One of the first things I do when I move to a new place is figure out a new workout routine. In Yemen, it was running from bullets. Just kidding, it was swimming laps and doing Crossfit in the hyper-masculine hotel gym with Marines who blasted death metal. Before that, in Washington DC, it wasContinue reading “The Exercise Habit”
Author Archives: The Next Dinner Party
What I Won’t Miss About Madrid
There is a trend among Foreign Service bloggers right now to write about the pros and cons of their posts. It’s summer bidding season, which means this is the time when Foreign Service Officers and their families pore over lists of open jobs in countries far and wide. We “bid” on a different cycle soContinue reading “What I Won’t Miss About Madrid”
Writing Lessons from Paris
I recently returned from Paris after completing my third residency as part of New York University’s Paris Writers Program. Another year – and two more residencies to go – and hopefully I’ll have an MFA, and more importantly, a decent draft of my novel. Residencies in Paris are inspiring and exhausting. I love every minuteContinue reading “Writing Lessons from Paris”
What I’ll Miss Most About Madrid
Our Spanish tour is on its last legs. Soon, it’ll be hummus and ancient history in Jerusalem in lieu of siestas and tapas. I’ve got two months left here, and you can bet I’ll be savoring my favorite Spanish things during that time. Here’s what I’ll miss most when I leave: 1. Cheap (and Good)Continue reading “What I’ll Miss Most About Madrid”
The Supermarket Rescue
One of the more interesting parts of this moving around all the time thing (or, really, one of the more interesting parts of travel) is the markets and grocery stores. Everywhere I go, the grocery stores are so different – different products, different ways of paying, different people – and yet, in many ways, theyContinue reading “The Supermarket Rescue”
Trying to Not Think About Food (With Food Pics!)
This summer is off to a busy start. With house guests, trips, and another residency for NYU’s Paris Writer’s Program, I’ve been neglecting this blog, and I’m sorry. I’m currently in Paris, hearing from famous authors such as Zadie Smith and Lydia Davis and generally pinching myself each day. While I’m trying to be presentContinue reading “Trying to Not Think About Food (With Food Pics!)”
And Our Next Post Is…
…Jerusalem! Surprised? Remember back when I painstakingly outlined all the pros and cons of moving to seven different cities and asked ya’ll to vote? Well, the winner, Lima, Peru, and all the rest of the places for that matter — London and Papau New Guinea among them — didn’t pan out. We were withoutContinue reading “And Our Next Post Is…”
How to Be a Vegetarian in Spain’s Foodie Capital
It’s not easy being a vegetarian foodie in Spain. Or at least, it’s not all that fun. In terms of veg options, most restaurants feature the same players: Tortilla, pimientos padrones, salmorejo (minus the ham), salad with goat cheese, a grilled veggie plate. These dishes are all perfectly yummy, but after the twentieth time eatingContinue reading “How to Be a Vegetarian in Spain’s Foodie Capital”
Beer & Waffles in Charming Ghent & Bruges
For quaint beauty and village-like atmospheres with the vibrancy of much larger cities, the Belgian towns of Ghent and Bruges really take the proverbial cake. In this case, the proverbial cake is a waffle. Ghent is so charming that I’ve visited it twice since I’ve lived in Europe (because I am a sucker for charm).Continue reading “Beer & Waffles in Charming Ghent & Bruges”
To Have a Great Birthday, Do These Five Things
1. Have a big accomplishment right before your birthday Load your schedule in such a way that you’ll be done with a big project right before your big day. I turned in this semester’s last packet of writing for my creative writing graduate program and I had an article published on Slate about my great-grandmother’sContinue reading “To Have a Great Birthday, Do These Five Things”