Books I've Read: Q2 2021

The books I read in Q2 2021, with my favorites in bold. What would you recommend I read next quarter?

JournalLeslie FarnsworthJuly 14, 2021books, reading, literatureComment

Month-in-Review Highlights: June 2021

Achieving full vaccination lifted a lot of my easy excuses for postponing several goal-related activities, especially the ones I rarely consider intrinsically motivating.

JournalLeslie FarnsworthJuly 7, 2021coronavirus diaries, goals, postmortemComment

Why People Like Stressful Entertainment

Given that we use entertainment to amuse us, teach us, and provide us an escape, what role does stress, then, play in it?

ThinkingLeslie FarnsworthJune 30, 2021fiction, culture Comments

The Connection between Strength, Flexibility, and Balance

Follow me on a journey of light-bulb moments that took me through an exploration of physical flexibility, strength, and balance into their essential role in building more balanced, resilient societies.

How to Have a Good Restaurant Experience in France

Understanding the cultural differences will help you have a better restaurant experience when visiting France. And who doesn’t want to have a wonderful dining experience in a country celebrated for its food?

WanderingLeslie FarnsworthJune 16, 2021France, culture, travel Comments

My Experience with the COVID Vaccine

In which I chronicle my experience—straightforward and completely honest—with the Moderna vaccine and booster for COVID-19.

JournalLeslie FarnsworthJune 9, 2021coronavirus diaries Comments

Month-in-Review Highlights: May 2021

Here’s to full vaccination and antibody-empowerment by mid-June, after which some of the lagging goals can get a bit more attention.

JournalLeslie FarnsworthJune 2, 2021coronavirus diaries, goals, postmortemComment

My Top Podcasts (for the Moment)

Seven top podcasts on culture, ideas, and current events that gain my attention each week. What are your podcast favorites?

JournalLeslie FarnsworthMay 26, 2021cultureComment

Why the Loire Valley Has So Many Castles

Why does the Loire Valley have such a high concentration of castles? And why are so many of the Loire Valley castles so well preserved?

WanderingLeslie FarnsworthMay 19, 2021France, travel, culture, Loire ValleyComment

Best Novels for French Language Learners by CEFRL Level

Reading a book improves language learners’ grammar, spelling, and vocabulary. Here are my recommendations for novels in French that language learners will enjoy, categorized by CEFRL level.

Month-in-Review Highlights: April 2021

How our friends and our workouts change our minds and our bodies.

JournalLeslie FarnsworthMay 5, 2021writing, exercise, fitness, postmortemComment

How to Choose a Wedding Planner from a Distance

How do you find a wedding planner to help you get married in a location far from where you live? Whether you want to get married in France (from a U.S. home base, like me) or elsewhere, here’s what you need to know.

WanderingLeslie FarnsworthApril 28, 2021wedding, france Comments

Hoodies in Pop Culture: Positive and Negative Representations in Fictional Narratives

How have fictional representations influenced the image and impressions we have of the hoodie today—if at all?

ThinkingLeslie FarnsworthApril 21, 2021hoodie, fashion, culture Comments

Stakes [Pull Up / Put Down]: An Interview with Cristina Silingardi

“I appreciate people a lot more. I realized there are so many ways to expand who you are and your enjoyment of life. It brings choices.”

MigratingLeslie FarnsworthApril 14, 2021expat, culture Comments

Books I've Read: Q1 2021

Need book recommendations to keep up with your reading goals for the year? Check out my reading list for Q1 2021, with my favorites in bold.

JournalLeslie FarnsworthApril 7, 2021reading, literature, books Comments

Month-in-Review Highlights: March 2021

I’ve struggled in the first quarter of this year with making progress on one of my creative goals.

JournalLeslie FarnsworthApril 1, 2021goals, postmortem, fitness, coronavirus diariesComment

Traveling in France: Navigating Cultural Differences

Each of these four categories of “French travel surprises” tie to often-unexpected cultural differences. In expecting them—and reducing the “surprise” factor—you’ll have a much better travel experience.

WanderingLeslie FarnsworthMarch 25, 2021France, culture, travel Comments

The Coronavirus Diaries: The Anniversary Edition

Though I knew I would write a coronavirus diaries anniversary post, I’d thought that one year after the start of the COVID-19 saga would look much different than it does.