Children, niños, bambini, Kinder

"Why are you crying?"

So it may sound that I am inept when it comes to the care of children.  But despite my imposing outer appearance children are often strongly drawn to me.  I am not sure as to why, but I am fairly certain that it is because children can sense the fact that I am a 5 year old stuck in an adult's body (ask my girlfriend and she will attest to my immaturity). 

This past year as a senior in college with a debilitating case of senioritis I often would pass on nights of drinking and socializing at the bars, not because I needed to wake up early, not because I was lazy, but because I was too preoccupied with the construction of bigger and better battleships with the use of my awesome LEGO collection.  That's right....a 22 year old college student willing to waste devote hours of weekends to the wonder that is LEGOS.  A testament to inner-child.

I wish I could build this kind of AWESOME>>>

While studying in Italy last spring I would often go jogging along the top of a local Medicean fortress.  One afternoon after jogging with my now girlfriend Hannah we began to do pushups, sit-ups, etc. on a patch of grass.  While counting out push-ups a small local boy (probably 7 or 8 yrs old) sat cross-legged in front of me.  As sweat dripped off my nose the young boy cocked his head to one side and asked 'cosa fai?' (what are you doing?).  I responded in Italian that I was exercising, but he continued to watch me quizzically.  Hannah began to giggle as the boy fired more questions at me.

What my inner-self looks like

I entertained him and told him he should continue to play with his comrades (a group of 5 or so children his own age playing a few meters away).  But the boy instead began to mimic my motions, following me in push-ups, then sit-ups, then jumping jacks.  He paid no mind to Hannah as he had deemed me Italian due to my handle on the language and her a foreigner. 

Soon the entire group of children surrounded me.  I then began an impromptu show and exercise class.  'Guarda' (look) I would say before launching into somersaults and handstands.  The children would laugh and Hannah would likewise as she stood outside the circle of kids being entertained by a big sweaty stranger.  'Fa cosí' (do like this) enticing the group to follow me in a silly action.  Soon the group erupted as the kids watched, copied, the tugged on my arms making sure I watched as they elaborated.  It was quite a cute scene that earned me a good amount of brownie points with Hannah. 

This sort of interaction with kids is not a rare occurrence as I am one of 20-sum cousins on my dad's side of the family, most of which are younger than I.  Many a times have I been swarmed with children of varying ages and ultimately become a mobile, human jungle-gym.  

When it comes to my interactions with children I truly enjoy myself, while I must abandon my sailor's tongue I am able to digress into a child's mindset, a place of innocence that many people wish they could revisit. 

The boys I am to care for in Berlin are ages 8 and 11, in my mind a great age range.  They are too young to start thinking they are too cool and old enough to easily communicate and rationalize with.  This also serves as an opportunity to fill a big brother role for two boys.  I have enjoyed being the older brother for my sister Emily, and I look forward to having a couple little brothers to play with.

A Manny?! Really?!

That is right.  I, a 6'2'', 195 lb. guy who trains in MMA (think UFC cage fighting) is going to spend a year taking care of two children.  If that weren't weird enough, the children I am to take care of and the parents under which I am to be employed have only spoken to me through email or online video chat.  And this job is not near my home in southern California, or my alma mater in Oregon, but in Berlin Germany.  

My Au Pair profile pic. (My sis and I)

My FB profile pic (fake blood)

Many people have asked "how did you find this job?".  I had heard of employment as an Au Pair a year ago while I was studying architecture in Siena, Italy.  I only recently looked seriously into such a prospect when my good friend Grace told me she was going to be working in Rome.  I created profiles on two websites (greataupair.com and aupair-world.net) that matched my preferences with prospective families.  

Of course my profile was well polished and omitted my love for death metal music, and violent MMA hobby. You can see the disparity in my Facebook profile pic and my au pair profile pic.^^^ 

In my profile I also said that I love art and enjoy drawing and painting.  This is very true.....

.....but I failed to mention the recent trend in my art of depicting inebriated cartoon animals.  <<<<

With surprising speed I attracted attention from many families across Europe.  I had many options as I speak Spanish, Italian, and have been studying German for the past 2 years. 

After I had registered and started receiving offers from families my girlfriend Hannah created her own account and began to get offers almost immediately.  We began poking fun at each other over who had received more offers.  She typically won, although I maintain that I deserved a handicap as men are not as desired for Au pair positions. 

I eventually received an email from the mother of a prospective family in Berlin.   It opened with the explanation that her sons had seen my profile picture and said that I looked cool.  The email then went into a lengthy barrage of questions.  I responded promptly to begin what would become a long thread of emails.  We eventually established a date and time to video chat.  

Come the day I was to video chat with this promising family I awoke upon a couch in a house that was not mine.  I sprang to my feet and fumbled around for my phone. 8:45 am.  I was supposed to meet the family online at 9am.  I bolted through the door.  The night before I had began casually drinking with friends vowing to 'take it easy' as I needed to be about my wits the next morning for my interview.

Needless to say the night did not go that easy... 

I was thankful when I ran up the steps to my apartment that I had arrived before 9, and that the smell of alcohol cannot be sensed through my webcam. 

To my luck there was an email awaiting me explaining that the family needed to postpone until 9:30

HUZZAH! --some time to make it look as if I hadn't been run over by a truck filled with tequila.

The video session went over well and I attributed my deep set, baggy eyes to being tired.  More emails were exchanged until I was offered a job taking care of 8 year old Louis and 11 year old Felix.  

Where I will be living for the next year

In return for taking the boys to and from school, cooking a few meals a week, helping with homework, and generally hanging out with the boys, I will receive a solid monthly pay (roughly $300 American), full room and board in one of the most gorgeous houses ever >>>

The family is also kind enough to help pay for German languages classes I will be taking once I arrive, as well as taking me on their annual family trip to Austria for a huge classical music festival the end of July.

As the date of departure approaches it seems to be so close yet so far away.  While I wish to embark on this adventure immediately, I also wish to spend much needed time with my family which I rarely have seen these past years as well as spend what remaining time I have with my girlfriend while we are in the USA.  

Come the 21st of July I begin this new adventure abroad, wish me luck in my preparation for this transition!