DANIA'S REFLECTION CORNER.

  Stories That Hurt and Why We Should Reflect on Them When we open a book, start a series, or watch a movie, we’re often expecting to be entertained. We expect laughter, tears, romance, drama, a mix of emotions that keep us hooked. But sometimes, what we’re really stepping into is something deeper: a story about heartbreak. One that isn’t full of magic or healing, but pain, confusion, and questionable decisions. I´m not a professional writer but I came up with a thought, and as you already know I love to share even the smallest opinions. So, here it goes. All of it comes down in those stories that we often find ourselves saying, “This is so relatable. ” Because is based on feelings and emotions that human beings feel. But what if we didn’t stop there? That is why as I reflect on the power of storytelling, I’ve come to believe that some stories should come with a quiet warning. Not a spoiler, not a trigger alert but an invitation to reflect. Something like this: “This story c...

  Why comparing your student or even your own child to others is that bad? As a future teacher currently studying at university, I have been taught by my tutors that one of the most harmful things we can do as educators or parents is to compare children with others. This lesson has stayed with me, forming part of the foundation I aim to carry into my future classroom. I understand that each child is not only a unique person but also a unique learner, with their own pace, style, and potential. However, I have recently witnessed a painful situation that reminded me why this principle is so important to uphold. One of my younger cousins experienced something deeply hurtful: her own mother, who is also a teacher, told her, "I wish you were like this other person." This single sentence caused my cousin to break down in tears. What’s worse is that this was not an isolated moment of frustration it was followed by another phrase that has haunted her since last year: "You'...

If you’ve ever wondered what makes Salvadoran food so special, you’re in the right place. From comforting pupusas stuffed with cheese, beans, and pork, to tangy curtido that adds the perfect crunch, Salvadoran dishes are a vibrant mix of tradition, culture, and bold flavors. Whether you’re a curious foodie, a traveler dreaming of Central America, or simply someone who loves discovering new tastes, this blog will take you on a delicious journey through the heart of El Salvador’s kitchen. Get ready to explore authentic recipes, cooking tips, and the stories behind every dish ¡buen provecho!   Pupusas Revueltas (Salvadoran Stuffed Tortillas) 🧂 Ingredients: For the Dough: 2 cups of masa harina (corn flour) 1½ cups of warm water ½ tsp of salt A bit of oil (for hands) For the Filling: 1 cup refried beans (smooth is best) 1 cup cooked and shredded pork (or ground pork, seasoned) 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or Salvadoran cheese if...

  Why When I Go Silent It Reflects How I Was Treated in the Past Hi, my name is Dania, and this is a personal reflection about one of the most difficult behaviors I’ve had to face in myself: my reactions! especially when I’m upset. This pattern is something I’ve noticed for a while, especially since last year, but recently it hit me differently. I realized this is not just something new I picked up; this is something that has been deeply rooted in me since I was a child. And today, something clicked. I connected the dots. Whenever I get upset, my instant reaction is silence . I tend to go quiet for the rest of the day. I might speak if someone asks me something, but other than that, I just sit in silence. And this might sound familiar to others. A lot of people go quiet when they’re angry or hurt but for me, it’s deeper than that. Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed, I get this sharp pain in my neck, in my heart, sometimes even in my head. It’s as if the pain of the moment is phys...

  My Testimony: How I Gave My Life to Jesus My name is Dania and I’m 21 years old. Today I want to share my testimony. I don’t remember a lot about my life before knowing Jesus, mostly because I was just a little girl. But from what my mom and my aunts told me, I was always quiet, very still, calm, the kind of child who would stay right where you left her. I didn’t cause much trouble. But even from an early age, I faced difficult moments. When I was around two years old, I got seriously sick. My mom says I would pee almost like blood, and when I went to the bathroom, it looked like I was dying. There was no cure, no medicine, no answer. But God rescued me. That was the first time He saved me. Around that time, both of my parents where not with me, they had emigrated, and I was left with my mother’s family. Then again, around the age of five, I started getting sick again. This time, I would pee myself without even noticing. I wasn’t aware of what was happening to my body, and it w...

  🌿 A Quiet Moment, A Gentle Lesson Earlier today, I was hanging some heavy blankets after washing them, and as I did, I saw my grandma. I used to go to her house to wash them since she has a washing machine and we don’t, and I could almost hear her asking why I hadn’t come over this time. A part of me wished she had seen me maybe just to hear her say something, to recognize my effort. But then I stopped myself. I asked, “Why do I want her to see me?” And that’s when I realized it: I didn’t want her to just see me, I wanted her to react. Deep down, I knew that if she saw me doing the laundry, especially struggling with the heavy blankets, she might feel guilty, like she had somehow let me down. She might wonder what had changed, why I didn’t come like I used to, and that discomfort might lead her to offer again or insist that I come next time. And that’s when it hit me: that would be unfair. She wouldn’t have done anything wrong, but my actions could have stirred guilt in h...

