the 2 WEEKS trip - MICHIGAN - Amerykanskie mazury (video)

Hi,

I came back from my trip about 2 weeks ago. Since that time I've been sorting photos and putting together the videos – it's definitely a lot of work. My kids has started going to school so I have plenty of time to do it.

THIS IS HOW IT LOOKED LIKE:

New York, NY - Cheboygan, MI - Chicago, IL - Nashville, TN - Atlanta, GA - New Orleans, LA - Houston, TX - Austin, TX

MICHIGAN!

Me, the Mom and kids got underway exactly at 5.30 AM, August 29^th (the plan was to leave by 5 but it didn't work) – generally, we were supposed to leave a few days before but one of the kids had bday and we didn't pack on time.

The weather was awful, I haven't seen such a bad rain before (in here). It had been a beautiful (sometimes too humid) weather until that day.

I was pretty sure it was going to rain for that 16 hours and the visibility was seriously 0%. The weather was changing as many times as possible like my mind at the ice cream store !!! We could see how we pass the stormy clouds when we couldn't see the road because of the sun (that was kinda funny).

We had some breaks, I was driving through Ohio and Michigan, much less hours than HM. At the beginning I was kind of stressed because the car was packed with 4 other people, dog, suitcases, baggage etc. so driving was a little bit tricky (the weight) – so I was fully responsible for everything what would happen. Trust me, there are many crazy people on the highways. Anyway, we made it !

The HM parents welcomed me really warm (like I was related to them somehow)! I can't remember the time when I was so exhausted...

The view in the morning – enormous windows on the lake, something incredible. Calmness, the rest from problems and considerations – just a leisure – physical and psychological relaxation – I needed it.

Later, there was more people so we had a BQQ along with the 'next door' neighbors (the grandmas have known each other since childhood!) so they're all like a family.

I was only 2 nights in Cheboygan, I was kinda upset that I have to leave but on the other hand I was so excited to begin our crazy 2 weeks journey. My girls went to camp, I packed and I had to say goodbye to everyone. Unfortunately, going from that town to Chicago isn't that easy, there was no buses nor trains nearby. I drove to East Lansing with the HM's cousin and I got the opportunity to visit the University of Michigan State – a college town!

The next morning, the train arrived after 8 AM,

there was no return – I headed off.

Arrived in Chicago after 12 PM (the time zone changes 1 hour back), Martyna and Julia were flying from California and NY.

That was our 1st (mine 2^nd) STOP !

The next note will be about Chicago!

-----------------------------------------------

Hej,

wrocilam z mojej wycieczki jakies 2 tygodnie temu, ciagle sklejam filmiki i sortuje zdjecia itd. duzo z tym roboty. Wiec mam teraz na to czas, bo dzieciaki zaczynaja chodzic do szkoly.

TAK TO WYGLADALO:

New York, NY - Cheboygan, MI - Chicago, IL - Nashville, TN - Atlanta, GA - New Orleans, LA - Houston, TX - Austin, TX

MICHIGAN!

Ja, Mama i dzieciaki wyruszylysmy dokladnie o 5.30, 29 sierpnia (plan byl o 5, ale nie wyszlo) - generalnie mialysmy wyjechac kilka dni wczesniej, ale jedno z dzieci mialo urodziny i nie zdazylismy sie spakowac. 

Pogoda byla dramatyczna, dawno takiego deszczu tutaj nie widzialam akurat wtedy kiedy byly tygodnie duchoty i slonca - trafilysmy na ulewe.

Juz bylam pewna, ze znajac zycie bedziemy tak jechac te 16 godzin, bo widocznosc byla 0% (serio). Okazalo sie jednak, ze pogoda zmieniala sie szybciej niz moje zdanie kiedy kupuje lody!!!

Mozna bylo zauwazyc jak omijamy, niektore chmury pelne deszczu jadac w sloncu!

Bylo kilka stopow, jechalam przez Ohio i Michigan, znacznie mniej niz HM. Na poczatku mialam lekkiego stresa, bo wiadomo auto zapakowane, ciezej sie jedzie i 4 pasazerow - wiec odpowiedzialnosc tez spadla na mnie. Uwierzcie mi, szalencow na drogach nie brakuje :) Ale udalo sie i dojechalysmy.

Dziadkowie przywitali jak zawsze cieplo i jakbysmy byli rodzina! Dawno nie bylam tak zmeczona..

