Im going to start by say WOW culture shock because I cannot understand like anything. But also I am adapting quickly I think. I’ve had some funny moments and some not so fun. I love my Host family and I love the girls even more.
The host family and I’s relationship is somewhat odd, im like their adopted daughter that doesnt really see them often and has dinner with them. My favorite thing is that they are easy to talk to and even though its still a bit awkward I know it will only get better from here.
Time with the girls:
These girls are the cutest! Nena (nay-nah) the youngest, is such a flirt and she loves saying my name. Bibi is the second child and she is always in lala land, she even has her own language that is really squeeky, so darn cute. Then, the oldest, Veerle (ve-air-la) is SASSY which is the best. They all are so sweet and seem to be liking me at the moment… It is very difficult because they do not speak English, Veerle can understand a bit but doesnt talk it. Im thinking we will just kind of have to work around it in the first few months while im learning dutch.
Dutch Class:
On tuesdays I have a dutch class and there are around 12 girls in the class, mostly AuPairs as well but some that are students here. One girl in the class is the type to think they are pretty dang AWESOME for traveling and doing what we do for work. Which dont get me wrong, it is amazing but guess what she said… ” One of my main goals is to like go to the graphite park and paint a mural, and like my boyfriend is a surf instructor here and I want to learn how to surf.” I couldnt believe my ears, it was so cliche. I was caught off-guard and was so close to start laughing. I just think its the perfect image of someone who thinks theyre the shit for traveling. But oh mygoodness, i love the teacher so much, her name is sarah and she is dutch. She reminds me of Winona Ryder in the sense of looks and her personality is kind of spastic, her main job is a freelance artisit.
Social hardships:
So the famiys AuPair from last year was with me for a week to help me get adjusted which was great. And yes, there is a but. She tried very hard to include me with her and her frends but I ultimatly was talking with myself, in my head. They spoke Afrikaans to eachother the whole time we were together so like I was just chillin being quiet and creepily laughing when they laughed and feeling like yo, im here too ;). It was really difficult and made me question being here and how it would make me feel to not even be surrounded by someone when she left. Because if I was feeling alone with people I couldnt imagine what it would be like without someone.
Social accomplishments:
Well on my time off, I have done some pretty great sight seeing and shopping, of course! I mean the shopping was actually for nessacarry things because I didnt have any more room in my luggage (not surprising). I went to the Red Light District and walked past some of those nice women in windows. It is actually a fun area, which is because it is full of tourists. Its not really like a place that people go and do naughty things, I mean they do probably but not like what you think. Overall, it was fun to look around and see everything. I got some cute pictures of Lauren before she left and she got a couple of me which are silly. I also met a really sweet bird that kept wanting to be by us while we were having a photoshoot.
This weekend I tagged along with Lauren and her friends to Rotterdam where we got the VIP treatment at club Blu. It was a pretty cool experience, we just danced the night away and didnt leave the club until 6am and didnt get back to our house until 8:30 am. The girls were already awake and we come in looking like, well, trash.
We slept for a little and woke up around 12 to go do last minute shopping for Lauren. Then, it was time for lauren to leave. I said my goodbyes and was really excited to get back to the house to clean MY room. ( I was staying in the guest room while Lauren was still there). So now it is all nice and clen and how i like it. I might add more decorations later but so far Im loving it!
Honestly Im really liking it so far but it will be intersting to see what my day-to-day will be like. Im still anxious about being alone lone but really excited to see myself grow over this period. It really pushes me outside my comfort zone and im pretty much constantly looking over my shoulder. HAHHAHA. I mean this is one of the safest cities and Lauren really assured me that she would make walks back to the house around 2 in the mornig by herself and it was completly fine.
Also, I most likely will be posting these on Tuesday since I have time to write it becuse its my day off.
xoxo m
(repost)
the m word 