Tag Archives: bellevue

Empowering Women Overseas – February 2024

This cluster event is close to my heart as a former participant, turned practitioner, in cultural exchanges.  Decades ago, while living in Spain, and later, while living in Japan, I was followed and attacked.  Luckily, walking with a partner freed me from the first attacker and later, my wits and my legs got me out of the second incident.  I’m one of the lucky ones.   And as one, this particular cluster meeting’s contents are full circle moments, empowering the next generation.

The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in every 3 women in the world experience violence and these stats have not improved over the past decade.  While overseas, young women are an especially vulnerable population to acts of violence.  It is the world we live in and it is happening everywhere.  The good news is that people like Officer Craig and the Bellevue Police are doing something to help combat these statistics in a real way.

Over the weekend, a group of au pairs from Poland, Thailand, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, France, and South Africa learned the techniques.  From using our strong voice, to standing firm so as to not fall and in the right direction leaving the option open to run, Officer Craig reviewed the jiu jitsu mechanics that could help if we are overpowered.  Using frames with our arms, the power of our strong legs and closing the gaps (getting closer to an assailant when needed) to lessen impacts.


We are so grateful to the Bellevue Police Department and to people like Officer Craig who work in this proactive way “to protect and to serve citizens” and visitors of WA.  These young women are just starting their practice and it’s because of free workshops such as these that women might be safer, walking the streets of any town.

A great supplemental video of the wrist release (2 on 1 variation) can be found here:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CJHiI-ADBD8/?igsh=djBpNGE5OWN5aW5i
 
And the block and frame technique here:
 
 
For the trap and roll mount escape (standard variation):
 
And another trap and roll punch block variation: 
286202454_1474210679754075_6710665225001373650_n.jpg
Women Empowered | Self-Defense on Instagram: “⚠️47% of physicians in a study reported that they have been physically assaulted at work.⚠️ Health care workers put themselves on the line everyday, while rarely receiving the support and resources they need to stay safe at work. For this reason, we are excited to announce that @gracieuniversity in partnership with @shecanbeboth will be will be offering a FREE workplace safety and self-defense seminar for all medical professionals from 10am-1pm on Sunday, June 12, 2022, in Torrance, California! This 3-hour seminar is specifically designed for those in the medical industry and will cover scenarios specific to your workplace safety needs. No experience is necessary, but space is limited, so you must pre-register. Visit GracieMedicalDefense.com to save your spot today! Please spread the word to your medical community!”

 

 

Holiday Lights and Magic – December 2023

The holiday lights sparkled, along with the spirits of au pairs from around the globe.  We shared the traditions from many of our home countries and got a little bit closer last Sunday.  Then we stole gifts…  In a lively white elephant, au pairs got into the spirit of the swap.  We had a fun time and walked away with a smile and another gift (if not the one we selected).  When you are far from home, it’s good to know you have a community of people who understand and are there for you.  Grateful for the kindness in this group toward one another in this holiday season and throughout the year.

Serving and Protecting Global Visitors – March 2023

The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in every 3 women in the world experience violence and these stats have not improved over the past decade. Women living overseas are an especially vulnerable population, in that they are learners of a new language, surrounded by different values and behaviors. Those who have lived overseas know day-to-day interactions can feel foreign and understanding threats can get lost in cultural misinterpretations.  Step in Officer Craig of the Bellevue, WA (the largest majority-minority city in the US) police department.

Officer Craig has been teaching women’s self defense classes to his local community for just a few months now.  What the Bellevue Police are doing is fairly unique according to Officer Craig, and last Sunday, our au pair population was able to be a part of his teachings first-hand.  Officer Craig slowed down what transpires in the “mechanics” of an unequal struggle, describing how women can use the space between and their own bodies as leverage if it is not their own physical strength that will serve in the moment.  He talked through body positioning for finding the best balance, defensive tactics, illegal in boxing since they don’t serve the goal of being able to strike an opponent.  He later shared links to reinforce the moves:

 

Officer Craig demonstrated with care and precision these defensive moves to 30 au pairs from 12 different countries.  The women then practiced how to guard against an assailant, lessons they can take with them to their own home countries.  

 

Conversations around law enforcement between citizens from various parts of the globe are always interesting and what it means to “serve and protect” has taken on various interpretations, both at home and abroad, depending on the experiences or the traumas we each hold.   Officer Craig learned everyone’s names in the short amount of time we spent with him, he created a space of trust with the local police for a woman far from home, and with humility, he left us offering future support, saying that he was,  “grateful to be in a position to help in a small way.”  At the Bellevue, WA police station in a closed City Hall office on a Sunday, we found a person who was “serving and protecting” in a very proactive and caring way.

Botanical Lights – December 2022


Au pairs gathered up in Bellevue to witness the lights of the Bellevue botanical garden.  We ended with some flute music, a secret Santa gift exchange and a discussion about wellness and tradition.  Nice to be together and look back on the beauty of 2022.

A Night of Light and Gifts – December 2021

We were beyond thrilled to be together again in person and are finding our groove with joining clusters again.  The au pairs of the Eastside, Tacoma and Seattle areas gathered together to see the gorgeous lights on display at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens.  Before heading out, au pairs shared customs from their countries and traditional songs, recipes, weather, and the meaning for them behind the season. After our eyes danced with the garden displays, we exchanged secret santa gifts and many headed down the hill for the Snowflake Lane parade in Bellevue.  ’tis the season for sharing and here is more about how to best do that!

10 Tips for Sharing Global Holiday Traditions (and Making New Ones)

 

Holiday Cheer Goes Global – December 2019

Au pairs from Brazil, Mexico, Germany, and Colombia shared their holiday traditions, both country and family and we enjoy a spirited game of white elephant and treats from around the globe.  Some of these ladies are chefs in their own right!  Coming together as a community is important around the holiday time and stopping to take stock in a tough, but amazing year is part of the au pair journey.  And this game is just a lot of fun…https://happyhomefairy.com/a-super-fun-christmas-game/

 

Holiday Sharing and Swapping – December 2018

Our community gathered in Kirkland this season to share holiday traditions, sweets and gifts.  Thanks to a generous host family who opened their home, we snuggled up with hot cocoa, socks, hats and trees to play games and reconnect.  It’s tough to be far from home during this season, but being together, makes it that much easier. 

Hellos and Goodbyes – July 2018

This gorgeous group humored me and my phone’s new portrait mode as we strolled through the Bellevue Botanical gardens.  These young women from around the globe, some just arrived, some headed home after a year, ate ice cream and summer safety quizzed.  It was casual and it was nice.

Spring Has Sprung in Seattle – April 2017

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.

Rollerskating the Rain Away – March 2015

photo 1-3photo-71

A fantastic group of au pairs – seasoned and new – braved the rain and joined me at the rollerskating rink in Bellevue for a quick lesson for some of us less equipped on 8 wheels.  We informally discussed safety elements of being an au pair outside of work hours.  Online dating, buddy systems, and the recent issues at the UW fraternity parties.  Safety is number one with our the kids in our trust, and also number one with those who take care of those kids!