My last class. My last zoom meeting with the students this semester. I turn off the camera, mute the microphone, relax my face, lean back on the chair, and finally put my feet on the desk - something I could never do in front of my students on zoom. It is such a liberating feeling … Continue reading zoom, zoom, zoom
Two-wheel friend or enemy…
I do not know how to ride a bike. It is embarrassing. I am 32, and the only bike I have ever truly mastered was a tricycle when I was 5. I always feel ashamed to admit I cannot ride a bicycle. By my age, you are supposed to know that. It is like one … Continue reading Two-wheel friend or enemy…
🐶For dog-lovers only!
You will always remember your first dog. Not because it was the best, smartest, or most beautiful dog in the world, but because it was your first one. Your first furry love. My first dog was a poodle. Like most children, at the age of 5, I decided I wanted a dog. Immediately. At any … Continue reading 🐶For dog-lovers only!
Covid-19 and Caves?
Today after watching and reading news on coronavirus for hours and feeling more and more anxious about the pandemic, I thought: when was the last time I felt complete peace in my body and mind? Not just a 5-minute relief or a fleeting sense of excitement, but a feeling of absolute happiness, stillness, and inner … Continue reading Covid-19 and Caves?
one student, many thoughts
I have one student in my class who comes to talk to me after each seminar. Literally, after each class. And what does he say? During the semester, we are discussing different literary texts, dealing with quite difficult topics: the Holocaust, racism, discrimination, AIDS, homosexuality, religion, segregation, colonialism, imperialism ... the list goes on. We … Continue reading one student, many thoughts
D+r+e+a+m+s
Do you dream a lot? I never daydream, but almost every single night I have a dream. I know we all have dreams at night, but if our sleep is deep enough, we won't remember our dreams in the morning. I remember every single dream I have. I do not sleep well. It all started … Continue reading D+r+e+a+m+s
Sharing is healing
It was September, about 10 am, when I got a Whatsapp message from my mom. I was at the university, getting ready to teach my English class to Engineering students. For the past 6 years, I have been living and teaching in Canada, but all my immediate family lives in Russia. I got a message … Continue reading Sharing is healing
My first experience with YouTubing
I have recently started my own YouTube channel, a Booktube (natable books) - yes, it is all about books, reading, and reviewing the new releases in literature! I am both excited and terrified. I have never thought I could have the courage to talk in front of camera and then put myself on display for … Continue reading My first experience with YouTubing
Stay humble
The semester is over. Exams are marked, and lecture rooms are empty. I am sitting inside the cafeteria and looking at my student's card. She gave me it as a thank you for a wonderful semester. The card says one sentence: "I find you to be very humble and for that I thank you!" I … Continue reading Stay humble
saying YES
Can we try to live a month or week of YES? Instead of jumping to refusal, denial or negative answer, can we react positively to everything that happens to us? Can we say YES to an early beeping sound of our alarm clock and agreeing to wake up right away without hitting the snooze button? … Continue reading saying YES
NATABLE 