Meet Fiel Sahir: a classical guitarist who speaks multiple languages. He’ll show you how much overlap there actually is between learning a language and playing an instrument!
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What do learning language & music have in common? An Interview with Fiel Sahir
October 2nd, 2017 Posted by irina People & Profiles Seeds, seedlings & Finnish silence
September 11th, 2017 Posted by irina My Story, News | Announcements | Updates
It’s been quiet over here… a little too quiet sometimes. Silence can mean different things to different people: in Finland, silence is almost sacred. In Canada, we tend to say that silence is golden, but we run from its intimacy when it does grace us. Online, it can mean anything, but mostly it’s interpreted as abandon. A silence blog or website is an abandoned and neglected one. If I can choose, I’d interpret the silence on these pages as…
Read more...Rubbing up against discomfort abroad to what lies beyond
May 30th, 2017 Posted by irina Self Discovery, Understanding the Transition
I’m a firm believer that each and every one of us creates our own reality – including the things which hold us back. From the joy to the discomfort we experience abroad, and everything in between. We do so with our thoughts, and our amazingly sophisticated brains, with which we can imagine absolutely anything. Then our bodies follow suit and behave as if what we have imagined is real. As the saying goes: …
Read more...How consistency & trust inspire inner strength
May 23rd, 2017 Posted by irina Self Discovery
Our actions & subsequent results are a product of consistency. The extent to which we’re able to take consistent action towards something, is directly correlated to whether we’ll reach that goal or not. Seems obvious enough, but this can be tricky. This is why I often cite Henry Ford’s quote, especially in the context of language learning: “Whether you think you can or can’t, either way you’re right”
Read more...Can I practice being strong? On inner strength
May 16th, 2017 Posted by irina Self Discovery
Yes and no. Inner strength isn’t something we can really practice directly – at least in my opinion, real strength isn’t. Instead, strength is a quality that shines through as a result of making space for it… in other ways.
Read more...Where do you get your strength?
May 9th, 2017 Posted by irina Self Discovery
Strength is not on the outside. No one can be strong for you. (Though they can inspire you to be strong yourself.) And it’s not something some people are born with but others aren’t. Each and every single one of us has strength within us. Strength is an anchor within ourselves.
Read more...What is Inner Strength?
May 2nd, 2017 Posted by irina Self Discovery
I used to think strength was about being smarter, more confident, more capable… being more of someone that I sometimes wasn’t. That, to me, was strong. And around the same time, I felt anxious, indecisive and restless…
Read more...Finnish Pronouns Video
November 22nd, 2016 Posted by irina Language
In this video, you’ll learn: the 8 Finnish pronouns, their spoken forms, which ones are sometimes left out altogether & a few tips for how to remember them.
Read more...Introduction to Finnish Cases with Lindsay Dow
November 15th, 2016 Posted by irina Blog
I’m happy to announce that Lindsay Dow, from lindsaydoeslanguages.com, and I have collaborated to bring you a super concise post on Finnish cases and their basic usage! The post is an introduction, but it covers all of the 12 Finnish cases you actually need to know, so it has punch!
Read more...My #1 antidote for frustration while learning
November 8th, 2016 Posted by irina Blog
I have yet to meet a single person who hasn’t felt frustration when it comes to learning… anything, but this is especially relevant for those learning languages with big reputations… like Finnish.
So today I made you a little video to help move you forward when you get stuck in a big puddle of frustration. Because ultimately, if you don’t learn to recognize and deal with frustration… you’ll stay there. So here ya go!
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Hi! I’m Irina.
I’m a multibelonger to Finland, Canada and Romania, without ONE language or culture to call my own – I have several. My intention is to be present where I am and find inner peace and harmony where ever life takes me. I’m embracing the gems of the ongoing cultural and linguistic transition which is my life and hope to inspire others interested in doing the same. Click here to find out more!