June Featured Person: Victoria Verano De Leon
I met Vicky in our church branch in Al Ain, UAE. With our small branch group, it was easy to build a meaningful connection – with Vicky, and with others who became like family in a place far from home.…
Jaz Beyond Teaching
Simplicity in Learning, Living, and Exploring
Jaz Beyond Teaching
Simplicity in Learning, Living, and Exploring
Mindfulness & Simplicity
Dive into the practice of mindfulness and the beauty of living simply. Here, I explore ways to cultivate inner peace, manage stress, and embrace a more intentional, grounded approach to life. From everyday habits to deeper reflections, this space is about nurturing well-being.
My Sickness Saga: Final Notes
This is it. Ten episodes in, and my Sick Leave Saga is wrapping up. Starting tomorrow, I’m back to normal working hours – full shifts, full chaos, and (hopefully) full energy. To be honest, this last week felt like a…
My Sick Leave Saga: Almost There
3 → 4 → 6 hours and counting This week I’m moving into the next and final phase of my work transition: working 6 hours a day, from 8:00 – 14:00. No breaks. Just straight hours of Kindergarten energy. Good…
My Sick Leave Saga: Transition Mode
This week was a blur of transitions, reunions, ceramic elephants, missed trains, and philosophical chats about life goals – in short, a classic “me” week. So yes – I’ve officially started the Wiedereingliederung (return-to-work) program. I’m back in the Kita…
May Featured Person: Ymonette Cabrera
I didn’t personally know Ymonette before this, but she came highly recommended by one of my previous featured person, Maila Rito – and after hearing even a part of her story, I immediately understood why. There’s a quiet strength in…
My Sick Leave Saga: The Tired Kind of Progress
This week felt short, long, and a bit sideways – you know, one of those weeks where you get things done, but still feel like you’re behind? That kind. I had three physio sessions this week – Monday, Wednesday, and…
My Sick Leave Saga: Still Showing Up
Today is Mother’s Day – and for once, Linus remembered the tradition. Here in Germany, it’s common for kids to surprise their moms with breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day morning. The past few years, he’s somehow always forgotten (classic…
My Sick Leave Saga: Still Healing
The past two weeks have been a blur – medically, mentally, and occasionally, very strangely. It started with blood work on Tuesday (April 22). Now, let me tell you – this is never a simple thing for me. I’m that…
My Sick Leave Saga: Still in Between
This week started off with a lot of hope and preparation. I had an important government appointment early in the week, and while everything went relatively okay, something about the whole experience completely threw me off. I left feeling drained,…
My Sick Leave Saga: Between Stillness and Restlessness
Another week down. Time moves weird when you’re healing. It’s not quite fast, not quite slow. Just stretchy – like chewing gum that’s lost its flavor but won’t let go. I’m still home, still recovering from this back injury that…