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