Use It or Lose It

It's hard to believe,

but I've been in Belize for two and a half months.

Somehow the time has gone by both fast and slow.

I'm not quite sure how that works...

Shouldn't it be one or the other?

No matter what, though, I've always had a place to live and everything I need to sustain life.

In other words, Not Dead. That's always a perk.

("Empty Hearse", anyone?)

Up till now, 

I've been living off my savings and the generosity of my awesome friends.

That money is going to run out, unfortunately, 

so I've been attempting to make a living working on the internet.

As you may have gathered, I love the English language -

both in it's written and spoken form.

Yesterday, I set up my teaching profile on BuddySchool.com.

I'm going to be a practice partner for anyone who is already learning English -

fun conversations on their favorite subjects, 

helping them to connect what they're learning to their life.

Hopefully this will allow me to do a few things:

Share my love of English,

and be able to stay here in Belize.

So, that's the plan!

If you would like to help me out,

or if you know of someone who is learning English,

tell them about me :)

The link to my profile is here:

https://buddyschool.com/profile/show-profile/68928/practice-english-with-a-canadian

The first lesson/conversation is free (30 minutes),

so we can have a chance to figure out what each of us has in mind.

It's done via SKYPE.

My username is: amiemorgan

What Makes A Writer?

I've known I'm a writer for a long time.

I felt it growing up,
when the thoughts in my head demanded to be written down.
It wasn't a choice.

Our family had a tradition.
Once a month, we made a trip to the city for work supplies and groceries.
The day would always end the same way – a special treat:
perusing overpriced books and home decor at Chapters, whilst drinking overpriced coffee.
Afterwards, we would escape reality for a few hours.

Some people say that going to the theatre is dying off.

I, however, am not one of those people.

Movies are special.
Going to the theatre is like being immersed in their world.

The lights in the theatre dim,
and I can barely see the person sitting next to me.
The sounds surround and echo through me.
I close my eyes.
I'm there,
in that world.
The characters are real,
alive.
For a little while,
there's nothing else.

Afterwards, sitting in the back of our blue Caravan on the two hour drive home,
stars studding the night sky,
I would contemplate the deep and hidden meaning of the movie we had just watched.
Even if there wasn't one,
that didn't stop me from trying to find it.
If there was a character I related to,
or one I aspired to be like,
it would consume my thoughts.

I felt a surge of life and new energy.
Despite just watching something that wasn't real,
I now had a renewed desire to live life to the full.

It was a reminder to me that:
just like a writer can create a character,
I can create myself.
I can be whoever I choose to be.


Amidst all these thoughts darting through my mind like shooting stars,
I would attempt to write them down in a logical way- if only to me.
Not because I wanted to,
but because I had to.

As a thought started taking shape in my head,
I would scramble for paper and a pen,
hoping to get it down before I lost it forever.

That is a terrible tragedy -
losing something you never really had,
knowing it could have been special.
It could have been great.
Like a life that was never lived,
but should have been.

What would they have done?
Who would they have been?
I'll never know,
and that makes me sad.

Lost forever.

I'm not a great writer,
but my thoughts are pieces of me.
When I lose them,
I feel it.

That's how I know.
I'm a writer.

Are you?

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 ^_^

Well, Here Goes Something

Something is about to happen!

I'm not sure what, exactly...

Hold tight and pretend it's a plan!

Random Person:

So, what's going on?

Me again:

I'm moving to Belize in 2 weeks!

And no, it's not because it's beautiful,

 hot, and has awesome beaches.

That certainly doesn't hurt, though ;)

I volunteer my time (unpaid) to study the Bible with people, 

and many people in Belize have a real desire to learn about it.

I do this in both English and American Sign Language, 

as the deaf deserve the same information and opportunity 

as any other language group.

(* If you're curious about this worldwide volunteer Bible education work,

or you would like to use a FREE online Bible resource,

visit the website link at the bottom of this post. 

I am not connected to the website.)

Random Person:

How will you support yourself?

