Wednesday was a red letter day for me in Spain. I successfully asked for all of my desired vegetables in the market, got my hair cut and highlighted (and even cracked a joke with my stylist!), and, most importantly, after spending four hours over the past several days on the truly terrible RENFE website (Spain’sContinue reading “The Cultural Adjustment Cycle”
Author Archives: The Next Dinner Party
Bold Blue Dining Room: Before and After
For the first time in my adult life, I live in an apartment with a with a dining room. For someone who loves cooking and entertaining as much as me, this is particularly awesome. Our dining room has a few things going for it: Super high ceilings, and doors that open to a small balconyContinue reading “Bold Blue Dining Room: Before and After”
Higher Learning. With Croissants.
Last week, I woke up to an email that stopped my coffee cup dead in its tracks to my mouth. I applied to graduate school a few weeks before and there was an email from New York University telling me “Congratulations!” I got in. My first thought was “No one applied except for me.” WhileContinue reading “Higher Learning. With Croissants.”
Sun, Sangria and Explosions
Ever since we moved to Spain, Mr. Dame has been talking up this festival called Las Fallas that takes place every year in Valencia. He described it as a huge pyrotechnic festival with floats and fire, firecrackers and fireworks. I was intrigued. Then he said every day there is an event where there’s absolutely nothingContinue reading “Sun, Sangria and Explosions”
My Relationship With Art Museums: It’s Complicated
I have a complicated, but predictable, relationship with art museums. Nearly every time I’m in one, the thought crosses my mind of what an anachronism art museums are in today’s world of movies, flash-mobs, and scrolling billboards (ie, mediums that move). That standing in front of a static painting stuck on a wall inside ofContinue reading “My Relationship With Art Museums: It’s Complicated”
DIY in Madrid
Hola! I’ve been neglecting this blog, and well, everything else in life really, because I’m totally consumed by decorating our new apartment. I’ve had countless sleepness nights poring over decorating blogs. Paint colors, furniture, artwork and making cool groupings of knick-knacks is pretty much all I’ve been thinking about. Which I’m aware has made meContinue reading “DIY in Madrid”
El Gimnasio Español
Mr.Dame in Spain and I are very frequent gym-goers, some might say gym rats. I wouldn’t call us that because it implies that I work out in nothing but a sports bra and he in a tank with armpit holes so big you could see his belly button and that we both slurp powdery proteinContinue reading “El Gimnasio Español”
The Six Stages of Being Lost in a Foreign City
Today, I went out to run a quick errand. I spent the next two-and-a-half hours being lost. First, I was joyfully lost. Then I was hopelessly lost. I think I experienced at least a dozen human emotions today before 2pm. The arc pretty much followed this, the Six Stages of Being Lost in a ForeignContinue reading “The Six Stages of Being Lost in a Foreign City”
Overnight Trip to Toledo
I’ve done quick trips to Toledo before. But that was Toledo, Ohio. And let me tell you, the Toledo Zoo didn’t prepare me for the stunning architecture, winding cobblestone streets, and lively feel of Toledo, Spain. A day after trekking through Segovia, Mr.Dame in Spain and I took the high-speed train from Madrid to Toledo.Continue reading “Overnight Trip to Toledo”
The Diplocats’ First Overseas Adventure
I had no idea that traveling overseas with two cats would be so difficult. Mr. Dame in Spain and I thought we were checking all the boxes to prepare for a smooth travel to Madrid with our two cats, Gus and Boj, whom together make up the fat and feisty duo known as The Diplocats.Continue reading “The Diplocats’ First Overseas Adventure”