#LIKEACHALLENGE 

Week 5 has been a lot about ‘forcing’ myself to do those 15min of French when I know I’m losing momentum in my challenge and can’t find the same motivation I had in the first week. I did two 1:1 lessons in week 5, so that’s good, but I had to find new, interesting ways of learning in order to not get bored. I guess it’s easier when you just learn French in France and then you’re surrounded by the language all the time anyway. But doing it in London, I have to do (at least) 15

I know a bit more than 'une baguette' by this stage..just finished week 5 of my learning French challenge, but still writing a blogpost about week 4. My only excuse is that...I’ve been learning French plus doing the Vicky’s Secret challenge. So no sitting around for sure! Week four was when I had my first 1:1 lessons and that gave me a massive boost of confidence when it comes to actually speaking the language! You can learn from books, internet or listen to tapes / apps / y

I’ve had some moments of doubt this week pondering if I can ever get past only being able to name things and memorise whole sentences. It’s speeds up the learning process at the beginning, but at some stage you want to express genuine opinions or say how you feel, naturally, rather than delivering a script. I think I haven’t reached that stage with French yet. I’m getting to the point of ‘Tarzan French’ (a name used in the ‘Language hacking’ book), where you simply use whate

As it was an extremely busy time for me work-wise, my second week has mostly been about trying to fit in at least one minute of French whenever I could. On the train, in the cafe, between phone calls, listening to the app when standing in a queue or at 11pm at home before going to bed. This is the reason why a lot of people give up their challenge a few days into it, they just don't find the time. Or rather, they don't even TRY to find the time. We've got work, daily erran

Here’s a few photos from the last Warsaw ‘Barborka’ Rally which takes place every year at the end of the Polish rally season. Over the years, it’s become an iconic event gathering the best of Polish drivers and special guests from around the world. 'Barborka' also refers to the 4th Dec and Saint Barbara, who is the patron...of miners. Still, a relatively big celebration in Poland (mining used to be big here). Also ,if you know any Barbaras or Basias wish them a 'Happy Iminin

Week two has been all about learning French words for clothes and colours, apart from trying to memorize another dozen of sentences along the lines of 'please speak slower' which will hopefully save my life in France when I eventually head across the Channel. My pronunciation is failry good (well, it’s always been my strongest point when learning any language), vocabulary is not bad.. just trying to put everything together into a coherent conversation is not easy (i.e. I've

It’s the beginning of week two and I was thinking that I need to organise the ‘words of the day’ which I do on Instagram and have some French inspirations for every week. Apart from constantly talking to myself on instastory, I introduced you to a few French words for clothes and colours. So, this week I’ll continue with that, but here on the blog I also want to explore the French minimalist wardrobe and the basic items you need to look like a proper Parisian! I’m a big fa

Pas mal! Not (too) bad. I was very excited the first day and then it got a bit slower towards the end of the week. Luckily, with the help a salted caramel cheesecake, I got back on track at the weekend and did my reading and speaking exercise like a diligent first class student. (I was far from that during my Uni days, so not sure what being a 'diligent first class student' actually means, but... I’m doing fine, by the way.) I’ve yet to have a one to one lesson. I’ve asked a

There's been heated discussions with my co-pilot (dad) in regards to the car we should take for the Monte Carlo or bust rally . We initially thought about getting a very cheap convertible as it does get really hot in the summer around the Mediterranean. Later on, we were wondering if we should go with a more ‘Polish’ car. Something like this... This is the FSO Polonez. Clarkson referred to this as one of the worst cars in the world and 'The Telegraph' says it should never ha