Hello everyone! My friend B has been taking photos for years and they are for sale through me. Message me at mtlawlordesign33@gmail.com to learn more about how you can buy a print.
Here are some of his latest images:
Michelle Obama Fashion Part 2
Today I am still studying Michelle Obama’s fashion choices and I have been inspired by her choice of clothing. I think she is a great person to study. Because of her choice of clothing, I have been inspired to create red tie dye shirts and blue, green, and white tie dye shirts. I would also like to create my own fabrics using batik painting or painting on fabrics. Here is a short video I made using photos I found online of Michelle Obama.
Michelle Obama Fashion
I am a big fan of fashion and so I wanted to highlight how important fashion is by talking about fashion icons like Michelle Obama. Here are some examples of her awesome fashion sense while Barack Obama was the President at the White House. Here is a short video about my favorite outfits of Michelle Obama’s. I will also be making a video of me talking about her fashion sense and how beautifully patterned fabrics play a large part in her beautiful style.
Here is a video of me reading an article about Michelle Obama’s style:
Here is more about Michelle Obama’s fashion sense:
Correct Usage of Preposition
Prepositions of place photo I found online.
What is a preposition?
A preposition is a word that links a noun or phrase to another part of the sentence.
For example: to, at, in, on.
I am taking a bus to the airport.
I am going to the mall.
The group is at the lobby.
The students are waiting at the museum.
We are going on vacation in August.
She going to France in September.
Usage of Preposition
-Prepositions indicate time.
-They give the direction.
-They give the location.
-They introduce something.
A preposition can be used in different ways.
How to Use a Preposition
-Prepositions are used to indicate the relationship of a noun or phrase to something.
-One must put the subject and verb before the preposition.
-You need to follow the preposition with a noun.
-Do not follow a preposition with a verb.
Examples:
He put the book on the table.
She is going to college in a month.
We will meet at the lobby at 8:30 p.m.
Preposition of Position
-Prepositions can show where something is positioned in relation to another object.
-You can use a preposition to indicate if something is placed on top of something, under something, inside something, or another place.
Two turtles are on top of one turtle.
Examples of Prepositions of Position/Place Are:
On: She placed the vase of roses on top of the table.
Above: The bird flew above her head.
In front of: The mannequin should be placed in front of the store.
More examples of prepositions of position/place: behind, in front of, next to, between, near, above, below, in, on.
Prepositions of Time
-Prepositions can be used to indicate times.
-Prepositions can be used to tell a specific time.
Example: We are departing at 8 p.m.
-You use in to express that an event is happening in lengthy periods such as month or year.
Example: I moved to Narita, Japan in July.
He was elected president in 2025.
-You use on to express particular dates or days.
Example: He is moving back here on Sunday.
I will need my book back on August 22nd.
Here are examples of preposition usage:
- Accede to the throne
- Accuse of misconduct
- Act upon his wishes
- Addicted to cigarettes
- Admit to nothing
- Afraid of lions, tigers, and bears
- Agree with everyone
- Arrive at 9 p.m.
- Ashamed of being afraid of turtles
- Astonished at how big the dog has gotten
- Aware of the fact that the ocean waves are strong
- Believe in the monarchy
- Belong to the higher echelon
- Bent on getting revenge
- Beware of the cat
- Boast of her success
- Busy with making blog posts
- Care for the beta fish
- Collide with an asteroid
- Consist of jello
- Cure of depression
- Depend on my mom
- Desire for a new pet
- Die of laughter
- Different from everyone else
- Dismiss from the intelligence department
- Eligible for an award
- Familiar with the laws and regulations
The Pink Peony Body Butter Kit By Bramble Berry
I got my Pink Peony Body Butter Kit a few weeks ago. I am absolutely loving it. I still don’t have some tools like the mixer and the bowls, but I will get it soon and start making the body butters. I am very excited. It seems like a year ago I got the kit. I’ve been waiting for so long to make it and I think I will be able to soon. Here is the kit and the contents.
A video about my Bramble Berry Kit and my plans for a Bath and Beauty company I would like to make called Peri Winkle Petal:
What is included in the Pink Peony Body Butter Kit:
About My Awesome Trip to Rivas Nicaragua
I loved going to Pinner’s baseball games when I was in Rivas, Nicaragua. I used to buy ceviche at the games. Ceviche is now one of my fave dishes.
Check out this awesome ceviche recipe I found online. This one is a Peruvian ceviche recipe. I also found an avocado ceviche recipe. I posted it on my other blog: KanelasCafeMainStreet.wordpress.com. Check it out. Also check out my Guide to Latin America blog to learn more about Ceviche.
Here is a description of what ceviche is. I found this on TasteAtlas.com.
This is an awesome description of ceviche.
