Prince's Day, in the Hague 2014!

So I'm really tired right now, but I know if I don't blog about this now, I will procrastinate until a week or more has gone by so here it Is. This pass weekend the people in the Hague were gearing up for PrincjesDag, which is basically Prince's Day. 

And it is where the Royal Family comes through the town of the Hague, and walk through with their carriages and horses so you (the people) can wave and see. Kind of like a parade I suppose. It was intense because the weather was so good, so there were ALOT of people there..

On Monday we went down to to the beach to watch a show, involving the police and their horses, and Military people and their tanks. They had loud noises, so that the horses wouldn't be spooked for the next day which was Prince's day. It's only celebrated in the Hague, and not all of Holland like I originally thought..

So the next day Prince's Day, it was pretty busy, with bike lanes and streets totally closed off. And I was manuerving a bakfiets on a sidewalk, I bumped into some things lol. I've included some pictures, of the things. 

One bit that truly stood out to me, was they had 3 guys bulding sand scupltures for it. And they were magnificent, I took a picture of them, but they were in progress so I really need to get the finishing touch.. Oh well, it's still pretty  darnn awesome.

 And this below is a picture of 2 of the 3 girls in their Prince's day Mask.  

















And yes this golden Carriage at the bottom has the King and Queen in there. I know that bit was super exciting. 

Embassy Festival and getting Ready for Prince's Day

Okay so I said I would have another post super soon, and here it is!

So last week there was an Embassy Festival in the Hague, suposely to represent the different types of cultures and heritages and Nationalties that make up Den Haag. However, quite a few were missing, like the Canandian and American one. And I know a few expats from those particular country. Anyway I went with the girls, so I didn't get to try any exotic food or really do anything for myself. I found myself babysitting last Saturday. There are a few pictures below.

This weekend though, I was pretty busy. On Friday I went out with Marcy to look at the town, it's her last full weekend here in Holland. So naturally she's pretty bittersweet about it. Friday we went to Fiddler's its this British pub in the center, and it's nice if I wanted to get a drink or something.

Which we did, however Friday we had both had a busy week and worked and I had just got back from swimming class, so when we went out, we each had a pint of beer(which I managed to fnish and it was gross!) and something else, and then the next thing I know, We're kind of drunk and hungry, but also exhausted. We didn't do much, but we rode back to her house and made fries. Though while the fries were cooking we passed out on the couch and chairs respectively. Lol, we were tired, then woke up to eat then passed out again. Yeah so that was that.

Saturday we went into town and it was Open Monument Day we found out. So there were a ton of lines to go into things. We didn't get a chance to do anything but that's fine honestly. Got some pictures and stuff though. Later on that night we went out with two other Au Pair girls and checked out the tiny carnival they had there. I really miss rollercoasters, these just aren't cutting it for me. I need my adrenaline rush!

Sunday, which is now a lazy day, I decided to stay in, I turned down an invitation to go see a Castle with Marcy and her host family on account I had already seen it. Tomorow, the girls are out of school because Princesdag, which is Prince's Day in english is on Tuesday and the Queen, and King and their family will ride through Holland through in their carriages. Everyone is super excited about that. I think I would be too, if I didn’t have to baysit, But oh well. Then Octoberfest is Satturday. Can you believe it's nearly here? It's unreal. We leave Friday at around 10pm on the bus. It has wifi but I'm going to be sleeping. Until Tuesday then!

Amsterdam Again!!!!

Before I do anything, I just want to say on the 13 anniversary. It' s always somber this time of year, obviously, but here I don't feel it because they werent personally affected by what happened all those years ago. Has it really been 13 years? I think everyone will remember where they were, what they were doing, how olde they were and ho they were with (if they were old enough). This must be what the folks who got the news of D-Day felt. I was 1 2 about to be 13, and in homeroom at my Junior high. My teacher rushed in and told us all to shut up before flicking on the tv. We saw the second plane hit, images forever burned into my head. Whatever little bit of innocence we still had we lost it that day, when we saw the horror of that day. What must those people had felt and to jump...and it's intense to think about it. Let alone live it at the time.

We will never forget 9/11 and may they all rest in peace.

