Wild Things

There is no shortage of wildlife in Belize.

I love animals, 

and in general, I don't have an issue with bugs.

Spiders, however, are another matter.

I've been doing pretty well, though,

not freaking out when I happen upon them in my bedroom and kitchen.

I thought I'd save you from my babble this week,

and give you a bit of a slideshow instead -

Here are some of the Wild Things I've encountered so far.

Enjoy!

(All photo's taken by me - Amie Morgan)

Mothra

Lots of geckos. They're pretty awesome.

Can you spot him?

A Jesus Lizard

My lil' frog buddy

Winter - she's plenty wild ;)

Food Creations

Living on a tight budget can present different challenges...

Eating, for example.

I love food, and tend to get a bit ravenous when there's not much to be had.

The best money saving tip, which a few people have told me, is to eat the way the locals do.

They don't have a lot of money either.

My new friends are rice and beans.

This is a typical Belizean meal.

In a small pot with a bit of oil, I'll heat up some re-fried beans,

adding a bit of water, salt and pepper, and some BBQ sauce.

This is actually very tasty.

I'm doing my best to stay Gluten-Free,

and so far I've succeeded (despite temptation)!

I finally got around to buying some corn flour.

Since then, I've been able to make pancakes

and attempted making tortilla's.
Afterwards, I learned the secret ingredient that makes all the difference:
Lard.
They turn out much better!

I gathered some recipes specifically for corn flour.
I've tried a few,

and am looking forward to trying the others out!

Here's some pictures and recipe links of my creations so far  ^_^

My awesome room mate made this, actually.
Re-fried beans, rice, very tasty chicken, and excellent corn tortillas.

Tortilla FAIL! I followed a recipe, but all it called for was flour, salt and water.
I've since learned the key ingredient: Lard! 

This is a really simple, easy recipe: Garlic Chicken.
The baking dish I used must have had a defect, though, because it cracked in two :/

A easy and inexpensive lunch: Tuna spread on tortillas,
with BBQ sauce for extra flavour.

Some friends very kindly gave me their stash of  TruRoots Gluten-Free Penne Pasta,
which they weren't using. Score!

The pasta turned out great,
and I attempted to make a "garlic bread" tortilla.
It would have been fine, but I burned the garlic...

Gluten-Free Corn Flour Pancakes.
Really easy, and very good!
That's mango on the side.

Online Work Options

Never Give Up, Never Surrender

If you haven't already noticed, that is very much my mindset.

Not to say that I always follow through – I wish that I did – but, I believe there is almost always a way to succeed, if you really want to.

'Wanting to' is the key. 

If you don't want something, you won't fight for it.

I'm now in Belize, 

and everything leading up to my arrival seems like a blur.

I certainly didn't do it on my own,
but what I did do is start saying that I would come.

A definite - the when and the where decided, with the desire to do it.

That's what I started with, and little else.

Certainly very little money.

I started the ball rolling,

and everything has been falling into place since then.

I did have the advantage of a free temporary living situation when I first arrived,

but after only a few days I was able to move in with a young woman engaged in the same volunteer work. She was looking for a roommate to help out with the rent, as well as for added safety,
and then I showed up!

After this month she returns to the States, but I already have a house sitting gig set up – rent free!

Can't beat that.

The next big thing is money.

I have some savings, but that will eventually run out...

ONLINE WORK OPTIONS

I've been researching different options for online work,

in the hopes that at least one will work out.

oDESK - 

I've looked into online freelancing websites before, and it was difficult to find one that was reputable, and not overrun with freelancers who were charging hardly anything at all. I got a bit disillusioned.

If you're not familiar with freelancing websites, they allow you to do almost any job that doesn't require your being there in person: data entry, social media advertising, e-mail management, customer service, etc.

On my second day in Belize, however, I heard about other volunteers like myself that have been able to make a living using one of these freelancing websites: oDesk.com.

“If it works for them...”

The website has lots of guidelines and safeties in place, to protect both the freelancer and the client.

I've since set up my profile, and applied for two job postings.

To increase your appeal to potential clients, oDesk has a number of tests you can take on a large variety of subjects. You are scored, and can then choose to post your test results on your profile. This allows the client to see if you really have an understanding of a certain field – Customer Service, for example.

I'll keep you posted as to my experiences with this website.

CONVERSATIONAL ENGLISH –

I know many that have been able to make a living teaching English, either online or in person. Personally, I find the thought a bit daunting. And yet, in talking with these friends, I discovered an overlooked necessity these students have: practice partners.

Many learn English (or any language), but don't really have anyone to practice their new found skill with, aside from their teacher.

That's where I come in.

One website where students go to learn and practice English is BuddySchool.com. To have your profile on their site, you can choose to pay $1 per month, or $10 per year.

I have yet to set up my profile, but I hope to do so soon.

Once again, I'll keep you posted!

These are two of the primary methods I have in mind for earning money online.

