Dating in Italy- One American Girl’s Experience

February 21, 2019May 11, 20199 Comments

” Let’s talk about the dudes I’ve met in Italy so far. A summary- all busts. “
– Me, per my travel journal

Being an au pair for the first time and making friends in a small Italian town is hard. You spend most of the day with the kids, which of course is always entertaining. Still, being an adult you need an occasional conversation with someone who also enjoys a glass of wine or three while complaining about never having time to do anything (like work out) or always being tired (consequently because they never work out). So besides getting acclimated with my new family, making friends was also a priority. I was going to be here for an extended time after all. So I tried different avenues.

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Au Pairing at 30- Part 3- A Day in the Life of An Au Pair in Italy

February 21, 2019May 11, 2019Leave a comment

Note: Don’t miss Part 1 and Part 2 of the series.

My biggest question when heading to this new job abroad was what my routine would be. I knew the gist- take care of the kids, do some English lessons, and clean the house. But what exactly was the day going to look like? When would I do what? I think that’s a common wondering for most people starting any new job. After meeting the family, we worked it out. Here is a rough itinerary of what a typical day was like au pairing for my family.

9-9:30

I wake up and spend thirty minutes resisting getting out of bed while checking social media. What are all these Americans up to? Do I have any new matches on my Bumble dating app? My Italian dating life is another blog post here, don’t you worry.

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That Time I Told Fear to Shove It and Traveled Solo to Barcelona

February 17, 2019May 11, 20196 Comments

While it’s tempting to play it safe, the more we’re willing to risk, the more alive we are. In the end, what we regret most are the chances we never took. And I hope that explains a little this journey on which I’m about to embark.
Fraiser, series finale

There’s Something About Turning 30

A month shy of my 30th birthday, I bought a one-way ticket to Barcelona with no idea of when I was coming back. I booked the flight in January to leave in June. I had accepted an au pair position with a family in Italy, so I figured this would be a perfect time to visit Barcelona, a city I had always wanted to explore. I had never traveled alone before, but I told myself this was the year I stopped letting fear prevent me from doing things I wanted to do. And this wasn’t scary because it wasn’t real yet. It was too far away.

But on that day in June, it got real. Real fast.

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What To Pack for 2 Months in Europe- Summer

February 16, 2019May 10, 20191 Comment

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When I finally (or really, suddenly) decided to go to Italy for the summer to be an au pair for the first time, it was January. I bought a one-way ticket and said that I would figure out the rest later. I couldn’t think past the current day. I still hadn’t processed that I had committed to a solo journey to work with a family I hadn’t met in person in a country whose language I didn’t know. And I still had two classes to teach which meant 46 ten-year-olds who needed all of my attention. My mind could only handle so much. Besides, I still had plenty of time before June came, right?

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The 5 Best Food and Drink Happy Hours in Midtown Houston

February 11, 2019April 26, 2019Leave a comment

This is a continuation of my best happy hours by neighborhood series. Check out the first one about downtown spots here. Because I love as many places as I can go to to get great specials, a nice buzz, and a reasonable 30 something-year-old bedtime.

Note: All happy hours are Monday-Friday unless otherwise noted.

Weights and Measures

Maybe I am biased because this is walking distance to me, but Weights and Measures is a real winner regardless. Just an FYI, they call their bar area Love & Squalor, so if you see that on any online platforms, they are one and the same.

Specials

$5 Calls and Draft Beer
$5-7 Bar snacks including blue cheese chips and Tuscan kale
$10 Pizzas and Burgers

When? 2-6: 30pm Monday-Friday
Where? 2808 Caroline, Houston, TX 77004

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Au Pairing at 30- Part 2- The First Days and Advice for First Timers

February 11, 2019April 26, 20191 Comment

Note: Don’t miss Part 1 of the series here. This second installment focuses on my first days on my au pair job and advice and tips I have for any aspiring au pairs.

The time had come to begin my first ever gig as an au pair in a foreign country. The time to not only work for people I had never met before but to live with them too. I sat in a small plane flying across the Tyrrhenian Sea towards Naples, Italy. Alone. Nervous. Eager. As soon as the plane hit the tarmac, I informed my “Italian mom” about my arrival. Enrica would be waiting to pick me up. The airport was smaller than I envisioned for the largest city in Southern Italy. But in my case, being a timid deer posing as an adult, this was a good thing.

Meeting the Family

Shortly, I found my new family. Enrica walked confidently and stylishly in a jean skirt and casual blouse as she led me to the family car. Our introductions were brief yet pleasant as we hurried out of the bustling airport. Then began the hour and a half car ride to Massa Lubrense, the small beachside village I would call my summer home. Between moments of silence and taking in the towering cliffs and turquoise waters of the Sorrento coast, we got to know each other. I met the patriarch, Luciano, as well as Marta, who at 7, would become my best friend and life saver.

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