Gah. I have found it so hard to write the past few months. Inspiration would set upon me, and then I would find something else that needed my immediate attention, and when I would come back to the laptop, I wouldn’t have it in me to gather my thoughts again. It’s almost as if, I have so much more time on my hands, yet I have so many more things to tend to? Is that crazy? And to make things even more challenging, being in quarantine for nearly a year, has of course had effects on the family, as well. The up side? I have had so many more opportunities to learn something new (more often than not, technology or food based) and to apply these new skills in situations here at home. I am excited to share three additional ways to learn while in quarantine and from the comfort of your own home as well!
Even figuring out how to light myself while doing lives for Lazada or managing different platforms that we now use, because of our quarantine conditions, has been such a wonderful learning experience.
Confession: I have always wanted to learn how to speak Italian.
Fun Fact: When I was 18, my parents took us to Italy for three weeks. It was quite the sight whenever people would speak to our family, they would address my father, only for him to point to his petite Filipina wife who would answer for all of us in their native language. They would be shocked, ask questions, and continue to communicate with this vibrant Filipina who was speaking Italian with confidence. My mother would then proudly share how she worked for the Italian Trade Commission, promoting their food and their wine all over the United States.
The Philippine Italian Association
I was introduced to The Philippine Italian Association through a friend of mine who also works in marketing, as we had a few discussions about my Italian heritage and the fact that my mother did in fact, work for the Italian government, before retiring to sunny Florida.
PS. I researched a little bit more and realized that this foundation has been here in the Philippines for almost 60 years!
The main thrusts of the organization are language classes, translation services, bringing awareness to the Italian culture here in the Philippines, and of course assisting Italians and Filipino Italians in any ways that they can.
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Even if I may not have time to enroll in a virtual Italian class, I shared the idea with my two big kids and was pleasantly surprised when they were agreeable to try level one with Teacher Cristina! The classes are taught on their own platform and are safe, easy to navigate, and fun for young adults like Gia and Miguel. (I suppose they would be fun for me too, if I only had a little more time.)
Check out the schedules and class offerings by clicking here.
La Vie Institute
You know how I have always shared that I am a “Student of Life?” Well, some of the best classes I have ever taken, were classes that gave me tools to better myself and my relationships.
I have already written about the Personal Development classes that I enrolled in at La Vie Institute early last year. In the first few months of quarantine, Monica had already shifted to offering virtual classes and workshops for individuals who were interested in learning more about how they could learn to be their best selves.
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If you would like to learn more about how you can improve your public speaking skills, putting together online presentations, and even how you can enroll your little ones in classes that foster self awareness and build self esteem, click here.
École Ducasse Online
École Ducasse Online Culinary eXperience by Enderun offers the average home cook and baker the opportunity to learn from the esteemed chefs here in Manila, all in the comforts of their own home. When enrolling in the virtual classes, students can learn at their own pace using interactive content, video tutorials, discussion boards, and live sessions with the chefs of École Ducasse Manila.
The portal is easy to navigate, and keeps track of how much of the lesson is completed.
There is even an option to order the ingredients through the platform, so all you have to do is log on and start cooking!
I was so excited to try and bake my own Grissini at home!
I attended the media launch, last year, where Chef Leti Moreau taught us how to make Grissini, walked us through the platform, and answered questions that clarified the baking process, ingredients and of course, empowered the novice bakers and cooks on the call.
Chef Leti was thorough in her explanations, addressed all our questions, and was super helpful in explaining why Grissini was a great start to learning how to bake!
I think this is a wonderful way to level up our skills in the kitchen! Who wouldn’t want to learn from skilled chefs who are willing to share their experience in such a fun and informative way?
Click here to see some of the other recipes you can learn online through this well executed online platform. You can choose from the new additions that include everything from Sourdough Doughnuts, Char Siu Pork Buns, Creme Brulee Crepes, New York Cheesecake, and Salmon Seafood with Greens.
Learning never stops. Quarantine can’t hold us back from enrolling. We don’t need to be face to face, to experience new ways to expand our horizons and consult experts.
Could this perhaps, be another silver lining to staying at home and making the most of the situation while we are surviving a pandemic?
I do believe so.