Tuesday, August 7, 2012
MOVING!
Sorry about the lack of posts....I've been very busy lately, but don't worry, I'll come back! For those of you who don't already know, my au pair family did NOT work out. Luckily, I have found another amazing family in Munich and I am moving tonight! You'll be hearing from me once I get settled!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Gay Pride and the Kocherlball
Last weekend in Munich was quite eventful. Saturday was the Christopher Street Day, or basically what we Americans would call Gay Pride. It was fantastic! And it reminded me exactly of what an American gay pride would be, except with Weißbier and Currywurst. There was an actual parade, but we went to the festival part that took place right down in Marienplatz. There was a stage set up with dancers, singers, and other performances. There was also a special performance of Hairspray........in German. HA! Overall it was such a great experience and I'm so glad we went. Here are some photos.
What Marienplatz looked like from above |
Balloons released for AIDS victims |
Gay Pride! |
The Kocherlball tradition goes back to the year 1880. It is also known as the "Dotschen or Kocherlball". Up to a police prohibition 1904 met here in good weather on Sunday from five to eight o'clock to the 5000 the soldiers, housemaids, cooks, hausdiener and house personnel to the dance. So early, because one had to appear timely again to the work with the rule. These old residents of Munich tradition revives today again. Once in each July here thousands of residents of Munich in costumes of the turn of the century meet at six o'clock early to the dance.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Au Pairing....the good, the bad, and the UGLY
Alright, so I think it might be time to shed some light on this whole au pairing experience. As you can see by the title, it's not all a walk in the park. For more specifics about the ugly you can talk to me personally...
Overall, it's been good. The work is easy, averaging 6 hours a day, Monday-Friday, and a lot of that time for me is just spent hanging around the kids or taking them to school, basketball, etc. Sometimes I feel completely worthless and don't feel like I'm doing anything at all, but then one of the kids will start screaming at me and calling me names all day and I remember that I need to cherish the easy periods. And that being said, even the bad times can be remedied by cute apology notes written in German and friendship bracelets.
At the end of the day, this au pairing thing isn't too bad. It definitely has it's moments, and I know its only been two weeks, but I think I will manage it. If I'm having a bad day, I just think about those afternoons that I can spend lying in the English Gardens reading and listening to music, and then it's all okay :)
Overall, it's been good. The work is easy, averaging 6 hours a day, Monday-Friday, and a lot of that time for me is just spent hanging around the kids or taking them to school, basketball, etc. Sometimes I feel completely worthless and don't feel like I'm doing anything at all, but then one of the kids will start screaming at me and calling me names all day and I remember that I need to cherish the easy periods. And that being said, even the bad times can be remedied by cute apology notes written in German and friendship bracelets.
Apology note from one of the kids after he was mean to me and called me names |
Friendship bracelet made by the same kid! |
At the end of the day, this au pairing thing isn't too bad. It definitely has it's moments, and I know its only been two weeks, but I think I will manage it. If I'm having a bad day, I just think about those afternoons that I can spend lying in the English Gardens reading and listening to music, and then it's all okay :)
Monday, July 9, 2012
Fourth of July
Fourth in July was pretty great, albeit without fireworks.
Julia and I went to a beer garden called Waldwirtschaft in Großhesselohe, a
town right outside of Munich. The beer garden had a fest going on this whole
weekend, starting on the 4th, called the Little American Oktoberfest. It was
hilarious. American flags everywhere,
a German singer dressed as a cowboy singing American country music and classic
rock, prime rib, WINGS, and lots of Americans. My personal favorite was when
the German cowboy sang "King of the Road." I took a video just for you, dad! The quality is crappy, but you get the picture...
If you ask me, it was the perfect way to spend the 4th while
abroad :)
Monday, July 2, 2012
Sailing
Last weekend I had my first ever experience with sailing! My
host dad asked if I wanted to join him and M at the Ammersee for some sailing,
and I thought, why not. It was soooo cool. My host dad picked up the hobby years
ago and has his own sailboat. The
weather was perfect for it and there were tons of boats on the lake. I hope to
do it again sometime soon!
There was also a family of swans swimming nearby :)
Sunday, July 1, 2012
And the au pairing begins....and surfing!
Oooof! What a week. Sorry for my absence, but it's been
busy. Yesterday my host family had a big abschluss party (goodbye party) for
Bonnie. It was fun but very exhausting. I got to meet many family members and
friends of the family. Now, I start my first day as the official au pair
tomorrow. It should be...interesting. Wish me luck!
On another note, it's surfing time in Munich. Yes, surfing!
Here in Munich in the beautiful English Gardens on the Eisbach, the river that
flows through the park, you'll find surfers. They surf on a standing wave that is about a meter tall and is only for experienced surfers. Apparently people will
surf all year round, even in the winter, when I'm sure the Eisbach (ice brook)
is deathly cold. Nevertheless, it is very entertaining and the surfers always
have a hefty audience.
Monday, June 25, 2012
SCHLAND!!!!!!!!!
I thought Mainz was crazy during the Euro, but Munich is a
whole different ballgame! Last Friday night Bonnie, Kathi, Julia, and I went to watch
the Germany-Greece game that would decide which team would play in the
Halbfinale (semi-finals). It was insanity. We watched at a beer garden and had
to get there at 6:00 PM for the 8:45 game. By the time the game started there
were no open spots at any tables in the entire place. Watching these games in
the beer gardens is so great because they put up a giant screen and there is so
much enthusiasm. Whenever a goal is made everyone
stands up screaming and yelling. It is so infectious! I never thought I would
get so excited about a sport...until now.
The game finished 4-2 Germany and once the game was over, everyone
was singing and standing on tables. Some guys were close to tears because they
were so happy about winning...
The next game is Thursday and will be against Italy. Italy
played England last night in an exhaustingly long game. They went all the way to
120 minutes still at 0-0, and I couldn't take it anymore so I turned it off.
This morning I learned that Italy won 4-2 during the final shootout. So,
Germany-Italy this Thursday!
Here are some pictures from the game last Friday.
Hofbräuhaus beer |
Kathi, me, Bonnie |
Julia! |
What it looked like after we won |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)