Called a hero.

Hey there folks, 

so my schedule is back to normal and I have to confess that I can't wait to be back in Germany because hell I miss my workouts (especially my gym) and soccer. I've never thought that I've might miss soccer since I've quit in February (so over one year now) because I just didn't feel the passion anymore, but hell the passion is back and I am so sad that I can't play here because let's me real all the soccer clubs here suck so badly!! (No joke!)

Since the weather was surprisingly good this morning, my little S. and I went for an one hour walk just around the neighborhood and guess what I've found on the sidewalk? 

Yep, right. An brand new iPhone 5. 

Of course, I've tried to unlock the cell phone in order to contact someone from the contact book (maybe there would have been someone called Mom or Dad or Brother or something like that), but the cell phone had a look even though it was still on and fully charged. (So you know the 4 digit password you need for unlocking the phone was on). 

BUT due to the fact that there was a lovely picture of a girl (I guess she's about 8 years?) in the background of the phone I was quite sure I've saw her face before. Yep, I just walked passed by them like 10 minutes ago so I quickly turned around, walking into the opposite direction of my destination and guess who I found? YES! I've found the little girl with her older brother (I guess he was between 10 and 12 years old), searching for the phone. When I called them while waving with the phone, they immediately ran towards me, hugging me and thanking me for finding the phone (well I just made their day!)

Feeling like a real hero, let me just quote our small conversation!

Boy: "Thank you Ma'am, thank you so much for finding the phone!"

Me: "Oh don't mention it!"
Girl: "Thank you Ma'am, you just saved my day!"
Boy: "That was really kind of you Ma'am, thank you so much!"

Me: "My pleasure!"
Girl: "You are a really nice person!"
Boy: "She's a hero!"

Well, obviously they exaggerated a little bit, but I didn't mind at all. Who doesn't love to be called a hero and a really nice person? 

So after saying our farewells, which included one last hug, little S. who watched the whole scene with a smirk on her face (yeah really she smirked!), and I finally arrived at home, chilling for the rest of the day. 

After watching some of my shows (and eating horribly bad and unhealthy), I am sitting here, writing my little adventure of being a hero while feeling bad for eating all that crap and trying to convince myself that this was just an excuse, but well we'll see. 

I guess that's it!
Let's hope that there are going to be some pictures this week since the weather is supposed to be really lovely after Wednesday. 

Yours, 

       Anica (Hero)

P.S.: I know that I am kinda annoying with all the bad nutrition and fitness stuff, but I can't help it. I don't know how I should resist all the temptations surrounding me while my host mom is baking every single day (Like she just baked chocolate cupcakes with a soft chocolate center and chocolate topping - heaven?!). There is one Au Pair from my Miami vacation giving me hope because she just told me that when I am back in Germany all the pounds I might gained here are going to disappear really quick again, because I'm getting back on track there and I hope she's right! I really hope she is!

Lost in Florida.

Hello folks,

Hope you had an amazing weekend and a great start into the new week. If you’re following this Blog (and you’re an active reader) then you probably know that I went to FLORIDA for six days and let me break this down for you: It was the most chaotic, fantastic and the funniest vacation I have ever had! Well thanks to the lovely girls I spent the vacation with!

But let’s start from the top. (It’s going to be less detailed because there are going to be videos for you guys where I am going to tell you about the vacation!)

Tuesday 4/16/2015: 

After waking up at 5 AM and taking an UBER (taxi) to the airport I was way too early and spent some time at the gate reading a book (the turn of the screw). Since I knew that Natalja would join me at the gate, I had a free seat right next to me, but then all of a sudden a boy sat down next to me. GREAT! (Not)

Well after Natalja arrived at the Gate it was boarding time and since I was boarding group 5 (hated it!) I was one of the last people being able to enter the plane. After switching my seat twice, I finally ended up sitting right next to Natalja which was incredibly amazing because well who doesn't want to sit next to a friend even though you booked your flights all on your own. We were so excited and ready to go, but then the pilot told us that there were some technical difficulties and that they need some mechanics to repair the cockpit (GREAT THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR!). So after waiting for one whole hour, we finally speed off to MIAMI! YES!

