Posted by Christine Connally on Dec 2, 2011
The next UCLA APIA Advantage Course will run from February 6 – June 11. Registration is already open at www.uclaextension.edu/aupairs
The cost of the class is $500 and it satisfies the education requirement for au pairs or half the requirement for EduCare companions.
This 19-week course, specifically designed for au pairs who are required to continue their education as a part of their experience in the U.S., is offered in a blended format–partially a media-rich, self-paced online environment and partially an instructor-led, cohort-based model.
The interdisciplinary course of study includes:
- U.S. History: Eras 1-5 (up to Civil War and Reconstruction), including mini-modules on economics and geography
- English-language study, including weekly reading and writing exercises
- Arts in the U.S., including virtual field trips and activities reflective of historical eras studied by participants
- U.S. literature: the readings which reflect the eras studied in the U.S. history module
- Career counseling and interest inventories to determine future directions for the participants.
Participants read lessons, write, share resources, network with one another, and collaborate on special projects, as well as explore web links, play games, and take virtual field trips, all designed to further their understanding of U.S. culture.
The Community Involvement segment of the program takes the au pairs into face-to-face contact with the community. Au pairs will relate these experiences to their academic coursework in American Studies Online.
For further information call (310) 206-6671 or email online@uclaextension.edu
Posted by Christine Connally on Feb 16, 2011
Recommended items to have in the car in case of emergency
- Cell phone car charger
- Jumper Cables (be sure you know how to use them)
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Flares & Reflective triangles
- Bag of sand or kitty litter (to help if stuck in ice, snow)
- Small shovel, snow brush and ice scraper
- Extra windshield solvent
- Blankets and extra clothing
- Nonperishable food items and water (e.g.. snack bars)
- List of emergency telephone numbers on a card in the glove compartment
- Auto club card (AAA or roadside assistance)
Here is another post with a list of what to keep in the car glove box.
It is always a good idea to keep the gas tank at least half full at all times, especially in the winter.
Posted by Christine Connally on Feb 7, 2011
A is for Art – try drawing, painting or gluing
B is for Baking – bake a dessert together for dinner
C is for Clay – Use non-hardening clay or play dough to shape and mold
D is for Dance – put on a lively tape
E is for Exercise – be sure to get some everyday
F is for Friends – invite some over
G is for Greenhouse – find a local greenhouse to visit to enjoy the sights and smells
H is for House – make a playhouse from a large appliance box
I is for Ice skating – take the children to a local rink
J is for Jigsaw puzzle – be sure to pick one that isn’t too difficult
K is for Kitchen science – try a safe experiment
L is for Library – borrow some new books
M is for Movie – make one with a video camera, or watch one
N is for Necklace – make one out of cereal or macaroni
O is for Origami – learn to make simple paper creations
P is for Puppets – socks make easy and fun puppets – put on a show!
Q is for Quiet Time – everyone needs some of this
R is for Reading aloud – choose a good book and a comfortable place to sit
S is for Seeds and Suet – put out food for the birds and watch them eat
T is for Tent – make one from old blankets and chairs
U is for Unplugged – do a day with no TV
V is for Variety – try something new everyday
W is for Walk – take one in any weather (be sure to dress appropriately)
X is for Xylophone – make your own with glasses, water and a metal spoon
Y is for Year – make a calendar or scrapbook to remember the year
Z is for Zoo – visit the animals
Posted by Christine Connally on Feb 24, 2010
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Olympic Update
from Vancouver!
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“we bring the world together”
Greetings!
Au Pair in America brings the world together, so we thought it would be fun to bring the world to you with updates on the Olympic Games in Vancouver. Enjoy!
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Inspiring Performances in Ladies Figure Skating
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Joannie Rochette of Canada skated an inspiring and emotional short program last night, not 48 hours after her mother passing away suddenly of a heart attack. Her score of 71.36, a personal best for the short program, put her in third place going into the ladies long program on Thursday.
In first place, South Korean Kim Yu-Na, a heavy favorite for gold and a marketing icon in her home country, set a new scoring record for short program, with a 78.50. Mao Asada of Japan is in second, with a score of 73.78, a personal best for her as well.
Thursday’s long program is definitely a must see!
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Nordic Combined Relay
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In very snowy conditions, Austria won the gold medal in the Nordic combined relay yesterday with a winning time of 49 minutes 31.6 seconds, beating out the US team by 5.2 seconds. Germany took home bronze, 19.5 seconds behind Austria.
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Olympic Giant Slalom
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World Champion Carlo Janka of Switzerland took the gold medal in the men’s giant slalom Tuesday, with a combined two-leg time of 2 minutes 37.83 seconds. Kjetil Jansrud and Aksel Lund Svindal, both of Norway, won silver and bronze.
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Women’s Ski Cross Makes it’s Debut
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Ashleigh Mclvor of Canada made the hosting country proud by taking home gold in the Olympic debut of women’s skicross on Tuesday. Hedda Bernsten of Norway won silver, while Marion Josserand of France won bronze.
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Medal Count!
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The top five countries are as follows:
US: 7 Gold, 9 Silver, 10 Bronze, Total: 26
Germany: 7 Gold, 9 Silver, 7 Bronze, Total: 23
Norway: 6 Gold, 5 Silver, 6 Bronze, Total: 17
Russia: 3 Gold, 4 Silver, 6 Bronze, Total: 13
Canada: 6 Gold, 4 Silver, 1 Bronze, Total: 11
For a complete Medal Count list, click here
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Posted by Christine Connally on Feb 21, 2010
Sandra from Spain sent me this great picture and I just had to share it.
Sandra enjoying American life with her host family
“My family and me took this picture during the first snow storm, and we thought you would like it, we laughed a lot preparing it!! Au pairs life is not that easy….lol” -Sandra
Posted by Christine Connally on Feb 5, 2010
My kids are looking forward to the upcoming blizzard for many reasons, one of which is snow ice cream. I only make it when we have a lot of snow, because you want to collect fresh clean snow and it needs to be deep enough that you are just getting snow. Ask your host parents before you try it. I don’t want anyone freaking out. 
Here are two recipes I use to make it, depending on what kind of milk I have on hand.
Snow Ice Cream Recipe #1
8 cups of fresh clean snow
1 (14oz) can of sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Combine in a large bowl and enjoy.
Snow Ice Cream Recipe #2
8 cups of fresh clean snow
1/2 cup of evaporated milk (or regular milk)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Combine milk, sugar and vanilla extract until sugar is dissolved. Then combine with snow. Enjoy.
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