I WON'T GROW UP! #AuPairLifestyle

So today I was out doing a little shopping. I needed to purchase a gift for a little girls birthday party and so while at the toy store with my friend after finding the required “goods” we continued to look for whatever reason. As we passed a certain isle we both stopped in out tracks and gawked in amazement. What were we so happy to see you ask? The coloring book isle! Today not only did I learn that I CANNOT find a decent coloring book in this country but also that I am not alone in the world as a 19 (almost 20) year old that enjoys a nice coloring session.

I have thought about this more and more throughout the day and decided officially “I won’t grow up.” I became an au pair because I connect so well with children and I wanted to travel. (But leave the traveling alone for now) I learned that I connect with kids so well because in reality, and all honesty I am a 5 year old in a young adults body. AND this fact alone gives me insight in what kids want, need, and what they are slightly thinking about: candy, climbing on that really dangerous thing, being REALLY loud, laughing, tickling, and oh yeah did I mention candy? I think by me acting more like a kid and less as an “adult” this gives me a certain connection that others, like me, may not have with their kids.

Now throughout this year, when hanging out with friends it well known fact that the words “Natalie you are just like a 5 year old!” come out of someone’s mouth at some point! I don’t care because I know who I am and I am personally ok with that. Talking more with my friend I also learned that I am like Peter Pan. I never want to grow up and if I can stay in NeverLand forever I will do my very best to do so! Yet my friend is more like Wendy, torn on when to leave NeverLand but as of yet she is still firmly planted there. With the fact that she is still residing in NeverLand also gives her that special “in” with her kids! I believe that with this it has made us uniquely qualified for the lives we have chosen for ourselves. Being an au pair or nanny is not really a job… this is a lifestyle that we have choosen to lead. And for some it may be one that we may choose to “Never grow UP” from.

If you have ever met me, seen me, talked to me, or just flat out know me, you know that I am Ridiculously loud, a little crazy, too hyper to really be my age, and you do something to me you know at some point its heading right back in your direction but 20X’s worse! I am happy and proud to be me and that is really all that matters! Now today I will leave you with my new theme song! (Find the song by clicking the link)
Enjoy and HAVE A LOVLY WEEK!

OR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sye2NanCYHI

"Travel brings power and love back into your life" 

                                                  -Rumi

It's never sunny in Munich!

It’s that time of year! The clouds have decided that it’s a great idea to take a vacation and the sun knows it’s finally his turn to shine! The weather today was sunshine and Bavarian blue skies with a dash of white here and there from the clouds! I was lucky enough to wear shorts and looking back at the last blog about the staring… yup apparently I didn’t get the memo that it is to early to wear shorts! BUT on the other hand, I do NOT care. Now all I am waiting to do is for the weather to be warm enough to got my tan back! Then I will be all good for summer! Here in Germany it is also the time when All the old men decide it’s a great idea to wear their wife beaters with short shorts pulled up PAST (FAR PAST) their belly buttons and just to top off the outfit they match it with Jesus sandals and white tube socks. Now I am not the only person I have met when it comes to saying that Germany has a GREAT sense of fashion! BUT I am not sure what the wife’s are thinking when allowing their husband and daughters allowing their fathers to go outside in these DELIGHTFUL outfits!

Now as I wrote this it was a beautiful day and an even nicer night. But that was a couple of days ago and today is rather different! Pouring rain and thunderstorms! This weather is as Bipolar as it gets! Don’t get me wrong I love the rain but sometimes enough is enough! I am ready for the Sun and the blue skies! Anyways with this weather comes great movies and coffee!  I hope that we all have a great weekend! And HAPPY SATURDAY! 

"Through travel I first became aware of the outside world; it was through travel that I found my own introspective way into becoming a part of it.”

- Eudora Welty, One Writer's Beginnings

What I Know About Germans!

