Hi Host families,
My name is Eline and I'm 35 years old. I live in a small town called Vargem Grande do Sul located in the countryside of Sao Paulo state.
My town is very famous in the potato growth. We represent almost 40% of the cultivated area in our country, and the cannes winner film "O cangaceiro" was shot here in the 40's.
I have a big family, I live with my mother Jerusa 60.
I really love to be with my relatives, cousins, I love them all, and I'm often playing and taking care of their children.
Here in Vargem people often take their children to a place called "REPRESA" that is a kind of green area of the town. It has a playground and a mini-zoo that are part of the fun for children, youngsters and adults. We also have a private sports club where offers a lot of different sportive practices and fun.
Our main square is very big and beautiful full of trees and an Italian water fountain. During Holidays, the city hall offers a great number of live concerts and parades.
I love to live here but I also love to be close to big cities and beaches. I ride my bike and rollerblades every week. I constantly read fairy tale books to my cousins. They love when I make some sketches to tell a story. Having an ice cream is part of the fun. I take them every time I can and it is a very special occasion.
I have all the patience in the world, but I always tell them the importance of behaving when their parents are not at home and they show no respect. I love to be surrounded by children,friends and family.
Talking about my experience, when I am working as a babysitter, I really pay attention to follow what parents like me to do, the way they prefer the things done and all the system that they want to preserve at home.
Schedules are very important for me, because I like to follow them to easy the kids daily routine.
Taking care of children is very complex, but I believe that with dedication and respect we tend to become the things easier specially regarding to food, hygiene, homework and all the detailed daily chores.
Once, I was taking care of Mell and she was crying a lot and I was trying to calm her down, but it seemed not to be working and just a little change of position in the way that I was holding her in my arms, was necessary to make the baby stop crying, because I noticed that she was suffering with colic. These experiences make me feel more confident when I am surrounded by children and that´s why that I would like to be part of an Au Pair Program, because I understand that these moments are very important to my personal growth.
Another important aspect is that I had my driver's license in 2004 before moving to Fortaleza, a very beautiful city located in the northeast, full of spetacular beaches and a variety of different culture and traditions. I'm used to drive my parent's car all the time. I have practice driving children and for me it is not a problem, because I feel very confident. I drive my grandpa's car everyday.
Talking about jobs, at this moment I work as an English teacher, I love teaching, especially kids and teens.
Cooking is one of my favorite activities, especially during rainy days when we enjoy the moment to play home games and remember the old times looking for pictures in a chest. Read books and tell them disney stories is facinating.
During winter time here in Brazil, we like to take children to the movies and after that, have delicious hot dogs and ice creams and I can't forget to mention our specialty "brigadeiro" a famous dessert here in Brazil.
I am very anxious about this program. I really want to be there this year, to know your culture and show you mine.
I am also thrilled to know your children, family, country and city. I am sure that it will be the best year of my life.
My best regards.
Eline.