Language Goals
I researched language fluency level and came across the Common European Framework of Reference. I reproduced the framework here so that I can come back to it in the future and gauge my fluency at any given time. My dream is, of course, to reach the “Mastery” (C2) level. However, to reach this stage I must be able to overcome what Seth Godin calls “The Dip” and in my opinion that starts at B2. Will I be able to surpass the challenge and not quit prematurely?
A Discovery of Witches
A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES by Deborah Harkness is a novel of magic, adventure and romance. Matthew Clairmont is an enigmatic vampire, a scientist, very intellectual, and although his initial interest is in an enchanted alchemical manuscript, now he can't seem to resist Diana Bishop, a young scholar and historian.
Diana is a powerful witch in denial of her own powers. And she is the one who could unlock the secrets of the ancient manuscript Matthew has his eyes on.
Quotes
“Before I met Matthew, there didn't seem to be room in my life for a single additional element—especially not something as significant as a fifteen-hundred-year-old vampire. But he'd slipped into unexplored, empty places when I wasn't looking.” —Deborah Harkness, author ”A Discovery of Witches”
A Discovery of Witches
I’m on vacation and brought along with me A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES by Deborah Harkness. This post is about a series of passages in the novel that caught me by surprise and got me teary-eyed. They're from page 135 when Matthew is playing chess with his gay but brilliant-genius daemon friend Hamish. — Matthew let out his breath and sat back in his chair, staring at the chessboard. His queen stood encircled by his own pieces - pawns, a knight, and a rook. Across the board his king was checked by a lowly black pawn. The game was over, and he had lost. […]
Greco’s Game
GRECO’S GAME by James Houston Turner is my second Aleksandr Talanov thriller. Having read the first, DEPARTMENT THIRTEEN, I was looking forward to reading this one the moment it becomes available on Kindle. The timing was perfect, too, because I’ll be vacationing in Bangkok and I can make this my holiday read!
GRECO’S GAME is a fast-paced story true to the Talanov spirit […]
“How to Become a Lifelong Learner” from Lists to Live By
I was reading LISTS TO LIVE BY compiled by Alice Gray, Steve Stephens, and John Van Diest, and came across this particular list on pages 36 to 37 that I think will benefit you too. This is an enjoyable book with thoughtfully compiled lists.
1. Start with your attitude. Lifelong learning begins with a heart that desires change, wisdom, and application.
2. Ask questions. Learners ask good question. They possess [...]
The Lost Symbol
THE LOST SYMBOL by Dan Brown was a joint-reading with my friend Hanson Tan. We went on an exciting and thrilling journey of codes, secrets, and unseen truths—all set within the hidden chambers, tunnels and temples of Washington, D.C.
THE LOST SYMBOL, which is the third book in the Robert Langdon series, is a follow-up to THE DA VINCI CODE and it was indeed my plan to read the latter first. However, I reckoned there is nothing wrong with […]
I Don't Know You But Let Me Save You
I met Hoong Ling from conferences we were both invited to speak as guest speakers. We quickly became friends. She’s down-to-earth, funny, and engaging. One can easily sense her sincerity in the cause she believes in and that is organ donation.
When she published her book, I DON’T KNOW YOU BUT LET ME SAVE YOU, I got myself a copy to support her cause. On January 14, 2009, Hoong Ling parted with sixty percent of her liver to save a child's life.