Farewell

My time in New York City has come to an end. It is a very bitter sweet for me. After living here 3 months I will admit that it is quite an addiction. The energy, how the city never sleeps, miles and miles of unique stores, parks, restaurants, and so much more. This city is unlike any other. I'm glad I got to know it on a personal level, not just as a tourist. If I was a tour guide I wouldn't bring people to popular landmarks (except the Brooklyn Bridge), I would bring them to things only natives know; hole in the wall restaurants, the high line, outdoor movies, the secret-door cocktail lounges, etc.

My summer didn't just consist of New York City, but also many other destinations. Maine will always be to me the most serene, calming, and beautiful state. Yes there are a lot of mosquitoes, but the view I had overlooking the ocean made it all worth it. My trip to Aspen, Colorado was something I will probably never experience again. I was treated to $300 bottles of wine, many taste testings, hiking in the mountains, and a luxury vacation only millionaires can afford. Vermont gave me an inside view of life on a horse ranch. Vermont's rolling mountains are beautiful, and the villages so quaint. South Hampton was also a wonderful vacation. I can see why New Yorkers rush off to long island for a weekend getaway. Its a quick way to get away from the business of the city.

Wow, recapping my summer made me realize how amazing it was! I am so blessed to have been given this opportunity! I'm glad I have a "go getter" personality, because this wouldn't have happened without persistent searching of profiles, calling, emailing, and more researching. Thanks, Leah for the website! I got this job through greataupair.com. Most importantly I can see how God worked to get me here, and how I've learned so much this summer about him, and his plan for me!

The highlight of my summer was being able to reconnect with Leah. Leah is one of my best friends, so it was great to be able to hang out with her again. Leah is living her life here in New York, and plans to attend Adelphi University. She also has a waitressing job. I will miss her so, so very much. Love you, Leah!

The hardest thing about leaving New York City will not be the skyline, nor H&M, Urban Outfitters, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, etc. I will miss Gabriel and Sabine. I wish all of you could get to know these two kids. They are the most special kids you will ever know. Sabine is so talented, so kind, passionate, grateful, polite, silly, and beautiful. I've never seen a 5 year old quite as flexible as her, and she is always wanting to learn new things. Gabriel is the funniest child I will ever meet (other than Noah), and he is nothing you've ever seen before. Strangers literally take pictures of him because he is so cute. Everyone says "oh I want to take him home with me!! Awww what a cute kid!" I've never seen so many passerby's smile. These kids make others happy. Gabriel may have his outburts, and he may be very hard to handle at times, but his smiles, his hug, and his want for me to hold him makes it all worth it. I will miss these two kids so very much. I am scared to say goodbye to them. I hate goodbyes.

I'm already trying to plan a time I can see them in October, so hopefully that works out! Everyone tells me NY is absolutely beautiful in the fall, so how could I miss it?

Again, overall I'm amazed at what a great summer I've had. The Bieler's treated me so well, and I got to see and do so many different things. I've also seen how my faith in God has been quite the roller coaster ride. I've been tested time and time again, and I've seen the totally different way people live here. New York City is nothing like Sioux Center, IA. Absolutely nothing. There was not one person I met that was Christian Reformed, and quite honestly I don't even know if I knew of a Republican!? Things are so different here, so trying to stay intact with what I've grown up to believe was tough, I must admit. Overall I've gained a lot of knowledge, and I feel like I'm ready for any challenge that comes my way.

Kristen treated me to a farewell dinner tonight at a really nice restaurant, so that was fun! Also, I'm going to see Rihanna in concert Friday morning!

I'm sad to leave, but so very excited to come home. I've missed my family and friends so much! I cannot wait to catch up where we left off. I've come to really appreciate those close to me, and I'm thrilled for the school year to begin! Thanks for reading my blog everyone! I love you all.

Brittany Sue

Time is winding down....

Hello my lovely blog followers!

I'm sorry its been so long since I've written! After we spent 4 days in Maine we drove down to Vermont so spend more time with Charles' family. We spent the week there just hanging out, going to parks, hiking, riding horses, and eating very lovely meals! After our week there we returned home.

Last Sunday was my birthday, so Kristen was nice enough to give me money to go out for a nice dinner with Leah! We went to Otto, a restaurant owned by the famous chef, Mario Batali. It was hard to understand the menu since everything was written in French, but once we had the food we were overly impressed! In honor of Iowa, Leah and I ordered a sweetcorn gelato for dessert. It was fabulous!

The rest of this week I've been busy taking care of the kids from 8am-3pm. We've done really fun activities! We went to a dino festival that had arts, crafts, inflatable rides, and face painting. Yesterday we went to a Children's museum that had really fun toys and other activities for the kids. NYC has endless activities for kids!

