Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 21hI have 7 hours of teaching tomorrow, it’s almost 2am, and of course my brain has decided that NOW is the perfect time to be wide awake. Excellent timing, brain. Absolutely excellent. 🙈😂 010
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 12/10/2026After Brexit, I thought I’d be immune to the surreal referendum horrors. But here we are. Žižek said that Freud descended into the darkest cave of the unconscious only to find Lueger waiting at the bottom. The real horror is not what we repress, but what we democratically bring back to the surface. 010
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 10/10/2026Hubby’s away, which means the home cinema is MINE all night long! 😂🍿🎬 000
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Native-level expertise is expected for AI in other languages. For Macedonian, apparently B2 is “good enough.” That’s not a quality standard—it’s a double standard. 000
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Midnight coffee, incredible view from my room, and a bridge that changed colours more times than I changed my mind about going to bed. ❤️ #Busan #Korea 030
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Everyone else: nailed the Gangnam Style pose. Me: standing in exactly the right spot for the sculpture to look like it’s pulling my hair. 😂 At least I brought some action to the photo. 😂 020
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 16/09/20262 a.m. I tried to open the window again after fighting with it earlier. Opened the wooden panel, and this alien-looking creature appeared on the other side. The window can stay closed. Sealed. Locked. Preserved for future generations. 👽😂 000
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Currently looking at a sheep wearing a tutu and wondering whether it’s actually real or if Seoul jet lag has finally reached the hallucination stage. 😂 040
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 30/08/2026Female pilot on my way to Ljubljana! ❤️ 000
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 27/08/2026A pumpkin, a polka dot, an endless horizon. ❤️ The world feels a little less dotted today. 🖤 Goodbye, #YayoiKusama. You didn’t just make art, you created worlds for us to step into. Thank you for showing us that infinity can begin with a single dot. 000
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 25/08/2026I skipped my usual walk today. My husband: shared Instagram posts about osteoporosis and perimenopause! :) I’ll try to survive until tomorrow’s walk. 😂 000
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 25/08/2026I love how some people move abroad and, within weeks, can apparently explain the entire culture and personality of a nation. 😂 I’ve been in the UK for years and I’m still learning how things work here. The country keeps surprising me — and I rather like that. 000
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 21/08/2026My students were offered a substitute teacher while I’m in Korea this September. They decided to wait until I’m back in October. Either that’s very sweet… or they know nobody else will put up with their homework excuses. 😂❤️ 020
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 13/08/2026At this point, my portable Sony REON is basically my life support system. 😂❄️Without it, I simply don’t move. I just stand there, slowly becoming part of the pavement. Technology: 1 British summer: 0 😂 010
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 13/08/2026Regret not becoming a lawyer. My parents mastered law - although my dad escaped to diplomacy, so the legal genes are clearly there. I just use mine recreationally: complaints, legislation, formal mails / phone call that starts with, “I’d like to discuss my rights…” Sorry in advance to all involved.😜 010
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 13/08/2026My friend sent me this today 😂 For a second, I was like, “Wait… DID WE GET THIS?!” Then I remembered the UK only had a partial eclipse and I was outside as well! Nice try! 😂 020
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 12/08/2026New Spider-Man movie: exactly the kind of superhero nonsense I happily sign up for. 😂🕸️ Liked! Tony: Not a masterpiece, but hey… it was under two hours, so I consider that a win. 😂 010
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 06/08/2026#ToKillAMockingbird. Brilliant play… although slightly unsettling when you realise it’s less “historical drama” and more “today’s news”, a reminder that history has an annoying habit of repeating itself. 😬 010
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 28/07/2026So… I finally watched The Odyssey. Three hours later, I’m still trying to figure out what everyone else saw. 😅 It wasn’t terrible, but I found it surprisingly dull. I sometimes wonder whether the endless online culture-war debates have made this film seem far more extraordinary than it actually is. 001
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 27/07/2026A tragedy that changed the city forever. From devastation to the #CityOfSolidarity: people and nations from around the world came together to rebuild it. Now is a reminder that even after the darkest moments, kindness, unity, and hope can help build a brighter future. youtu.be/zla5vigefc4?...youtu.beEarthquake Hits Yugoslav City Of Skopje (1963)YouTube video by British Pathé 000
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 22/07/2026This little square of St Guy’s Hospital brings back a mix of memories. My first Covid vaccine, and also some I would happily leave behind. Life has all kinds of chapters. Today’s one is calm coffee & book as a reminder that places connected to difficult moments can become places of peace again. 010
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 20/07/2026So the reward for being a #SouthbankCentre member is… getting kicked out of the presale queue and coming back behind 22,000 people? Not quite the membership benefit I had in mind. 000
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 16/07/2026Today’s AI adventure: testing the Slovenian ChatGPT GaMS🤖 One of my roles is to test different AI tools. This one surprised me by inventing a brand-new case… complete with example sentences.😂 Who knew that after all these years of studying grammar, AI would be the one to discover a “missing” case? 010
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 15/07/2026The level of organisation around me is impressive. People already have hotels booked for Busan and Seoul in May 2027. Me? September 2026 is still relying on optimism. 😂 000
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 14/07/2026Sad. I really liked the space and events! www.museumsassociation.org/museums-jour...museumsassociation.orgScience Gallery London to close at the end of July - Museums AssociationSite's closure follows announcement that Science Gallery International is also shutting down 000