At the airport we met Helena who joined us on our way to the hostel and let me tell you the hostel wasn't really fancy or anything like that. Actually, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who wants to spend some time in Miami, but who cares right? When we arrived at the reception the boy behind it told us that we’re going to be split up which meant that Natalja and I shared a room, but unfortunately Helena needed to sleep in another room which was so weird (Second misfortune).

After having a great lunch at a cute little restaurant and after unpacking our whole luggage, we finally went to the beach and let me tell you that the beach is incredibly beautiful! Wow the water had the best temperature ever and this nice turquoise shade you see on pictures. Heaven!

Friday 4/17/2015:

Early morning and tired girls. That’s basically what describes this day the best. We booked a tour to Key West which meant that there was a bus going to pick us up at 6:30 AM. Due to an accident on a freeway (we just saw the dead body on the street which had been covered with just one yellow blanked), we needed to drive around the traffic which meant that our 4 hours ride ended up being a 6 hour drive, (Third misfortune).

Natalja and I, decided to take a trolley tour through Key West in order to see as much as possible from the cute island and for 25$ it was the best deal you could get! (I would totally recommend it!)

Since we spent the whole day at Key West and got back to the hostel at 11 PM, we decided to go to bed immediately because there was another tour waiting for us on Saturday!

Saturday 4/18/2015:

EVERGLADES! Jesus Christ. I was so nervous about this tour that I woke up with a huge smile on my face. (Crocodiles were the only thing that was on my mind!)

When the bus picked us up at 9 AM and drove us to the tour office where we booked our tour the fourth misfortune was already waiting for us. Somehow, we weren't on the list for the tour which was totally stupid because we've already been on the list to key-west and we booked and confirmed both tours at the same time, they were able to fix the problem and we went on a 1 h bus drive where we met other Au Pairs (one was from Germany and another one from France). Our tour included a drive on an air-boat and a wildlife show which was really funny.

The air-boat tour was great, but way too short and we've only been able to see 2 bigger crocodiles, 2 baby crocodiles, 1 bird (forgot the name) and some turtles, but the wildlife show was amazing! The guy who was responsible for the show was called Dan. Dan told us that we’re in a dangerous place since we sat in the first row of the wildlife show which meant that we were able to touch snakes and baby crocodiles (so not dangerous at all). Moreover, Dan showed us some tricks with one bigger crocodile and told us that he got bitten once in a show and that we could find the video in YouTube. (I immediately searched for it and he caught me searching the video which was hilarious! (It’s called: Dan gets bitten by alligator in wildlife show – it’s the first video in Google in case you want to see it.)

(Can you find the black, orange baby crocodile?)

Saturday was also our last day in Miami because we needed to take the bus to Orlando and there was already the fifth misfortune waiting for us because Helena’s luggage was lost for several minutes, but fortunately we found it in another room even though the girl behind the reception told us she would put it in the luggage room, but she didn't! (I gave her a bad review!!)

Our 5 hours bus tour to Orlando was great! Well, that’s what we thought since Verena who wanted to join us in Orlando called me and told me that the hostel we booked was in construction and that our reservation was lost. Well great! That meant that the moment we left the bus station we were homeless, walking through Orlando and we ended up sitting in McDonald's in the most dangerous neighborhood of Orlando. (Sixth misfortune!)

After calling another hotel very close to Disney-world which Natalja looked up before we managed to book a room for three nights and we were impressed that the hotel was cheaper than our hostel (we would have paid 240$ for the hostel at our arrival and our hotel was only 200$)!

Sunday 4/19/2015:

DISNEY-WORLD! Oh Jesus Christ. A child-dream came true. We spent the whole day in Disney-world and I can’t even describe how cute it was. Seeing performances and just walking through the park was incredible! I had the feeling that I was in several Disney movies which was insane!

After spending nearly 7 hours in Disney-world Natalja and I decided to take the early bus home (8:30 PM) because we were too exhausted, but the seventh misfortune was already waiting at the bus station because the stupid bus driver didn't tell us the right bus station we just missed the bus (and not only the two of us missed it) so we ended up calling UBER to take us to the hotel. Later that night Helena and Verena who decided to take the late bus (10:15 PM) told us that they've missed the bus too, so they ended up calling UBER to get to the hotel too which was hilarious!

