of people...) and most importantly PUB CRAWLS!!! And I learned that no matter how good for you Guinness is, the only way it tastes good is with a shot of black current.

St. Patrick's Church (Didn't go in because you had to pay. I refuse to pay to visit a church)

My tour group, led by GOT actor in light blue t-shirt and including new friends Sumi from Australia (to my right) Giulia from Italy (right of tour guide) and Elsebee from South Africa (in the front throwing up deuces)

Giving it a go at step dancing, because nobody else volunteered.

The "tomb" of Saint Valentine. 

Week One is Done

Well, technically I've been here for two weeks, but my first solo week as an au pair has come to an end. And I'd like to toot my own horn and say that I think I did pretty well. Although, admittedly, it was a pretty easy week, as half of it was spent at their grandparents house in the countryside. Not that I didn't work; I still had to prepare meals and watch the children, but at least activities were planned for me and I didn't have to scramble to come up with things to do in a city I don't know yet. But now I know it one week better. Here's a break down of my week (and a half... or however long it's been since my last post)

On the Au Pair Homefront
I'm getting on quite well with the children, and slowly getting to know them better. And I'm getting to know pretty quickly that these two are going to keep me on my toes. They are both intelligent, albeit in different ways, but they never miss a beat, and have once or twice already caught me off guard. While walking around I commented about how the city seems to be full of pigeons. They don't even scurry away from you when you walk by. Penelope responded that most Londoners find them very much a nuisance, and because of the overpopulation, laws are 'laxed about killing them. She continued, "But I don't understand that. I think humans are the animals that most overpopulate the earth, so why such a big deal when one dies. By the same reasoning, we should be going around killing a man here and a woman there..." (Just to make sure there's no misunderstanding here, she said this in favor of protecting the pigeons, not in favor of killing off human beings). Not at all a type of response you normally expect from a 9 year-old. But as I'm coming to realize, very much the type of response I can expect from Pen. Charlie isn't as academically inclined, but is by no means stupid, and can definitely keep up with his sister on wit and sass. Charlie is 6, and has been diagnosed with dyspraxia, a developmental coordination disorder. As I've learned from many of the other children I've worked with, a diagnosis has very little meaning in it's name, so I'm learning what dyspraxia means for Charlie. So far, I've learned it means that I have to get over my embarrassment of loudly singing on the train (oh, who are we kidding, I was never shy about singing loudly on a train to begin with) and that I'm really happy I remember many of my girl scout songs and Lasell-taught distraction techniques. Best distraction technique so far: asking for a hand massage. He loves to give them, I love to get them... Everyone Wins!

 

On the Tourist in London Front

Spending a few days in the countryside was nice. Very much a different side of England. But as a newbie, I have to honestly admit that I'm more excited about getting to know the city. At least for now. After returning from Kent, I spent the entire day yesterday in central London. (You know, that part you imagine when someone says London and where all the touristy stuff is). I saw the London Eye, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square. And even spent a couple of hours at the National Gallery and attended Evensong at Westminster Abbey. I think I pretty much have the tube down. Not memorized, but I know what line I'm on, and some other basics that greatly reduce my chances of getting lost. I'm getting slightly better with the bus system, but that still has a way to go. Being summer, the city is extremely crowded, so I'll probably do some more detailed exploring once the holiday is over. Not buying absolutely everything I see with the Union Flag (it's only called a Union Jack if it's flown at sea) or "Keep Calm and Carry On" on it has been almost literally the hardest temptation to avoid in my life. I bought myself a 2pound canvas tote with both on it to satisfy the craving. I hope it helps.

