Day 1 Reflections

You’re preparing to celebrate New Year’s Eve together with your friends. Everyone’s happily chatting about their past year and their wishes for the next. You excuse yourself to the bathroom to take a moment for yourself and freshen up.

The sounds of the party are distant as you stand in front of the bathroom mirror. The moonlight spilling through the window illuminates it beautifully. When you take another look at it, the mirror suddenly stops reflecting your image. Instead, you see all sorts of moments from the past year. Mesmerized by the mirror, you don’t notice an oddly fluffy hand coming out of the mirror. Before you know it, it pulls you in and everything fades to black.

Activity

What did you see in the mirror? Recall some important moments from your year and write them down!

Beginner: Write at least 3 sentences about important or meaningful events that happened in 2024.

Advanced: Write about 1 or more important events in 2024. Describe the circumstances and/or emotions around the event.

Day 2 Where am I?

It takes a lot of effort to open your eyes, but when you manage to do so, you’re surprised to see that you’re in your… bedroom? Looking around, things seem eerie and a bit unfamiliar. You glance to the ceiling and notice a ladder that looks to have been very obviously cut, several glowing lights floating around you, and the sweet smell of tea filling the air. 

With no other ideas, you decide to venture out of your home to look around, but before you get to the door, you hear something or someone giggle even though you’re certainly home alone. You look around to figure out where the sound could’ve come from just to see something scoot a bit forward in the corner of your eye.

It can’t be… Could your belongings be alive?! 

Activity

It’s fascinating to watch how things start to fly around your room. Without moving too much, you take some time to observe what exactly came to life.

Beginner: Choose one object from your surroundings that has come to life. Write a short sentence with an action verb in your TL about what it says to you. 

Example: 

“The dancing lamp said “Want to dance with me?”

Advanced: Select one object from your surroundings and write a paragraph (3-4 sentences) about what the opinionated and chatty object says about your appearance, such as your clothing.

Example:

“The tv stand laughed at me and said my sweater looked cozy but slightly worn, suggesting I should buy a new one.”

Day 3 The fluffy entity

Everything surrounding you seems to have been enchanted with life or magic. While you’re talking with some of your things in hopes of finding out more information, an assertive voice from the other corner of the room halts the conversation. 

“Welcome, my dear. Allow me to introduce myself: I am called Pantalaimon, the Inquisitive Feline. But you may call me Pan.” An extremely fluffy grey cat strides towards you with graceful steps. It’s walking on two legs and it’s dressed up with a cat-sized blue and gold costume.

“Where am I?” You ask instantly. The cat stares at you with large golden eyes.

“I invited you to my magical wonderland in between dimensions where you can spend the rest of your time if you so desire. You’ll find everything you need here: nourishment, knowledge, and most importantly, magic.”

“...but why me?” 

“You were fatefully chosen, and you also have a choice to stay here or go back to your world. But if you do choose to stay, you won’t have to worry about anything else with me at your service.” With that promise, it bows elegantly towards you. 

Activity

A magical world all to yourself? That sounds very sweet! But what could you even ask for?

Beginner: Write a wishlist of what you would ask for if you were in this wonderland.

For example:

• An encyclopedia with all the world’s secrets

• A never-ending chocolate fountain

• A peppermint

Advanced: Write what you would do in a wonderland-like world. 

For example:

If I were in wonderland, I’d like to try flying through the sky and taste the clouds.

Day 4 The decision

You find yourself standing at a crossroads between two worlds. Pan slowly walks around you, grinning wide, and asks: “Well, which one will it be? You can’t have both, you know.” 

Do you stay in the topsy-turvy world of chaos, creativity, and surprises, or return to the comfort and logic of your familiar life? Write your thoughts, decide where your path will lead.

Activity

Think about your options. What are their pros and cons? 

Beginner: Write 3 simple sentences in your TL listing what you like or dislike about each world. 

For example:

"I like Wonderland because ____. I like the real world because ____."

Advanced: Write a detailed letter to Pan explaining your decision. Justify your choice with specific examples. 

Start with “To Pan, ...”

Day 5 My future is…

If you chose to stay

Time in wonderland is truly magical. You can focus on all your dreams and ambitions, try things you could never experience in the real world, and not have to worry about anything else. However, despite it being a magical place, you still have to put in the time to learn things just as you would normally. Pan is guiding you in your language learning journey and has proven a true friend even if you were wary in the beginning. 

You spend your days learning to your heart’s content alongside Pan and other magical beings.

If you chose to leave

Despite the temptation of a wonderland-like world, you choose to return to reality so you can continue your life in the real world. Pan guides you through a mirror and promises to check in on you every New Year’s Eve before sending you to your world. 

You wake up back in the bathroom and hear your friends still talking at your New Year party. In the sink lies a map labeled “Your Future”. When you pick it up, you hear Pan’s voice warning you: “Set your goals wisely.” Next to the map you find a ticking pocket watch counting down the time until you meet the magical being again. 

The question remains: how will you navigate this year ahead?

Activity

Beginner: Using your wishes from Day 1, write down realistic actionable goals to achieve them. 

Example:

I will go to Paris by saving money!

Advanced: Using one of the wishes you mentioned on Day 1, write a short schedule in your TL for how you will work toward one specific goal. Use simple sentences like:

"During the weekday, I will ____ because ____. Then on the weekend, I will ____  because ____"