Travel – Noelle Across The Pond

Noelle’s Monthly Recap: September 2026

Published on October 1, 2026 by NoelleLeave a comment

September brought significant change and several major personal achievements. After more than seven years with my previous company, I moved into a new UK-based role—one of my main goals for the year. I also achieved another goal by passing the UK driving test, widely regarded as one of the world’s most challenging. Alongside these milestones, I travelled around England and squeezed in a weekend trip to Germany. It was a busy but rewarding month, full of new experiences. Here’s what I got up to in September.

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A Relaxing Weekend in the Stuttgart, Germany Area

Published on September 20, 2026 by Noelle1 Comment

Much in need of some relaxation this month while I was in between jobs, I went to visit my friend Miriam at her home in the suburbs of Stuttgart, Germany. We had a wonderful weekend together, and while Stuttgart isn’t a city you hear about as often as Munich or Berlin, I do think the area is beautiful and has a lot to offer. Here’s how my weekend there went.

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Noelle’s Monthly Recap: August 2026

Published on September 1, 2026 by NoelleLeave a comment

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.

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Exploring Madrid: Food, Flamenco and Spanish Charm

Published on August 25, 2026 by Noelle1 Comment

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.

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My 2026 FIFA World Cup Experience: Planning, Tickets, and Match Day in the U.S.

Published on July 23, 2026September 20, 2026 by Noelle1 Comment

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.

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