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Zura

Twitch streamer, content creator, language enthusiast, writer, programmer, digital nomad, and so on.I’m working on a series of travel guides to help make exploring new destinations easier and more exciting. Each guide is packed with must-see spots, local tips, and hidden gems. Unfortunately, this is an immense solo project and will take many, many years before completion.This is simply a personal space where I enjoy sharing my thoughts and reflections, information about me, as well as what I've been up to.

• Matrix
• Liberapay

• YouTube
• Twitch
• Bluesky
• Discord
• Letterboxd
• Serializd
• Rate Your Music
• Backloggd
• VNDB
• Goodreads
• AniList
• MyDramaList
• Star

Language Journey

Language is not merely a tool -- it is the rhythm of thought, the resound of culture, and the reticent fabric of human connection.My fascination with psychology fuels my love for words; meaning, comprehension, difference. For each language is a key to understanding not just how people speak, but how they think, feel, and dream.Language is the gateway to unlocking new cultures, meeting new people, and self-discovery. I have a list of ~100 languages I wish to learn (a simple task, right?), and will make this a lifelong journey. It gives meaning to my life, and that's all I seek in this pitifully ordinary world.I primarily learn languages through books, and other forms of media; entrenching myself in the culture. I've also made my own dictionary to help me learn words, as well as understand etymological similarities and differences between languages. I avoid most apps as they are simply businesses made with the sole intent of looting your pockets for gold, rather than actually help you learn a language.Up till the age of ~14, I only spoke 2 languages. My sudden interest can be attributed to my newfound fascination with psychology and a deeper desire to understand the world and the people in it.

Language Progress

NOTE: I don't take tests or get certificates at all, because I consider fluency to be fluid and uncapturable through such means. Instead, my assessments are simply an estimate of my progress. I don't obsess over perfection or "sounding like a native speaker" -- I simply enjoy the journey and derive happiness from seeing my progress in real time.I also know 13 writing systems in total, so I'm quite illiterate, hehe.

To Learn

Abkhaz, Adyghe, Aramaic, Amharic, Ancient Greek, Assamese, Avar, Basque, Bengali, Cantonese, Chechen, Chuvash, Georgian, Gujarati, Hausa, Hebrew, Hokkien, Igbo, Irish, Icelandic, Javanese, Kalmyk, Kannada, Kazakh, Khmer, Kurdish, Malagasy, Malayalam, Marathi, Meadow Mari, Mongolian, Odia, Oromo, Ossetian, Pashto, Punjabi, Quechua, Sanskrit, Santali, Scottish Gaelic, Sinhala, Somali, Swahili, Swiss German, Tagalog, Tamil, Tatar, Telugu, Tibetan, Tigrinya, Udmurt, Uzbek, Welsh, Wolof, Xhosa, Yakut, Yoruba, ZuluNext in line:
Tamil, Bengali, Hebrew, Tagalog.I also aim to learn to understand languages that are mutually intelligible with one another (e.g., Tatar and Bashkir), but in such cases, I'll only focus on one and rather fill in the gaps of the other through exposure.

2026 Goals

The above resemble suggestions more than expectations. I absolutely don't expect to achieve it all.My approach in 2026 so far has to take a different direction, switching to AI-powered subtitles through movies and anime. By far the most effective method that I've discovered. Though, the accuracy depends on the clearness of the original subtitles and content in general. I'm also specifically focusing on languages with fewer resources.By 2027, I'd like to get more time for the Indo-Aryan group and start with Celtic languages.

Favourite Languages

It's difficult to create a definitive list of my favourite languages, as each one holds a unique appeal for different reasons. That said, I tend to gravitate toward languages that are more distinct from my native tongue, particularly in terms of pronunciation, vocabulary, and structure. I’m not particularly drawn to simplicity in languages. While I firmly believe that the primary purpose of a language is communication, I appreciate different grammatical aspects that enhance and make the experience for a learner more unique. With that in mind, here are the languages I hold in the highest regard:

However, everything is subject to review, as simply being exposed to a language more influences my liking to it.

Travel Journey

I'm very enthusiastic about travelling, and I've so far been to 15 different countries; Norway (9/15), Sweden (2/21), Denmark (1/5), England (1/9), France (1/18), Spain (3/17), Poland (1/16), Hungary (1/19), Romania (5/41), Moldova (4/32), North Macedonia (8/8), Kosovo (3/7), Albania (10/12), Latvia (1/5), and Turkey (1/81).