Have you tried either of these?

Let me know your experiences!

Until next week ^_^

SHERLOCK Inspired Party

I'm a bit particular.

There's other words for what I am,

but we'll stick with “particular” for now.

Typically, someone else arranges your Going Away party.

That did happen, too.

My best friend threw me an AWESOME Tropical / Travel themed party.

I have a lot of friends, though,

and needed two parties so that everyone could be invited to at least one of them.

I decided that I would plan the second party.

The chance to get exactly what I want!

"Particular," remember?

SHERLOCK Inspired

The invitation I sent out, using the awesome website PaperlessPost.com

I say “inspired” because I wanted it to feel genuine -
like you were inside a British flat that could possibly be Sherlock's.

Classy and engaging, not tacky and awkward.

I like the idea of parties, but the reality...

I walk in, say hello to a few people,

engage in small talk (which I dread),

and probably grab some appies and a drink.

...

"Alright... yeah... guess I'll go to the washroom."

Do I really have to come out?

Because of having experienced this awkward situation a number of times,

and noticing other guests feeling the same way,

I was determined this would not happen at my party.

At least, I would do my best to prevent it.

The dynamics between people depend on a number of factors,

but all those factors can be altered by introducing one new element:

GAMES 

The always fun OPERATION,
played by the Holmes brothers in an episode of SHERLOCK

Playing KING OF TOKYO

Games act like a mask,

a new identity.

Suddenly, you are the character that you are now playing.

The object of your life is now the game.

You have a purpose,

instead of just fake texting on your phone.

Your whole demeanour changes.

Awkwardness fades into:

a shared goal,

subject matter to discuss,

a mutual connection.

Even when the game is over,
you'll now have more of a connection with those people then you had before.
Hopefully that makes it less awkward.

(Of course, this doesn't guarantee that you'll like each person or get on well with them.)

I had friends bring BOARD GAMES that have been played on the show:

CLUE and OPERATION.

I also had JENGA, cards, and KING OF TOKYO (thanks to my brother).

WHO AM I? or 20 QUESTIONS,
except that we didn't have a limit on the number of questions.

In keeping with my inspiration,

I wanted there to be MYSTERIES for my friends to solve.

These could be played throughout the evening.

Sherlock and John played the game 20 QUESTIONS, or “Who AM I?”

I did a variation of that, having a name pinned to the persons back.

(That way you can't see it in the mirror.)

Mystery Central, where people could get facts about the two mysteries.
This table also had the guest book, card box, and donations box,
and note cards for writing down CLUES they find. 

These are the CLUES I had hid around the room for people to look for.
"He's clueing for looks."

A mystery about me for my friends to solve,
with instructions. They needed to find the CLUES that I had hidden
around the room.

The other mystery was about me (it was my party, after all):

WHERE DID AMIE GROW UP?

I created five CLUES, and hid them around the room.

I provided a note card and pens for people write down the CLUES as they found them,

trying to solve the mystery.

If someone solved it, or thought they did,

they were to approach me and ask:

“Did you grow up in _______?”

If they solved it (three people did!),

I gave them a prize – one of my handwritten candle holders.

Aside from GAMES and MYSTERIES,

I wanted to create an environment -

DECORATION AND ENVIRONMENT

The Photo-Op area, complete with props:
a violin, books, and a magnifying glass.

The collage of my life, separated into categories,
connected with red string.
(One of the CLUES is hidden here.)

Plenty of food helps keeps people happy.
My cousin drew silhouettes of Sherlock all over the table cloth.

I tried to create a table that looked like Sherlock's chemistry area.
I used an old microscope and some biology textbooks, sprawled around. 

The venue I used was perfect. It was large enough, and open,

but still felt like you were in a home.

There was even a fireplace!

I used this as the Photo-Op area.

A friend lent me her violin,

which was perfect as a prop.

I placed books on the mantle piece of the fire place,

and used a pair of Hand bookends that I had (in lieu of a skull).

On one table I had a beautiful old microscope (thanks again, Sharon!),

along with some text books on biology, opened and sprawled.

I wanted something similar to the collage wall

that Sherlock does when he's trying to solve a case,

putting all the pieces in front of his eyes.

For this,

I bought a piece of white bristol board and

some red embroidery string (all I could find at the time).

I went through a bunch of my pictures and random scraps,

and tried to place them as if Sherlock was organizing the evidence in a logical way.

Or something like that.

One of the final elements,

and the most quintessentially British...

Tea.

My family supplied a beautiful collection of teapots.

If someone wanted to fill a pot of tea,

and take it to their table, they could do that.

(I wish I had taken a picture of them.)

There was 4 small tables, a couch,

and scattered chairs for people to sit,

converse, play games, drink tea,

or read a book.

And people did!

WHY IT WORKED

GAMES and ACTIVITIES

These change the dynamic between people.

Awkwardness changes into Shared Purpose.

