tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15030519098946857212024-03-13T06:08:35.178-07:00The Au Pair ProjectWhat Mary Poppins Never Mentioned...Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-63003977826415492632011-07-04T11:01:00.000-07:002011-07-04T11:21:01.520-07:00Porto, Portugal and Port WineIf you haven't heard by now, the Portuguese know their wine. Producing it, aging it, consuming it and enjoying it. So, you wouldn't be surprised if I told you that I can't recall too much about the weekend that the boy and I recently spent in Portugal, visiting his parents.
Except that I can...Because another thing that the Portuguese know how to do? Serve humongous portions of food. Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-20428684590056026272011-05-25T12:28:00.000-07:002011-05-25T16:13:41.649-07:00Why Antiperspirant is ImportantA supposedly fun thing that I'll never do again?
Take a 11 hour flight sitting next to a ceaseless PDA couple. I get it. Really--You're young, you're non-conformist, you want me to know that lesbian is the new black. No problem. But on an extremely long flight with extremely little personal space, the least you could do is wash your dreadlocks and put on a Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-13536340979821501922011-03-20T22:37:00.000-07:002012-01-11T12:23:31.116-08:00Change of PlansWhat was originally planned as a two-week vacation back home to California with a return ticket to France, has now turned into an indefinite stay. The reason: assorted. My feelings (along with the contents of my suitcase): various and scattered.
Here’s the thing: Being an Au Pair? Not so much the ideal job, but yes, being in France was pretty ideal. More so, with my third au pair experience, I Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-3449023658675041912011-02-11T09:55:00.000-08:002011-02-11T09:56:00.485-08:00SurprisesBeing an Au Pair is full of surprises; surprises that aren't nearly as boring as you might imagine.
Like being told by a 6 year old on a Wednesday morning to stay in bed. As if this wasn't delightful enough, 13 minutes later, I got this:
Plain yogurt with granola, green tea, bread and butter, and a glass of apple juice just the way I like it: 3 parts water, 1 part apple juice.
These Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-48185890480812270292011-01-27T07:15:00.000-08:002011-01-27T07:18:59.684-08:00The SoldesMy dad (my real dad, not the host-dad), lover of black cashmere, modern men's fashion, and all things bargain, paid $1.20 a minute to call me internationally from California.
"Lauren, the soldes (aka sales) are going on in Lyon right now!"
The clouds parted, the skies opened up to the heavens and the angels started to sing.
But reality shook me as I immediately remembered:1. I’m an Au Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-91861258373441112892011-01-10T02:13:00.000-08:002012-01-11T12:21:42.110-08:00Happy 2011If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. So I didn't. For two (plus) months. I turned my back on the "project" and retreated into the background. But I'm baaaack. Yes, after a month of health issues, infections, a root canal, what I assume was the common cold, constant nausea, a much needed European family holiday vacation, and a partridge in a pear tree, I'm back!
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-18554080513787636592010-11-17T00:47:00.001-08:002010-11-17T00:47:59.153-08:00A BNP Affair
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I didn't think I would succumb because yes, I'm a bit of a stubborn soul. I keep my guard up and I hold a soft spot for the familiar. I don't like to get too involved, too hooked in, too personal. After all, Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-78728893616396207882010-11-08T06:25:00.000-08:002010-11-09T13:36:03.524-08:00How To Misplace a Child in 5 Easy Steps (without even knowing it)
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1. When the children's school starts at 8:30am, make sure you're running late to ensure stress and scrambling.
2. Once you've gotten downstairs from the 6th floor of your apartment building with the elevator made during the Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-24441896681436962692010-11-06T01:10:00.000-07:002012-01-11T12:16:47.565-08:00The Pre-Au Pair Guide
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Maybe it’s something in the air. Maybe it’s the economy. Maybe it was the 10Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-9592647778832406952010-11-05T06:00:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:19:42.078-07:00The Versatile Blog AwardThere's an award for everything these days. It's true. I've yet to receive one for my awesomeness in being an Au Pair but, BUT there's still time! Anyway, the wonderful blog: An International Affair was kind enough to give me this blog award
In order to accept this award, I must do the following:
1. Thank and link back to the person who gave me this award
2. Tell everyone 7 things about Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-4166704394142890972010-10-07T08:28:00.000-07:002012-01-11T12:15:10.877-08:00The Sweet LifeUh...Yeah right.
If I told you why I couldn't sleep; if I told you why even a Trazadone didn't do the trick; if I told you why no amount of Sleepy Time Tea or Melatonin could help; if I told you why I was up until 4 am, which gave me two hours of restless sleep and led to a very challenging, very grouchy day after, you would agree with my frustration. You would sympathize. You might even invite Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-19287291764920356642010-09-30T00:00:00.000-07:002012-01-11T12:12:55.681-08:00Adam and EveThe kids are now into their fourth week of school and I couldn't be happier. They are exceptional kids, I promise! But have you tried entertaining a 6 and 7 year old for thirteen hours a day, all while trying to keep their older sister from provoking arguments?! Let's just say that we've taken a lot of walks around the city and I've taken a lot of deep breaths. In any event, we know the Centre Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-73951257743672557422010-09-22T13:10:00.001-07:002012-01-11T12:11:03.410-08:00Joyeux Anniversaire a MoiDisclaimer: Dad, you may want to bypass this one. Disclaimer: Dad, you may want to bypass this one.