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So I have great news, I now have WIFI back in my room!!!! It's wired instead of Wireless so I cant use my Nook up here anymore, but you know beggers can't be choosers. I can use my laptop up here and skype(FINALLY) and watch movies, and not be bored and cut off from the world!!! My host mom called me today after the guy fixed it, to see if I was happy now..apparently she caught on to the depressive state I got into after 2 months of nothing. On the bright side, Big town Rush, and Storage wars (Canada version) found themselves, another fan lol. But I digress, a few interesting things have happened this past week, and now I can relax and blog about it, in the comfort of my living room(yes I have my own living room, more on that later)

 This past sunday, I went with Marcy to Amsterdam, and I FINALLY got to see the Anne Frank Musuem, if you haven't read the book. Read it, seeing it was amazing, the line however was so long though. But we only had to wait and hour or so. Then we saw another Musuem the Rijksmuseum where famous Dutch painter Rembrandt has artwork along with Van Gough. It was nice, but museums arent totally my thing at least it wasn't that Sunday, 

I'll post some pics that I took that. It would have been better but I was barely functioning on 4 hours of sleep... I need 5 to be my usual peppy (Hahaha) self.. So I was super exhausted then. Octoberfest is Next Saturday, and I'm getting slightly excited. I went on a shopping trip(set limits for myself and went over 10 euros!) But I was happy as I don’t have to pay the family anymore, but they're not happy, but I think my agency is finally helping me now. Whoo hoo.

Let's see on this coming Sunday, I'm finally going to see Utrecht. I know, I haven't yet been, but really I didn't know anyone there, and you can only visit so many city centre before they all look the same. At the moment, because's Prince's day is on Tuesday, they're a small carnival in town, that my oldest two seem excited for..too bad the baby who is 4, cannot go on any. Well except for the kiddie rides but she always wants someone to ride with her lol.

In other news, last week after my swimming class, I went into the changing stall and a girl had left her bag in there. Iwith her Iphone, and a ton of money and credit cards. I have morals, and I don't steal so I returned it, but I hope she thinks twice. Firm believer in Karma...I lose my camera yesterday and I got an email because everything synces together(I love technology) so he found my email in the menu. He returned it to me today. 

However, I went to find his house near Scheveningen beach and look I left at 10:40am. It's a 12 minute bike ride to his house from mine. Why did it take me 45 minutes, and I still didn't find it???? He had to come to me lol..No EFFING sense of direction. Friends, take heed. Family should already know that if you want me to meet you somewhere, you gotta give me a landmark..I.E Train station, Theater, Casino...not a street or I won't find it...ugh..and its even worse here because everything is in Dutch!!!! To the Right is Delft Glass, it's super expensive, but they have all types and it's so pretty.

This is the outside of the Anne Frank house, pictures weren't allowed inside. I understand the reasoning for it, as some people have a familial connection to the Holocaust and don't want be to be bothered by the shutters and flashes of camera. 

This Violin isn't playable, but it was so amazing to look at it, its made out of the Delft glass.                                                                                         

So I shall end this blog with two night pictures of Amsterdam. Somehow we ended up in the Red light District, but that's not here, being there embarasses me. Anyway, enjoy and until the next post, OCTOBERFEST!!!!!

       So I really forget aboout the Embassy Festival I went to on Saturday that showcased about 30 nationalities in the Hague.  I'll add to that next post, possibly tonight.              

Summer is over :)

I'm really starting to wish that I hadn't of promised my host kid that I would stay for her birthday. To be honest, I want to travel other places, but it's starting to get kind of ridiculous. It's down right depressing most days, I can't even watch a sitcom, without wanting to cry after I've laughed at a scene. It' s very tough, and I'm trying to stick it out for the rest of the year. I've forgotten almost just why I came to do this. I don't regret coming abroad, if it seems like I'm constantly complaining, I just regret doing this program. Well maybe not that far, if If regret so much I would be basically rejecting all the new friends I've made, and I don't want that. I'm not actually homesick, I just honest to god don't want to be an Au Pair in Holland anymore. I'm so over it, like you have no idea. And for all those wondering I'll stick it out, even if every day is a total struggle.

