Wednesday means Starbucks with the kids after school. The weather today was really bad, only about 70F and you couldn’t even see the sun. So I took a warm coffee drink instead of a frappuccino. The kids were freezing while drinking theirs and cuddled up in my lap. Both of them at the same time! They are so cute!

After Starbucks we went to Stater Bros because I needed some ingredients for my cooking today. Wednesdays also means that I have to cook dinner. So I decided to try Flying Jakob (chicken, banana, cashew nuts in chili sauce with rice) and needed the nuts and chili sauce. I also bought gum and some hair conditioner. The smallest bottle was far bigger than the normal size in Sweden! I like walking around in American grocery stores, they have so much stuff! The candy section is not nice. I tried really hard not to buy anything and I actually suceeded. But I don’t know about the next time… Maybe I’ll just bring the kids with me everytime, I’m trying to be a good rolemodel for them!

The dinner was a disaster/success. The parents loved it (though it weren’t as good as when I do it in Sweden with my ingredients), and the kids kinda sort of hated it… But the dad just praised me and said that I should continue giving them good, Swedish food and that I don’t have to care what the kids think.

In the afternoon today I was planning on taking a long nap. But that didn’t happen. I skyped with friends, did some laundry and emailed with UCSD. I forwarded it to Chalmers and now I’m crossing my fingers that any of the courses they suggested is similiar to the ones I will study at Chalmers next year!

This evening my LCC came over and checked that everything was okay. It was!

Tomorrow I’m going to the gym with Lizzie. I don’t have the energy to come up with a program now, so I’m just gonna do what I feel like tomorrow. My serious training will start next week!

I saw a lot of clouds today, that was a first! It was still warm so t-shirt; nemas problemas! And it was the perfect weather for a run. In my free afternoon I changed into my work out clothes, plugged in the mp3 and started. I’ve never ran before, so I took it really easy. 3km in half an hour. Because of my hurting-like-ass calves I had to stop twice to stretch. But I’m not gonna give up. From now on I am going to be serious about getting this problem out of the world, so stretching every night and don’t stop running!

After I decided to do some strength exercises in my room. I feel so bad about yesterday and all that unhealthy things… I still feel bad, and if it weren’t for my short freetime tomorrow (the children’s school ends one hour earlier on Wednesdays) I definitely would have gone to the gym!

The kids were both really sweet today. Yesterday they were really grumpy and I had stomach ache from hell and it was a rough day… So I was really glad that the kids behaved today. T. who is older  (10) doesn’t want to give me many hugs in front of her friends when I drop here off at school. But A. (6) hugs me all the time and keep saying ”I love you more than you love me, and that is more than everything in the world combined!” T. is more like that at home! Both are really sweet and I am so glad that I got the oppurtunity to get to live with this family for a year!

More unhealthy stuff, that wasn’t even that good… Peanutbutter and jelly sandwich for lunch.

The kids had a day off from school, so it was a long day today. But we had fun and we were so unhealthy. For breakfast we had cupcakes, lunch: pancakes, and for snack in the afternoon mudcake that we baked, it was delicous!

We studied a little and went for a walk. Unfortunately the Ranch was closed, otherwise I would have seen peacocks. Another day! Oh, and speaking of exotic animals, today I saw two hummingsbirds in the yard!

After the dinner I went to Encinitas because one au pair from my LCC group got my number and wanted to meet me. That was really nice! We met at Starbucks and that ended my very unhealthy day. Tomorrow I must go out and run off some calories!

Today I went to Kohl’s because I had $70 to shop for. It was hard finding anything but after many laps in the store I picked out some stuff to the value of 70 dollars. A tank top, a t-shirt, a bigger wallet (the American bills are bigger than in Sweden) and some nail repair thing. Since I got here they keep falling apart… It was nice to get all that stuff for just 1 dollar!

After that I went to Starbucks, sat out in the sun for a while before going back home. I had decided to go out running, but I got stuck in the couch with the kids watching Disney XD. So another day! Perhaps tomorrow depending on when I get off (the sun goes down at five and I’m not sure I want to be out all by myself in the dark). The kids have a day off school tomorrow so I don’t have any freetime in the afternoon as I usually do. Okay, so maybe Tuesday!

We had some dinner and then watched Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfurtunate Events. The kids were practically sitting on me and it was really cosy.

Now I’ve been trying to do a training program, but it’s not going so well. I don’t know anything about weightlifting and I have no one to help me.
I found out yesterday that one of the girls I got here with also signed up with LA Fitness Encinitas. So maybe we will figure something out together.

Now it’s time for Fringe before bedtime!

Today I’ve been on my very first PT session. It was some trouble with my booking but I got my appointment anyway. I was hoping I would get som help with how to use dumbbells and machines and what exercises to do with my goals. So I was dissapointed when he first asked about my goals and then started pushing me to do other kinds of exercises, like box and so. It would have been nice to walk around the gym and get some tips, but no. So I walked around there alone watching, and probably looking kind of stupid. But now I have a hum about what you can do. All I have to do now is set up a program… The thing I’ve been postponing for several months now. But I guess I have to if I’m going to look good in my super nice VS bikini.

