Category Archives: Global Awareness

Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year is is the most important holiday in China. Tied to the Chinese lunar calendar, the holiday began as a time for feasting and honoring ancestors as well as deities. Lunar New Year celebrations begin on January 22.  The year 2023 is slated to be the year of the rabbit. People born in the year of the rabbit are believed to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded, and ingenious.

Chinese people celebrate Lunar New Year with the traditional greeting, “Kung hei fat choi”  Sounds like (gung – hay – fah – choy) in Cantonese!

Lunar New Year covers a long span, not just one day. Two weeks is the typical time frame. Traditionally this time is used to celebrate with family and friends. It’s important to start the new year with a clean home. Red envelopes are handed out to others, typically children or young people, containing Lucky Money. Foods are important in the celebration and have meaning. Long noodle dishes, for instance, represent longevity or long life, while dumplings represent wealth. Interestingly, fortune cookies are not authentic Chinese treats, though enjoyable and fun, you can read more about their unique history here.

You can read more about Lunar New Year here.

Crafts, recipes, activities, and games related to Lunar New Year can be found on the APIA Winter Pinterest board. Try some of these great ideas!

Arts & Crafts:

Kids in the Kitchen:

Virtual Field Trips can be a great way for kids to learn and have new experiences. Here are a couple of virtual field trips that fit this theme:

Books – Check out your local library or bookseller for books to order / reserve and pick up /read online:

Around the World in 80 Days – Slovakia

SLOVAKIA

Central Europe
Capital: Bratislava
Languages: Slovak
Predominant Religion(s): Roman Catholic & Protestant

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Slovak people describe themselves as friendly, open and talkative.
  • Slovaks are very hospitable, modest and sincere.
  • Slovaks have strong family ties.

FUN FACTS:

  • Slovakia has the world´s highest number of castles and chateaus per capita.
  • Slovakia has more than 6,000 caves.
  • Slovakia has more than 1,300 mineral springs.

USEFUL PHRASES:

  • How are you?             Ako sa máš?
  • Fine, thanks.               Dobre, ďakujem.
  • My name is…              Volám sa…
  • Nice to meet you!        Rada ťa spoznávam!
  • Thank you.                  Ďakujem.

Photos by: Jiri Brozovsky {flickr}; Govisity.com

Around the World in 80 Days – Kladdkaka

Swedish Kladdkaka (Sticky Chocolate Cake) Recipe: 

Ingredients: 

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour 
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 
  • 1 pinch salt 
  • 2 eggs 
  • 1 ⅓ cups white sugar 
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 
  • ½ cup butter, melted 

Instructions: 

  1. Preheat oven to 300˚F (150˚C).
  2. Lightly grease an 8-inch pie plate.
  3. Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt; set aside.
  4. Stir the eggs into the sugar until smooth.
  5. Add the flour mixture, and stir just until combined.
  6. Pour in the vanilla extract and butter and stir until well combined.
  7. Pour into prepared pie plate. 
  8. Bake on the lower rack of the preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until the center has slightly set.
  9. Allow cake to cool for 1 hour in the pie plate.
  10. Serve warm, or refrigerate overnight and  serve cold. 

Read more about it – Kladdkaka

Photo by: Sebastian Dooris {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Serbia

SERBIA

Central/Southern Europe
Capital: Belgrade
Languages: Serbian
Predominant Religion(s): Christian Orthodox

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Serbians, especially those who are interested in the Au Pair in America program, are usually open minded, polite and really great with children.
  • Serbians are usually neat and well dressed and like to follow contemporary trends. They take pride in their appearance.
  • Serbians are considered as friendly and warm, and they like to talk.

FUN FACTS: 

  • Serbians generally enjoy life and love playing with children. They regard them as individuals that need special attention in order to become self confident, and they love having fun with them.
  • Serbia is at the top of the global export list for…raspberries!
  • The Serbian clock-making industry is even older  than the world-famous Swiss one. The Serbs had their own clock 600 years before the Swiss!

USEFUL PHRASES:

  • How are you?             Kako si?
  • Fine, thanks:               Dobro, hvala.
  • My name is…:             Moje ime je…
  • Nice to meet you.:        Drago mi je da smo se upoznali.
  • Thank you.:                  Hvala.

Photos by: Filip Maljkovic {flickr}; flowcomm {flickr}; Mirkoni M. {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Chinese Coke Chicken

Chinese Coke Chicken Recipe 

Ingredients:  

  • 6 chicken wings 
  • 1 can of Coke 
  • 1 cup of soy sauce 
  • 1 cup of oil 
  • (Optional) Green onion for garnish 

Instructions: 

  1. Rinse and clean the chicken wings.
  2. Put chicken wings onto a large plate.
  3. Open coke and add half onto the plate. Let it soak with chicken wings for 40 minutes.
  4. Pour 1 cup of oil into pan. Wait until oil is heated.
  5. Add wings into pan.
  6. Fry wings on high heat until both sides are golden brown..
  7. Add the remaining half can of Coke and 1 cup of soy sauce into the pan and bring to a boil with wings. 
  8. Cook another 20 minutes over medium heat until sauce thickens. 
  9. Add green onion before serving for flavor and presentation.

