The airplane wasn't comfortable at all (just read that Lea, who went to school with me and spends her au pair year in Australia, flew business class, ugh, jealous!) but when I realized that the ocean beneath us was Lake Michigan and the city behind the clouds Chicago, everything else didn't matter anymore. I was nervous and excited to meet my family, to start this year, to live on the other side of the world. "Welcome to the windy city", our Pilot said, "the weather is... windy."
My Hostdad and Pierce (12) picked me up, holding a big orange WELCOME ELSKE-sign. I felt so glad to finally meet them! At home Pierce, my oldest, gave me a housetour and with Dominika (their current au pair which stays until Thursday to instruct and show me everything) we played a bit Baseball outside. At 4pm my youngest, Skye (7) came home from Camp. She had told her parents that she wanted me to wait in front of the house for her which made me so happy! When she arrived she showed me her room and we read a book and played a lot. It's incredible to be with her, she is so smart and the opposite of shy! I'll spend most of the time with her (because Pierce prefers to play with kids from the neighborhood and Saige (10) has a very full schedule doing ice skating and Musical Theatre.) and it is just awesme to start bonding with her.
Friday evening we went out for Dinner where I met my Hostmum, Saige, Grandma and Grandpa. My first day in the new world was just awesome, and I'm so greatful to be here!
On Saturday Dominika and I played a lot with Skye and went to the Park (the "Mooney") and in the afternoon, when Dominika was off duty and went out to meet friends, my Hostdad, Skye and I did a bike ride to the Botanic Garden, which was a long ride but the weather was amazing and the Botanic Garden itself worth a million visits! That night we grilled in the garden, I made my first S'mores (over burning glass, ugh, it's so fancy to live here) and we watched "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", which takes place in Chicago, with the whole family. Sunday started with playing under the spinklers with my girls. We went to the Mall (which was outdoors, surprise!) where Skye had a birthday party in Funtopia and I could buy some stuff I needed. And I need to shop clothes, can't wait! I already searched for some thrift shop and vintage stores in Chicago.
On Monday Skye left very early for Farm Camp, the first overnight Camp she's going to. She'll stay there until Friday which is why this week is easy to settle in all my work in the house and to get an orientation and overview of everything. A calm first week. Dominika and I went to Trader Joe's which is a small grocery store with a lot of biological and organic products to buy the food for the week. Then Dominika showed me how to do the laundry, we tidied up together and made Lunch for Saige tomorrow and Dinner for the us, Saige, Pierce and a friend of him. Later we went out with the Dogs which are so cute (normally they've got three but Lola is currently at the Trainer's)
Best thing I found out so far: The girls love doing hairstyles, and I just love getting my hair done! Perfect combination. I am really happy to be here! The children are adorable, my family eats healthy and organic, I can settle in easily, Dominika is really really nice and shows me everything, I feel free to be able to ask everything anytime...
It's exactly what I dreamed of! But yeah, the real work hasn't started yet.
A wonderful start for that big journey ahead.
Love,
Elske
