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.