Hello---ween?

So my favourite time of year has arrived. Halloween in fall! It’s the best because the temperature is mild (for Wisconsin) and the leaves are all turning…it’s beautiful! This is only true however, if you are not planning on trick or treating and it begins to rain. If it does it slowly becomes a non-fun, wet, candy searching escapade…and you never even notice the leaves then!

Bruno *Megan Brunner* Mars and I

I suppose I should begin at the beginning of the weekend, which actually started out really well. Tyler’s mom planned a Halloween party. The party was held outside, around a giant bonfire. The weather was perfect for it. We started the night with haunted hayrides, warm food and ended with toilet papering trees and special *cauldron* treats.

Toilet papering a tree...

Halloween was on Monday this year, so we went trick or treating on Sunday. As I have already complained about – it was raining and cold. Braden dressed up as a lion, Finn as Eeyore and Annabel as I princess. After much walking and candy grabbing (after which they said *thank you* of course) we decided to call it quits and headed to the warmth of the house. All in all, it was a pretty successful weekend, regardless of the weather!

How cute are these kids?!?!

AJ and I 

The interesting experiences that come from “goodbye.”

I recently handed in two essays for my English class, I sent them to my mom and dad...both loved them (although that may be just because they have to love me) but I thought it might be fun to post them anyway, so here goes...

The interesting experiences that come from “goodbye.”

It’s Halloween 2009 and I am as excited as a kid on Christmas morning. I am dressed as Rob(y)n Hood and I am 22 years old. This is my first Halloween ever. I decided to go trick or treating with Finn, Braden and Annabel. I am not worried about the amount of candy I collect but rather the experience.

I suppose I should rewind a little so you can better understand my child-like curiosity. I am an au pair from South Africa, living in America and taking care of Annabel (2years) and twin boys Finn and Braden (2months.)

Of course leaving my home country and family wasn’t easy and the memory of that day is as clear as though I am watching a movie recording of it. I was getting ready to board my plane and I turned around to see the faces of the people that have supported me my whole life, my support system. I saw each of their faces clearly, taking time to collect details that will remain with me, my dad’s facial expressions, my younger sister not quite grasping the full impact a year will have on our relationship and lastly my little brother’s smile. I walked through airport security hoping that I had made the right choices, not with what I chose to wear or what I packed but rather with the life decisions I have made, and where they will lead me. By now it seems like the entire world has slowed down to allow me this profound moment of nostalgia, without losing any time, this seems like the time in a movie where we would flash back to a montage of the life of Robyn Wiggill with my special family moments, smiles we have shared and memories we have made.

In my time in the States I have experienced many ‘firsts’ such as Halloween, skydiving and swimming with dolphins to name a few. My first visit to Starbucks is very memorable. People walk in knowing their exact order, size of their drink as well as their milk preference. I walked in not sure what to order. I stood in front of a huge sign which was filled with many options of mocha flavored-whipped-specialty drinks. Not knowing how to even begin navigating this mass of meaningless words I decided to stick with the order of the patron in front of me, but make it a small. Tall vanilla latte, was now my new favorite drink.

Another memory was not such a fond one; however it does stick in my mind. I was driving along when I stopped at the traffic light when a police officer jumped out his car and told me I was to pull over because I had run a red light. I was completely dumbfound, I have never run a red light before, or been pulled over by the police. Once I was talking to the police officer he asked me why I hadn’t stopped, at this point I had to ask him where the traffic light was, as I had never even seen it! We spoke and he realized it was an honest mistake, and after a stern warning I was allowed to continue my journey ticketless and extra cautious!

I have had some amazing times in the States and each one has taught me a huge amount about this melting pot of a country that is so often misunderstood. I have learnt the true meaning of Thanksgiving Dinner; about the pride Americans feel as they wear red, white and blue on Independence Day, have experienced my first white Christmas and had the amazing adventure of trick or treating for Halloween. I have learnt that while my biological family may not be here, I have made a whole new family group that is made up of my host family and the wonderful children that have taught me so much, my fellow au pair friends from various countries and well as my American friends that have been so generous in showing me their country and helping to enrich my experiences 100 fold. I may have arrived on American soil alone, but I never realized that I will never be lonely in the country of the free, home of the brave.

Scary things come in…3’s?

Hubertus House of Horror (aka Nina’s worst nightmare) was the first haunted house we visited (we being Jenny, Nina, Tyler and I) of course we were pushed into the front which meant that all the thrills and chills were experienced firsthand. We started by entering a smoky school bus, which moved about like it was driven by a first time driver and was completed with addition of creepy ghouls and zombies.

Then we entered a house that took you from one nightmare to the next, Nina had to pass through three clown infested rooms with her eyes closed and clinging to Jenny and me. I kept walking through rooms where 

hanging things kept touching my face. It freaked me out – gross! Thankfully we made it out alive.

