I have a lot of downtime these days which is great. I was looking forward to it; especially to hours and hours of reading. Downtime also means daydreaming which is actually pretty therapeutic to me. More than sitting on the magic couch in my living…
I walked around in Coburg a bit while I waited for my friend Mischa because we wanted to meet at the Christmas Market. I picked up my glasses at the Eyeglass store Fielmann because Petit Joel scratched mine pretty badly. The salesperson told me initially it will…
I am back to my regular writing mood, (not Systemic Functional Linguistics MOOD) which feels so awesome. I have read through a plethora of emails I received that just waited patiently in my inbox for weeks now. Readers usually ask me questions via email (info@sometimesraw.com) instead of commenting on the posts directly which is fine. Either way, I love to interact with my slowly growing reader-community being happy that you all enjoy my blog and what I have to say.
I selected a bunch of questions that came up and I am okay with to answer. There were some really private ones as well that are actually nobody’s business, hah! People want to know crazy things! [What panties I am wearing, if any? Seriously?] So let’s just get to the questions. Not to the panties. Enjoy.
“Jo [her husband] and I are happy, I say, my voice unsteady. We’ve had our ups and downs like all couples, but we’ve managed to get over the bad times. We have two lovely children, a pretty little house, friends, we go on holiday twice…
Back home. My mom, Petit Joel and I walked through Coburg and then enjoyed the Christmas Market. I just love this town. This is home, this is peace, this is my base that makes me happy. Of course I visited my favorite Bookstore and we…
“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” – Samuel Beckett
I sent a message to my friend today saying that I am already researching the next courses which start in January by printing out the syllabus and looking at the books. He just sent me back this:
Okay, so I stop. However, I am done packing for my upcoming trip to Germany tomorrow and just wanted to answer the question that came up several times from readers of my blog. “What are you studying in Canada? What is this Linguistics thing all about?”
I always loved languages – it is my thing. Learning new languages, studying English, bring it on while I rather leave any numbers, math and statistics out of the picture. I asked myself many times how language shapes the way we think or how Petit Joel picks up three languages so easily and speaks at least two of them completely fluent. When I found out about the Linguistics Program at Carleton University,which came up first in my google search I just knew this is what I want to do. So I applied for it. Simple! I was really happy when my application had been accepted and that I am able to focus my research on Forensic Linguistics. But what is Linguistics?
Do people who speak different languages think differently? Or does our way of thinking change, once we learn a new language? Does Petit Joel think differently when he switches quickly from German to English or to a bit of French? Yes. And the language we speak has some type of effect on our surroundings. I think language is just amazing, a gift and our tool to communicate; this gift to communicate with each other makes us human. [Animals communicate differently which makes the human language so unique. Watch Project Nim to see how they teach a chimpanzee Sign language! Amazing; I cried most of the time throughout the move, eh!] Through language, we can understand humanity and just keep in mind how many languages are out there. Researchers state that there are approximately 6000 different languages spoken and each and every one is just so different in many ways.
What would we do without language? How would we express our thoughts? So much good stuff to think about. Like every language requires so many things of their speakers. Someone who speaks German for example, do they think and remember their experiences differently just because they speak this language? And isn’t learning a language so much more than just regurgitating vocabulary? We learn about the culture of the people and can include this nicely while you study the language. This semester I learned in one course about Words and Meanings in different cultures, how salient it is, how we are “Imprisoned in English” in one way or another and try to translate everything into English to make sense of it. I learned about small Aboriginal Canadian and Australian communities/ethnic groups and how they communicate. What words they use for “time” or how the Wendat tribe for example does not even have a word for “time”, “government”, “law” or “obey”. Isn’t it interesting to find out if language is indeed the factor that creates these differences or some other aspects of people’s cultures?
Enough nerd talk! This is what I did these last weeks and days in a nutshell: studying, researching, learning and hanging out at my favorite independent bookstore to write all those papers and assignment. Now it is time to relax and read for pleasure for a while until the next semester starts in January. I have a myriad of books that are just waiting to be read and I will pick one or two (besides one academic one: NERD!) to make my flight as comfortable as possible. Petit Joel has his own books and toys already packed up in his little backpack. So cute. He is so excited.
My life, besides the gallbladder issue, is pretty sweet these days indeed. Traveling the world, studying and finding home wherever my passport stamp takes me – there I land and make/made the best out of it, is a great thing. I was scared initially but I wanted this more than anything and I knew it won’t be easy in the beginning. But life is not easy, so I try to figure it out. I think, deep inside we all have this freedom to move around, travel, dance and play as we want to. We just have to take that first step and conquer fear and push ourselves a bit. Then built up strength along the way. And nobody can ever take this experience away from me. This was my choice and I treasure it – this freedom to move, discover and explore. One again: Deep inside, we all have this freedom to move. Have a great day.
It is cold in Canada and I am experiencing some sort of Winter Blues. Petit Joel and I are outside as much as possible. We built snowwomen and snow castles while being all wrapped up in layers and layers of clothing. Winter calls for warm,…
“If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together… there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with…
It has been pretty quiet on my blog these days. From writing daily to writing once or maybe twice a week is a pretty drastic change for me, too. This year was somewhat crazy. A lot of changes and adjustments but there has been one thing I have spent a lot on. Making sure that I spent enough time to de-stress, be calm and sort out all this mess that is going through my head. The Master Program at my University is no joke – I thought it would be easy-breezy but it is far from that. So usually, I spend my days at the library on a daily basis. I read, I write and I research. It is all fun, but it can get tiring and overwhelming. Especially, since this semester is almost over.
