August was an unusual and emotional month. Early on, I was thrilled to have Markell and his friend Nick visit for eleven days. At the same time, I was preparing for the third stage of a job interview, so I had to stay focused while making the most of our time together. We took a wonderful trip to Madrid—you can read more about it in the “Posts” section below. When Markell left, I felt genuinely sad. Even though he is almost twenty, living in a different country from him can still be difficult. I had little time to dwell on it, though, because I advanced to the final interview round and received an offer. I spent the second half of the month giving notice at my current job, saying many emotional goodbyes, and cautiously preparing for a new role. Overall, it was a good month—just one filled with big changes and a lot of emotion.
Continue reading “Noelle’s Monthly Recap: August 2026”Author: Noelle
Exploring Madrid: Food, Flamenco and Spanish Charm
Before our trip, several people told me they had seen little of Madrid—often because they were there for work—or that it lacked the appeal of other Spanish cities. Although Spain has larger cities with more attractions, Madrid has a charm of its own, and I thoroughly enjoyed our brief stay.
Continue reading “Exploring Madrid: Food, Flamenco and Spanish Charm”Noelle’s Monthly Recap: July 2026
July was such a fun month, filled with new experiences and a visit to a new destination in Spain. I also loved enjoying England’s long, sunny summer days. Read on to see what I got up to in July.
Continue reading “Noelle’s Monthly Recap: July 2026”My 2026 FIFA World Cup Experience: Planning, Tickets, and Match Day in the U.S.
When it was announced a few years ago that the men’s FIFA World Cup would be held in the United States in 2026, I knew I wanted to go. I had attended World Cups in other countries and was excited to experience one at home. Attending the tournament every four years has become a family tradition that began with my dad and later grew to include me, my uncle, my son, and my husband. My dad has always been a huge soccer fan, and while I follow the sport a little less closely, I am a fan too. We have also loved exploring new countries between matches.
Continue reading “My 2026 FIFA World Cup Experience: Planning, Tickets, and Match Day in the U.S.”Noelle’s Monthly Recap: June 2026
June was a fun, whirlwind month. During a busy trip back to the U.S., we caught up with friends and family and attended three World Cup games. Outside of that trip, I also had the chance to explore a few new places near Cheltenham, where we live.
Continue reading “Noelle’s Monthly Recap: June 2026”




