The Spaces Between

Pay attention to the gap – the gap between two thoughts, the brief, silent space between words in a conversation, between the notes of a piano or flute, or the gap between the in-breath and the out-breath. When you pay attention to those gaps, awareness of ‘something’ becomes – just awareness. The formless dimension of pure conciousness arises from within you and replaces identification with form.

– Eckhart Tolle

Welcome to the spaces between, where you will find occasional insights, favourite recipes, snapshots of politics, parenting and performances, and random personal reflections.  

I am a second language and special needs teacher, specialising in literacy and language acquisition. A bilingual speaker of English and Norwegian, I am also semi-fluent in French and Arabic. I never set out to have a big family, but enjoy being a mother of seven. Each child is a unique individual, setting out from birth to carve their own space and make their mark on the world. My fourth child has Down syndrome, and I especially value the way she has broadened my experience and perspective.

As a mother, a teacher, a bnb-café-bar host, a local politician, a musician and an incessant thinker, I am passionate about educating myself in everything I do – in the personal sphere as well as professionally. For me, one of the best ways to learn is to write; writing to learn is my favourite kind of writing.

I enjoy connecting with people from around the world. For a couple of decades, I have hosted aupairs, volunteers and guests from every continent. While I would love to say that every meeting has been a wonderful success, the truth is that many meetings present opportunities to learn, grow and be challenged. When any challenges are accepted and resolved, nearly all such meetings turn out to be enjoyable and rewarding. Hosting in this way is deeply satisfying and enriching!

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Posts:

My child has Down syndrome… Can she play an instrument?

One of my aims for my children is that each one of them should learn to play an instrument. I want them to be kind and smart and happy and all that. And I want them to play a musical instrument. It takes patience and perseverance, and it presents challenges. But the benefits and the…

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About me

I work as a second language and special needs teacher, in Voss in Norway, and have a particular interest in the challenges faced by learners with disabilities. Fully bilingual in English and Norwegian and semi-fluent in French and Arabic, I love linguistics. I enjoy educating myself, in the personal sphere as well as professionally. I am also the mother of seven great kids aged 10-34. My fourth child, who has Down syndrome, has especially enriched my life, highlighting the process and effort involved in learning life skills such as communication, self-care and independence.