Dia de Los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos is considered to be the most popular holiday.  It is a day that the people of Mexico regards as the one day that the people who are living have the opportunity to reconnect with their friends or loved ones that have passed on in life.  The Mexicans believe no one ever dies, but that the person´s soul stays in limbo, until it is time to reconnect with their living kin.  This day is considered to be a joyous day.  For one day out of the year these people have the opportunity to remember all the good times that they shared, and feel as if the person is almost there with them for that one day.  This day is celebrated on November 1st and November 2nd.  Generally people create personal alters in their house to celebrate the dead.  During the celebration there are great feasts, parades, people dressing up, colorful flowers(to portray life), etc... All of these things signify life and help the people remember the good times they shared with their loved ones, and in the end, remind those still living that although their friends and family might not be with them physically, they will always be with them spiritually.


Vocabulary:

Considered - thought about or decided upon with care
Regards -to look upon or think of with a particular feeling
reconnect -to join, link, or fasten together; unite or bind
limbo -Roman Catholic Theology. a region on the border of hell or heaven, serving as the abode after death of unbaptized infants (limbo of infants) and of the righteous who died before the coming of Christ (limbo of the fathers or limbo of the patriarchs)
joyous -joyful; happy; jubilant
altars -an elevated place or structure, as a mound or platform, at which religious rites are performed or on which sacrifices are offered to gods, ancestors, etc.
feasts -any rich or abundant meal
parades -a large public procession, usually including a marching band and often of a festive nature, held in honor of an anniversary, person, event, etc
physically -Having a physiological basis or origin
spiritually -of or relating to the spirit or soul, as distinguished from the physical nature

Across
2. -joyful; happy; jubilant
3. -an elevated place or structure, as a mound or platform, at which religious rites are performed or on which sacrifices are offered to gods, ancestors, etc.
6. -a large public procession, usually including a marching band and often of a festive nature, held in honor of an anniversary, person, event, etc
7. -any rich or abundant meal
8. -to look upon or think of with a particular feeling
9. -Having a physiological basis or origin
10. -Roman Catholic Theology. a region on the border of hell or heaven, serving as the abode after death of unbaptized infants (limbo of infants) and of the righteous who died before the coming of Christ (limbo of the fathers or limbo of the patriarchs)
Down
1. - thought about or decided upon with care
4. -of or relating to the spirit or soul, as distinguished from the physical nature
5. -to join, link, or fasten together; unite or bind

Grammar Lesson:

Nouns-  The Part of speech that names a person, place, thing, or idea. In sentences nouns are generally function as subjects and objects.  

Daily Fantasy Sports

Just recently the general attorney of New York has ruled that daily fantasy sports are now considered illegal in the state of New York.  We have probably all seen or hear an advertisement from Fan Duel or Draft Kings.  These two websites allow people to choose real players from professional sports and build a team.  Depending on how well your player produces during the real game, you will receive points.  Whoever has the most points will then be awarded money, the better a person finishes the more money he or she shall receive.  This is a good way to spend a few dollars and to make any game a little more interesting.  The Federal government states that this is all legal because it is not considered gambling, but a game of skill.  Even though the Federal government states that it is legal, New York has decided to be one of the first states to illegalize this practice.  I personally do not like the way in which the government of NY is dealing with this, because I enjoy playing these sports and hope that in the end, it does not become illegal.


Vocabulary:

Advertisement -a paid announcement, as of goods for sale, in newspapers or magazines, on radio or television, etc
Website -a connected group of pages on the World Wide Web regarded as a single entity, usually maintained by one person or organization and devoted to a single topic or several closely related topics.
Illegalize -to make illegal
Spend -to pay out, disburse, or expend; dispose of (money, wealth, resources, etc.)

Across
3. -to pay out, disburse, or expend; dispose of (money, wealth, resources, etc.)
4. -a connected group of pages on the World Wide Web regarded as a single entity, usually maintained by one person or organization and devoted to a single topic or several closely related topics.
Down
1. -a paid announcement, as of goods for sale, in newspapers or magazines, on radio or television, etc
2. -to make illegal

Kristaps Porziņģis

Kristaps Porzingis is a 20 year old professional basketball player for the New York Knicks. Porzingis is 7 feet 3 inches tall and was born in Latvia, where he started his basketball career.  He grew up in Liepaja, Latvia where he started playing basketball in his home town.  After a few years, he moved to Sevilla, Spain where he began playing basketball for the Sevilla youth team.  Porzingis played for a number of years in Sevilla where he was able to make a name for himself and draw some attention by some scouts in the NBA.  On June 25th, 2015, Prozingis was drafted 4th overall by the New York Knicks.  When he was drafted most of the NY fan base booed very loudly, showing their opinion about the player that their team had just drafted.  Porzingis just recently made his NBA debut and impressed many people.  The knicks have now played 8 games, and Porzingis has made a name for himself by dunking over many well known players.  Some of those players that he has embarrassed are Kevin Love, Lamarcus Aldridge, and Tiago Splitter.  Porzingis has created a lot buzz throughout New York City and has been dubbed the name Godzingis.


Vocabulary:

Grew up-

1. to be or become fully grown; attain mental or physical maturity.
2. to come into existence; arise

Draw some attention- to attract someone to notice or focus on someone or something.

Scouts- Sports.

1. a person who observes and reports on the techniques, players, etc., of opposing teams.
2. a person sent out by a team to observe and recommend new talent for recruitment.

