About

This is a blog set up to keep my family and friends easily updated about my year abroad as an Au Pair in Belgium.

**Flashback**

It’s the year 1996 and the Brenneman family are hosting a young man named Jean-Gobert from Belgium. Jean-Go fits into the family so well, it’s like he was always the son and brother they never had.

April 1997: Jean-Go’s family comes to visit (minus one sister) and good times are had by all.

Summer 2002: Jean brings his sister Adeline to meet us (because she was unable to come with the family 3  – uh, I guess I can’t count, pfsh 5 – years before).

December 2009: Jean’s second sister (Aurore), her husband Jean-Francois and their daughter are living in Quebec. Adeline, husband Greg, and son, along with Jean go there for Christmas.

Wednesday December 30 2009-Sunday January 3 2010: The group from Quebec comes to the Brenneman home in Ontario for New Years.  Good times are again had by all. Adeline (when she’s sees how well her son and Holly get along) says that when Holly comes to Belgium she should babysit, and Ma Brenneman (tee hee hee) pipes up and says ‘she could be a nanny!’. Adeline says they will consider it. Holly (who thought her mother was joking), is surprised to find out Mother was completely serious!

April 2010: Adeline contacts Holly to see if she is still interested in being an Au Pair. Of course Holly says yes! And so begins the long process of information swapping, embassy contacting, picture-taking, finding out Holly can’t graduate and must take another course in the Fall…ing, that finally results in Holly being able to go.

December 29 2010: Holly arrives in Belgium at 7:45(ish)am! After an interesting flight (who would have thought they’d serve curry on an Indian airline……..for the record, I don’t like curry, its way too hot :P. And that thing that looks like a green bean…yeah, it’s definitely NOT), and finally receiving her luggage – which you absolutely can’t miss because they’re a bright teal colour with these awesome multi-coloured bag tags from Jackie B – she walks out to find Jean-Go and Greg waiting for her. When they get to the car Jean proceeds to give an explanation of Belgian politics (which are very confusing…and we thought Quebec’s issues with the rest of Canada were bad!). After about a 45-50min (?) drive and  a run-down on the rest of the day, the trio arrive in the village of Wasseiges, the home of Holly for the next year.

**End Flashback**

Okay. I’m sorry for writing that in 3rd person most of the time and I’m sorry if it switches tenses a lot. It’s late, but I’ll got back and look it over again later. This is basically what I can remember on how things ‘went down’ and why I am Au Pair in Belgium and why this and why that. I hope this was, in the least, a little entertaining!  That is, of course – as well as being informative – my goal with this blog. And my goal in life actually. There should be jobs where you get paid to entertain…oh wait, there are! I need to get in on that.