If possible, I hope to keep my Etsy shop running!

www.etsy.com/shop/TheArtOfWriting

It's closed right now, as I prepare to move,

but I hope to re-open in mid to late May.

I'll be maintaining my "handwritten art" theme,

but my stock will be changing a bit.

I would like to integrate unique Belizean items into my shop,

so keep an eye out for that! 

I'm also considering teaching conversational English and ASL online;

someone for people to practice their skills with.

I've been learning ASL for the past 6 years,

and regularly converse with the deaf.

So, that's what's happening!

If you have any question about my shop 

or about practicing your English or ASL skills,

you can leave a comment, 

or you can e-mail me:

amorgan.asl@gmail.com

-----------------------------------------

* JW.ORG

Handwritten Jewelry

We all have a unique style, and our clothes and accessories are how we show that.

Finding an item that no one else has, though, isn't generally possible.

Most clothes and jewelry are mass produced, and many people can own that same shirt or bracelet. 

I try to find items that have real meaning, so I was very happy to find jewellers that create custom necklaces and bracelets based on your (or a loved ones) handwriting.

Just as handwriting is unique to each person, now your jewelry can be unique just to you!

These first two are from the shop Capucinne (https://www.etsy.com/shop/capucinne) on Etsy:

Personalized Signature Handwriting Bracelet
Available at Capucinne

Custom Handwritten Signature Necklace
Available at Capucinne

This next necklace is also from an Etsy shop, Grace Personalized World (https://www.etsy.com/shop/GracePersonalized) (Note: The shop owner is on vacation right now, and has temporarily closed the shop. Keep checking back) :

Memorial Signature Necklace - Handwriting - Vertical Pendant
Available at Grace Personalized World

My last featured shop is brevity. (http://www.brevityjewelry.com/) :

The Signature necklace - as personal as it gets.
Available at brevity.

I love these pieces of unique jewelry.

They aren't restricted just to your signature; it could be any word or short sentence.

Wonderful, meaningful possibilities! 

I hope to get one (for myself or as a gift for a loved one) in the near future!

Apologies!

I haven't blogged in a few days,

(my apologies!)

but there has been lots happening:

CONTEST WINNER

I ran a contest, 

where people could vote for whose silhouette they would like to see on one of my Candleholders.

If they won, they would receive 25% OFF a Candleholder with the silhouette of their choice!

The winner voted for a silhouette of the character John Watson, from the BBC show SHERLOCK.

The silhouette is done, and next to do is a quote on the opposite side.

I'll have this available for purchase in my shop very soon!
www.etsy.com/shop/TheArtOfWriting

The white spots are just an annoying reflection. Argh...

WRITE EVERYDAY

I missed a day in my write everyday series, but all-in-all, it's been going quite well!

I'm trying to practice different writing styles.

If there is a particular style you would like me to try, or a certain quote, let me know in the comments!

February 2nd, 2014

February 3rd, 2014

BELIZE FASHION

Finding clothes that are light and comfortable,
that don't require layering, is a challenge.

So, when I found this top at a Le Chateau Outlet, I snapped it up!
Light, airy, and opaque!

Plus, it was marked down from $30 to $10 - score!

So, that's what I've been up to! 

How about you?

Any projects on the go?

Any subjects you'd like me to write about?

Who Do You Want To Be?

The Here and Now

 

Change is inevitable,

including changing our minds.

Instead of thinking that we have to stick to the persona that we've built in the past,

don't be afraid to be who you are now - in the present.

Write Everyday

I'm trying to practice my handwriting, cursive and calligraphy everyday.

Here's today's! It's the title and lyrics of a song by Broken Bells.

(Here's a link to the song on Broken Bells YouTube channel)

I love the sound of the song. 

It seems to have a 70's influence, and I gotta say, I'm loving it. (Suddenly this feels like a McDonald's commercial.)

I've noticed other bands, as well, incorporating that 70's style sound in their songs.

Is it your thing?