Before I went to the gym I took a walk here in the neighborhood. I was out walking for an hour and I became very eager to get out there and try running. Tomorrow I’m doing that. But first I have to check the best routes on the internet and how far it is.  I don’t want to overdo now when I’m just starting!

My host family had two other families over for dinner and company. So there were running around a lot of tiny kids in the house. When they got tired we sat down and watched a Barbie movie when she was in Fairyland. A really awesome movie…

Now I am so tired that I hardly can keep my eyes open! So I’m gonna hit the bed now and cross my fingers that my calves will allow me to run tomorrow!

This post used to contain pictures, but due to new storage limitations from WordPress, I had to fix the problem and decided to create a new blog that works as an archive for all the posts from my two years in California. This full post can be found here.

The weather is still very nice. It’s about 20C, and accordning to my phone it is -11 in Gothenburg. I think California is perfect for me! I decided that it was time to take out my sunglasses and use them. The sun is so bright here and it’s hard to drive. I am not comfortable at all with sunglasses (and I don’t want to look like a panda), but I think it is necessary here. Right away my host children complemented me and thought I looked really cool, so I think I’m gonna use them from now on.

Pia went with me in the car in the morning, but then she had to work and I was alone in the car with the children for the first time and it went really well! No problem at all! But I still have a lot more to drive before I am as confident in driving here as I am in Sweden. So I decided to take my car, a Volvo V70 (I am glad I didn’t get an SUV when I’m used to driving a Renault Clio) out for a ride. I followed Palomar Airport Road till I got to the sea. It was pretty far, but I think I took a detour. I have to check a map sometime soon! I got to Carlsbad Blvd and parked the car by the sea. It was amazing! It was so beautiful and I can’t wait until I can go swimming. Or just hang out at the beach, playing som beach volleyball.

I had two more hours of my freetime in the afternoon so I decided to see if I remembered the way to my gym. And I did! And then I went home, and found the right way right away! WITHOUT the GPS! I am really proud of myself. An hour in Carlsbad all by myself and not lost once. Now there are two places I don’t know how to drive to, so i think Pia will help me this weekend!

When I picked them up after school we went to Starbucks, my first visit there ever! I had a Caramel Flan Frapuccino and a cinnamon roll. I don’t want to know how much calories that was… But it was really nice sitting in the sun together having a ”swedish fika”.

Something went wrong with my camera and all the pictures I took of the beach today got really bad. But I’m sure that I will get another chance at taking photos of the ocean and beach here!

Starbucks for the very first time!

This post used to contain pictures, but due to new storage limitations from WordPress, I had to fix the problem and decided to create a new blog that works as an archive for all the posts from my two years in California. This full post can be found here.

Today it was even warmer than yesterday. About 75 °F which is 24 °C. I am starting to learn the Fahrenheit system.
It was really nice and almost too hot to wear chinos. I really could get used to this kind of winters.

I walked with the youngest home from school today. I enjoyed the nice weather and surroundings and A. enjoyed all the rocks and sticks and shortcuts. It took us about one hour to get home, normally I think it would take ten, maybe 15. But it was really nice. I think I am actually going out jogging there someday soon. I’m crossing my fingers that it will work because it would be so nice to run outside here!

The biggest thing that happened today was that I moved all my stuff downstairs to the ”au pair room”. I got some help from the kids unpacking and now I am almost done with everything. I am starting to feel comfortable and almost (but not quite yet) at home here. And I think that my own room will speed those feelings up.

So, my room is awesome! And I’ve never slept in a bed this big, I could probably sleep crosswise. I also learned today that Americans make their beds in a very funny way. They have a sheet underneath the blanket that they fold around it somehow instead of just having a duvet cover. But now I understand why we got so weird sheets at the au pair training school (didn’t know what to do with it then).

I think I’m going to try my new bed now, so goodnight (or goodmorning)! My huge bed, maked by American standards (and with help from my host mum).

I am soon finished with everything in my room.

This post used to contain pictures, but due to new storage limitations from WordPress, I had to fix the problem and decided to create a new blog that works as an archive for all the posts from my two years in California. This full post can be found here.

This day was sort of a test for me. Instead of me following Malin around, this day Malin followed me around. I think I did pretty well, except for the pancakes at lunch, they were a disaster. And I try to find the clutch in the car whenever I start it and it feels so stupid, it’s automatic!

Tomorrow Malin and Ida are going to Hawaii so tomorrow will be my first day alone with the kids. It’s gonna be fun! I feel like I have really connected with the children already and they are so sweet!

When school was over, one hour earlier on Wednesdays, we three girls took the two young ones to laser tag! We played three games and I was awesome this time as well. In the first game I was in the winning team, and second best with an accuracy of 34%. The 12 year old boys we were playing with/against were amazed by my score and especially my accuracy. The next game didn’t go so well, worse accuracy but better score. And the last game was awesome, 41% accuracy. I’m good at laser tag! It was really fun and the kids loved it!