                                                                                               
                                                                                                                On the Personal Front
Not homesick yet, but I think I'm starting to realize
just how long a year is. EEK. I think this realization comes from the fact that I haven't had very much me time. Because the children are on school holiday, I have them 8-7. Eleven hours is a very long time of constant stimulation. By the end of the day I'm pretty exhausted, and don't last awake for very long. Nights and weekends are basically left for getting my things in order.
I've got a functioning mobile number, a new Barclay's bank account, and hope to have a GP (General Practitioner, AKA Doctor) by the end of the week. (European citizens get practically free health care- America really needs to get its shit together on this man!) But in all reality, this is pretty much just like any other full time job, and I'm probably just acting spoiled from my four (okay, maybe five) month home-cation, where I did as close to nothing as is possible to do and survive. But I''m liking it all well enough. And I've even got a holiday coming up soon. I have a week and half off starting the 18th. Haven't decided what to do yet. Very torn between not wasting my holiday time and using it to explore, and being in London for the Doctor Who series premier... Oh first world decisions. No matter what I do, I'll be sure to make it wonderful (and hopefully at least a little bit relaxing.)

Only Took 30 Minutes

All it took was leaving the airport and boarding the bus to Fulham, and the two little old ladies in front of me were speaking Portuguese. Although I much preferred the very tall, very handsome man sitting next to me on today's bus to Wimbledon, speaking on the phone in a mix of Portuguese and English, the way my friends make fun of me for doing with my parents. Although his Continental-English accent beats my Azorian-Bostonian mix any day.

But even that can't compete with the fact that I get to hear "Charlie" in an English accent all day! (Yes, Charlie bit my finger was the first youtube video clip I EVER saw). Charlie and his sister Penelope are the two children I am taking care of, and I'm having a blast getting to know them. Handful might be an understatement, but we are getting on quite well and I'm looking forward to the year we have ahead of us together. 

For my first week, I'm doing a cross-over with the previous nanny, who has been just as much a pleasure to meet. She has been a fantastic help not only with teaching me the routine of the household and the children, but also some great pointers on the city, like cheap eats, good shops, and most especially how to navigate the transportation system. I definitely count her among friends, making the last item on my to do list the first item to be crossed off. 

My time here is just beginning, but I'm going to go spend it roaming around outside, and not in here thinking of what else to write in this blog. Until next week, when I've done enough exploring to actually write about. 

Do or Die

With two hours to go before leaving my house to head to the airport, and everything but electronics and snacks packed, I think it's finally hit me! OMG, I'm moving abroad for a year. OMG, I think I'm going to be sick... Yep, that anxiety I was talking about has definitely conquered all other emotions, and most basic functions too. Like logic. Logic would dictate double checking things and getting some security friendly food ready instead of typing out a blog post. But anxiety says something more to the tune of "you can't concentrate and function correctly anyway, so you might as well type it out."

I've said goodbye (for now) to just about everybody I should have. If I missed you, I apologize. Unless you're not reading this blog, cause then you don't care enough anyway, so I'm NOT sorry for not saying goodbye. (Yes, logic understands how ridiculous and pointless that last sentence was, but anxiety doesn't care).

But alas, adventure time has come. And I leave you with my final draft of my to do list for my year abroad. I worked REALLY hard on it! To make it actually doable, but to make it fun and adventurous too. I will keep you updated with my progress on it for sure! See you in a year stateside!

1. Try lots of European candy, including Kinder Eggs, Bueno Bars, Mars Bars, and a variety of Cadbury chocolate flavors
2. Try every new flavor of crisps I encounter
3. Try a new, local beer at a non touristy, local pub
4. Try curry just one more time. Give up. Eat fish and chips
5. Fish Fingers and Custard! Really
6. Visit a minimum of 5 filming locations to any of my fandoms
7. Watch the filming of Sherlock on location in January
8. See at least one member of the royal family and/or an actor whose been in at least 2 of the following 3: Downton Abbey/Harry Potter/Doctor Who
9. Attend the taping of a panel show (preferably QI or Nevermind the Buzzcocks)
10. See a play at West End
11. Buy HP and the Philospher’s Stone
12. Buy something, anything, at Harrods
13. Get a Hard Rock Café shot glass from London (and Manchester if possible)
14. Iconic Abbey road retake
15. Get a stranger to take a picture with me in front of a phone box and a police box (Bonus points if it’s the same stranger in both)
16. Watch a Chelsea game (not on telly)
17. Become proficient in Celsius, metric system, and military time
18. Kiss a guy from the four countries in the UK
19. Do something fancy, that I could only do in London
20. Watch the New Years Eve Fireworks over the Thames in person (If not in Portugal for Christmas)
21. Visit AT LEAST 15 of the museums/ palaces/ tourist attractions (Musts include Royal Observatory, Madam Tussauds, Changing of the Guards at Buckingham, London Dungeon, Tower of London, and the Victoria and Albert Museum)
22. TRY to make a member of the Queen’s Guard laugh (I obviously don’t have to be successful, but I have to give it a real go)
23. Attend a prayer service and/or choral performance at Westminster Abbey
24. Ride around on the top level of a red double decker with no destination in mind
25. Visit the countryside (probably Bath or Canterbury)
26. Drive under the English channel
27. Leave the UK at least twice, for a minimum of 2 days. Anywhere I haven’t been to before (i.e. Lisbon counts, Paris doesn’t)
28. Learn who Guy Fawkes is (without using a computer- books and people only) and then celebrate Guy Fawkes Day appropriately
29. Find something to do as a volunteer
30. Make a new friend 

