iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Last night, I dreamt about my Chinese ex who inspired me to study Mandarin even long after we broke up. I was speaking in Mandarin with her, and I recognize some of the words I used: 關於 as in 說話關於 Dating after her was hard because we broke up during the honeymoon phase. No one could measure up. 😭

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

I'm in the weirdest neighborhood right now. It's like a slum that was converted into a tourist attraction. There's a combination of run down houses, hip hop artists, souvenir shops, and tour guides. It's called Comuna 13 in Medellin, Colombia.

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

I'm so sick and tired of speaking English in Colombia. My students give me money, so it's a fair exchange. But I have so much more value as a person than just being a native English speaker. I prefer Spanish to express myself. And I know I need to do more to be assertive, but it's not easy.

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

Google's AI search results sent a woman to one of my language events, but it failed to specify what language the event was for, what the activity was, or the correct name for my group. Thankfully, the woman speaks that language, but it's a cautionary tale for event organizers.

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Is everybody else seeing *tons* of "content" that insists"AI is a bubble."? I swear every fifth YouTube recommendation is about that. I finally started muting those accounts.

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

I organized an event for "jeux de société en français" (board games in French) here in Bogotá. However, a local guy didn't realize it was a French event. We adjusted the games to play in French, Spanish, and English. (He spoke the latter two. The rest of us spoke all three.)

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

I love meeting other people learning languages other than English (and Spanish) here in Bogota because they share my love of languages, unlike locals learning English who (primarily) do it out of necessity and/or for economic reasons.

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

Unpopular Opinion: Random strangers on the streets of Paris are not obligated to speak French with you. If switching to English helps you understand more quickly, they have all the right in the world to switch mid-conversation. #langsky #languagelearning

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

Does anyone know how to make Facebook show you posts from your friends? Bluesky has the options of "Discover" and "Following." I want to choose "Following" / "Friends" on Facebook rather than seeing nothing but random posts.

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Ugh! I feel *so* disconnected from the language learning community. I attended an online French Meetup for an hour, and I felt like I was back "home" again. English and Spanish are like cooking at home. French (etc) is like going to an exciting new restaurant.

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

TIL - Don't use the "memo line" for your Wise transfers. They have an automated keyword search and cancel your transfers for any and all purposes besides: "1.4 a receiving your own salary and/or wages" wise.com/acceptable-u...

wise.com

Wise-Acceptable Use Policy

Send money to your friends and family or pay for goods and services in foreign currency. No margins and no spreads on true market exchange rates.

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

Do you *think* about grammar in your native language when you speak casually or write something informal like a text or a tweet?

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

This is how I feel about my latest hobby: being a GM for a #ttrpg group. Thankfully, my friends are kind enough to humor my early efforts. But I have the voice of @brennanleemulligan.bsky.social whispering in my ear: "Get good!"

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

Attended a talk on Buddhism tonight, and understood the vast majority when I wasn't distracted by my wandering thoughts. Then the pop quiz, when I talked with the teacher after her talk. 😯

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Furigana for the karaoke lyrics! 😲

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Thank you for all the votes! Really interesting! I would say my natural instinct is to plow when faced with obstacles. Simplifying (the clear winner) sounds like a gentler and more thoughtful approach.

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

How do you adjust when your abilities in your target language drop briefly (rough day)? I've found this can happen when I'm tired, confused, overloaded, etc. #langsky #langtwt For example: Shift - Different Skill; Simplify - Easy Materials; Plow - Keep Pushing; or Pause - Stop studying

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

June 1/4 month update: Where are you at with your goals? What do you need (actions or resources) to succeed? #langsky #studysky

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Reposted by Spence from Seattle

Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Thanks for asking! I have two channels: 1) Spence from Seattle (random mix of stuff) www.youtube.com/@spence-from... 2) Spence: Aventuras y Tecnología (ESL lessons and some other language stuff) www.youtube.com/@spence-de-s...

youtube.com

Spence from Seattle

I am Spence from Seattle. I currently live in Bogotá, Colombia. Let’s explore my passions for languages, cultures, and technology as we discover the world from my unique perspective. Here you will fin...

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

I'm having so much fun studying French. I've even had very brief flashes of thinking in French.

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Reposted by Spence from Seattle

Orel Beilinson @orelb.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

My Japanese teacher, demonstrating politeness: "We use this form of the imperative when speaking to our social inferiors: a teacher to his pupils, parents to their children, me to my cat... but don't tell my cat I said that..."

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

Oof, how much of my language learning has been motivated by this? 🤦‍♂️ I'm currently dating a Colombian, and my Spanish lessons have gone from 50 minutes per week to three hours as things have gotten more serious.