A month and a half into teaching at Academia Europea I decided to take a vacation to Rivas, Nicaragua before going home. I stayed there for two months and had the best time. It was such a beautiful city and the baseball team was awesome.
Favorite Things to Do in Rivas:
- Eat at my favorite soda near the rotunda.
- Go grocery shopping at Maxi Pali and La Colonia.
- Go to the Rivas Gigantes baseball games. (And eat ceviche.)
- Go to San Jorge Beach, which has a stunning view of the Conception Volcano.
- Visit the History of Anthropology Museum.
- Teach English to two friends.
- Fashion design as a hobby.
- Bag design as a hobby.
The Rivas Gigantes baseball games were very exciting. The team did really well and won most of their games. I loved going to the games and cheering for the Gigantes.
Here is a video of my friend who played for the Rivas Gigantes pitching. Going to the baseball games was fascinating because of the food, the crowd, and the awesome baseball players.
During my first Monday in Rivas, I went to a soda. A soda is a cheap place to get food. They were serving a soup that reminded me of the Filipino soup, bulalo. Once I discovered that soda I decided to go there for all of my meals. I made friends with one of the cooks there. She took me to San Jorge Beach with her family the second time I went to the beach.
Rivas is a small town and have three grocery stores. The first one I went to was the big Maxi Pali. I had learned about Maxi Pali from one of my coworkers from Academia Europea before I had even visited Rivas. About a month into my stay in Rivas I learned about La Colonia. I had been looking for Downy for my clothes and I finally found Downy in La Colonia. The third grocery store I frequented is owned by Maxi Pali. It is a smaller grocery store and is just called Pali. I often went there to get soda.
The History and Anthropology Museum of Rivas was fun to visit. They have beautiful ceramics on display. They also had preserved animals on the shelves. I had fun going there to read the wall signs and translate them into English.
For my spare time I loved teaching two friends English. I also taught them how to draw. I developed my fashion design and bag design skills as well. Of course, I made lots of videos and posted lots on my Instagram and WordPress. I had a lot of fun in Rivas and would like to visit the city again some day soon.
Here is a reflection video I made about my trip and a short slide show of my photos. Enjoy 🙂
About My Trip to Rivas
Pics Taken in Rivas
Here are short videos I took of the History and Anthropology Museum. The museum was an awesome place for me to learn Spanish and also to learn about Rivas’s history.
About the Museum
More About the Museum
Here is a short video of me reading the Preservando La Memoria wall in the Rivas History and Anthropology Museum.
Preserving the Memory
The Spanish version:
Preservando La Memoria
Las investigaciones aquelogicas nos permiten reconstruir nuestro pasado, pero cuando los sitios arqueológicos son saqueados, todo el legado cultural de nuestros antepasados es destruido. Los arqueólogos nacionales, asi como los extranjeros están comprometidos con las poblaciones ubicadas cerca de los sitios arquelogicos y es importante que estas comunidades se involucren en la conservación de su patrimonio local. La destrucción de nuestros sitios no solamente viola las leyes del país, el comercio ilícito de los bienes finalmente termina en colecciones particulares que a veces los utilizan como objetos decorativos despejándonos de una historia milenaria que afecta no solamente al país si no a toda la región y que compartimos una historia común.
Here is a short video of me reading the Preserving the Memory wall translated to English.
The English version:
Preserving the Memory
Achaeological research allows us to reconstruct our past, but when archeological sites are looted, all the cultural legacy of our ancestors are destroyed. National archaeologists, as well as foreigners are committed to populations located near archeological sites and it is important that these communities be involved in the conservation of their local heritage. The destruction of our sites violates the laws of the country. The illicit trade of goods ends in private collections that sometimes use them as decorative objects disallowing us of an ancient history that affects not only the country but also the entire region. We share a common story.
The Symbols of Power Wall
Here is a short video of me reading the Los Simbolos del Poder wall.
Los Simbolos del Poder
Todas las sociedades han utilizado figuras, formas, signos, y colores que, de manera física o imaginaria, representan conceptos morales, espirituales o culturales. En nuestras sociedades precolombinas las vestimentas y los objetos preciosos estaban destinados a un grupo muy especial que controlaban la religión, el calendario y la ideología política para dominar a sus subalternos. Los metates decorados formaron parte de la parafernalia que los grandes jefes o jefas utilizaban para ostentar a su poder. En esas sociedad la ausencia de cuerpos reprisivos especializados al servicio de los godernante obligaba a las elites a mantenerse en constantes alianzas para permanecer en el poder.
Here is a short video of me reading the Symbols of Power wall translated to English.
