Mes Imaginations

  Photographs taken by Seema Jain/SOROBRAIN, 2024. All rights reserved. While walking my dog one serene day, I stumbled upon a bird on the road, astray. Despite her wings, she chose to tread, Squeaking softly, a heart filled with dread. Her eyes were sharp, alert, and bright, As if guarding something with all her might. I pondered what weighed on her heart, What made her from her nest depart? And then, from the meadows, I caught sight, Tiny fledglings emerged, in the soft morning light. Ah, now I see, the cause of her plight, To shield her young, she’d stand and fight. For parents' nature is fiercely protective, Their love, pure and wholly subjective. They’d give their all, their very life, To spare their child from worldly strife. And in this tender scene, I saw the grace, Of a mother’s love, in time and space. A vision then came, of God on high, Asking a mother, if heaven she’d deny. “If I take heaven, what would you demand?” She smiled, with a heart so grand, “Give me the pen to...

  Image created using AI tools. © Seema Jain/SOROBRAIN, 2024. All rights reserved. Poetry has always been a part of me, weaving through the tapestry of my life’s experiences. Over the years, I’ve poured my heart into these poems, capturing moments of joy, despair, hope, and reflection. Each poem in Virtual Reveries: A Collection of Poetic Journeys holds a fragment of my life’s journey—expressing emotions that only words can truly encapsulate. Some of these poems were born from the most unexpected places, like school projects I wrote for my children. To my delight, they were not only received with enthusiasm but also awarded the best in their class. Seeing how my words impacted not just my children but also their peers was a reminder of the power that poetry holds—how it can inspire, uplift, and leave a lasting impression. Virtual Reveries is a heartfelt collection that spans the chapters of my life, and I am excited to share these poetic stories with the world. Each poem invites ...

Image created using AI tools. © Seema Jain/SOROBRAIN, 2024. All rights reserved. Have you ever come across a word in a foreign language that just doesn’t have an equivalent in your native tongue? These untranslatable words often capture unique emotions, concepts, or experiences that are beautifully specific to a culture. For instance, the Japanese word 'Tsundoku' describes the act of acquiring books and letting them pile up without reading them. In French, 'L'esprit de l'escalier' refers to the predicament of thinking of the perfect comeback too late. These words offer a glimpse into the soul of a language and its culture. What’s your favorite untranslatable word from a language you’ve studied or encountered? And how would you describe its meaning in your own words? Share in comments. Seema Jain - Founder  SOROBRAIN

Image created using photo editing software © Seema Jain/SOROBRAIN, 2011. All rights reserved.   Many people ask me how I achieved fluency in French. The truth is, when you're not surrounded by native speakers or in an immersive environment, it can be challenging to maintain fluency and stay updated with the latest vocabulary. But as the French saying goes, "Impossible n'est pas français"—impossible is not a French word. To make it possible, I created my own environment. I became both the first and second person in my conversations. I would ask myself questions in French and answer them. While preparing meals, I’d practice kitchen vocabulary. When out for a walk, I’d mentally narrate my surroundings in French, constantly reinforcing the language in daily life. This routine continues even after two decades of learning and teaching French. When it comes to mastering a language, consistency is key—your skills will deteriorate the moment you adopt a laid-back attitude. Now...