Wrapping Up

So I went home, for a few weeks, got back to Germany and got really sick, the family went on vacation, I got a few good days with the kids, and all of the sudden I was packing again. My Au Pair experience is over.

There are so many things I'm still holding on to. So many good memories and so many mixed emotions. I don't really want to dwell on it anymore, so I think I'll just say this:

I loved being with my families. Both of them. My second family was completely wonderful. I don't think I can express to them how much I respect them individually and as a collective. I left in what felt like such a rush, personally racing towards something new, that I never did say it. I hope that some part of my appreciation for them existing translated through other actions and words. I always regret not saying a proper goodbye to someone you care for, and then realizing you might never see them again.

I've had a few weeks to really digest it all. And what keeps coming back to me is a funny comment or a great moment of inclusion or a night with the kids I'll treasure for always. I got a lot of those. More than I realized when I was trying to pack and train and re-plan Ireland.

Now I have my photos and journals, and in 10 years I can really look back and evaluate the process, but for now... I don't think I will. It's all still too fresh for me to be objective.

And that's it really.

Even thought this blog is called "The Rocky Road to Dublin" I think I'm done. If you want to hear about Ireland you can call me or write me or send a telegram (I've always wanted to receive a telegram). But for the general purpose of adding something to the Interwebs... that's really all you need to know.

Signing off,
Ellbow

The Packing List

I've been kind of ridiculous lately with my trip planning. But as today is the 8 month marker until graduation, I gave myself a little break from studying and really delved into planning. What did I do you ask? I made a packing list. Yes, I know it's early. But I am nothing if not prepared. This list I've made has more items than I really want to attempt to stuff into Don Quixote (my backpacking backpack), which is what I'll be using while traveling. But on the other hand I have to live for 9 months, beginning in the summer, and ending in March, in a town that will be hovering around 0 degrees Celsius for three of the eight months I will be there. My hope is to send things home with my parents when they visit in September and after Christmas, and to ship the things I've accumulated back home in the days before I leave my host family and venture out with only a visa and rail pass to direct me.

Being a woman, it seems like I've put far too much thought into my clothing in terms of fashion. While 2 (maybe 3) bottoms and 3 tops, and one dress seems excessive in terms of weight, I'm actually a little worried about only having 7 outfit options for three months.

If you care to judge my list, suggest items I've forgotten, or listed that are unnecessary then please leave me a note in the comments! (items with a "*" before hand are only coming to Germany, not all around Europe)

Clothes:

long skirt
running tights
cow neck sweater
blue blouse
2 under shirts
layerable dress (black polka dot) 
warm/waterproof jacket
extra warmth layer
3 pairs underthings
4 pairs socks
hiking boots
paddock boots/walking shoes/dress shoes
hat
gloves
scarf

Additional Clothes:

*pencil skirt
*chacos
*cardigan (grey, adaptive)
*light rain coat
*extra socks
*extra underthings
*sleeping clothes
sundress
*burgundy pants
jeans
*running shorts
*3 tshirts/extra shirts

Personal Items:

camera
computer
iPod
passport
visa
wallet (credit cards, spending money, driver's license, etc.)
phone (European and American)
chargers for electronic items
adapter for chargers
bathroom items (toothbrush, -toothpaste, -sunscreen, mascara, coverup, -soap, hair ties, head bands, hair brush, -wash cloth)
day pack

Survival Items:

2 water bottles (-1 water bottle, 1 travel mug)
-sleeping bag
compass
map
-emergency blanket
-snack foods (energy bars, dried fruit, chocolate)
-flashlight

Additional Items:

*-reading materials
postcards with contact information (for giving out)
-mace


*=coming to Germany but not Ireland
-=buying it in Europe as needed
"Additional" clothes and items may not make it onto the final packing list

This Scheisse Is Getting Real

While I still haven't made up my mind about what family I'm going to adopt on my way to backpacking around Ireland, I'm definitely tripping down the road. I've been offered a position with a pretty fantastic German family, and I'm just waiting it out now until I'm sure I can't find an Irish family I mesh with as well. And while that's pretty cool and all, it's also making all of my decisions real. The decision to postpone grad school for a year, the decision to graduate with a double major, the decision to write a thesis, the decision to follow every college cliche and escape to Europe post expensive higher education escapades. It can easily become overwhelming when I think of all the decisions I make by signing a simple au pair contract.

Ireland or Germany, it's nine months living in Europe. Hopefully dreams and planning can help me make up my mind.

Gute Nacht!
Ellbow