All the fun I had in my second year in Russia

Living in Russia

My Second Year in Russia

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dwz65aodSWAD4JbUgz-EMTIG4xQOGRAyaDH3LDRJhI8/edit?usp=sharing

México en el corazón

Lucha Libre Mexicana: ¡Acción y Emoción en el Ring! (con transcripción)

HOTEL RECEPTIONIST: Hi, there. How can I help you?
CLAIRE: Well, I’m in town visiting for a few days, and I 
need to get some things done while I’m here.
HOTEL RECEPTIONIST: Sure. What do you need?
CLAIRE: I need to get my hair cut. I also need to have my
new pants hemmed.
HOTEL RECEPTIONIST: OK. Here’s a map of the city. There’s a good hair 
salon here, which is just a block away. And there’s 
a tailor right here. Is there anything else?
CLAIRE: Yes. I’ll need to have my car serviced before my
long drive home!
HOTEL RECEPTIONIST: No problem. There’s a good mechanic a few 
blocks away.


LANGUAGE NOTES
• Hi, there. Notice the intonation in this greeting. It rises after “Hi” and falls after “there.”
• Sure is a friendly expression to mean “OK.”
• Get my hair cut / have my new pants hemmed / have my car serviced. Notice get/
have + object + participle. This structure is used to describe actions that someone else 
does for us. “Get” and “have” are interchangeable here.
• Is there anything else? here means “Do you need more information?”
• Before my long drive home! Notice the emphasis and intonation on “home.” The 
speaker wants to show humor here. If she doesn’t get her car checked, she might not get 
home! She wants to be friendly and light with the receptionist.
• No problem here means “Don’t worry.” Notice the stress on “No.” The receptionist 
laughs first, then puts emphasis on “No” by lengthening the word. This shows that she 
understands the car could break down if it doesn’t get serviced

English Conversation practice (30-day challenge)

Day 15: Running errands 

In Episode 71, we explore the emotional undercurrents that often go unnoticed but heavily impact our ability to learn a language — insecurity, guilt, unworthiness, tension, and those jittery feelings that creep in when we're learning something difficult.

I gently walk you through the importance of first acknowledging, accepting, and validating your emotions. Why is this important? Because what we resist emotionally tends to persist. And when left unexamined, these emotions become silent saboteurs to your learning journey.

Supported by research in neuroscience and psychology, I explain how emotional tension activates the brain’s stress response, impairing memory and disrupting attention. But when we recognize these emotions as valid signals — not flaws — we begin the process of healing and learning at the same time.

I share tools rooted in cognitive reappraisal (Brooks, 2014) and self-compassion science, encouraging you to embrace your learning pace, your imperfections, and your worthiness to grow. We talk about how language learning isn’t just about fluency — it’s about coming home to yourself.

This episode is a reminder that you are allowed to move slowly, to feel deeply, and still make meaningful progress. In the presence of your most difficult emotions, you are still a learner with purpose — and that is a beautiful thing.

Until next time, I wish you inspired, grounded, and gentle learning. 🌱

111 Tips for Learning a Language 

Tip 71 - Learning Through Insecurity: How to Turn Self-Doubt into Strength

Hello and welcome to my Chinese Channel. Today let's take a look at how to express the different nationalities, such as I am Chinese. And how to ask which country do you come from? Are you ready?

Veronica's Chinese Channel

你是哪国人？which country do you come from?

Have we forgotten how to be social on social media?

The Social Evolutionary

How Social is Social Media?

Lily's Chinese 对话

20240106凡卡

CHISTES MEXICANOS

¿Y que tal antes?

Have you ever wondered about the intriguing world of idioms? In her engaging session, Smith delves into five captivating idioms, unravelling their meanings and origins. With a knack for simplifying complex concepts, Smith ensures that learners not only grasp the literal meanings but also understand the cultural contexts behind these expressions. From "barking up the wrong tree" to "biting the bullet," Smith's expert guidance transforms these idioms from mere phrases into vivid snapshots of English language and culture. Through her adept explanations, learners gain not just language skills, but a deeper appreciation for the richness of idiomatic expression.