Last night I went to an outdoor movie on the Riverwalk with my friends Laura and Michelle. It was so fun! We were front row and enjoyed a picnic of cheese and wine. This weekend I plan on hanging out with Leah one last time before I leave on the 20th!

It will be a bittersweet once I have to leave. I finally felt like a New Yorker, and I'm just starting to really appreciate what it has to offer. This city truly has everything, so I understand why people flock here. I've never been so amazed at all the different people on this small island. NYC is so cultural, and it really gave me a better worldview. If it weren't for great family and friends, I think coming back to Sioux Center would be really hard. I might be in shock, and it'll be hard to get used to driving an hour to eat at a decent restaurant and shop at just an "ok" store. I need to keep reminding myself though that those things are not what life is about. Life isn't about having the best restaurants, clothes, stores, or access to what YOU WANT. Its about accepting and appreciating what you have. In small town Sioux Center I have wonderful family, friends, community, church, and college to look forward to. That is all I need!

Maine

Hello Followers!

I am blogging from the great state of Maine! I was sad to see a post on my fb wall from a friend stating that 2nd to Iowa, Maine is the most uneventful state. Well, I guess I can agree that it is "uneventful", but people don't vacation in Maine for thrills, excitement, and a fast paced environment. People come to Maine to relax, think, and to absorb God's beautiful earth.

Our first night here we stayed in Kennebunkport, the famous location of the Bush's summer home. I jogged past it one morning. The place we stayed was very quaint. We had a great pool and great food!

Now we are in Small Point staying at an elite "club". It is a house that holds 15 rooms, and is a "members only" place to stay. Men wear suits to dinner, women wear dresses, shoes are always worn in the house, screaming is not permitted, children are not allowed in the dining hall after 7pm, and there is no internet or cell phone use in the building (ok, I've been cheating a little). Even with all the rules it is a great place to stay. We have a private beach to walk on, and during the low tide (around 9am), you can run for miles! My morning run is my favorite part of the day. I can get away, listen to some good music, and absorb how wonderful my summer has been. This experience is truly the best I've ever had.

The past few days we typically hang out on the beach, check out some light houses, play tennis, run, and eat good food. I take care of the kids for a few hours in the morning, and then every night from 6pm-9pm. The parents eat dinner with the other adults, while I eat with the kids table and take them upstairs to watch a movie, read books, and put them to bed.

We're in Maine until Sunday, then we stay in Vermont for a week at Charles' mom's horse ranch.

Aunt Katie and Dorinda come to visit!

The last few days of my time in South Hampton was long and tiring, but fun at the same time. I experienced what its like to be a full time stay at home mom, and boy was it hard! The family went into the city to show their cousins around while I took care of Gabriel for 3 days by myself at the beach house. Gabriel and I became very close and he likes me a lot, but there were a few times I felt a little overwhelmed!

After two weeks we drove back to the city. That night my Aunt Katie and cousin Dorinda came and stayed for 5 days! I was so glad they visited-I really needed my own family and someone familiar to be with. We had so much fun walking to all different places in the city! They were such troopers and we saw so much: Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge, Ground Zero, Madison Ave, Columbus circle, central park, Statue of Liberty, south Seaport, and so much more! Dorinda really liked the city, and it was great she got to see the house I live in and to meet the family I'm staying with. Gabriel and Sabine really liked them, and Sabine got Dorinda and I mixed up a few times because we look so much alike!

Dorinda and Katie left on Tuesday morning, and afterwards I took Sabine and Gabriel to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for Sabine's art lessons. She is doing it for 1 full week. Pushing 2 kids in a stroller for 40 blocks can get very tiring for my legs, but its a great workout! Afterwards we play in a really cool park that has fountains for them to splash in. Luckily I've been able to catch up with some friends on the phone while they play! Then the 40 block walk back. The heat in NYC is sometimes unbearable, but I'm starting to get used to it.

I'm tempted to take a train to Washington DC this weekend, but I don't have a place to stay and I can't do the trip in a day....boo. Hopefully Leah is home so we can hang out again.

A week from today we leave for yet ANOTHER vacation! We are driving to Maine and staying there for 4 days, then driving back to Vermont for the remaining week! Maine is one of my favorite vacation spots, so I'm very excited to stay there!

I love and miss you all, and I'm already counting down the days till I'm back in NW Iowa- 30!

I could vacation here every year!

Hello friends!

It's been a long time since I've posted, sorry! I have really bad internet connection here, as well as no phone service.

Right now I'm staying for 2 weeks in a tiny town in South Hampton called Bellport. It is very cute and perfect for a long vacation! Kristen's grandparents own a really nice beach home that is right on the water! We spend hours on the beach: boogie boarding, laying out, reading, making castles, finding sea shells, etc. We also do a lot of swimming in their pool, bike rides into town, and consuming a lot of ice cream at the local parlor called Carla Marla's. One day we drove all the way to Montauk point: the most eastern point of the United States. There was a beautiful lighthouse there. We also spent a day going to Wineries and doing some wine tasting. I have to add that my palette for wine tasting is getting so much better!

