Living in Another Language

a travel & adventure blog

  • About
  • Blog
  • Destinations
    • Asia
      • Bali
      • Borneo
      • Japan
      • Philippines
      • Thailand
      • Turkey
      • Singapore
      • South Korea
      • Vietnam
    • Europe
      • Belgium
      • Croatia
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Norway
      • Poland
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • Fiji
      • New Caledonia
      • New Zealand
    • North America
      • Alaska
      • Hawaii
      • Texas
    • Cruises
  • Reviews
    • Accommodations
    • Tours
    • Locations
    • Products
  • Photography
    • Tutorials
    • Photojournalism
  • Travel
    • Guides
    • Travel Tips
    • Expenses
    • Travel Blogging
  • Work With Us

Archives for September 2013

[Japan] Fushimi Inari Shrine

Written by: Amanda // Category: Japan

I know I have yet to finish Borneo posts, but I couldn't help but put up a post or two about our recent travel to Japan over Chuseok. This is actually our second trip, but the first one we took where we could actually do anything. The first trip Derik was out due to a terrible ankle sprain/partial ligament rupture. On of our favorite parts of our recent trip was a visit to Kyoto. I've never been to a city as peaceful as Kyoto, and honestly I could totally see myself living there someday!! Nothing like riding an electric bike around for the day along the river, and watching the sunset go down (can't forget sucking down a few cardboard cartons of sweet tea either). Our second day in Kyoto, Derik and I rented electric bikes and headed ... Read More

Homeless for Half a Month

Written by: Amanda // Category: Expat Living, South Korea

It's official. As of Monday Derik and I won't have a home for half a month. Technically until October 13th, but heck...what's two days? Before you freak out as much as I have over the last few days, I have to say we have a lot to be thankful for. Remember this from my twitter feed and this post?   Well you should. Because that was just from two days ago. Anyway the low down is our current housing contract is up on Tuesday. The housing situation in Geoje Island is crazy right now and finding an apartment is little to none. We had a really nice realtor step in to help us (seriously she's one of the nicest ladies I've ever met), and after calling TWENTY different property owners she only found four places available in our area. One of ... Read More

I Don’t Understand

Written by: Amanda // Category: Expat Living, South Korea

I love Korea. I really do. We've lived here for almost two years and have no plans of moving anywhere else soon. We have so many opportunities here, and can't ignore the fact that it's allowed us to experience so many wonderful things! I never would have dreamed my life would be like this a few years ago, yet here we are. I can't say that we've completely gotten over the culture shock of living in Asia. I'm used to being surprised on a daily basis. I'm used to  getting right in the middle of random, weird situations. I'm used to food prices being outrageous. However there are certain things I just cannot get past. I don't understand, and I don't think I ever will. Sorry Korea, I love you, but I just don't get it. 1. The driving - It's ... Read More

Looking for Saltwater Crocodiles

Written by: Amanda // Category: Borneo, Expat Living

Well sort of. One of my lifelong goals is to see a giant saltwater crocodile in the wild. I don't know why, but I'm strangely fascinated with these ancient looking 'dinosaurs.' Maybe it's because the only English channels we seem to get here are Discovery and NatWild. I was probably a little overly excited when our jungle river tour-guide told us the river was home to quite a few of these giants. Unfortunately they like to be closer to the ocean and we hadn't the time in the day to venture that far. Before our trip it was also rumored that we could see pythons (!!!), pygmy elephants, long-nosed monkeys, a type of firefly native to Borneo, monitor lizards, and of course various other monkeys. I'm a huge fan of the outdoors, and the ... Read More

Blogging 101: Advice

Written by: Amanda // Category: Blogging

It's no small secret that growing your blog does not happen spontaneously. Shoot, we all wish it did. I spent the entire first year of my blogging life just hoping the right person would come along and 'discover' me and how awesome my blog was. Yeah that didn't happen. It wasn't until I decided to take over the monster my blog had become did I realize I could actually do things to influence how my blog was going to succeed! We've all had our internet stalking moments trying to figure how this blogger did this or that, and how the heck they're so 'big.' I've found and received really great advice, but have also stumbled upon crappy advice. Blogging is a constant learning and growing process, and I still feel like I have tons to figure ... Read More

Saturday Takeover: Misadventures in Japan

Written by: Amanda // Category: Guest Post, Japan

Well, I'm officially back from an 'almost' week in Japan. You may have noticed the lack of my presence around these parts, but our trip was rather sudden! It was a fantastic way to relax over the Korean holiday. While I wade through emails, design requests, and comments, it only seemed fitting that I'd have a guest poster!  Mrs. B purchased my Saturday Takeover spot a couple weeks ago, and she was scheduled to write today. I received her email while hanging out in Osaka, and wouldn't you know it but her guest post was about Japan!!!  Perfect. Fitting. Lovely. I'll let her introduce herself, but please enjoy! I'll be writing my own Japan posts as soon as I finish Borneo. The life of a ... Read More

