Monthly Archives: January 2014

Alexiane Says Au Revoir to New Orleans

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Q: How would you describe your year as au pair in America?

Fantastic. I have no regrets about my decision to become an au pair. I think being in an American family is the best way to discover and understand this country, and this is what makes this experience unique. I’ve met a wonderful family, I’ve got the chance to travel and see different parts of the USA, I’ve met wonderful people and I would never forget this year.

Q: What surprised you most about the USA?

I would say the people. Americans are so friendly and you can easily talk with someone while waiting for your coffee or at the gym with people smiling at you and asking how you’re doing. Pretty much something I wasn’t used to. Also, this country is huge… Everything is bigger.

Q: What was the most memorable experience you shared with your host family?

All the special moments I had the opportunity to experience with them such as the 4th of July, Thanksgiving or Christmas… It was interesting to see how they celebrate holidays and so nice from them to include me.

Other memorable things are when I’m with the kids and we are all laughing and having fun, these simple but magic moments make all sense for an au pair.

Q: The best trip you took.

Every new trip is the best! But New York with my family coming from France was kind of special. Excited for my travel month now.

Q: What advice would you give future au pairs?

Make it the best. Don’t overthink things, sometimes you just need to be confident in what you’re doing. Do your best, parents will notice it, and enjoy every moment. Remember that you’re trying to make it easier for everyone including you. 🙂

Martin Luther King Day

Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 he was an important leader of the civil rights movement in the United States during the 1950s and 60s. The holiday was created as a day to remember his fight for the freedom, equality, and dignity of all races and peoples and as a time to remember the message of change through nonviolence. He gave his most famous speech  “I have a dream” during the March on Washington in 1963. He was assassinated in 1968 but his legacy lives on. MLK Day is always celebrated on the third Monday in January.

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
– Martin Luther King, I Have a Dream quote

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APIA Seasonal Calendar

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Although au pairs are clever and resourceful ladies with plenty of ideas on how to amuse and educate their host kids, there are days when they scratch their heads and wonder what else they can do to keep things interesting.

One place to turn to for inspiration is APIA CALENDAR

http://www.aupairinamerica.com/resources/calendars/

which is chock-full of colorful tidbits about world events, famous people, fun games, recipes, etcetera… etcetera.

JANUARY 2014 alone offers info and additional links to subjects as varied as:
National Soup Month
United Nations
Pineapples (and Pineapple Upside Down Cake)
Winnie the Pooh
and Benjamin Franklin

“If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.” ~ B. Franklin

Check it out and, as always, have fun!

A Visit to the 1850 House

One of the most fascinating characters in New Orleans’ long and colorful history is the famous Micaela Almonester, Baroness de Pontalba who designed and built the famous Pontalba Buildings around Jackson Square in the French Quarter.

To get a glimpse of the historical apartments, au pairs visited the 1850 House museum located within the Pontalba complex. The museum docent narrated some of the Baroness’ fascinating life story, complete with her unfortunate marriage, persecution and shooting by her father-in-law, and success as a shrewd business woman and developer. After visiting the two story house furnished with period furniture and memorabilia, au pairs walked down the block to Café du Monde for café a’lait and begniets.

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http://www.knowla.org/entry/833/

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