Wednesday, September 19, 2012
What is an Au Pair?
I think many people do not understand what an au pair actually is, so I will try to explain is as best I can. Remember that the program varies in different countries, and I am specifically talking about Germany.
In Germany, an au pair is a young man or woman between the ages of 18-24 (I turn 25 during my au pair year, but was 24 at the time I applied for my visa) that lives with a family for 1 year as a member of the family. The au pair helps take care of the children, does light housework (cooking, vacuuming, ironing, loading and emptying the dishwasher), for up to 30 hours per week. In exchange, the au pair receives room and board, as well as insurance, a tram pass, and enough free time to visit a language course. Of course the au pair receives a bit of money as well. This is not referred to as a salary, but "pocket money," as the au pair is not an employee, but a member of the family.
Now you know :)
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Changes
Changes I'm making, starting this week....
1) No charging ANYTHING on credit cards. There are always going to be "emergencies." If I cannot pay using a debit card or cash, I will save up for the item or *gasp* not buy it.
2) I will not buy any clothing or shoes that are of cheap quality, but rather will save up until I can afford their more expensive (and hopefully longer-lasting) counterparts.
3) I will save a percentage of my salary every month.
4) I will not spend more than the amount I have alotted myself unless I earn more money by freelancing.
5) I will NOT eat out more than 2x per week, unless I am on vacation and this is unavoidable.
1) No charging ANYTHING on credit cards. There are always going to be "emergencies." If I cannot pay using a debit card or cash, I will save up for the item or *gasp* not buy it.
2) I will not buy any clothing or shoes that are of cheap quality, but rather will save up until I can afford their more expensive (and hopefully longer-lasting) counterparts.
3) I will save a percentage of my salary every month.
4) I will not spend more than the amount I have alotted myself unless I earn more money by freelancing.
5) I will NOT eat out more than 2x per week, unless I am on vacation and this is unavoidable.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Gloria Steinem forgive me for saying this, but I think that all young women should become au pairs, and not just because it allows a young woman to see another part of the world, but because it teaches the young woman about being a mother. Chances are, if one is working as an au pair, it is generally in a 2-income household. These women are working either a part or a full-time job and are looking for a bit of extra help at home. Such is the case with the family I am living with (and working for in Freiburg). The mother is a professor at a teacher's college. In addition to working she is expected to be an engaged mother when at home. I've always thought that was a difficult task, but now I'm experiencing how difficult it truly is.
As a child I always thought, "Darn it! I have to go to school, and mom gets to stay home and watch Oprah all day! Where is the justice in this world?" Now I know that my mom likely had little time to watch Oprah. In between the cleaning, the ironing, the organization of driving this child here and that child there, I doubt my mother was watching much television or "sitting around."
Of course, since moving out of the house nearly 4 years ago I discovered that there was a lot more to running a household than I thought, but it's a completely different ball game when one is a mother, or in this case, an au pair. There are lots of dirty dishes, messy rooms, etc. As a child one thinks very little about throwing things on the floor. They don't realize that all of the little messes add up. Children are seemingly unaware of the fact that adults tend to like to keep their houses clean. For one, it gives the owner a sense of ease and comfort, and another, who knows when an unexpected guest could stop by! It's embarrassing if the house looks like a pigsty.
My job is very tiring, but I enjoy it very much. I'm living in a new country with a family I met through an au pair website, taking care of their kids and becoming a member of the family. Not to mention the fact that I'm improving my cooking skills (which were nearly non-existent before my arrival) immensely.
There is so much more to running a household than I ever knew....
Bye for now, Molly
As a child I always thought, "Darn it! I have to go to school, and mom gets to stay home and watch Oprah all day! Where is the justice in this world?" Now I know that my mom likely had little time to watch Oprah. In between the cleaning, the ironing, the organization of driving this child here and that child there, I doubt my mother was watching much television or "sitting around."
Of course, since moving out of the house nearly 4 years ago I discovered that there was a lot more to running a household than I thought, but it's a completely different ball game when one is a mother, or in this case, an au pair. There are lots of dirty dishes, messy rooms, etc. As a child one thinks very little about throwing things on the floor. They don't realize that all of the little messes add up. Children are seemingly unaware of the fact that adults tend to like to keep their houses clean. For one, it gives the owner a sense of ease and comfort, and another, who knows when an unexpected guest could stop by! It's embarrassing if the house looks like a pigsty.