Widok z rana - wielkie okna na jezioro, cos cudownego. Spokoj, brak problemow, przemyslen po prostu odpoczynek psychiczny jak i fizyczny - brakowalo mi tego.

Potem zebralo sie wiecej rodziny i mielismy BBQ wraz z sasiadami mieszkajacymi obok (babcie znaja sie od szkolnych lat!) wiec sasiedzi praktycznie jak rodzina.

W Cheboygan bylam tylko 2 noce, z jednej strony zalowalam, ze juz musze opuscic to miejsce, a z drugiej bylam gotowa na nasza 2 tygodniowa przygode!!!

Moje dziewczyny pojechaly na campa, pozegnalam sie ze wszystkim, musialam sie spakowac i ruszac. Niestety przedostanie sie z Michigan do Chicago nie bylo takie latwe, nie jezdzily zadne autobusy czy pociagi w poblizu. Pojechalam z kuzynem HM do East Lansing, przy okazji zwiedzajac the University of Michigan State - studenckie miasteczko !

Pociag nastepnego dnia z rana po 8:00,

nie bylo powrotu - wyjechalam.

Chicago po 12:00, Martyna i Julia lecialy z Californii i NY.

To byl nasz pierwszy (moj drugi) stop!

Nastepny wpis o Chicago !

xx,

M.

YOUTUBE VIDEO MICHIGAN !

CHECK THIS OUT

What happens in NYC stays in NYC... PART 1

Hi,

long time no see ! 

Actually, my life is in such a mess - I have no idea WHAT I wanna do when I grow up - WAIT, I'm already grown up... that's a problem.
Take it back a few months and I had everything planned out but now, everything has got to be complicated. Being spontaneous is just living in the present I definitely enjoy it but thinking about the future can be pretty scary!!

Anyway, I'm not gonna complain about it anymore - we'll see how it goes.

Less words, more photos!

Walking down the Little Italy street.. I found a Mickey Mouse, we look similar lol

Whatever it is - I'm a butterfly!!!

Everytime I explore the NYC I enjoy it like a little kid, I love it.

That's a DUMBO view.

 Do you recognize these bridges? 

Who cares, I can sit on it. It's a World Trade Center in the background!

More breathtaking views,

it looks amazing, everybody should see it!!!

I'm sharing with u my last vid from sunny but cold New York. Weather forecasting isn't always accurate so it's always unpredictable and many people complains about it.
What else, I got used to it so it's not that bad although I'm freezing now.
All I need is Spring - coming soon.

The next post will be about this ridiculous snow storm in Washington DC and my NYC area.

Keep calm and stay warm!!!

Take care,

xx,

M.

100th day in the USA, really?

Hi,
time flies,

100th day in the USA... 

seriously?

This is going to be a really short post but anyway I'm so excited it's 100 days in here.

I'm so grateful for all the wonderful people, moments, experiences since October 2015.

I've become a different person and what else, I'm learning more about myself each day. 

What's more, I'm planning to visit some places this year (100% sure!)

• Washington DC
• Philadelphia 
• New Jersey
• Boston (maybe Rhode Island)
• Niagara Falls - already in process!

So, I've decided to take part in the Niagara Falls classes and I'm gonna visit it in the beginning of the June.

  CANADA I'M COMING !!!

I'm gonna share with you guys some photos from NYC soon,

tbh. that was a short note because I receive so many questions everyday - I don't have enough time to do everything I want, so that's it. The photo on the top is just a little sneak peak !!

Thankssssss,

xx,

M.

The gifts in the process...

Helloooooo everybody,

as I mentioned before my daily routine consists of  'most important tasks'.
It's just something you need or want to be done each day, when you achieve these goals you'll feel totally productive.
Each day, I prepare to my adventure - it means I do something everyday to make my dreams come true - it's such an amazing feeling.

Talking about the flight...

2 days ago 

(it was exactly 17 days before the departure) I got the message about my flight details,

• it's DIRECTLY from Warsaw to NYC
• fortunately, it's not in the morning - my flight is at 5.20 pm
• I'll arrive with another Polish girl - I'm glad, I'm not going alone

What's more, yesterday was a really busy day,

I was at the dentist's just to check if everything's fine (and of course IT IS!), I was at the bank and I opened a foreign currency account - which is so important to have it before opening the American account and after all, I had some teaching English classes with kids.

