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2026 Winter Quarter Books in Review
Reading in Winter Winter seems to be the time I read the most. I’m sure that’s a natural “nesting”, “hibernation” thing to do. I didn’t expect, as I unexpectedly became a full time special ed teacher for the first time, that I’d find so much time to read! The high paced job lends itself to…
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Favorite Los Angeles Hotels
LA HOTELS As a digital nomad (hometown Santa Barbara) Los Angeles is a frequent jumping off point for me on my global travels. My daughter and nieces also live there, so I’m a frequent visitor. Here are just some of my favorite go-to hotels in the area. These are the direct links to my personally…
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2025 Year End Books in Review
FOURTH QUARTER FALL 2025 I “only” read nine books this final three months of fall/autumn 2025. This makes a grand total of 58 in 2025 (see the earlier book reviews of 2025, links below). My love of reading and books is only growing as time goes on. I geek out over autographed copies (Malala!), of…
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Favorite Santa Barbara Hotels
SANTA BARBARA AREA HOTELS My hometown. These are a few of my favorite Santa Barbara hotels where I stay when I’m not at my parents’ home, or I’ll recommend to friends and family. These are the direct links to my personally curated Expedia Travel Shop. I really appreciate if you book through me (I receive…
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My Favorite Books to Heal From Divorce and Heartbreak
If you want to find books on divorce for yourself, or for a loved one, here are my top picks to heal from heartbreak, betrayal, loss, and to rediscover yourself. Some of these are simply full of great advice. Others feel like commiserating with a close friend. Whatever you’re needing, dive on in, and find…
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Summer Book Review 2025
In the Summer Book Review for 2025, this group of books (which takes me to 49 of my goal of 50 for the year!) kept me company from California to London, Guatemala to El Salvador, and poolside in Cancun, Mexico. From glorious tangible books, to audiobooks. BOOKS 1. The School for Good Mothers, Jessamine Chan …
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Who I Used to Be
Before Second Chapter Nomad May 2025 – I listed this as a chapter summary for my book proposal, but it is still unwritten. I’ve focused so heavily in the past five years as “Second Chapter Nomad”, “divorcee”, “empty nester”, that I almost have forgotten that person I was before all of that. I’m back in…
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Selling My Wedding Ring
September 3, 2025 Spontaneous day of selling my wedding ring. Over five years a nomad. Nearly five years since divorce finalized. Many more years since I stopped wearing my ring after the separation. But oh how I loved its sparkly glory. It was a part of me for 23 years. For years I had a…
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Guatemala – Tikal
Following a week in Maya Riviera, Mexico, then a solo journey to Bacalar, Mexico, crossing into Belize. Stayed in the Capital and on San Pedro Caye, then inland to Santa Elena. (see previous posts) Time for a bucket list journey across the border to Tikal, Guatemala. Solo travel! https://www.expedia.com/shop/second-chapter-nomad for hotel recs Dec. 18 2024…
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Spring 2025 Books in Review
Spring 2025 Books in Review – I read 21 books from April thru June, 2025. From London to California, Texas to Guatemala! Kindle, Audible, hardcover, paperbacks. Attended book festivals in both London and Los Angeles. Read lots of fiction, literary and good ol’ airport chick lit, nonfiction (love memoirs), and more. What have you read?…