(The parentheses refer to number of first-level administrative regions I've visited)

I don’t chase a number or a destination; I simply follow where the winds of adventure guide me, trusting the path to unfold with every step.I'm a bit of a completionist, and enjoy going to unknown corners of the world just to witness natural beauty and historical remains.I find solace in the quiet charm of smaller cities, where nature's grace meets architectural beauty, rather than the constant pulse of bustling metropolises. I grew up in the countryside, where the melody of birdsong, the hum of cicadas, and the scent of flowers linger in the air, while the earth awakens with the fragrance of rain-touched soil.✨ My favourite cities I've visited are: Budapest, Riga, Krakow, and Stockholm.In addition, I've lived in Romania for 4¼ months, and North Macedonia for 1¼ months.

2026 Goals

Rating Philosophy & Principles:

I'm focusing on a very polymathic approach to art in general; consuming as much as I can in every imaginable medium and subsequently write reviews. As such, it's also important that I highlight exactly what I look after and value.Above all, I prioritise media underpinned by consummate writing. Works should be multi-layered and/or genuinely compelling. They should offer insight, pose thought-provoking questions, and retain their fascination when approached from different angles. Works existing merely as entertainment, spectacle, or shallow amusement will score poorly.Writing & Narrative:
Regardless of medium, genre, theme, or setting, writing quality is the most crucial element. I prioritise multi-layered narrative structure, thematic depth, long-term interpretative potential (works retaining meaning decades later). While I have a slight preference for open ambiguity and unconventional narrative structures to leave room for interpretation, clarity and structure are equally potent when used appropriately.I don't believe that poor execution can be justified by the author's intent. If the audience's experience falls short, the work itself has failed.Characters:
Flat, melodramatic, or stereotypical characters significantly diminish a work's merit. Similarly, female characters should be well-written and multifaceted, avoiding submissiveness and/or one-dimensionality, unless thematically essential and critically explored. Character depth and internal consistency are more important than likeability -- a morally questionable character makes you feel. A poorly written one does not.Structure, Budget & Philosophy:
To me, repetition is a negative unless it clearly serves the narrative or enhances the thematic experience. Slow burns are welcome, but only when it draws me in from the outset and warrants active attention (e.g., gradual yet meaningful build-up). Works relying on extreme delayed gratification (e.g., making one wait hundreds of episodes before it gets interesting) score lower.I value both emotional restraint and emotional intensity, while manipulative melodrama is a strong negative. As such, emotional impact must feel earned and consistent with the work’s internal logic.High production values are appreciated, but they do not compensate for weak writing -- even low-budget works can be highly regarded if they demonstrate clear effort, sincerity, and a genuine commitment to the story. In an ideal work, strong writing and strong production should elevate each other.I value media that challenges norms and questions hegemonic perspectives. I am also critical of media that normalises meat consumption in scenes unrelated to the narrative, but this is a minor demerit, and not a decisive flaw. Works that provoke meaningful challenges to perceptions or worldviews receive a slightly higher rating.Comedy:
I prefer comedy that is: abstract, dark, absurd, ridiculous, or over-the-top. On the other hand, safe, accessibility-driven humour and laugh-track sitcoms do not appeal to me. Comedy is judged by creativity and commitment, not mass appeal.Rating Scale:
6.5/10 - Insignificant and disposable.
7/10 - Good, competently made with clear flaws, but not rewatch-worthy.
7.5/10 - Good work of art; meaningful and likely rewatchable.
8/10+ - My overall favourites.Overall (TLDR):
While many of my favourites are philosophical, experimental, or unorthodox, this is not a prerequisite. My ratings may seem harsh, but they're not pedantic. They're based not only on the context of its production but also on how well it holds up in the present day. Classic status or historical significance does not exempt works from criticism. A work can be conventional and still score highly if it is well written. Ultimately, what matters to me is not genre, popularity, or budget, but the quality of expression and the depth of the writing.

Future Vision

My dream project is to use my artistic skills and insights gained from various fields to create a video game reminiscent of the classics from the late 90s and early 2000s, something that captivates players the same way the games from the past did.Until then, I wish to expand my areas of expertise widely, -- with each step preparing me for my magnum opus.I envision myself embracing a multitude of professions due to my desire of having a very varied lifestyle. I’m eager to explore professions such as professional filmmaking, photography, digital illustration, painting, musicianship, and authorship, among many others.One day I'll also form my own V-kei band.

Miscellaneous