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!

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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

First Cupcakes in the US... Are you sure you wanna see that?!

Hi!

Maybe someday you'll be wondering about birthday gifts for your host parents?
No worries, that's the best idea ever!

• Bring your kid and stuff to craft to the living room
• Make a birthday card with the kid
• Make a little pocket in the card
• It's time to make a coupon

COUPON IDEA:
In my case, I've made a coupon which allows parents to go out over my work hours in the evening/at night.
I also wrote a funny thing there "Expiration date: when all of the kids go to College!".
So,it was a pretty creative day!

My youngest child is so adorable, the host dad won "The Best Dad Award"! (Look at this badge)

What's more...
I enjoy cooking & baking - that's a good opportunity to spend your free time and gain some experience in a kitchen.
Last Wednesday was the host dad's birthday so me and girls decided (1 day before) to bake some cupcakes OR a cake.
That day the youngest girl was recovering after sickness so she didn't go to school, when the other girls came back home we started working in a kitchen!

We wanted to make some chocolate cupcakes. Firstly, we didn't have some ingredients, so I went to the grocery store.
Then, when we finally made it and filled the cupcake papers up, the two older had to go to their extra activities... but right before that - the cupcakes instead of going up they were going down and doing mess in the oven. It was burning and turning into black color. It was literally a DISASTER.

To sum up, we immediately went to the grocery store and bought a chocolate cupcake mix and everything was perfect.

Hope you have a great day,

xx,

M.

Gifts for the Host Family! Au Pair in America AIFS

Hi,

when you find your perfect family and confirm perfect match - everybody starts thinking about gifts for the host family!
First thing after my first dinner with the Host Family I gave them presents - they were pretty a bit surprised !
Trust me, it's not that easy - firstly, I was looking for polish souvenirs then I wanted to buy something connected to their hobbies and fav sports, after that I decided to buy these things:

 

Cups for Host Parents (on the other side there are their names),

it means - the best american mum and dad!

 Some sweets for them!

The most popular things in Poland!

 The cookbook was for the Host Parents, the other one is poems (for LCC) - written by Wislawa Szymborska - this book is really special because everything's translated! 

Boxes for jewellery (for the girls!) with DIY homemade bracelets by me - with their names on it - (I put it inside) - they loved it!

Anyway, I ordered it online - it was the worst decision ever, it was huge and half of my suitcase was filled with presents... I was glad they liked that!!!

 This money box and DIY bracelet made by me was for the host family's previous au pair - she was with me for 10 days to show me everything and help me get used to the daily routine and my 'new life'.

At the end of this post, I wanted to show something sweet and cute!
My French friend got a package from the host family (at the orientation) there was for example this:

HOMEMADE DELICIOUS MINI TINY CUPCAKES !

Yesterday it was such a long day, I'll write about it tomorrow it was a little disaster in the kitchen...

See ya,
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.

Memories last forever !

Hi everyone,

I'm one of those people who strives to be productive during 'days off'.
 So, I always schedule my month to not waste the time and I'm pretty sure this makes me even happier when I have things done (ticked) - so try it, you won't regret it ☑ .

Anyway, today I'm completely rested. I was cooking a dinner...yes, of course it was delicious!!! I went for a walk (because the weather FORTUNATELY is great). What's more, I organized some things connected with the flight to the US and I sold some of my things that I haven't been using for a long time for example horseback riding stuff. I had an accident on November 3rd 2011, it was a long time ago but shortly, I fell down during gallop and I nearly lost my consciousness. 

(the last ride - these 2 photos were took right before the accident)

I was too shocked, after all I just started to cry but there wasn't any pain. Then, me and my friend went for a walk with horses like nothing happened. When I came home I couldn't move my arm so we immediately went to the nearest hospital but they told me to go to the emergency in another town (30 mins by car) - it was insane.

All in all, I broke my collarbone and I was recovering at home for over 1 month, I totally stopped horseback riding but I still wholeheartedly love these animals.

I'm organizing files etc. on my computer and I want to share with you some of my memorable photos:

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day - as always !!!
Just some shopping before my departure to New York, it's ONLY 3 weeks left!

Tumblr inspiration.

Hope you're having a good evening,

xx,
M.

News! #1 vlog Martinity-preparing to the flight- Au Pair in America

Hi!

NEWS,NEWS,NEWS!

I'm going on October 4th!

My wonderful Host Family asked me to participate in the AAA Driving Course which includes classes about safe driving, tips and helps drivers to acclimate to American roads - so it means I'm arriving 1 day before the Orientation.

Some detailed informations about:

AAA Driving Course - CLICK HERE

Orientation and the Training School - CLICK HERE

Another NEWS!

I went to Warsaw on September 1st (yes,my birthday!) and I had the Visa appointment at the American Embassy on September 2nd.

What's more?!?!

VISA APPROVED ♥

To be honest, I didn't expect anything but the whole security process was just easy.
Everyone was sooooo polite, it was amazing - just a little surprise.

So the security check, showing some documents, checking my fingerprints etc. were really quick then I had to wait almost 1 hour for my interview.
The room was so crowded (nearly full!) and I saw the information 'max. 270 people' - a bit funny sooooo I was waiting and talking with random people (there were around 50 peeps before me).

