With the risk of sounding dweeb-y...

This is gonna sound really weird but I think I've finally arrived in Switzerland. Or at least fully engaged with the nuances of my life here. I've just had one of those days today where I everything just went well. I just feel so unbelievably happy as I am getting ready for bed time now and I just feel like for once my life isn't that tragic, sort of comical song that people listen to bittersweetly but I might actually be one of those really fun, comical songs that has people dancing and smiling. How?? The success of Sunday has just transformed me into a caricature of my previous person- I'm just so happy and confident and self-assured now. Plus, I've totally fulfilled over half of my bucket list already!!!

 Next point to conquer:
Go on at least one date.
Any takers??
There's not, is there??
Maybe next month...

So let's see, why do I feel so blooming chuffed?

Monday morning started like any other, except I didn't sleep hardly at all and was therefore exhausted. I took the little boy to Kindergarten as usual, and, as with any of my trips there, the little gang of 5 year old girls were staring at me in what seems like awe and like to greet me shyly- SO CUTEE!!! I also got inducted into the secret society of mothers. I walked through the houses with a group of five, although only two of them actually talk to me. It was really funny. Felt a bit like the mafia, as we walked in a line down the streets of the suburb.

In the afternoon, I went into the forest with the kiddies for a teddy bear's picnic. I had regretfully gotten them obsessed with grass cutting monsters, or 'shy leaf-rustlers' as I was calling them, and they were constantly vigilant for the next attack. I had to physically hold a tree in place, when the little boy tried to uproot it to build a tent. I just said: Murdering isn't cool. He didn't really understand. I tried to buy some orange juice from the tree stump shop with the little girl: as usual she was sold out of anything I asked for. Gutted.

Today an old nemesis returned to the little girl's life. The crazy sheep hand puppet. For some reason, I take utmost pleasure in giving it an evil alter-ego that likes to maa like a lunatic and attack her basically. She's clearly terrified and equally angry. It really makes me laugh. At the minute, she's hidden it away in her jumper in the clothes basket so I'm just waiting for my next opportunity to re-connect him to my hand. Am I a good nanny?? Nanny McPhee doesn't approve. Her buck tooth almost fell out of her mouth with derision.

As I headed into town for my class tonight, I was pleased with having a mostly good (which therefore means perfect) day with the little girl. I think I'm finally getting a bit more established in the daily routine and a bit more accepted. It feels good. Like I can really do this job. I also really thoroughly cleaned the house and there wasn't a complaint about it which means I must have done it all perfectly!

In class I was able to keep up fine and keep at the top end of class- need to work ahead to make sure I retain my swotty reputation though...I'm so annoying!

After work, I went to Paddy Reilly's for a Magners, which is quickly becoming my fast routine (well, until the offer runs out in a few days) as I didn't want to rush home on the tram (and plus, I was hoping to run into the nice boy I talked to last week on the tram so needed to get a later one). I had a lovely chat with Craig the bar tender as usual, he's such a lovely guy. I said 'I know, I know, I'm drinking alone again...I promise I was with a big group the other day.' He remembered that I was going to the Irish club and asked how it went, seemed really pleased to see me back, and said 'I can't imagine you're ever normally drinking alone' Aww! I also befriended another bar man, and we had a bit of a private joke about him secretly singing as he was stocking the glasses out of sight of most people but me. As I left the bar, they were standing together and I said 'See you later guys, I'm out of here' and they chorused a lovely message of goodwill to me. Lovely way to leave the bar so familiarly. :) It does however have the connotations that I have become a regular... alcho alert...

I went and got the tram and who should come and sit next to me straight away?? My lovely Swiss friend, Sam! I couldn't believe he'd found me on the tram just to sit next to. I must be irresistible...jokes!! Anyway, we had another lovely chat, and I told him some of my more embarassing tales and he said 'It must be really difficult to be a young attractive girl alone in a new place' (I didn't even embellish that in the slightest!!) I had to laugh at that. He also offered himself as my unofficial tour guide so now we've done a number exchange, he's (hopefully) going to contact me with a fun plan. :D

On top of all this, there's potentially some imminent trips with some of the Irish crew...but I'm not saying more because I don't want to get my hopes up too much!