Monday and Tuesday 4/20/2015 + 4/21/2015:

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS AND ISLAND OF ADVENTURE!

WOW. I've never thought that I would fall in love with a park, but I immediately did. The moment we entered the parks I was impressed because it was insane! You feel like you’re walking through different kind of worlds like Marvels, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, Hollywood and Springfield etc.

IT WAS INSANE! The roller-coasters are amazing, the 3D simulations are just impressive and even the attraction where you’re just walking through are perfect! These two days were the most amazing days of my entire life (well at least some of the most amazing days of my life). To our great surprise there weren't many bad misfortunes besides the weather waiting for us until the very last ride in the Spider-man 3D simulator where Natalja and I were stuck in, but it was still funny because the people who drove the roller-coaster with 3D simulation with us were hilarious though!

If you ask me what I liked the best then I would tell you that the HARRY POTTER PARK (which is split up into both parks and is connected with a ride with the Hogwarts Express) was the most impressive thing I've ever seen in my life. Wow. I felt like I was right there, but besides that I really like the fact that the four of us were able to drive the roller-coaster in the dark (Mummy) three times in a row because we were basically the only ones driving! (The best roller-coaster ever!!!)

And that’s it!

It was a really chaotic, but still hilarious vacation and I am already missing the lovely ladies I shared those fantastic memories with.

More details are coming in the videos (Oh yeah right! Since I've filmed a LOT I decided to split the vacation video into smaller one’s which means that you’ll see more of the parks and more of me!) ;)

Lots of love.

                Anica (wizard)

P.S.: Due to the fact that my laptop is really old it's going to take a while to edit the videos so please be patient! :)

7 days until FLORIDA.

Hey guys, 

this is just a super quick update because I am living in the US for 200 days! *Party!*

So I just wanted to inform you that I actually just filmed a "Chat with me", but due to the fact that I didn't really like how it turned out and since the media was really big and it took me forever to upload it, I just deleted it. Sorry :) 

So whatever I wanted to tell you guys is going to be written down in the next paragraph:

Seven days until FLORIDA and I am excited to take you with me, exploring Miami Beach, Key West, Everglades, Orlando, Disney-world and Universal Studios! 

Yeah and that's it basically. There is going to be a new video (or maybe two) about my vacation in Florida going to be up after the 24th of April, so hopefully you stay tuned! 

Lot's of love. 

Anica 

More adventures.

Hey there, love. 

I thought my last six months are going to fly by because of my Florida trip in 10 days and my California vacation in August, but then my Host Parents told me that they want me to come with them to Chicago at the end of may for 1 1/2 weeks which is insane! The first two days I am going to be all by myself (no work etc.), so I guess this is going to be pretty awesome and I don't even have to pay for my flight tickets which is so lovely! 

More adventures are coming and I can't believe that I am going to spend some time in Chicago. I mean, I wanted to see Chicago anyways, but I thought that I won't have enough time to do so, but then my Host Parents are surprising me once more.LOVE IT!

Well since I am working and try to run regularly, I don't have that much time to explore new things and all great things around here are far away so I guess, there is nothing more to tell you guys. I'm doing some shopping lately because of my Florida trip next week, so stay tuned! :) 

Lot's of love,

Yours,

            Anica (explorer)

New Orleans Baby

Hey loves, 

so since I spent my weekend in New Orleans with 47 other Au Pairs I thought it's worth making another follow me around video which I am currently working on so hold on tight ladies and gentlemen. ;)
So after our 6 hours road trip from Houston to New Orleans, we arrived at 8 PM at our Hotel which was only 5 Minutes away from the Hotel were our Weekend-class was (awesome, right?). Friday was a really relaxing day, recovering from the exhausting car ride, but let me tell you that I've met some adorably sweet Au Pairs this weekend. 
Saturday was our sightseeing-tour and our guide (GOSH) she was such a creeper. She was so weird, even our teacher thought she's weird and our teacher was brilliant! She was so hilarious and cute, I loved her! So since our teacher didn't like her and because we didn't really had the chance to walk through New Orleans because our 8 hours tour was mostly just sitting in that damned bus, she managed to talk to the school, convincing them to give us 50$ back because the tour was shitty. (More money to be lavish AF) ;D

So yeah Sunday was nice even though it was just sitting in the class, but since our teacher was hilarious as f*ck (AF), I still enjoyed the day (maybe it's because we had writing as a subject and I LOVE IT!).

