Week One Americano

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Geo: 38.8921, -77.0241

True wanderlust spirit has lead me on the most majestic adventures.

One week in the US of A and I am ready to stay forever. My journey started off as a disaster; left my documents at home, suitcase locks decided to break, had to say goodbye to the people who matter most and if that wasn't enough to emotionally exhaust a person, immigration police decided to keep me in holding for almost three hours to make sure that I was really coming to America to Au Pair- like shit mate I'm actually smuggling 500kgs of coke.. must have been the grey hair.

Host family and host kids are awesome. Brentan is 8 years-old and he is so full of life, constantly giving me hugs and cuddles and really REALLY loves Minecraft, James is 10 and he insanely intelligent and keeps to himself more than Brentan does but we get along well too as we seem to like a lot of the same things. The boys definitely keep me on my toes at all times!
Meg and Rick are the parents, they made me feel welcome in my new home from the second I set foot in it, they are caring and kind and I feel a sense of parental nurturing from them.

I was only in Alexandria for 5 hours and found out that I lost a person who has been in my life for 7 years, I have not felt heartache like that in years. I was very surprised with the way I was able to pull myself together and put on a strong face for my new job.

AU PAIR LIFE:

I learnt how to iron!!!!! Adult goals achieved. This job is no walk in the park, you're doing things you wouldn't normally do at home if you lived with your parents, things such as; using the drain disposal thingy and being warned that it could potentially take your hand off, vacuuming (that sound you hear from your bedroom door on certain days of the week and curse it for waking you up), laundry (so apparently if you put a brand new red shirt in with your white socks, your white socks come out a pinkish color...mmm so now you have to be patient and do two loads- wtf), unpacking and repacking a dishwasher (over qualified with this one- thanks mom!), ironing (waxed this skill in a few seconds although I kept getting pissed off at my perfectly ironed shirts crinkling so easily) and driving kids around on the WRONG side of the road in a tank, I mean minivan. It took me three days to contemplate whether or not the mini heart attacks would go away each time I saw oncoming traffic to my left, my host mom risked her life climbing into the car with me driving the last few days but I have nailed it now.
I am asleep before 11pm each night as I'm sure it's a good combination of jet-lag and utter exhaustion from the busy day. Being an Au Pair here is not as fabulous and glamorous as the movies show as you are earning peanuts but the experience keeps you grounded, grateful and teaches you to be savvy.

I have been able to explore a little bit of my surroundings and it is honestly so stunning over here. There are hidden treasures everywhere and the best part about it is that all the sights are free.

I went into Washington DC via the metro on Sunday, November 13th and it was incredible!
Seeing all the monuments and being able to just chill out in the Fall sunshine makes every second of this experience worth it.

I will try update my page every week or few days. I am exhausted right now but will go into greater detail about the city later on. I am here for 2 years or more after all.

Sending you all my love, please save and visit me.

Your Favorite Unicorn

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Comments

[captaindude]

Epic :P Theres still a lot of places you have to tell us about.

[Deidre farmery]

Love your blog Claudia, so proud of you young lady. Continue to enjoy your adventure. You are awesome x

[Joan]

Hi Claudia I really enjoyed reading your Blog so interesting. Your mom send me the link today. Have a nice time and enjoy. Regards aunty Joan