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* 😀

Driver Safety Training Review

May 8, 2014 | Before The Great Journey, Trips

So on Tuesday I had my second driver safety training.

It was the intensity training of the ADAC. First I had to drive all the way to Hannover, where the training took place. After we all got to know each other, we already went to the training grounds.
We were really lucky that day! We had some perfect weather (cloudy without rain), an awesome instructor, as well as a wonderful group (only 8 out of 12 possible participants, 4 women/ 4 men, aged 19-75, 6 cars with ABS and 2 without) plus the advantages of the intensity training.

My good old Audi 90 was one of those tech-free cars, that’s how the instructor called it…
Communication was via walkie-talkies. I connected mine with an AUX cable to my car’s radio and had the best sound quality all the time. :))
We drove from module to module and there are lots of them (like circle tracks, smooth surfaces, offroad terrain, a hydraulic plate, etc.) which all could be used side by side. Because of the small group there always was enough time to have a talk and for the ‘theory segments’.
Lunch was designed as a buffet and it was delicious! 🙂

The grey area is the above named hydraulic plate that accurately pulls the back of the car to the side. I had lots of fun… 🙂

My Audi well had to suffer… Hard breaking non-stop, sliding and slithering all over the place and some 360 degree turns.
The tech-free cars had a special position throughout the training as we had a much longer stopping way, had no support systems and all such things. Most people don’t know that. I didn’t know that either, until I had my first training back then. My next car will have much more ‘tech’ onboard for sure… 😀

The tenor of all the exercises was to get to know your car’s limits and so to recognize hazards and to prevent/ handle them. We practiced on smooth surfaces especially, because there lies the most danger. Over and over you learn how much mere 5 kph can do…

I totally recommend to everybody to take that kind of training. Especially for beginners. It is so well worth the money!

Besides

Apr 24, 2014 | Before The Great Journey, Updates

Now my life gets some swing.

I just took pictures off our old photo albums (yes, such thing still exists) and from there I present a not actually up-to-date picture of mine that you can look at for the time you read this article. 😉

Besides, I just booked in a babysitter’s course in our area. I am awaiting it and hope that I’ll be able to gain for the future out of it… 🙂

Besides, I have finally made use of my (2 years valid) voucher for a driver’s safety training at the ADAC. Since I have turned 18 that thing collected dust and is to expire in June. So at the beginning of April I will attend a intensity training with my Audi. Another thing on last call…

Besides, the bandage changing wasn’t that bad. Now I can stay home for the next weeks and rinse that thumb-sized, 1cm deep wound two times every day. Luckily that doesn’t hurt… Tomorrow they’ll decide when to draw the threads.

Next to those new appointments, the existing projects (reading books, learning roles, consume audio books, becoming a better person, learning baking cleaning laundry-ing) and getting well I didn’t plann too much for the time at home…

Besides, since a few days back I am member of the club of the frameless. B)

Besides, the sun is shining and there’s nothing more to tell for now. Have a nice day!