A collection of guides, reflections, and resources on Gastronomy and Life in Spain.
The Perfect Birthday I Didn't Plan: Four Days, One Celebration, and the Gift of Being Exactly Where I Am
Sometimes the universe conspires in your favor in ways you could never orchestrate. My birthday this year didn't just fall on a day…it fell on the eve of San Sebastián's biggest celebration, the Tamborrada, gifting me a four-day weekend and a cascade of moments that reminded me exactly why I'm here.
I spent it wandering alone through morning streets, treating myself to an omakase dinner at Kai Sushi, sipping a mezcal martini at the legendary Dry Bar in Hotel Cristina (where staff surprised me with champagne and cake), meeting friends for craft beer at Baga Biga Faktoria, and walking home along the quiet Urumea River. When I arrived, a gift from friends back home waited on my doorstep, tangible proof that love travels across oceans.
This is the story of celebrating a birthday abroad: grateful and homesick, solo and surrounded, honoring both the life I chose and the people I miss. Because pursuing a master's degree in a foreign country means learning to hold contradictions, and finding beauty in both.
How a Solo Birthday Omakase at Kai Sushi Became My Most Meaningful Celebration Yet
The best birthday gift I've ever given myself came served on a wooden counter, one deliberate piece at a time, in a small sushi bar in San Sebastián's Centro neighborhood. No fanfare. No crowd. Just me, a master chef, and the quiet celebration of choosing myself.
When my birthday arrived this year, I faced a question many of us encounter while living abroad: Do I wait for the "perfect" celebration, or do I honor myself exactly as I am, right now? I chose myself. And in doing so, I discovered that solo dining at Kai Sushi wasn't just dinner—it was an omakase experience in trust, presence, and radical self-love. Here's what happened when I sat at that sushi counter alone, surrendered to the chef's expertise, and learned that the most profound celebrations don't require an audience.
Celebrating my birthday alone with an omakase tasting menu at Kai Sushi in San Sebastián taught me that solo dining isn't lonely, it's radical self-care. A personal journey through Japanese-Basque fusion, mindful eating, and the transformative power of choosing yourself. Plus practical tips for your own solo dining experience.
My First Hard Day in San Sebastián
Yesterday was my first hard day abroad. Lonely, wobbly, human. Here’s what it felt like, what helped, and how I’m finding steadier ground.
Why I Built Mel in Motion
I’m moving to Spain for a Master’s in Gastronomic Sciences. Mel in Motion is my honest record of food, culture, and slow courage.
Why I’m Moving to Spain in My Mid-30s to Study Gastronomy
In just a few weeks, I’ll be boarding a one-way flight to Spain with two suitcases, a backpack, and a heart full of anticipation. This isn’t just a move abroad — it’s the beginning of a new chapter rooted in food, culture, and courage. But what does it really mean to start over in your mid-30s? Why Spain? Why now? And what happens when excitement and fear live side by side?
My Ultimate Packing Checklist for Grad School Abroad (Two Bags, One New Life)
Two checked bags, a carry-on, and a new chapter. Here’s my complete, rain-ready packing checklist for grad school abroad. Wwhat to bring, what to skip, and how to keep it calm and organized.
What’s one thing you packed for a long trip that you never used?
If you had to choose: extra shoes or extra layers?
What’s your non-negotiable comfort item for a new country?
The Story Behind Mel in Motion
When I chose the name Mel in Motion, it wasn’t just about moving abroad. It was about healing, curiosity, and courage. And a promise to myself to keep growing. Here’s what the name means and why it matters.
What does “motion” mean to you in your own life? Have you ever chosen a name (for a project, a journal, or a dream) that captured more than just words?
5 Food-Related Things I Wish I Could Pack But Can’t
Food is one of the deepest ways I stay connected to home. As I move abroad, here are the five food-related things I wish I could pack and what they represent.
Which food screams “home” for you? What grocery store item would you miss most if you moved abroad?
How I’m Preparing My Heart + Mind to Move Abroad
Moving abroad isn’t just about visas and checklists. It’s about preparing your whole self. Here’s how I’m tending to my heart and mind as I step into the unknown. What’s one ritual or mindset shift that helps you through big transitions?
Starting Over at 35
What does it mean to start over? Not because you failed, but because you chose yourself? At 35, I’m building a life rooted in meaning and peace, not survival.