The Symbols of Power
All societies have used figures, shapes, signs, and colors that, in a physical or imaginary way, represent moral, spiritual or cultural concepts. In our pre-Columbian societies, clothing and precious objects were destined for a very special group that controlled religion, calendar and political ideology to dominate their subordinates. The decorated metates were part of the paraphernalia that the great bosses used to hold their power. In these societies, the absence of specialized repressive bodies at the service of the governors forced the elites to remain in constant alliances to remain in power.
Here is a video of me reflecting on what the Symbols of Power Wall means to me:
About My Fashion Design Hobby in Rivas video:
Here are some clothes I designed while I was in Rivas.
Here are clothes I designed once I got back to Red Bluff California:
Here is an outfit I helped my friend design:
About my bag design hobby in Rivas:
Here are bags I designed while I was in Rivas:
Here are bags I designed once I came back from Rivas:
About Teaching in Costa Rica
Teaching in San Jose, Costa Rica was lots of fun. Check out this video of me reflecting about my experience. I also made a short slide show below.
About Teaching in Costa Rica
Teaching in Costa Rica Pics
My Reflections on My Volunteer Experience in San Jose Costa Rica
What have I gained from my experience volunteer teaching in Costa Rica?
The thing that will stay with me the most about my volunteer experience is my memories of having lived in Costa Rica and the friends I made. I am still in touch with my students and I teach them English online. I am happy I got to teach them English and I am glad to have been able to have improve their fluency. The skills and experiences I gained while teaching are also very valuable.
What were the differences between Costa Rica and the United States?
The language was a little bit different and by that, I mean that Costa Rica has certain words that are different from the words I learned during Spanish class. I had gotten a book from the library about the different Spanish words use in different Spanish speaking countries and that helped me out lots. I definitely noticed the new Spanish words that were specifically Costa Rican words when I was speaking to my Uber drivers and to the retail staff in the stores.
The food was also different. I have eaten lots of Mexican food, mostly tacos from taco trucks and I did not really eat the same kind of tacos in Costa Rica. I had all sorts of other kinds of food. I got to try lots of Costa Rican food from Kracovia. I tried passion fruit drink and passion fruit pie. I had never really had passion fruit before and I got to try the drink and I absolutely loved it. When I was little one of my grandmother’s friends had passion fruits at his house. I think we got some fruits and tried to make a juice out of it, but we didn’t really know how and it ended up being sour so I did not really drink the juice. So yes, technically it was my first time drinking an actual passion fruit juice and what an awesome thing to think of making them into pies. We did not have lots of passion fruit in the Philippines and since I have been living in America I have never really seen passion fruit pies at the grocery store or in the restaurants so it was a treat to get to enjoy the passion fruit drink and the passion fruit pie. I also got to try passion fruit macaroons at the airport. Those were so yummy. You get a sweet and tangy delight in the little bite sized macaroons.
The other thing I really liked were the crepes in Costa Rica. I have always loved the dessert crepes with the Nutella and the strawberries, but Costa Rica has taken crepes to another level for me and the crepes have savory food inside that I got to eat for lunch.
My other favorite go to for food were the panaderias or bakeries. I got all sorts of goodies from the bakeries. I especially loved all the different types of empanadas you could get. I also loved the hot dogs in a flaky type of bread that was similar to a croissant.
What are some similarities between Costa Rica and the United States?
Costa Rica is very well developed and the roads and infrastructure are amazing. When I first arrived in San Jose, it seemed to look a little bit like Davao City in the airport areas, but as you go to San Jose and Escazu, it definitely looked more like the United States, which is a good thing. Also, the malls had lots of the same brand name stores. When you went into the grocery stores, you could find lots of the same United States brands like the shampoo and other toiletries.
What lessons did I learn?
I learned that even though I have been learning Spanish in school and online I still need to learn more. Yes, I was able to get by and have basic level conversations, but I really could not fluently express myself in Spanish. I really needed to watch more Spanish movies and listen to more Spanish music. I also need to make friends with someone who speaks Spanish so I can improve my fluency.
What was the most important part of my Costa Rican experience?
I would say making new friends was the most important part. I did not expect to make so many new friends and I was delighted to have made so many. I will cherish my travel memories more because I got to experience my tour of Costa Rica with friends. I think you can enjoy yourself so much more when you are touring with your new found friends.
What turned out differently during my trip than I had planned?
I decided to stay longer that I had expected. I just wanted to go for two weeks and then come right back home. I was expecting to really miss my friends from home and yes, I was a little sad my first night, but after my third day of being there, I really got over being away from home.
I also didn’t expect to be going to Nicaragua. That was not planned at all, but I am glad I went to Rivas and I got to see Nicaragua. I also did not expect to be staying for two months in Nicaragua. I thought I was just going to stay there for two weeks at most, but I really loved it there and I did not want to leave.
What were the most difficult parts of my travel?
