Contemplation about Profit and Loss

Aug 15, 2014 | Before The Great Journey, Updates

For 19 years we shared a room together, for 20 years of childhood we enjoyed the best parents in the world, we have always been the best and worst brother for each other…

…and suddenly that happens:

Yeah, my dear Mister Brother married.
For me as a tradition-focused and nostaligic person this should be a medium-mighty breakdown. But it isn’t. (Not yet?)

Cause I don’t understand it. He doesn’t live here anymore, at home, but rather in his own home. There is no ‘his room’ anymore. Only two people will answer for the ‘Good Night!’ now, one person less will tell me to turn it down please.
We will visit him, will eat ‘at his’, will maybe hold nephews and nieces tight to our hearts one day…

He always was a constant in my life. Just the best brother. 🙂 But now the great change happens and I don’t get it!

At least I know something: His lovely wife (which I didn’t yet mention here) is just wonderful! He will agree surely und all of us have locked her in our hearts already long ago.

One person more says mum and dad, our small family has gained one more member and not least we had the chance to get to know another extraordinary family.

Visit at the Zoo

Aug 4, 2014 | Before The Great Journey, Photos, Trips

I know I’ve been quiet for some time now… Sometimes there’s just not enough big things going on that are worth writing about. The search for a family is progressing slowly, you have to have much patience for Kiwis are somewhat spontaneous.

But lately I’ve been to the zoo once again.
The origin of this traditional venture lies when Granny’s and Granddad’s grandchildren #1 and #2 (I am No. 2 btw 😀 ) were about 5-7 years old and needn’t nappies anymore…
Every other year this is a great day. How should it be different, at the zoo? 🙂
With years passing, more and more grandchildren joined and eventually their parents as well. And that’s quite necessary to keep that crowd contained. A family trip is a solid concept for visiting the zoo…

This time I took my camera and would like to share some impressions with you:

The saying ‘eyes bigger than stomach’ not only fits us humans. 🙂

Donkeys might just be the saddest animals in any zoo…

Attention ladies: Only giraffes have eyelashes more beautiful! ;D

Some people are justifiably called bears. (In a positive sense of course. 🙂 )

The Flamingoes are the first animals you see at the entrance. Have always been for 15 years. You don’t expect anything else. But when you think closely about those animals: When sleeping one of the everlasting stilts disappears somewhere inside their bodies; they have considerably huge beaks; they are pinkish to red in color; they have loong, extremely flexible, cuddly-fluffy necks…
But that’s all perfectly normal, they’re just flamingoes…

Relief

Jun 15, 2014 | Before The Great Journey, Updates

I often get asked how it’s going with New Zealand, the agency and host families. Until shortly I had to tell them that it is too early yet and that there’s nothing fixed yet.
But the last days I exchanged some mails with the agency and many questions were solved.

It is indeed too early to look for a family because New Zealanders are rather spontaneous and, unlike Germans, don’t plan years ahead…
Meanwhile I sigend up on an Au Pair portal online. So slowly it all gets more and more concrete and I like it.

Besides, on Friday the premiere of one of the stage plays went down and in the end I got some prasie from the director… He spared that all the time anyway, which made the day even more relieveing. Well, the stressful rehearsals payed off in the end…

More Pictures!

Jun 7, 2014 | Before The Great Journey, Photos, Thoughts

So once again I drove back home and once again the sun was setting. I came from a theatre rehearsal and next to me my camera lay on the seat. The other props stay at the theatre as I don’t need to bring them back and forth since I don’t use them at home…
The last days I didn’t manage to do much. Every day just work and rehearsal. So there’s not much time for other undertakings. Well, I just gotta go through. But soon it’ll be time and the premiere is on…

At the described ‘golden moments’ of the lowest sunset I stopped at a bus stop next to a wheat field and captured the scenery that shall bring some colour to this blog. (None of them is enhanced in any way;)

My favourite.

All you have a nice time until the next update! 🙂

My favorite.

Babysitter Course

May 18, 2014 | Before The Great Journey, Updates

I am a certified babysitter now! 😀

The course came in two parts. The first day was about the law point of view. What you have to consider (privacy, insurance coverage, rights…), how the ‘duty of supervision’ works and many more. Especially that responsibility is a key topic… Because you you are responsible of an incredible thing.

We were 14 people, 11 girls and 3 guys. Escept of me aged 14-16. It was a really nice group. Even though some didn’t quite accept my not actually adjusted style of speech. But that’s due to the age difference, I guess. 😀

On the second day we focused on the more practical topics.
Starting at activity ideas, handling sickness or accidents, child proof interior design, making food for children (yes, we made some pulp AND ate it), tips on applying to families and up to bathing a baby. SO many valuable lessons!

The course just made me more curious and interested!
I am totally going to look for more courses like that. On the one hand it prepares me well for the time as an Au Pair and on the other hand it just fascinates me! Especially baby care is a thing that makes you much more attractive to parents. Because there are many families with a baby for sure. Besides, it might be the most beautiful thing on earth.

First aid for children might be a practical thing as well. I’ll have a look. And let you know then. 😉 If you have a tip for a course, just out with it. 🙂

BUT the kindergarten that course took place at! That SO blew my mind!! I don’t need to count up things. Just that it had a waterbed in the chill-out room!!! *O_O* 😀