The New York City like you've never seen before!!

Hi everybody,
it's me, again.

This week was pretty busy but it was fine so today I'm going to write the longest note and post many photos of New York - I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do !

As you can see,I travel to NYC a lot - it's only 50 mins/1h from Darien (it depends on a train).

Let me show you my trips to NYC in the 1 video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBC1nmMslk8

I went there - for the first time - during the orientation's free time, it was an amazing experience.
I remember I was keep saying:

 "I can't believe that I AM HERE " 

"Is it real? Am I finally in NYC?"

 "Please, tell me I'm not dreaming" (to my friends)

That was soooo funny!!
Then,when I came to Darien I started travelling there almost every weekend, my family is so flexible and they don't need my help that much at the weekends.

It's time to get off the train - Grand Central

New York City is known as a capital of the World and that's RIGHT!

When I got out of the train and touched the Grand Central ground...

Honestly, I didn't feel any difference ☺But when YOU ARE in the middle of the GC you will be impressed by this huge and (everytime) crowded building, you can also recognize movies that were shot there, for example:

• 'Men in black', 
• 'I am Legend', 
• 'Superman', 
• 'Revolutionary Road' (Leonardo DiCaprio ♥) 

What's more...

• 'Gossip girl' ! (ahhhh Ed Westwick ♥♥♥)

This City never sleeps, there's something magical about NYC, it's filled with active life - full of events - history, loads of nationalities and culture.

Brooklyn time

This incredible city is known for its breathtaking skylines... just look at these photos from Brooklyn roof (I had always wanted to do that! Lucky me ☺) :

The next beautiful photos were taken at the Brooklyn Bridge, these views are unique:

 Am I crazy ?! I'm just sitting on the bridge - it's a little bit high but that was worth it!
The whole reason of taking photos is so that you don't have to explain things with words and you can share your points of views with other people.

Culture & Museums 

If you're interested in this country you probably know that the capital of the US - Washington, DC is full of different kind of Museums which combine learning with fun but NYC has also some attractions connected with history... for example  National Museum of the American Indian or 9/11 Memorial & Museum:

Btw. my next task is to visit as much New York's Museums as possible, for instance:

• The Museum of Natural History
• MoMA - Museum of Modern Art
• New York Botanical Garden
• Brooklyn Museum

 - so, I promise - I'll write the post about it soon!!

The most famous street in the World - 5th Avenue

I'm sure everybody has heard about the Fifth Avenue - it's known as an unrivaled shopping street and it consists of high buildings with many expensive stores for example:

• Gucci
• Prada
• Louis Vuitton
• Tiffany & Co. 

Some cheaper stores:

• H&M
• Zara
• GAP
• Mexx

And many,many more...

Central Park - probably most visited place in NYC.

(right after Times Square)

Central Park is located in middle-upper Manhattan and it's one of the most famous sightseeing spots in New York! Anyway, some movies were shot there:

• "Home alone 2"
• "Enchanted"
• "When Harry met Sally"

 It's just a big park in the middle of the City but it's MAGICAL. You can see loads of squirrels (they're not afraid of you at all) or just thousands of dogs, and their owners - so this vibrant community makes it such a special place.
What's more, ice skating there is easily on of the most picturesque and fun activities - I promise I'll take many photos in December!

And after that photo my camera went dead - I bought batteries (they were pretty expensive but I was told they're the best) before my flight to the US although it's worse than my previous ones.

So, I'm planning to make a tour the next time and I just wanted to tell you about the best activities to experience or places to visit:

• Ice rink
• Central Park Zoo
• taking a blanket and relaxing on the Sheep Meadow (it's a 15-acre field!)
• climbing up Belvedere Castle
• seeing the Bow Bridge
• or just sitting on the bench and enjoying the nature

Feel like a Queen in the Plaza Hotel 

 I'm sure you've heard about this hotel 

You probably have seen some of these films!

• "Home Alone 2"
• "Life or something like it"
• "Madea's"
• "King of New York"
• "Sleepless in Seattle"
• "Bride wars"

So the action was taken there, it's such a fascinating experience when you can recognize the background from greatest movies - and feel it!

A church in the middle of the City

This is the Saint Patrick's Cathedral - to be honest, I just wanted to show you because it looks so pretty!

I didn't go inside although I like the building sooooo much that's why I took the photo.

 To sum up, this incredibly LONG post - I want to share with you all the photos of places I've been to and describe it a little bit. What's best,I'm gonna start sharing (often) healthy and delicious recipes with you or creative ideas for example to decorate your room/house or to make something unusual - jewellery, a gift etc.
 By the way,I changed the whole look of my website a 2 days ago - it wasn't that easy!

