room for rent!

31 Friday Jan 2020

Posted by in casa azahar, home

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I have decided to look for temporary lodgers (a month here, a month there) to help out with the rent while I continue to work on other (hopefully money-making) projects. Ideally it will be for people who are here doing work or research, or mature students. A two-week minimum stay, probably two months maximum. Main requirements are that they are quiet and respectful. Oh, and aren’t allergic to cats.

The apartment is in a great location, very central. Lots of light, and access to a private rooftop. Good WiFi, fully furnished, very comfy. So if you are interested or know of anyone who wants to share a place for awhile, let me know!

email: azahar.sevilla@gmail.com


More photos below…
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hump day

29 Wednesday Jan 2020

Posted by in fitness, health & happiness

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A couple of years ago (or more?) I noticed that I “suddenly” had a hideous hump on my back. Well, between my neck and shoulder blades. At first I thought it was what’s known as a Buffalo Hump, which is usually caused by (amongst other things) being overweight. Then I heard about Dowager’s Hump, which looks similar but is basically caused by bad posture that leaves one with a curvature of the spine at shoulder level.

So I got online and also checked with the amazing @sledpress, and now I have a few stretch & strength exercises I can do at home. I’m also watching my posture when I sit in front of the computer. But the most challenging thing I’ve tried so far is simply walking (my almost-daily 10,000 steps) with shoulders and chin held straight. And OMG it’s hard. To consciously stay erect, no slouching, while walking. I had no idea I was so slouchy. Anyhow, this gives me over an hour of holding myself up properly and so perhaps I will see some improvements – hunchwise – soon.

Happy Wednesday (AKA Hump Day)

mirror mirror…

28 Tuesday Jan 2020

Posted by in friends, health & happiness

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So there I was having lunch with Lucy @sparkybakewell the other day and she happened to mention how she spent a Christmas gift card from El Corte Inglés on an 8x magnifiying LIGHT UP make-up mirror. At first I thought… whaaaat? I barely wear make-up and so don’t inspect my minimal make-up that closely… but then I went …. oooohh! Because I suddenly remembered THE FUCKING RANDOM SPROUTING HAIRS.

This first started about 15 years ago (?) when I would be happily going about my morning “getting ready to go out” routine – which is seriously basic, I have never worn much make-up, etc – and then would spot ONE MASSIVE black hair growing out of my chin, wicked-witch style, that FOR SURE hadn’t been there yesterday. Anyhoodle, out came the tweezers and – out damn hair!

Fast forward to now. I have next to no body hair anymore, possibly a result of my genes (my maternal grandmother was Cree Indian) or perhaps a combination of that and being OLD along with all the post-chemo stuff. Whatever. I have no visible body hair on my arms, legs, pits… which is fine by me. BUT… wtf is it with me suddenly noticing I have “cat whiskers” growing out the sides of my mouth, or rando hairs above my lip and on my chin?? NOT okay.

And so I got this magic mirror (on sale now! 20% off! the cheaper 5x version). And I have to say that the ol’ tweezers got a good workout the first day. Lucy did warn me that it’s knowing when to stop that may cause problems. Ha. I am actually a bit shocked at what I couldn’t see in my normal bathroom mirror. Anyhow, all gone now!

calçots 2020

27 Monday Jan 2020

Posted by in food & drink, friends, gastronomy, sevilla, spain

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Last year Ania @writtenfromseville and I began a new tradition when we went to experience La Calçotada at La Quinta, a local restaurant that also started this tradtion last year. It’s actually a Catalán thing, with the harvest of these tasty spring onions in mid-late January. Traditionally they are roasted over coals, then served with romesco sauce, and the trick is to remove the blackened outside layers to expose the tender delicious centers.

This year it was raining cats and dogs, so we didn’t get to stand outside in the patio like last time. But it was still fun – and delicious – and so this now qualifies as a Shawn-Ania Tradition. The first tradition we came up with was visiting Málaga at Christmas time to see the lights together, which we managed twice, but sadly not this past December. And now it looks like a new SA Tradition is going to be me going out at ungodly hours to cheer my girl on while she runs her 10kms and half marathons, god help me. 😉
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