Welcome once again to take a dive in languages - a big part in our journeys of life. Whether we actually make any journeys geographically or merely in our minds - digitally or otherwise. This time it will be about the third person singular - he and she. To the exclusion of all other aspects of gender specification. So without entering in the discussion when and why the two genders get grammatically separated, or what is the role of feminism in all of this, let’s just say that I myself found out only a couple of weeks ago that gender neutrality is not that uncommon after all. Continue reading

This time in First Names First it is all about Linda! Like with other names, this too is updated every now and then. Pick one, then follow the Wikipedia link to read about the person, and to see what if anything she could contribute your life with. Why not give a couple of minutes of your life to this for lives lived have something worthwhile to tell us – let them! Continue reading

[caption id=“attachment_10400” align=“alignright” width=“293”]Photo credit Arja Mielityinen[/caption] the funny looking tree (okay, there are admittedly a lot of funny looking trees around the world) in the picture taken in Icod de Los Vinos in Teneriffe, is actually not a tree at all, but a plant? It is called Millennium Dragon Tree (El Drago Milenario in Spanish), and there are claims of it being the oldest tree on the planet. But yes, even though it looks like a tree, it is nevertheless a plant - placed in the family of Asparagaceae, though in earlier classification systems, in the family Liliaceae. Continue reading

This time in our series Who Said That! a quotation that rings true to many of us as most of us get to live a long life filled with opportunities - some grasped, some missed, and some passed: _“TWENTY YEARS FROM NOW _ YOU WILL BE MORE DISAPPOINTED BY THE THINGS THAT YOU DIDN’T DO THAN BY THE ONES YOU DID DO” These things can be most anything. Encouraging your kids to be the best they can be. Continue reading

Welcome again to Language Day! If you haven’t read the introduction yet, please do it here. This time we’ll go through that simple but oh so useful and such an appreciated word: Thank You! Here presented the most simple form of it in different languages, more or less corresponding to the English Thanks. The way the word is written in its own language is given after the language designation. How it is pronounced is for you to find out! Continue reading

Today in Streets & Squares we visit the city of Puerto de la Cruz in the Spanish island of Tenerife off the coast of Africa. Lots of eponymous streets here and a lot of history! As always, clicking on the address links leads you to Google Maps, and clinking on the names to the person’s Wikipedia page. AV. FAMILIA DE BETANCOURT Y MOLINA - Agustin de Betancourt y Molina (1758-1824) was an engineer, urban planner and construction manager born in Puerto de la Cruz. Continue reading

This time in our series Who Said That! let’s go down the rabbit hole! Or literally explore where that phrase: Going down the rabbit hole originates in. The meaning of it is obvious to most of us. We see something, but want or need to know more about it and are willing to go to great measures and depths in order to find out, once and for all. So like the rabbit that disappears in its hole under ground to escape a danger, we dive into a hole - not to avoid danger, but possibly face it in letting ourselves get in circumstances unknown to us in order to find out what lies beneath the surface, what actually is there to know if you take that step. Continue reading

This time in First Names Firstis about Jeff and Jeffrey! Take your pick in the list, and find some inspiring stories behind these names. Give this a couple of minutes for lives lived have all something worthwhile to tell us. Let them! Jeffrey DeMunn* actor – Buffalo, NY USA (1947) Jeff Bridges* actor/singer/producer – Los Angeles, CA USA (1949) Jeff Goldblum* actor – West Homestead, PA USA (1952) Jeff Fahey* actor – Olean, NY USA (1952) Jeff Koons* artist - York, PA USA (1955) Jeff Daniels* actor – Athens, GA USA (1955) Jeff Foxworthy* actor/ comedian/writer – Atlanta, GA USA (1958) Jeffrey Dahmer* serial killer – Milwaukee, WI USA (1960) Jeff Probst* Survivor host/producer – Wichita, KS USA (1961) Jeff Beal* composer - Hayward, CA USA (1963) Jeffrey Dean Morgan* actor - Seattle, WA USA (1966) Jeffrey Wright* actor – Washington D. Continue reading

Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, decided this winter to introduce -as a trial basis - a new, gender equal approach to clearing roads and sidewalks from snow. The snowplows are to work the sidewalks and bicycle lanes first (and roads second) in order to favor women who use them much more frequently than men do. Men who tend to take (what is often the only) family car to work. This winter especially that decision has been met with great satisfaction as the sidewalks have often been so icy. Continue reading

