Did I write this one last year. I can't remember. Even if I did, This year is a totally different story
Happy (belated) Birthday to me, I don't know why but I get so excited when my birthday is coming close. I guess it is because of the most amazing birthdays I had in the past. This year was my 21st. As I don't know for how much longer I will still be excited I'll just take the most out of it.
I had the greatest plans for the weekend. I got lucky to be having my birthday on a Saturday. My host family had organised something for in the morning. Then later I was going to Wimbledon or Richmond park for a picnic with my friends and of course we would go out that same evening. For the Sunday I had made my friends come to Brighton with me to have a wonder around there and to see more of this country. All just plans. Because my host family didn't just organized something for the evening. Without me knowing, they came up with a huge surprise for the entire weekend.
April 17th 23:00. It was officially my birthday in Holland. That one hour leading up to my birthday here in the UK was briljant. Friends and family back home were sending me messages, photo's and voice messages. I love it so much when that happens. I adore birthdays so much. I am that person you don't speak to for like a years and I still sent you a 'Happy Birthday' message on Facebook. I want everyone to feel special on their day. If I can help with that for a tiny bit, I will
Next morning, APRIL 18TH 2015! I am officially 21 years old. That is the greatest ever. I can now drink legally in the USA. Though I left about 4,5 months ago so that was useless. My host mom had something organised for me. I hadn't had a clue. I really wanted to be surprised. I came downstairs to a lovely little birthday breakfast. The kitchen was all decorated with balloons and buntings and I couldn't stop smiling. Though at some point I did. I actually started crying, because..... MY FAMILY WALKED IN. I did NOT expect that at all. Oh my goodness me, as my hostkid would say. They came over for my birthday. All four of them.
My parents divorced 14 years ago, so it a rarity that I get to spent an entire day with my dad, mom, sister and brother. After some really good hugs and kisses we went to have brunch with all 10 of us. My real family and my host family. So many loved once. Oh so good. The five of us went to central London as my Brother had never been in London and the last time my mom was here was during my parents honeymoon. I mean how ironic, that marriage might not have lasted but I mean I know that it wasn't a mistake. Approximately 25 years and three demons on this earth later back in London. We saw some highlights and went to the theaterplay 'Warhorse'. What is defiantly worth the hype. What a great feeling to sit their on my birthday with them. haha. It was out of this world.
My dad and brother had to fly back later that day. Insane that they came over for just one day. Couldn't believe that did that for me. My mom and sister stayed with my till Sunday.
We had a great diner and sat for ages just chatting and laughing my butt of. I also decided to call Noortje on FaceTime. When she answered the phone I realised that I called her so she could sent me wishes, what is a little odd, but you know that is me.
What an amazing birthday I had. Totally different that I expected it to be but not any less good. I adore surprises and this was a really, really good one. The next day we went to Hyde park, walked around and had something to drink. We went shopping on Oxford street and Regent Street and had a lovely lunch. I didn't want to let them go again to be honest, obviously. I am a big girl now, haha. I can do this without them either. I couldn't have done all of this without them. I love them so, so much. Thank you so much for coming. And a huge thanks to my host family for letting my family come over and stay with us. I couldn't think of a better surprise !
WHAT A BRILJANT WEEKEND. Can't it be my birthday everyday?
Monday 11 May 2015
Tuesday 14 April 2015
About To Face New Fases
I am not entirely sorry not writing any blogs the past months. I just couldn't get myself there. I have had thoughts of not continuing at all. Though there is one thing people do I hate more than anything else. giving up. runner up is 'not trying at all' and I did both. Not sure how often I will write again. But lets give it an other try. Noting regularly, just now and then. Oh and I have to finish my travel month blogs. Last things first :)
I am still in London. Enjoying life more than ever before. Things are working out so well. Though I can feel life hitting up to me. It seems like I have to make big decisions every week. Let that be such a hard thing for me. I can not seem to know what is best. I kind of still want to be underneath my parents's wings. While I know that it is time to fly out. Say what? I did that a while ago. I kind of just want to go back there. I would like to never pay bills. I would like to play with dolls all day long. I would like to be tucked in again by my mom and dad. haha. But no. I grew out of that face a while ago, but I am capable to get in a denial.
The sun is out as it has saved all it's light all winter long. Trips are being arranged and I am excited. April is my favourite month. That will never change. Turning 21 makes it a bit weird. I can't see myself as a 21 year old. I kind of look like a 12 year old and as said before I would like to be one either. haha. Okay lets not mention that anymore. SPRING, yes. It does something to everyone. The sunlight lets London shine. A light glow and free minded spirits come out. And all those grumpy and tired eyes disappear behing expensive sunglasses. It makes the city seem to be a whole lot happier. It gives me strength. LET ME ROCK THE WORLD.
The past couple of weeks were quite long and tiring. Not in a bad way at all. I decided to do a 6 weeks weekend course at the London Film Academy. Can't tell you how much I have learned there. It was an amazing experience. Working during the week and going to school in the weekend. I would never complain and I wouldn't see this as one. But I was so tired. During that time I had a deadline. One that wouldn't leave my thoughts. I needed good weather, lovely trips and good talks. I got them back.
What is my plan here. Probably more of this unreadable blogs. Sometimes they make sense. Sometimes I read them back to check my spelling and grammer. Mostly I don't. Still scared that my English teacher will once read this. He will be embarrassed, though he would be so proud that I actually try it. And that I haven't gave it up. He might even think that I am doing something really cool. Here Nienke, this is for you when you will read this back one time in the further. Last year around this time. You were about to turn 20. You left a really hard time behind you and were living in Virginia, near Washington DC. You were incredible insecure about everything, though you felt extremely strong after tackling that difficult time. And you will find a time when you tell everyone again that you lived in New York. As that is something that not everyone can say. Now I am about to become an official grown up, isn't it? You have a hard time knowing what is about to come. Facts are that you actually can't. Not really insecure, more unknown. Hoping that it is just a fase. You hate to brag so let me just write it down as I kind of try to tell you that you are allowed to do it now. You are living in London. Yes, you lived in three amazing cities. And you did that all by yourself. You are worth it and you know that, kind of. haha
That was something personal of me for you to read. As I am not scared to let you know that I do struggle. I know everyone does. The response on my last YouTube video were out of this world. I opened up about the the last mentioned feelings. I found out that I was capable of reaching out and helping other to say things like that. I am not scared to face hard time, but I know that spring will at least lighten it up a bit.
Next stop, my birthday weekend. I can't be more excited about it as I love my birthday. New fases are about to come and I am ready for them. Let me write to you shortly. x
Thursday 29 January 2015
Travel month | Start of the Roadtrip
When I write I write, but to get me to the point where "I sit down and take the time to write" it takes a lot of effort. Biggest problem there is that nobody does that to me. Of course not, because I do this for myself. I decided to write now. I have a lot to tell and I am getting a bit behind here.
