Dear Members,

I have been asked the same question in the past weeks and it amazes me that parents only now are opening their eyes to the fact that the future is in the global trade, markets, internet.

Therefore, if you wish to give your child a special boost and a head start, a foreign language is an essential step to accomplishing it.

Studies show that children who acquire a foreign language at an early age, not only excel in math, reasoning, and early reading among other skills, but they show a lifelong native like pronunciation and fluency of the second language.

Some parents invest thousands of dollars a year in karate, soccer, or dance, but how about an activity which will give a lifelong experience to the little ones? One which will change and open brain areas otherwise not accessed?

A friend asked me “Claudia, what do you think we can do to ensure our children will grow up ready to separate themselves from the crowd and be winners?” I told her, get your children enrolled in a foreign language program!

A person who masters a second language has a spot not only on the national marketplace, but in other countries, working for companies in the US with branches abroad which need those skills.

So if you are now worried about what kind of future your child will face in the marketplace, what kind of jobs she/he will find, call your local foreign language school and take the first step towards giving your child a future!

Saludos,

Claudia Krusch

CK Translations and EasyLearn Languages

www.EasyLearnLanguages.com

www.CKTranslations.com

Dear Members,

I had decided by Christmas time that I wanted to loose 15 pounds, going back to 120 pounds! Having no time to fit a gym in my schedule and I have decided to accomplish that at home, so I armed myself with a treadmill which will arrive next week, weight watcher’s cookbooks and music!

You might be wondering what this has to do with foreign languages….well…..since they are a part of my life, I have decided to look for Latin and Brazilian tunes to spice up my workout sessions.

I wanted to suggest this to readers who, like me, have a weight loss resolution and also enjoy foreign music.

My choices are Jorge Ben Jor – “Do Leme ao Pontal” from an Acustico Album ( he recorded an old hit from Tim Maia in a more upbeat version, really fun!) I could not find the video with Jorge Ben Jor, but I’m sure you will be able to download the tune to your mp3.

“Skank” – on the same cd – “Saideira”……Priceless….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uxjd-70qI9o

I also included “que hiciste” from Jennifer Lopez and “Conga” from Gloria Estefan.

There is nothing better than Latin Music to spice up your work out. I hope you enjoy my suggestions and I will see you all in 2009!

Abraços,

Claudia Krusch

www.cktranslations.com

www.easylearnlanguages.com

P. 856-848-8870

Dear Members,

I hope you enjoyed the rabanada recipes. In this posting, I’m adding a recipe of one of my favorite recipes for a special “stuffing”, that we call farofa. A friend from Brazil gave me this recipe, when I told her I was going to cook our Christmas dinner for the first time and I was looking for the best of both worlds for our meal!

I hope you enjoy it:

Farofa de Natal
Ingredientes
2 pacotes de biscoito tipo a¡gua e sal
200 grs de presunto
200 grs de castanha de caju
1 lata de milho verde
100 grs de passas pretas sem caroco
100 grs de manteiga
1 colher de gordura de porco
1 cebola madia
sal
Modo de Preparo
Passar em um multiprocessador, ou no liquidificador mesmo, o
biscoito e reservar. O presunto e reservar. A castanha e
reservar.
Levar ao fogo a manteiga com com a gordura de porco, com a cebola
ralada. Sem deixar escurecer por a farinha de biscoito, mexer bem
e em seguida ir colocando a castanha, o presunto mexendo sempre
para nao escurecer. O milho e as passas por altimo qdo o fogo ja
estiver desligado. Colocar o sal depois da farofa pronta, e muito
cuidado com ele, pois alguns ingredientes ja tem sal.

For translation and more information on the recipe, please contact me.
I also wanted to add a song, which was sung to me during my whole childhood:
Deixei meu sapatinho
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4Ojb5K6aQM

In Brazil, we don’t put the stockings out for Santa, we put shoes on the windows,
because it’s not cold enough for fireplaces…
Sharing memories of my childhood in Brazil is so difficult because I have so many memories, smells, flavors stories, songs….I think the appetizers, the paozinho, the champanhe, the brigadeiros, queijo de cuia….
Tenho saudade destas coisas, de sentar junto com a minha fami­lia e lembrar dos
natais em que aramos pequenos…
e que eu ganhei 10 bonecas e no ano novo estavam todas quebradas, dos amigos
secretos, da casa do meu  ava e todas nas dormindo no saton!….
( brigadeiros, sharp cheese. I miss those things, such as sitting with
my family and remembering Christmases past, when we were children and I got 10 dolls in one Christmas and they were all broken by New Years, memories of secret santa, my grandad’s house, the attic where many of us girls slept for many years!….

It was a pleasure to share my memories with you!

Today I went to a Brazilian Market- Victors In Riverside, NJ and I bought a Chocotone, a panetoni made with chocolate. Sendexnet, also sells it online, great website!

I will continue to share more memories, please share your memories here.

Feliz Natal!

Claudia Krusch
CK Translations LLC
Offering Portuguese, Spanish and 10 other Foreign Language classes on
line and on site.
www.cktranslations.com
Check out my newly released book to introduce Spanish to children:
www.easylearnlanguages.com
I included a little bit of Portuguese for Portuguese learners.