Hello Girls,

A Whole New World

Imagine stepping into a whole new world with much gusto, with no knowledge of whats in it but just a few brochures!!! Do not panic, it's not as bad as it sounds, in fact it's one of the most interesting and fun 2 years of my life.....trust me...well, at least hear me out......I am a Chinese girl living in Selangor, with no knowledge of Big old America. One day, I decided to pack my bags, join Aceglobal and join the Aceglobal Au Pair program, never regretted it once....

Ive lived with in my 2 years in America. I remembered the first time I met my host dad at the airport, worrying if i would understand him and vice versa, wondering if I would like him, etc. Fortunately he turned out to be a very good guy, who had no problems with my accent and ways. Ah, but remember I was scared and had a harder time warming up to him on the way to the house. Once I made it to the house, the whole family surprisingly was very warm; they definitely had no hold backs on the hugs!! Come to think of it, almost everyone Ive met had no problem giving big hugs!!!

My very first experience in America! They were a great family to live with, they had twins, girls 11 years.....every family moment I spent with them was remembered with warmth. I remember spending great family holidays and vacations together, Christmas, thanks giving. Where the whole family from all over the States would meet and have a dinner, lots of food, drinks, laughter and fun. Like all 11 year old girls going through puberty they had their ups and downs, on a whole they were little angels. I especially liked the times where they would come to me for sisterly advice, embarrassed to go to their mom this is where the Au Pair comes in handy. My 2nd family, The Page's.....definitely a fun family to be with. They have 3 boys, 9, 11, 15. You must be wondering now, why would I want to change from 2 girls to 3 boys? Let's see, that was my first question too!!! But, after living with them, i loved the boys, they were fun to be with....very different from my first kids, a change is good at times. Lots of outdoor activities are included in this family's life, i had loads of fun with them going to beaches, theme parks..., and even an outing to a restaurant had been fun...

By now you must be wondering where in big old America I living in, let me give you a hint an hour away from New York and Philadelphia....that's it, good old New Jersey. The place I lived in is Princeton, that's right the very university town itself. A typical suburb town with Princeton University right smack in the middle, a mix and match of locals and foreigners comes through this town, never a dull moment. Most part of my experiences in America happened in this small town, friends made and lost, lots of township events......one that sticks out in my mind is the Communiversity Fair where the people of Princeton get together with the people studying or working in the university to have great time!! Lots of sweet memories were from this place....You might think a lone girl in a strange place, how is she going to go about? Not to worry, all Au Pairs have a counselor in their area, she is the one to introduce you to the Au Pair community.... the rest is up to you to go and mingle!

Back to experiences; imagine seeing everything you've seen only on television....from a Yankees game to an Oprah Winfrey talk show!!! Walking down the streets of New York bumping into Harrison Ford!! Walking the Hollywood hall of fame, experiencing the great night life!! Taking part in the great Macys Parade on thanks giving, Halloween parade, even the Gay pride parade was an experience!!!!!

Places Ive seen are just too much to mention, from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Brooklyn Bridge, from Windy City Chicago to muscle beach, California! Not to forget, my great whale watching experience in Maine. Everyone's favorite place Disney Land and Universal Studios is a must to visit! Going to colorful places and meeting people of all background is an experience of a life time.

Breathe taking views from the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam, experiencing the sun rise in Atlantic City. I have the best seafood experience in Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, where snow crabs come in abundance. Seeing what life was like on Alcatraz, the U.S. most infamous penitentiary, if it doesn't ring a bell, remember the film 'The Rock' starring Sean Connery, it was fully filmed at that penitentiary. Remember seeing the ball drop from the tower in New York City every New Years, now imagining standing right in front of that tower seeing the ball drop with confetti all around and merry people wishing you a Happy New Year...

Lastly, as an au pair it's not all fun and games, we are required to study too!!! Being the playful type as I am, Ive taken up kick boxing as a class. Yes, even sports are considered a class, i had so much fun in that class, imagine taking the same class with people from housewives to executives and everyone seems to get together just fine, trading the daily gossips, from someones daughters wedding to someones high powered lunch! Only in America, the one place where everything and anything can happen and frankly my dear no one cares........