Grammar tips for bloggers

For Travel Tuesday this week, the prompt is "Languages."  I could write about how Duolingo and Dora the Explorer (in Brazilian Portuguese) have helped me learn Portuguese.  I could write about how it's important that when you're learning a new language you talk to everyone you can - even if you're shy or embarrassed.  I could write about the funny or embarrassing things I've said on accident (calling a spoon a bunny, for example).  

However, I've chosen to use this prompt to provide some grammar tips for bloggers.  Many bloggers are American and their English grammar is horrid.  Many bloggers are foreign,  but they write in English so as to have a bigger audience - and their English is usually great!  English is a very complicated language.  It is essentially a combination of many different languages.  We've borrowed words from French, Spanish, Italian, Latin, German, etc, which is why some of the pronunciation rules are crazy ("I before E except after C or when sounding like 'eigh' as in Neighbor or Weigh").

Source

Pretty much anyone can self-publish in this digital age.  And blogging is such a cool form of communication.  I've discovered some really awesome people and places through reading blogs.  While I think it's great that everyone, regardless of education or background, can have their voices heard, it annoys me to no end when I read posts filled with grammatical errors.

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Don't get me wrong - I realize that I'm not perfect.  I type as I think, often leading to run-on sentences.  I don't claim to be a grammar expert (though my husband actually is).  But I think there are some basic grammar rules that should be followed so as not to look ... well... dumb.  I'm not going to lie, I've "unfollowed" a few blogs that were riddled with grammar mistakes.

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Note: I have found that native English speakers, especially Americans, have the worst grammar.  People who learn English as a second (or third or fourth) language usually remember all the rules and have very few issues.  Just another testament to the poor state of the American public school system...

From http://theoatmeal.com/comics/misspelling

Before you write me off as a mean ol' snob, please understand that this post is coming from a good place.  I want to be able to help people.  Many bloggers put so much time and energy into each post.  They want a blog they are proud of.  They want to look professional.  My advice: hire a proofreader, especially if you're trying to make your blog a career.  (My husband, for example, has a degree in this.  Email me if you're interested in having him proofread your blog posts - alonewithmytea at gmail dot com)

How to keep your health and sanity while traveling

Today I'm linking up with Postcards from Rachel for her last expat diaries.  Get your travel posts ready and link up!

Traveling is thrilling, exciting, fun, happy, and completely exhausting!  In one trip you might experience airplanes, buses, taxis, motorcycles, bikes, and walking.  You will eat amazing food, drink amazing drinks, and get very sweaty, dusty, dirty, sticky, and germ-y.  Let's face it, traveling is rough on the body.  Over the years I have come up with some routines that have helped me stay healthy and keep my sanity, so that I can fully enjoy myself and each beautiful country I explore.

1.  Wash your face and brush your teeth EVERY NIGHT, no matter how tired you are.
This is my life rule in general.  I never go to bed without washing my face and brushing my teeth. Even when I had the flu!  Plus, no one likes waking up in the morning with their eyes glued shut from old mascara.  Yuck.

2.  Wash your feet and give yourself a mini foot massage before getting in to bed, no matter how tired you are.
Traveling is tough on your feet.  Think about it - when you get off a long flight, your feet are swollen and sore.  When you explore ancient ruins in the summer, you're walking around dirt roads in sandals, and it's likely that your ice cream cone will drip on your feet.  Yet, showering before bed is not often an option.  Maybe you're staying in a church/orphanage that doesn't have showers.  Maybe you're rooming with 10 other girls from your choir and two of them hogged all the hot water.  Or maybe you're just plumb wiped out.  Do yourself a favor and, at the very least, wash your feet!  Then take 2 minutes and massage some lotion into them.

3.  Drink LOTS of water, no matter how small your bladder is.
Your bladder will hate you, but your immune system will be grateful.

4.  Do what the locals do.
In Korea we were offered some sweet-tasting tea after dinner.  "For digestion."  We drank it.  In Cusco we drank cup after cup of coca tea.  I don't know if the Korean tea helped our digestion or if the Peruvian coca leaves helped fend off altitude sickness, but I'll tell you that I never got the runs nor had to be hospitalized for low blood oxygen levels...

