It’s a wonderful life. Winter in Europe is wonderful. Christmas Markets alight, festivals delight, and the general slow-down in the daily grind is just… right. However, not surprisingly, the temperature drops around the world. So we are in search of warmth and sunshine and we are heading south. We’re flying to Andalucia in southern Spain for Christmas this winter.
CULINARY TRAVEL
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Experience Grand Rapids This Fall: The Ultimate Weekend Guide for Cafes, Culture, and Outdoor Fun
Grand Rapids surprises with its mix of Victorian and Art Deco architecture, cozy cafes, and vibrant murals celebrating local women. Perfect for a weekend escape.
LIFESTYLE
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Hiking in Daegu, South Korea: Apsan, Gatbawi, and Palgonsan Mountains
Daegu offers a variety of captivating hiking trails, with three standouts: Apsan Mountain, Gatbawi on Palgonsan Mountain, and Gumi Mountain. Apsan Mountain promises lush landscapes and rewarding panoramic views, Gatbawi features Buddhist statues along a cultural-rich trail, and Gumi Mountain offers breathtaking vistas and a challenging ascent. These trails contribute to Daegu’s vibrant hiking scene, catering to outdoor enthusiasts with diverse landscapes and difficulty levels.
CULINARY TRAVEL
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Midwest Travel: Old Oaks Winery in the Quad Cities
Old Oak Winery is a beautiful spot on 400 acres of rolling hills. We just moved here, so we don’t know much about the wine region, Self-described as the Napa Valley winery of the Midwest, the winery prides itself on an array of wines blended with grapes from their own vineyard as well as from Napa Valley. Actually, I had no idea they even had a vibrant wine region here in Illinois. With that said, it turned out to be a great place to learn about Midwest wine and grab something good to eat as well.
LIFESTYLE
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Finding Purpose: 6 Things We Should All Unlearn in 2024
This is my first blog post about the upcoming new year. I want to write something other than a New Years Resolution. I want to challenge norms, embrace mindful choices, and hold myself accountable for a life abundant in experiences and authenticity. Brace yourself to navigate a narrative that transcends the ordinary, fostering a more intentional, purposeful, and interconnected way of living. Join the exploration as we uncover the keys to unlocking a meaningful and fulfilling existence in the year ahead, finding purpose and unlearning things that aren’t going to bring me joy, love, or income in 2024
CULINARY TRAVEL
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Midwest Travel: Lavender Crest Winery in the Quad Cities
Lavender Crest Winery in Colona, Illinois, is a good spot to savor lunch and a glass of wine. However, following my visit, I’m left pondering the winery’s legitimacy. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the wine flight I ordered—it was pretty good. And we discovered a bottle that suited both our palates. The problem occurred when our server seemed less versed in the wines and couldn’t answer any of our questions. She took our order, handed it to the bartender, and left us to our own devices. Having had such a delightful time at Old Oaks Winery in Milan last week, we decided to explore another local winery.
LIFESTYLE
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How to Travel the World with Chronic Pain or Injury
For more than fifteen years, I have been traveling with chronic pain– a herniated disk, eye pain, and several foot issues. I have had great leg and back pain. It forced me to alter some of the activities in which I participated. But many of my friends had no idea I was in so much pain. I didn’t want anyone to know because that wasn’t what I wanted to be known for. Ultimately, I learned to cope with the pain until I couldn’t. I even ran a few half marathons because running felt better than walking. Two years ago, I had back surgery.
LIFESTYLE
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Finding your Tribe in Korea: the Secrets to Making Friends While Living Abroad
Over the past eight years, my journey of getting to know a different culture and immersing myself in Korean traditions has proven to be an eye-opening and rewarding experience. During my time in South Korea, I’ve had the good fortune of making some wonderful Korean friends. However, amidst these connections, I’ve observed the existence of certain cultural barriers that sometimes make it challenging to forge deeper connections. It’s quite surprising that despite having a few close friendships, my exposure to Korean weddings has been limited to just one, visits to Korean homes have been infrequent, and meeting a Korean husband has been a rarity.