Yearly Archives: 2013

A View From Above: Au Pairs Visit Prudential Center

This month my au pair cluster joined two other local clusters for a visit to the Prudential Center Skywalk.  From the 52nd floor, we enjoyed a 360 degree view of Boston and its surroundings.

We welcomed Madhvi, Jessica, Yann Ling and Jaqueline to our cluster.   They were happy to meet and connect with other au pairs.   It is nice to observe how they find their peer support during  a time when they’re missing the one they left at home.

After our visit to the Skywalk, we gathered at Vapiano restaurant for some food and good conversations.

For more photos of our meeting, please visit Prudential Center

Au Pairs Celebrate Valentine's Day

This week my au pair group met at my house for a Valentine’s Day celebration.  We made heart-shaped pizzas and also enjoyed heart-shaped fruit and cookies as well as Valentine’s candy.

We said good-bye to Lena who is moving to another cluster and to Wi who will be going home to Thailand.   We welcomed new arrivals Janice, Malin and Luisa.

We also had a discussion about taxes.   Au pairs that are here for more than 18 weeks for the tax year need to file taxes.  That can be confusing.  Our agency is very helpful in providing the necessary information, but it was helpful to go over it again and get questions answered.

For more photos of our meeting go to Valentine 2013

Valentine's Day

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A little history about Saint Valentine’s Day

On Thursday, February 14th we celebrate Valentine’s Day in the United States by giving flowers, candy and cards to those we love. We do this in honor of Saint Valentine. You may be wondering, “Who is St. Valentine”? Time to brush up on your Valentine’s history!

Legend has it that Valentine was a priest who served during third century Rome. The Emperor at that time, Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those that were married. With this thought in mind he outlawed marriage for young men in hopes of building a stronger army. Supposedly, Valentine, decided this decree was not fair and married young couples in secret. When Emperor Claudius II found out about Valentine’s actions he had his head cut off making him a martyr of love.  Another legend has it that Valentine was an imprisoned man who fell in love with his jailor’s daughter. Before he was put to death he sent the first ‘valentine’ himself when he wrote her a letter and signed it ‘Your Valentine’, words still used on cards today.

Perhaps we’ll never know the true identity and story behind the man named St. Valentine, but this much is for sure…February has been the month to celebrate love for a long time, dating back to the Middle Ages. In fact, Valentines ranks second only to Christmas in number of greeting cards sent.   For some fun children’s activities including crafts, coloring pages, games, puzzles and poems go to:

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/valentines/index.htm

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/valentines-day/

Boston Au Pairs Go Snowtubing!

As the temperatures were falling toward the single digits, my au pairs braved the weather last Wednesday night and headed West to the Nashoba Valley Snowtubing Park.  We met five other Boston area au pair groups and were able to take advantage of the group rate.  Always a good thing for my au pairs to save money!

We gathered at the cottage, which was was nice and warm, and au pairs kept coming in to warm up with hot chocolate and cookies.

We welcomed Malin and Luisa, who arrived this month, into our group.  They easily made connections to other au pairs and already know some from their first three days of orientation in Connecticut.

Save 30% on a trip!

On behalf of Intrepid (formerly known as Suntrek) I just want to remind you all that until January 31, 2013 they are offering an additional 10% savings on North America tours for Au Pairs! This will bring the total savings to 30% off the original trip price!

How can Au Pairs get this special 30% discount?

Follow the simple instructions below:

  1. Call the toll free number to speak with a sales consultant – 1 (800) 970-7299
  2. Give the consultant the name of the tour and desired departure date
  3. Au Pair must state 1. Organization Name and 2. Counselor’s name in order to book
  4. To take advantage of limited time 10% off Promotion, quote promo code:  9427 (valid from November 1, 2012 – January 31, 2013)
  5. Au Pair must pay a $250 deposit to hold spot and confirm trip.  Full payment is due 60 days prior to departure.

Martin Luther King Day

Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of January. It celebrates the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., an influential American civil rights leader. He was a leader in the movement to end racial segregation in the United States. His most famous address was the “I Have A Dream” speech. He was an advocate of non-violent protest and became the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He was assassinated in 1968.  Shortly after he died, a campaign was started for his birthday to become a holiday to honor him. Following support from the musician Stevie Wonder with his single “Happy Birthday” and a petition with six million signatures, the bill became law in 1983. Martin Luther King Day was first observed in 1986, although it was not observed in all states until the year 2000.

Martin Luther King Day is seen as a day to promote equal rights for all Americans, regardless of their background. Some educational establishments mark the day by teaching their pupils or students about the work of Martin Luther King and the struggle against racial segregation and racism. In recent years, federal legislation has encouraged Americans to give some of their time on this day as volunteers in citizen action groups.

Here are some fun activities to do with children on this holiday:

http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/mlk/games.htm

Happy New Year!

Learn to say Happy New year in these languages heard in our clusters:

* Chinese (Cantonese) – Sun nien fai lok
* Chinese (Mandarin) – Xin nian yu kuai
* Danish – Godt Nytår
* Dutch – Gelukkig nieuwjaar
* French – Bonne année
* Gaelic – Aith-bhliain Fe Nhaise Dhuit
* German – Gutes Neues Jahr
* Hebrew – Shanah tovah
* Italian – Buon Capo d’Anno
* Norwegian – Godt Nyttår
* Polish – Szczesliwego Nowego roku
* Portuguese – Feliz ano novo
* Romanian – La Multi Ani
* Russian – S Novym Godom
* Spanish – Feliz Año Nuevo
* Swedish – Gott Nytt År
* Turkish – Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
* Welsh – Blwyddyn Newydd Dda