Tag Archives: eastside

Holiday Sharing – December 2017

Our crew came together to dine, draw, describe celebrations of home and dream of new adventures to have here in the US during the holiday season.  The au pairs cooked their hearts out and we shared goodies and stories from Thailand, Austria, Netherlands, Brazil, Sweden, France, China, Germany and Canada.  Stories of the beaches of Brazil, Chinese New Year, Austrian music and wreaths, French foie gras, German Krampus and Thai lanterns were a part of the evenings activities as was drawing on our heads, a white elephant gift exchange and packing up plates of cookies to savor later.  It was a special night with a special class of au pairs.

 

The Rite of Passage – Au Pairs Meet Rainier – Sept 2017

It was a long way around to get ourselves safely into the park area, but dodging fires and smoke, nearly 80 au pairs made it to their destination.  Mt. Rainier.  This multi-cluster event has become a wonderful kick off to a new year with many au pairs arriving in summer.

The weather was gorgeous and this new cluster did a great job making new friends, sharing stories and having fun!  The marmots even came out in droves to welcome them to town.

If only we had more time…always..

Host Family Community Day – August 2017

Over 150 kids, au pairs and host parents gathered in West Seattle to share stories, pot luck dishes from around the globe, donate shoes for J-1 day and partake in an international scavenger hunt and water balloon toss.  Our Au Pair In America programs are all about trust between peoples and nations and this year’s water balloon toss was symbolic of the gentle communication and actions required to make a strong match and a connection based in trust.  This group of young women and the families who welcome them into their homes to share in their family life is simple inspiring.

Frozen Treats with Warm Hearts – July 2017

Nothing beats some fro-yo on a hot day regardless of international taste buds!  Au pairs this month were treated to some tasty bites while we discussed the WA APIA Best Of’s.  Best place to go with kids, best classes, best hikes, etc…  A casual cluster event with friends during the heat of summer.

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.

Carrots Just In Time for Spring – APs Volunteer for NW Harvest

We were few on a Saturday afternoon when many others were resting or shopping or traveling, but we had a lot of fun.  This dedicated crew came to NW Harvest to pack nearly 5000 pounds of carrots for hungry families around WA state.  That translated to close to 4000 meals to food banks in and around Seattle.

These ladies shared the social services found in their home countries and we discussed the US system.  I do believe nothing was solved that day, but families were fed and that is action enough!  Proud of these women for sharing their valuable free time to contribute to this cause.  I certainly hope they are proud too.  Even in a hair net.

Resolutions – Conflict and New Year’s – Jan 2017

Au pairs gathered in my home to think about their new year’s resolutions, get to know one another more and discuss conflict resolution skills.  (We really just had a nice, long brunch together as a family away from family!)

New Year’s resolutions included:  saving money, being more positive, playing more sports, studying more English, taking a course that helps a resume, extending the program on the east coast, traveling more, making more friends, meeting as many people as possible, passing the TOEFL, reading one book per month, having fun in Canada, meeting more au pairs, planning the travel month, jumping from a bungee, shopping less, seeing a friend in Atlanta, learning as much about the US as I can, teaching my host kids more about my culture, staying true to myself and becoming confident,  making the best of the rest of the au pair year.

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Au Pairs Celebrate the Season Far from Home

A group of our dedicated au pairs came together in a host family’s home in Kirkland this season to be together as a community.  We shared stories and holiday traditions (including home made delicacies from around the globe).  We then partook in a white elephant where everyone was on their best behavior and stole nothing!  Afterward we discussed how to overcome homesickness and hot travel spots were shared.  Wishing everyone a magical season here in the US, sharing and learning all that you can.

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A Salmon’s Journey Upstream – An Au Pair’s Dilemma

This past Sunday, au pairs gathered in Issaquah to watch our WA salmon spawn – another quintessential Seattle experience for these world travelers.  We talked with a fish docent to hear about how the salmon is born and returns at the end of their life to the same stream, feeling poetic for a group of young women leaving home for the first time, ready for life’s adventure away from home.  We then crossed a bridge and sat in a patch of grass to discuss homesickness and culture shock.  Au pairs also anonymously shared something they needed help with regarding child care- involving discipline, behavior around food, sibling rivalry or potty training.  Their fellow au pairs then problem-solved these dilemmas real time, coming up with some solutions to the issue at hand and thereby supporting their fellow APIA community member.  And this all in English – a second language for all…  fullsizerender-14 fullsizerender-15
 

Bainbridge Scavenger Hunting – August 2016

Au Pairs from around the world gathered on a small island in the PNW for a unique day of bonding and scavenger hunting.  Our crew split up into teams and took to the streets of Bainbridge Island to explore and meet the locals while seeing the sites.  The rain held up long enough for us to end the day with some delicious ice cream from Mora’s.  A sweet end to a sweet day!

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