And that's it! 

Lot's of love.

Yours,

            Anica (Explorer)

What the hAck?

Hey there, 
so today was a freakin' stupid day even though I enjoyed the whole day due to the amazing weather (25 degree Celsius, amazing sun!), but after my work (5PM) I decided to walk to Target to buy some cute clothes for my FLORIDA trip in 24 days and guess what? I found a cute dress, three adorable running shorts (MOTIVATION), everything was just about to be perfect, but then I wasn't able to pay for the things I wanted to buy because my credit card wasn't usable which was weird and confusing so I thought I should walk back and walk to the ATM at my bank which took me 1 h of walking to withdrawn some money. BUT THE HECK I wasn't even able to withdraw money anymore. So after spending 2 1/2 hours outside I called the help center of my bank just to find out that someone tried to hack into my account and they freezed my credit card to prevent someone to withdraw money which is really lovely, but then I just had a 30 minutes call with 4 different people until finally a lovely lady called Ashley reported my card as stolen and purchased a new one for me. - finally - so my new card is going to arrive in 10 days which means I need to walk to my bank again to withdraw some money at the counter for my New Orleans trip on Friday.. *Sigh*

But anyways, I guess I have a great adventure living here. Being confronted with multiple, different tasks and challenges. 

Be well and keep smiling.
Yours, 
          Anica (Pissed)

P.S.: The most annoying thing is that I really tried so badly to eat healthy and it worked just fine, but after all this drama I needed to eat a muffin to calm down and this pisses me off even more. -.-' DAMNIT!

Houston-treasures with Jessica.

Hey there guys, 
so Jessica arrived in Houston yesterday and we spent some time bicycling/walking through Houston, visiting Discovery Green and Sam Houston Park, walking through underground tunnels, exploring some underground shopping areas with a cute souvenir shop.
Since the weather was incredible we had the chance to spent tons of times outdoors which was just lovely. We just took thousands of pictures and it really felt like we know each other for years, but actually we don't which was really fun! (Thank you Jessica for the great day!)

On our way home we bicycled along the bayou river and it was pretty impressive what we found there! Since I've never been there before it was also a new experience exploring Houston with new places which I am absolutely going to visit again! :)

After arriving back at home we decided to take a UBER taxi to get to the Water Wall in downtown Houston since it was too late to bike there and it would have been pretty exhausting bicycling there! And let me break this down for you: THE WATER WALL IS IMPRESSIVE! *o*

After our little watery adventure we just grabbed some dinner at the Galleria Mall and went back to my house, chilling out while getting ready for the next day because today was the day Jessica needed to catch her bus to Austin! :) 

And that's it! I hope you had an fantastic Tuesday and a great start into Wednesday! 

Ouh and let me tell you I've filmed A LOT so there is a new VLOG-Video coming up really soon.

Stay tuned!

Lot's of love. 

Yours, 

          Anica (the guide)

P.S.: Made some incredibly delicious (and good looking) pancakes this morning! ;)

spring fever.

Hey there love!

How are you? Hope you're fine. Well, I am because today is a lovely day: between 15-23 degree Celsius, sunshine, and a warm breeze surrounding me. (But tomorrow it's supposed to become worse again. NOOO!)

Well since I have a slip shift today (6-9 AM and then 6-12 PM), I thought I should go for a short run and I did, then I decided to walk to my favorite store: TARGET to buy some groceries and a lovely jumping rope (time to get into shape, Florida is only 1 month away!)

And since I am really into making videos right now, I started filming my neighborhood to show you guys what it looks like when I am leaving my home (I am currently editing it!). Moreover, there is going to be a new video up really soon because I thought you guys deserve a proper New York City video from the day I arrived here in the US. 