Some people have cake. Some people do parties, celebrations, take vacations, open presents-- you know, The Works-- and I am usually one of them. Last year, there was my Red and White (Wine) Theme Party. The year before that, there was the L-Theme Party. The Rock Star Theme Party, the 80's Theme Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-65442622534896902652010-09-10T10:59:00.000-07:002012-01-11T12:09:31.748-08:00ClichésI believe in now or never; plain and simple; What's done is done. I believe in walking the walk if you're going to talk the talk. I believe that money can't buy happiness (unless of course happiness you’re in the Nine West shoe section of Macy's). I believe there's always a silver lining; that there's light at the end of the tunnel and well, I believe home is truly where the heart is.
My name Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-28987692511170586332010-09-04T03:39:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:21:58.802-07:00Eat, Pray, Love..and then some“Do you think colored toilet paper will color your ass?”Internet, meet Rachel. College educated (yes, I promise), 5ft (5’1 on her better days) and full of spunk and sass. She frequents good restaurants, is soon to be married (to a chef) and can be found spending her Sunday mornings in a sweaty, overcrowded dance class, strutting and pirouetting to every Britney and Lady Gaga infused jazz Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-85074911014633412102010-08-18T14:03:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:22:18.956-07:00Croatia!<!--StartFragment--> You know you’re in good hands when your pizza comes accompanied with a bottle of ketchup and hot sauce. Welcome. To. Croatia. A place that sits on the Eastern side of the Adriatic Sea, across from Italy. A place with more shoe stores per capita in the city of Split, than any other city in the world. A place of hedonism and history. A place where I decided, somewhat Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-64562832568051523172010-07-29T07:59:00.000-07:002012-01-11T12:06:31.655-08:00London BoundAfter every trip with EasyJet Airlines, I always step off, promising myself never to take another flight with them. Flying with EasyJet is anything but easy. If you manage to get a flight that isn't cancelled (which happens often) and you're patient enough to wait through hours of delays (which happens always), then you'll find yourself onboard, mid-air, hoping that this much turbulence is normalLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-80132565877529564342010-07-07T02:30:00.000-07:002012-01-11T12:04:03.959-08:00Away MessageI jumped. I jumped and guess what happened. I landed on two feet; or more accurately, I landed on a flight from EasyJet, but more on that later.
You can delete my previous French address from your iPhone, Blackberry and address books because no longer am I living with the American family. They went their way and I went mine (And not to boast, but my way still includes Europe, Nutella, and good Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-7541311346910517592010-06-28T13:22:00.000-07:002010-06-28T13:35:15.923-07:00Why MC Hammer Pants Aren't Making a ComebackI once read that the ability to be happy is nothing other than the ability to come to terms with how things change. Though I still haven’t dissected the “how”, I have accepted that time provokes change. It’s inevitable, I get it.Remember those magical days when the sun was shining, the birds were singing, I had pep in my step, and my French life as an Au Pair was going oh so swimmingly? Well, Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-37026588704143293852010-06-21T01:25:00.000-07:002010-06-21T06:36:52.614-07:00La Fête des Pères“Lolo, where does your dad live?”“He lives in a land far, far, away called California.” I replied.“Are you going to see him this weekend for Father’s Day?”“I wish I could, but much to my surprise, being your nanny hasn’t yet afforded me the opportunity to invest in my own private jet to fly to California.”“But don’t you think that all he really wants for Father’s Day is a big hug and kiss from Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-59310407877018285832010-06-11T14:43:00.000-07:002010-06-11T22:32:30.312-07:00Girls Night“Qu’est ce que c’est Girls Night?”“What do you mean, ‘What’s Girls Night?’ Wait, do they not do that in France? It’s--ya know--girls night! No?.” Hmm, How do I explain this to you in French? “It’s when a group of girl friends go out. Restaurant, bar, club, whatever. Just the girls. No guys… It means that I’m not free tonight.”It means that Alicia Keys is touring Lyon; that we plan to pass the Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-37578809462876450472010-06-03T03:17:00.000-07:002010-06-03T03:46:50.741-07:00This Little Piggy...This little piggy went to the market. That little piggy stayed home. One little piggy had roast beef while the other little piggy had none.Here’s your hint: I don’t eat beef… And to ruin the riddle of Guess Which Little Piggy Is Which, the one that went to the market is the same little piggy who tends to three children that are not her own (and after being an Au Pair, having 3 kids is so out of Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-55988051281968623282010-05-30T15:11:00.000-07:002010-05-30T15:27:21.545-07:00ADHDDo you ever feel incredibly overwhelmed by the demands of the day? Wednesdays warrant a Levatol. Ditto Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and most times on the weekends when I’m with the kids (which in short, is whenever I’m in the house), because during these times, I can feel my stress increasing and blood pressure rising. By the end of the week, I’m beat.Like I previously mentioned, Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-24315760427497865512010-05-27T07:12:00.000-07:002010-05-27T07:22:58.129-07:00Casis, ProvenceAfter you take a day trip to Provence, sometimes pictures summarize it better: Gratitude:Swimming in the oceanI get my taxes done tonight with Bob... Let's hope he keeps the stories to a minimum ;)The cat and the chicken haven't dragged any dead birds in front of my window since Saturday.Julia and I just finished making "Kitchen Sink Cookies" and I'll just go ahead and say it, They're damn good, Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1503051909894685721.post-45760374691164067972010-05-20T04:13:00.000-07:002010-05-20T05:36:38.721-07:00Cote D'AzurOnce upon a four-day holiday weekend in France, five girls decided to celebrate the “anniversary” of Christ’s ascension into heaven by piling into a rental car and heading South…because nothing says “heaven” like the Cote d’Azur and a weekend away from kids (especially the latter). With our oh-so-plentiful Au Pair salaries, we found accommodations through Couch Surfing, meaning that we found a Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17549453784720014281noreply@blogger.com3