Nina's corner Archives - Page 3 of 8

auxiliar life, Nina's corner, Spain, travel

5 Reasons Spain is great for learning Spanish

10/29/2017 54 Comments

As I begin my second year in Spain, I often find myself reflecting on everything I love about this country. One year ago, I had no idea how well my time here would turn out. I had no idea how many wonderful people I would meet and how much Spanish I would speak on a daily basis.

If you are wanting to learn Spanish or better the Spanish that you already speak, I would recommend living in Spain if you can. Of course I’m sure many parts of South America would also be wonderful places to learn as well. However except for Nicaragua, I have not traveled in South America. One day I hope to get to Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Costa Rica and basically everywhere else in that part of the world. However right now I’m in Spain and I love it here.

Fashion, Nina's corner

Fall in Granada

10/01/2017 12 Comments

Every single year, the coming of fall has signified a change. As a child, it meant that I was one grade older. New classmates, a new teacher, new school supplies and new clothing. In university, it meant the same thing in addition to a new place to live. Perhaps new roommates and a new class schedule. Getting settled into my dorm or apartment was always an exciting process.

For many of us, these changes stopped when we entered the working world. After all, most careers do not necessarily follow this same schedule of a renewed fall. I imagine that for most, the fall just feels the same. You might notice the leaves falling and the fact that Starbucks now serves a Pumpkin Spice latte. However my life from age 22-30 has looked a tad different than someone who perhaps found a 9-5 job and worked it for the next 5-10 years. It has always seemed that the fall continues to mean change. It was during August/September that I had to return home from Nicaragua to be with my mother in the hospital (you can read that post here). It was also around this time last year that I moved from the United States to Spain.

Nina's corner

Why I wanted to start a travel blog

09/17/2017 31 Comments

As we settle into the middle of September, I find myself reflecting on where I was two years ago at this time. September has always been a season of change for me. However the changes that that particular summer had brought were vastly different than anything I had experienced before. My mother had suffered a brain aneurysm at the beginning of August and was in the hospital. I had flown home from Nicaragua, where I was supposed to be living for that next year, to be with her. My days were spent visiting her and processing what was going on.

I needed something in this time in my life. I needed something to focus my energies. I have always found a lot of healing in creative endeavors, so I decided to start a travel blog. Except life in that moment did not really allow for travel, so I decided to start my blog with a bit of a different focus.

Nina's corner

What went wrong in Nicaragua

07/30/2017 8 Comments

What went wrong in Nicaragua? This is the post I’ve held off on posting for some time. This is the post at some points where I was like “nah. Maybe I shouldn’t.” However I feel like honesty and sharing stories are quite powerful things. And if I can help a few travelers, do-gooders and people seeking out the expat life, then even better. So here’s my story. Here is what really happened in Nicaragua.

Nina's corner

My 7 travel fails

07/19/2017 34 Comments

Sometimes things are not instagram-worthy. Sometimes you fall or say something awkward. Sometimes you just fail when traveling.

Looking over this past year of living and traveling in Europe, there were definitely some travel fails. So I thought I would recount some of the best … or worst moments when traveling.

All of these are sad but also really just funny. Like how could I have been short-sighted? Others just … the elements of nature got together and made some less than fun situations. All in all, they’re funny to look back over.

Nina's corner

6 Bachelorette party-planning tips

07/16/2017 43 Comments

We talked about it for years. We made pinterest boards about it and mentioned it casually in conversation. We wondered if it would over come. And then it did.

My best friend is engaged! Like lots of women, I’ve known that I would be maid of honor for like the past 6 years. And she will of course be mine if and whenever marriage happens for me (ha!). It’s always an honor when I get asked to be in a friend’s wedding. You know they really like you when this happens.

Nina's corner

Summer update: where is Nina?

07/12/2017 15 Comments

So several things in my life have changed: my monthly salary, my diet, the bed size I sleep in and lastly, the country I live in. However it’s just for the summer. Don’t worry, I still call Granada, Spain my home. However I’ve realised that those of you who follow me on social media have probably noticed that my posts are coming from the Czech Republic. So I thought I would fill you in on where I am and what I’m doing.

Nina's corner

3 websites that pay you (for all … not just bloggers)

07/07/2017 75 Comments

Several days ago, I transferred $63 into my bank account from my PayPal. This money was from simply sharing things on the Internet. It was the extra little bit that I needed this month. It was awesome!

When I got to thinking about it, there are several websites and apps that I use that pay you. That’s right … they pay you actual money that you can deposit into your account. These three sites pay you to do what you already do. So since I’m a loyal user of all three, I thought I would share them with you all. Who here would love a few extra hundred bucks this month?

auxiliar life, Nina's corner

6 tips for self-care living overseas

05/19/2017 57 Comments

I’m just going to come out and say it. Life can be hard living in a foreign country, especially when there’s a language barrier. You then add in different norms for social behavior, different traditions and overall different customs, and it can be exhausting. I’m finishing up my 8th month in Spain and while this year overall has been amazing, there have been frustrating moments. I’ve realized more than anything that you have to take care of yourself first. My days and weekends are so much better when I’ve just taken the time for me. Here is what I’ve found works for me. I hope this can help any of you who are living the expat life.

Nina's corner

A letter to the best mom ever

05/07/2017 35 Comments

Happy Mother’s Day to everyone in Spain and happy future Mother’s Day to those of you in the USA. This will always be a day that I’m fond of. Those of you who know me personally may be wondering why I just said that as the truth is, my mom passed away almost a year and a half ago. True, this could be a day where I cry, and feel all the feelings of anger and frustration. And some people who have lost their mother may be in that place, and that place is 100% okay. We all handle the death of someone close to us in different ways because we are all different people. That’s what makes the world beautiful.

However today I thought I would use my little space on the internet to write a letter to my mom. Even though she is not on earth, I want to take this time to really appreciate her and say thanks. That is what I would do if she was still alive, after all.