Westchester Connections – Maralyn’s Cluster Blog

On January 29th many members of our cluster and some friends got together at the Royal Palace Restaurant to enjoy their amazing buffet. There were so many choices and it seemed that most in attendance wanted to taste everything. Some actually managed to do that!

Between lots of good food and ongoing conversation, it was a most delightful afternoon. See for yourself – here’s the link to  more photos:http://s791.photobucket.com/albums/yy197/MS-APIA/2012%20January%20Indian%20Buffet%20Luncheon/

Below is a link to a blog from yesterday’s Wall Street Journal online. The blogger/reporter, John J. Edwards III has written about he and his wife’s switch from a babysitter….to Au Pair in America!

The blog post includes talks about the thought process and thinking that goes into hiring an au pair. At the end of the post, he states that he will check in with posts from time-to-time about his progress in the placement process – and also solicits stories and experiences about either having an au pair or about friends who have had an au pair.

http://blogs.wsj.com/juggle/2012/02/02/switching-to-an-au-pair/?mod=WSJBlog#

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
– Martin Luther King, “I Have a Dream” Quote

Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. King has become a national icon in the history of modern American liberalism.

A Baptist minister, King became a civil rights activist early in his career. He led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its first president. King’s efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. There, he expanded American values to include the vision of a color blind society, and established his reputation as one of the greatest orators in American history.

In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end racial segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other nonviolent means. By the time of his death in 1968, he had refocused his efforts on ending poverty and stopping the Vietnam War.

King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 and Congressional Gold Medal in 2004; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a U.S. federal holiday in 1986.

Here’s a link to a site with more information about Dr. King: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/mlkjrday1.html

To read the full “I Have a dream Speech” go to: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

On 21 December several Au Pair in America’s Westchester clusters gathered for an amazing dessert buffet to celebrate the holiday season. The delicious diversity of international creations was a testament to the culinary skills of the au pairs who prepared their favorite treats to share. Everyone ate too much because there were simply too many temptations and so many interesting new desserts to taste!

Here’s the link to photos from this evening: http://s791.photobucket.com/albums/yy197/MS-APIA/Gala%20Holiday%20Dessert%20Party%20-%202011/?albumview=slideshow

Animals handle cold winter weather in a variety of ways. Some
travel to a warmer climate. Others grow thicker fur coats so they can stay warm
and active during the winter. Many animals hibernate during the coldest weather
– they spend the warmer months eating and storing as much body fat as they can
and then live off this extra weight as they sleep. Au pairs…do not hibernate
this winter…call a new au pair or someone you haven’t met yet and go get a hot
chocolate. And be sure to dress in layers to stay comfortable both indoors and out!

Chanukah is a Jewish celebration, also known as the Festival of
Lights. Chanukah starts at sundown today and lasts for eight days. It is
traditional to exchange gifts or gelt (Yiddish for money) in the form
of real coins or chocolate wrapped in gold foil, to play a game of put-and-take
with a four sided top called a dreidel, and to light candles each
night.

This year’s Thanksgiving dinner was amazing. Au Pair in America counsleors provided the turkeys, that were skillfully carved by Jim Hamlin, and lots of apple cider. Au Pairs, who were asked to bring side dishes and desserts, outdid themselves with a wonderful array of treats from around the world. We all ate well, some discovered new foods, and everyone agreed that it was a most enjoyable evening.

Here’s the link to the 2011 International Thanksgiving Photo Album: http://s791.photobucket.com/albums/yy197/MS-APIA/2011%20International%20Thanksgiving%20Dinner/?albumview=slideshow

Avoid the ER and save some money.  There is an additional ER deductible for visits not deemed “emergencies”.  Au Pairs, please note there are several plans with differing deductibles.  Visit http://aupairinamerica.com/resources/life_in_the_us/insurance_3.asp for full details.  If you need a local clinic, look in the Medical Information section of your Welcome booklet or call your counselor.

Rosh Hashanah starts at sundown and is a solemn celebration of the beginning of the Jewish year. Synagogue services are held on Rosh Hashanah. During the services, the shofar (a ram’s horn) is sounded.

Like most Jewish holidays there are food customs associated with Rosh Hashanah. One of the most popular and well-known food customs on Rosh HaShanah has to do with dipping apple slices into honey. This sweet combination stems from an age-old Jewish tradition of eating sweet foods to express the hope for a sweet new year.