Great Friday

On the last Friday, I and some friends went to the Nitty Gritty Bar here in Madison. It was a friend's birthday, then we went there to celebrate it. The night was great and we had a very good moment; we talked and laughed a lot. Later, after eating some sides, we decided to go to another party. There, we listened to good musics and danced too. I think, since I came to Madison, it was my best weekend. 

Memorial Union terrace

Last Saturday evening, I went to Memorial Union terrace with Japanese friends including Ryo Sakamoto. We had a very great time talking with each other, enjoying beautiful view of Lake Monona and drinking delicious beer. Especially, the view of sunset was beyond description! Cheeseburger was also good and reasonable. Since I drank beer a little much, I had headache on Sunday. So, I could not be in the best for homework…...
http://www.union.wisc.edu/venue-muterrace.htm

20/07 Jhonatt Lima dos Santos

Well, this weekend i had not did anything in special, except by going to the market and buying winter gloves. It's better to be prepared to this winter before it comes, specially because I never experienced a -25C feeling. Oh, almost forgot, that was int he saturday. In the sunday I've spent all the day doing homework and reading a book for Steve's class.

Almost done with 2014/1

I`m really happy today, because my semester in Brazil is almost over. Earlier today I did my last Statistics test, on the test there was only one exercise, or i got 10 or 0, and the another reason I`m happy is because I got a 10! Now there is only 2 more tests on Thursday, and then I`m done with the 2014/1, my 4th semester or second year.

Something interesting I found out is that I`m called Sophomore here in the USA!!

Sorry for being so boring today, but this week everything I can think about is my college in Brazil :(. Bye!

Chinese restaurant

I went to Dumpling Haus for dinner on Sunday. This is a Chinese restaurant located at the Hilldale Mall. Actually, I went there on July 4, but the store was closed. So, I was really looking forward to enjoy dumplings, which are one of my favorite Chinese food. However, I could not enjoy it because the store was closed again ! An old lady in the store said to me, "our closing hour is 6 pm and now is 6:05 pm. I'm sorry." I was very surprised and asked her to allow me to enter the store because it passed only 5 minutes. But, she didn't... I got a little angry about her stubbornness, but I still want to enjoy dumplings near soon. And, I remembered that one of good points about Japanese is to be punctual.

Allen Centennial Garden? I found it!

On Friday, it was the birthday of a friend, so we went to Nitty Gritty to celebrate it. It was the first time that I went there, and I it was very different that I believed it would be. The place is very nice! On Saturday, I went to Maxwell Street Days. I bought some T-shirts from the University to my family and one to me. The T-shirt that I bought to me was only one dollar. Very cheap!!! Afterwards, I ate an ice cream in Forever Yogurt. It was really delicious! I walked through a path near Mendota Terrace, and I went to Allen Centennial Gardens. I did not know about that place. It is beautiful! At night, I bought my tickets to my summer trip. On Sunday, I went to church, had lunch with my friends, and went to James Madison Park to see the sunset. The place is very peaceful and the scenery is amazing!

A weekend to be forgotten

My last weekend was not very good because I had a very bad lucky on Friday. I was going to the bank by bike and, as the bank was going to be closed in 10 minutes, I needed to hurry up. In the way to the bank, there were a lot of sprinkles watering the the grass on the sidewalk, where I was riding my bike. As I was very fast and the floor was very wet, my bike slipped and I fell down. I skinned very bad my left leg in many parts. And it got worse, because when I arrived at the bank, very wet and dirty, the bank had just closed. So, I had to go to the other, that I did not know was pretty close to me. If I had gone to it, I wouldn't have gotten hurt. And after going to the bank, I went home and had a painful weekend.