 I do hope you like it so far!

I've just created my fanpage on Facebook I'd be glad if you click "Like it!" - I'm sure, it'll give me more motivation.

Click HERE to like my FACEBOOK fanpage

I've received many questions from people who are interested in American lifestyle so I'll upload some videos Q&A and other soon. 

Well, that's it, thank you everyone!

Take care,

xx,

M.

The Yale University - New Haven - so now, do you wanna study there?

Hello!

Look at the happiest girl on Earth it happens rarely!

 So in the beginning of November (on Saturday) I went to New Haven to the Yale University just to see this incredible place!

Frankly, it's not as old as it looks - Yale was founded in 1701.

When many of these building were built, the creator broke windows,burnt the chimneys or students poured acid down the side to make the building look older!

It's the third oldest college in the country - I'd love to study there!

That would be the best place to stay in, this swing was so cute.

A short video, I'm sorry my batteries went dead that day - shortest vid ever!

Chilling in the park before the Football game. 

Such a nice place to enjoy the nature - watching squirrels - they're everywhere!

 

Sooo... that was the first time being at the Football match. Besides,

I'm still learning the rules!

Everybody tries to explain as detailed as possible but it's still hard to understand.

Take care,
xx,
M.

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.

Orientation Au Pair in America - October - first days in the USA ☺

HELLO,
YES, I DID IT!

I'm in the USA - and still soooo excited about it, I can't believe it at all.
Btw.today I had a terrible NIGHTMARE that I was in Poland again...

Anyway, I'm gonna post many photos today so brace yourself!
First of all, 1 day before the departure I had a meeting with my friend in Warsaw and I slept there.
We had a really nice vegan dinner (burger) #krowarzywa I literally LOVE IT.

Then we were walking down the Warsaw's streets it was a pretty nice Saturday.
On Sunday we ate out some delicious pancakes - it was only 1 pancake but I was totally full.

After that, the busy and nervous time came.

At the crowded airport I met a girl that was going there on AAA Driving Course also 1 day before the whole Orientation - it was funny!

I was a bit surprised because the security check was really quick.

When we finally found our seats in the plane I started being worried about the flight but when we were between clouds my feelings have gone... I mean I didn't care about anything because there was nothing to do if something went wrong - I was afraid of this long flight it was ALMOST 10hours.

You would have thought eating in the plane is awful and so on but the FOOD was so tasty!

Lemme show you:

Ummmm... Why am I posting so many photos of food? I'm probably a bit hungry !!

Anyway, when we landed at the JFK airport we had to wait in a crowded room in a long queue.

The whole process took us about 2 hours,

the last interview was the worst, trust me! 

I got a lot of questions about my trip and then this man decided to let me in (this last entrance depends on his last word - it was possible that I wouldn't come in) and I got my Visa signed!

My friend got the suitcase broken so we had to report it quickly and then the woman from the APiA took us (she was waiting there 2/3 hours!), it was almost midnight - in Poland it was almost 6AM, so I was really exhausted...

The DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in Tarrytown,NY was AMAZING!

And our room:

 

Sorry for that little mess ☺

I didn't even know that I was going to live with 2 other girls on the first night, because I was there 1 day before the planned departure - I had the AAA Driving Course on Monday when other girls were arriving.

So, my roommates welcomed me ummm... not really kind - it was the middle of the night and they were tired after their arrival.

Anyway, in the morning we met each other, we couldn't stop laughing and talking!!!

I enjoyed it!

And don't be afraid of DoubleTree's food, just look at this:

Everyday the hotel staff were waking us up at 6.30am, 

then we were having breakfast at 7am - 7.45am and at 8 o'clock the Orientation starts, with some breaks for drinking or eating (for example lunch etc.) so it wasn't that bad - we learned a lot about taking care of children at any age so it was really helpful and interesting.

To be honest, I've made LOADS of international friendships!

Unfortunately,I took some selfies (only) with a few of them - there were about 150 people.

That was definitely my bad hair&face day but who cares - I love you guys ☺

What else, my host family was waiting for me in the APiA office in Stamford, girls were really excited and so do I.

When we finally arrived to Darien, everything seemed different - the city is beautiful,they do celebrate

Halloween - a lot of houses have been already decorated!

Firstly, I got a little gift - bathroom stuff and maps,books about Darien etc.

THAT'S IT! 

The next notes will be about Darien,CT , my daily routine (schedule) ,feelings, trips, differences between Poland and the USA.

I've just made a video about my departure and the Orientation days in DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in Tarrytown,NY - check this out!

Girls, if you're still waiting for your Perfect Match - please, remember that everything is going to be alright, maybe not today, but unexpected things happen in life - trust me.

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.

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.

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.