Jessica's Europe Adventures - Vol. 2

Good morning Family and Friends!

The adventure continues and there never seems to be a boring day here. A day doesn’t go by where I don’t learn or experience something new or get in trouble for doing something wrong. I have gotten to the point where I just smile and try to hold back the laughs. I have decided my friends was right when she said some people require a little extra grace. I think my German family falls under that category, but it sure does make for some interesting stories and experiences.

Omg…I think I have found the terrorist Melanie was worried about getting into the house and it is MAXIMILIAN…he is a terror!!! The main problem is he is ROTEN to the core. You can’t touch ANY of his stuff or even sit on his bed or he gets ANGERY and runs to the item and quickly takes it from you, pushes you off or attempts to physically hit you. I had to get very harsh with him this morning after I touched his bank and he tried to hit me? I don’t know who he thinks he is? He also poked my egg with the sharp knife and wouldn’t stop until I physically took it from him. He is incredibly loud, yells in the house, jerks electric plugs out of the wall when he is mad and tries to spray me with the Axe deo until grab the can from him.

This morning Maxi and I had a run-in at breakfast time. The kitchen table was set for his birthday party this afternoon. And when I say “set” it consisted of a paper plate, napkin and cup. I carefully moved 2 of the plates so we could eat breakfast at the table. I was at the stove cooking and the next thing I know Maxi is yelling and stomping around the kitchen. He was angry I had set the table for us to eat and said I was going to get in trouble with his mom. He grabbed all the stuff and moved it to the kitchen counter. I asked him where he thought we were going to eat. He quickly informed me we were going to eat breakfast while standing in the kitchen. I didn’t go for the whole standing and eating breakfast; especially when there was a perfectly nice table available. So, I set him a place on the kitchen counter where he could stand and eat and I cleared one spot at the kitchen table for me to eat. You would have thought I had gone and turned the table upside down and it was the end of the world. Maxi got very anger and started stomping around the house and got a kitchen dish towel and started slinging and throwing it around. He made an angry and wouldn’t look at me; I guess he thought it would hurt my feelings. The hardest part was trying not to laugh. I ate a wonderful peaceful breakfast at the kitchen table while Maxi stood alone and in the kitchen. I think he got a little lonely in the kitchen and about 5 minutes later started being nice again. I don’t think he is use to not getting what he wants?! I am not too concerned if the worse thing I get in trouble for today is eating at the kitchen table.

Another interesting story…I had been riding bikes with Thomas’ (the dad I live with) sister. She had been letting me ride Thomas’ dad’s bike and said it was okay. It was nothing special and a normal 10-speed bike. One morning I was heading out of the driveway for a bike ride and saw Thomas’ dad and waved and said hi. The next day I received an email from the sister asking me NOT to use her dad’s bike anymore. She said her dad had asked her to tell me “he loves it very much and it was very special to him” and not to use it anymore. Now I know where Maximilian gets his sharing issues!

With all that being said I am happy to write I only have 2 more weeks working for the Schmid family and will be moving to Munich on November 18th. I talked with the Au Pair organization and they have agreed and support my decision of ending my contract early. They feel this is not a normal Au Pair living experience and thinks this is not an Au Pair type of family. The final straw was when I started having safety issues with the little boy and not having the parent’s support. They told me it was “normal” behavior for Maximilian. I became very concerned he was going to get hurt while I was caring for him and didn’t want the liability. The family handled the news very well and I think were even a little relieved…I don’t think they like someone else living in their house with them? As of Nov. 18th I will be living with a wonderful American couple from Atlanta, GA in Munich until I return to the US December 18th! I am going to do some dog/house sitting for them in November while they travel and then plan on going to Switzerland and London for 1 week each before heading home. I am very glad I have gotten the opportunity to live abroad for 4 months, but will be very glad to be back in the US and spending Christmas with family and friends.

Will keep you posted on my next 4 weeks in Europe and hope to see you all in December!!

Love
Jess