Category: EDUCATION

Once upon a time

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once upon a time

Do you tell each other stories at bedtime? Do you tell your children stories?

Here’s my answer: we READ stories. It is generally fairy tales from our native countries.  I sneak in my favourites – myths deep-rooted in Romanian culture and traditions, mystical fairy tales with meanings crossing centuries and habits. Continue reading “Once upon a time” →

Community, Wonder

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community wonder

featuring INDIAN FUTURES

I stand on the platform. A few early risers have already taken their places.

The same people every week. The blonde woman supporting herself on the raised stone wall. The smartly dressed man by the bench, phone light flickering on his face. Another woman greeting a neighbour. Continue reading “Community, Wonder” →

On football and the only World Cup game I have watched this year

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‘I often lay awake at night and look back at my life in wonder.

I am married, I have a family and I have changed jobs 5 times, because I wanted to. I feel like I have only moved up.

If my mother had lived to know this, she would find herself in disbelief, but proud. Continue reading “On football and the only World Cup game I have watched this year” →

On Grete and her half of the story

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featuring #HALFTHESTORY

I can’t take it off. I have tried and I’ve tried, but it’s too late now, it is stuck to my face and there’s nothing I can do about it.

It’s not gilded, it does not shine, nor sparkle, nor wow. It is not colourful; although it does have a beige tinge which I quite like.

Continue reading “On Grete and her half of the story” →

Purple and red, apples and pears

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featuring APPLES & PEARS

I grew up in a concrete jungle, in a flat at the centre of Bucharest. I learned to love walking to school among blocks of flats, reaching the city centre on foot, marvelling at architectural antitheses. I fell in love with grey. Continue reading “Purple and red, apples and pears” →

#ACCOUNTS THAT COUNT

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NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN!

You have heard me more than once speak about how important it is to spread a positive message and to read inspiring, rather than anxiety-inducing writing.

Time to put my money where my heart is, well, more like, my writing where my heart is. So here it is. Continue reading “#ACCOUNTS THAT COUNT” →

On being task-oriented

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featuring EVOLVE WORK AND LEARNING

‘The first time I saw a city bus I was seventeen years old.

I had met him on messenger. People still ask me how I had the patience. I am a patient person, when I know it is worth it in the end. Task-oriented, that is what they call me.

Continue reading “On being task-oriented” →

Cold coffee and walnut cake… and world sanitation

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featuring GATHER, on world sanitation

If you asked my husband the names of my Transylvanian cousins, aunts and uncles, he would struggle to give you the right answer. He would be much better able to tell you which household owned a TV, who had the first refrigerator, the first toilet, or who was the first to have electricity installed.

Continue reading “Cold coffee and walnut cake… and world sanitation” →

The man who takes pictures in the sea

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featuring PAVILIONS addiction recovery

‘It has been over 3 months now since I last drank alcohol and the longest it has ever been since I was 21. I never want it in my life.’

Continue reading “The man who takes pictures in the sea” →