Welcome the first instalment of the new “Bamm-Bamm Talks” series! After following my daughter’s language progress in the series “Birdy Talks“, I’m excited to be starting a new series about her brother. I know, I know, one should not compare the kids. That said, most parents will probably agree that – willingly or unwillingly – […]
Presenting: a Video about Let the Journey Begin
Back in November, soon after finding out that I am among the top nominees of the .eu Web Awards, I was visited by a film crew to make a video about Let the Journey Begin. I spent a fun morning with two lovely Belgian gentlemen, walking around one my favourite areas of Hamburg and talking about […]
Learning Latvian: the Best Resources for Kids
Speaking a small language has its perks but, as most Latvian parents living abroad will agree, finding books and other resources is not among them. Fortunately for us, the Internet can make learning Latvian a little easier and a lot more fun. Read on for a collection of useful webpages, mobile apps, book stores that deliver […]
The Art of Procrastination
Procrastination is my favourite word in the English language. In fact, I often say that this blog is running on tea, chocolate, and the power of procrastination. And I refuse to see procrastination as an irredeemable character flaw. Over the years I have developed my own brand of semi-productive procrastination that sometimes brings surprising results (case […]
Celebrating Name Days in Latvia
Do you celebrate name days? Chances are, your answer is either an enthusiastic ‘yes!’ or a slightly confused ‘err, what?’ In honor of just having celebrated my own name day (mark your calendar for January 27th if you don’t want to miss it next year!), this post is about the fun tradition of marking name […]
5 Reasons Why I Make a Terrible Latvian Mother
Parenting outside the culture where you yourself were born and raised can be a tricky thing. I certainly do some things differently than the German moms around me. At the same time, I have the feeling that I don’t parent like a typical Latvian mother either. From outside naps to early potty training, I fail […]
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30 Hours in Bustling Brussels
Now when the busy Christmas season is over, I finally have the time to sit down and write a few words about our trip to Brussels back in November. Hubby and I travelled to Belgium for the awards ceremony of the .eu Web Awards and returned home with a prize! But for us, the real prize was […]
Top 5 Posts of 2017
It has become a tradition to start a new year of blogging by looking back at the year before. 2017 was quite an exciting year for Let the Journey Begin, from the first post going viral with thousands of readers every hour to travelling to Brussels for the .eu Web Awards and coming home with a […]
Winter Solstice Traditions in Latvia
For millions of people around the world, Christmas is closely tied to Christian beliefs, after all, it is a celebration commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. In fact, in many languages, the word for the celebration itself has to do with Christ or birth. Not so in Latvian where we celebrate “Ziemassvētki”, literally the “winter festival”. You […]
Kanēļmaizītes – a Latvian Christmas Treat
The English-speakers know them as cinnamon rolls and love to top them with icing. The Swedes call them kanelbulle and have set aside a day (the 4th of October) for celebrating this sweet roll. The North Germans have crossed them with croissants and named them Franzbrötchen. We Latvians certainly have no claim to the invention of the cinnamon bun, […]