Day 23. My bad daily routine. I wake up in the morning taken aback by the presence of the sun. I turn up my favourite song and I drink up a cup of yerba mate as it helps me to perk up. After tea, I look through my emails and dash off quick replies. I pad into the bathroom to freshen myself up with a shower. I tidy up my hair, put on a random set of clothes and rush into work swallowing up my banana breakfast - if I am lucky to have it grabbed into my car. On my way home, I drop in at the supermarket to stock up on fresh veggies. In the evening I come up with new lessons. I have a lot of ideas for my lessons so I try to flesh them out. Late at night I wrap up my work or simply nod off without heating up any food. Need to change my daily routine.

21. Different speeds of my creativity. My creativity has two speeds. Usually, it drives in first gear. It is like skipping on a meadow and picking an idea-flower every now and then. People are surprised at my creative mindset. When I feel insecure it sets speed records in a seaplane. I am a licensed driver - not a pilot. When the plane comes to contact with water a giant worst-scenarios wave of my overactive imagination leaps high and crashes down upon my mind. People are surprised at my negative mindset . Making mistakes is like finding the way in a maze, like testing new spices in the kitchen, like solving a puzzle. IT IS FUN. Mistakes are the playground for my creativity where it can happily play and experiment with new solutions. Unfortunately, at times I allow the wave of my insecurities to encase me in the “you are not good enough” mindset which prevents me from seeing my worthwhile mistakes, from having fun, from learning and from growing. I love flying. I was born to fly. I have been given the pilot license today.

Day 20 If the young man had not met the family in the supermarket then he would not have been able to say "thank you" to the grandpa. If the grandpa had not bought the cake in the first place, then the young man might not have helped the family. If the cake had been cheaper, then the grandma could have afforded it. If they had had enough money to buy the cake, then the girl would not have been sad. If the young man had not caught the family, then he would not have been able to tell his story. If the grandma had not asked for a contact number, the young man would not have written the note. If the girl had not received the note, then the grandma would not have given it to the grandpa. If the young man had not given the family the cake, then the family would not have had any present for the grandpa. If it had not been grandpa's birthday, then the family would not have bought a cake.

Day. 19 Magic with Henry Henry is tied. His body is swept. His hair is cleaned off. His legs are picked up and the dirt is removed. The bit is moved into his big scary mouth. All is tightened and buckled up. I am prepared for a warm-up. He may get spooky. What if I get kicked? What if I fall down? It will hurt a bit! Fears whirl in my mind but I shorten my reins, squeeze him with my legs and trotting begins. My body's relaxed. My feet in stirrups. The wind combs my hair and my fears go away. I feel the balance, harmony and power - riding a horse I MAGIC discover.

Day 17. Love tenses She loves him. He has loved her forever. She is being mean but he does not mind it. He has been leaving his socks on the floor but she ignores it. Before she met him, she had been dating various men. Before he met her, he had not been interested in any commitment. When he was walking down the street he saw her beautiful smile. She smiled once she saw his warm eyes. He will call her a bitch. She will be calling him a jerk. By the time their kids go to school they will have quarrelled countless times. By the time their grandchildren are born they will have been living happily together for years. She loves him. He has loved her forever. She is being mean but he sees her beautiful smile. He has been leaving his socks on the floor but she sees his warm eyes.

Day 18. Passive Smoothie Blender has been taken out. Ginger and cucumber were sliced. Lettuce was being washed. Avocado is being peeled. All ingredients will be blended. Guests are seated at the table. Oh, almost forgot! A pinch of salt had been added. By the end of the day, the smoothie will have been drunk.

Day 13. Jabberwocky Fjords, dense scary fog, I wave good bye to the hikers I followed as they merrily base jump one by one. I am stuck alone in the middle of nowhere in a thick smoke-like fog, barely able to see anything through. I’m not a hiker and I am panic-stricken. Pictures of me starving to death flash through my mind when suddenly a figure appears in front of my eyes. He is Brazilian and he got lost, too. I'm relieved. I'm not going to die. Trying a few languages we realize we can’t find any match. We hike together, discuss which route to follow, talk about our families, take pictures, exchange emails – by producing sounds that the other person is not familiar with. I am surprised. The meaning is not in the words. Jabberwocky. Skimming the poem the first time, I see nothing more than a random collection of made-up words. All good stories are said to revolve around a hero and his struggles so I take another trial. However, this time I listen to the poem. I pay careful attention to the rhythm and intonation and suddenly a story about a fearless hero, a horrendous monster and a triumphant victory unveils to me. I am surprised. The meaning is not in the words. “I thought you didn’t like it” – she says. But I said, "I like it” – I say. “I know, but I thought you didn’t….” – she says. I am surprised. The meaning is not in the words.

Day 12. Boo! Are you scared? I AM. My arms are sore, my shoulders ache, I’m strolling down the streets carrying my heavy bag topped up with worries and doubts about my teaching. Racked with guilt for having them and being too ashamed to say it loud.  Suddenly, Sir Google - galloping on a white horse in shining armour - comes to the rescue with his message: Do You Doubt Yourself? Doubting Thomas vs. Reflective Teacher and What Can We Learn From Self-Doubt? Article read. Dragon defeated.

Day. 10 English as a therapeutic role play He welcomed his adult years with depression and social phobia having experienced a few out of ordinary events in his early young years. Nervous when around people, he would more mumble than speak at a barely audible volume. Only when speaking German. When he spoke English, his voice was far from being deafening, yet very pleasant to the ear and easy to understand. Is our diction language specific? He was not able to say anything good about himself and was not able to allow any compliments to enter his heart. Only when said in German. As a child, he was taught to believe that he was worthless, yet that worthlessness existed only in the German language. His mind was not contaminated with any hurtful remark in English and consequently taking compliments in English was much easier than in his native language. It taking complements language specific? Working at school seemed to be out of reach. He lacked self-confidence and trembled when surrounded by people. Only when working at a German school. He started working in one of the bordering countries and surprisingly discovered that teaching was fun. Is self-confidence language specific? He speaks clear German, believes in himself and works in Germany. Role-play pedagogy is known for its benefits. Role play involves acting out an adopted role and can liberate us from our conceptions about the self and others. Can speaking a foreign language offer the same advantages?