But anyway, lets go on whats been happening since my last post. School has started for the girls, which I'm extremely happy about, and though Hockey season is back, it's not as brutal as when I got here earlier in the year. Actually the ride is rather relaxing, when I don't ride the bakfiets that is. Lets see what else has been going on. I still have no wifi in my room, so I'm currently typing in the stairwell, about to skype my mom for her birthday,

I can honestly say that I'm ready for that next adventure in my life. Never will I do somehting like that. But I'm glad I took the leap, Even if it didn't turn out like I wanted it too, Once I get a job, and start saving I'm thinking school, and then Australia 2016, while I'm 27. But when I do that, it'll be on my own terms and not as an Au Pair. But let's not get ahead of myself. I need to finish out this year first. Octoberfest in 2 weeks, I'm starting to get excited too. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures I took.

Things are finally looking up

Omigosh I have ome good news. After following a complaint I gave to the IND(Immigration in Holland) about paying my last host family back, I no longer have to du it anymore. And so now I've been getting my last 4 months planned out.

This month, I'm going with two friends to Octoberfest, and I'm excited to finally go to Germany for that. And a week before we do that, I'm going to Paris for a weekend to see the Eiffel tower and whatever else it has to offer. Found a bus that will do it, for only 68 euros round trip, how cool is that. And FREE WIFI the whole way. Though I'll probabaly be sleeping as the ride is from 11:00pm-5:45am, but then again, maybe not. Still not sure. In October, I'm finally going to London, I've been booking some things, and I'm going there and doing the Harry Potter Studio tour, seeing Big Ben, and the Eye, and Buckingham Palace. That's going to be great. Someone is eating something in the library, that reminds me of mexcian food.4 more months until my return and I'm going straight to get a spicy burrito..yum!

Let's see, at the moment, I got a moment of reprieve. The kids are visiting the granparents and the parents are in England for a wedding. Yeah, freedom until Wednesday. But on a brighter note, they go back to school on monday. I'm like cheering so loudly at that, or I would be if I wasn't currently in the library.

Let's see November, I'm thinking Rome, and doing a Segway tour, to see the sites, of course the coliseum, And I haven't truly thought about anything past it. There was a a big earthquake back home, a 6.0, but where we live everyone was okay, but Napa, and Sac, not to good up there. Man, the the big one is coming, it's just a matter of when I suppose. That's all for no,I'll update again, when I actually finally get to do it. 2 weeks here I come!

Vacation over, and it starts work again...*sigh*

This last week, my vacation was over and I spent it with the gurls. I'm exhausted by the way, but they enjoyed themselves. On Monday we went to the beach, it was an ugly wet day, and e did this glow in the dark Mini Golf thing, that was fun. They had pizza and ent to an arcade for the first time(No words for that) and then they got ice cream. Tuesday was low key, one of my host kids apparently has a mild allergy to tomato paste??? Why wasn't I told this before? I cook dinner 3 times a week as well...apparently according to the mom, the tomato paste she can't have is only foundin pizza that's not made at the AH or home. Basically she told me(the host mom) that the girl is allergic to all non-healthy things,,how in the hell doe that work? lol...Right...Let us not tell her of things I've been feeding them for the past 5 months then. I think she just doesnt want her eating it. Alright.

Tuesday was low key, aka stay at home because the middle child claimed sick when her mom came home the previous.  then realizes oh, I can't do anything fun today...can I retract it? No the damage is done, but anyway I built forts for them out of chairs, and they had a ball.

Wednesday, We went to a bunch of parks, my youngest one(4) ran away from us, and freaked I and the 9 year old out. 4 Year old don’t understand, that particular worry,, but we do and it sucks.

Thursday, we went to the museum, took a moment to get there as all the directions were driving and not biking but we got there.

Friday, we went back to the museum twice as my 7 year old tries to be an grown up and left the discount book  we needed for the museum at home atfer pitching a fit when I put it in my backpack..after that bit,,,I was too through. And then my week was over, well kinda. I went to my swimming class, and I made progress! I can now open my eyes under the water, and yes it is a big deal lol. My goggles broke and my substitute swim teacher said good I didn't need them anyway, lol...its a hindrance yeah but I'm so glad she pushed me!!!

