Yearly Archives: 2013

Celebrate International Women’s Day

home_resourcesFriday (March 8th) is International Women’s Day! This day helps to jumpstart the month of March, which has now been named National Women’s History Month in the United States . International Women’s Day is celebrated in 176 countries and allows women worldwide to connect, celebrate and honor women past, present, and future.

On this day women will “Celebrate, Commit, and Connect.” They’ll celebrate like never before ~ connect as only women do ~ and commit to improve in 3 areas of their lives:
1. Personal ~ improve their personal health and well being, and their businesses as employees, business owners, entrepreneurs.
2. Family ~ help their families be healthier and prepare for the future right now.
3. Country ~ let their voices be heard: to speak up, to make positive changes in their communities/countries.

Au Pair in America is an organization fully commited to enriching the lives and minds of young women and this day is highly regarded within the organization.

Young women from all over the globe, ages 18 -26, come to America to live with an American family and learn about American culture. The Au Pair in America cultural exchange program provides a platform to really the change lives of the young women that participate. Fanny Carvajal-Delgado, one of our former au pairs from Costa Rica, has said “Working as an aupair with Au Pair in America is a life changing experience. It has changed my life, the way I value my family and friends, the way I see the world and the way I think about myself, in a positive way.  I will never be the same person ! When I finished the program I was more mature, Independent and responsible.”

In recognition of International Women’s Day, below are some ways you can celebrate this day as well as National Women’s History month in your lcoal community:

  • Register to vote
  • Attend an event promoting women’s health, equality or safety
  • Thank a woman who has been a positive influence in your life
  • Support a program that provides business training for women in developing countries
  • Make a doantion that provides education for girls

To find for an International Women’s Day event in your area, go to www.internationalwomensday.com!

MARCH IS RED CROSS MONTH

Did you know that Au Pair in America will pay for the cost of a Red Cross class providing you have at least six months left on your visa and you are taking one of several approved childcare/child safety related classes, such as infant/child CPR or Community First Aid and Safety.  Check with your counselor for details!

Dr. Seuss’s Birthday

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Born in Massachusetts in 1904, Dr. Seuss wrote The Cat in the Hat and more than fifty other books. These books are fun to read aloud and children love them.

Find as many Dr. Seuss’s book at your local library and read them together with your host child or plan a Dr. Seuss’s party with other au pairs and their kids!

Some fun activities can be found at http://www.seussville.com/

TRAVELING OUTSIDE THE USA

Spring is in the air and travel plans are budding in the au pair world,but please remember:

If you are planning to travel outside the US during your first year, your DS 2019 will need a travel signature.  You will also need to check if you need visa to enter the country you intend to visit.  Obtaining a tourist visa is solely the responsibility of the au pair.

~Three weeks before you plan to travel, mail your original DS-2019 Form and a self-addressed stamped envelope (so your signed DS 2019 may be returned to you) to

Au Pair in America

River Plaza

9 West Broad Street

Stamford, CT 06902

Attn.: Evelyn Blum

A complete travel validation form can be found in this blog under “Travel and Places”

Have a great trip!

PRESIDENT’S DAY!

Today is President’s Daypresidents-day-coloring-page and schools are closed !

President’s Day is a Federal holiday created to commemorate
the births of former Presidents George Washington (Feb. 22) and Abraham Lincoln (Feb.12).

Throughout America, Presidents’ Day is observed by big sales in the stores, closed
schools and no mail delivery.
Things to do with children: The United States has had more than 40 presidents.

How many can the children name? Who has been president during their lifetime?

Take a look at American coins and bills; who are the Presidents pictured on each coin and bill?

TAX TIME

Au pairs from Au Pair In America’s clusters of Arlington,Falls Church and McLean will meet this week to learn more about tax filing .

Check with your community counselor for the date and don’t miss this very important informational meeting!

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SUPERBOWL SUNDAY,February 3rd 2013

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Super Bowl Sunday, sometimes referred to as Super Sunday,[1] is the Sunday on which the Super Bowl is played. On Super Bowl Sunday, several people gather to watch the Super Bowl. Some such gatherings are known for the large amount of food that is consumed by attendees.

Festivities

As the most watched annual television program in the United States, a significant portion of the country follows the same routine on Super Bowl Sunday. Although it has never been made an official holiday, several commentators refer to it as a holiday due to the way it causes families and friends to gather and celebrate together. Many Americans who are not typically football fans will still gather and watch the game.Stores are often empty during the game, particularly in the regions represented by the two teams playing in the Super Bowl.

Some commentators have applauded the idea of making Super Bowl Sunday a national holiday, citing its ability to unite Americans of different races, religions, and economic classes.

Food

Large amounts of food are typically consumed on Super Bowl Sunday. Super Bowl Sunday is the second–largest day of food consumption in the United States after Thanksgiving.Large amounts of alcohol are consumed during the Super Bowl as well, and some police departments have noticed a dramatic increase in drunk driving on Super Bowl Sunday.

Rather than a sit–down dinner, on Super Bowl Sunday food is usually served buffet style. Foods that are traditionally eaten on Super Bowl Sunday include buffalo wings, pizza, chili, potato chips, and dipping sauces. Many pizza delivery businesses see their amount of orders double because pizza comprises roughly sixty percent of the take out ordered on Super Bowl Sunday. Roughly 28,000,000 pounds (13,000,000 kg) of chips which if laid end to end would stretch for 293,000 miles, 90 million chicken wings, and 8,000,000 pounds (3,600,000 kg) of guacamole are consumed during the Super Bowl,if all the guacamole consumed was to be spread over a football field the spread would be 11.8 feet deep, all this food is washed down by 325.5 million gallons of beer which is enough to fill 493 Olympic swimming pools.

Arlington,Falls Church and McLean APIA clusters enjoy an International Potluck Dinner…

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Last Saturday,au pairs from around the world enjoyed a wonderful meal with over 40 dishes that they carefully prepared and shared with their community counselors and each other. It was a carnival of colors and flavors and the 3 most popular dishes won  prizes.

We all feel very lucky to have such a group of gifted au pairs!

Bon Appetit!

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CELEBRATING DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY

161B12DB-1DD8-B71C-0E55635BF39B09E5Each year on the third Monday of January, schools, federal offices, post office and banks across America close as we celebrate the birth, the life and the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  It is an occasion for joy and celebration for his life and his work toward nonviolent social change in America and the world.

Take the day to visit the Martin Luther King JR Memorial in DC and find out more  about Dr. King and his life:

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/martin-luther-king-day

http://www.nps.gov/mlkm/index.htm

CAR SAFETY TIPS

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Recommended items to have in the car in case of emergency:

  • Jumper Cables (these can be unsafe if used improperly, so be sure you know how to use them)
  • Flashlight
  • Flares
  • Reflective triangles
  • Bag of sand or kitty litter (to help if stuck in ice, snow)
  • Small shovel (for snow)
  • Extra windshield solvent
  • Blankets and extra clothing
  • Nonperishable food items and water (e.g.. snack bars)
  • Cell phone (do not use a cell phone while you are putting gas in the car; it can start a fire)
  • List of emergency telephone numbers on a card in the glove compartment (if you are a member of AAA, list that info too)
  • Snow brush and ice scraper