International Festival!

Tomorrow is going to be an amazing event!
Every year Ball State hosts I-Fest - the International Festival
where all our international students showcase highlights from their home countries.

It's called the AMAZING TASTE - GLOBAL FESTIVAL 
because for a mere $7.75 (adult price) you can get tickets for food -
and I mean a LOT of food from countries around the world.

You can also enjoy the event without eating the food 

because there are sooooooo many things going on! 

Here is a list of just a FEW of the events:

Afghan Dances 

Peack Pickers Bluegrass Band

Combo Adobo Salsa Band

Bagpipes 

Belly Dancers

Martial Arts 

Global Fashion Show

In fact, there are so many things going on that you will not 

be able to see it all - 

I'm telling you, it's AMAZING! 

It's one of the best events at Ball State and here in Muncie. 

So no matter how busy you are, 

find time to at least stop by and check it out.

I'll see you there!

Here are the details:

When: Thursday, November 1

Time: 4-8 pm

Where: Ball State Student Center

Top Ten Halloween Songs

I missed "Monday's Music Pick" this week, so I'm posting today a list of the 

TOP TEN HALLOWEEN SONGS (as chosen by Billboard magazine). 

Go directly to the Billboard link for the complete list - 

I'm just giving you MY top pick, (which is actually their #2). 

It's Monster Mash, by Bobby Morris.

I was working in the lab late one night 

When my eyes beheld an eerie sight 

For my monster from his slab began to rise 

And suddenly to my surprise 

He did the mash 

He did the monster mash 

The monster mash 

It was a graveyard smash 

He did the mash 

It caught on in a flash 

He did the mash 

He did the monster mash 

From my laboratory in the castle east 

To the master bedroom where the vampires feast 

The ghouls all came from their humble abodes 

To get a jolt from my electrodes 

They did the mash 

They did the monster mash 

The monster mash 

It was a graveyard smash 

They did the mash 

It caught on in a flash 

They did the mash 

They did the monster mash 

The zombies were having fun 

The party had just begun 

The guests included Wolf Man 

Dracula and his son 

The scene was rockin', all were digging the sounds 

Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds 

The coffin-bangers were about to arrive 

With their vocal group, "The Crypt-Kicker Five" 

They played the mash 

They played the monster mash 

The monster mash 

It was a graveyard smash 

They played the mash 

It caught on in a flash 

They played the mash 

They played the monster mash 

Out from his coffin, Drac's voice did ring 

Seems he was troubled by just one thing 

He opened the lid and shook his fist 

And said, "Whatever happened to my Transylvania twist?" 

It's now the mash 

It's now the monster mash 

The monster mash 

And it's a graveyard smash 

It's now the mash 

It's caught on in a flash 

It's now the mash 

It's now the monster mash 

Now everything's cool, Drac's a part of the band 

And my monster mash is the hit of the land 

For you, the living, this mash was meant too 

When you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you 

Then you can mash 

Then you can monster mash 

The monster mash 

And do my graveyard smash 

Then you can mash 

You'll catch on in a flash 

Then you can mash 

Then you can monster mash 

source: 

Trick or Treating for Halloween!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY!!

Trick or Treating for Halloween is one of the oldest traditions associated with the Halloween holiday. The term "trick or treat" means that if you give me a treat, I will go away happy, but if you don't, I will do some sort of trick on you. Some typical tricks include throwing rolls of toilet paper up into the trees in someone's yard - it creates a terrible mess, especially if it rains.

Another trick is to write with a bar of soap all over the windows of someone's house or car. And another one, related to cars, is to "pin" the horn down so that the horn blares until the owner comes back and unties it to silence it. Others include throwing kernels of corn on someone's front entry area. There are countless "tricks" that people might do - all in the name of fun, but some of them harmless while others are really not nice at all.

Nonetheless, the idea is to threaten a trick as a way of bribing some sweets from people. If you don't want the neighborhood children to come to your home, just leave the lights out and they will know not to knock on your door. If you want them to visit, however, turn on the outside lights and have a bowl of candy ready!

And if you want to take your own children out for "trick or treat", you can do it at Muncie Mall from 5:30 to 8pm. Just go to the mall and walk around and people will give candies to the children! It's a lot of fun, even if you don't wear a costume, to go and watch all the children dressed up in their costumes.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY!!

Girls' Dance Club Resumes

Hey ladies!!