Do you still find an empty seat on the third floor at Carleton Library’s Silent Floor? Barely! Everybody tries to get the final assignments and papers in or prepares for exams. Me: Writing a 30-page final paper for a Systemic Functional Linguistics class is also not that much fun. I have had a pretty busy week with a lot on my mind and simply want to sit back and relax (or read for pleasure? what was that all about again?) but here are some tips that I use to de-stress and help to relax throughout this crazy final-paper-time – physically, mentally and emotionally.
Candles and Tea
At night, my favorite thing these days is to light some candles, make myself a cup of tea and just relax for a while before I go back to my office to work. Reflect on the day, maybe read something for pleasure or talk to friends. I also love to bake some almonds in the oven and eat those while they are still hot and sip my tea and read. The little things! And then I do not think about my thesis – not at all. Not at all! Bing-bong!
Writing.
I write, read and type all day long. This is my passion. This is what makes me happy. But journaling and blogging is something that somewhat fell behind these days. I used to write in my diary since I learned the alphabet. Now it is somewhat online, and I am thinking about adding different categories on the blog. More about this soon. For now, I want to emphasize that writing is great and such an important part of my life and I always encourage others to write, too. To release thoughts, ideas and whatnot you might come to a conclusion you never thought of. For me, with my blog, it gives me the chance to be honest and I don’t care about being judged. Basically, I just get creative and redirect my focus to something that brings me back into the moment and takes me out of my head and basically into my body. Jogging, bookstore-book browsing, writing, whatever works.
Healthy Eating.
I have recently been diagnosed with a severe gastritis and gallstones and I was shocked. I will write a separate post about it all, but in a nutshell: It was one of the most painful experiences in my life. I wonder why this happened because I consider myself a pretty healthy person and my eating habits are also good, I reckon. I am (almost-damn you pho!) vegetarian, smoothy-ing my way into the day and eating a salad at night so what is going on? NO clue! It just happened. We are all vulnerable – even though if we live pretty healthy. Note to self: I have to keep this in mind.
Movement.
These days, I love to run in the park. I don’t like going to the gym. Gym is not my thing. But being in nature helps me to de-stess my mind and body and I am able to relax. It helps me to bring me out of my past or my future and makes me focus on the present. It also helps to release endorphins or any tensions – especially from sitting in the “lieberry” for several hours. I am able to unwind my mind this way. Maybe you can, too.
Deep Breathing/Sleeping.
Especially, since my son was born, deep breathing has helped me to calm down. Done properly it is magic and helped me to relax, rest and even promotes mental clarity. The great things is that I can do it everywhere. We breath all day long anyway, right?! I lived in this concrete jungle, New York City, for over ten years so I know what I am talking about when I mention stress. This constant rush of a bustling city can be somewhat overwhelming and I needed time to relax. It is fun and exciting but also scary and way too busy for me. Things can get pretty heavy for city dwellers ,eh?! Sleep is also important. I try to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night. [Sometimes it might happen that I don’t sleep enough due to artistic intercourse or course work but then it is always worth it in the end anyway]
Getting out of Bed in the Morning .
I know, I know. This Friday class I am taking starts at 8.35 am! WTH! How did I ever sing up for this? Keep in mind, that I also have to take care of Petit Joel. He needs his breakfast and routine, so Mama has to get up on time. I set my alarm clock at 6.30 am and wake up thinking first that I am happy to be awake. Seriously! We should never take this for granted. This already makes me feel good every single day. I do some Yoga and stretching because I literally put my Yoga mat next to my bed to fall onto it. Then I take a shower, start my day with a green Smoothie, wake my son up, make him breakfast and off we go. This little routine makes me feel good every morning and it really helps. I don’t want to rush and be stressed out in the morning already.
Every single day ins Unique. Cherish every Day.
I love to observe my surroundings, especially people. I write things down that move or inspire me. Carry a notebook or journal. I write special things down that happen throughout the day, silly or funny thoughts. I enjoy things that make me laugh, cry, happy, sad; things that catch my eye and I will take a picture of it because this way the image will be unique and won’t disappear on me. Observing things with fresh eyes while giving off the energy I want to attract. A smile goes a long way and I reckon small acts of kindness will make all the difference. The more I give, the more I get. I also make sure I do enjoy all this time I spend in the library. I make it work for me. I can do this with everything else, too. Write poetry while taking the bus – write something beautiful for someone you love. [bus poetry I love but I don’t like explications and Words & Meanings]
Laugh.
Isn’t laughter the best medicine? I always make sure I spend time with those who make me happy and make me laugh because those can always cheer me up whenever I am down. They help put my life back into perspective. It is not that bad after all.
Also, it is so important for me to have a quiet day here and there and lounge at home while having a lazy evening and watch Paw Patrol with my three year-old son. I can get some rest too while he enjoys this show and I am close to him at the same time. I will make some soul food for him and I and stay positive even though this paper won’t write itself. I embrace it all, anyway. And smile.
“Everything will be okay in the end. If it is not okay, it is not the end”. – John Lennon.
Fence Post Shadows – by Judith Lockett Ottawa is a breathing, living city where inspiration seems to be around every corner. I think it is just a center for culture and art and even wandering the streets in my neighborhood is one of the most…
