Michelle Margaret Fajkus

Here are the top three life lessons my 30s have delivered. While we each must live our own lives and experience our own falls and get back up again, I hope that sharing my personal experience will be of benefit.

Want to do some time traveling? With our words, we can go back to the past, be here in the present, and project ourselves into the future.
This post explores the basics of Spanish verb conjugation and teaches you how to form verbs in the most frequently used past, present, and future tenses.
What is verb conjugation, exactly? It refers to the various modifications of a verb in order for it to convey valuable information about the action.
Spanish conjugations give us information about the pers...

Who says learning is boring? Online Spanish games for kids are an important part of language class and learning at home.
Games are one of the oldest forms of human interaction. The human brain is wired to learn through play. Children play naturally, and this is how they explore the world and learn new skills. Adults also benefit greatly from playtime!
Learning Spanish is a great adventure for kids, filled with new and exciting discoveries. But the truth is that learning Spanish can be discour...

Climate change is doubtless one of the most critical issues in the 2020 US presidential election. According to The Atlantic, a February 2020 poll of nearly 2,000 registered voters showed that climate is the clear #2 issue for Democrats in caucus states, behind health care. Among all voters, global warming is now one of the most pressing issues in politics.
Climate change and four other key issues (health care, economy/jobs, immigration policy, and Social Security) have the ability to command ...

Time is of the essence. Time is money. We have plenty of time. There’s never enough time.
There are so many different attitudes and concepts about time out there. In this post, we’ll explore:
The history of time
How people in Latin America view time
Ways other cultures around the world view time
How life and work flows in polychronic cultures
A Brief History of Time
Paleolithic artifacts indicate that people used the moon to mark time as early as 6,000 years ago. Lunar calendars (such as the ...

“Education in the true sense is helping the individual to be mature and free, to flower greatly in love and goodness. That is what we should be interested in, and not in shaping the child according to some idealist pattern.” –J. Krishnamurti
It is time for a new model of more personalized, meaningful education. The old system is crumbling, and this period of unexpected homeschooling is the perfect opportunity to start fresh. We need to reconnect to our enthusiasm and passions as our impetus f...

¡Feliz dia de la mamá! Happy Mother’s Day! In both Guatemalan and US culture, this day is a big deal and a holiday cherished by many. Read on to learn about the historical and modern celebrations of Mother’s Day—and get some ideas of how to express your love to your mother this year.
The Origin of Mother’s Day
Writer and poet Julia Ward Howe came up with the idea of an official celebration of Mother’s Day in 1872. She is best known for having written the famous Civil War song, “Battle Hymn of...

According to Lonely Planet, “Chile is nature on a colossal scale, but travel here is surprisingly easy if you don’t rush it.”
This long and narrow country spans over 2,670 miles along the west coast of South America. For any adventurous traveler, a trip to Chile can include a wide array of experiences both in its vast regions of incredible natural beauty and its scenic cityscapes.
If you’re into hiking, rock climbing, sailing, red wine, and laid-back Latin American vibes, Chile is an ideal de...

Relephant:
Elephant’s Continually-updating Coronavirus Diary. ~ Waylon
How to Enjoy Life Amidst the Coronavirus Fear: Your Go-To Guide from Books to Podcasts & Wellness Practices.
What the Coronavirus is Teaching Me: 5 Lessons from Uncertain Times.
The Artist’s Stay-at-Home & Stay Sane Guide.
10 Simple Ways to Boost your Immunity without Leaving the House.
We’re in a state of emergency! Lock down the planet! No one gets out alive; we’re all gonna die!
Coronavirus slash COVID-19 panic and fear...

Think about your favorite books in your native language. Don’t you love being engulfed in their stories? With some effort and dedication, you can have this experience when reading in Spanish, too! As you begin your literary journey, load up on free online Spanish books to help build your skills.
Spanish is not only the lilting language of over 20 countries around the globe, but it is also connected with a rich culture of literature, art, music, film, and more. By diving into our list of free ...

Have you ever wondered how folks celebrate the March equinox in the Southern hemisphere versus in the Northern hemisphere? Read on to find out!
What Exactly Is An Equinox?
The two equinoxes—Vernal and Autumnal—come around the same time each year in March and September. The equinoxes are a result of Earth’s tilt on its axis and continuous orbit around the sun. You can visualize an equinox happening on the imaginary dome of the sky.
Vernal means spring. Vernal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere...

Spoiler alert! There isn’t actually one, single “best” way to learn Spanish and speak it fluently. The ideal way to learn Spanish is whichever way keeps you motivated and enthusiastic to continue learning and improving your language skills.
While habits can be built in as little as three weeks with dedication and perseverance, the key is creating the habit of learning Spanish in your everyday life. Still, it takes years to become fluent in another language, so you need to commit to this path ...

Alimento and comida are two words in Spanish that both literally mean “food.” In this sense, they are synonyms. However, upon closer examination, we will see that the meanings of these two terms are distinctly nuanced.
Who’s hungry?
The national cuisine in Spain is quite different than that of Mexico, or the Central American countries, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and so on. A Spanish tortilla, for example, is an egg-based, baked dish, while a tortilla in Guatemala is a corn-based flat bread. Nev...

Are Latins only in Latin America?
Short answer: no. For a more complete answer, keep reading!
Who Put the Roman in Romance
In Spanish, latino technically refers to someone (or their descendant) who was from ancient Latium, a region in central-western Italy, and whose language was Latin. Interestingly, Latium is the original name of the territory that eventually founded Rome, and so Romans were in fact Latinos.
More broadly speaking, the term latino refers to a person who belongs to the cultur...

-¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás?
-Muy bien, ¿y tú?
Is this as far as you’ve gotten in your Spanish studies, or pretty much all that you really remember from high school Spanish class? If you’re looking to gain proficiency or fluency, consider using a Spanish language learning app. Why? Apps are either totally free or offer affordable subscriptions, they can be downloaded and used immediately, and you can use them at will whenever your schedule allows.
There are oodles of apps for iOS and Android devices ...