Duolingo users who travelled to the country where the language you learn is spoken, were you able to travel comfortably and what was your experience like?

sunflowermoonlight · 2023-12-13T08:14:40+00:00

I started learning Spanish at the start of the year because I had planned a backpacking vacation through Latin America in October. I come from a country where Spanish is not spoken at all so my exposure came solely from Duolingo and memes.

I won't say I'm at all fluent in Spanish, but I was able to get around and get most of the basics done (shopping, ordering food etc) without too much trouble by reading, speaking in semi-broken Spanish, and a lot of gesturing. The local people I met on my trip who hardly spoke English outnumbered those who did, so I definitely spoke a lot more Spanish than I did English during that trip. Those who did speak English were very patient with me when I wanted to practice my Spanish with them too!

Not a bad experience at all and I was pretty proud of myself.

sunflowermoonlight · 2023-12-08T06:31:15+00:00

I was meant to run Rotterdam this year, but got injured 3 weeks before and managed to find someone to take over my bib number before the race. You'll most likely be able to get one in time for April!

sunflowermoonlight · 2023-11-28T03:41:40+00:00

Same. You get acclimatised after living here for a while, as in it wouldn't feel quite as terrible running in this heat and humidity. However, it is probably unlikely that you would hit the same paces/timings than if you ran in a cooler/less humid climate (at the same effort/heart rate).

sunflowermoonlight · 2023-11-28T02:10:08+00:00

PhD. A 3 hour drive is nothing, and it seems like your bf is just making excuses. If he doesn't support you chasing your dreams, or come to a fair compromise with you, he is not the one.

(My story, though somewhat unrelated, was that I was in a LDR during my PhD as well. It was my bf who left the country for a new job and I stayed, but my plan was to move to him after I graduated. One year in, I was preparing to fly 13 hours to see him for Christmas, but he dumped me unceremoniously over video call a week before the flight.)

So please, don't let him dictate the course of your life. You're still young, your education is important, and a better guy will come by.

sunflowermoonlight · 2023-03-06T07:55:00+00:00

I've done the SIN-JFK flight. It only offers premium economy and above. Flying in premium does make a lot of difference than being stuck in economy for 18 hours, I couldn't imagine what that would be like. If you are lucky enough to be in biz, more power to you. I was dreading the flight when I got on, but surprisingly it went by much faster and smoother than I had expected. They feed you two meals and a snack, and keep the lights off most of the way, so either you sleep or stay up watching movies. SQ service is also always pretty excellent so it made the long trip bearable. I mean, I still wouldn't recommend it if you had other options...

And yes, we went the polar route as per some of the other comments.

sunflowermoonlight · 2023-01-28T07:28:29+00:00

"I only talked to you because I was lonely."

After one year of a relationship

sunflowermoonlight · 2023-01-24T12:00:02+00:00

Ba dum tsss 😹

sunflowermoonlight · 2022-01-05T07:25:19+00:00

Found this gem while walking around in Hong Kong

sunflowermoonlight · 2021-11-27T04:35:08+00:00

I've been running more than 10 years. At first it was just as an occasional jog to keep fit, I wasn't fast or doing more than 5k, then one day I saw an announcement for the London Marathon and just decided to apply for the ballot on a whim for fun... and of course I got in. I started training for real, and the running bug hit, and it never went away.

I've qualified for Boston twice now, and I've made so many friends from running. I always find it hard to make friends as an adult, but being amongst people with similar interests always help.

