February 18, 2019

Three Fun Spanish Phrases

After a few days back in Madrid, I’m full of Spanish phrases. Coming back to the city where I lived the past four years (see related post here) for a weeklong visit has been a great reminder of all the things I love about the Spanish language. Below is a quick, Monday list of fun Spanish expressions to get the week off to a good start. Three Fun Spanish Phrases -1- Votar en blanco. This is not really an expression so much as an action that I find endlessly fascinating. In Spain (and some countries in South America) during an election you can ‘cast a blank vote’, which basically means…

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written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in live fabulous

May 22, 2018

A Typical Day

Here is a typical day.  See if you can notice any patterns. A Typical Day Schedule 6:45 AM: Wake up. Drink moderately excessive amount of coffee, but eat healthy breakfast, brush hair, etc. 7:35 AM: Leave for work.  Rejuvenating 10 minute walk to train station. Deal very patiently with Spanish slow walkers as they shuffle down the street, apparently headed for a job that starts in 2019. 9:15 AM: Tell hilarious joke to my first period physics freshmen (we were studying momentum and I told them to ‘get their mass in motion’. Maybe you had to be there.) 10:25 AM: Procure snacks for my whole 9th grade advisory because the student…

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written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in randomly fabulous

May 14, 2018

Throwing Baby Showers: It’s a Girl!!

You know what it turns out is really fun?  Throwing baby showers! What? I’m serious.  Hear me out. First of all, it turns out baby showers are very American.  As with all US-related holidays, I enjoy a certain, heightened patriotism when I get to celebrate overseas and fabricate embellish upon the importance of various customs.  Like celebrating the 4th of July in New Zealand, when I convinced all the Kiwi’s we had to wear towel capes and salute each other each time we spoke.   (In my defense I was 22, and everybody was totally into the towel capes.  I think.) Anyway, it turns out that people in other countries (or at…

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written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in randomly fabulous

January 18, 2018

Thai Massage: How To Relax and Enjoy

This past weekend, I went for my first Thai massage (Kenika Thai Massage for those of you who are interested). Thai massage is fabulous! Here’s what you need to know: 1.  The lady at the desk procured me a little bowl of water on a flower-covered serving tray.  The provision of water is, without a doubt, one of my favorite parts of a body treatment service. Finally, someone concerned about my hydration.  This is how dogs must feel all the time! 2.  I was led into my little Thai massage room and given pajamas!  Yes, I love spa robes.  But I don’t love anything as much as I love pajamas….

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written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in live fabulous

December 29, 2017

Expat Return to the USA

When I return to the USA for the holidays, there are always some surprises in store. Expat Return to the USA Observations First, I continually forget how desensitized I am to background conversation.  In Spain, I need to really concentrate to eavesdrop, on the streets of New York it is as easy as hailing a cab.  And I LOVE eavesdropping! No Susan, you shouldn’t call him again before he calls you back; yes little 22-year-old Morgan Stanley intern, your boss does think you’re a total idiot; no bro-bra-bro, those girls from Whiskey Ward are definitely not going to call you even though you spent ‘like $200’. It’s so nice to…

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written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in live fabulous