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Comprehensible Input. People seem to forget that Stephen Krashen added the word "compelling" to the concept and that it should be minimally comprehensible. You can look up his theories to get the real explanations. I'm just telling you my interpretation.

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Reposted by Spence from Seattle

Mell @me11.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Goals in June ;) - Read Twilight for 100 pages - Do 30 chapters in “English Granmsr in Use” - Review vocab everyday - Practice speaking for an Eiken exam #langsky #langtwt #english

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

My goals (subject to change) French: finish 200 page children's book, finish very short online philosophy class Spanish: keep taking Spanish classes Meditation: 900 minutes of meditation #langsky

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

What are your language learning goals for June? #langsky #studysky

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

Some people say that proficiency exams like these are pointless. But I've found that they motivate me and give a sense of purpose in my language learning. I think in the case of my French cert it may have helped me with my ESL teaching applications. But I've never directly used it for anything.

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

For years, I followed the same ineffective strategies and got the same uninspiring results. Now I'm acting on what I know about how I learn best, ZPD, CI, RWL, etc. More below. #langsky

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 25/05/2025

I'm going through all my books and board games trying to decide which to bring to Colombia with me, which to give away, and which to leave in storage. Currently, I want to take all of my games to Colombia. I'm not so sure about the books. (There's not enough space for either.)

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 25/05/2025

Hosted a French breakfast in Bogotá yesterday, and it was funny how much easier Spanish felt after we all got tired of speaking French

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

I restarted my Spanish lessons last Wed. I'm dating someone again, and I want to talk about more advanced subjects with more ease. Also, I want to have Spanish as a stronger job skill for future employment.

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

I've had local friends imitate my accent as a joke. I also have a deep voice and a natural monotone even in English. People have said, you look foreign, but when you open your mouth you remove any doubt. But I guess Colombians are really good at distinguishing even local accents.

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

I guess I think there's a difference between "mispronunciation" and "foreign accent." My pronunciation in Mandarin is pretty bad with lots of mistakes. But even w/ good pronunciation, I sounds like a gringo in Spanish.

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

Does anyone else dislike their accent in their L2? 🤬 Recently, I've gotten unsolicited compliments on my accent in Spanish, but I'm still tired of sounding like a "gringo." (Note: I am a gringo. 😜)

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

How do you measure your reading goals? (e.g. Pages, Books, Time Spent Reading) #langsky

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

Is there a way to post a poll? I want to post a poll so people can vote on options rather than comment their opinions. Thanks in advance! #bluesky #newbie #langsky

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

Does anyone do a monthly language budget? If so, how has that worked out for you? I had a March budget, but I've barely spent half of it. AND my language focus changed mid-month.

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Does anyone have experience with using video games to learn languages? I'm studying French, and I need more practice with reading and writing.

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

I need more reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar to move from B2 to C1 in French. Unfortunately, speaking and passive listening are the only skills I *enjoy*. I'm learning for fun, and reading and writing just aren't fun.

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

Saw this quote on Meetup: "The jump from B2 to C1 feels like trying to cross the ocean on a paper boat, or maybe climbing Mount Everest in flip-flops." So true!

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

What type of content would you read to prepare for a C1 exam? I looked over the common topics list for the French DALF C1 exam, and it's really diverse (mostly social issues). I think reading the news is probably more helpful than fiction. Thanks for your thoughts!

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Spence from Seattle @misojosgatos.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

I'm wondering if 5 yrs is enough time to go from B2 to C1 in French having already reached C1 in Spanish. I know the answer is "It depends." But I need something to aim for.

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Reposted by Spence from Seattle

James Vizzard @jwvizzard.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

Google Voice just blocked a text, apparently because I referenced being "Musked." Cool.

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Reposted by Spence from Seattle

Mike Malone @rfgenerator.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

The enshitification of Google continues. I've used Google Voice as my main number for texting and Voice for over a decade. In the last week I've had several instances where simple texts are being flagged as Acceptable Use Policy Violations, here's an example

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Reposted by Spence from Seattle

Polar Nerd @polarnerd.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

Any Google Voice users out there? I've used it for staff correspondence texts for years, and suddenly I'm getting this message, and I sometimes have to resend the text two or three times before it will accept it. Google customer support is stumped.

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Reposted by Spence from Seattle

Effie Seiberg is a spooky Cyborg @effies.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

So this just happened, tried to send this text via Google Voice in my local friends group chat. (Switching to the word "demonstration" worked, but this is pretty fucked up)

attempted text: "is anyone going to a protest on monday?"
error message: "message not delivered. see Acceptable Use Policy"

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