Happy Birthday Dad and Leslie

Sunday

Happy Birthday Leslie and Dad! They share a birthday! It was time to head to church in the morning where we made the coffee and ran through a few verses of the songs. Allen Rieck was asked to give a sermon at the last minute and did a great job. Everyone pulled together to make church happen even though our pastor was sick. Church ended and we packed up all of our stuff and went over to McD's to see my dad's parents who came to celebrate my dad's birthday. It was a fun time to spend with Family before Alyssa was back to Milwaukee until Christmas. After our tummies were filled, laundry was finished, and I helped mom put the garland up on the banister, we left. I remembered that I had some last minute homework due online at midnight that night, so it was back to Perrenouds where we found that I couldn't finish it there. Apparently, I needed to be on the school network to access the article. We headed back to campus, but hit traffic at Hammond...we were literally moving a mile in 10 minutes....REDICULOUS! We decided to get off the highway and head home on alternate 94, but missed our turn to go to River Falls...whoops. We went all the way to Somerset and drove backwards to River Falls. At 6:30 we arrived at the University Center. I finished my homework and we went home for a quick game of Scrabble (which I lost of course) and then off to bed. It was a crazy weekend, but we enjoyed it! 

 Spanish Phrase of the Day

Estamos perdidos! Dónde está River Falls!?

We are lost. Where is River Falls

A Weird Weird Day

Saturday

We were woken up at about 8:30am with a knock at the bedroom door, the most interesting day of the weekend had begun...we just didn't know it yet. Matt had been sick with a stomach bug since 6am and we needed to unlock for the Community Closet.Once Ty came back from that we decided we would go to Eau Claire and work on homework. We were going to take the boys to Action City later so we just thought we would meet them there. We never made it to do homework. Brooke had thrown out her back and she couldn't get Annie ready, so we went to meet Leslie and help her with Annie, who was also sick. After getting all ready to go we went to Action City and played video games, rode go carts and bowled. It was a good time. We were celebrating Leslie's Birthday at Ciciones. Apparently, they were closed. What!? We ended up eating somewhere else and went back home to eat cake. With Matt sick, we went to church and picked out the songs for Sunday, practiced and went back to Perrenoud's for bed, where two little boys waited for grandma to get them in the tub and snuggle them into bed for the night. 

Spanish Phrase of the day

Que raro!

Weird! 

 

Thanksgiving Break(part 2)

Black Friday

Woke up at 4am with Ty( what a trooper) and headed off to my parents to grab my mom and Tay and Lyssa. Everyone was home for Thanksgiving, but Britt had to work at 10pm that night and thought it would be better if she didn't get only 4 hours of sleep. First stop Yonkers and the Mall. We went to all the sales and shopped until 11:30am! I Finished almost all my shopping for my side of the Family for Christmas. Then we celebrated Brittany and Eric's brithday's (which were earlier in November) by eating stuffed mushrooms and playing Settlers of Caton...I didn't play, but Ty did and enjoyed it. After that it was cake, presents, and Britt, Eric, and Tay had to hit the road. Ty and I left and crashed at about 7pm.What a day!

Thanksgiving Break(part 1)

Its been awhile...but here is what we were up to during our little blogging hiatus. 

Wednesday-After my class (not being canceled with a major snow storm) we decided that we would drive home. We were bored....I have noticed that we do that a lot when we are bored. We made it home safe and sound. It took a little longer than usual, but we were home by 9pm. It was nice to be back.

Thursday-  It was a lovely Thanksgiving day and we only had to make two stops this year. Apparently everyone was sick over break. Annie had a nasty cold just like Tyler and I so before the Thanksgiving festivities, we had coffee at the new "Highergrounds Coffeehouse" now located in Matt and Brooke's basement (be very jealous, it still exists for us). I played with Annie reading her a page at a time while she ran in circles after a giant pink ball that was bigger than she was. We had some adult time and chatted until it was time to head out to Ty's Uncle Mike and Aunt Dana's for our first stop. We stayed there for about two hours chasing Treyton around and keeping Annie occupied so their parents could talk a little. Then it was off to McD's to eat. After food and chitchatting, we decided we would look through all the ads for Black Friday. It is tradition that we get up and go. Then around 7 we went to see Tangled in 3D...what a cute movie. As little girls my sisters and I always had to see the newest princess movies, but Disney has recently made a statement saying this will be the last Princess movie because there is not a market for it anymore...As long as there are McDaniel Girls, there will be a market for Disney Princesses! Then it was off to bed for 4 hours of sleep and shopping in the morning!