San Francisco was amazing and in the time I was there by myself I saw most of the highlights. It was good I went there before. I could get used to the fact that my au-pair year was over. Needed to set my mind off work. I missed the girls so bad. At the same time I wanted to go on this tour so bad. I was a mess up there in my head. Mainly excited though. That Saturday, December 6th I started the tour I booked. The tour was meant to be for au-pairs, The au-pairs in their travel month like me or just a vacation. As I didn't knew anyone who was capable of traveling with me I booked that tour. It was the perfect way to get around the west coast with some people and to see the spots I wanted to see before leaving the states.
Saturday morning. We got picked up at the Hostel and quickly introduced ourselves and our tour guide told about what we were all going to be up to. Lets go! We started in San Francisco. Went to the painted ladies, the Castro district and then there was a request. While we were driving towards the twin peaks what would give us a epic view of San Francisco Lisa and Johanna told us there was a swing that they would like to go to. Oh let me introduce you to the group. So there was our tour guide. Raymond, but got called Brandon. Why? I don't know but it got to the point were we didn't know for sure what his real name was. Lisa for example called a Brendon twice forgetting his name wasn't Brendon and so she called the complete wrong person twice. haha. That was such a great moment. So Lisa let me introduce you to her all at once with Johanna and Kirsty. They started their travel month together in Florida. They came to the tour together but took me in there group right away. That was amazing and I don't know if the tour would had been as great if you didn't do that! It made the tour for me. Than Verena was my roommate in all of the Hotels and even in the Hostel in San Francisco. Elina, Karina and Ibsa. Super nice people but the group got split up a bit. What is totally normal. I liked them, but with the free times they went on their owns. Didn't make the tour any less fun!
The request. The Swing. It was a hippie swing and it would let you swing with an gorgeous view. Raymond took the van with a trailer through the smalles streets and steepest hills, but we got there. So much effort what we all appreciated a lot. Got our pictures and off we went to the Twin Peaks. Pretty known hills for their view. Did I already mention that the entire time I was in San Francisco it was cloudy and even raining a bit. View was not as far as it probably would have been on a clear day. But still pretty epic. next stop, Fishermans Wharf with Pier 39 including the see lions. we had a quick lunch stop there and we walked up to Lombard street. Also known as the most crooked street. It was more a touristic attraction than a actual street. Tourist who try their best to get down as fast a possible. Some people... I don't know I can laugh about it but it did scare me at some points. It also gave you a great view towards Alcatraz. We jumped back in the van and drove to the Golden gate bridge. Sorry about just listen thing we went, haha. Pretty boring to read I guess.
I was obsessed by the Golden Gate Bridge. I have a fright for going on bridges, but not for this one. I had a picture of the golden gate bridge on my screensaver for ages and all of a sudden it was there. Right in front of me. It was a moment of realisation. I did it. I actually made it to the Golden Gate Bridge. I made my dream come true!
We hang around a little more around the Golden Gate bridge area and took some good photo's. Than we drove to the Bay Bridge at the other side of San Francisco and left the city. Looking back on it, San Fransisco was incredible and I love the vibe I got there. I would love to go back when the weather will be nice. San Francisco was an great start of the trip. I checked it off my bucket list! I was super excited to go on the road and explore a bit more of the states. I was ready to make new friendships and memories. I was more ready than ever before!
San Francisco was amazing and in the time I was there by myself I saw most of the highlights. It was good I went there before. I could get used to the fact that my au-pair year was over. Needed to set my mind off work. I missed the girls so bad. At the same time I wanted to go on this tour so bad. I was a mess up there in my head. Mainly excited though. That Saturday, December 6th I started the tour I booked. The tour was meant to be for au-pairs, The au-pairs in their travel month like me or just a vacation. As I didn't knew anyone who was capable of traveling with me I booked that tour. It was the perfect way to get around the west coast with some people and to see the spots I wanted to see before leaving the states.
Saturday morning. We got picked up at the Hostel and quickly introduced ourselves and our tour guide told about what we were all going to be up to. Lets go! We started in San Francisco. Went to the painted ladies, the Castro district and then there was a request. While we were driving towards the twin peaks what would give us a epic view of San Francisco Lisa and Johanna told us there was a swing that they would like to go to. Oh let me introduce you to the group. So there was our tour guide. Raymond, but got called Brandon. Why? I don't know but it got to the point were we didn't know for sure what his real name was. Lisa for example called a Brendon twice forgetting his name wasn't Brendon and so she called the complete wrong person twice. haha. That was such a great moment. So Lisa let me introduce you to her all at once with Johanna and Kirsty. They started their travel month together in Florida. They came to the tour together but took me in there group right away. That was amazing and I don't know if the tour would had been as great if you didn't do that! It made the tour for me. Than Verena was my roommate in all of the Hotels and even in the Hostel in San Francisco. Elina, Karina and Ibsa. Super nice people but the group got split up a bit. What is totally normal. I liked them, but with the free times they went on their owns. Didn't make the tour any less fun!
The request. The Swing. It was a hippie swing and it would let you swing with an gorgeous view. Raymond took the van with a trailer through the smalles streets and steepest hills, but we got there. So much effort what we all appreciated a lot. Got our pictures and off we went to the Twin Peaks. Pretty known hills for their view. Did I already mention that the entire time I was in San Francisco it was cloudy and even raining a bit. View was not as far as it probably would have been on a clear day. But still pretty epic. next stop, Fishermans Wharf with Pier 39 including the see lions. we had a quick lunch stop there and we walked up to Lombard street. Also known as the most crooked street. It was more a touristic attraction than a actual street. Tourist who try their best to get down as fast a possible. Some people... I don't know I can laugh about it but it did scare me at some points. It also gave you a great view towards Alcatraz. We jumped back in the van and drove to the Golden gate bridge. Sorry about just listen thing we went, haha. Pretty boring to read I guess.
I was obsessed by the Golden Gate Bridge. I have a fright for going on bridges, but not for this one. I had a picture of the golden gate bridge on my screensaver for ages and all of a sudden it was there. Right in front of me. It was a moment of realisation. I did it. I actually made it to the Golden Gate Bridge. I made my dream come true!
We hang around a little more around the Golden Gate bridge area and took some good photo's. Than we drove to the Bay Bridge at the other side of San Francisco and left the city. Looking back on it, San Fransisco was incredible and I love the vibe I got there. I would love to go back when the weather will be nice. San Francisco was an great start of the trip. I checked it off my bucket list! I was super excited to go on the road and explore a bit more of the states. I was ready to make new friendships and memories. I was more ready than ever before!
Tuesday 13 January 2015
Veryan and Will in London
Don't panic, I did not forget to write everything. There are blogs coming about my travel month and going home for Christmas. I have a post-it on the wall with the blogs that I still have to write. But I've been blackmailed and to that I made a promise. "I will write a blog about you and I will write it before all the other blogs that I've planned." Good job Nienke. If I make a promise I will fulfil that. So here I go.
Veryan and Will. The two people I hate for making me do this. At the same time these two people are the two I feel like I have such a close friendship with without spending lots of time together. Quick reminder: I met Veryan during the introduction week in New York. Veryan went to North Carolina to be an au-pair there and there she met Will. They became 'friends' and when I visited North Carolina they officially started dating. Yes I like to mention that I was there, haha. That was May. Now it is January and they are still together and I think that is the best thing ever. Veryan is from Cornwall, that odd piece of land on the south of the UK. Veryan extended for six months and decided that together with Will she wanted to go home for her holiday. Or I have to be honest not knowing how that went, but they came.