When we got home it was homework time and then dinner. Wednesdays will be my day to cook dinner, I didn’t today though, but from now on, I will cook every Wednesday.

Oh, I can’t forget to write about the weather we had today. In the sun it was about 70 degrees Fahrenheit! It was so nice, it felt like a Swedish summer and I walked around in t-shirt most of the day (except for indoors, it’s kind of cold inside). It felt so good to feel the sun, not just see it. I hope it will be this warm every day until spring arrives with even warmer temperatures!

Since this was Malin’s last day, I now have the car keys, the sim card with an American phone number (and a temporary Blackberry phone until I get a mini sim card for my HTC) and all of her cards. I need to buy a new wallet…

Today I also got a puppy from the kids. It’s a tradition for them to give their au pairs a cuddly puppy toy. It’s going to sleep next to me this whole year.

Frenzy.

This post used to contain pictures, but due to new storage limitations from WordPress, I had to fix the problem and decided to create a new blog that works as an archive for all the posts from my two years in California. This full post can be found here.

After just two days of work I already feel comfortable. I have started to recognize a lot of roads and intersections. And I actually think I know how to find the way to my house from the highway! This day looked nothing like yesterday. There were som fuss this morning and we almost got the kids late for school. Before noon was all about watching Star  Wars Lego videos on youtube mixed with reading exercises.

After we dropped of A. at kindergarten we three went to Frog’s Fitness to end Malins membership. I really had to get a gym membership, but before I decided to go to Frog’s we went to LA Fitness just down the road. It was much bigger, everything was brand new and they had a lot of classes. I got a tour and just that day, they had a membership thingy day so I got a huge discount on my membership I signed up for. So instead of $54 per month I got $35. And at Frog’s Fitness it costed $40. LA Fitness is bigger and newer, they have a pool and jacuzzi. I am very glad that I stopped by today! Think I’m gonna go there on Saturday and get my one hour of personal training!

After school I played with Lego upstairs and at 4:45 pm I learned how to get to dance class and now I can drive there too.

After my work day was done I went to Encinitas with Malin and Ida where Ida bought some new suitcases. After that we went to Malin’s favourite café on E Street. It was really nice, felt like a real American café with open mic night, strangers coming up to you talking. And the panini there was so delicous. But I am very dissapointed in the Chai Latte I had. Back in Sweden and Espresso House it is creamy, this was not at all. But it was really nice to sit there, talk about anything (because no one could understand us!) and watch everyone playing and singing on the mini stage.

Oh, btw, the moon is upside down here! Instead of a comma sign it is a smiley mouth. It’s really cool!

Tomorrow is Malin’s last day in the family and after that I am going to be all by myself with the kids. I am ready, but it’s going to be weird to be alone. But I’m sure they will have a blast in Hawaii before going back to Sweden!

E Street Cafe.

This post used to contain pictures, but due to new storage limitations from WordPress, I had to fix the problem and decided to create a new blog that works as an archive for all the posts from my two years in California. This full post can be found here.

My first dag as an au pair is done and I love it! I am so glad that I have another au pairs help half this week. I can’t imagine how nervous I would be if I were to take care of everything right away. So now I am just following Malin around, helping of course, and learning a lot. I have had so many questions since I got here three days ago so now I feel like I almost could have some things under control. For example I now know how to drive the kids to school and then pick them up. Three right turns when driving them to school and three left turns when picking them up.

One of my host children are in fifth grade so she is in school all day. The younger one is only in kindergarten and half a day.  So him I have to entertain until noon when I have to drive him to kindergarten. After that I have like three hours of free time when I can do whatever I want. Now in the beginning I think I’m going to drive around a lot. I have to get myself oriented in this town. The thing about Carlsbad (and all of the lands between San Diego and Los Angeles) is that every smalltown is spread out. So even though there aren’t many people living there, the town is really big. And for me everything looks the same. Fortunately I have a GPS, and I think that is gonna be my best friend these next three months or so.

In my freetime I ate my leftovers from the Cheesecake Factory and then I went up to my temporary room and took a nap. As I’ve sad before, I don’t have jetlag, because I sleep the whole night through, but I am really tired. Brain overload! It will be better when everything isn’t new anymore.

At three o’clock we picked the kids up at school. There was an unplanned playdate and I helped out with homeworks. Then Bill, my host dad, came home, made som dinner and then I played Monkey in the Middle with the children and Bill in the living room. It’s when you throw a big ball to eachother and the one in the middle are trying to catch it.It feels like they like me already and that is easing.

This year will be so amazing! And now it will be great to have many hours of undisturbed sleep… Goodnight!

Palm trees in the backyard.

And this is the view from the backyard. Down there in the “ditch” there are coyotes, rattlesnakes, racoons and more kinds of animals.