Día de acción de gracias (Thanksgiving day!)

Well, the school week is winding down, but it isn't over yet. Tomorrow is another day of class, but my professor was nice enough to cancel my 2pm-3pm class...however, my 5-7:30pm professor was not as generous. We are having class and if the roads aren't too terrible after that, we will be headed home for Thanksgiving. What a great holiday, lots of food, family and a break from school. I thought today I would show what we are thankful for!

Sisters/in-law (hermanas, cuñadas)

Mom/in-law and Dad/in-law (madre/suegra, padre/suegro)

Sister (hermana) and Brother-in-law (cuñada)

Sister/in-law (hermana/cuñada), bother-in-law (cuñado), and niece(sobrina)

Mom/in-law, Dad/in-law (madre/suegra, padre/suegro)

Brother-in-law, sister/in-law, nephews (cuñado, hermana/cuñada, sobrinos)

brother/in-law(hermano, cuñado)

Mia, the little dog (la perrita)

There are many other things that we are thankful for, but I do not have pictures for all of them. We are thankful for friends and for all of you who are reading this blog. Hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving. Feliz Día de acción de gracias!

Spanish Phrase of the Day

Da gracias por todas las bendiciones de Dios.

Translation: Give thanks for all God's blessings

Salud! (Bless you)

Apparently, the cold season is upon us. Wish someone would have told us before this weekend. Last Tuesday, after soccer, Ty started getting a sore throat and a runny nose. It has been getting worse ever since. On Friday after class, we were excited to come home, eat supper, and relax. When I was a little girl and was sick at home, my dad used to bring the futon cushion in front of the T.V. That is exactly what we did. We Played sequence and watched "what would you do?" on our bed in the Living room. Then the NyQuil kicked in and Ty was out. Needless to say, we slept in. 

Saturday, my parents and sisters (Tay and Lyssa) came up to the cities and we went to Brugger's Bagels where we met my Aunt Martha. Then it was off to the Mall of America. It took almost an hour to get into the Mall...this is the second time this happened. We will not be going to MOA until after all the Holiday sales are over. We spent some time shopping and eventually the crowd was too much and we headed to find some food and then the family left. We headed off to hear a dear friend, Anna Johnson http://www.myspace.com/annajohnsonmusic play at a Dunn Brothers in Oakdale. It was good to see people from Chippewa when we were so far from home. We were going to do homework, but we decided to play 2 games of scrabble while we listened instead. I lost twice...no good. 

It was another NyQuil night and then off to bed. Sadly, when I woke up, I was sick too. We spent the day watching football, napping and lounging in jammies. It was not a day to go outside. We got free sun-dried tomato bagels at Brugger's and made pizza bagels for lunch. Then when 9pm rolled around it was time for NyQuil and bed. That was our weekend in River Falls.

Spanish Phrase of the Day

Necesito jarabe para la toz porque he cogido un resfriado

I need some cough syrup because I caught a cold 

Lost and Found

I left for school at 9 am yesterday, and at 9:30am I received a text from Ty telling me I forgot something in the car. I responded, as soon as I saw the text, but didn't hear anything back. I tried calling him, but there was no response until I received an anonymous text. Apparently after dropping me off Ty LOST his phone on a run in the middle of the woods.

After a long day with 7th graders, Ty and I took my phone and retraced his run through the woods calling his phone.  Needless to say, we never found it. I went to my night class and left my phone with Ty. We were thinking we would have to buy a new phone and it was depressing. While I was at class Ty tried again and again to call it, thinking it might be somewhere in the house or maybe someone had it and would answer it. Right after he had hung up, my phone rang showing it was Ty calling. The person on the other line had heard the phone ring and was nice enough to call back. He left it for Ty. It was the perfect ending to a stressful day. Thank you whoever it was that FOUND it!

Spanish Phrase of the Day

Perdió mi teléfono cellular, pero luego lo encontró

Translation: I lost my cell phone, but I found it later

Exciting news, but more hard work

Today I had a meeting with the Dean of the Education Department. Going into the meeting I wanted to talk to him about how long it would be until I graduated. My information had been wrong since I arrived back at River Falls, and I was afraid that I was behind. After talking to him further, I found that all I needed to do was take the Praxis I test soon (YIKES!), and he would admit me to Teacher Education and sign me up for 7 credits of methods courses! I was SO excited! Along with this excitement comes some MAJOR work. With 7 credits of methods, comes 75 Hours of observation in one semester! Bring on the fun, I am ready to be DONE! If all goes well, I should have one semester of classes next Fall, and be student teaching in the Spring. 