I though I wrote about them multiple times, but apparently I did not. That was what Will told me. Especially when it comes down to me writing about our trip to Busch Gardens. What was one of the greatest weekends of my USA time. It might have even been the best. I wrote something about it, but I never finished it. They deserve a blog !
I came to London last week and this is absolutely the best thing that happened to me. I feel better than ever before. What a way to start this year. While I was looking for a family in the UK Veryan and Will where planning their holiday. When I found my family they booked their tickets and when I announced that I was going to London they told me their plans. They were going to visit London for one day and than they would go to Veryan's family and friends in Cornwall. They would come on January 9th and guess what. My flight was booked for January 4th. So we would be in London at the same time. I could cry of happiness.
Then Ashley, back to the introduction week in New York. Veryan was not the only Brit during those days. No Ashley was there too and she currently works in London. WHAT? So This was the best thing ever. Ashley and Veryan met before going to the US and both lived in North Carolina. Ashley came back a bit earlier and so I had not seen here since New York. Veryan had not seen here since she left North Carolina. The three of us being in London at the same time was like a gift I have not a clue how we kind of accidentally all turned out to be in London. Veryan and Will were going to Cornwall that same weekend so we only had Friday evening to get together and so we did. We had diner together and that was the first time that Veryan and Ashely could catch up. That is what they did. Me, not totally being adjusted to the British accent could only understand like three quarters of what was said. At some point I looked at Will and he had a expression in his face where it looked like even he could not understand. A British accent is sometimes pretty hard to understand even for a American!
So much has been said in that short time we were together and I loved it. Ashely came straight from work and was going to stay with a friend as she had to work the next morning again. Veryan, Will and I decided to get to see London a bit more. Ashely sadly did not come because of here plans. Luckily for me we will see each other more now that I live close.
We went to their hotel to make some plans. When we looked at the map we saw we were pretty close to some major highlights of the city. So of we went to explore the city. I was smiling so much of happiness, that I honestly had a moment were my cheeks were hurting of it. When I discovered that i smiled even bigger. I was so happy. These two persons I loved so much without spending much time together. But every time we did we were having the greatest time ever. So did we that evening.
They were jetleged and would have probably fallen asleep after diner but not with me, haha. We walked for a bit and out of nowhere we were standing in front of the Big Ben, I fangirled, for real. There it was the most prettiest clocktower of the word. I was the first time I saw the Big Ben in my life and I could not believe it. I lived in the USA for one year and shared that adventure with Veryan and there we stood. In England, her home county in front of the Big Ben. I dreamed about going to London before I wanted to go to the USA. I can not express myself properly. That is pretty clear, I guess. That was the happiest I have ever felt.
We strolled a bit more, stuck our head through the gates of the house of parliament, walked across the thames and saw the London eye what was close. Not that we were planning on going in tough. The Tower bridge turned out to be further away than expected so we stopped after the Southbank. I was extremely tired and I wasn't even Jetleged. We took the undergrounds and went back home. Or I have to say that I went back home and they went to their hotel. A Quick goodbye because there metro came really fast and of they went. I was somewhere sad that they were gone again but I had such a lovely evening that it did not even matter.
I have not a clue when I will see them again, that hurts the most. But now that Will finally left the USA he will find out that there is so much more to see and then they will come and visit me soon again! Maybe not while I am here in the UK, But hé I fulfilled my promise by writing this blog, so it your turn! Come to Holland ! I will kidnap you and we will have a fun time. Oh and SENT ME THE PICTURES ! Thanks, I love you guys !
Veryan and Will. The two people I hate for making me do this. At the same time these two people are the two I feel like I have such a close friendship with without spending lots of time together. Quick reminder: I met Veryan during the introduction week in New York. Veryan went to North Carolina to be an au-pair there and there she met Will. They became 'friends' and when I visited North Carolina they officially started dating. Yes I like to mention that I was there, haha. That was May. Now it is January and they are still together and I think that is the best thing ever. Veryan is from Cornwall, that odd piece of land on the south of the UK. Veryan extended for six months and decided that together with Will she wanted to go home for her holiday. Or I have to be honest not knowing how that went, but they came.
I though I wrote about them multiple times, but apparently I did not. That was what Will told me. Especially when it comes down to me writing about our trip to Busch Gardens. What was one of the greatest weekends of my USA time. It might have even been the best. I wrote something about it, but I never finished it. They deserve a blog !
I came to London last week and this is absolutely the best thing that happened to me. I feel better than ever before. What a way to start this year. While I was looking for a family in the UK Veryan and Will where planning their holiday. When I found my family they booked their tickets and when I announced that I was going to London they told me their plans. They were going to visit London for one day and than they would go to Veryan's family and friends in Cornwall. They would come on January 9th and guess what. My flight was booked for January 4th. So we would be in London at the same time. I could cry of happiness.
Then Ashley, back to the introduction week in New York. Veryan was not the only Brit during those days. No Ashley was there too and she currently works in London. WHAT? So This was the best thing ever. Ashley and Veryan met before going to the US and both lived in North Carolina. Ashley came back a bit earlier and so I had not seen here since New York. Veryan had not seen here since she left North Carolina. The three of us being in London at the same time was like a gift I have not a clue how we kind of accidentally all turned out to be in London. Veryan and Will were going to Cornwall that same weekend so we only had Friday evening to get together and so we did. We had diner together and that was the first time that Veryan and Ashely could catch up. That is what they did. Me, not totally being adjusted to the British accent could only understand like three quarters of what was said. At some point I looked at Will and he had a expression in his face where it looked like even he could not understand. A British accent is sometimes pretty hard to understand even for a American!
So much has been said in that short time we were together and I loved it. Ashely came straight from work and was going to stay with a friend as she had to work the next morning again. Veryan, Will and I decided to get to see London a bit more. Ashely sadly did not come because of here plans. Luckily for me we will see each other more now that I live close.
We went to their hotel to make some plans. When we looked at the map we saw we were pretty close to some major highlights of the city. So of we went to explore the city. I was smiling so much of happiness, that I honestly had a moment were my cheeks were hurting of it. When I discovered that i smiled even bigger. I was so happy. These two persons I loved so much without spending much time together. But every time we did we were having the greatest time ever. So did we that evening.
They were jetleged and would have probably fallen asleep after diner but not with me, haha. We walked for a bit and out of nowhere we were standing in front of the Big Ben, I fangirled, for real. There it was the most prettiest clocktower of the word. I was the first time I saw the Big Ben in my life and I could not believe it. I lived in the USA for one year and shared that adventure with Veryan and there we stood. In England, her home county in front of the Big Ben. I dreamed about going to London before I wanted to go to the USA. I can not express myself properly. That is pretty clear, I guess. That was the happiest I have ever felt.
