Postcrossing!

Got two lovely postcards from postcrossing today! I'm especially partial to the vintage Alice in Wonderland postcard.. although it got ripped in the mailing process. :(

Love the stamps!!

<3

Language Zen

Language Zen

Recently I've been a part of a research project carried about by a new language learning website: Language Zen (link above). The premise of the website is to learn a language in a stress free manner, hence the "zen". I think they have done a good job so far, especially being a new website. Being a part of the research means that I will get full access to the website after (as of now there is no cost to join, but perhaps there will be in the future?). What I've had to do is basically use language zen for 2 or more hours a week for a couple months. At the beginning I took a test to place my Spanish level, and after the research period I will take another to see if I improved using their learning system. I am eager to see the results.

PROS

• Easy to use, visually appealing
• Good for RECALL and not just recognition. Big plus for me.
• Good native pronunciation of the language
• Allows you to learn with music
• Teaches you phrases and words you SHOULD know

CONS

•  Only available language is Spanish (although they are planning to add more)
• Grammar explanations could be more thorough
• Doesn't include cultural tidbits

Overall, I like the system and I'm sure I'll continue to use it after the research is done. However, at this point I think the best way to utilize this website is as more of a review and a supplemental resource to other language learning techniques. I also hope they add more languages soon! 

 

Another go.. and an analysis of opinions?

I'm here to give blogging another shot. If anything, just to record my current views and see how they change over time. 

Recently I've been thinking a lot about opinions and views that we all possess. I think it is better to have an open mind or, to explain further, a mind that is open to changing it's opinion. To have a solid and definitive opinion of anything is slightly presumptuous and even indicative of ignorance in some cases. In contrast, being able to synthesize incoming information to come to a new (or perhaps revised) conclusion of a certain topic is much more honorable and shows that you are not bound by prevailing opinions that have been thrust on you your whole life (either by others or even yourself). 

To put my idea into context, I always think of religion. I think to have an utterly defined definition of religion, God, the afterlife, etc. is not indicative of a strong mind, but a mind that refuses to change. This is not to say that those who believe in God are right or wrong.

I am merely saying that perhaps we should be asking more questions, listening to others with differing opinions, and taking in all this information to become more informed about what we believe to be true.

I suppose I am also insinuating that anything I post is my opinion AT THE TIME. My mind is always open to change, and my opinions often change. I believe that is what having a strong mind is all about.

Sick of me posting money yet?

I just find all the different banknotes so fascinating! I now have 16 countries represented:

India
Jamaica
Taiwan
Thailand
China
Romania
Ghana
Zambia
South Africa
Canada
Serbia
Indonesia
Malaysia
Singapore
Ukraine
England

I think it's funny I don't have a euro yet, since it's so common around Europe! Haha I really want to represent South America more, it's the or continent I haven't received one from yet :)

2013?!

I can't believe it's already 2013! I'm happy that the world didn't end, because I'm not done with it! I have a few resolutions this year that I'm hoping to follow:

• Eat healthier (This means I need to stop eating at 10 pm!)
• Blog more actively
• Stop procrastinating (This is a big one..)

These are my main three goals, and they are all easy to do if I just make myself follow them. Hopefully 2013 will be a good year for everyone :)

Package from Singapore (:

From user showniez on swap-bot! She went over the top, and sent me some amazing items! Thanks so much Rika!

Such a sweet puppy we got to puppy-sit! His name is Stout and he's a pitbull mix :)