Getting Things in Order Includes Starting a Blog

ONE WEEK! If you've decided to follow this blog then you probably know that's how long I have before I move from my New England hometown to London, UK. One week. It hardly seems real. And with such a short time left before I leave, I've still got loads to do, but as is in my tradition, I've barely started doing anything. Okay, that's not entirely true. I've bought a camera, "started" packing, and got most of my paperwork in order. But I still feel like there's so much left, like cancelling all my America based services (car insurance, AAA, Netflix...), making my goodbye rounds, and cleaning my room (which is always on my to do list).

I've decided as part of this to do list, I should start a blog. I've traveled a lot, and have considered doing a blog during many of my previous adventures, but I just never got around to it. But I do regret not having kept a record of many of my former trips, so I figured this would be a good way to keep a record of my year as an Au Pair in London, and making a commitment to the world wide web will actually force me to detail my year abroad. But be warned, as a first experience, this may come off as a public diary (but ultimately, isn't that sort of what a blog is).  So here's my first pre-journey post.

Preparing to move abroad for a year is a whirlwind of emotions, and I can't seem to get mine straight. Naturally, I'm excited and anxious. I can't wait to move to a new place, make new friends, and be a new me (I can start wearing lipstick everyday, and nobody would think that was weird! I probably won't, but that's exciting to think that I could) Although, I think the disbelief still overshadows it all, and the real anxiety hasn't quite settled in. It's there, I can feel it in the corner of my stomach preparing attack strategies, but it hasn't gone all Sontaran and taken over yet. It has a lot of other emotions rolling around in there to conquer. The biggest by far is anticipation. Goes hand in hand with excitement, and is pretty self-explanatory as a pre-adventure feeling.

There's the negative feelings too, but not the ones that I think most people would expect. People keep calling me brave for jumping out of my comfort zone. Leaving everything you know behind and starting something new can be scary. But braveness requires action in the face of fear, and fear is nowhere on my radar. I was built for this. Instead I feel this major sense of guilt. Allowing myself to be slightly egotistical (and I'd like to say out of character, but nobody would say humility is my strong suit) I like to think that I matter (I do occupy space and have mass... ha... ha, No? Ok.) Nobody's world is going to stop when I leave, but I'm thinking, or maybe at least hoping, that my presence will be missed. I feel guilty about the things I know I will miss: family holidays, friends' weddings and most especially the birth of my soon to be favorite cousin. I feel even worse worrying about the things I could miss: the ailment of a family member or, God forbid, the death of a loved one. It's also not entirely helpful when the mentality of many of those around you is more "dealing with it" than "I'm so excited for you".

But ultimately, I'm excited for me, and when it comes down to it, this is my adventure, and that's what matters! To all those who know me, it's always been clear that staying still was never, and may never, be an option, whether they like it or not. But if they like me, that is part of me, and part of me is what I learn and absorb from all my adventures. And my greatest one (so far) is about to start! ALLONS-Y!