We strolled a bit more, stuck our head through the gates of the house of parliament, walked across the thames and saw the London eye what was close. Not that we were planning on going in tough. The Tower bridge turned out to be further away than expected so we stopped after the Southbank. I was extremely tired and I wasn't even Jetleged. We took the undergrounds and went back home. Or I have to say that I went back home and they went to their hotel. A Quick goodbye because there metro came really fast and of they went. I was somewhere sad that they were gone again but I had such a lovely evening that it did not even matter.
I have not a clue when I will see them again, that hurts the most. But now that Will finally left the USA he will find out that there is so much more to see and then they will come and visit me soon again! Maybe not while I am here in the UK, But hé I fulfilled my promise by writing this blog, so it your turn! Come to Holland ! I will kidnap you and we will have a fun time. Oh and SENT ME THE PICTURES ! Thanks, I love you guys !
Tuesday 16 December 2014
Travel Month | Airport Disaster & San Francisco
Lets just not even introduce this trip. Lets just start telling you about it because I know that that is the things you would like to read about the most!
Wednesday morning. 4:30am my alarm goes of. I am so happy that I asked Eileen to stay over the night. It made especially the evening before a bit less hard. I only needed to do a few more things and than it was time to go to the airport. I wanted to give the girls one more kiss. Before I even got upstairs I heard some noises. It was Anna sprinting of the stairs. She was so relieved when she saw me. "can I please hug you one more time". The tears came up, but at the same time I was so happy. He face still had the prints of the pillow it there. I walked with her to her bed and gave the other two a kiss. It woke Sonya up a bit. although I didn't want that to happen, but it was so nice that it did. Little Sophia stayed asleep. I did not want her to wake up. The night before she was crying hysterically and told me over and over again that I couldn't leave and that she didn't know how to stop crying. It broke my heart in 500 million pieces. I didn't want that to happen again. So one more hug and then it was time to grab my bags and drive to the airport.
Here a tip for you. Check which airport you need to be at. I arrived at the airport and the lady at the check-it told me "Well darling you need to be at the other airport." NOO WAY. Eileen drove away already so I needed to call her to come back. She did as fast as she could. What a hero she got me at the other airport in time. Don't asks me how. Maybe by breaking speed limits and swearing in three different languages, but only maybe.
San Francisco, It was time for San Francisco. Since waning to go to the USA I wanted to go to San Francisco. There was something about it that really attracted me. I was there by myself the first two days. That was good. It was nice to not think about what others want or need. I only needed to think about what I wanted. I stayed in a hostel downtown San Francisco. That made it easy to go to the shops and coffee bars. It was also a good point to start walking around of.
But lets not forget that I made more mistakes that day. I arrived in San Francisco an hour later than planned. My flight was delayed due to the fact that it was raining in San Francisco. What a joke, Nienke travels to the Sunny Southern California it is raining. I decided right away that I was not going to complain about that. I had no time for that, I was going to embrace it. There've been taken enough pictures there with the sun shining bright and a clear sky. My photo's were going to be different. Because it is December the sun set quite early and so I arrived downtown in the dark. It was so pretty with all the Christmas lights. I forgot to check on a map how to walk to the hostel. With some improvising I found my way to the street I had saved on my phone. Without any doubts I walked in on the first door that said 'hostel'. They couldn't find my reservation. I was so tired and looked at them like. "you must be joking me" than she was like "are you sure you are in this hostel.." I wanted to interup her screaming that I was 100% sure. This is the right street I just checked it ".. there is an other hostel in this street" she continued. When she told me the name of the other I knew that this was the wrong hostel. Well hé, wrong airport, wrong hostel, who cares.
BUT THIS IS NOT THE END OF THE MISTAKES. When I went to the right hostel and got my reservation all sorted I got a room and bed number. There was someone unpacking her bag so the door of the room was open. Three of the four beds were taken. Including the bed that was given to me. I didn't mind,I took the last free bed and started to sort my stuff. Then this girl was in the room with a suitcase and everything. I gave her a hand and introduced myself. I had no clue yet. I was super tired and didn't realize that there was no bed free for her. Until she said "I think that that is my bed" and she showed me her reservation with her bed number . NOOO. While I walked in I did not check the number of the room. As soon as she showed me the reservation I knew. I was in the wrong room and that bed I was getting ready to sleep in was the wrong bed. I did not know how fast I needed to leave that room. I grabbed all my stuff together and almost run to the right room. I checked it maybe 5 times before I opened the door. The rooms all had keys and stuff and my key was working, but I did not trust anything anymore. But it was, this was the right room. After a shower I jumped in my bed. I laughed about it so hard. This was the biggest joke of my life. Wrong airport, wrong hostel, wrong room and wrong bed. While skyping my dad I said "next time I'm traveling with you again. I'm not ready yet". My sister laughed in my face and said "Well, at least you have a story to tell" and so it is. This is a better story than: 'I got to the airport and than to the hostel and went to bed'. haha
The next day I decided to go to two places I wanted to see the most. 'The Painted Ladies' and 'The Golden Gate Bridge'. While i was planning my walk I saw that there were multiple places in-between that walk that I wanted to see too. The 'San Francisco City Hall', 'San Francisco University', the 'Golden Gate Park' including the 'Japanese Tea Garden' and I also decided to check out 'Lombard/worlds most crooked street'. On my way back I would see the famous trollies. I would lie if I told you I walked it all. though I walked most of it and I was super tired at the end of the day.
Because of my blog and my YouTube channel I got in touch with so many new people. I like that so much. Fé got in contact with me a while ago. Just by liking pictures on my Instagram. I saw that she was studying in San Francisco and I started to talk to her about that. How creepy does that sound btw. When I knew I was traveling to San Francisco I asked her if she would liked it to meet. It was going to be December 5th what is 'Sinterklaas'. In Holland we don't really get presents on Christmas, we get them on Sinterklaas. He is our Santa. I'm not going to explain the whole thing because in Holland itself there is a huge discussion going on. I have my side, but I am going to make enemies with that. haha, so I am not telling you. Fé is a Dutch girls studying in San Francisco what sounds like a dream to me. It was fun to exchange some Sinterklaas stories and stories overall. She showed me around a bit more. It is good to be shown around by someone who knows the place you are staying. Even though she isn't born and raised in San Francisco, it was close enough.
I started to feel at home in the hostel. It had such a good vibe. Most of the people are travelers and some a students. I needed to organize myself by writing in my diary and working on my scrapbook. The scrapbook I am making for the girls. It is weird to see all those pictures and writing my stories to them. It was hard to work on because it made me miss the girls so much. I went to this spot in the Hostel were it was quiet. I felt so strong. I just finished my au-pair year and now I was all by myself in this hostel. I was only counting the hours until my tour started. It was a tour for au-pairs, so I knew that I was going to make some new friends. Why? because au-pairs are the most awesome human beings in this world. They are caring, honest and they love to travel. They are not afraid to step out of their comfort zone and they are the bravest people ever. They have a really good sense of humor and they like to have fun. I am not saying this about myself though. hahaha, but this is how I see all of my friends that are au-pairs.