I would have to say that the most difficult part of my travel has been the actual getting around Costa Rica. I am glad that I had Uber to take otherwise I would not have found half the places I was looking for. Taking the bus was also challenging at first, but after a few months of being there I felt more comfortable and once I got to know the bus routes I was golden and taking the bus became easy.
How is my volunteer experience shaping my future?
Because I loved volunteering so much and living in San Jose, I got a TEFL certificate in Manuel Antonio, which then led to a job at Academia Europea. I think my Costa Rican experience is going to stay with me forever and in the future I will be going to teach English in Latin America again because I have already experienced it and it was fun and easy. I had the best time ever in San Jose and Manuel Antonio and I hope to be going to Costa Rica specifically; however, I would also like to teach in Managua, Nicaragua.
My volunteer experience was such a positive experience for me that I would also like to try other volunteer programs through Maximo Nivel like the program where you work with hatching turtles in Manuel Antonio. I have also been looking on the IVHQ sites recently and there is an internships with footages of dolphins program that they are running in Greece. That also really interests me lots. Overall I had the best time and I would highly suggest the volunteer teach program that you can book through the IVHQ site.
About My Volunteer Questionnaire:
Check out the travel questionnaire I made. I think these are awesome questions you need to answer before you go to your travel destination. I got some of these questions off of the volunteer training site that I visited before I went to Costa Rica. I watched their videos and downloaded a worksheet that had some of these questions. I have added more items onto the worksheet and this is what I have created. I am hoping to create a better guide in the future. I think I am going to be making a TEFL version that anyone can download.
My Reflections on My Volunteer Experience Part 1
My Reflections on My Volunteer Experience Part 2
About My Teach English Volunteer Program Through Maximo Nivel
Training
When I first arrived at Maximo Nivel I had a mini orientation with a field manager during my first day of my volunteer program. I learned all about what Fundacion Mujer was and what my duties were. I also learned some introductory TEFL course lessons with my field manager. It was only a few hours, but it was plenty to learn about what I needed to do. I think the training went really well.
Tour
My field manager also gave me a tour of the Maximo Nivel. I got to learn where my resource books, supplies, and guides were. I was able to use some of the resource books, but I ended up using Google as my main resource. I also bought an English book while I was in San Jose. The book was very helpful for planning my classes.
Computer Lab
Maximo Nivel has a computer lab. I used the computer lab to type up my lessons. I then sent my lessons to the front desk to be printed. My class at Fundacion Mujer was an advanced English class so I only had a few students so I usually printed about five to seven copies of my lessons.
Class Structure
During the start of the class, I had a mini ice breaker session. The class and I talked about what we had been up to lately and just caught up with each other in general. Afterward we started out lessons and did some activities on the board or on the printed worksheets. We also had discussions, which helped my class express themselves more fluently in English. I also got to gage what level of fluency they were in.
Lesson Design
I also gave the class reading materials. I printed out articles from Wikipedia. I then had the students read a paragraph each. I then tested their reading comprehension by asking them questions about their reading materials. I think my classes went well because I designed my lessons to be engaging and I utilized rich content.
Another method that really helped me out with planning a lesson that kept my class engaged was asking my students what they wanted to learn about. Once I found out what they were interested in, I went on Google and researched the topic. I then came up with a lesson plan based on what they suggest for the next day’s lesson.
How I Could Have Improved
I should have played more games with my class. I know the class was an advanced class, but I think more games could have kept the class more engaging. I also needed to make more flashcards and have pictures. I think flashcards really help and I wish I could have made lots.
Conclusion
Teaching English at Fundacion Mujer was loads of fun. I am glad I got to help my students. It was fun making friends with them and I think overall my volunteer experience was very positive.
About the Awesome Maximo Nivel Staff
About Transportation in San Jose Costa Rica
How to Take Uber
A Day In the Life of a Volunteer
About Shopping and Entertainment in Costa Rica
What Motivated Me to Volunteer Abroad
I wanted to gain teaching experience abroad. I had always wanted to teach English abroad and teaching in Costa Rica was going to help me get experience in teaching abroad. I also wanted to learn about the Costa Rican culture and be immersed in the language. Living in a Spanish speaking country really helped me improve my Spanish speaking skills.
I think my travel experience helped me discover a new place I could possibly live in for a long time. If I could afford to I would love to live in San Jose, Costa Rica. During my volunteer experience I learned to be more open to new experiences and new food. My volunteer trip was lots of fun.
During my volunteer trip, I was able to help my students learn English and I was able to give back to the community. I hope teaching English to my students helped improve their lives. Often times, the ability for the students to speak English can really improve their chances of getting a job. My students were advanced students to they had a good understanding of English already, but I think my lessons really helped.