So, not bad work for your awkward friend, is it?? I'm evidence to you all: It's possible for even the most socially awkward freak-a-deak to manage to form some semblance of a social life in a completely new country. Don't give up hope yet, we can DO this!! Euggh, could that have sounded more like a greetings card? I'd like to apologise...

So, yeah, I'm really pleased to be doing better now, but don't give up hope, I'll probably completely ruin all of these new friendships soon through some collossal embarassing faux pas that'll have everybody talking for months on end and then you'll all be happy! :)

And then he said, maybe we'll see each other again

Hey readers! Here we are again, on what has now become a pretty regular posting pattern here: Tuesday night, Thursday night and Sunday at some point. There's nothing wrong with a bit of routine, right? I know I'm a sucker for it ;) Forget sweet talk, give me a man with a strict schedule and I'm his...haha jokes! Men with schedules never approach me (more's the pity) unless it's the doctor coming to tell me it's time to take my next batch of pills and to stop eating the glue...jokes, I'm not in a literal mental institution yet!

So, since my return from the STUNNING weekend retreat, I've come into this week with a renewed sense of joie de vivre or vigour or something. You see, I wrote my bucket list on Sunday. Not a life long bucket list though, just what I want to have achieved by the time I turn 22 in 4 months (buy me a present, yeah? ;) ) and, let's just say this, it's a list pathetic enough to make an angel weep. Can they weep? Interesting... Just to WHET your appetite, pals, here's a few points on the list.

*Meet as many people as possible
*Go on a date
*Allow yourself more you time
*Learn to love job
*Get really good at German (and use it in practice)

Now, I can't say I've fulfilled all 16 points straight of the bat, because that would be RIDICULOUS! However, I really think upon reflection tonight that I've really made some headway on some of the points. And I should be good at making headway as I have a huge head (and ego...hey, who said that?!) Saddo right here, talking to myself...I'm like one of those creepy men with ventriloquist puppets- why?? No wonder I can't make any friends!

Now, in case you're wondering why Angelina Jolie is perched on the side of my blog- bit rude of her- it's for the hilarious thing that happened during play time yesterday. There I was, cuddling my child the horse teddy and we were lying in bed having a sleep, then some grubby little hands came along, nicked my CHILD and left me her child, a kangaroo! I just remember thinking, 'Isn't this the exact plot of The Changeling??' and ironically enough, the lead character shares my first name...spooky! Anyway, luckily there was a happy ending to my saga, I managed to snag my own child (Megan the horse) back in time for her next play-doctor examination. I've jazzed up playing doctors, readers, because I can only listen to a heart beat with plastic stethoscope so many times. As there is a phone included, when I get to be the doctor, I ring up other doctors (today is was Dr. Cary Grant) and have imaginary flirtatious banter with them- with one sided conversations such as 'Ah, hi there Cary. Yeah, it's me. I was just phoning to-....oh no, not about last weekend...it's just, I have a patient here who needs a consultation and...oh Cary, not now, don't make me laugh out loud...yeah, after work drinks for sure...that's perfect, bye!' As you can see, I really have an active social life winky face *sob*

In the afternoon, as this weather here is still playing the fool and absolutely boiling us all alive from 7am to 11pm (STILL HOT NOW!) I was playing in the paddling pool with the kiddies. Unfortunately, Ring a ring a rosies was too vigorous for me when I got a wet pair of shorts from the 'All fall DOWN!' bit, so I taught them something new. It is a legend that has pervaded all of our childhoods. It makes us laugh. It makes us cry. It makes us involuntarily become milk maids. That's right, I taught them how to fill rubber gloves with loads of water and pretend they're cows' udders. How I laughed! Then I got shouted at when I tried to milk the cow so I just left them to do whatever the heck they wanted with the gloves instead. Obviously the true class and elegance of our beloved game was lost on them.