Guess what, I was right. The next day I started the tour and the girls I met were just how I discribed you just now. Due to the fact I have so many stories I decided to split my travel month in multiple blogs. So this might just been an introduction to my travels. Just wait, I have to tell you so, so much. :)
Wednesday morning. 4:30am my alarm goes of. I am so happy that I asked Eileen to stay over the night. It made especially the evening before a bit less hard. I only needed to do a few more things and than it was time to go to the airport. I wanted to give the girls one more kiss. Before I even got upstairs I heard some noises. It was Anna sprinting of the stairs. She was so relieved when she saw me. "can I please hug you one more time". The tears came up, but at the same time I was so happy. He face still had the prints of the pillow it there. I walked with her to her bed and gave the other two a kiss. It woke Sonya up a bit. although I didn't want that to happen, but it was so nice that it did. Little Sophia stayed asleep. I did not want her to wake up. The night before she was crying hysterically and told me over and over again that I couldn't leave and that she didn't know how to stop crying. It broke my heart in 500 million pieces. I didn't want that to happen again. So one more hug and then it was time to grab my bags and drive to the airport.
Here a tip for you. Check which airport you need to be at. I arrived at the airport and the lady at the check-it told me "Well darling you need to be at the other airport." NOO WAY. Eileen drove away already so I needed to call her to come back. She did as fast as she could. What a hero she got me at the other airport in time. Don't asks me how. Maybe by breaking speed limits and swearing in three different languages, but only maybe.
San Francisco, It was time for San Francisco. Since waning to go to the USA I wanted to go to San Francisco. There was something about it that really attracted me. I was there by myself the first two days. That was good. It was nice to not think about what others want or need. I only needed to think about what I wanted. I stayed in a hostel downtown San Francisco. That made it easy to go to the shops and coffee bars. It was also a good point to start walking around of.
But lets not forget that I made more mistakes that day. I arrived in San Francisco an hour later than planned. My flight was delayed due to the fact that it was raining in San Francisco. What a joke, Nienke travels to the Sunny Southern California it is raining. I decided right away that I was not going to complain about that. I had no time for that, I was going to embrace it. There've been taken enough pictures there with the sun shining bright and a clear sky. My photo's were going to be different. Because it is December the sun set quite early and so I arrived downtown in the dark. It was so pretty with all the Christmas lights. I forgot to check on a map how to walk to the hostel. With some improvising I found my way to the street I had saved on my phone. Without any doubts I walked in on the first door that said 'hostel'. They couldn't find my reservation. I was so tired and looked at them like. "you must be joking me" than she was like "are you sure you are in this hostel.." I wanted to interup her screaming that I was 100% sure. This is the right street I just checked it ".. there is an other hostel in this street" she continued. When she told me the name of the other I knew that this was the wrong hostel. Well hé, wrong airport, wrong hostel, who cares.
BUT THIS IS NOT THE END OF THE MISTAKES. When I went to the right hostel and got my reservation all sorted I got a room and bed number. There was someone unpacking her bag so the door of the room was open. Three of the four beds were taken. Including the bed that was given to me. I didn't mind,I took the last free bed and started to sort my stuff. Then this girl was in the room with a suitcase and everything. I gave her a hand and introduced myself. I had no clue yet. I was super tired and didn't realize that there was no bed free for her. Until she said "I think that that is my bed" and she showed me her reservation with her bed number . NOOO. While I walked in I did not check the number of the room. As soon as she showed me the reservation I knew. I was in the wrong room and that bed I was getting ready to sleep in was the wrong bed. I did not know how fast I needed to leave that room. I grabbed all my stuff together and almost run to the right room. I checked it maybe 5 times before I opened the door. The rooms all had keys and stuff and my key was working, but I did not trust anything anymore. But it was, this was the right room. After a shower I jumped in my bed. I laughed about it so hard. This was the biggest joke of my life. Wrong airport, wrong hostel, wrong room and wrong bed. While skyping my dad I said "next time I'm traveling with you again. I'm not ready yet". My sister laughed in my face and said "Well, at least you have a story to tell" and so it is. This is a better story than: 'I got to the airport and than to the hostel and went to bed'. haha
The next day I decided to go to two places I wanted to see the most. 'The Painted Ladies' and 'The Golden Gate Bridge'. While i was planning my walk I saw that there were multiple places in-between that walk that I wanted to see too. The 'San Francisco City Hall', 'San Francisco University', the 'Golden Gate Park' including the 'Japanese Tea Garden' and I also decided to check out 'Lombard/worlds most crooked street'. On my way back I would see the famous trollies. I would lie if I told you I walked it all. though I walked most of it and I was super tired at the end of the day.
Because of my blog and my YouTube channel I got in touch with so many new people. I like that so much. Fé got in contact with me a while ago. Just by liking pictures on my Instagram. I saw that she was studying in San Francisco and I started to talk to her about that. How creepy does that sound btw. When I knew I was traveling to San Francisco I asked her if she would liked it to meet. It was going to be December 5th what is 'Sinterklaas'. In Holland we don't really get presents on Christmas, we get them on Sinterklaas. He is our Santa. I'm not going to explain the whole thing because in Holland itself there is a huge discussion going on. I have my side, but I am going to make enemies with that. haha, so I am not telling you. Fé is a Dutch girls studying in San Francisco what sounds like a dream to me. It was fun to exchange some Sinterklaas stories and stories overall. She showed me around a bit more. It is good to be shown around by someone who knows the place you are staying. Even though she isn't born and raised in San Francisco, it was close enough.
I started to feel at home in the hostel. It had such a good vibe. Most of the people are travelers and some a students. I needed to organize myself by writing in my diary and working on my scrapbook. The scrapbook I am making for the girls. It is weird to see all those pictures and writing my stories to them. It was hard to work on because it made me miss the girls so much. I went to this spot in the Hostel were it was quiet. I felt so strong. I just finished my au-pair year and now I was all by myself in this hostel. I was only counting the hours until my tour started. It was a tour for au-pairs, so I knew that I was going to make some new friends. Why? because au-pairs are the most awesome human beings in this world. They are caring, honest and they love to travel. They are not afraid to step out of their comfort zone and they are the bravest people ever. They have a really good sense of humor and they like to have fun. I am not saying this about myself though. hahaha, but this is how I see all of my friends that are au-pairs.
Guess what, I was right. The next day I started the tour and the girls I met were just how I discribed you just now. Due to the fact I have so many stories I decided to split my travel month in multiple blogs. So this might just been an introduction to my travels. Just wait, I have to tell you so, so much. :)
Monday 1 December 2014
Thank You America
I have started to get organized. That means I turned my wardrobe inside out and got things out I will defiantly not bring home. Shirts I haven't worn to much or just don't like. and shorts that I wouldn't need in the cold and rainy Holland or London. The main reason for distributing those clothes is that there is simply no space in my suitcases. And I also try to limit the amount of weight.
I feel really, really weird. The girls are old enough to realize what is going on. I have told them myself a while back. I accidentally started crying. I tried my best to tell them as gently as possible. I wiggled around the word 'leaving', but they are too smart. Right away they started screaming "NO NIENKE, YOU CAN NOT LEAVE". I had to bite my lip to hold in my tears, but I lost. The fact that they were so upset about it, oh men. I did not like that. Auw. But it meant something though. It meant they really liked me. So I had to make the best out of the time that there is left.