Additionally to this, I thought I might try to upload frequently - every other Sunday- (only if I am not working of course) and surprise you with some videos :) 

Here are two pictures of my walk to Target. ;)

(Wasn't in the mood to edit the pictures, sorry :$)

(So weird that this is standing in the front yard,

don't you think?)

Enjoy the lovely weather wherever you are!

Lot's of love. 

                       Anica 

Long weekend.

Hello there beautiful human being, 

so since I actually only worked 1 hour on Friday (because after 7 PM my little S. is sleeping and for me that doesn't really count as working because I am just chilling in my room) I had a really long weekend because I was off on Saturday after working for more 3 hours in the morning. My whole Sunday was off to and to my great surprise my schedule for the following weeks shows me that I am off until Tuesday 1 PM. (WOW - I don't even know what I am going to do with all my free-time since it's horrible weather outside ~ rain.rain.rain :( hate it.)

But the other Au Pairs and I, we finally booked and paid our tours for our trip to FLORIDA. 

(I AM SO EXCITED!!!)

Our vacation is going to look like this:
First day: Arrival - relaxing at Miami Beach *o*
Second day: Off to Key-West Tour (we're going to spend the whole day there)
Third day: Everglades Tour (5h) and then off to ORLANDO.

(Everglades Tour)

(Key West Tour)

Fourth day: Disney-world > Magic Kingdom Park <
Fifth day: Universal studios + Harry Potter Park (Island of Adventure)

Sixth day: Flight back to Houston.

(Magic Kingdom Park)

 (Island of Adventure)

(Universal Studios)

And that's it. I thought I might keep you informed about what happens here even though my days aren't really fun lately (damn you weather!), I am looking forward to this incredible adventure!!

Lot's of love.
Yours,
          Anica (adventurer)

P.S.: Only 3 Weeks until New Orleans! <3

Snowy Greeting!

Hello there,

how are you? Hope you had an amazing start into your week and that you're looking forward to the weekend because I am! ;)

So we are back in Houston and I am currently working on the VIDEO! 

(It's not going to be anything special just to get this straight in the beginning! I'm no professional in editing videos. I am sorry!)

But anyways, let me tell you that SALT LAKE CITY was pretty impressive. It nearly snowed every day and even if the sun was out it was such a lovely place to spend some time. I've met another lovely family with two boys which were so damn cute that I immediately fell in love with them and it broke my heart to leave them today because I knew that I might never see them again. :( 

Due to the fact that I needed to childcare for my little S. quite a lot I wasn't able to take pictures every day, BUT I tried my best to take as many pictures as possible!

The moment we came out of the airport I immediately took a pictures for you guys! See those mountains? Damn pretty awesome, right?

When we arrived at our cabin I was off and the first thing after getting to know the boys and putting my bags into my room, was going outside in order to show you HOW incredible the forest, where our cabin was located, was. On the first day it snowed   hell  of a LOT!

After having a lovely first day of March which started on Sunday (the time is really flying) and because it was so beautiful outside I decided to go outside once again (walking into the other direction this time) trying to take more lovely pictures for you!

The third and the forth day were long days for me because I worked from 8 AM until 6 PM and that's why I wasn't really able to take some pictures. And I apologize for that. I'd love to go outside on Wednesday morning (3-4-2015), but I had a morning shift on this day and I wasn't able to go outside because there was a snowstorm and I didn't wanted to go out with little S. when it snowed too much (I would have gone outside when it would only been me though), but I still went outside when the snow stopped and to my great surprise the sun was out. (Hell yeah that changed from one second to the other!)

And that's it. Was a lovely trip into my personal winter wonderland and I am so grateful for having such an amazing host family! They are the best!

       Lot's of love!

                            

                                                                                   Yours, Anica (snow-conqueror)

P.S.: The snow was too pulverized to built a snowman I tried it three times (three different days) until I've finally managed to built a tiny snowman called Hugo. When I tried to carry him to our cabin he unfortunately died :( 

R.I.P Hugo.