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Category Archives: Language
The master becomes the student
When the wonderful “Lady of the Cakes” published her post on “How to be a hater with German food phrases”, I immediately did what any sane person would do and started insulting one of the (three) people I know in Germany. … Continue reading
A few days in Daugavpils (Part three)
Yet again, I woke up at the crack of dawn, thanks to the paper thin blinds and the creaking of old trams (and old bones) outside my window. After trying to convince myself that I was asleep for another couple of … Continue reading
Posted in Humor, Humour, Language, Latvia, Social Issues, Travel
Tagged Ants, Artilerijas Pagrabs, beer, Church Hill, Customer Service, Daugavpils, Emigration, Food, Fortress, Homeless people, Hotel Latgola, Hotel Paradize, Infrastructure, Investment, Laimas Muzykanti, Lidadis, Mark Rothko Centre, Music, Trams
85 Comments
You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry
The other day, one of my students made me mad. Hopping mad. Believe it or not, this is actually pretty hard to do. While I am what some might call a bitch little feisty in ‘real life’, in the classroom, … Continue reading
Posted in Expat, Humor, Humour, Language, TEFL
Tagged Attitudes to English, English, Latvia, learning English, Non-native speakers, Students, teaching English as a foreign language, TEFL
182 Comments
Judgement Day
Gundega: Do you write a blog? Me: SHHH! (Looking around like a fugitive) Yes, I do… Gundega: No, no, I love it! Me: Oh. Great, thanks! Glad you like it. (pregnant pause) Gundega: (with a healthy amount of desperation) Don’t … Continue reading
Posted in Expat, Humor, Humour, Language, Latvia, Social Issues, TEFL
Tagged Clothing, Education in Latvia, English in Latvia, ESU Public Speaking Competition, expat, Judge, Riga, Teenagers, TEFL, The Baltic Times
54 Comments
Latvians and their backsides
On Friday, as I had a nice early finish, I decided that it was about time I made an appointment to have my hair cut. I had been putting this off for a while, partly because I was afraid that … Continue reading
Posted in Expat, Humor, Humour, Language, TEFL
Tagged arse, backsides, conferences, expat, Getting a haircut, hairdresser's, humor, Humour, International Women's Day, Latvia, Latvian basketball team misbehaving, shit, Teaching English, TEFL
78 Comments
The weird and wonderful world of Latvian names
For Christmas, one of my students gave me a calendar and, I have to say, it really is the gift that keeps on giving. Not only do I now know what day it is most of the time, I am … Continue reading
Posted in Humor, Humour, Language, Latvia, Latvian women
Tagged Changing your name, Children, Choosing your child's name, Cock, expat, humor, Humour, language, Latvia, Latvian name days, Latvian names, Latvian names and their meanings, Vagina
164 Comments
Of mice and me
The other day, I learned a new word in Latvian – līķūdens – which translates into English as corpsewater. I was sitting on my sofa, minding my own business, when my phone rang and my rather merry Latvian friend started … Continue reading
Posted in Expat, Humor, Humour, Language, Latvia
Tagged Corpsewater, English, humor, Humour, Janis, Latvia, Latvian language, Learning a language, līķūdens, Mouse, TEFL
114 Comments
Expat Eye on Latvia 