Monthly Archives: January 2012

Happy Chinese New Year!

Kung Hei Fat Choy!

year_of_the_dragon_activitiesToday, January 23, 2012, we wave goodbye to the rabbit and welcome in the Year of the Dragon!  

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, which begins on January 23, 2012 and ends on February 9, 2013.  The Dragon is the fifth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 Animal signs.  The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend.  In ancient China, the celestial Dragon represents an emperor and  power. Today, it  is the ultimate auspicious symbol signifying success and happiness.           May the celestial Dragon bring great good luck to everyone.

Fireworks and Family Feasts

At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children “lucky money” in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck. The fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom. Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing that the crackling flames would frighten evil spirits.

New Year’s Eve in Times Square

What better way to welcome the New Year then to watch the ball drop in Times Square?  Many Au Pairs have watched the ball drop on TV in their countries and dream of being there in person.  Many Au Pairs from Suffolk County Au Pair in America ushered in the New Year 2012 on a warm night in NYC!

P1010747[1]Kristina Heinze says, “I spent with my friend and her parents new years eve in NYC at Times Square. We got tickets for the AMC theatre on 42nd street…they used the space there for parties…each floor a different party, different age group, different part of the society…to give you an idea: there was a family floor (which means also for kids…there was a age limit, so no babies, but still parents with kids),or there was a floor for the very very rich people (really expensive, prob best view to the ball of course) etc…  They opened the doors at 8 pm…we used the time to watch a movie inside the theatre which was also included in the price…around 10:45 pm we went outside, in front of the theatre…on 42nd street…we were able to see the ball! it was perfect! It is a really unique experience to wait with all the people there until midnight…everybody was cheering, talking, making noise…i really liked it. after midnight we walked closer to times square…confetti everywhere!!! in the air and on the street haha!  P1010746[1]

 

 

 

P1000174[1]Ana Rapljenović says, “I was on Times square for  New Year”s Eve with Dorcas Cristal.It was great.We came at 4 pm,and we were waiting 8 hours on the street.We met some other people and played with them some games like “Phone”…We were lucky because that day wether was great,it wasn”t cold..That would be really nice memory:))))”

 

Arzu Cheema says, “I went on New Years Eve to the Times Square. It was first a bit confusing because we din’t know where to go exactly. But when we were in our ”section” and it was okay. Because I was wearing  many clothes and it wasn’t that cold, I didn’t have any problems because of the weather. Then after waiting 5hours, the show started at 6pm. It was a bit sad that they just put the shows of the stars on one little screen on the Times Square. But all in all we had a good time and I would recommend this to everybody. It was nice that there were some pizza and drinks seller who walked around with their things in case you get really hungry or thirsty.”

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Note from a Former Au Pair

This was a note sent to me from former au pair Jhessy Esgoti from Brazil:

jessy esgote“I am sending you this email just to let you know how things are.  It’s gonna be almost 6 months that I came back to Brazil and I still have the feeling that part of me is in the USA.  I’m pretty sure that I’ll have this feeling forever. I’m very happy that I came back as I’m with my family, friends and boyfriend (we got engaged in August).  I’m working as an English teacher at a language school and I’m also doing a master course in Linguistics.  I have nothing to complain about, but I miss my American family and au pair friends. 

I talk to my host mom and the kids almost twice or three times a month by Skype….it’s wonderful!! I’m very thankful for the au pair program, and to my counselor and host family.  I had the best family….the best friends…the best time of my life.  Thanks for everything!!

I just want that you to tell other au pairs that sometimes maybe they think about giving up… but tell them that it’s worth it in the end!!  It’s the most wonderful experience in a person’s life….

 I loved the courses that I did, the places that I visited, the friends that I made, the time that I spent with my family….and I grew up too…. It’s a life changing experience!!!”