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From Gong to Mandalay
A reckless comment on social media can quickly lead to anger, contempt, and hatred. This little story is about the opposite. It is about how maturity and kindness can take the sting out of criticism and create good vibes. It was a great relief when restaurants started to open again…
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Sunrise in Torre de la Horadada
I often go for an early morning walk carrying a small camera. Sunrise is always a winner, and there is probably no better motif, at least not at dawn. 🙂 The Mediterranean Sea stretches to the east from Torre de la Horadada on the Costa Blanca in Spain. Every morning,…
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Quiet Days of the Pandemic
Spanish beach towns are mostly quiet in the winter. I have always associated silence with something poetic, but the extreme silence under the Coronavirus lockdown shattered that image. I live in Torre de la Horadada on the southern end of Costa Blanca, Spain. Our town is dependent on tourism, so…
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Taking the CCSE & DELE Exams for Spanish Citizenship Application
To become a Spanish citizen, you will need to prove knowledge of the Spanish society and show that you are well on your way to mastering the language. I passed these tests last year, and I am now sharing my experience here. First, you have to be familiar with Conocimientos…
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Fashion: Like a Play
I see fashion as an art. I tried getting into personal styling, but it is something that I now just enjoy on the side. Writing about it based on my experiences will feed my longing to marry two of my interests: writing and clothing. We are living in a difficult…
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Philippine Passport Renewal in Madrid
It’s been five years since I moved to Spain. This means I need to renew my residency permit to permanent status. However, I decided to renew my Philippine passport first since it will expire soon. Initially, I was apprehensive because it was my first time going through the process, and…
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Buying a Used Car in Spain
We have lived in Spain for over three years and have moved hassle-free to new locations on a modest budget four times. Recently, buying a used car added more joy to our experience. For us, Spain is a well-functioning society full of dedicated and service-minded individuals. Reading different expat forums…
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A Glimpse into the Heart of Spanish Summer
Yesterday, the laid-back beach town of Torrevieja on the Costa Blanca in Spain got a vital summer carnival boost. Spaniards love to celebrate, and if there is no occasion, they will easily invent one. After more than three years in Spain in four different locations, we are now waiting to…
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Snapshots from Envigado, Colombia
The authorities in Envigado, the hometown of Pablo Escobar, are working hard to erase his memory. But it is a complex and challenging task due to a particular plant’s long history and relaxing reputation. However, this was not why my husband and I decided to visit the little brother of…