5.  Bring hand sanitizer and baby wipes with you everywhere.
Seriously.  Ev-er-y-where.  You never know when you might get pooped on by a pigeon on Venice, sit near a guy on the airplane that gets drunk and vomits all over everything in a 10 foot radius, or be stuck on a 20 hour bus ride with a lady that brings a cat in a diaper (that, my friends, brings "cat lady" to a whole new level)

What are your tips for keeping your health and sanity while traveling?

Beijos,

Julie

At-Home Pedicure Tips

For any male readers out there, this is going to be another girly post.  Sorry.  But, actually, you might try getting a pedicure yourself.  It feels so good to have freshly scrubbed and groomed feet.  Instead of nail polish just buff your toenails, and you'll be fine!  :)

Getting a pedicure is my favorite thing.  It is such a simple thing, but feels so luxurious.  I love getting  a pedicure after a trip, when I've been on my feet for hours every day, exploring dusty ruins, walking down side streets, frolicking on the beach, or after a long plane flight, when your feet are swollen and painful.  

At-home pedicures are a cheap alternative to going to a spa.  But they can be time consuming and really rough on my back and unreasonably inflexible legs.  So I often choose to forget about it, and find myself walking around Rio (the city where every woman has perfectly manicured hands and feet and the malls have stores called "foot fetish" and "quality foot") in my havaianas, embarrassed and hoping no one looks at my feet.  (I know, I know - rarely do people look at other peoples' feet... but still...)

So I have come up with a few simple tips to make the most of your at-home pedicure, spare your back, and leave you with fresh toes.

Phase 1 - The Night Before
* Remove your old nail polish
* Cut your toenails (if needed)
* Take a shower
* While in the shower, use an exfoliating scrub on your feet (make your own)
* When you get out of the shower, push back your cuticles and buff your nails (this manicure set is adorable, and I love this nail buffer)
)
* When you get into bed, massage some lotion or oil into your feet (I suggest this one, or make your own)
* Go to sleep

Phase 2 - The Next Morning
* Wake up
* Before you do anything, brush on a clear base coat (if you take another shower in the morning, wait until after your shower).  It will dry while you do your hair or whatnot.
* For a simple, clean, put-together look, leave your toes with only a clear polish
* For a spring-time look, put on a festive color (I like this one, this one, and this one)
* Let your first coat dry while you put on your makeup
* Put on a second coat (optional) and let it dry while you eat your breakfast
* Put on a quick drying top coat (I've heard good things about this one)
* You are set to go!

TIP
* Don't wear close-toed shoes the same day you painted your nails - even if it's hours later, they will still smudge.  And besides, you'll want to show off your cute toes!

What are your fool-proof pedicure tips and tricks?

XO,

Julie

This post contains affiliate links.  Disclaimer here.

Julie's Tips for Traveling - Part 2 - "Travel Wish List"

"Travel Wish List"
Julie's Tips for Traveling, Part 2
Read Part 1 here.

Whether you are moving overseas or going on a short vacation, these items will make your travel time that much sweeter!  Peter and I are currently planning for our return to the States in three months, as well as making a bucket list of places we want to visit soon.  In an ideal world, I would be able to purchase each of the items listed here.  Instead, I'll just make a wish list and hope that someday I can be such a stylish and prepared traveler! :)

*****

As part of


(Hosted by Postcards from Rachel, The Rococo Roamer, Sunshine to the Square Inch, and Wanderlust)

*****

Eye mask and ear plugs inspired by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's

Purchase via Etsy .

P.S.  I'm not a huge fan of Breakfast at Tiffany's.  I recently re-watched it and realized it is extremely bizarre.  Also, and don't shoot me for saying this, I am not a big fan of Audrey Hepburn.  I like some of her movies, like Funny Face and My Fair Lady, but I think she was a horrible actress.  However, I adore the style (decor) and fashion of the 60s.

Evian Facial Spray and Argan Oil (small enough to carry on)

Purchase Evian Mineral Spray via Amazon: Evian Mineral Water Spray Duo To Go 2 x 1.7 oz

Purchase Argan oil via Sephora

Never get caught without water

From Amazon.com: "The lifesaver 4000 ultra filtration water bottle eliminates all microbiological waterborne pathogens from water without chemicals" Purchase via Amazon: LIFESAVER Systems 4000 Ultra Filtration Water Bottle

OR

GRAYL: The Water Filtration Cup

"FILL. PRESS. DRINK. Press power: the fastest, most efficient way to filter water." Purchase via thegrayl.com

Pashmina Shawl Wrap (can be used as a scarf, wrap, blanket, pillow, etc.)