IN SIGHT, IN MIND

I had the game boxes placed in the middle of each table.

If it's in front of them, they're more likely to play.

SMALL TABLES

Having a bunch of smaller seating areas seemed to encourage conversation

and make people feel more at home.

As opposed to being lost in the crowd.

FOOD AND DRINKS

I did a pot-luck, asking everyone to bring either a main dish,

side dish, salad, desert, appy, or beverage.

This works well for any friends that have food allergies or diet restrictions,

as they can bring food for themselves (knowing it's safe to eat).

There's always plenty left over!

I hope some of these tips help you in making your next party a non-awkward success!

Downpours and Fail Safes

It's a bit past 6:00 PM, my third day in Belize.

Rain is pounding on the tin roof above my head,

getting louder and louder.

It cancels out any other sound,

except for the rumble and crack of the thunder.

The darkness outside the window momentarily turns to daylight.

Just when you thought it couldn't come down harder,

you find out you were wrong.

I've been waiting for this.

I love it.

It probably sounds crazy to most other people,

but torrential downpours and thunder storms
are some of my favorite things.

(Breaks into The Sound of Music... almost)

It's let up a bit now,

but it's still coming down.

Other sounds can be heard again.

Thunder cracks in the distance.

It scares some people,

but not me.

I'm left in awe,

with a smile on my face.

I haven't done much since I've arrived.

I've mostly been trying to settle-in and relax a bit.

Oh,
and recover...

Two days before I flew,

I went Go-Karting with my family -

trying to squeeze in some activities together before I left.

I was maybe a third of the way through my second lap on the track,

and my kart decides that it's had enough.

It stops.

Perfect.

It's not a big deal,

I just follow the directions they gave for just this type of situation:

Stay in your kart and wave your hands.

A staff person will come assist you.

I proceed to wave and wait.

It feels like it's taking them forever.

I want to keep racing,

despite the wimpy motor my kart has...

the now dead motor.

I keep waiting.

Seriously, are they coming?

Do they see-

WHAM!!

My kart and my body are violently thrust forward.

Suddenly my kart has moved from the left side of the track.
It's now parked on an angle, 

across the right lane.

My head throttles in my helmet,

like a baby's toy rattle,

and instantly I'm overwhelmed with emotion. 

My body wants to start bawling,

but I don't understand why.

I don't want to cry.

My fail safe setting is to assess the situation,

get control,

fix what I can,

and don't waste time with what I can't.

Logical.

(Can you tell why I like Sherlock?)

I wanted to do that,

and I was really trying.

What I found more frustrating than actually being hit

was that I wasn't in control of my own body.

I didn't see the kart coming, as I was hit from behind.

That's a good thing,

since I wasn't tensed up.

A staff person drove up in a kart,

and when he said the track was clear,

I got out of my kart.

My head still reeling,

ready to burst into uncontrollable tears at any moment,

I try my very best to maintain my composure.

The staff person offers to drive me back in his two-seater kart.

"No, I just need to sit."

There's a short cement wall on the outside of the two lane track.

I sit on that,

my legs on the safe side.

A few minutes later, 

the staff person comes back with a green plastic chair,

and places it on the ground that banks downward beside the track.

A bit precarious.

I feel so out of place, 

being face-to-face with every kart that goes by.

What must they be thinking?

Looking down, or anywhere else, 

doesn't feel any more normal.

The staff person is still there,

so I tell him that I want to go back now.

He gives me the option of driving myself back,

and I accept.

Get control.

He suggests that I drive his kart back,

as it's more comfortable.

"Okay, sure."

I quickly regret it.

The steering on his kart is sloppy, all over the place.

I dread karts passing me, 

as I'm afraid of inadvertently steering into them.

I nearly do.

Another accident in the making.

The owner tries to appease me,

as I sit parked in the pit.

As friendly as he can be,

he hands me a couple free VIP tickets,

and talks about how this really isn't that big a deal...

I don't actually know what he's saying.

I'm not really listening.

I know what he's doing, though.

Trying to be as nice as possible,

downplaying what happened.

"You're okay, right?"

A statement, more than a question.

Maybe I'm cynical,

but this time I'm right.

"I just want to go."

I tell my family,

and hesitantly everyone talks to each other,

not knowing what to do next.

Earlier, going out for sushi had been suggested.

I reassure them that I still want to do that.

I need the distraction.

As I walk, 

I have a bit of a limp.

My inner right thigh is sore,

tender to the touch.

It hurts a bit to walk, but it's not too bad.

I've experienced pain way worse than this.

I should probably go to the hospital,

but I don't.

Instead, I pop a few Aspirin.

Stubborn,
in control,
and a bit stupid.

A bunch of bruises show up over the next few days,

the one on my thigh being the biggest and prettiest.

A nice, deep purple.

That's my story of woe.

Just so you know,

I did get my injuries checked out the next day.

Nothing serious.

To quote the Black Knight,

"'Tis but a scratch."