Not that we were not making an memories before. When you are leaving you want to get the most out off it. Have spent most of my time near them. Even right now. I'm off but I am writing my blog on the kitchen table near the girls. We have baked a lot of the last two months. I know they loved to do that with me and hé I don't mind. We've been out and about more than usual and I learned as much Dutch as I could fit in. It is incredible hard to leave and it does hurt. I know for fact that they will grow up to become strong and in depended without me too.
There is no time left. Everything is a mess and I do not really know how I feel. It somewhere feels the same as last year. The confusion of leaving. I am heartbroken towards the girls and I am extremely happy to travel towards the west coast and going back home. I enjoy all it as long as I can and there is not that much longer.
A few days ago it was Thanksgiving. An American holiday were you come together and have a big meal. Center piece is the 20 pound turkey. There is no better moment to think about thinks I am thankful for. Because everything I do right now is amazing. I am without exaggerating thankful for everyone who ever crossed my path. Even when you were nice to me it probably made me stronger. My family and friends in Holland who are the best I could have ever wished for. I left home for a year, but have not lost one friend. Haven't been able to be there for you for the last 365 days, but you were oké with that. Also because I know that you are a strong person. Otherwise you would probably not be my friend. And I can easily say this because I know that I have a strong group of people surrounding me.
Than my host parents. When I arrived here in March I was pretty down. I had to start all over again. Leaving a place I really liked was hard. I never though that I was going to like this place as much as I like New York. Well, New York is a different world. When you are there the world does not seem to matter. It is all about New York, New York and more New York. DC is way different. It is more business and goverment'ty'. That is not a word, but I like it written like that. I got freedom when I got here. I got the change to do what I liked. Never felt like I was doing wrong. I could alway be myself. Of course there must be some things that I did different then you were used to, but you never told me off. That is amazing and that shows that you were been able to adapt to me easily. I always felt welcome and had no problem with calling this place home. It will always be my home. It will always be a place that I love. You deserve the best I don't know how to let you know that I appreciated everything you did for me. Thank you.
My friends made in the USA. Ashley, Anne and Veryan. I got to know you day 1. That is tomorrow. Tomorrow is our anniversary, haha. Ashley I can not wait to see you again in January. It was hard to see you go and I am so glad that I know that I will been able to spend some time with you in London. Anne, I was so happy when you were here in April. That you and Guilia took me to some lovely spots around on my birthday. It would not have been as fun of a birthday if you didn't do that. I really hope that everything is going well and that you come to visit me in London or in Holland. Veryan, Vezzo, Vlehyoyo. You are a special human being and I love you so, so much. Thank you for ever message for your photo's and your annoyingly stupid jokes. I am thinking about stealing your passport when you are in London. I don't want you to leave again. Though I'm so proud of you. You are staying. Look I didn't, haha. You.... Well I'm feeling overwhelmed. I LOVE YOU and Thank you so much for understanding me. Even when it was in Dutch, bla bla. :) Veerle, I just said my last goodbye. auw, DC was so much better with you and you are a joy to be around with. Your love for America is great and that made me realize what an amazing adventure this. You made me love America more, thank you I am going to miss you a lot. And I think you should stay an other year ;) Eileen, you muffin. It is sad that were only been able to spent the last few months together. But we made the best out of it and I think we succeeded there. Always available for a date and ours were always super adventures. Well, at least I saw my favorite movies again. haha. I love you and thank you for all you have done for me. you helped me a lot!
But there is one thing I am thankful for the most. Not a thing actually, my girls. They are my girls. I love them to death. My heart grew over the last year. Starting in New York and finishing in Virgina. They learn thing from me but I have learned so much more from them. Emotions are over the place. I kind of want to list it but the only thing that comes up right now is that I learned to love you. I love my family and I will catch a bullet for them. But I did not know that I was been able to love you girls as much as I love them. Call me when you need me. I will alway be there for you. 'pinky promise', 'cross my heart', 'spit in my hand' and however I can show you that I will. THANK YOU !
Now it is time to do my last bits of the laundry. These suitcases need to close tomorrow. On December 3th will hug my girls and will fly to San Francisco. Going to tour around the west coast and ending in Los Angeles. To fly back to DC to give my last hugs to everyone to leave America for behind for now and move on to my next adventures. What a great one this was. Is it weird to be thankful to yourself. because I am. I am thankful that I did what I wanted most. That I do what I want to do. You should do that to. I tell you here. IT IS FUN AND IT MAKES YOU REALLY HAPPY!
I feel really, really weird. The girls are old enough to realize what is going on. I have told them myself a while back. I accidentally started crying. I tried my best to tell them as gently as possible. I wiggled around the word 'leaving', but they are too smart. Right away they started screaming "NO NIENKE, YOU CAN NOT LEAVE". I had to bite my lip to hold in my tears, but I lost. The fact that they were so upset about it, oh men. I did not like that. Auw. But it meant something though. It meant they really liked me. So I had to make the best out of the time that there is left.
Not that we were not making an memories before. When you are leaving you want to get the most out off it. Have spent most of my time near them. Even right now. I'm off but I am writing my blog on the kitchen table near the girls. We have baked a lot of the last two months. I know they loved to do that with me and hé I don't mind. We've been out and about more than usual and I learned as much Dutch as I could fit in. It is incredible hard to leave and it does hurt. I know for fact that they will grow up to become strong and in depended without me too.
There is no time left. Everything is a mess and I do not really know how I feel. It somewhere feels the same as last year. The confusion of leaving. I am heartbroken towards the girls and I am extremely happy to travel towards the west coast and going back home. I enjoy all it as long as I can and there is not that much longer.
A few days ago it was Thanksgiving. An American holiday were you come together and have a big meal. Center piece is the 20 pound turkey. There is no better moment to think about thinks I am thankful for. Because everything I do right now is amazing. I am without exaggerating thankful for everyone who ever crossed my path. Even when you were nice to me it probably made me stronger. My family and friends in Holland who are the best I could have ever wished for. I left home for a year, but have not lost one friend. Haven't been able to be there for you for the last 365 days, but you were oké with that. Also because I know that you are a strong person. Otherwise you would probably not be my friend. And I can easily say this because I know that I have a strong group of people surrounding me.
Than my host parents. When I arrived here in March I was pretty down. I had to start all over again. Leaving a place I really liked was hard. I never though that I was going to like this place as much as I like New York. Well, New York is a different world. When you are there the world does not seem to matter. It is all about New York, New York and more New York. DC is way different. It is more business and goverment'ty'. That is not a word, but I like it written like that. I got freedom when I got here. I got the change to do what I liked. Never felt like I was doing wrong. I could alway be myself. Of course there must be some things that I did different then you were used to, but you never told me off. That is amazing and that shows that you were been able to adapt to me easily. I always felt welcome and had no problem with calling this place home. It will always be my home. It will always be a place that I love. You deserve the best I don't know how to let you know that I appreciated everything you did for me. Thank you.
