Yearly Archives: 2009

City of Bowie International Festival is this Saturday

For the past several years my cluster has participated in the City of Bowie International Festival.  It is a wonderful event that brings people from all over the area who want to sample a variety of cultures from around the globe.  We provide free children’s activities.  Last year my au pairs had over 700 children visit our booth!!!

We are hoping for a sunny day on Saturday, so we will have lots of excited children stopping by for the activities we have planned.

Depending on when you stop by, you might join us to do one of the following:

  • writing your name in Thai or Chinese
  • coloring plastic butterflies
  • learning the colors in various languages
  • map games
  • flag games
  • making beaded bracelets
  • making tissue paper flowers
  • getting your hand painted with the flag of Germany or South Africa

Here are a couple of photos from last year’s event

International Festival 2008

International Festival 2008

International Festival 2008

International Festival 2008

The City of Bowie International Festival will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2009, 11 am-5pm at Allen Pond Park, Northview Drive, Bowie, MD 20716.

Naval Academy Football Game

Together with Terry Bellus’ cluster from Virginia, we attended a Naval Academy American Football game yesterday.

Here are a few pictures from the game and the brave ladies who stayed even though it was a rainy day.

Thatia & Little cheering on the team

Thatia & Little cheering on the team

The Naval Academy Band performing at half time

The Naval Academy Band performing at half time

Kerstin & and friend

Kerstin & a friend watching the game

Little & Thatia trying to stay dry

Little & Thatia trying to stay dry

Navy vs. University of Kentucky

Naval Academy vs. Western Kentucky

Flu Shots

Many au pairs and host families are looking for places to get flu shots this time of year.  Au Pair insurance does not cover immunizations, but there are lots of places to get flu shots for $30 or less.  If the host family is insisting that an au pair get a seasonal flu shot and she agrees to get it, the host family would be responsible for the expense.

Remember – The seasonal flu shot will not protect you from the H1N1 (swine flu.)  If you are planning to get the seasonal flu vaccine, it is recommended that you get it as early as possible.

H1N1 vaccine availability is still limited, please check the Maryland Page on flu.gov for the most current information.

Flu Shot Locator – Enter your zip code and find local flu shot clinics.

Anne Arundel County Health Department – $20 donation requested

Adventist Hospital – $25

Calvert County Health Department – To be announced

Giant Pharmacy – $30 (may be $20 with your Bonus Card)

CVS Pharmacy & Minute Clinic – $30

Walgreens Pharmacy – $25

Rite Aid Pharmacy – $30

Target Pharmacy & Target Clinic – They could not tell me the price yet.

September Coffee Meeting

We had a great cluster meeting last night at the Ikea cafe.  The newest arrivals to the cluster got to meet some other au pairs.  Everyone selected a duck in my first ever Duck of Choice Meeting.

We also discussed the seasonal flu, H1N1 and tips on how to stay healthy over the winter months.  That may not sound like fun, but neither is getting sick.  So, it’s better to discuss it now and learn ways to stay healthy than to get sick.

We had our quarterly Cluster Super Stars prize drawing.  The big prize, a Washington, DC theme gift basket was won by Ayanda.  It was her first cluster meeting and a lucky day for her.  Wearing her Au Pair in America T-shirt must have brought her good luck!

Here is a picture of her with her prize.

Here’s how the Cluster Super Stars Program works…

Every time you participate in cluster events, you will earn tickets that will go into a drawing for a prize once a quarter (every 3 months.) Drawings will be held at the coffee meetings in March, June, September and December.  You must be present at the meeting where I do the drawing to win.

Here is how you earn tickets:
Attend a Cluster Meeting – 1 ticket
Call or Email a New Au Pair – 1 ticket

Wear your APIA T-shirt to a Cluster Meeting or Event – 1 ticket
Participate in a Cluster Volunteer Event – 3 tickets
Do a Global Awareness Presentation – 3 tickets
At Cluster Meetings, there will sometimes be chances to earn extra tickets.

The more tickets you earn, the more chances you have to win the prize. All of the Cluster Super Stars Prizes will have a value of $20-$60.

Save $450 – Now through 8/15

Apply by August 15th & save $350

PLUS receive a $100 Marriott TravelCard!

Apply between Wednesday, July 1st, 2009 and Saturday, August 15th, 2009 and we will waive the $350 application fee. Plus, when you match with an au pair, you will receive a $100 Marriott TravelCard for use on all Marriott services.

You may choose to decline the $100 Marriott TravelCard and apply the $100 value towards your program fee.To qualify your au pair must arrive by December 31st, 2009. Learn more about this special offer for host families by contacting Alex Ramirez at (800) 928-7247 ext. 5161 or at aramirez@aifs.com.

Get started with your application today or request a free brochure.

Still Time for an Educare Arrival

An Additional Educare Arrival Date has been added, August 24!

Ines from Germany

Ines from Germany

If you are interested in a EduCare Companion for a summer arrival, there is still time to apply.

EduCare in America – 30 hours of child care for approximately $271 per family, per week. This cost-effective program is the choice for families with full-time school-age children who require care primarily during the early morning and after school hours, with some weekend and evening hours.

To consider EduCare:

  • You must live in one of the designated EduCare Communities*
  • You must have children in full-time school
  • You must be able to work with 30 hours a week (year round)
  • You must understand that their education allowance is $1000/yr
  • You must be able to work with the EduCare arrival schedule

*If you do not see your community listed, I still encourage you to inquire.  We are looking to expand EduCare and your community might be a possibility if it is already served by the standard Au Pair in America program.

2009 EduCareArrival Dates

  • Tuesday, July 7
  • Monday, July 27
  • Monday, August 3
  • Monday, August 17
  • Monday, August 24 (just added)
  • Monday, December 7

Here are some profiles of EduCare Companions looking for summer arrivals.

Apply Now and Save $450!

If you have questions about EduCare, post them here in the comments section.