Photo by: Stu_Spivack {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Russia

RUSSIA

Asia
Capital: Moscow
Languages: Russian, many minority languages

  • English is compulsory in Russia.
  • Classes begin at an early age.
  • The idea of being an au pair is common in Russia.
  • Applicants from Russia are motivated by opportunities to improve their English.
  • The job potential of an au pair improves upon her return to Russia.
  • Applicants sometimes have difficulty affording the program fees. Many applicants are teachers who are paid low wages.
  • Young people in Russia have the freedom of their family to socialize and date.
  • Curfews are not common.
  • Young women are accustomed to sharing in household chores.
  • Russians are cheerful, cordial, and have a great love for children. Russians are very open and honest and like to discuss problems and situations.

Photos by: Andrey Filippov {flickr}; flowcomm {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – German Potato Pancakes

German Potato Pancakes (Kartoffelpuffer) Recipe: 

Ingredients: 

  • 5-6 potatoes 
  • 3 eggs 
  • 1 small onion (grated) 
  • 1 teaspoon of salt 
  • 4 teaspoon of flour 
  • butter or oil 

Instructions: 

  1. Grate potatoes. Be sure to remove any excess moisture by squeezing grated potatoes in a dish towel. 
  2. Place all ingredients into bowl (except butter) and mix.
  3. Put enough butter/oil for frying into a pan. Pour about ½ cup of batter into pan and fry about 3-4 minutes on each side. Repeat until batter is gone. Add butter/oil when needed. 
  4. Eat plain or with apple sauce or jam! 

Photo by: Krista {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Portugal

PORTUGAL

Europe
Capital: Lisbon
Languages: Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official – but locally used)

 

  • The idea of being an au pair is a new concept in Portugal.
  • Applicants from Portugal are motivated by travel and language opportunities.
  • The job potential of an au pair improves upon her return to Portugal.
  • Young people in Portugal have the freedom of their family to socialize and date, though Portuguese parents are very protective of their children. The normal procedure for children is to complete high school, attend university, find a job, buy a house and get married. Only after you complete those things would you then move out of your parents house.
  • Curfews are not common.
  • Young women are accustomed to sharing in household chores.
  • Portuguese describe themselves as caring, flexible, and fluent in English.

Diet

  • Most young people in Portugal eat meat.
  • Vegetarianism is not common.
  • A typical Portuguese diet includes rich, filling, and full-flavored dishes made from seafood, fish, meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables.

 

Religion

  • The most common religion in Portugal is Catholic.
  • Most young people in Portugal do not practice their religion regularly.

Photos by: Man Alive {flickr}; Pug Girl {flickr}

Around the World – Bitterballen

A favorite snack in Holland, this beef and gravy croquette is very popular! Crisp on the outside, moist and gooey on the inside!

There are a few ways to prepare. Here are a couple of recipes from Taste of Home  and another one from Jo Cooks. 

Ingredients  

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 3/4 lb sirloin or flank steak cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1/4 cup finely minced fresh parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cups dry bread crumbs, plain
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon milk
  • 1 teaspoon canola oil
  • Oil for deep-fat frying
  • Spicy mustard

Instructions

  • In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
  • Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add broth; bring to a boil.
  • Cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened.
  • Carefully add meat and parsley; cook and stir for 2-5 minutes or until meat is no longer pink
  • Stir in the salt, pepper and nutmeg.
  • Transfer into a bowl; refrigerate for 2-12 hours or until chilled.
  • Place bread crumbs in a small shallow bowl. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, milk and oil.
  • Drop the meat mixture by tablespoonfuls into bread crumbs; shape into balls. If you have a cookie scoop, you could use that.
  • Dip the shaped meat balls in egg mixture, then coat with crumbs. In a skillet or deep fryer, heat oil to 375°.
  • Fry the meat balls, until golden brown on all sides, about 2-4 minutes. Do just a few at a time.
  • Drain on layered paper towels to remove excess oil.
  • Serve warm with a spicy mustard or other dips of your choice.

Make ahead and freeze for later!

Photo by: www.snack-nieuws.nl {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Poland

POLAND

Eastern Europe
Capital: Warsaw
Languages: Polish

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Polish people describe themselves as hospitable, ambitious and resourceful.
  • Poles have strong family ties.
  • Tradition and culture are very important values for young Poles.

FUN FACTS:

  • Poland has exactly the same population and is almost the same size as California.
  • Poland’s biggest city is… Chicago – the number of people of Polish origin is higher in Chicago’s metropolitan area than in Poland’s capital Warsaw!
  • Poland is the most important bird breeding ground in Europe, as it hosts over one quarter of all migratory birds traveling to Europe for the summer.

USEFUL PHRASES:

  • How are you?       Jak się masz?
  • Fine, thanks.        Dobrze, dziękuję.
  • My name is…       Nazywam się…
  • Nice to meet you!      Miło Cię poznać!
  • Thank you.            Dziękuję.

Photo by: Photo RNW.org {flickr}