Housing peoblem

Besides of too much homework. There are lots of problem that I need solve in Madison. Last week I talked about parking problem. Today I wanna complained about the housing. I don't sign the next year housing contact. Right now I rent for short-term apt. of my Chinese friends. It's very cheap. However, if you want sign a new apt. for next year, it's not cheap at all. For example, the lucky building for on single room of 2 bedroom type will cost about 1190 $ for one month. It not include utilities. For parking space cost 220 $. It's much more expensive than Beijing! I don't know why. If you want rent a apt. near campus, normally will cost your money about 900 $ for a month. It's not include other fees. Really soooo expensive! And I want to rent sheboygan area apt or Eagle Heights area apt because of low price. Unfortunately, they are already full right now. So, I have to continue to looking for my new apt. for next year. I am so afraid I have no place to live. Besides, I need lots of things to do in Madison. Like change my driver license, change my car plate number, open a new local bank account because I cannot find Bank of American in Madison that is the bank I am using right now. It's really inconvenient because it is hard to get cash. And lots of things in Madison they don't accept credit card or debt card, like tuition fee, rent payment, and so on. Sorry about  that I complained so much. But my life is really busy and tired in Madison right now. I hope I can make these thing done in the future! come on man! :）

Art exhibition

Last Saturday, Lorrayne and I went to the Farmar's Market. However, when we arrived close to the Capitol, there was no farmar's market, because there was an art exhibition taking place there. I got really upset because I did want to each the delicious cheese that I have never tasted like it before. I did not buy cheese, but I could have a good experience and know a little about American's art.

Soccer and Beer

Last Sunday, I went to Memorial Union to watch the final match of the world cup. I enjoyed it with Kiku and Shouda, drinking local beer, named milller light. I was happy to see Germany win, but I didn't understand why Messi was elected as MVP. I think Mulller or Robben deserve it more. Anyway, I like beer very much. I heard there are many kinds of local beer in Wisconsin. My neighbor, Neal, told me that to join a brewery tour is very nice for beer lovers. It is very interesting to know how to produce local beer and why many beer have different tastes and colors. As I haven't had a chance to drink beer enough since I came here, I want to go to a brewery and enjoy beer soon.

Madison West Target

Last Saturday, I went to Madison West Target, a discount retailer to ask them to repair my broken bicycle. I explained that it was initially defected and the brake doesn’t work well to a clerk. Fortunately, he said he can replace the broken bicycle with a new one, so I accepted his proposal and got a new one. I was surprised because I had expected that replace is difficult because I used the bicycle for a few weeks. And, I was glad that the clerk responded very quickly. I like Target very much and want to use the store more often.
http://www.target.com/sl/Madison-West--Target-Store/1060

Davi - My life in Madison

Madison is definitely a place that I would live after going to school here! I love the weather, the traffic, the public transport system (which is really different from where I live in Brazil..), the Mandota lake (Terrace) and, maybe the most important, the people I have met here. My experience here have been amazing so far, and I have nothing to complain about. I can't wait to my parents to come visit me here so I can show them what a great city Madison is. I hope stays like this the whole year long!!!

Weekend

This weekend I didn't do many things. I started to go to the gym on saturday and I went sunday too. Saturday also I went to the Fresh Market and I bought some food to cook; I miss home food, so I decided to cook at home.

It was not the Farmers' Market!

On the last week, I went to the Capitol Square because I thought that there was the Farmers' Market. However, there was an art exposition whose name I do not remember. It was very nice to see different kinds of art, such as, drawings, paintings, and many others. In the afternoon, I watched a play soccer match in the Union South. At night, I ate pizza with my friends and I watched a comedy movie. On Sunday, I went to the First Baptist Church in Madison, had lunch with my friends, watched the final match of World Cup, and had my homework finished.

Alex - Third Weekend in Madison

The third weekend

The last weekend was my third weekend in Madison. But since I came here, I could not enjoy too much the city. Actually I am still enrolled in some courses in Brazil and I have some reviews and others homework from my home university to do. It has been really difficult to me, I do not have much time. However, Madison is a very beautiful city and I am fascinated. One of best things I liked is that here we have many options of restaurants to have lunch on weekends, and the most of them serve very good meals. Then, on last Sunday I went to a Italian restaurant and had a great lunch. After that, I watched the final’s World Cup with my suitemates and I really enjoyed the match. In spite of so many work, I am having good moments in Madison.    

