LIFESTYLE 10 Transformative Travel Experiences in Asia Posted on January 18, 2024June 27, 2024 Asia’s allure is irresistible, drawing in travelers like you and me with its breathtaking landscapes, cultural wonders, and budget-friendly prices. The huge continent, with its ancient beauty and captivating folklore, sets the stage for truly transformative travel experiences. Exploring its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage can bring about journeys that genuinely change the way you see things. Read more
LIFESTYLE 2023 Travel Reflections: What Did I Learn From Living Abroad Posted on January 11, 2024May 19, 2024 Unlike most travel bloggers, I am beginning to plan where to travel in the new year. I can’t move forward without looking back and reflecting on what I learned from my travels in 2023. Read more
LIFESTYLE Reverse Culture Shock: Goodbye South Korea, Hello USA! Posted on December 30, 2023January 22, 2025 I miss living by the ocean and the mountains. I miss being able to go hiking and hear monks chat echo across Palgongsan. I miss feeling anxious, excited, unsure, and overwhelmed– all at the same time. And I definitely miss being able to shop for fresh fruit and vegetables at a corner market in either direction. It doesn’t take long for reverse culture shock to be a genuine hurdle for settling back into life at home. American Reverse Culture Shock is a phenomenon that goes beyond the anticipated cultural adjustments of moving abroad and reintegrating back into life in the USA. Read more
LIFESTYLE Hiking in Daegu, South Korea: Apsan, Gatbawi, and Palgonsan Mountains Posted on December 22, 2023November 10, 2024 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. Read more
LIFESTYLE Finding Purpose: 6 Things We Should All Unlearn in 2024 Posted on December 20, 2023June 18, 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 Read more
LIFESTYLE How to Travel the World with Chronic Pain or Injury Posted on December 16, 2023July 6, 2024 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. Read more
LIFESTYLE Finding your Tribe in Korea: the Secrets to Making Friends While Living Abroad Posted on December 13, 2023November 21, 2024 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. Read more
LIFESTYLE Living Rich: Are You Living the Soft Life? Posted on December 10, 2023December 30, 2024 I may be late to the part, but I recently watched a bunch of videos titled “soft life”. While most IG influencers sell the soft life hawking expensive handbags, face creams, or designer candles, the term didn’t originate that way. #Softlife is a trend that started in 2020 because people began advocating for a stress-free life. The “soft life” philosophy and the spending habits of rich people are connected through their focus on choosing quality, long-term benefits, and transformational experiences over short-term indulgences or fear-based decisions. Read more