https://3speak.tv/watch?v=blind-spot/guanaryg
It was a difficult decision to attend the HBC event at Krakow. I had 2 large meetings coming up- one regarding Ukrainian refugees in the city, and another one working up towards a personal goal.

I could not miss going to @krolestwo. KBK has a special place in my heart and the meet up with so many Hivers would be an icing on the top. So I managed to push my meetings and took the best tickets I could get.

The journey started with a train ride from Almere to the Schiphol airport. The airport is notorious for being busy so the decision was made to go extremely early, not to mention all the delays going with the trains.

I could hardly catch up with sleep. I was tired but excited. In the back of my head I kept asking myself how would I feel...

Last time I was at Krakow, and KBK, my heart, mind, and soul were in a much different place than it is now. All the memories and feelings kept running back to me, the not nice ones. It sort of made me appreciate all that I have done since.

But as soon as I stepped on to Krakow, it was incredible. A huge smile came on to my face and I couldn't stop chanting "we're going to kbk! we're going to kbk!"

I took Kumar's cab and reached the popular yard front of KBK. The place where we stood and protested facing the Russian council. The place that has been now named to show support Ukraine. The curve of the road where I walked with Dawid to get my haircut. The road I walked on to take books to KBK to add to their library. All the big and small things that made this place special came back to me. It was incredible.

I could not remember the code to the outside gate of the KBK building, so in KBK fashion I peeped through the windows of the kingdom and shouted out for someone to hear me haha

Once inside, a whole day before the hivebeecon, I took a tour of the recently remodeled Kingdom, went through the cupboard and sat in the seats I had a year and half back, visited the museum inside the kingdom.

And then more familiar faces appeared. I met Gregory and @helicoptermoney aka @lpa. People who are so dear to me. Met jostyna, and finally we got some horrid sushi for dinner.

We played novuss and Natalia's son destroyed the wooden block tower. I wished I could have met everyone else, but life has done it's thing - people are busy.

From there on, I was only looking forward to the HiveBeeCon meet. Another exciting day!

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=blind-spot/neqiftqw
Does blockchain and Web3 have a tangible, positive impact on lives on a day to day basis?

@Mcsamm took to the diace at TechEx 2023 to present his project, HIVE BOREHOLES, that has brought water to 20000 people in Ghana.

The HIVE blockchain has made this possible. Not an investor, not an NGO, not a VC, but the hive blockchain in its entirety.

11 boreholes at the time of making this post. Each just as significant as the next. Mcsamm answered the burning question in a 20 minutes presentation followed by a short Q&A sesh.

Part of rewards on this post go to the next Hive Borehole.

Affiliate links

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=blind-spot/gwnxycih
In my hunt to find ways to reach the minimum requirement of C1(academic) level Dutch language proficiency, I have found numerous tactics. Some are genuinely practical and useful, whereas some "language gurus" may as well be talking from the wrong end of their GIT system. However, as dead brained this tip I concocted is, it is still a braindead easy way to pick up a new language. I took inspiration from many, and this video is inspired by many of the brain dead absolutely useless "gurus". Nevertheless, time, practice, reason and immersion are genuinely the most sincere foundations of learning a language. Take it lightheartedly. A laugh and some smiles never hurt.

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=blind-spot/mvyanmwa

Affiliate links

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=blind-spot/myuehgym
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is never wasted - Aesop

I try to explain this to everyone and it often flies over heads. But, every act of kindness, no matter how small it may seem to the giver, is worth much more than they can imagine to the recipient. We all have something we can do to make the world a little more full of kindness and spread maybe just one more smile. It was a total surprise to me when @rubencress invited me to meet him and put forward his hand in trying to help in my situation. I had only learned about Ruben and became an instant fan of his work. Dont believe me? Check out his latest work here and tell me your jaw isn't wide open.

Every opportunity given should be taken seriously - Kevin Hart

I was a little hesitant at first guven his busy schedule and many other things. But Ruben was kind enough to make it all happen. It was a painful journey haha. Almost 3 hours to get to him after trains cancelling, trying to limp my way on to the trains on time and basically all the confusion that comes with going to a completely new place. On the way back, the train was cancelled, too. Thankfully, I found the last trains and busses to get back to my place.

