#staying connected

13. How has language learning connected you with others this year?

This year I think it was less about getting connected and more about staying connected in the post-/still-Covid period. I kept contact with my Irish peers via weekly crinniú meetings on Skype in Irish (Gaeilge), joined an online class (where my first ever Irish teacher happened to be a student), and although I couldn't visit the Gaeltacht or the Coláiste in person, a letter I wrote to my friends, classmates and teachers was shared one day at tea.

14. What are you most proud of for accomplishing this year regarding language learning?

Hm. So! I had an idea.

If any of the ‘moot family’ has Snapchat- and is comfortable giving it out- I think it would be really cool to make a groupchat on there so we can 1. all talk together and 2. stop bombarding Tumblr with our hellchats.

Tagging the known members! (Sorry if I missed anyone!)

@tick-tick-moo @spn-and-chill @how-the-feathers-have-fallen @a-dot-hammy @mrs-winchester-riddle @final-girl-cas

People with mental health problems and mental illness often use their phone as a distraction from their own dark thoughts. Looking at pretty images on Instagram, funny things shared on Facebook, clever dances on tiktok, all of these things can provide a small sliver of light into the darkness of their mind. It can help soothe them after intrusive or scary thoughts. It reminds them of life outside their head and shows them beauty when they feel like there is none.

Some people might be using their phone to stay in close contact. Parents keeping in contact with children, checking on them when they’re at home by themselves, or out by themselves. Sharing a funny thought with a friend to make them smile too. Sending photos and memes and chatting. How is this something bad? Before Covid this was so negatively viewed, hopefully people now realise how helpful it can be to stay connected via phones. Reaching out when you’re isolated and lonely. Sharing your sadness and pain, helping each other to get through these crazy times.

Some people might be writing notes, ideas for poems and stories, creative ideas they want to paint or make. Looking up decorating ideas to make their house a home, storage ideas for the new baby coming. Checking the definition of a strange word they just heard or checking if a book is available at the library.

Maybe they’re searching for recipe ideas to make dinner for the family. Looking up a delicious wine for date night. Checking what new shows are streaming soon and booking in friends to watch them with. People might be ordering flowers to be delivered to a loved one, or looking through photos of their pet.

When it comes to relationships, everyone is pretty much friends with everyone. But I’ll tell you who’s closest to who.

Jose lets Yuri come to his farm sometimes to catch bugs. Haoyu also likes to drop by to deliver messages. And Sometimes he likes to deliver fresh food to good old Bruce.

Fiona sometimes invites Cass and Lucy to the beach so they can relax. Nothing is better than to have the warm sun beaming down while you listen to the waves.

Yuri calls Jose her uncle sometimes. And Emma is a good friend to talk to when you’re feeling shy.

Haoyu and Leo hit it off great. They even write to each other sometimes. Haoyu likes to deliver messages to everyone he can if there’s a state of emergency.

Sana likes to take Eis to the forest sometimes and teach him about wildlife. Bruce is also a good friend who wants to help keep the earth clean.

Cass is pretty much friends with everyone.

Cal gets along well with Attilio, Cass, and Lucy. They like to meet up in the same coffee shop sometimes.

Iben thinks that Attilio is a great babysitter for her kids. she acts pretty motherly towards everyone else.

Attilio loves kids and making them laugh. Leo, Emma, Haoyu, and Yuri are a fan of his antics.

Lucy does what she can to keep in touch with Cal, Eis, Sana, and Iben. She just likes to check on them.

Eis likes hanging out with Sana and Lucy. He likes how they can find beauty in simple things.

Bruce appreciates it when Jose drops by to bring him so fresh crops. He also likes passing down his wisdom towards Yuri, giving her some fun facts about bugs. And Sana is a great person for preserving wildlife.

Leo likes to talk to Haoyu sometimes. As for Emma, he talks to her A LOT!