It is April Fool’s Day folks! And even if the word fool connotes today something else - and hopefully brings a smile to your face - it is still a good day for this phrase: “The fool looks at a finger that points at the sky” That phrase appeared in the 2001 French romantic comedy film Amélie, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. And it’s not hard at all to understand what is meant by that. Continue reading

This time in Language Day, let’s talk a little about countries. Anyone who watches international sports events such as the Olympic Games is well aware of that many national teams like to display the name of their country in their own language. Which can be very different from how it is said in English. So the list below shows what it might say on the shirt of an athlete (these days of course you often see the name of the athlete instead). Continue reading

This time in First Names First a Finnish name - Maija! The name Maija is half of the double connotation of “Matti ja Maija Meikäläinen” which roughly translated means Mr and Mrs Smith. And since we a fortnight ago already had Matti, the counterpart this month will be Maija. Some of them from other countries, and double names accepted here as well. And also the international Maya of course! Tyyne-Maija Salminen**(b Kivi) author – Tuusula, GD of Finland (1903) Maya Angelou* poet/writer/activist – St. Continue reading

Streets & Squares takes you this time to Sydney, the state capital of New South Wales on the east coast of Australia. As always, clicking on an address will take you to Google Maps, and clicking on a name to the person’s Wikipedia page. See who lies behind the name of these streets and squares. Alfred Street - Prince Alfred (1844-1900) Duke of Edinburgh, and the second son of Queen Victoria. Continue reading

This time in Who Said That! another quote to ponder upon. And if you want to try to guess or remember who said that, just remember to s c r o l l down very slowly so you won’t reveal it ahead of time! “WHEN ONE DOOR OF HAPPINESS CLOSES, ANOTHER OPENS_;_ BUT OFTEN WE LOOK SO LONG AT THE CLOSED DOOR THAT WE DO NOT SEE THE ONE WHICH HAS BEEN OPENED FOR US” Continue reading

Time for some Latin. This one is something that some of us dream of, but very few can realize. To be able to have so little that you can carry it all with you, anywhere you go. To have that freedom. It is about minimalism, the strive to have so little that material things do not present an obstacle to one’s living and moving around. Perhaps we can stretch this in our modern world to having everything you own fit in your camper. Continue reading

[caption id=“attachment_5123” align=“alignright” width=“375”]Yalu River between China and Korea[/caption] Here’s the second piece in our series 1000 Years Ago Today, published every now and then. When you think about it, not much of essence differentiates us from the people who lived a thousand years ago. Their surroundings and circumstances sure were different, but when it comes to basic human needs, desires, capabilities, ambitions etc, most of it is more or less the same for us and them. Continue reading

[caption id=“attachment_9012” align=“alignleft” width=“272”]A Three-Star restaurant according to the Michelin Guide[/caption] the world famous Michelin Guide is not just about restaurants, but actually a series of guide books, published by the French tire company Michelin for more than a century. The one giving those stars for restaurants and hotels around the world is called Michelin Red Guide, but in addition to that, Michelin also publishes a series of general guides to cities, regions, and countries, called the Michelin Green Guides. Continue reading

Once again, First Names First! A chronological list of persons with their first name here. Pick one, then follow the Wikipedia link to read about the person, and see what if anything he or she could contribute your life with. Inspiration, passion, encouragement, empathy, etc. Give a couple of minutes of your life to this. Lives lived have all something worthwhile to tell us - let them! This time around it will be a Finnish name - Matti! Continue reading

This time in Language Day a very useful expression if you are traveling abroad. The one question that you need to ask when looking for a place, any place. You already know where you want to get to, and you only need to attach two simple words to it: where is? Of course you can always try English anywhere you go, but the fact is that not everyone knows English, so here goes: where is in several other languages. Continue reading

Time for another Latin phrase in our Monthly Latin series. This time about something that will become increasingly important in our modern world as we move towards times that will most probably challenge the ways we handle global adversity collectively. Sapiens qui prospicit  meaning “Wise is he who looks ahead” - or “Wise is he who foresees”. On a personal level it signifies naturally the wisdom in looking ahead in one’s life - making plans and foreseeing possible problems and obstacles in one’s attainment of goals. Continue reading