It was a beautiful journey, as you can see in the video. Meeting Ruben and learning about him was even better. Ruben was kind to donate 3 medical grade insoles for Ukrainians which I was able to giveaway the very next day and a couple of portraits that could go to my LinkedIn and resumes. What was supposed to be a short trip turned into so many hours that we lost track of time. Also, had some yummy fries and chicken with a splendid tour of his city!

I learned so much about his lifestyle, the person he is, how he works his magic on his photography and turns them from mere images to exquisite art. Also got to see some exclusive before and after of his photos from HiveFest.

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=blind-spot/ppredbcz
The Floriade in Almere has come to an end. Waiting another 10 years seemed a bit too excessive and the final day of the event evidently dragged in a lot of people - including myself.

Affiliate links

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=blind-spot/inxgroou
Remember our friend Ivan? There's a good reason to be happy for him. This wasn't the final visit to the hospital, but it sure was the greatest thing to happen to him. He has been waiting for this news for many years now. Even when translating I was flabbergasted and both he and I could not believe it was true. Ivan has been selected for a life changing surgery.

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=blind-spot/zvnwrwzh
I now have 3 more Ukrainian refugees who have decided to join me in learning the Dutch language. That is awesome. Languages take practice and persistence. The more beginner level learners I have along with me, the more can we excel in learning the language and together (and only together) can we reach a level of language proficiency where we can add value to the local community. Granted, I am not at a pace that I'd love to be. I need to pick up the langauge in a professional level if I ever want to practice medicine here. Nevertheless, it is a start. In the last few days I have picked up a little and now I am slowly going back to the days where I learned Russian by listening more than anything. Now that I have a very basic grasp of the language, I can start picking up words and pronunciations from the local people. Today, I also found a few more links that could help me find a job. I am tired of doing nothing. There is no clear end to this war (although I hope it is real soon) and I simply cannot sit and wait till it ends. Here is to more productive days!My desire to work with other refugees and people in need of help is growing by the day. If I have the DUtch language in my arsenal along with all the other languages I know, plus my medical profession, I think I can find a good opportunity to work with other people in need for help.

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=blind-spot/mtfpodes
The last month has been pretty loaded. As much as I want it to be, it isn't the easiest here...or anywehere when you are a refugee. So far I have a roof over my head and food in my belly. And hopefully the coming 30 days are more fruitful. Netherlands has been nothing less than kind and compassionate to all of us. Putting so much into making sure all Ukrainians can find a safe place to seek refuge in the country. Dawid's and Lorenzo's voice is echoing in my head - they did tell me I should stay in Krakow and try for a little longer. Now I am rethinking my choices. I apologize for the quality. Hoping I can buy a memory card soon and get back to recording on my phone. For now enjoy the 2010 vlog vibes.

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=blind-spot/blayffup
It has been just over 2 months since the invasion started. Life isn't getting better for either those still inside Ukraine or those who have gotten out and sought refuge in the neighboring countries. Normal does not exist anymore. The future is very scary. The fear of the unknown is very loud. Here in this video, I share some recent news about some personal losses, about the life here as a refugee, things some of us are facing mentally, about the things we have received, and also about how I am feeling two months after the invasion. Excuse me for how rough and unpolished my thoughts are, but it is difficult to talk about almost anything when your mind is not in the right place. Writing is much easier because I can my time and proof read everything 10 times, but on video, which feels more intimate and personal, it is very difficult to express my thoughts. I have been pushing myself to make a video for a very long time. But I could not bring myself to do it until now and it still took me a few tries to make a whole video. I must say that I am very thankful for all the people around the world who are helping the refugees and the people still in Ukraine in any way they can. I realize that people can get "used" to the war and slowly lose interest in helping those who are in need. And even then we all will be thankful for all that they have done for us. Most of my friends are scattered all around Europe. Some of my colleagues are in the western part of Ukraine, I have since made new friends with my fellow refugees. Everyday is yet another struggle. Everyday someone is losing contact with someone else or simply losing someone forever. Moreover, it is very difficult to start over. The recent attacks show that Russia has no interest in peace and it makes our futures evern more uncertain and scary.