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!!!!! After talking to him about my trip to Mexico being canceled, he did some searching and found that if the foreign language department did not specify whether or not the immersion experience had to be out of the country, I may be able to get away with doing my student teaching in an immersion school in the Cities and never actually have to go abroad! It would be an answer to prayer considering the expense involved!

In other news...The soccer games last night were fun to watch. It was a double header and they did win the second game, but not without someone getting hurt. Good one Spencer! We have been to soccer for the last three weeks and in three weeks, three people have been hurt. As Katie Wendt said last night after Spencer limped off the field, "Maybe its time to start calling them the Packers or Dolphins with all of these injuries. 

Spanish Phrase of the Day

Camarón que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente.

Translation: You snooze, you lose.

Literal Translation: The shrimp that falls asleep the current carries away.

Winter is here

A week ago we were enjoying the sun and walking to class without a winter jacket. It was 60 degrees! Now here we are a week later and its 36 degrees...What happened? Well my friends, this is what we call Wisconsin in November. Break out the hats and mittens, nice weather is gone and winter is here to stay!

Life has been pretty uneventful around here. Working on homework, seeing family and friends on the weekends. But, tonight is Tuesday night and we are headed back to Eau Claire! That's right, its soccer time. Its a double header!

Last Year's Soccer team after they won the championship game

Spanish Phrase of the Day

1) ¡Suerte es lo que habéis tenido! Además el árbitro se ha tragado un penalti clarísimo.  

 2) ¡árbitro, la hora! 

translation:  

1) You were lucky! Besides, the referee ignored a clear penalty. 

2) Come on ref, time's up!

Veteran's Day

One of My favorites

Many people know that today is Veteran's Day. I thought today would be a great day to share about a very special veteran, my Grandpa, James Foster. He is now 85 years old, but can still tell stories about World War II and all that happened there. He tells tales of swimming with sea turtles, and being stationed in Eniwetok. He has treasures from Japan that he loves to show us. Until recently, he had a war chest that he would bring out and tell us about all treasures inside. He is so proud that he was able to serve our country. Although there are things that still bother him about the war today, he does not complain.  As he would say, "I am tough and brave." Even though he does not have the internet or even a computer, I am still writing this to share with everyone just how  proud  of him I am. I am so thankful for all you have done and, I love you Grandpa.

Looking Spiffy

Grandpa's Job in WWII

Midterm Fun

Well folks, its November, we all know that that means...Its time for assignments and tests in all of your classes to come due at the same time. Its the final push of the semester. This week has been fun for both Ty and I. We have been trying to prepare to sign up for classes, finish group projects, and study for tests. 

To take a break from all the fun in River Falls, we took a late night trip to Eau Claire last night. Ty played soccer at 10pm! It was a great game, he was able to score a goal and the team won! It was a fun night, and the drive home seemed to fly by with the adrenaline high that Ty was on (no to say that he was speeding). It was great to see the game and sit in the cheering section (with Ron Clutter) full of Mexican fans as they cheered against our team unaware that I understood every word. 

As I said earlier, we do get to sign up for classes this week. I signed up for my Spring semester classes on Monday and am VERY excited because the Spanish part of my Major will be finished by the end of May! WEIRD!!!!!!! All I have left is the TESOL Minor, some Education classes, and student teaching. Ty is getting excited too, he will be ready to sign up for classes this afternoon. The closer we get finishing, the more motivated we get! It won't be long and we will be done and back home in Chippewa Falls. 

Hope everyone is having a good week...we can't wait to come home and see everyone. 

Spanish Phrase of the Day

A donde el corazon se inclina, el pie camina.

Translation: Home is where the heart is

Literal Translation: where the heart inclines to be, the feet walk

The last few days (in pictures)

The Clutters and the Rileys came for a visit! (nice scarf Spencer)

Ty bowling...HE WON!!!!!

All the girls waiting for our turn to bowl!

Me and Ty

Hannah and Matt

On Sunday Hannah and I went to get my hair cut

That was pretty much our weekend, apart from football watching and dinner with families. It was a fun weekend. Now, its back to work, and we will be back again next weekend! Can't wait!