Drafted- Sports. a selecting or drawing of new players from a choice group of amateur players by professional teams, especially a system of selecting new players so that each team in a professional league receives some of the most promising players.

Booed- an exclamation of contempt or disapproval

Made a name for himself- become well known.

Dunking- Basketball. to attempt to thrust (a ball) through the basket using adunk shot.

Embarrased- to cause confusion and shame to; make uncomfortably self-conscious; disconcert; abash


1) The Giants _____________ the best player.
2) The ______________ is the person who looks for young new talent.
3) Jerry Seinfeld has ______________________ after his famous tv show called Seinfeld.
4) My students are always _______________ on each other in class.
5) Many people _________________, when the Knicks drafted Porzingis.
6) I was very __________________, after I fell.
7) I do not like to ___________________ to myself, so I often remain quiet.
8) We _________________in the town of Massapequa Park.

The Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders

  The Oakland Raiders are a professional football team that was originally based out of Los Angeles, but now are in Oakland California.  This team has a long history and have won many championships over its long tenure in the NFL.  I have been an Oakland fan since 2005, and since that year the team has been horrific.  They have not made the playoffs since 2002 and have been the laughing stock of the NFL since then.  Before the season started this year, many professionals have said the same old thing that the Raiders would be terrible, but they were wrong.  I said before the season that the Raiders were a changed team, and that I do not expect great things from them but that they would not be the laughing stock of the NFL anymore.  Well, so far I was right.  This season the Raiders are 4-4 under the leadership of a new coach and second year quarterback, who seems to be developing very well in the NFL.  The Raiders have turned over a new leaf, and all I have to say is watch out for the Oakland Raiders.

Vocabulary:

Based - the bottom support of anything; that on which a thing stands or rests
Long History - existing or occurring for a long time
Tenure - the period or term of holding something
Horrific - causing horror
Laughing stock - an object of humiliating ridicule
Leadership - the position or function of a leader, a person who guides or directs a group
Developing - undergoing development; growing; evolving
Turned over a new leaf - To begin anew; to change one's ways:
Watch out - to be alertly on the lookout, look attentively, or observe, as to see what comes, is done, or happens

1) He is no longer the ______________ of the grade.
2) The New York Knicks have a long _________________ at Madison Square Garden.
3) Under the new ____________________, the team has made drastic changes.
4) The movie is ___________________ on a real story.
5) The town is __________________.
6) __________________ for wild bears.
7) Her ____________________ as president has ended.
8) There was a ______________________ accident after school.
9) The worst team in the division has really ___________________________.

2015 NY Mets

The 2015 Mets were a pleasant surprise for many fans in New York.  For a few years now the Mets fanbase have been hearing about the great things that were to come in the future.  Between the Mets old General Manager Omar Minaya and the new GM Sandy Alderson, they were able to put together a team that has proven they have what it takes to make it and possibly win the World Series.  Before the 2015 season, many people though that the Mets were not going to accomplish much and be a team that was focused around rebuilding.  The Mets proved all those people wrong and showed that they are a force to be reckoned with and that good things will be coming in the next few years.  If the players on the Mets stay healthy and with a few good moves, I can see the Mets being the 2016 World Series Champions.

Vocabulary:

Pleasant -pleasing, agreeable, or enjoyable; giving pleasure
Put together -Build, assemble, create
Proven -to establish the truth or genuineness of, as by evidence or argument
World Series -an annual series of games between the winning teams of the two major leagues: the first team to win four games being champions of the U.S.
Accomplish -to bring to its goal or conclusion; carry out; perform; finish
Focused -a central point, as of attraction, attention, or activity
Rebuilding -to revise, reshape, or reorganize
Force -strength; energy; power; intensity
Reckoned -someone or something that is important and powerful and must not be ignored.

Across 4. -to revise, reshape, or reorganize 5. -strength; energy; power; intensity 6. -to establish the truth or genuineness of, as by evidence or argument 7. -a central point, as of attraction, attention, or activity Down 1. -to bring to its goal or conclusion; carry out; perform; finish 2. -pleasing, agreeable, or enjoyable; giving pleasure 3. -an annual series of games between the winning teams of the two major leagues: the first team to win four games being champions of the U.S. 4. -someone or something that is important and powerful and must not be ignored.

Rangers Game

 Going to Ranger games in one of my favorite past times to do.  As a kid, I grew up in a house where the Rangers were on a pedestal that no other team in any sport could even touch.  My father has been a ranger fan since 1960, and has passed that along to me.  I remember as a kid going to Ranger games with my father, and it being one of the single most interesting and fun thing to do as a 5 year old kid.  Now as an adult I go to ranger games quite often.  Once in a while I go with my father to games, but sometimes I go with his friends.  Sometimes I go to Ranger games by myself.  My love for the Rangers, and going to Ranger games is directly related to my father, and it is honestly one of my favorite things to do.

Vocabulary:

Past time- an activity that someone does regularly for enjoyment rather than work; a hobby

Pedestal- a supporting structure or piece; base

Passed that along- transmit information 

Once in a while-  now and then or here and there

Related- associated; connected


1) Another teacher _____________________________ information that all of the students were going to cheat on the exam
2) I like to eat ice cream ______________________________.
3) She is _____________________ to michael.
4) My favorite _________________________ is to watch baseball.
5) The winner of the race stood atop the __________________________.