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.

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 was my first LCC meeting and we played laser tag. The plan was to bring the kids, but they had a fever today so they couldn’t come and got very sad. So we are taking them there Wednesday instead. Laser tag was really fun! And I was good at it, third best out of 20, not bad since I’ve not done it in years.
My LCC seems very nice and I’ve heard that she is really good! On these meetings we do all kinds of stuff. So next time we are going hiking (don’t remember where) but apparently it’s beautiful there. And sea lions live there! That will be totally nice!

After the meeting I went practice driving with my host dad. I was nervous at first, but it went really well. It’s so different to drive here. First, the car is auto. Easier to go from manual to auto instead of the other way around. But it is kind of strange now in the beginning. Wonder if I am going to have a difficult time when I get back to Sweden and manual cars. The second thing about driving in the US are the roads. There are so many lanes! On regular roads in the community there are about three lanes. The highway can be up to six! It’s sick, but because of the bad public transport everyone drive their cars everywhere, so it is necessary. And I found out that you can drive against a red light if you are makeing a right turn in an intersection. I am going to get myself a real American drivers license, that will be a fun experience.

After the practice driving I went with Malin, Ida and Michaela (one of the Swedish au pairs) to the beach in Encinitas and watched the sunset. It was sooo pretty! And sooo cold. My frostbite injury on my middle finger started to show and hurt a lot. When the sun is gone, it is only about 5 degrees celsius. It’s so weird with all the palm trees, the sun and blue sky.
When we sat there, watching the sunset I saw two wild pelicans for the first time in my life. They just flew along the beach and that was so awesome! The wildlife in California seems really nice. There are coyotes, rattlesnakes, racoons and probably other exotic animals I’ve never seen in Sweden.

After that we went to Vista and a restaurant called Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que. It was Malin’s going-away-dinner. It was really nice, and the food was amazing. We ordered a big BBQ Feast that was served on the lid of a garbage can. On it were delicous ribs, chicken wings, corncob, potato wedges and some more. So good!

After four nice hours we went back home. Malin told me quickly about tomorrow, my first day at work. These next three days are my learning days and I will just follow her around, learning by watching. It’s gonna be fun!

Oh, by the way, dad! If you are reading this, I’ve used the camera app you told me about and it is really amazing! Most of my photos here on my blog are taken with it, without a stand!

The sunset was amazing!

The beach in Encinitas.

Famous Dave’s in Vista. (Victoria, Ida, Michaela, Malin, me and Karin. All Swedish au pairs.)

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.

I totally forgot about the car accident I was in at LaGuardia airport two days ago. My first ever and fortunately it wasn’t a big one. Our bus was going to park and apparently he wasn’t aware of the size of the bus at all. When he was about to parallel park the rear of the bus collided with a car that was already there. Nothing happened with the car, but the bus got a really big buckle. No one got hurt or sued (as far as I know).

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.

I apologize for the long novella today, but this is huge and I have so much I want to write down!

I am finally here. Many months of waiting is over! If the waiting part went so fast, I don’t even want to think about how fast the waiting-for part will go… Anyway, I will do my best to get the most out of my year as an au pair here.

Yesterday started at usual at the training school. But as soon as we finished breakfast everything became very hectic. We had a meeting where we were got all the information we needed for the day. I was done with my packing, so the only thing I needed to do before I got to my bus that was going to get me to LaGuardia Airport in New York was take all my sheets and towels down to the basement.

On the airport I had a pizza slice from Famiglia, really good! And for desert, my very first donut from Dunkin’ Donuts. I, once again, understand why people in America get fat so easily. Sooo delicous and unhealthy!

I was really nervous about my luggage as I mentioned in my last post. I took out as much as possible from my checked-in bag and put it in my two hand luggages. On American Airlines you can bring one personal item and one carry-on bag. So I brought a personal item in form of a big bag, and my carry-on full of clothes. The personnel at the airport looked weirdly at me, but I could get on the plane with that much luggage. And my checked-in was okay, 41lbs, 50 was the limit. So when that was cool, I started to think about what would happen in about eight hours. I was going to meet with my host family for the first time! I tried to sleep on the plane, but no. Wide awake all the way.

When me, Anna Maria and Nasly (Anna Maria is living in Encinitas, very close to me, and Nasly is living in San Diego) went off the plane we were so nervous! We walked toward the baggage claim and I didn’t expect to see Pia there, so I wasn’t even looking for her and I stumbled in the escalator down to the baggage claim and dropped my two bags while stumbling. And when I regained control I saw Pia, my host mum. That was a great first impression.

My bag came right away, we said goodbye to Nasly and Anna Maria and went to Carlsbad. It was a 30 min drive and in the car I learned that Malin, their old au pair still was living with them. I didn’t know that and was really surprised. But it is very good and comforting to have an experienced au pair teaching me a lot of things for a week. And she answers all of my millions of questions. It’s really nice to have her here until Thursday. Only thing is that I am living in the play room until then. But on the other hand, the sofa bed is so comfortable so I don’t mind. But it will be nice when I have unpacked all my bags so I can start to feel at home here.

I was awake until 3 am. I talked with Pia and Bill and Malin and her friend Ida who’s visiting now. And the children were so energetic, wanted to show me things all evening until they went to bed. They are really sweet and I think this year, taking care of them, will be the best year ever!

Today was fun and exhausting at the same time. I went with Malin and Ida to Fashion Valley in San Diego. There we met three other Swedish au pairs and they all bought clothes and things. I didn’t buy anything, I have lots of time to do that later.

We had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. That was another first! I had pasta with meat sauce, delicous. And for desert; White Chocolate Caramel Macadamian Nuts Cheesecake. Delicous as well! I think I will go there often, and I’m gonna try to try new cheesecakes every time!
There are some major differences between Sweden and USA. For example, the food we didn’t ate we took home in doggy bags. That includes the cheesecake. And you do that all the time. It’s weird if you don’t take the leftovers with you home! And we got as many free refills of our drinks as we wanted. Weird, but totally nice!

There are so many new impressions all the time, it makes me awfully exhausted. So now I am going to go to bed, pretty early and I won’t have to get up until eleven tomorrow. I will go to my first LCC (Local Child Coordinator) meeting at 1 pm. We are going to play laser tag. Good night!

White Chocolate Caramel Macadamian Nuts Cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory in Fashion Valley, San Diego.

Me in front of San Diego downtown. The photo is taken by Malin and we are on an island called Coronado.