Spanish Phrase of the Day

 ser más listo que el hambre
Translation: be sharp as a tack; be very quick 

literal Translation.: be more clever than hunger

A Special day in Our Family

Today is a special day. It is also my sister's birthday. On this day for three generations in the McDaniel Family there has been a new birthday. Fist it was my Great-grandma (bisabuela), then my Aunt (tia) Suzanne was born, and finally my sister (hermana) Brittany in 1986. It only skipped one generation, and it is a tradition that someone needs to carry on someday. So Happy Birthday to everyone whose Birthday is November 5th. Brittany, hope you have a wonderful day! Enjoy cross training!

 

 

Spanish Phrase of the Day

Me gustas tú

Translation: I like you

Life Lately

Its been a couple days since I have posted and thought, since some things have changed, I would post again. I went to class today as usual. while sitting in class, a girl who was going to Mexico with me, asked if I received the email from our trip coordinator. I told her no, expecting that there was some cancellation or change to the upcoming meeting. She then informed me that the trip had been canceled! WOW! What a day, not only was this trip canceled, but now I have to find a new way to "have an immersion experience" and tie it to the university. I guess it just was not in God's plan that I go to Mexico over J-term. Who would have thought after all we went through to try and make this happen, that it wouldn't work out...así es la vida (such is life).

Back to the drawing board...I am looking into and Internship or Independent study as a possibility, but I am still trying to decide what is best. This is going to be a "FUN" time trying to actually find something that will work. There are likely to be other study abroad trips that are available, but we have to find a way to bring Ty along now that I will be going without a group. These are all just ideas that I am tossing around. If you have any other ideas or know anyone abroad that would like to have a wonderful couple ;) come and stay with them for a short time feel free to comment. I am running out of ideas and need all the help I can get. This has been quite the roller coaster of a week.

Spanish Phrase of the Day 

Cada quien tiene su manera de matar pulgas.
Literal translation: Each has his way to kill fleas.
Traslation: There's more than one way to skin a cat.

The Circus We Call College

For all of you who have ever had to register for classes, you will understand this post. The systems they use for trying to sign up for classes have become more complicated. Classes are not offered when you need them, but they are offered when the University THINKS you need them. Some are offered Summer, Fall, and Winter, while others only Spring or only Fall. Yet there are still others offered only every other year...those are my favorites.With all of this in mind, you are asked to understand the schedule, memorize the schedule, and then create your own class schedule based on that information which sometimes you know and sometimes you don't. Eventually, there comes a time when you can no longer take any classes without getting into the college of education. There are some hoops to jump through there as well...get recommendations, fill out applications, complete certain courses, and my FAVORITE the Praxis I. All of these things stand in the way of your graduation and all of these must be done before you can finish your course work.  

Every semester you have to go through the whole ordeal and see what is offered only in that semester so you don't miss out and have to wait yet ANOTHER semester or even a YEAR to graduate or student teach. You would think they would want this to be simple so that people would give their advisers a break...but the system is a complicated one, and its time to do the same old song and dance and cross your fingers that you have it right.I feel like I have joined the circus and I didn't even know it. Oh, well...así es la vida (thats life).

On a positive note: the weekend was great! We were able to see Annie (a cheerleader), Treyton (the coach), Carter (football player), and Jackson (football player) go trick-or-treating on Sunday and handout candy. We are also coming back to Eau Claire tonight so that Ty can play indoor soccer. It will be good to get away for the night. 

The kids with Owen (Luke Skywalker) and Ava (Princess Leia) on Friday

Spanish Phrase of the Day

Voy a hacer changuitos

Translation:I am crossing my fingers 

 Literal Translation: I am going to make little monkeys

Día de los Muertos

Today is going to be a lesson on culture. As a future Spanish teacher, I find the cultures of Hispanic countries very interesting. After we have celebrated Halloween, it is time for a Hispanic tradition that is commonly found in South and Central America. This is a day when the deceased 

are remembered and recognized. Families build alters or ofrendas in their home with their favorite foods and activities to remember them. They make sugar skulls and place marigolds on their graves. The marigolds or cempasúchitl, represent death and were originally used to cover the smell of the dead or dying. Many families buy or make pan de muerto which is shaped like a skull and place it on the graves. At midnight the families celebrate the lives of the dead and have a picnic in honor of them, eating all their favorite foods. Although this seems like a pagan holiday, it has been mixed with Catholicism when the Spanish came and conquered the native people living in these central and South American countries.

Calaveras azúcares or Candy skulls