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The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

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The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist
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The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

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Browsing Category

Euro Adventure

Packing for Long-Term Travel: What Worked for 110 Days in Europe

When I first wrote about our plan to spend months exploring Europe, one detail received some extra attention: the fact that we were each taking a single (small, wheeled) carry-on suitcase and one backpack…

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  • Travel, Ask Me (Almost) Anything, Euro Adventure
  • Aug, 13, 2026
  • 25 Comments

Best Things to Do in Helsinki: Family-Friendly Attractions, Hidden Gems + Easy Day Trips

We spent a full month living in Helsinki as a family, which gave us time to experience the city quite differently than we would have during a quick weekend visit (though my brother and…

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  • Travel, Euro Adventure, Helsinki
  • Aug, 10, 2026
  • 4 Comments

How We Planned for 110 Days in Europe: Our Itinerary + Travel Planning Tips

At the end of our 110 days in Europe, I put out a call for reader questions. Because there were so many—and a fair amount of repetition—I’m going to answer them thematically spread across…

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  • Travel, Ask Me (Almost) Anything, Euro Adventure, Planning
  • Jul, 30, 2026
  • 16 Comments

Flight Cancellation Compensation: We Got Nearly $4,000 CAD!!

You know I love talking about simple ways to save money. Last week I talked about thrift-store coupons and a free replacement suitcase. Yesterday I talked about cash-back rewards and free chocolates from Lufthansa….

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  • Frugality, Euro Adventure, Travel, United Kingdom
  • Jul, 22, 2026
  • 15 Comments

Visiting St Fagans in Cardiff: The UK’s Best “Free Day Out”

Believe it or not, I still have more European recaps to write. Better a month late than never, right?

You’re in for a treat today because we spent part of our final Welsh weekend exploring…

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  • United Kingdom, Euro Adventure, Travel
  • Jul, 20, 2026
  • 17 Comments

Another Day in Cardiff: Penarth Pier, Cardiff Bay + City Center

I mean… why not turn This Time One Month Ago into a little series, right??

Here’s how Friday, 19 June shook down in Cardiff, Wales, for our little family.

A Slow Morning

First up, a walk…

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  • Euro Adventure, United Kingdom
  • Jul, 19, 2026
  • 6 Comments

Saturday Naps + One Month Ago in Cardiff + A Keeper

There are several dozen things I could be doing right now, but I’m basking in the delight of watching France get thrashed in the first half of the France-England match.

Harumph. It took me…

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  • Random, Euro Adventure, Travel
  • Jul, 18, 2026
  • 29 Comments
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