OK! So this week I am going to go the LAZY rout when writing this blog. Why should I re-write what is already fabulously written! So PLEASE PLEASE click the link that I added and enjoy everything that I have learned thus far in my eight months of living here in Germany! I am 100% positive that my German friends may be slightly frustrated with me. BUT HEY this is defiantly here for a good laugh! If you read #100 it is something that I go through on a daily basis! While today sitting in a coffee shop listening to some AMAZING music talking to friends (so if you know me dancing and laughing) there are many stares/questioning glances aimed at me! 8 months in… still not used to it! I am sure my sanity gets questioned on a daily basis.

“100) Germans stare. Not in a way designed to be particularly rude – although could be perceived that way if you have grown up in a culture where your mother hisses ‘don’t stare, it’s rude!’ when you are openly curious about something – but in an unabashed, piercing, inquisitive way that makes you wonder if you have food on your face or your skirt is tucked into your underpants.”

On other terms… This week has been great! I was able to go out most of the week and spend quality time with my friends the weather on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were drop dead gorgeous! And so I am hoping that this weather will come back and continue to make me a happy little Natalie. Today is the start of a new week and some all-new adventures! I am excited to see what gets thrown at me! 

From your traveling dancer!

Natalie Rome

http://www.uberlin.co.uk/what-i-know-about-germans/

"No, no! The adventures first, explanations take such a dreadful time.”

- Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass

Beschissenen Wetter in Deutschland.

Yesterday looking out my window and for miles and miles I saw the beautiful Bayern blue skies. But right around 3 O’clock those dark ominous rain clouds started to roll in and instantly ruined a wonderful day. When I can go out in a tank top and ride my bike one hour and the next I are back into my “winter” coat and walking to pick up the kids in the rain. And while the weather today was supposed to be sunny and warm again all day it has been all DOOM AND GLOOM! When you come to Germany in the Spring you can either be lucky and have beautiful sunshine or the complete opposite! So when you come just keep in mind that if it’s Spring bring an umbrella just in case! J On the other hand if you love never knowing weather wear to pants or shorts 2 jackets or 1 then this is defiantly your perfect “Spring Break” destination. Have a beautiful Thursday no matter the weather!

The weather confused traveler! 

Natalie Romo

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

- St. Augustine

Just one of those thinking days!

When you are just sitting around all day with little to do, you do a lot of thinking! Thinking about food mainly cheeseburgers and tacos, Chili’s, Yellow Deli, Alberto’s ENTIRE MENU!!!!! Haha But also Kraft Mac and Cheese, tri tip, salsa, Cheese It’s, Hot Cheetos, steak, ribs, my moms chocolate chip cookies, good chocolate cake, crappy pizza, and so many other things that I just can’t think about right now. Then moving on to friends. I miss Nicole who I can sit and talk to for hours talking about everything and nothing! To say that she is my best friend is a complete and utter understatement! We are and will be forever sisters! And I miss her to death. Now that we are thousands of miles away and a very large ocean we skype… but lately I just want to hug her! I want to be with her to laugh and giggle about well… absolutely nothing! Gaby and Melanie who I would see everyday! Talk to everyday, go on wild car rides, singing and screaming in the car getting the glares and giggles from the random driving neighbor. We even made a club the FAU! Only big eaters aloud! I miss these girls because they were and are my life! They make me smile, laugh, cry, and who I am! Lastly and most importantly I miss my family! To me… a shock and surprise! But after you are away from your parents for so long I think it’s inevitable. Although I saw them over Christmas, but it has once again been 3 full months and I guess that’s just about what it's supposed to take. I miss being able to just be me. I miss that my annoying laugh doesn’t make them annoyed but makes them laugh with my/at me! They know everything about me and NO JUDGEMENT MADE! And really I just miss being able to sit down and talk, to lay down with my mom in bed and watch trashy television (The Bachelor, Bachelorette) I miss the hugs and when I need it most I miss just being able to cry and know everything will be ok… no matter what! And yet with all of that… I am still here and so happy! I am blessed and have learned so much about life, friendship, family, love, FOOD, and so much more! But here I am… just letting you all know! I miss you, and I love you! And ONE DAY I will come home and we can sit and laugh and eat cheeseburgers and tacos!

“I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it.”

- Rosalia de Castro