#learning notes

[tio-studies-mandarin]

Wed. 14.07.2021

I did not post anything because the whole life is being weird. On Saturday I am moving in a new place for a while and the whole apartment is a mess. Anyway I do a bit of Chinese every day and I even found two Chinese girls willing to help me. We met once (online). I knew it would be awkward and it was, but I am planning to continue anyway. My Chinese is poor and not enough for any conversation, but I decided to prepare each time a short story that we can discuss together.

Story for the next time I will take from my learning app

张笑喜欢旅游，下个星期二是她十八岁的生日。她要和朋友一起去北京玩儿。她们住的离北京很远，所以她们得坐飞机。这是她第一次和朋友出去旅游，她很高兴。她希望星期二快点到。

It is, indeed, a very short text. But I have problems with some sentences, even I know each word, to understand the meaning is problematic.

First difficult place is 离

Second difficult place is 得

The app has a lesson about this character, but I think the meaning in the story is different, so I would need to ask my learning partners about it.

So I got help from my friend: in this context 得（dei3）has a meaning have to

🐼 我得去学校：i have to (or must) go to school

得 in this structure is placed directly before the verb

The app has this story with possibility to see colored tones and Pinyin, I can also turn it off))

I hope my studying with girls would continue for some time!

[lunatic-me]

So I'm still reading the 7 habits book and still talking damn long, but there's this one nugget I feel worth writing down.

The writer talked about self awareness and its importance, which makes me understand better why people meditate. Meditating is all about self awareness, and that helps with your self control. You will be more independent from the influence of the external factors: your environment, people around you, things that happen to you etc. You cannot control the environment or choose your upbringing but you can decide how to respond. And that's what self awareness is about.

[shy-storyteller]

My Journey into Shadow Work: Notes from a Complete Beginner

Have you ever caught yourself getting irrationally angry at someone for a trait you supposedly don’t possess? Or felt a mysterious pull toward qualities you claim to despise? Welcome to the club – I’ve been living in this confusing emotional neighborhood for years, and I’m just now discovering there’s actually a name for what’s been happening. I recently stumbled upon this concept called “shadow…

My Journey into Shadow Work: Notes from a Complete Beginner

[shy-storyteller]

Discover the Magical World of Chinese Folklore Creatures

Learning notes on Chinese Folklore Chinese mythology is like a vast, shimmering tapestry filled with dragons that control the weather, phoenixes that herald peace, and fox spirits that can transform into beautiful women. These aren’t just old stories gathering dust on library shelves—they’re living, breathing parts of Chinese culture that continue to captivate people around the world today. Why…

Discover the Magical World of Chinese Folklore Creatures

[lunatic-me]

It is surprising that someone I don't work with directly, could teach me so much for such a short time. Too bad I'm leaving soon. I hope my new place will have similar people who can teach me a lot. I thought we would have got along well.

But also reading that post was like a slap in the face. It was harsh but true, and necessary.

Lazy and unimaginative

Somehow this is what I needed to hear, to walk out of the comfort zone and start from scratch. More than all the positive affirmations.

Just remember not to give up on trying. I can get tired, and I can rest, but not give up.

At least I'm taking steps. Baby steps, but they are still steps.

Doing my best.

[lunatic-me]

You don't have to do it alone. Why do you keep thinking you are alone?

You have your team. They are smart and capable. They can do it. They can help.

[lunatic-me]

Coping with anxiety

Wake up earlier

Prepare, prepare, prepare. Plan, plan, plan. Plan for the morning the night before. Plan for the next week on Sunday. Set an intention. Set a focus. Set priorities.

Write things down

Break large tasks into bite sized portions.

Look at problems as challenges

Do it today. Do it now. Start the tiny first step. There's no "one day". It's "today"

Breath, slowly. Look at trains. Drink a cup of tea. Do laundry. Water plants. Sit at the balcony at night and listen to music.

Plan.

[lunatic-me]

Learning 2022

Maybe I should start this, a series of random things I learnt and maybe should have learnt. 

In this WFH era, I should be extra careful and make extra effort to engage with new joiners.

This also means, sometimes I was too inconsiderate.

I should have done better.

so that’s my first lesson of 2022