What's best, I bought my wonderful Wittchen suitcase - everyone recommends the material ones, that's why I got it.

Lemme show you then,

Today, I started making bracelets for the girls (with their names!) that I'll take care of, it seems to be an incredible thing  -  long-lasting, handmade and memorable gift! Additionally, each girl will get the box for jewellery filled with Polish sweets - I'll show you soon peeps!

But everything can't be perfect, I ordered these boxes online and I was sure it was half of the actual size, just a little disappointment - 

less space in my suitcase  =  less clothes to bring with me...

all in all, there're always some advantages, more sweets for the girls!

Today's song:

Tomorrow, me and my friend are going at the stable - it's Sunday - I'm taking some time to relax and recharge my batteries for the next (busy) week.

I'm falling asleep, g'night then,

xxx,

M.

nutrition and healthy drinking - some fresh green juice!

Exactly!
Just stay healthy and be motivated!

I've just decided to write a quick note (it's almost 12.30am) and share with you my recipe for a delicious green juice. 

• 1  (green!) apple
• 1 pear
• half celery
• half cucumber
• some ginger - not too much
• some parsley (if you like)

This one cup gives you a lot of power - try it!
Apple and pear juice are sweet so when we combine it with some vegetables it becomes a really tasty drink in your free time during the day.

Geeez, now is the last step, my juicer is a nightmare to clean!

More recipes soon!

 Anyway, enjoy your meal and have a good night peeps.

I'm working on the #2 Vlog,

let me know if you have any ideas for my next videos, 

nightnight.

Isn't it (SOOOO) true?!?

xx,

M.

Perfect match! Au Pair in America AIFS

Hello everyone,
I still can't believe it, I have my perfect match!
My blog has just officially started as an Au Pair's blog!

MY AMERICAN ADVENTURE begins on October 5th,

I'll fly to the New York to the training school (it's called orientation) and then I'll live in Darien, CT.

I will take care of 3 cute (older) girls.

The host parents are really honest and open, we've already talked about almost everything.

What's more, they have an adorable dog!

From the beginning this family was my favourite one,

I'm glad we both had the same feeling.

I've talked to their current au pair and she told me lots of advantages and opportunities that family gives her. She has visited about 15 states and is going to travel to the West Coast.

All in all, I know I won't be disappointed, I'm going to work, to meet new people and to get to know the American culture, be fluent in English!

Now,

•  I'm waiting for the visa package
• after receiving it, I'll have to book my visa interview at the US Embassy (I do hope I'll get the visa easily!)
• next step is getting the National Driver Licence
• after all, I'll get my airline ticket... packing, saying good bye -

and I'll be THERE!

I'm thinking about my blog,

I'm gonna write here in English and upload videos on Youtube (Vlogs) in Polish.

What do you think about it?

Moreover, do you live or will be living near me?  I'd love to make new friends there!

 Let me know in comments below.

see you soon!

xx,

M.

Easiest muffins EVER!

hello everybody!
I hope you're having a great day,

today
- I've just finished baking...

I made the EASIEST and delicious muffins ever!
This recipe makes about 6/7 bigger muffins or 12 small muffins.

Here is a favourite muffin recipe of mine!

You will need:

1 glass flour

1/4 glass oil rapeseed oil

1/2 glass milk

2 spoons sugar 

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 small egg

and some salt (1/2 tsp)

Additional ingredients - to be honest, you can add your favourites for example cranberries(the best choice!), nuts, some chocolate , fruit, caramel or jam - just add to the basic recipe the flavours you would like.

It sounds very easy and IT IS! 

The key to making great muffins is not overmixing the batter!

• 1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. 
• 2. Stir together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a large bowl.

• 3. Beat the egg in a separate bowl then add the oil and milk.
• 4. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ones and mix no more than ten seconds, be careful - it's important to not overmix the batter. 

• 5. Fill muffin cups only a piece of it - from 1/2 to 2/3. It's not necessary but you can also use a muffin (cupcake) pan.6.It will bake approximately 20 mins or so depending on your oven. 

 When baking time is up - insert a toothpick into the center of the muffin.
If the toothpick comes out clean, it means they're done.

It isn't perfect, I try to do my best - I'm sure I'll learn from the experience.

Anyway, as an additional igredients I added almonds, cranberries and oatmeal.

BE CREATIVE!

Please leave a comment with your favourite combinations, thoughts and opinions!

Thank you,

xxx

M.