This week is interesting, because we're having a visit here in the house from the other au pair who used to work here. She's from England and went to the same uni as me and was in the same college and also played the piano and violin. Weiiird! But we get on well and it's lovely to have someone close to my age to talk to, we even went out for a beer this evening in the city and it was like I was a normal person with a friend. Also, she had a box of her clothes here still and gave me loads of really nice clothes that she didn't want anymore. And a DRESSING GOWN! Woooohooo! I can't wait to wear that in the winter!!! It's nice to have someone who really gets what I'm going through, and indeed there isn't anyone who could better understand! I'll enjoy her visit while it lasts, that's for sure!

Now, readers, I have a truly magnificent nugget of a story for you...gird your loins...ew, actually, please don't...but no, that's bad too!! Look, forget I mentioned your loins at all...this is so awkward.
There I was, getting the tram home from language class (did I mention we have five members now so we officially get to keep it up and running!! woooohoooo! I can continue being a swotty git! Now I have an Iranian boy who is also a swot and we get to sit together so the other 3 don't stand a chance, wayhey!  We were so smug tonight, swinging in our chairs and grinning, while the others tried to finish an activity...SUCH FUN!) and this boy sat next to me who looked about my age. There I was, having a tic tac from my bag, when I paused and thought 'Hang on, I may as well try out my german' so I just offered him the box and said 'Mochtest dich eins?' and he said 'Ja, danke' and then a load more stuff and I had to say that I was from Ireland. Then he said, do they speak English there and proceeded to whip out a book for learning English. I whipped out my book for learning German. We were both just back from our classes to learn each other's languages! How delicious is that??? I could  practically here the synthetic keyboard sounds of the meet cue on a classic Romcom. Amazing! So, we had a nice chat, found out he was called Sam and was 23, we were getting off at the same stop, he lives in the next village from me, and I have to say, my German is pretty good! He was a bit lazy so just said 'I find English very difficult, I prefer to speak in German with you' and I did it! I was speaking away in German and he was understanding it. GCSE German has somehow kicked back in!
I just thought that this would be the most wonderful opportunity if we were friends because then we could always help each other out with both learning. And he seemed a nice, sensible, normal boy. What are the chances of finding one of them to talk to, eh?
So, we got off the tram and were going opposite directions. I sort of thought he might say 'Do you want my number?' or add me on Facebook or something...but then he said, 'Maybe we'll see each other again on the trams soon. So that was that!

Maybe I will, maybe I won't!

Son of a (gun)preacherman

Hello, my dear readers, known and unknown. First and the most foremost in all our minds, I'm sure, is that I got an adaptor! I'd like to apologise for my dramatics the other night as the next day I managed to procure a new charger in the next village over.

The last few days have been jam-packed (literally, they love jam here) and I have recovered a few lovely anecdotes from the recesses of my frankly terrifying mind which I thought I'd share with you.

First off the bat, everybody meet my new sometimes roomate, sometimes jogging companion: she looks like Lassie and acts like Nana from Peter Pan, barking the children into obedience, it's incredible to see her in action!

Now, let me think, anecdote wise. Well, of course, there's the incident for which this blog entry is named...that's probably a very interesting anecdote so we'll leave that to the end for y'all to sink your wee teeth into!

Something I forgot to mention in my first night's arrival, we stopped off at a farm for DRIVE THROUGH MILK!!!! You literally pulled up, filled up this huge milk containers from a machine of freshly milked milk and just paid in your coins. There were signs nearby with all of the cows' actual names included, it was AMAZING!!

In other news, I have now been on my first tram ride. Trams are pretty big over here and they are handy, they're like the snazzy hybrid between trains and buses. Now I have my very own tram pass so I can go go go when I like. Unfortunately, the first time I tried to get on one, with only a five year old for company, we saw a tram approaching and went to push the button to get on. Unfortunately a really haggish woman on a zimmer frame was getting off so we stepped aside. She then proceeded to shout at me in German. I smiled blankly and proceeded to push the button, only for her to yell again. Then she turned to the poor little five year old and said 'Does she not speak the language?' He was like 'No, she speaks English' and I was thinking 'Give me a chance, ya old hag, I'm trying to learn it!' then she proceeded to tell me what the problem was, apparently we weren't allowed on that one...who knew!

