Nothing better than the power of a strong woman! We were 90 au pairs strong from 30 countries watching these young UW college basketball athletes. Our joint cluster event was an inspirational success this January. Go Huskies! http://gohuskies.com/index.aspx?path=wbball
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.
Over 60 au pairs on a program representing over 60 countries made some time this past Sunday to focus on self care, while they carry out the important work of childcare, culture sharing and adapting to life here in the US. The Au Pair In America community took a ferry over to Bainbridge as a multi-cluster event. Starting the day getting to know one another, talking about coping strategies for homesickness, scavenger hunting to know this beautiful island better and ending the day with an ice cream before ferrying home again. It was perfect and everyone is just where they are meant to be. #beingthechangetheywishtosee
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.
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.
It was just a handful of us, but it was one of the most powerful cluster events of the year, I might say. We got to go deep and really get to know more about each other. What has been learned, what has been surprising, and what we hope is yet to come. Thanks to this group of powerful, brave global travelers who put themselves out into the world and are now discovering the power they always had inside of them, but maybe never knew so well. Seems fitting we had this chat at the birthplace of Seattle here on Alki-New York where the first European settlers landed (cried out of homesickness), but were met by Chief Seattle and a new life in this corner of the U.S.
What a gorgeous and fun day at the ballpark! Au pairs, thanks in part to a generous host dad who subsidized the seats to celebrate his son’s birthday and a host mom who gifted everyone with baseball caps, enjoyed a very American tradition. Our annual day at the ball park came complete with beautiful weather. Thanks to all who came out and all who cheered on their WA state baseball team, The Seattle Mariner’s!
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.
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.
The au pairs gathered at the Gates Foundation this month to bear witness to all the good works being done around the world and learn about US American philanthropy. The Gates Foundation made our international community feel right at home amongst those who cherish the idea of helping and understanding one another better on this planet we all share.
