Eleonora’s Experience: Nurturing Orchids, Grandchildren, and Personal Passions
„I started learning English relatively late. There wasn’t enough time. I was developing my law career and taking care of my family. I chose my profession during the communist era, when it was believed that ‘once an engineer, always an engineer,’ and this inflicted irreparable damage on people’s mentality and way of thinking.
I have always been interested in society and its humanitarian dimension, as well as geopolitics. I do not understand the limitations that anchor a person to remain stagnant. I respect old democracies, where change is admired and where, at any moment, you can start from scratch. Every kind of education should help a person move in new directions, without it being tied to the initial image of their interests.“
What motivated you to start dedicating time and emotions to learning English at this stage of your life?
My motivation to learn English is to set an example for my granddaughter. In my close circle of friends, we believe that children should not be instructed but inspired because they absorb the drive of adults. Among us, there are many examples of the power of a mother to inspire her children by developing herself and pursuing her dreams, which are not tied to age. My dream is to travel together with my granddaughter Nia, to experience the world, perceptions, and sensations together, and through a foreign language.
We live in a global world where we can free ourselves from prejudices with the help of the very young, these global children of the world, who open our eyes and shed light on so many of our misconceptions.
Why didn’t you choose another language? Many other languages are gaining momentum. You graduated from a Russian school.
I like the sound of English. I feel connected to it through music and song lyrics. Every song tells a story and touches your heart. It’s the language in which I could communicate with the greatest number of people, and I owe that to myself.
Now is a golden time to be anywhere in the world, with all the thoughts and feelings that come with it. It’s also a confusing time, but far from stagnation. English provides access to the most extensive and timely information. One’s native language is no longer enough.
You have many interests – politics, art, gardening, books. Where do you find the connection with the language?
By developing these interests and enriching my hobbies through language. That’s where I find relaxation and an outlet. As I wrote in one of my essays: Find your escape with a hobby. I love watching speeches by famous people and listening to podcasts about politics and contemporary society in English. I look for orchid care tips on English websites, read adapted classics in English, and painting is my escape from everything else.
We all have moments when we start losing the sense of something, thinking it’s beyond our abilities, and it’s better to direct our efforts elsewhere. How do you manage to keep your optimism?
One of my deep convictions is: In life, there is no second place. Not in terms of results, but in terms of striving. It’s not the goal, but the path to it, the ambition, and the subsequent development of an intelligent individual that truly matters.
Tell us more about how watching famous people’s speeches on YouTube helps you practice the language.
I’ve subscribed to educational channels where every speech is analyzed as a lesson. Besides watching and listening to beautiful and precise English, I can follow the full transcript, summaries, key points, and get takeaways. For me, as someone who uses language professionally, this is a multifaceted experience. I enjoy speeches by President Obama, Rishi Sunak, as well as Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga. I admire famous people from various fields of life who are involved in different causes and ideas, creating attitudes for change.
My rules and tips for success
1. Every morning is a gift to us and a beginning. Start it with a smile!
2. Greet your closest people and don’t forget to tell them you love them.
3. In your work, think that what you do is important and meaningful.
4. Don’t miss helping someone, if you can, every day.
5. Always do the work in advance, never at the last minute.
6. Learn to say „no“.
7. Find your „escape“ with a hobby.
8. Don’t do unsolicited acts of kindness.
9. Don’t compromise on your values.
10. Remember that life is a „moment“ and must be lived to the fullest.
How to grow orchids?
The most important thing for orchids is that they should not sit in water, as this immediately creates a swampy element.
Moisturizing should be according to the season and sunlight exposure. They need a lot of indirect sunlight.
I nourish my orchids only with natural fertilizers – rice water, lemon water, and garlic.
I treat the leaves with diluted fresh milk, but I always dry them afterwards because it is harmful for them to be moist.
