The Traveller's Inner-Peace // Chinese Sprint to Christmas
This Week on Rae’s Tea
I started back university and am studying Diversity & Inclusion in Human Resources Administration ✨
Yesterday was my 1-year anniversary with my Taiwanese partner, and I spent it fully offline and connected. We’re also planning a mini-trip to Finland in September.
Special thanks to my two new supporters on Substack!!! You have no idea how grateful I am for your support!
In the works: New Language Dashboard, Energy Management Dashboard & Podcast…
Waagwaan Frennies 🌍✨
What do you think of when you hear the term ‘Inner Peace’?
So many spiritual and personal development terms become such ‘buzzwords’ shrouded in fads and toxic positivity, that we loose the actual benefit of working with the concepts.
That’s what I think of when I think of ‘Inner-Peace’.
Okay actually, it’s more this:
But Inner-Peace has less to do with an overwhelming-Buddha-like-calm.
It’s about having an unwavering trust in the flow of life.
No matter what happens, I trust in life.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned as a traveller and immigrant is to maintain this inner peace and trust in life. The reason why, is because outside of your home town and out in the world by yourself, life and it’s crazy waves of uncertainty are heightened 10X fold.
You simply CANNOT be prepared for all the crazy things that happen. Flights cancelled last minute, visa applications falling through, getting laid off, your landlord ends up being crazy, COVID- the list goes CRAZY.
But the key to having a good time and enjoying the ride despite all the unexpected curve balls is to never be phased by change and the unraveling of your expectations. Look life’s twists in the face and say ‘Alight! Change of plans, got you!’
Right now, I’ve been told by the migration agency that they legally can’t tell me if my visa extension has been approved or not until 2 weeks before my visa expiration. My anxiety shot through the rough when they told me, but now, I’ve come back to my inner-peace and reminded myself that I’m here on this planet for adventure, and that whatever happens will bring me joy, fulfilment and a story!
✨➡️ Inner peace is not woo-woo mumbo-jumbo, or toxic positivity. It’s allowing yourself grace to take your best foot forward no matter the circumstances ☯️ ✨
Language Update: Chinese Sprint
I’ve made a LOT of progress with Chinese in the last year or two, that largely surrounded my mental block towards speaking. Being part Chinese, I’ve had a lot of pressure to study Mandarin and a lot of judgement around it when I was young. This turned into trauma for me and I embarked on a journey to melt that barrier and start opening my mouth!
In my August review of my language skills, I resolved that I’ve finally eradicated the barrier to speaking, but now, I’m faced with an okay intermediate speaking level that I want to get to perfect!
SO I’ve decided to do a Mandarin language sprint, from now until LNY next February. I plan to do 3-4 Chinese lessons a week, and aim to study Mandarin vocabulary and structures daily.
Hopefully by next year February, I’ll be speaking like a pro in most of my most common topic areas.
Other Updates:
Korean: Recently started speaking with one of our GG members in Korean and I’ve realised how much my Korean has deteriorated. I’m very worried about it and I plan to start incorporating Korean back into my routine starting in September.
Italian: I started to study the basic of Italian. Taking it super slowly but I’m enjoying it a lot! If you’re looking for a great teacher, take lessons with Anna.
Swedish: I embarrassingly forgot the words for stomach and back this weekend and it was mortifying. Writing it here so I never forget again lol. maga, rygg
Finnish: I started Finnish two years ago and have barely continued which is really sad. I want to go back to dabbling… but where is the time?! Planning to visit Finland soon though, so I might do a mini-sprint over the weekend
Hawaiin: I STARTED HAWAIIN. In light of the political tragedies happening in Hawaii recently, I’ve gotten so interested in learning abut what’s happening over there and of course… that leaked over into my language goals… ugh someone stop me from myself…
Thanks for reading fren!
I’m back from a long newsletter break. Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about how to continue to combine my love the world’s languages and cultures and my love for the universal language i.e, the ways life speaks to us and guide us to growth. I’m still not entirely sure, but I’m coming back to give it a go. If any of you have any thoughts on my current style of content let me know!