We've been kind of inactive for the past couple of weeks - first finals week, then fall break. But tomorrow we are going to be back at it dancing full force!

Come to the Recreation Center dance studio for Ball Room Dancing led by Karen Spangler!

See you then!

Party with the Caribbean Students and Help a Good Cause!

CARIBBEAN EVENT TONIGHT!!

Party with the Caribbean Students and Help a Good Cause!

The Caribbean Student Association (CSA) is holding its annual fundraising event "Holla for Haiti" tonight in downtown Muncie. The money from this event will go directly to the  Orphanage of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Haiti founded after the 2010 disaster by BSU alumni Father André Sylvestre.

on October 26^th from 7 pm to 11 pm

Delicious Caribbean cuisine will be served and tickets are only $10 in advance or $12 at the door. The event involves food, drinks (non-alcoholic), 

music, a raffle drawing, a slide show, and information about Caribbean culture. 

The fundraiser will be held in downtown Muncie at "The Living Room", 130 W Jackson St. Muncie, IN  47305.

What is Halloween?

What is Halloween?

Halloween is a favorite holiday for many Americans. The traditions date back more than 1,500 years and probably started in the northern European countries. Originally, it was believed that on the last day of October, the souls of dead people would come out from the grave and wander around on earth. People were afraid of this, so many of the traditions were designed to protect them from "bad" spirits.

Traditions such as wearing costumes were meant to confuse the dead spirits so they couldn't find you or hurt you. The ancient Druids built big fires on this night as well as a way to encourage the sun to stay close a little longer. Today, we continue to wear costumes and enjoy activities outside with warm fires.

It is important to note that Halloween has stirred some controversy among the American public in recent years due to the superstitious nature of its origin. Many conservative Christians feel that the holiday promotes evil and superstitious beliefs. As an alternative form of celebrating the fall season then, many churches and Christian organizations now host various "fall season" parties.

Nonetheless, Halloween festivities not associated with religion are very much alive in the 21^st century of American culture.

Retail businesses have taken the opportunity to create a plethora of products around the Halloween theme from greeting cards to yard and home decorations, 

and even food related items such as pumpkin cookies and “ghost and goblin” shaped cake and cookie pans. 

And we can’t forget the costumes! Everyday retailers such as Wal-Mart, Meijer, and Target carry costumes for children and adults alike. But if you want a costume that is more elaborate and unique, you can go to a specialty shop to get your costume. 

In the Muncie area you can visit Party City located at 1020 East Princeton Ave to get your specialty Halloween costume, or, of course, at any of the regular retailers mentioned above.

Keep checking back because in a few days, I will be posting Halloween events that you can join for a “real” American Halloween experience!

Back Home Again in Indiana

Today's Monday Music Pick is an old standard song about INDIANA.

It's title is Back Home Again in Indiana, written in 1917. 

I thought this would be an appropriate time to post this one because 

this week 

I'm going to be posting about 

things to do in the fall in our

beautiful state of 

Indiana!

Here are the lyrics

Back home again in Indiana oh it seems that I can see

That gleaming candlelight still burning bright

Through the sycamores for me

That new mown hay sends all its fragrance

From the fields I used to roam

Oh I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash

Then I long for my Indiana home

Back home again in Indiana oh it seems that I can see

That gleaming candlelight still flickering bright

Through the sycamores for me

That new mown hay sends all its fragrance

From the fields I used to roam

When I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash

And I long for my Indiana home

Watch the video - jazz instrumental

or from The Montecarlo Story

Hey! It's FALL BREAK time!

Are you looking for something to do? 

Are you looking to get out of town and enjoy some nature?

Well, this is a great time to enjoy some of Indiana's state parks. Indiana is blessed with four beautiful seasons, each one bringing its own unique characteristics including particular colors, traditions, and activities. In the fall, Hoosiers like to get out and enjoy the crisp air and vibrantly colored leaves. The state parks listed below are great places to go with family and friends to go hiking, see and experience some of Indiana's hospitality and history, and enjoy the beautiful fall season!

Mounds State Park 

(Anderson, IN)

Brown County State Park 

(near Bloomington, IN)

Turkey Run State Park 

(in Parke County, IN)

Muncie Children's Museum FREE this Saturday!

The Muncie Children's Museum
is a great place to go with small children. Located in downtown Muncie, it is convenient to get to and well worth your time. This is a fun, hands-on kind of place where children learn, discover, play and connect with others in a fun-filled environment.

