Finnish Explained: ‘työmaa-alue’ [new video series!]

August 6th, 2018 Posted by irina Finnish

In episode 2 of Finnish Explained, we uncover a few nuggets of wisdom from a sign that graces many construction sites.

I love breaking down and demystifying Finnish so I’ve used that as inspiration for this first season. In each video, I’ll take a short sign written in Finnish and explain, not only what it means, but also the grammar behind it. Sometimes there are nuances, subtleties and other fun stuff. Overall, Finnish has always been a wonder… and learning the language has left me with a lasting impression of awe about how we express ourselves, communicate and what language shows us about our perception of the world.

Tags: finnish, finnish explained, video

Finnish Explained: New video series! ‘Savuton kaupunki’

July 28th, 2018 Posted by irina Finnish

I’m very happy to announce the start of a new YouTube series I’ve been working on called: Finnish Explained!

Tags: finnish, finnish explained, video

Recipe for Compassion in 3 ingredients

June 15th, 2018 Posted by irina Language, Life

Compassion allows us to take things lightly. It leaves room for play and allowing our natural abilities to bubble up to the surface effortlessly. We are wired for language, after all! Once you recognize the importance of compassion (hey, awareness is half the battle) then it’s a matter of actually putting it to use when you need it. But how? What can we do when we recognize we need more self-compassion in the moment? I’ve boiled it down to 3 ingredients:

Tags: compassion, finnish, language learning, life abroad, recipe

Self-Compassion: the key ingredient to…everything?

June 10th, 2018 Posted by irina Self Discovery

[video] I believe self-compassion is often the missing ingredient in getting… just about anything we want. When we go after something, we tend to ignore our side of things: our feelings, thoughts, beliefs, experiences, expectations, considerations, the bigger picture, etc. – it’s insanely ironic. We’ve been so well trained to consider everyone and everything else, but who’s standing up for you? Who’s in your corner, empathizing with the entire picture of being you? No one. Not-a-single-person can really witness what it is to be you, in all your entire-ness.

Tags: language learning, life abroad, rant, self-compassion, video

Do you know you have it in you?

May 27th, 2018 Posted by irina Language, Local Discovery, Self Discovery

I often ask ‘What’s your biggest struggle in language learning?’ but today I’m calling for something different. I want you to reflect about a much more subtle quality of learning…

Tags: ability, celebrate, clarity, empowerment, strength, struggle, triumph

What you’re truly capable of…

May 20th, 2018 Posted by irina Inspiration, Language, Self Discovery

I spent a lovely evening with friends last night and we got to talking about this amazing Finnish beatboxer named Felix Zenger. Juha and I saw him perform a few years back and to our amazement, it sounded like he had a 10 synthesizers in his mouth, when all he held was a microphone – nothing else. “How does someone do that?” we kept asking. I’m often asked this question in the context of speaking fluent Finnish. Here’s something we’re not considering…

Tags: hidden ability, inspiration, language learning, learn Finnish, self-discovery, truths

3 things spring teaches us about life & Finnish language

May 13th, 2018 Posted by irina Inspiration, Local Discovery

Ah… spring! Do you feel it in the air? This time of year is among my favourites. There is so much we can learn from the seasons and their cyclical nature. Think about it: what is the purpose of spring in the context of the year?

Tags: cycle, inspiration, learn Finnish, nature, quiz, spring, summer

Had enough of feeling discouraged? The answer is in your story

April 22nd, 2018 Posted by irina Language, Local Discovery

language learning story, little red riding hood, wolf

As language learners, we also tell ourselves and each other stories that that build up our perceptions, and thus our reality. So what happens when our stories are actually keeping us from learning? Can we change the narrative and shift our results right along with it?

Tags: emotions, language learning, mindset, perception, story

Discussion for foreigners on Braving the Wilderness book

April 3rd, 2018 Posted by irina Books, Life

This post is the first of its kind! It’s a book-club type discussion on Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown. I believe when we live abroad, we look out into the expanse of the wilderness – the complete unknown – on a daily basis. We find ways to cope and minimize our risks, but we also hold ourselves back from living fully out of fear. I felt so much of what Brené Brown discusses in her book Braving the Wilderness is incredibly pertinent to those of us living abroad. Themes include…

On gratitude when you don’t feel grateful

March 24th, 2018 Posted by irina Self Discovery

Yesterday I found myself feeling deeply grateful for hardship and pain, especially that which I’ve felt in the past 6 months or so. This was, quite frankly, a new feeling…

Tags: emotions, gratitude, perspective, process, shift

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