Month-in-Review Highlights: August 2019

When I consider the month, I feel most satisfied with August’s progress on my 2019 goal to get back into my writing.

JournalLeslie FarnsworthSeptember 7, 2019writing, stakes, postmortemComment

A Summer Vacation in Aix-en-Provence and Environs

In which we try to do all the things in the Bouches-du-Rhône area of Provence.

WanderingLeslie FarnsworthSeptember 5, 2019France, travel, culture, food Comments

Stakes [Pull Up / Put Down]: An Interview with Suridh Hassan

In southeast Asia, Suridh felt like an expat. In Seattle, he feels like an immigrant.

MigratingLeslie FarnsworthSeptember 3, 2019expat, stakes Comments

Last-Minute Summer Vacation Ideas

Whether you want one more getaway or you haven’t gotten away quite yet, you still have time for a summer vacation—even if only for a long weekend.

WanderingLeslie FarnsworthAugust 21, 2019travel, France, Switzerland Comments

A Weekend in Alsace

Alsace looks like a movie set, with its perfectly preserved, walkable medieval town centers snuggling into rolling hills, all overlooked by hilltop fortresses.

WanderingLeslie FarnsworthAugust 19, 2019travel, france, culture Comments

Twenty-Four Hours in Colmar

For a twenty-four hour visit, Colmar made for an idyllic stop—and the perfect hub for a visit to the larger Alsace region of France.

WanderingLeslie FarnsworthAugust 16, 2019france, culture, travel, food Comments

Stakes [Pull Up / Put Down]: An Interview with Paul Strobl

An interview with American-born Bulgarian immigrant Paul Strobl. “I see all the exploration ahead of me. I have no idea where I'll be in ten years. That, to me, is exciting.”

MigratingLeslie FarnsworthAugust 14, 2019expat, stakes Comments

What it Means to Starve Your Company's Marketing

People shy away from investing in marketing—yet a company only grows when it invests.

ThinkingLeslie FarnsworthAugust 12, 2019marketingComment

Work and Play Days in New York City

A working week in New York City—with a little fun in the margins. Here’s what we did in our off time during our week in NYC.

WanderingLeslie FarnsworthAugust 10, 2019culture, travelComment

Kirby-sur-Seine: An Impromptu Private Concert

When Fred came to visit Arnaud and me in Lausanne, I requested a private Kirby-sur-Seine concert.

JournalLeslie FarnsworthAugust 8, 2019music, culture Comments

Starting Conversations: A Refresher

Time for a quick refresher for us all in starting conversations and serving as a worthy conversational partner.

ThinkingLeslie FarnsworthAugust 6, 2019networking, relationships Comments

Month-in-Review Highlights: July 2019

This July, I feel like I made some sort of progress in my French language skills.

JournalLeslie FarnsworthAugust 4, 2019culture, expat, travel, relationships, postmortem Comments

The Complex Symbolism behind the Hoodie

Hoodies have cultural baggage that wearing them will always evoke. Why?

ThinkingLeslie FarnsworthJuly 31, 2019fashion, culture, hoodie Comments

Problem Solving and Triathlons

What's the common ground between Arnaud’s interest in complex problem solving and his interest in triathlons?

ThinkingLeslie FarnsworthJuly 29, 2019business Comments

Seen in Lausanne this Week: July 20-26, 2019

From inappropriate business names to line dancing along Lake Geneva, Lausanne had a bizarre week.

JournalLeslie FarnsworthJuly 26, 2019Switzerland, Lausanne, cultureComment

One Year Married: Observations

A year ago tomorrow, Arnaud and I got married. (In fact, a year ago today, we had our civil ceremony.) I have noted the following surprises and adjustments.

JournalLeslie FarnsworthJuly 24, 2019happiness, family, culture Comments

Why and How to Treat Your Boss as Your Client

A broader swath of the workforce should adjust their mindsets to approach the work from the same perspective.

ThinkingLeslie FarnsworthJuly 22, 2019employees, management, business, leadershipComment

How to Thrive after Moving

If you’ve moved or plan to move, a few survival tips gleaned from my personal relocation experiences will help you adjust more quickly and thrive in your new place.

MigratingLeslie FarnsworthJuly 20, 2019happiness, culture, travel, expatComment