Seattle is known for its rain, but we are lesser known for the beauty that comes from the rain.  Au pairs, now making Seattle their home, have discovered a secret those of us who have lived here for years know all too well.  Our springs are gorgeous.  The Bellevue Botanical gardens hosted our hike last Sunday as we strolled about, reading how the city, not that long ago, was a gigantic blueberry bush and looked inside an Armenian American home from long ago – some of the first farmers from overseas making a life here on the Eastside.  We capped the day with a conversation about summer safety.  Along our day’s journey, we talked about homesickness and culture shock.  Our walking opened the parts of our brains we needed to in order to support one another in this year’s emotional (but wildly rewarding) journey into self discovery through cross-cultural exchanging.