My weekend

My weekend

Well, this weekend I went to the west shopping with Lucas and André in the

Saturday to buy some clothes. I tried to find a cool shoe to go to the party in the night,

but the prices were so expensive so I did not bought one. Otherwise, I bought a polo t-

shirt to use in the party and a shorts to use in the gym. I am trying to work out a little to

do not become fat before going back to Brasil. After the shopping I went to my

apartment then I and some friends went to the Brats party. I had a good night of fun

with my friends and then in the Sunday I spent the whole day doing homeworks.

Homework, World Cup and... more homework

Last weekend, there were the last two games of the Brazil World Cup. The third place match occurred on Saturday at 3:00 pm and Brazil was about to play against Holland. Now, at that time, we all knew what has happened with the brazilian team the game before, against Germany, right? No comments about it hahaha. But, sincerely, all of us knew that it would not be a nice match, so, as expected, Brazil lost and occupied the fourth position... I watched the first half  of it at Union South and that was it, sad news. On Sunday, however, the team I was supporting, Germany, won the match against Argentina and, consequently, the World Cup. Congratulations, Germans! You played well (clap, clap). Besides all this, I did some homeworks, yeah... Starting on Saturday morning, doing after the game and during the whole Sunday as well. But, still, I could go to the West Towne Mall here, in Madison, in my free time, to buy some shirts. Basically, this was what I did last weekend, nothing so special haha.

About my Sunday

On last Sunday I had a bad day. The first thing that happened was when i was ridding my bike, and the chain fell, OK, I drop my bike and tried to fix this, but them my iPod fell on the street, and guess what? It broke the screen. I get really angry about this but I accepted. After that, I went home, but I was with my coat tied in my waist, riding a bike, guess what happened? When i took off the coat he was literally from white to black! The worst part is that i tried to wash, but i don`t think it is going to work. Moreover, in the afternoon me and some friends were trying to buy our plane tickets, and when it was my turn to buy, guess??? It got 60 dollars more expensive than them! Hate United Airlines, hate Apple and also hate Gap! So, Sunday wasn`t a good day for me hahaha!

Ana.

The Cops

      Yesterday, about midnight, I was searching for a place to go with some friends, and we went to State Street. We decided to go on a ``night club`` called wando`s, but what caught my attention was the amount of cops and police car there... I counted about 10 polices cars only on the State Street! At first, i thought something was happening, but then I realize they were just checking the ID cards and things like this. At that moment I though: -Come on! You are police, don`t you have anything more important to do?'' And it reminds me the story my professor Hossein told us yesterday on class, about he getting a ticket, riding a bike!

Ana

Parking Problem

My car has transported in Madison. I get my car recently. However, there is no parking space available in my apartment parking lot. I ask for the university park lots which located in State Street. There has available one but the price is so high over 200$ per month. I don't think it is worthy. So I found a place located in Regent Street to park my car which cost me 120 $per month. It's little long distance between this place and my apartment. But I can accept it.
There is really a problem that parking a car in campus area. I feel so bad that I have a car not a bicycle:(

My experience in Madison

Since June 16th, 2014, I have been living in the United States. The city which is accommodating me during these days is the capital of Wisconsin, Madison. The city is beautiful and has many interesting tourist spots that leave anyone in awe. Me was not different, the view of Lake Mendota in Terrace is one of the most wonderful places to spend time in the city, especially in the summer season. Much has been done since my arrival. I have visited some museums, we saw how the milking of cows is done in the campus, we celebrated the Rhythms & Booms event at Lake Monona, a celebration for the 4th of July with 30 long minutes of fireworks, and the teachers and students of the ESL course even made a picnic in a beautiful afternoon. There are still many things to do in Madison, but certainly the experience that I and my colleagues are having so far is unforgettable.

Trouble of Bicycle

Unfortunately, I have been having some troubles in my bicycle since I started to live in Madison. First, I got a used bicycle just after coming to Madison. Its pedal got broken when I used it about a week. Then, I paid tens of dollars for repairing. Just next day, the bicycle was stolen when I parked it at the Union South. I was so depressed. But I bought new one next week. However, the new bicycle was initially defective and the brake doesn’t work. I will go to the shop this weekend and ask for preparation of the brake. In this way, as far as the bicycles, I have had a bad luck in Madison. I would like to pay enough attention for bicycle that no more troubles happen.

