Welcome to the debut episode of Language Diaries! Uncover language learning insights, conquer challenges, and boost your confidence for an enriching journey ahead.

Language Diaries

Episode 1: Embracing the Language Journey

L' importanza delle relazioni sociali quando ci si trasferisce all' estero. Fare amicizia è difficile, ma ogni connessione conta.

Vita da expat: mi sono trasferita in Bahrain!

Mi sono trasferita in Bahrain - Episodio 3

Picture this: You’re drowning in a sea of commitments, juggling work, family, and personal life. Your plate is overflowing, but you keep saying ‘yes’ to more. Sound familiar? We’ve all been there, my friend. The good news is that you can learn the art of saying ‘no’ without guilt and regain control of your life.

The ‘Yes’ Epidemic
Before we delve into the fine art of ‘no,’ let’s address the ‘yes’ epidemic. It’s a modern plague that we’ve all fallen victim to at some point. Fueled by the fear of disappointing others or missing out, we nod our heads like bobbleheads on steroids. Saying ‘yes’ to everything is a recipe for burnout, my fellow ‘yes’-aholics! Listen to the podcast to learn more!

Matcha & Meditation

The Power of Saying 'No" with Grace

4月8日 星期六 晴  
今天给爸爸打电话，爸爸说他不在老家，在另一个大城市。他说他正在去一家医院的路上，想去和那家医院谈谈，去他们的医院工作，做中医师（zhong1 yi1 shi1, TCM doctor）。
我问爸爸，你不想自己开诊所(zhen3suo3, clinic)了吗？虽然诊所很小，可多自由(zi4you2, unrestrained)呀！想开门就开门，想休息就休息。有那么多老病人，都认识几十年了。
爸爸说，疫情(yi4qing2, epidemic situation)以来，很多病,小诊所是不允许(yu3xu3, be allowed)看了，他自己也很担心被传染(chuan2ran3, be contagous)。除了病人变少了以外，还多了很多以前不需要做的事情，比如，有很多会要开，还有卫生局(wei4sheng1ju2, Public Health Bureau)经常来检查(jian3cha2, inspect)。他一个老人，已经没有办法面对很多的变化，更没有办法很快地去完成各种事情。所以现在他就想去大的医院，为医院工作，比较简单。而老病人，还是可以为他们看病的，可以用网络，视频(shi4pin2, video)看病，开药(kai1yao4, to prescribe medicine)，让病人们自己去买药。但有一个问题，他要离开老家去外地工作，如果要见家人和老朋友，就只能在周末了。
真的很难，鱼和熊掌不能兼得(yu2 he2 xiong2zhang3 bu4ke3 jian1de2, lit. the fish and the bear's paw, you can't have both. which means you can't always get everything you want · )。很多时候，两个你都很想要的东西，却告诉你只能选一个，没有办法，只能选一个，因为生活还是要继续。

中文小天地 Little Chinese world

Episode 5 Father's call 给爸爸打电话

I went on a ride-along with a law enforcement officer. My experience and what I learned.

Learn English with Stories

Ride-along with law enforcement officer

Man 1: Several years ago, I was in a car accident that left me with a back injury. As a computer programmer, I am still able to do my job, but I often have to take painkillers. When the pain gets particularly bad, I sometimes have to lie down on my back for a while until it goes away because sitting up really hurts. When we were in the office, I would worry that my colleagues would see me taking pills. Since we’ve been working from home, it has been much better. I can go and see my physical therapist more often too. I don’t have to worry as much and if I need to lie down for a little while to help my back, I can. When we were in the office, I’d sometimes be in a lot of pain but didn’t feel like I could say anything.

Woman: I have suffered from depression for a long time. Most of the time I manage it, but I often feel very nervous. Working in an office was really hard as I was always scared that I might panic and my colleagues would wonder why I was acting strangely. Working at home has been so much better for me as I don’t have to talk to so many people and I can have a relaxed environment and play peaceful music. Management is talking about going back to the office soon and I can already feel a lot of anxiety about it. I’m worried that I will not be able to hide that I’m depressed and people will judge me.

Man 2: I’m quite deaf in one ear. I don’t like to mention it when I’m at work because I feel as though there is often a stigma around disabilities. I worry that people will treat me differently. The problem is, sometimes I don’t hear when people are talking to me and then they think I’m ignoring them or I’m not listening. Working at home has been great for me because all of our communication has been online or video calls and I can wear headphones like everyone else. I’m not looking forward to going back to the office and I don’t see the point as I can do my job perfectly well from home.

Practice Listening, Reading & Comprehension

Living With Disabilities 

Happy International Artist's Day!👩‍🎨 In my 102 podcast episode, you are about to learn how to compliment an artist! 🌷There are 2 SECTIONS of the podcast episode – 1. for A1-A2 LEVEL and 2. for B1-B2 LEVEL. You will hear 10 compliments in each section.
Срећно учење! / Srećno učenje!👋
If you like this podcast, please contact me for the transcript of this episode.📜
See you in class!👩‍🏫


SERBIAN TO GO

Kako dati kompliment UMETNIKU? -  How to compliment an artist? (1st part A1-A2; 2nd part B1-B2 level)

This week I will be focussing on New Year’s traditions.
By the time you listen to this podcast, the new year will be behind you. How did you celebrate the solar new year? Join me in this brief foray into the new year’s traditions we celebrate in our home.

Philosophical Friday

New Year’s episode of Philosophical Friday

El Bosque de Chapultepec.

Como toda gran ciudad, la capital mexicana cuenta con un pulmón que oxigena a la urbe y sus alrededores. Este querido bosque, no solo concentra espacios verdes para la recreación, lagos, museos y un zoológico, sino que también es sede del único castillo en toda América: El Castillo de Chapultepec. Este último, además de haber acogido en su época al emperador Maximiliano de Habsburgo y a su esposa, la emperatriz Carlota, también funcionó como Colegio Militar y residencia presidencial, antes de convertirse en museo.

Puedes conocerlo de martes a domingo, subiendo por un camino específicamente trazado para llevarte hasta la cima del Cerro del Chapulín. Sus exuberantes jardines te recibirán y de inmediato sentirás haber viajado en el tiempo, pero es parte de la magia del lugar. En su colección permanente, encontrarás pinturas, calzado y prendas con al menos dos siglos de antigüedad, así como muebles que pertenecieron a Carlota y Maximiliano.

Si te gustan las actividades al aire libre, Chapultepec es un espacio donde puedes practicar desde una caminata matutina, hasta entrenamientos para correr un maratón. El interior del bosque también ofrece actividades culturales y de esparcimiento. Dentro de la Casa del Lago “Juan José Arreola”, se desarrollan talleres, proyecciones cinematográficas y hasta conciertos al aire libre. Los fines de semana, podrás deleitarte con jazz en vivo, rock o alguna propuesta progresiva sin pagar un solo peso, toma asiento en el pasto y disfruta.

Saliendo del Bosque de Chapultepec y a unos cuantos metros, encontrarás tres museos imperdibles. El primero es el Museo de Arte Moderno, para el que no tendrás que cambiarte de acera sino avanzar en dirección al sur. Ahí se exponen colecciones que incluyen obras de Frida Kahlo, Remedios Varo y José Luis Cuevas entre otros artistas plásticos, así como fotografías de Henri Cartier-Bresson, Tina Modotti y Manuel Álvarez Bravo, solo por citar algunos.

