What has been lost in a year that much has also been gained? That’s a question we asked when thinking more about our first in-person, outside, masked cluster event with APIA au pairs. Our answer was our personal relationships suffered. Sure, it is great to see au pairs on video – in zoom rooms, in WhatsApp video chats, but nothing beats in-person, get to know you-s. In light of that, we kept our first event SAFE, but also as powerful as it could be and that power comes in connection. We set up blankets outside in a park – 3 feet apart – and went from one to the next to chat with each other like we have in the past on the Mt Rainier bus trip. A speed dating of sorts. And it was an energy boost and made this CC tear up…waiting made meeting up all the sweeter….
Tag Archives: seattle
Earth Day Contest and Spring Celebration – April 2021
Au Pairs celebrated Earth Day this year by purchasing and using earth friendly products, collecting trash, planting seeds, hiking, biking, going to the beach, doing yoga, taking pictures, and of course, visiting the tulips in the Skagit Valley. Our Earth Day winner, earning the title of Earth Mothers of the Cluster and a gift card was Marine from South Africa for her self watering vegetable garden. Congrats to all for their dedication to cleaning up 
Getting our Happiness on for the New Year – Jan 2021
After watching an inspirational TED talk, we launched a happiness challenge as a group and over the next 21 days, those willing to take the challenge will be doing these 5 things daily: 1 random act of kindness, list 3 daily gratitudes, journal about something good that happened within last 24 hours, exercise, and meditate. We will be sharing our efforts in our WhatsApp group throughout the month to inspire one another. Au pairs also are encouraged to take an amazing class (this APIA counselor very much enjoyed) offered by Yale University entitled The Science of Well Being https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being.
The world is in a dark place right now, but we are digging deep for the light and these ladies have what it takes! Their American adventure this year and last is like none others yet in history and the teachings are deep. We will emerge even more wise, strong and fierce. This is our pledge.
Not a Normal Holiday – December 2020
Au pairs gathered by zoom to talk about their favorite spots to go with kids, family traditions from home – swimming and eating fresh fruit in South Africa in the heat, BBQs in New Zealand and Brazil, sending letters off by balloons to Santa in Colombia, the Austrian Krampus, the German passion plays and Christmas Eves, and cooking in pajamas in Panama. They revealed gifts and secret Santas and shared the 2020 silver linings: baby yoda, cheese plates, new romances, great families, wonderful host kids, and traveling around the state. 
Turkey Trot and Culture Share Zoom – November 2020
Au pairs and host kids did some walking last month! Together we donated our time and money to Northwest Harvest, an APIA local partner for over a decade, which helps to supply our food banks around WA.
Congrats to Camila from Brazil, living in Lacey, and her host kids for winning our Top Turkey of the Turkey Trot Contest! She and her family walked a total of 575,225 steps in November. Way to go…and they are not done yet…checking their pedometers this month too! Thank you to everyone who went walking! The walks are clutch about now.
And on a zoom call, au pairs shared a bit of their culture with the group and asked some questions about childcare and education. Low key and just us. Attached is a shot of some of our lovelies in this zoom (black background shot) and of me, in perfect zoom spirit with eyes closed. Hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving holiday.
Education in the Virtual Year
We gathered to talk about education in this crazy and challenging 2020. While we are not in classrooms, there are many new options available that were never there before. Au pairs are able to experience ivy league US American institutions at a fraction of the cost. We talked about some of the most popular classes, from Justice at Harvard to some wonderful ESL online options. The sky is now the limit for education in 2020 and isn’t that exciting. Silver linings.
And au pairs shared their most precious joyful moments of the summer. Here is that that looked like: https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=AftnZKSCz_k
APIA Class Reps Run Games in Zoom – April 2020
We kept safe and at home and in our zoom room this month again. Au pairs shared their favorite television shows, favorite zen places, and we did a temperature check of the moods/feelings we are all going through. These women are strong (together we are stronger) and their program will go on…just not how they had imagined.
Jan 2020 Kim’s Coffee Chat
Our very own Franzi from Germany has made the cut in the finals for Au Pair In America Au Pair of the Year. She is seen here receiving her award to return to the family who loves her so much. Our cluster sent in more contestants than most others nationwide. People here know how to pick a great family member! Congrats, Franzi! Thanks to Third Culture Coffee for hosting us!
UW Strong Women Meet up with APIA Strong Women – Jan 2020
The 20s are off to a bang and this month, nearly 100 strong, female au pairs from around the world gathered to watch other strong women in action. Our UW Women’s Husky Basketball team. The sounds were loud and the athleticism inspiring. Au pairs made the big screen, complete with television interviews. One of our favorite meetings as proud APIA community counselors.
A Sort of Thanksgiving – November 2019
Our crew gathered in West Seattle this month for some pie tasting and craft making. Johanna from Germany led us in a Blidergebnis fur Laternen craft. The story goes that St Martin, being a kind man, cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar during a snowstorm. On Nov 11, this day celebrates altruism and modesty. Since APIA is all about sharing, we thought it relevant this season. Thank you to our host families who sharing their Thanksgiving tables with young women from around the world!