Purchase via Amazon: 70 x 28" Border Pattern Double Layer Woven Pashmina Shawl / Scarf / Wrap / Stole - Black White"
and Fun Circle Tricolor Design Pashmina Shawl Wrap (Turquoise)

Wake up in style

Purchase via Etsy, Amazon, Etsy

To carry it all

 

Purchase via Nordstrom, Target



Anything you would add to your travel wish list?

XOXO,

Julie

Note: This post contains affiliate links.  Read my disclaimer here.

The Expat Diaries - Travel Tips

Today I'm participating in my first link-up party hosted by postcardsfromrachel.com, lostintravelsblog.com, totheseablog.com, and rhymeandribbons.com! I'm hoping that this will attract a few more blog followers.  

Also, side note, it seems like forever ago when I mentioned transitioning over to a new domain... that is still in process!  I still plan on doing it, but I haven't had the resources quite yet.  But my goal is to get the site up by the end of the month.  You're going to love it.  :)

I'm supposed to share a travel story or tip.  So here we go.  This is actually a repost from about 6 months ago.  I never followed up with a Part 2, but I have plans to soon.

Julie's Tips for Traveling Overseas

- Part 1 -

I have traveled a lot around the world, and most recently moved with my husband to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  I thought I'd share a few things I have learned from all the packing, airports, customs, and eating I have done around the world.  I hope this is beneficial for at least one person reading!

1.  Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

Flying dehydrates you!  There are several reasons why I get dehydrated while traveling. You can't bring water past security and bottled waters are expensive in airports!  I often don't drink anything until I'm on the plane and the flight attendants bring around the beverage cart.  And then it's just a tiny cup of water.  I subconsciously don't drink a lot because I have the world's smallest bladder.  (These are all horrible excuses btw.)  Airplanes recycle air which is very drying.

Staying hydrated is important not only for looking and feeling great, but to keep your immune system functioning, flushing out toxins, regulating your bowels, and much more.  Drink lots of water before you leave!  Buy a water bottle at the airport and ask the flight attendant to refill your water bottle when you get on the plane.

Flying also dehydrates my skin.  I already have dry skin, so flying just makes it worse!  If you also have this problem, I suggest using a hydrating face mask the night before you leave.  I used a Mary Kay moisturizing mask and my skin felt amazing!

Contact Mary Kay Beauty Consultant Ruth Smith to order*

2.  Stock up on healthy snacks

A couple of days before we left I went to Whole Foods and stocked up on healthy snacks. Airport food is expensive, flights are long, some airlines don't serve meals and, if they do, they might be nasty, gross, or unhealthy.

A couple of items that saved my sanity this past trip:

An apple

Gluten Free Crackers

Vegetable chips (not the overly processed ones from Trader Joe's, but the actually real, dehydrated veggies from Whole Foods)

KIND fruit + nut Almond and Apricot bars

Click on the picture to purchase

Justin's Honey Almond Butter (Great on gluten-free crackers, apple, celery, etc)

Click on the picture to purchase

Other items you could bring;
Fresh veggies such as carrots and celery
Fresh fruit such as apples and bananas
Trail mix
Seed and nut mix (I like to mix almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, craisins, raisins, and chocolate chips)


3.  CALM

CALM is a natural supplement that does just want is says: calms.  This is great for people who suffer from bowel issues (any kind) that are aggravated by travel or other stressful situations, including packing, mentally preparing for a major life change, or anything else that may cause stress.  I have a canister of it at home, but I picked up a couple of individual packages to easily pack it in my carry-on.

Click on the picture to purchase

Thanks for reading!  Do you have any other tips you'd like to add?  Any travel problems in particular you'd like me to address in Part 2?   Leave a comment below.

* I am not receiving compensation from Ruth Smith or Mary Kay.  I mentioned the product because I want to bring awareness to my mom's business, and not for any other purpose or personal gain.

 Note: This post contains affiliate links.  Read my disclaimer here.