Category: life
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Wishing you a healthy weekend
Oh hi, I’m alive. Barely. Somewhere between Geneva, Copenhagen and Washington D.C. I picked up a nasty stomach bug that has ravaged my gastrointestinal system, leaving me a couple pounds lighter and afraid to eat any food that is not of the saltine cracker variety. I do not recommend this weight-loss plan. The upside of…
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On terrorism and living abroad
I am having trouble processing the atrocities in Brussels today. It shouldn’t be so difficult for me to do. In a previous life as a newspaper reporter I used to cover horrible, ugly things. I used to listen to police scanners for words like “homicide” and then race to the scene where I’d hound police…
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A moment in memoriam
I have read To Kill a Mockingbird every three years since the fifth grade; and yet, I don’t consider myself qualified enough to speak on the life of Harper Lee. I did, however, provide a quote for one of my favorite writers Herb Benham for this week’s Bakersfield Californian: “I was Scout when I read it in fifth…
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The Swiss-French motherhood conundrum
Like many women I’m curious how parenting works in other cultures, and even more so now that I live on the border of Switzerland and France. I’m not a mother myself, but I’m already taking notes on how the mères I see around Geneva interact with their children. There is a lot to admire about Swiss-French mothers–they always…
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Bon week-end!
You guessed it! “Bon week-end” is “have a good weekend” in French…oh the language of love. This week was a good one. After being back in Geneva one month post-holidays, I feel as though I’m finally back in my groove–reconnecting with friends, going to the outdoor markets and taking French class. I still have things hanging…
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Three years ago…
…we got married. It was a cold, clear day in Washington D.C. I was deliriously happy. Like ridiculously, my-cheeks-hurt-I’m-smiling-too-much happy. My mother, sister and sisters-in-law helped me get ready, but there wasn’t as much to do as I imagined. I spent a lot of time in my robe looking out the window to spy on guests.…
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This week I am…
…celebrating Chinese New Year… …and Mardi Gras… …and a personal milestone (what a week!). …eyeing this cool puzzle. …catching up on emails. …laughing out loud. …practicing français. Here are 30 un-translateable words.
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A one-minute confidence boost
Need a surge of confidence today? Stand with your feet apart, fists on your hips, shoulders thrown back and your chin tilted up. It may feel silly, but holding the “Superman pose” for 60 seconds is scientifically proven to boost confidence. Harvard researchers found that this pose helps reduce the body’s level of stress hormones–cortisol–by…
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This week I am…
…welcoming a new month–did you know 2016 is a Leap Year? …making my favorite winter soup. …correcting my work-life balance (err, not enough work). …re-listening to this podcast. Go journalism! …eyeing this project for snow days. …avoiding these airports. …getting my life’s motto emblazoned on everything. …trying to be cool.
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Hygge: How Danes beat the winter blues
Winter isn’t my favorite season. I may ski, drink vin chaud and wear the heck out of a shearling jacket, but I’m a California girl at heart. Since moving to Switzerland I’ve tried to change my perspective, because winter is truly something to behold here. Writing this article last year helped me look forward to the…