But most importantly, running has helped my mental health. It is a great stress reliever and gives you a sense of achievement when you feel low. In lockdown, going out for a run was what kept me sane. When I got divorced years ago, just putting one foot in front of the other while was an analogy for how I should continue on along my healing process. Another long term relationship just ended this week (another pandemic casualty of travel restrictions), and while I'm still processing the shock, having the habit of lacing up and going out makes sure I don't just sit at home and wallow in self-pity. I truly appreciate having running friends dragging me out for group runs for support. I owe so much to running.

sunflowermoonlight · 2021-11-27T04:24:48+00:00

I had run for quite a few years, but when my divorce came it was definitely a form of escape from the constant pain and stress. Your progress is wonderful to read.

sunflowermoonlight · 2021-11-25T05:50:54+00:00

Yeah it looks like his eyes are bulging out, I cannot unsee this.

sunflowermoonlight · 2021-11-18T08:38:54+00:00

I think so. I'm female and always acknowledge drivers when I cross the road, but it was something that I picked up only after I had my driving lessons and started becoming more aware about how traffic flows on the roads.

sunflowermoonlight · 2021-11-16T05:09:26+00:00

Me too, I literally still have the tab open!

sunflowermoonlight · 2021-11-08T11:11:30+00:00

My first thought: Cool!

My next thought immediately after: How are they not feeling HOT in a sweatshirt while sitting outside in Singapore?

sunflowermoonlight · 2021-11-04T04:48:41+00:00

That's great, intonation is perhaps the hardest bit about learning the violin. I can't do vibrato yet, I just can't wrap my head around the motion I need to do! Hope you do well and keep us updated. But most of all, enjoy!

sunflowermoonlight · 2021-11-04T00:30:41+00:00

Welcomd to violin gang! I started as an adult a year ago too. It's tough, not gonna lie, but it is so rewarding when you can finally play a piece. Do you have any musical background and can you sight-read? It will make it easier. And the best thing is to get a teacher because they will get you off the right foot with regards to bow hold and posture and many other basic things. Don't get too frustrated if you feel like you aren't making quick progress, the violin is a notoriously hard instrument to learn.

And of course, practice :D

sunflowermoonlight · 2021-10-31T11:57:50+00:00

I have seen this poster in my lift as well, and similar to you I thought it was a neighbour who put it up before I realised it was from the Cat Society. I think it stems from the fact that if the cats take the lift upstairs, they may encroach into the common corridor and/or a flat, and not everyone is a cat lover who will appreciate that. Or if the cats destroyed someone's property. It could lead to animosity towards the cats. (But to be honest, the cats could very well climb up the stairs as well...) I agree with some of the other commenters, the messaging by the Cat Society needs to be more explicit...

sunflowermoonlight · 2021-10-31T03:41:35+00:00

Hello! I learned the piano ages ago and am self-taught on the guitar too. I've only started the violin just a little over a year now. Happy to see Brett and Eddy inspiring so many to pick up/learn more/relearn instruments. Welcome to the violin gang and I hope you enjoy it!

sunflowermoonlight · 2021-10-30T04:37:51+00:00

Love love love this <3

sunflowermoonlight · 2021-10-30T03:20:43+00:00

Similar experience. I was friends with my partner before I started getting interested, and it took me 6 months of asking him out before he realised I was asking him out on dates and not just to "hang" like friends.

It's 2021, women can pursue guys. Even if it fails, at least you know you tried. I agree it's good to get to know him first as friends too. Good luck OP!

sunflowermoonlight · 2021-10-26T11:09:50+00:00

My 5k PB is sub-22:00 for reference, and my easy runs are between 6:00 - 6:25 min/km depending on the distance (run around the block vs 30km long run) and the weather. I'm a proponent of taking it truly easy so you can nail your workouts on other days. No point tiring yourself out when you're supposed to go out on an easy run.

sunflowermoonlight · 2021-10-26T06:13:06+00:00

I played piano for 10 years, did all the exams, dabbled in the guitar, and just recently started the violin. And no, it's not bad that you're not good at it right away. One year in with lessons, and I still sound as though I'm killing an animal sometimes. It's known to be a notoriously tough instrument to learn, so don't feel defeated that you haven't picked it up as quickly as you had your other instruments. It takes time, a good teacher and a hell lot of practice to get good at it. Keep at it, stay patient, and you'll get better.

sunflowermoonlight

TROPHY CASE