Words from the website:
The Muncie Children's Museum is a fun and safe learning environment for children as well as parents. It serves the children of East Central Indiana by expanding their knowledge with the use of thought-provoking and interactive exhibits. Parents are encouraged to explore the exhibits and museum with their children. The Muncie Children's Museum isn't just for the young people of East Central Indiana, but for the young at heart as well!

Visit the Muncie Children's this coming Saturday, October 20 for FREE!

515 S, High Street, Muncie, IN

Join the IEI for Saturday Homecoming Events!

Join the IEI for Saturday Homecoming Events!

10:00 am The Parade

The Homecoming Parade leaves Muncie Central High School and travels north on Wheeling to University, then heads west on University Ave. to McKinley, and ends at McKinley and Petty (by the Robert Bell Building). IEI faculty and students will be gathering at the bridge on Wheeling to watch the parade. Please join us!

11:30 am Tailgating

What is this?? It’s an extremely fun cookout from the back of your (or a friend’s) car! B.Y.O.B (This means “bring your own beverage”), a chair or blanket to sit on, some (or a lot) food to share, outdoor games, cards, etc., and friends!

Details: If you are driving your own car and want to be a part of the tailgate area with your car, meet at the BSU Facilities Building (this is across the street from Sheidler) by 11:30 am. All IEI cars will leave together from this point and drive to the parking entrance on Tillotson (west of the football stadium). This important because if we drive together, we can park together; and if we park together, our party is unified!

If you do not want to drive and just want to meet us there, come to the parking area at noon and just look around until you find the IEI group. We will have some colorful balloons flying from one of the cars so that will help you find us. When all the cars are parked, people take out tables, games, food, and there is lots of music, laughter, and fun!

Cost: $5.00 per car

3:00 pm The Football Game!

Students get in FREE with Ball State ID cards

If you want to bring your children, the grassy area at the north end of the stadium is a great place to sit with children. Be sure to bring a blanket so you can sit on the grass.

Tomorrow: Bed Races!

On Friday, October 12, 2012 you can see the famous Ball State Bed Races!

If this sounds weird, it is! So I hope you are curious about it and will get out to see it.

What are the bed races?

Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like – racing beds! Teams have beds with wheels on the legs of the beds and they compete against each other by pushing their rolling beds down the street. Teams dress up in crazy clothes and one member (at least) sits on the bed while the others each take a corner and push the bed as they run. On-lookers enjoy watching them and the teams all enjoy the crazy competition.

This is a very short event, however, so you don’t want to be late!

When: Friday, October 12 at NOON

Where: Riverside Avenue in front of Emens Auditorium

Homecoming Activities for Saturday, October 13, 2012

Homecoming Activities for Saturday, 

October 13, 2012

Homecoming parades and football games are standard traditions at college campuses all across the United States. Ball State is no exception. And tailgating? Oh yeah, that’s another one and you don’t want to miss any of these! These are all “typical” American experiences. You have the opportunity to take part in these activities this coming Saturday along with some of the IEI faculty.

First of all – the parade: It begins at 10 am starting at Central High School (near downtown). If you want to get a good viewing spot, come to the Veterans Memorial Bridge along Wheeling. This is at the end of White River Blvd. You can take Riverside or University straight west until they come to an end and then take a right. You will see the bridge – and all the people just ahead.

I'll let you in on a little "secret" (Our very own Dr. Leusman just might be seen somewhere in that parade.... I'm just sayin') 

Then, after the parade, several IEI faculty will be gathering to tailgate. 

What is tailgating? 

Well,…

The (n) tailgate is the back end of a car, truck, SUV, etc. As a verb, it means to hang out with friends at the back of your vehicle and have a fun party. It originated because people would gather in the parking lots at stadiums all over the country and “party” (v.) before a big game. It became so popular that the word actually made it into our normal lexicon.

So if you want to experience this American tradition, go to the stadium parking area on Tillotson. Tailgating is from noon to 3pm. You don’t have to bring anything, but of course, chips, drinks, sweets, etc. will certainly be welcome.

Finally, the football game! Ball State students can get into the game for FREE with your student ID.

For more information, check out the flyer on the bulletin board just outside the IEI office.

I sure hope you will take advantage to do one or all of these activities with your fellow IEI faculty and classmates. And let me know what you think about it! Send me comments and/or pictures that I can post here on the blog.

Happy Homecoming, all!  

Chirp! Chirp!