I’m a little bored in the kitchen. So, this week I’m cooking like I travel—with purpose, flexibility, and a hunger for flavor that reminds me where I’ve been. This week, I planned a full lineup of easy Asian-inspired dishes. I made a grocery list. I was halfway through the Commissary…
Category: LIFESTYLE
Get practical tips from DuffelBagSpouse Travel for maintaining a healthy lifestyle as a military spouse on the go. As an Army Wife and Air Force & Navy Mom, she offers straightforward advice on eating right, exercising regularly, and keeping a positive mindset. Her blog provides insights on balancing home and family life, engaging in self-care, and nurturing relationships. Learn about her favorite hiking trails, beauty routines, and spa experiences. It’s all about making your well-being a priority and thriving through the ups and downs of frequent moves.
LIFESTYLE
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10 Things We Always Do Before We Go to a New Country
Before we land in a new country, we follow a simple routine—check visa rules, download maps and apps, prep our documents, and pack chargers where we can reach them. These small steps save time, reduce stress, and help us feel ready to explore the moment we touch down, not scramble to catch up.
LIFESTYLE
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The White Lotus Season 3, Cultural Cluelessness and Victoria Ratcliff
The White Lotus Season 3 brings luxury to Thailand, but one character—Victoria Ratliff—reveals something deeper. Her offhand remarks about monks, culture, and belonging reflect real-world entitlement. This post explores what her character gets wrong about travel, spirituality, and respect—and why those attitudes aren’t just fiction. They’re familiar.
LIFESTYLE
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Traveling with Someone Who Doesn’t Speak Your Language
I said yes to a trip with a woman I barely knew.We didn’t speak the same language, but I trusted her and the friendship we were creating.The conversations aren’t smooth, but the silence becomes part of the dialogue. A few months before leaving Korea, I met 강미향 or Angela (her…
LIFESTYLE
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Leaving America- Why Staying is No Longer Enough
After years of staying for family, I’ve realized leaving America—at least part-time—offers the space to feel present, free, and fulfilled. Living abroad isn’t about escape. It’s about choosing a slower rhythm, deeper connection, and a version of life that feels more honest than what I’ve settled for here.
LIFESTYLE
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How Different Cultures Celebrate Birthday Traditions Around the World
I turned another year older doing what I love—traveling slow, eating well, and soaking up small joys with Steven. This birthday, we shared wine at a local vineyard, watched a movie downtown, and ended the day with Thai tea. It reminded me how birthday traditions can reflect who we are.
LIFESTYLE
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Uncomfortable: What Happens When You Do a Korean Temple Stay and Can’t Sit Cross-Legged?
A Korean temple stay tests more than patience—it challenges the body. Sleeping on a traditional hanok floor, waking at 3 a.m. and meditating for hours pushed me past discomfort. With no phone, no distractions, and no escape from stillness, I faced every ache, every numb limb, and kept going.
LIFESTYLE
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Reading as Resistance: A Protest Against Banned Books in Waterloo
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones joined Black authors in Waterloo, Iowa, for a powerful Read-In after local schools canceled African American Read-Ins. Together, they read banned books that celebrate Black life and history. Their message was clear: these stories matter, and we will not allow them to be erased or forgotten.