Saturday, today really, I wanted to go to the Anne Frank Museum. But I'm gonna end up going alone and being happy about it. I have a few problems I've been dealing with and I'm about ready to go the hell home. I'm at the library, I don't get wifi in my room anymore, my host family did something to it, and won't fix it no matter how many times I ask . My bed, is an old like fold up wire bed, and my back is killing me, but I'm dealing with it.  And the important bit, my first family threatened to sue me if I didn't pay back the ticket lol, they bought for me to get here. Apparently, according to the Dutch IND I'm not allowed to pay back which I have been because I didn't know that rule...they're taking 100 euros out of 300 euros...a MONTH! Yeah, so my 4 months left, I'm ignoring them and enjoying my last few months. Why didn't I know this before..been paying...and been broke since April..

Wow...at the moment, there is a crying kid in the library....wont they comfort they're kid already? Okay, not much going on I know, but I have 1 and a half weeks of this left. For like 3 days my host parents are going to London, and my host kids are going to their Grandparents...I can't bloody wait! I'm tired...so effin tired.

Vacation is nearly over, Hi Amsterdam

So yeah my vacation is this final week and I find myself ready for it to end and just get back to working. That seems to make everything go by faster for me. I've mellowed out since coming here, and I find that I really am over the whole Au Pair thing. I'm not going to end it, as I'm 6 months in and that would be stupid, but I just think I'm done ya know. I come to the realization that though I love kids, this might not have been the best job for me.

Au Pairs have nothing when they leave their whole world to become an Au Pair. I lost a good friend of mine this past week, I just spent the week with her and then out of the blue I get a text from her saying the next day after I left mind you that she was going home the next day because her Host Mother decided she didnt want an Au Pair anymore.

I think I'm over the whole Au Pair thing as well, I can honestly say that as much as I love kids I never want to do this again. When I go abroad again, it will never be in Holland and never as an Au Pair.

This past week, I saw a movie every night lol, thank goodness for my movie card, I am going to miss that when I go back home.. And ontop of that on Wednesday I went back to Amsterdam and went on a tour that was free to Au Pairs. I'm all up for extra knowledge so it was fun, and I made a new friend in the process. We were going to visit the Anne Frank Museum,but good grief that line was atrocious, it was so massive.

 We did go to the Cheese musuem, and I tasted a ton of types of cheese, which was oddly fun. We tasted a cheese that tasted like Lavender soap, no joke. It was blue, and just gross. That cheese block to the right of the page is fake, however they do have cheese that big and more. If I ever get up the nerve to go into the neighborhood cheese shop and take a picture of some of them you'll see.

This next picture has a great story behind it, apparently there is a bridge in Paris that is filled with padlocks of all kinds. Look to the left there this was on a small brige in Amsterdam. The locks have names on them, and people...well couples write their name on them and they lock it to signal their love never ending. The bridge in Paris that covered in this, I want to see, however I was told that one section of it, collapsed because the locks(which I felt here) were really heavy. It was just an amazing thing to see.

 This piece of chocolate here, is so rich and yummy, reminds me thats yes we are close to Switzerland and yes I need to visit there before I go. I mustn't forget. My host family went to Switzerland for 2 weeks, and brought this back for me. It's huge, and so good.  It's like toffee nougat, swiss milk chocolate and honey I thnk. It's really good, never had this bit before. We do have those in the states, but this was just slightly different i think.

This bit to the right was a little walk through musuem we went through. The floor was covered in over the 100 or so different nationalities that currently reside in the Netherlands. America was there but our representation looks a bit like the UK flag lol. Anyone ever wonder why most of the countries have flags that have at least Red, Blue or white. Not all but alot have blue in them..wierd lol.

Now this last bit here was a disappointed. Starbucks will forever be overrated. This to the left is called a Vanilla cream, a Vanilla bean Frap at home. However the carmel as you can see on just the top was 50 cents extra, and I was disappointed and irritated that I paid that much and they only put it on the top. I anted the carmel in the cup like home. Sigh ..I won't really be back but I was peeved.

That's its I suppose, well there is more but I dont want to drama down my blog and turn this into a rant or something. i find myself wishing that my 5 months would just hurry up and go by already, it's beginning way to much. I'm not home sick as in I'm dying to see my family, but I do miss the simplicity of things. And on that note, I'm bucking up for 3 straight weeks of just me and the girls. #Icantwaitforschooltostart