I had a truly magnifying moment, which I think has drawn the path for a new stage in my journey of womanhood...I sound like a queeratron... I heard the dreaded words after a 3 year old went to the toilet, 'I'm Fiiiiinished!' This being the first time I'd been alone in the house with them, I froze at the dishwasher. Uh-oh, time to face up to this. Luckily, circling through my head was the amazing song 'I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar!' and I felt like I really earned my stripes when I managed to get through the whole butt wiping thing without so much as a flinch...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGMESM8JKOg I was thinking by the end 'I am strong STRONG, I am invincible INVINCIBLE, I am WOMAN!

Oh yeah, I've been making a lot of indoor tents these days. Every morning I hear 'Today we make another tent?' The words were filling me with dread but I had a really nice time in our tent this morning so pegging all the quilts, towels and broom handles together ended up being all right. There's something to be said for the simple pleasure of cuddling a child in an indoor tent. Bliss. We also had story time in the tent, a three time rendition of 'The Princess and the Pea' because the pea part proved popular. After the story, I proved the rumours once and for all correct: I am in fact a real princess. I lay on lego and it dug right into my back, I was informed by the children in an awed whisper 'You arrrre a princess'. You betcha I am! I've only been waiting 21 years to hear those words! It was nice for a change that their arguments were only who got to lie on top of me and cuddle closest- either way I was a winner!

Another little game we were playing today was having smoke breaks all the time using the long lego pieces as fake cigarettes. It was really fun, particularly after a hard morning of getting towed around on a toy tractor by a child in a toy BMW...one point I will make, wearing a skirt on a toy tractor is NOT a good idea! There's no ladylike ways to fit longer legs! Even of a practical midget like me. Jokes...I'm not really per say a midget...I hope...

Anyway, the crux of this blog title was the hilarious little incident that I roped myself into. Last night at dinner, I'd been having lots of laughs with the mother and father here, plus some wacky Alsation region wine- stroooong stuff- so I was in a good mood. We all were. Plus, we were eating raspberries- practically heroine for me... so, he was talking about having to leave back a car he'd fixed to the priest in the next village who had married them and christened the children. He happened to mention a son of the priest and I was suddenly possessed by Dusty Springfield and sung out 'Was the son of a preacher man!' like an IMBECILE! Anyway, it came to pass that he was like 'Ohh, he's a very attractive boy, about your age' and a plan was formulated that I would just happen to be with him for the car delivery, as preacher's son was home alone. So, today, trying to look decent after a day of jam, paint and food debris being rubbed on me, but also having to dress for our long walk home from the next village afterwards, I went out in trainers and shorts like Sporty Spice.

He was lovely. Imagine someone tall and tanned and looking like he's just stepped off a snowboard...and add a really nice smile. Why??

I was a little bit mortified to be there but he was really friendly! It was said of me, as he firmly shook my hand (shame they're not cheek kissers here...), 'She's new here and from Ireland'. I wondered if maybe I should whip out a guinness or do a leprachaun jig or something to prove the point. I was hoping against hope that he might have wanted to hang out with me because it is a bit strange to hang around with toddlers constantly. I said in my most winning way (if I have one) 'You're the only person my age I've met here' and the dad, who tried his best to talk about me said 'She needs someone to show her around Basel' It was such an obvious invitation that I almost thought I'd have to wink at him just to finish the invite. Anyway, he smiled politely. It must have been a no.

Talking about it later, the dad was like 'Well, he didn't say no, did he?' and the mum said 'Guess we're going to church on Sunday so you can see him again.' Oh, my life, who'd have it, eh? Still, I wouldn't say no to him...