My job is very tiring, but I enjoy it very much. I'm living in a new country with a family I met through an au pair website, taking care of their kids and becoming a member of the family. Not to mention the fact that I'm improving my cooking skills (which were nearly non-existent before my arrival) immensely.
There is so much more to running a household than I ever knew....
Bye for now, Molly
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Freiburg
A new city. A new family. A new house. A new room. A new life. Where is home? I don't know anymore. I've gone from being anxious about moving to being able to move from place to place, happy as long as I have a room with a bed. I have people around me, but I still feel alone. It's not an empty, forgotten feeling, but rather a sense that my decisions (and my life) are mine.
A new journey has begun. Where will it lead me? Only time will tell.
A new journey has begun. Where will it lead me? Only time will tell.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Back in Time
She's likely about 90 years old, with a hunched over walk and a toothless grin. She's the town's busybody, observing everyone and everything. Today, just like any other day, she chooses to pay Burg Wernfels and its visitors a visit. As I update my blog today she peers through the windowpane. I smile and acknowledge her presence while continuing to write, a hobby of mine that has been neglected of late.
Welcome to Wernfels, population 2. At least that's what it feels like. The town consists of a bakery, an ice cream shop, a restaurant, a sports field, and a farm. And, of course, the famous castle turned hostel, Burg Wernfels, the most popular youth hostel in Bavaria. This is where I've spent the past 2 weeks, working with young teens and trying to teach them English. I assume they learned a lot, but I've also learned so much about myself. This has been my opportunity to let go, be goofy and crazy, and make fun of myself a little bit; something that has always been difficult for me.
It's the weekend, the kids are gone, and now I'm back to my serious old self. Looking through the windowpane again, I notice that the old woman has disappeared.
Welcome to Wernfels, population 2. At least that's what it feels like. The town consists of a bakery, an ice cream shop, a restaurant, a sports field, and a farm. And, of course, the famous castle turned hostel, Burg Wernfels, the most popular youth hostel in Bavaria. This is where I've spent the past 2 weeks, working with young teens and trying to teach them English. I assume they learned a lot, but I've also learned so much about myself. This has been my opportunity to let go, be goofy and crazy, and make fun of myself a little bit; something that has always been difficult for me.
It's the weekend, the kids are gone, and now I'm back to my serious old self. Looking through the windowpane again, I notice that the old woman has disappeared.
You don't even have to try...it's always a good time
"Wollt ihr mitfeiern?" (Want to party with us?) As Becks (Australian), Aline (French) and myself headed back from the field where we'd just spent time relaxing, on our way to the castle, we turned and noticed a group of 20-somethings celebrating around a bonfire. I was surprised at the question and even wanted to hear them repeat it before I realized they were, indeed, speaking with us. This should've been abundently clear, as there was noone else in site, but I'm not used to Germans being that friendly to strangers. Perhaps it's because Wernfels, the village that where we are currently located, is so small that the population is likely about 100 people, that the group was eager for new company.
So, curious as we were, we walked over to join them for a moment, although we knew we should head back to the castle soon. As soon as we sat there we wanted to get up. They were clearly already very drunk, and Aline and Becks don't speak any German, so that would make for a boring evening. When it became clear to use that the guy next to us was smoking pot, we decided right then and there to say our farewells and head back to the castle. What would the children say if we came back smelling like pot? And, more importantly, what would they tell their parents? Everything we do tends to get back to our boss.
However, we all admitted that if we lived in Wernfels (essentially the middle of nowhere) we too would be getting drunk more than occasionally.
So, curious as we were, we walked over to join them for a moment, although we knew we should head back to the castle soon. As soon as we sat there we wanted to get up. They were clearly already very drunk, and Aline and Becks don't speak any German, so that would make for a boring evening. When it became clear to use that the guy next to us was smoking pot, we decided right then and there to say our farewells and head back to the castle. What would the children say if we came back smelling like pot? And, more importantly, what would they tell their parents? Everything we do tends to get back to our boss.
However, we all admitted that if we lived in Wernfels (essentially the middle of nowhere) we too would be getting drunk more than occasionally.
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