What’s in a Name? A Primer on Spanish Names
"When we have kids, promise you'll let me name all of the boys." I don't remember where or in what context the Novio asked me this favor, but I shrugged…
God Bless America?: Reflections on my Third Elections Abroad
The world is having a serious identity crisis. To say that 2016 has been a weird year is to echo the sentiments of...just about everyone. And it goes far beyond…
A Guiri Guide to Having a Baby in Spain: Second Trimester
The start of my second trimester, at 14 weeks, coincided with another big event in my life: Leaving Seville for a job and a new life in Madrid. After a…
What Every Expat in Spain Should Know: Nine Skills to Celebrate Nine Years in Iberia
For me, moving to Spain in September 2007 was a baby step into a life abroad. I had studied abroad here, aced all but one of my college Spanish courses…
A Guiri Guide to Having a Baby in Spain: 1st Trimester
Well, if there were ever a cat in the proverbial bag, it’s gotten out of the bag and run around the block. Yes, I’m pregnant. Yes, it’s the Novio’s. Yes,…
Moving to Madrid: My first month in La Capi
As soon as I’d said the word, I clasped my hand over my mouth. “Gracias." Not an aspirated graciaaaaaaahhhhh, the final syllable lingering like an afterthought. A full pronounced grah-cee-us.…