Monthly Archives: February 2014

Video Quilt Project – film makers wanted!

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We need our au pairs to participate in this special project so we can create our very own Au Pair in America video quilt. All they have to do is send a video (not more than 30 seconds) telling us about a FIRST time they experienced something in the US.
A quick piece using their smart phone will do!

Here’s a link for au pairs to see how easy it is:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSOaP7yjats#t=28

Au Pairs should post their video on YouTube and send the link to: gaapia@gmail.com along with their name, country, cc’s name and where they live now.  Every au pair who submits a video will receive a gift.

Deadline is March 6th.

Camp Fair this Weekend at Annapolis Area Christian School

It’s that time again when families are checking out summer camps! Camp Fair is this weekend! Bring the whole family to the Annapolis Area Christian School this Saturday from 10-2 to discover great day, overnight, local and out-of-state summer experiences! Learn about options for your children from camps featuring tennis, sailing, horseback riding and specialty sports to dance camps, music camps, nature camps and karate schools! Preregister HERE to get exclusive access to special deals and incentives! Also, be prepared to win door prizes like Ringling Brother’s circus tickets, tickets to “A Day out with Thomas” or Wee Sale gift cards.

Au Pairs experience Yoga at Golds Gym in Crofton

Yoga has been practiced for more than 5,000 years, and currently, close to 11 million Americans are enjoying its health benefits.  Most Westernized yoga classes focus on learning physical poses, which are called asanas. They also usually include some form of breathing technique and a mediation technique as well.  The greatest health benefits enjoyed by those who practice yoga on a regular basis is an increase in ones flexibility, strength, and balance. DSC_1550

Gold’s Gym yoga instructor Kimberly Murphy in Crofton held a private yoga class for our group last Sunday for one hour. We were instructed on breathing techniques, stretching exercises to relax sore muscles from carrying babies and toddlers all day and learned the benefits of balancing skills.

Many of the au pairs that participated were amazed at how relaxing the experience was and some were enthusiastic to return again during the regular yoga class offered at Golds Gym. I had girls from Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Columbia and the United Kingdom!

Kim provided excellent instruction on a wonderful breathing technique to help the au pairs unwind at night after a long day of taking care of children and making it easier to fall asleep.  Kim is an extremely knowledgeable instructor who has a passion for teaching yoga at all levels.  Her yoga class is held at Golds Gym in Crofton on Rt 3 on Fridays from 10:30 am until 11:30 am.  I highly recommend taking the time to stop in and experience Kim’s class.  You leave refreshed and invigorated to take on the day.

5 Totally Cool and Unusual Museums

The weather has put a bit of a damper of everyone’s mood but luckily I found in the February issue of Chesapeake Family an article that provides families with five totally cool and unusual museums in the local area to help keep their children entertained despite the cold and the snow!  Here is a short listing.    For more detailed information pick up a copy of the February issue which can be found in many places including schools and doctor’s offices!

(1) The Baltimore Streetcar Museum located at 1901 Falls Road in Baltimore.  Their website is www.baltimorestreecar.org/index.html; Admission for adult is $7/ children $5 and kids under 4 are free.

(2) The National Museum of Health and Medicine located at 2500 Linden Lane in Silver Spring.  Their website is www.medicalmuseum.mil/index.cfm;  Admission Free

(3) The National Cryptological Museum located at the NSA Headquarters, Ft. George Meade 8290 Colony Seven Road, Annapolis Junction.  Their website is www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic_heritage/museum/index.shtml; Admission Free

(4) The National Capital Radio and Television Museum located at 2608 Mitchellville Road in Bowie.  Their website is http://ncrtv.org. Admission Free

5) Geppis Entertainment Museum located at 301 W. Camden St in Baltimore.  Their website is www.geppismuseum.com.  Admission: General $10, seniors $9 and students $7

SuperBowl Sunday ~ Broncos vs the Seahawks

Super Bowl Sunday is an American tradition and a super doze of the American culture for any visitor to this country.

Every year there is a lot of hype leading up to the game and the day itself brings parties, barbecues, funny TV commercials and the half time show.  The game is the most watched television program of the year.  Although it is not a national American holiday there is a “holiday” type atmosphere across the country on Super Bowl Sunday.   Families and friends gather together, consume a lot of food and enjoy watching the game on TV, in sports bars or other public venues.  Most au pairs will be experiencing it for the first time this weekend.  Here are some fun facts:

  • Kickoff is scheduled for 6:25 Eastern Time  on Feb. 2 from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey
  • Average list price for a ticket is $3,449 ~ much more cost effective to watch at home!
  • Typically people eat buffet style on Super Bowl Sunday and enjoy such snacks as pizza, buffalo wings, chili, potato chips and dips
  • The Broncos’ seventh Super Bowl appearance ties the New England Patriots for third most all-time (the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers have the most at 8). A loss would be record fifth for the Broncos.
  • The Seahawks are making their second Super Bowl appearance. They lost Super Bowl XL after the 2005 season to the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Many Seahawks fans still think the refs gifted the game to the Steelers.
  • Stores are usually extremely quiet during the game and water usage across the country increases at half time when fans head to the restroom!
  • The George Washington Bridge in New York is lit up in both team colors
  • Players on the winning team earn $92,000. The losers make do with $46,000.
  • One 30 second commercial cost between over 3 million dollars
  • Bruno Mars is the featured artist for the halftime show. He has sold 10 million records in just three years and he had the two biggest hits of 2011 as both “Just The Way You Are” and “Grenade” were the only singles of the year with more than 10 million digital downloads. He was nominated for four Grammy Awards this year and picked up one trophy for Best Pop Vocal Album.
  • Betting is one of the engines that makes the NFL go, and the Super Bowl is the most bet on sporting event annually in Nevada. Last year, a record $99 million was bet legally. Of course millions more are bet illegally.