This family has been such a blessing to me! I couldn't have asked for a family so kind, loving, and welcoming. Kristen's extended family is really cool. She has two sister's that came along who are also married and have kids, which means my nannying responsibilities quadrupled over this trip! I do a lot of nannying at night when the adults go to dinner parties or out to a restaurant.

When I get time off I do a lot of reading, running, and swimming. Yesterday I ran in the Clipper Classic 5k! All the kids cheered me on so it was really fun. I also was able to visit my friend Leah, who is only a short train ride away!

I'm leaving to go back to the city on Thursday. I'm looking forward to that because my bff cousin Dorinda and Aunt Katie are visiting for 5 days! I am so excited to spend time with them and to explore the city. Dorinda is going to love it!

Anyways, hope everyone is doing well. I felt super homesick yesterday because it was my sister's birthday and everyone was together hanging out. I miss my family so much! Even though I love the city I feel like I'm ready to go home. I'm ready to be with family, friends, and most importantly Todd!

hiking, kid concerts, the yankees

Hi Friends and Family!

The rest of my time in Aspen was amazing! We spent a lot of time at the pool, library, playground, and eating at fancy restaurants. We went to a Rodeo and Sabine entered in the cattle scramble-where you try to grab a ribbon off a running cattle's tail! It was fun. My last day there Kristen gave me the day off to do a long hike, and long it was! Myself and two other nannies hiked from the bottom of the Aspen mountain all the way to the top! I was very proud of myself. It took about 3 1/2 hours. The view was spectacular, so it made having a sore bum and calves totally worth it!

We went home earlier than planned, but I was ready to be back in the city. The city impressed me this week. I had so much fun with the kids and really experienced a lot of the culture. Sabine, Gabriel, and I went to the museum, a children's rock concert in Madison Square park, central park zoo, seeing Toy Story 3, a beautiful walk through Central park, and playing a lot with water balloons.

I don't consider my time here "work" anymore. I absolutely love these kids, and the time I spend with them is fun and enjoyable. I tend to hang out with the kids even when its my day off!

On my day off I saw "Eclipse: Twilight Saga". I have been looking forward to seeing this movie for months! It was fun to watch it in an IMAX theater. Also, I went to a Yankees game with Kristen's sister Laura. She is my age so we had a lot of fun together! I found a $3 yankee shirt from TJ Maxx so I looked like I was a fan! The Green's would be proud (or at least I think Lisa and Todd are fans?)

So whats planned for this 4th of July weekend? THE HAMPTONS! We're spending TEN days in the Hamptons at Kristen's grandparents house. They live right on the beach! I can't wait to soak in the sun and run on the beach.

I'll post more once I'm at their beach house. I love you and miss you all!

The Aspen Food and Wine Classic

Aspen: home of the rich and famous! Aspen is a very small town, but full of charm and class. But the only similarity Aspen has to small town Sioux Center is that you might see someone more than once or twice in a day! People know each other here, but your neighbors aren't the Vander Veen's or Van Strubleheinen's (fake examples)...instead your neighbors are Kate Hudson, Lance Armstrong, and many other celebrities.

So far my time in Aspen has been fun, but very tiring. I've had full days of nannying (10am-12am) since Charles and Kristen are busy with the Food and Wine festival going on. There are thousands of people here for this festival, and its known to be the most elite wine festival in the world! Kristen was nice enough to let me use her pass to go to a wine tasting. I tried wines that are over $200 a bottle! I felt very out of place since so many people here are experts in where wine is from, how it smells, tastes, etc. Over time I'm learning more and more about wine, and I'm starting to have more of an appreciation for it. I met Mario Batali and Giada De Laurentiis, but I wasn't as excited as I thought I would be. In the end all those famous people look just like any other person!

Gabriel, Sabine, and I spend our mornings at the playground, afternoons at the pool, then our nights at the playground again or watching a movie. I've gotten really close to the kids now, and I'm starting to really love and care for them. They are great kids! Sabine and I share the same weird humor, so we laugh a lot with each other.

Tonight Kristen's sister, brother in law, and kids are joining us in Aspen for 4 days. I hope I don't get overloaded with more kids to take care of! The Bieler's treat me well though, I must say! I've had some delicious food from the festival, and playing in the pool and getting sun every afternoon isn't so bad :)

I met a few other nannies at the park, so hopefully tomorrow I will be hanging out with them! We are going to go to church in the morning, then on a long hike in the mountains in the afternoon. Its really nice to hang out with other women my age!

That's all for now! I love all of you and miss you very much!