See London

10 Mai 2010; 20:03: On occasion I like to pretend I’m an old Egyptian slave and build pyramids. There isn’t much difference - they got whipped by young pharaohs, I get whipped by young Germans. I kid I kid. No whipping. Just the occasional “stupid!”

Challenge of the Day: Bread here is an intense ordeal. You don’t go into Grestedes or Stop ‘N Shop, go to the bread aisle and choose between wheat, white, or potato. No, you go to Dat Backhus and ask for specific breads, some of which are only available certain days of the week because they have to be prepared on a Monday and baked on a Tuesday. If you’re not sure of what type you’d like, the generic “graues Brot” (grey bread) may suffice. In my case it only barely sufficed. Cue me stumbling over my prepared German dialogue attempting to properly answer the questions being fired my way. If it’s not obvious that I’m foreign, it’s very obvious that my IQ is ranging in the handicapped sector.

German Word of the Day: Biber - beaver, because I’m currently not watching a programme about beavers on German TV.

28 April 2010; 15:23: Lounging by the Alster, getting some writing done in my ~Moleskin because I’m just that indie. One may think that relaxing few hours was the highlight of my day. Oh no. My highlight is right now when I am watching Titanic dubbed in German. There’s nothing like a passionate love scene followed by “Wie gehts?” Which brings us to the challenge of the day….segue.

Challenge of the Day: This has actually been a challenge for the past couple weeks. The six year old I au pair for has just learnt of ~the birds and the bees, if you will. Only, he doesn’t believe in euphemisms. In fact, he believes in one word and one word only: The Big F. As harmless as it is, it has got to the point where he’s asking very specific questions, and miming very graphic situations. Also, everything is “sexy” so him. Sexy people. Sexy music. Sexy bread. I’m not quite sure where he’s picked all this up, but he is a very well informed six year old. An appropriate means of answering all questions has yet to be found, and instead has been substituted with a slight giggle and “Stop it.” That’s all I’ve got.

German Word of the Day: ficken - the six year old’s new favourite word.

20th April 2010; 21.07: Less than exciting first day of this new endeavor. I was in babysitting tonight and at 9.07pm I was with the two eldest boys attempting to watch the Barca v Milan Champions League match online as we don’t have Sky at the house. Meanwhile, Two and a Half Men was blaring in the background. Europeans love Two and a Half Men - I say this with great authority after living with a Hungarian in London who watched it on a daily basis (at least twice a day) and changed her ringtone to the theme song, and now hearing the roaring laughter from these young German boys.

Let it be known: Europeans love Two and a Half Men.

Challenge: Today I had to call a friend of one of the kid’s to inquire about a missing jumper. It was my first experience calling someone and having to speak German. I stumbled a lot, sounded confused and scared, and just all around made a fool out of myself. In the end, I succeeded at my task, but as someone who’s fearful of phones when people speak my native language, this was exceptionally difficult.

Learnt German Word of the Day: Husten - cough.

I promise not all photos will be of the Hipstamatic variety.

All Your Dreams Are MAde When Your Chained To A Mirror And A Rasorblade

I met another American au pair today. I was a bit hesitant as Americans abroad and I don’t normally get along*. With a preconceived notion of a slightly ditzy, Typical American in my head, I met Sara with caution. I was pleasantly surprised to find we were of the same breed.

Sara graduated university and interned in the fashion industry throughout. We have similar backgrounds - family, upbringing, and culture-wise. In fact, she is from right outside the city in Jersey (which I won’t hold against her). She also studied abroad in both London and Paris and sees this au pair gig as a layover, as I do. She was lucky enough to land herself an amazing internship opportunity after the job ends in Paris, where she would one day like to make permanent residency.

A like-mind. It’s an incredible thing. Sadly for both of us, Sara works an insane amount, including weekends where she’s forced to go to the country and drive horse carts around vast fields. This means our meetings may be limited to coffee before language class, which we both happen to have at the same time (though different courses).

Calling myself an au pair is still a bit embarrassing for me, but knowing that there are other people who are using it in the same way that I am is quite the relief. The stigma of Hired Help can be pushed aside for those times together where only we know the real reasons we have put ourselves in this situation. I try and always remind myself that everyone has a story, a reason for doing what they are. And now, being placed in a bracket lower than Intern, where you are at least in your given industry, it has become even easier to open my mind to the paths people find themselves on.

I know that when people look at me they think “Oh. Au pair.” They may think I’m uneducated, or of low social standing, but that’s fine. I know that this is a step towards an ultimate goal, and while it may be completely off base of my true talents and experience, something monumental will come of it. Maybe not in the same obviousness as Sara’s Paris internship, but something.

*Really I just hate them** and am embarrassed by their crassness.
**Generalisations*** FTW.
***This whole post is about not generalising. WHOOPS.