My friends made in the USA. Ashley, Anne and Veryan. I got to know you day 1. That is tomorrow. Tomorrow is our anniversary, haha. Ashley I can not wait to see you again in January. It was hard to see you go and I am so glad that I know that I will been able to spend some time with you in London. Anne, I was so happy when you were here in April. That you and Guilia took me to some lovely spots around on my birthday. It would not have been as fun of a birthday if you didn't do that. I really hope that everything is going well and that you come to visit me in London or in Holland. Veryan, Vezzo, Vlehyoyo. You are a special human being and I love you so, so much. Thank you for ever message for your photo's and your annoyingly stupid jokes. I am thinking about stealing your passport when you are in London. I don't want you to leave again. Though I'm so proud of you. You are staying. Look I didn't, haha. You.... Well I'm feeling overwhelmed. I LOVE YOU and Thank you so much for understanding me. Even when it was in Dutch, bla bla. :) Veerle, I just said my last goodbye. auw, DC was so much better with you and you are a joy to be around with. Your love for America is great and that made me realize what an amazing adventure this. You made me love America more, thank you I am going to miss you a lot. And I think you should stay an other year ;) Eileen, you muffin. It is sad that were only been able to spent the last few months together. But we made the best out of it and I think we succeeded there. Always available for a date and ours were always super adventures. Well, at least I saw my favorite movies again. haha. I love you and thank you for all you have done for me. you helped me a lot!
But there is one thing I am thankful for the most. Not a thing actually, my girls. They are my girls. I love them to death. My heart grew over the last year. Starting in New York and finishing in Virgina. They learn thing from me but I have learned so much more from them. Emotions are over the place. I kind of want to list it but the only thing that comes up right now is that I learned to love you. I love my family and I will catch a bullet for them. But I did not know that I was been able to love you girls as much as I love them. Call me when you need me. I will alway be there for you. 'pinky promise', 'cross my heart', 'spit in my hand' and however I can show you that I will. THANK YOU !
Now it is time to do my last bits of the laundry. These suitcases need to close tomorrow. On December 3th will hug my girls and will fly to San Francisco. Going to tour around the west coast and ending in Los Angeles. To fly back to DC to give my last hugs to everyone to leave America for behind for now and move on to my next adventures. What a great one this was. Is it weird to be thankful to yourself. because I am. I am thankful that I did what I wanted most. That I do what I want to do. You should do that to. I tell you here. IT IS FUN AND IT MAKES YOU REALLY HAPPY!
Wednesday 5 November 2014
Colorful Colorado
Time is getting less and less and I have come to realize that I haven't seen enough of the USA yet. I have until December to travel wherever I want to go inside of this gigantic county. Last month I randomly booked my ticket to go to Denver, Colorado. Well I have thought about it a proper amount of time, but it was no longer than a week.
If you know me well you know that that is not me at all. I got a little anxious about it, but mainly because it made me super excited. I booked my ticket to fly to Denver on a Friday night and to go back on Sunday evening. During my ASL classes I met Ines. She came all the way from Colorado to Baltimore to take the classes. I had a great laugh with her that weekend. When she told me she lived so far away I was pretty sure I was not going to see her again here. At the same time I realized I knew someone else who lives in Colorado who I really wanted to meet. So why not Nienke, Why not just go.
That other person is Ester. When I started my blog and YouTube channel I knew that there were more than 'just my friends and family' that were been able to see those medias. My agency in Holland contacted me when I posted my first video. They asked me if they were been able to put a link to my YouTube channel on their website. So that new au-pairs were been able to see how it is to be an au-pair. They can follow me through my lows and highs. Ester was the first one to get in contact me. It is really cool to see that what I started did get people to become an au-pair. They probably would have anyway, but maybe for some I could give little push.
Ester was one of them. No, for Ester I was just making the picture clearer. I know for over 500% that she would be where she is now, without me too. She asked me questions and over time we started to Skype. We started a friendship that was based on the same dream. Being an au-pair in USA. She was still in Holland and I was moving to Virginia. I made my dream come true and while she was finishing school she was getting ready to do the same. I saw here grow in this adventure. Everyday she came closer and closer. When we started to Skype she was about to sent her applications to the Dutch agency. I was been able to follow her from the start. From filling in the papers to arriving in Denver. I was reliving it all over again. Months past and now I was about time to meet each other.
Friday first. I had to work and on friday my days are hectic. I have to do the laundry and so some cleaning. At the same time I had to get ready to leave at 6:30. I had to pack my bag. I had to bring DVDs back to the central library a few miles away and what about my own laundry. Welcome to my friday. It is the first time in my life that I wake up on friday and I have the thought "oh no, friday" haha. Even though the day was insanely buzzy I was been able to get in all organized. At 6 O'clock I was all packed and the laundry was done. The house was done and the DVDs were back at the library. With done I mean I did most of the cleaning but I was not been able to get it all done in time. Girls room were organized and the floors were vacuumed so I know I did my best towards to most important parts.
The lovely Katerine brought me to the airport. Still super grateful for that. I flew at 10:10pm what gave me some time to kill. I always want to be in time, just can't stand to come late. Especially when it comes to going on planes. Than it is not about no been able to stand to be late, but if you are late you are screwed. So why not arriving there 3hours to early, haha. The flight was good and I arrived in Denver 11:50pm local time. There is a time difference of 2 hours. I flew twice for 3,5 hours for just one weekend. Ines, the sweetheart, picked my up at midnight. I was so happy to see her. I was exhausted from the flight. It took us quite a while to get to Ines's house because she is living in the mountains. What I absolutely adore. It was 2am in Colorado, 4am on the east coast and 10am in Holland. I was kind of delirious of tiredness and I should have immediately got to bed, but I instead of that decided to Skype my dad. He answered the call in his robe. He was already up for 2 hours. Most of the time the time difference is the stupidest thing on earth, though sometimes it is funny. I told him that my flight went well and how tired I was and then I kind of fell asleep.
Good morning America, I have woken up in this country quite a lot now. This was the best one. The view was incredible and Ines made me a delicious smoothie with a Spanish breakfast. Ines is a Spanier, well that is who she calls herself. For me it sounds like she is descended from a dog breed. haha. I would say she is Spanish. Before I came to Colorado I only had one place I really wanted to go to. Let Ines not have been there yet; 'The Gardens of the God'. It is this such a breathtaking place. It is a nature park with gigantic red rock formation. For me the typical nature of the US. I absolutely loved it.
Later that afternoon we drove to Denver. Ines lives 30minutes away from downtown and due to the fact that I arrived super late the evening before I hadn't seen Denver itself yet. Though there was something quite not like my style going on downtown. The annual zombie crawl. I DO NOT LIKE THAT. It looked really, really great though. It was not just some people with ripped clothes and fake blood. It was a proper zombie crawl, with prober make-up and costumes multiplied by hundreds. Writing about it I gives me shivers all over my body again.I get scared so easily. -- I think it is time to blame my brother and sister. I've said over all my social medias how big of a baby I am. That is all due to the fact that the two of you scared me all my life and enjoyed it more than you should have had! THANKS-- I was petrified, but as long as they just past me I was doing fine, deep breath. haha.
