DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Christmas in Spain: The Magic of Granada and the Alhambra Posted on November 26, 2015December 26, 2025 I’ve spent Christmas in a lot of places, but Granada stands out. From the start, it felt different—lively streets, beautiful views, and so much history all around us. Things didn’t go exactly as planned. We missed our flight, lost our tickets, and ran into a few surprises. But that’s what… Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Why Missing Our Flight to Granada Made Our Christmas in Spain Even Better Posted on November 26, 2015December 20, 2025 Road Trip in Spain I made the amateurish error of packing late into the night before travel and incorrectly setting the alarm for 5 p.m. instead of 5 a.m. I woke up in a panic at 6:30 for a 7:30 flight. It would cost us an additional $400 and a… Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Everything You Need to Know About a Dinner Cruise in Tokyo Posted on October 29, 2015July 24, 2026 5 days exploring the quirky neighborhoods of Tokyo culminates on a sunset dinner cruise around Tokyo Bay with delicious food, awesome service and amenities, and a great picture window to see the Tokyo skyline. Read more
MILITARY LIFE & TRAVEL Baumholder Military Life: What Made Our German Apartment So Special Posted on October 15, 2015December 30, 2025 Don’t get me wrong, I loved our little apartment in Baumholder, but that town was well-known for its contrary weather. We fondly and not so fondly referred to it as the rock. We lived in an old stone mansion that had been renovated into four large apartments. We shared the second floor with a retired German officer. The first floor was split between a US Major and his wife. Across the hall was a 90+ year old German widow. Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES Daegu Opera House: The Best Cultural Night Out for Travelers Posted on October 11, 2015December 27, 2025 Opera in Daegu, you say? Heck yes. I put on my favorite little black dress and had a blast. Since 2004, the Daegu Opera House Foundation has offered a full schedule of local and well-known popular operas, concerts, musicals, and ballets like Aida and Figaro. We paid 30,000 Won each… Read more
WELLNESS ON THE ROAD The Best of Both Worlds: Military Support and Korean Experiences Posted on September 30, 2015November 15, 2025 I once referred to myself as an expat. But during a recent dinner party at my home, we welcomed “real” American Expats to a long promised and much appreciated home cooked meal. Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES Why Peking Duck at Quanjude Is the Best Way to End a Trip to China Posted on September 9, 2015May 3, 2026 This blog explores the iconic Peking Duck experience in Beijing, from the legendary Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant to the art of preparing and eating the dish. It reveals why cooking it at home is nearly impossible and shares the rich cultural tradition behind every crispy bite of this beloved Chinese delicacy. Read more
SLOW TRAVEL & LIVING ABROAD The Truth About Moving Abroad: When Unpacking Turns Into Job Hunting Posted on September 3, 2015December 27, 2025 Steps for Applying for a Federal Job My apartment is set up. Everything I do from now on will be tweaking how I use the small but beautiful space. Our VPN is working, and I can stream videos and order from JCPenney’s. I met a few of my neighbors, even… Read more