A trip to Chicago

Last holiday I went to Chicago with some friends. We rent a car here in Madison on Thursday and spent all the weekend there.
It was a really nice time. We went to the Millennium Park to see the famous big Bean, after we walked until the Navy Pier, a such beautiful place. We also went to the famous Willis Tower to visit the skydeck, we spent almost two hours on the line to get to the top but worth it !
On the way back to Madison we stopped at Six Flags and had a lot of fun on their roller coasters.
It was a nice trip !

Living in Madison

Life in Madison is completely different from the one in my city. There is no stressful traffic and people have health habits like running and biking. We also can do many things here like visiting touristic places, do activities in the lake, eat good food from different countries in the state street and enjoy the time on the terraces. Something that is very different is the fact that there is no abondoned dogs on streets like in my city where they invaded the universities' campus and other places.

A nice weekend in Madison

Last weekend, I did many interesting things. First of all, on Friday night, I went to Monona Terrace to watch the fireworks since it was July 4, the day that United States celebrates its independence. However, the place was wrong. I could see the fireworks far away from where I was only. Afterwards, I came back to home and played some games with my friends in the basement of the building where we are living. On Saturday morning, I went to Farmers' Fresh Market on the Capitol Square. I had the opportunity to try different kinds of cheese made in Madison. In the afternoon, I watched a play soccer match from the World Cup in the Union South and I went to the mall. I am not sure about what I did that night, but I believe that I watched a movie. On Sunday, I had lunch with my friends and watched a movie with them again. Thus, I can say that it was a nice weekend.

Milwaukee Summer Festival

Last sunday me and my friends Lucas and Mariana went to the Milwaukee Summer Festival, a music festival that was happening in a city close to Madison. We got there by the morning and stayed the hole day. The food was too expensive and not that good, but the night shows made the trip worth it. The last show was a presentation of Jake Bugg, a great singer of rock music. I really enjoyed his show even with a little bit of rain during it. When the show was over we came back to Madison and had a good night of sleep. 

Traveling to Chicago

Last weekend was celebrated the 4th of July (American Independence Day), and for me was possibility to know a wonderful city: Chicago. There I stood in a apartment at IIT (Illinois Institute of Technology), southern city, and certainly it is one of the most amazing cities I have the opportunity to known. First, pass the american most important holiday in one of traditional cities was remarkable for me, there I could see the fireworks that, until then, I had seen just on movies. Secondly, the vision of the mirrored skyscrapers from the Navy Pier, the streets that were in the same shape as many Hollywood's movies had already shown me and its landmarks spreader throughout the city, like Millenniums and Grant Parks, Sky-deck and the Museums, were unforgettable moments, and I'll keep them in my memory forever. Finally, there I got the chance to went in a Brazilian restaurante food where I ate a typically dish from Brazil call "Feijoada", which was really missing, and that leaves me satisfied, and the best thing was that the taste was almost exactly from my home country and was not that expensive, just 10 dollars. So, it was a stunning experience and defiantly I will get back there again sooner. 

Good orchestra and bad accident

When I came home from the campus yesterday, I met my neighbor Laura, who lived in the ground floor of my apartment. She said she would go to the capitol to listen to free orchestra with her boyfriend. As she invited us, I and my wife Kiku went there by bicycle. At the capitol, there were already many people sitting on lawn and enjoying some food and drink. We had a really good time with nice music, fruit, wine and cheese. Laura said this music event is held every Wednesday during summer. I wanna join this orchestra again!

Then, on my way home, an accident happened. Suddenly Kiku fell down from her bicycle and twisted her ankle. She still felt strong pain in today's morning. So, we went to University Health service located on 333 E campus mall. The result of diagnosis was sprain of ankle, not bone broken. But, she needs 8 weeks to completely recover and needs a pair of crutches to walk. It's terrible! So, everyone, please be careful of riding a bicycle especially at night.