That afternoon it was finally time to meet Ester in person. This is the 'I forgot to count' time to tell everyone that I am so proud of you and I am extremely glad that I got to see you. To give you the biggest hug and to talk to you for hours straight. To tell you in person who I feel about everything you've done. Such a huge achievement and I at this point couldn't be happier for you! She was exactly as I expected her to be. It was almost impossible to be different, because we have shared stories almost every day. She joined me and Ines for diner and after a nice evening we convinced her to stay the night with us so that she could join us the next day.
This was the shortest trip of my life and the next morning I was putting everything back in my mini suitcase and printed my ticket already. We had quite some time before my flight. We went to the red rock amphitheater. Crazy views and I secretly wish that there was some time to visit a concert there. That must look amazing. Some lunch at the Evergreen Lake and than it was time to go to the airport. It was such a great weekend and I was so glad that I got to spent some time with these two amazing girls. Denver, Colorado is stunning and defiantly a place you should visit. You have the city and within half a hour you are in the mountains and than don't forget the red colored rocks everywhere. I was really lucky with my timing, because Autumn is the most colorful time of the year. Especially in Colorado. The weather was so good and quite warm at some moments. It was only for short time, but it was more that worth it!
Colorado thank you. You need to know that you are lucky having these great girls in your pretty state. Take care of them now that I am far away again. I love you!
If you know me well you know that that is not me at all. I got a little anxious about it, but mainly because it made me super excited. I booked my ticket to fly to Denver on a Friday night and to go back on Sunday evening. During my ASL classes I met Ines. She came all the way from Colorado to Baltimore to take the classes. I had a great laugh with her that weekend. When she told me she lived so far away I was pretty sure I was not going to see her again here. At the same time I realized I knew someone else who lives in Colorado who I really wanted to meet. So why not Nienke, Why not just go.
That other person is Ester. When I started my blog and YouTube channel I knew that there were more than 'just my friends and family' that were been able to see those medias. My agency in Holland contacted me when I posted my first video. They asked me if they were been able to put a link to my YouTube channel on their website. So that new au-pairs were been able to see how it is to be an au-pair. They can follow me through my lows and highs. Ester was the first one to get in contact me. It is really cool to see that what I started did get people to become an au-pair. They probably would have anyway, but maybe for some I could give little push.
Ester was one of them. No, for Ester I was just making the picture clearer. I know for over 500% that she would be where she is now, without me too. She asked me questions and over time we started to Skype. We started a friendship that was based on the same dream. Being an au-pair in USA. She was still in Holland and I was moving to Virginia. I made my dream come true and while she was finishing school she was getting ready to do the same. I saw here grow in this adventure. Everyday she came closer and closer. When we started to Skype she was about to sent her applications to the Dutch agency. I was been able to follow her from the start. From filling in the papers to arriving in Denver. I was reliving it all over again. Months past and now I was about time to meet each other.
Friday first. I had to work and on friday my days are hectic. I have to do the laundry and so some cleaning. At the same time I had to get ready to leave at 6:30. I had to pack my bag. I had to bring DVDs back to the central library a few miles away and what about my own laundry. Welcome to my friday. It is the first time in my life that I wake up on friday and I have the thought "oh no, friday" haha. Even though the day was insanely buzzy I was been able to get in all organized. At 6 O'clock I was all packed and the laundry was done. The house was done and the DVDs were back at the library. With done I mean I did most of the cleaning but I was not been able to get it all done in time. Girls room were organized and the floors were vacuumed so I know I did my best towards to most important parts.
The lovely Katerine brought me to the airport. Still super grateful for that. I flew at 10:10pm what gave me some time to kill. I always want to be in time, just can't stand to come late. Especially when it comes to going on planes. Than it is not about no been able to stand to be late, but if you are late you are screwed. So why not arriving there 3hours to early, haha. The flight was good and I arrived in Denver 11:50pm local time. There is a time difference of 2 hours. I flew twice for 3,5 hours for just one weekend. Ines, the sweetheart, picked my up at midnight. I was so happy to see her. I was exhausted from the flight. It took us quite a while to get to Ines's house because she is living in the mountains. What I absolutely adore. It was 2am in Colorado, 4am on the east coast and 10am in Holland. I was kind of delirious of tiredness and I should have immediately got to bed, but I instead of that decided to Skype my dad. He answered the call in his robe. He was already up for 2 hours. Most of the time the time difference is the stupidest thing on earth, though sometimes it is funny. I told him that my flight went well and how tired I was and then I kind of fell asleep.
Good morning America, I have woken up in this country quite a lot now. This was the best one. The view was incredible and Ines made me a delicious smoothie with a Spanish breakfast. Ines is a Spanier, well that is who she calls herself. For me it sounds like she is descended from a dog breed. haha. I would say she is Spanish. Before I came to Colorado I only had one place I really wanted to go to. Let Ines not have been there yet; 'The Gardens of the God'. It is this such a breathtaking place. It is a nature park with gigantic red rock formation. For me the typical nature of the US. I absolutely loved it.
Later that afternoon we drove to Denver. Ines lives 30minutes away from downtown and due to the fact that I arrived super late the evening before I hadn't seen Denver itself yet. Though there was something quite not like my style going on downtown. The annual zombie crawl. I DO NOT LIKE THAT. It looked really, really great though. It was not just some people with ripped clothes and fake blood. It was a proper zombie crawl, with prober make-up and costumes multiplied by hundreds. Writing about it I gives me shivers all over my body again.I get scared so easily. -- I think it is time to blame my brother and sister. I've said over all my social medias how big of a baby I am. That is all due to the fact that the two of you scared me all my life and enjoyed it more than you should have had! THANKS-- I was petrified, but as long as they just past me I was doing fine, deep breath. haha.
That afternoon it was finally time to meet Ester in person. This is the 'I forgot to count' time to tell everyone that I am so proud of you and I am extremely glad that I got to see you. To give you the biggest hug and to talk to you for hours straight. To tell you in person who I feel about everything you've done. Such a huge achievement and I at this point couldn't be happier for you! She was exactly as I expected her to be. It was almost impossible to be different, because we have shared stories almost every day. She joined me and Ines for diner and after a nice evening we convinced her to stay the night with us so that she could join us the next day.
This was the shortest trip of my life and the next morning I was putting everything back in my mini suitcase and printed my ticket already. We had quite some time before my flight. We went to the red rock amphitheater. Crazy views and I secretly wish that there was some time to visit a concert there. That must look amazing. Some lunch at the Evergreen Lake and than it was time to go to the airport. It was such a great weekend and I was so glad that I got to spent some time with these two amazing girls. Denver, Colorado is stunning and defiantly a place you should visit. You have the city and within half a hour you are in the mountains and than don't forget the red colored rocks everywhere. I was really lucky with my timing, because Autumn is the most colorful time of the year. Especially in Colorado. The weather was so good and quite warm at some moments. It was only for short time, but it was more that worth it!
Colorado thank you. You need to know that you are lucky having these great girls in your pretty state. Take care of them now that I am far away again. I love you!
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