After that I was finally called on my interview. 

I was so nervous, you can't even imagine it.
All in all, I was talking to the kindest consul ever, our conversation was fine and everything went well.

If you're preparing to the Visa process you would expect some question connected with:

• your plans in the United States and when you come back
• your experience
• place where you'll be living etc.

So honestly, everything's just easy!

Instead of my meeting at the American Embassy I had a great time - just having fun (and some unexpected adventures) with my friend and meeting new people ☺ I love Warsaw - it's such an amazing place with foreigners from all around the world!

NOW,

I'm looking for a resistant suitcase and some appropriate gifts for my Host Family.

See my first Vlog for Polish people - it's just an introduction.

I did my best.

I'm waiting for your opinions and suggestions, maybe I'll have to change something or try to do it better next time.

Hope you like it!

see ya soon,

xoxoxox,

M.

Stop Yulin 2015 - just sign the petition

Hi,

please sign it:

https://www.change.org/p/president-of-the-people-s-republic-of-china-stop-the-yulin-dog-meat-eating-festival

We must stop this insane and senseless ritual, there're loads of dogs being killed in the streets at the Yulin Dog meat Festival.

Is this humanity? 

What is the point of this?

I can't understand it.

That's the hell on Earth, all you have to do is 'sign it'.
Apparently, most of these cute animals were stolen from their owners, captured and transported under horrible conditions... and still have their collars...


We need to STOP IT and WE have to fight, animals have no voice, they can't ask for anything.
It is really heartbreaking, together we can change it.

Just sign and share it with your friends, it only takes a moment - and you will save another life.
I hope you'll do it.


xo,
M.

Au Pair's motivation

Hiiiiiiiiiiii!

I think this is the best time of my life.
So...

• I feel free (tbh I've never said that before)
• I'm AFTER my FINALS
• I promised myself that I will take chances, do everything and live my life 
• I moved out a few weeks ago - and I'm totally ok with it
• I'm looking for the next job (I'm so self-minded and definitely too active - I can't waste my time, be bored and lay on the sofa everyday)

These are just advantages...

What's more, nothing's perfect.

 I've just started thinking about my future life.
I have no plans, that's terrible, I don't know what to do, some people tell me that Au Pair plans in the US are with no prospects and I should attend an university in Poland because I passed it very well (I don't think so) - these words make me hesitant.
I need an advice but everybody says different thoughts and I don't know what to do.

My auntie told me I should stay here, be educated (because after this 1 year as an Au Pair - she says - I won't be willing to start school again) - and some other things, but what's most important, after that conversation I feel upset.

However... I realized that I want to do something wholly different and show people that I can reach my goals. I don't wanna be like an ordinary girl after high school.

ALL IN ALL, I think there's nothing to worry about I just have to wait for my PM.

NOW, I can take chances and just live.
(especially, without thinking about next exams etc. - it's finally over!)

(my) the only one advice

peeps, don't waste your time 

see ya,

xx

M.

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

Hejjjjj,
myślę,że to najlepszy czas w moim życiu

Tak więc...

• czuję się wolna (szczerze mówiąc, chyba nigdy tego wcześniej nie powiedziałam)
• jestem po maturze!
• obiecałam sobie, że będę korzystać z życia
• dobrze mi się mieszka samej (przeprowadziłam się kilka tygodni temu)
• szukam kolejnej pracy, bo nie potrafię spokojnie usiedzieć, bez szkoły jest nudno - nie mogę marnować czasu

to są tylko zalety,
ale nic nie jest perfekcyjne.

Zaczęłam myśleć o moim przyszłym życiu.

Nie mam konkretnych planów - to jest okropne!

Nie wiem co robić, niektórzy ludzie mówią (ci co wiedzą o Au Pair), że ten wyjazd jest bez sensu i powinnam od razu złożyć papiery na uczelnię w PL, bo dobrze mi poszła matura (ja tak nie sądzę) - takie słowa sprawiają, że jestem niezdecydowana - znowu druga połowa wspiera mnie w tych planach. 

Potrzebuję rady co do przyszłej rodziny (nie chcę podejmować pochopnych decyzji) , ale każdy ma różne zdanie na ten temat i w sumie nie wiem co robić, jestem pewna, że mam zbyt wiele wymagań.

Moja ciocia powiedziała, że mam tutaj zostać, uczyć się (ponieważ po roku bycia Au Pair mogę nie mieć chęci powrotu do nauki) i kilka innych spraw, ale co najważniejsze, po tej rozmowie poczułam niepokój, ponieważ moim preferowanym wyjazdem był czerwiec (jest maj...)

Tak czy inaczej... Zdałam sobie sprawę, że chcę zrobić coś całkowicie innego i pokazać ludziom, że mogę zdobyć spełnić swoje wyznaczone cele. Nie chcę żyć jak większość ludzi wokół znanego przez nich miejsca, miasta, kraju - chcę podróżować i nie ograniczać się.

W podsumowaniu, nie ma się czym przejmować, czekam nadal na PM.

TERAZ, mogę korzystać z chwili i zacząć po prostu żyć.

(szczególnie nie muszę się martwić o egzaminy - nareszcie koniec!!!)

ludzie, nie marnujcie czasu!

see ya,

xx

M.