  The Salvadoran Civil War was a brutal conflict that lasted from 1980 to 1992 , leaving a deep mark on the country’s history and people. It was fought between the government of El Salvador , backed by the military and wealthy elites, and a coalition of leftist guerrilla groups known as the FMLN (Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front) . The war had deep roots in economic inequality, social injustice, and political repression . For decades, a small percentage of the population controlled most of the land and wealth, while the majority of Salvadorans lived in poverty. Peaceful protests were often met with violence, and many activists, priests, and students who spoke out were threatened, jailed, or killed. By the late 1970s, tensions exploded. The assassination of Archbishop Óscar Romero in 1980 a vocal defender of the poor and critic of government violence was one of the major turning points that led to all-out war. Over the next 12 years, more than 75,000 people were killed , ...

  ✈️ “That’s Terrific!”  My Awkward Moment with a Native Speaker 😳 I still remember the first time I ever had a real conversation with a native English speaker. His name was Tom, an American and I was just a student (well I still am). This story that ‘m about to tell you happened, I think, around the fifth session out of eleven. So yeah, you can imagine… I was still a bit shaky. Every time I turned on my camera or had to speak, I would overthink every single word I was about to say. Classic overthinking mode. 😅 Anyway, that day we were talking about something really serious: airplane crashes. 😔 We were discussing how tragic they were and how many people had died in different incidents. Tom even mentioned some statistics like, real numbers of people who had lost their lives. It was sad. The kind of conversation that makes you stop and reflect. So, there I was, trying to sound engaged and thoughtful, and I wanted to respond to something he said. I meant to say "That's t...

   Tips for Writing Essays in English (Even If It's Not Your First Language) Writing essays in English can be intimidating, especially when it’s not your first language. However, it becomes much easier when you understand the purpose of your writing, choose the right topic, and design a clear outline. These are the foundation of every essay. It is important to recognize that each type of essay whether it's argumentative, informative, persuasive, or cause-and-effect requires a different structure. That’s why the very first step is to identify what you want to share, select a topic, and understand the purpose behind your writing. Once you’ve done that, the next step is to familiarize yourself with vocabulary related to your topic . For example, if your essay is about society, you should look up vocabulary commonly used when discussing politics, social issues, or the environment. If you're writing about animals or the weather, immerse yourself in the specific terms used in t...

  How I Organize My Writing Process Writing is more than just putting words on a page, it’s about sharing a message, expressing ideas, and connecting with the audience. My writing process has developed with time and experience, and today I follow a clear structure that helps me stay focused and creative. In this essay, I’ll explain how I organize my writing process based on personal experience and the type of writing I want to produce.  The first thing I focus on is what I want to share . This means I ask myself: What do I want my audience to take away from this piece of writing? Whether it’s a message, a feeling, or specific information, identifying this purpose helps me stay on track. It also helps me connect with my audience by keeping their needs and interests in mind. After that, I decide what type of essay I’m going to write . I consider whether it should be informative, argumentative, persuasive, or a cause-and-effect essay. This is important because each type of ess...

 Quote: "Not even a single scar came from the enemy. Read that again." Have you ever read something and felt it hit right where your heart is still healing? This quote did that for me. At first, it sounds simple, but it reveals something uncomfortable and real: The deepest scars don’t always come from the people we label as “enemies.” Sometimes, they come from the people we love. Let’s pause there. Why does it hurt more when the damage comes from someone close? A friend. A family member. Someone you trusted. It’s confusing, right? Because these are the people who care about you and yet, they sometimes cause harm through harsh words, silence, or repeated mistakes. It’s not always intentional. Sometimes they don’t realize what they’re doing. But other times… maybe they do. And that’s where the pain multiplies. “Is this someone I need to set a boundary with? Or is this someone I need to pray for and understand better?” This quote makes me reflect on how we often prepare ou...

  Has the internet positively or negatively impacted human society? The internet is a global system of communication, that was released around 1960 and the develop of new technology has contributed and has allowed that all people already have electronic device, therefore it is easier for them to access the internet, even children from 3 to 10 years old already have their own device which was not like that before, although technology is advancing there are aspects in which they are good and others are not, in general, the internet has changed the lives of human beings over the years, and it has come to make our life easier but at the same time has bad consequences and there are two things that comes along with the internet, positive or negative change? We are going to find these actions through experience and cases that have had a positive impact or negative impact in the society. And this leads us to think if we really are using it in a good way or if we are using it in a bad way, ...

  A teacher might ban cell phones from the classroom to avoid distractions while maintaining students' focus on learning. Could banning cell phones from the classroom be the key to a more focused learning process? A teacher plays an important role in the student learning process, and can therefore ban cell phones from students in order to create an environment without distractions. With a technological device students are able to do several things that disturb the classroom, such as unauthorize use, chatting, cheating. These behaviors are very common in a classroom and if the teacher wants to create an environment that supports students’ success, banning cell phones from the classroom might be necessary. The teacher might ban cell phones to capture student’s attention, in order to create a focused learning process: distractions of texts, calls, video games, to avoid cheating, unauthorized used, to maintain a proper environment. First, if a student uses a cell phone in a class...