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 13/07/2026Me: orders ice cream. Waitrose: “How about something healthier?” They replaced it with these free samples instead. Result: breakfast and dinner took a very unexpected turn. 😂 000
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 12/07/2026www.theguardian.com/travel/2026/...theguardian.comSummer on the Slovenian RivieraThe country’s coastline is one of the shortest in Europe, but it packs a punch with unspoilt nature reserves, vibrant Venetian towns and a thriving foodie scene 010
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 08/07/2026Typical London situation in this weather 😂 But hey, it could be worse, at least only delays, not fighting for survival. No complaints… yet! 😁 000
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 08/07/2026Learning Korean has its moments…😂 I saw 멘붕 (men bung), a Korean slang word meaning mental breakdown, and my brain completely betrayed me. The “men” part sent me into a weird little imaginary world of “specific human species”. 🤦♀️ Learning languages also means learning how not to trust your own brain.😅 000
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 01/07/2026In a training session taking careful notes while my second screen is broadcasting a live puffin colony that is objectively more educational than anything on slide 12. 😂 www.youtube.com/live/zt3MCin...youtube.comPuffin Colony – LIVE from National Trust Farne Islands 2026YouTube video by National Trust 000
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 26/06/2026Wohooo, Lina! 🎉 The first player from North Macedonia ever to qualify for a Grand Slam main draw. History in the making, congratulations! 🇲🇰❤️ 010
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 20/06/2026#Happy World Refugee Day. May we never forget that behind every refugee story is a person, a family, and a future. Today, I am especially grateful for those who have shared a part of their journey with me. ❤️ 010
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 16/06/2026www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...theguardian.comStarbucks Korea to temporarily shut all stores for history lesson after bungled coffee promotionThe closures, so employees can watch a recorded lecture, will cost the company an estimated 2.1bn won ($1.4m) in sales 000
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 13/06/2026Multilingualism in the Balkans at the #British Library yesterday was great fun! We started with Bohorič (just to make sure Slovenia was firmly on the map 😉), then travelled across the Balkans through languages, history, culture, and fascinating stories. 140
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 10/06/2026Curious about #Macedonian? Join us this Friday 12th at 1pm for a fun little dive into the language, culture, quirky expressions and tasty traditions. Warning: you may leave wanting to book a trip to Skopje.😄 Free of charge thanks to the #BritishCouncil londoncityoflanguages.org.uk/event-listin...londoncityoflanguages.org.ukA taster in … Macedonian! - London: City of LanguagesEver wondered what it’s like to read exactly the way you speak? This South Slavic language makes it possible with its beautifully consistent sound system, what you see is what you say. It’s a fun and ... 032
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 10/06/2026medium.com/@azhapaiman/...medium.comWhy the Age of Generative AI Is the Worst Possible Moment to Stop Training LinguistsA colleague asked me at lunch last week whether linguistics, as a university discipline, still had a future. He asked it the way people ask… 141
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 09/06/2026A little late to the party on the 9th, but still fully in the Trubar mood, because language doesn’t have an expiry date! 🎉 000
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 08/06/2026Farewell party at the Freud Museum London. I attended as a teacher and briefly maintained dignity… until I found myself lying next to Freud’s famous couch like I was auditioning for a case study. If anyone needs me, I’ll be processing this in 12 stages and skipping straight to denial. 😂 000
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 04/06/2026If you’re thinking “why not try #Slovene tomorrow?” - this is your sign. 😄 Join me/us for a taster class. It’s free of charge, thanks to the #BritishCouncil so your wallet is safe and your curiosity is welcome. londoncityoflanguages.org.uk/event-listin...londoncityoflanguages.org.ukA taster in … Slovene! - London: City of LanguagesStep into a language where grammar still keeps a special seat just for two, perfect for best friends, couples, or duos. It’s a rare feature in modern Europe and a great conversation starter for UK aud... 031
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 03/06/2026From Bohorič to Balkan beats! Join us 000
Reposted by Ana Ilievska ZavrsnikLanguage Yoga - School of Macedonian and Slovene @languageyoga.bsky.social · 24/05/202624th of May St. Cyril & Methodius Day! Influential missionaries which played a principal role in introducing Christianity and developing culture in Slavic countries. They invented the Glagolitic that in its final Cyrillic form is still in use as the alphabet of some Slavic languages. 001
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 23/05/2026When I was younger, I thought shirtless guys wearing giant crosses in restaurants while people are eating was peak cringe. Now that I’m older and living in London, I’ve matured, broadened my horizons, become more tolerant… Nah. Still gross. 😁 020
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 18/05/2026“Ana, welcome to my country,” inscribed by Slovenian writer #GoranVojnović, opened up a surprising range of reactions in my circle — a small phrase carrying many possible worlds at once. It’s a reminder that language is open to everyone, but meaning is shaped quietly by experience. 010
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 16/05/2026At the #EuropeanWritersFestival today, while chants and tensions filled the streets outside, the room was full of stories, languages, curiosity, and connection. A reminder that bringing people together across cultures still matters deeply, and might be the best antidote we have. ❤️ 000
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 14/05/2026www.theguardian.com/world/commen...theguardian.comAI will make language barriers disappear – and diminish our understanding of other culturesMachines may soon translate every conversation flawlessly. But language is more than information – it is curiosity, intimacy and cultural discovery 100
Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik @ailievskazavrsnik.bsky.social · 12/05/2026Started in CrystalPalace Park doing Play. The instructor clearly believed in me more than I believed in myself: handstands, rolling, all sorts of circus activities.🙈No darling, I already do enough risky things just by walking. 😂 I escaped to the #National Gallery to use my body the way I know best 🍰 130