How did I end up in Innsbruck and with this blog?

This is a different kind of week, with a little more origin story about how I ended up in Innsbruck.

The short answer is I got married to an Austrian from Tirol. The longer story is hopefully interesting enough to read for you. If not, and your mind begins to wander, feel free to look at some of the pics and skip to the German exercise at the end which is about prepositions or Präpositionen in German.

One of my favorite views in Innsbruck, near Markthalle

As time passes, it's strange to see different similarities with my parents. Maybe you've experienced this too, with your smile, how you talk about money, or how you might not be able to handel beans. In my case, I find myself in their language-learning shoes when I moved to Austria in 2019. I’m a daughter of two immigrant parents who moved from South America to the US and learned English along the way. Despite having Spanish-speaking parents, my younger-shyer self never quiet learned how to speak the language.

This is just a silly beach memory from the last visit I made to New York.

I’ve always had the dream or hope that learning a second language would be part of my life, and when I moved to South Korea to teach English, I thought that Korean might be that new language. Unfortunately, my shyness came again in speaking incorrectly and my ease in communication in English with colleagues and those eager to practice their English had left my Korean knowledge to take a permanent pause with annyeonghaseyo and kamsahamnida.

A site in Korea in Seoraksan National Park

After couple of years in Seoul, I was very excited to serve in Israel in the Bahai World Centre. This is a very special place for many Bahais and grateful for the opportunity to be there. I thought this might be the next language, Hebrew. Again, finding it much easier and familiar to speak English and knowing Israel was just a temporary home, I didn't learn.

Standing at the Shrine of the Bab

While in Israel, I met my Austrian husband who was also at the Bahai World Centre and between my home, New York, and his home, Innsbruck, we decided to fly over to Austria, or Österreich as it’s called in German. So after missing out on Spanish, Korean, and Hebrew, now is the moment to break the cycle in learning German and I’m here to help others who are striving for this second language.

One of my favorite views comes from Jenbach, Tirol

And so that was a little over a year ago by now and I had lots of help from family, native German speaking friends, friends that are learning German, YouTube channels like EasyGerman, apps like Seedlang, prayer groups (Devotionals/Andachts), a clarinet choir, and learning centers like Wifi. Thinking about all the help I received was one of the reasons for starting this blog, so I can offer help to others :)

German Exercise for the Week

Präpositionen Übung 1 (Level: A2)
Prepositions are a big theme in German. In this exercise, you'll practice using the correct prepositions with verbs, and watch out, because you'll also need to know if you need the Dativ or Akkusativ article.

Popular posts from this blog

Old year reflections and new year dreams

Image
Being a big fan of self-reflection, I love to think about what is to come in the new year and dream. New Year's resolutions has been seen more now as a shallow promise to make a big change, but I like to think of this more as an opportunity to look back on the previous year and then stop and think about where I want to be, what I would like to do, the possibilities that await. And if you can find a friend or friends who are also into a review, then all the better! Sharing visions and dreams can sometimes really become fuel for a wonderful journey. I've put together 2 small things to get the conversation going. It's not all questions about the meaning of life, but allows for looking into the previous year and then a little thought as what is to come. I recommend this mini reflection workshop below. New Year Reflection Program #1 Find a friend or friends who want to reflect together! Make it a date :) #2 Sit down together and enjoy some snacks and tea/coffee.
Read more

Tool: Online map maker

Image
When you think of world maps, you might think of a history teacher, but generally not a music teacher. But it does come in handy! As a music teacher, part of what we can do is introduce musical instruments to students. Recently another music educator made a really cool lesson about castanets and so I asked if I could use her self-made castanets for Kindergarten students. When introducing the instrument to the students, it's good to mention where the instrument originated. And especially if they are younger students, having visuals is important.
Read more

Halfway in the year review (Level 10 Life)

Image
 So it's July and halfway through the year. It felt very good to finish June. The end of a studies and work semester, the completion of different group projects, and participating in 4 concerts was all part of June and despite getting sick the last Friday of the month, it all worked out. And funny enough, once I got the okay that things are settling down, the impulse to think of the future kicked in. Yes, of course I am enjoying this freedom of time with relaxation too. And I think when things slow down, one feel good thing is thinking positively about what is in the present and what is to come. So I looked at what I did last year December, the Old Year Reflections again and my last Level 10 Life. It was a good feeling to see that some things have already been completed, and also a reminder of old ideas. And I was motivated to then re-do my Level 10 Life. What is a Level 10 Life? It's a way to be intentional with your life focus(es). It's a concrete method to reflect and c
Read more