Our next experience…

Sunday night seemed like a great idea to go to a haunted house, with Tyler, Nina, Steffi (Nina’s friend from Germany) and Jordan (another South African au pair.) We headed to what seemed like the ghetto of Milwaukee to take on the Mars haunted house. After standing outside in a long cold line, we finally made it up 

the stairs. At this point you realize there is no turning back…

With Tyler in the front, and me close behind him we headed into the house. Tyler has a bit of a potty mouth when he is…let’s say nervous. So 90% of the walk was him cursing, me saying “language”, Nina shaking, Steffi laughing and every now and then Jordan adding a few curse words to the mix. We are a strange bunch…

Lastly Tyler, Kevin, Kaelyn, Nina, Jordan and I headed to The Waukesha Fear Grounds where we had decided to end our tour of Wisconsin’s haunted houses. This place had three separate parts, so we voted the guys to head up one house each. Nina and Jordan got the first house, which was pretty scary, and I kept having creatures calling me honey, and sweety – it was creepy!

Next we decided Kevin and Kaelyn should lead us through the claustrophobia house, which is filled with air tunnels that you have to push your way through…it was a weird feeling to feel like you can’t get out of the place you are…and not really knowing where you are either. Once we got to the end of the haunted house there were a few hidden scares that made me scream like a little girl…

The last house was a barn that was littered with “body parts” they were hanging from the ceiling and I felt like I was walking a gauntlet (this is also due to the fact that my boyfriend was pushing them away from him so they kept smacking me in the head…until I got the hang out it)

My favourite quotes from the haunted houses…

“Itttttttttttt’s touching it!”

“Is that your hand?”

“It doesn’t count is I saw you first”

“Do you realize you are standing in a toilet?” followed by a scare and then “Ahhhhhh!”

“I just got hit in the head by a head”

“Nina, close your eyes” “why” “clowns!”

Marquette madness…

My boyfriend loves and supports Marquette, which is a local college in Milwaukee.  They have a ceremony at the beginning of the season in which they introduce the new Marquette team to the fans. They also bring back some old players to rev up the fans and remind us how great Marquette is…well I by think that the idea…

Marquette madness apparently means waiting outside for 2 hours while said boyfriend and another couple stand outside in the chilling wind till the doors to the gym open and we are able to enter into this part of Marquette history. I was ready! (Mainly cos I was chilled to the bone, and it’s not even winter yet!)

Tyler and I with the Marquette Golden Eagle

Once we had found our seats (which the boys had carefully chosen, due their position…across from the big screen, close to the court, and at the right angle to see the tunnel.) The women’s basketball team introduces their starting lineup and has a chance to showcase their talents. Then it’s the men’s turn, each player has a special introduction and then they enter the court, to the applause of the crowd.

Marquette's coach Buzz Williams *singing Sweet Caroline* (Google image)

I was excited to see all these players my boyfriend keeps geeking out about. It was really fun to see all the guys and to watch them practice a little. Then they upped the game and introduced some of the past players…Lazar Hayward, Jimmy Butler, Wesley Matthews, Steve Novak  and Dwayne Wade…The boys were boy crushing, while Kaelyn and I were learning to accept the fate that is ours till the end of basketball season.

Marquette guys playing some ball

A weekend of red and white and later green and gold…

After finally catching up with my blog, I decided to give myself a well deserved break. Which wasn't a good idea as now I’m a month behind-again, but no fears I’m about to get back on track. Starting with … football!

Tyler planned a trip up to Madison, WI to watch the home team (the Wisconsin Badgers) take on the Nebraskan cornhuskers. The city was covered in black, white and red in support of the teams. I was semi-supportive in my jeans and Badgers top.

Tailgating...

Supporting Wisconsin

After a walk around the wonderful city and a stop for lunch we headed to a tailgating party with one of Tyler’s work friends. It was great to warm up with some liquid courage and funny friends.  Then we headed to Camp Randall, which by now was overflowing with team spirit, the smell of hot dogs and anticipation. The game was great, some really amazing plays and the Badgers won!

Where's Waldo? LOL

The Badgers

The next morning Tyler and I headed up to Green Bay, home of the Green Packers and Lambeau Field. We were hoping to purchase tickets up there, but considering that the Packers just won the Super Bowl and are looking better than ever, we weren’t too hopeful. The Packers were playing the Denver Broncos, and the city was covered by varying shades of green and gold (with the odd blue and orange from the travelling fans.) 

Green Bay, WI

Yes, I was representing the home team! We ended up watching the game from the tailgate tent, which is next to Lambeau Field and is basically designed to look like a football field. It was fun watching the game so close to the source, with all the excitement surrounding us. And the Packers won which was the best end to a great weekend!

The best dressed Packers fan...and me