Korean Commercials Pt. 2

Written by: Amanda // Category: South Korea

I've decided it's high time to post another round of korean commercials on the blog. If you missed the first group, you better go check out the awesomeness here. I'm constantly viewing new confusing TV ads every day, and I can't help but wonder WHY. I enjoy some of these for the pure entertainment factor, but you have to agree. Not exactly the classiest, most to-the-point, or clearest commercials you've ever seen. 1. Shrimp and cherries are NOT meant to be on a pizza. Italian chefs everywhere will be rolling around in their graves.   2. Play Etude. This one speaks for itself.   3. Well this one's pretty much just talking about how Korea now has LTE-A (because LTE wasn't good enough of course), and it's the fastest ... Read More

Expat Blues

Written by: Amanda // Category: Expat Living

It's a real thing guys. While you're sitting at home or maybe in a classroom at school wishing for a life of travels-it's not always fun and games. Yes, Derik and I have had an AMAZING travel experience and have loved every moment together (difficult and easy). There are down moments. After living abroad for almost two years without familiar company coming to visit or us going to visit them, it gets difficult. Especially when friendships come and go so quickly on our little island. This last week I was feeling particularly down (could it also be due to the fact it was the week before vacation-that week is always killer), and couldn't get my act together over anything. But instead of dwelling in the sadness of my situation (I'd be lying if ... Read More

Seoul Changed Me

Written by: Amanda // Category: Guest Post

I'm so happy to have a fellow world traveler taking over the blog for the day! Casey from True Colours has been a little bit of everywhere, and I'm eternally jealous of everywhere she's been and where she is going. Seriously, if you want to get a little green with envy visit her Upcoming Travels page. I need to try and convince Casey to pack me along in her suitcase! This lady has spent some time in Korea as well, so we can relate a little bit in our expat journeys. Go grab a cup of tea, sit down, relax, and read a bit about this lovely lady! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Living in Another Language readers!  I'm Casey and I blog over at True Colours, documenting my love of ... Read More

Next Page »

Currently on Instagram

Our adventures may be few and far between nowadays Our adventures may be few and far between nowadays, but the ones we get to take are oh so sweet. 

My daughters are now 2.5 years and 6 months old. Life never slows down, but only gets faster with each day we’re blessed to live. Social media may not be a part of my life how it used to be, and instead I’m working on living life intentionally each day as we raise our girls during these crazy times. 💕
2020 has been a year has it not? As much as I love 2020 has been a year has it not? As much as I love social media, I found myself taking a break as the things we were all going through made social media so insignificant to me. 

In January/February I had a miscarriage. It was a horrible way to start the year, and little did I know it was just the beginning of it all. 

Even with the loss, hardship of moving back to the US in the middle of a global pandemic, and navigating our new lives here, we were given many blessings. The greatest of those was finding out I was pregnant again in March.

It’s a scary time to be pregnant right now, especially after a miscarriage, because doctors visits are very minimal. Also, Derik was never able to come to a single visit. I was terrified something would happen and I would be told bad news and have to face that alone. But God was gracious to us. 

We kept our special little secret to ourselves, and it wasn’t until our third trimester before we told immediate family and close friends. My pregnancy was very private for me, and a special time to bond closely with the babe growing inside me.

Our sweet little girl arrived November 30, and yes I had to deliver with a mask on, but she is perfect and I truly feel our family is complete. 💕🌈
 
“When a rainbow appears, it doesn’t mean the storm never happened or that we are not still dealing with its aftermath. It means something beautiful and full of light has appeared in the midst of the darkness and clouds. Storm clouds may still hover but the rainbow provides a counterbalance of color, energy, and hope.”
I am in love. As I’m sure every other plant/mons I am in love. As I’m sure every other plant/monstera collector is when you get to behold such a beauty in real life. If there were ever #plantgoals, this is it. 

Since moving from Germany, it has been a long and slow process getting our life back to normal. All of our belongings have yet to arrive so we’ve literally been camping in our house on an air bed and camping chairs for two months. 😂 All that to say, having to start my plant collection over again here stateside has been so much fun! I will miss the plant prices if Germany, but the selection here blows my mind. Anyone else obsessed? We’ve lived here for almost 8 weeks now and I already have 11 plants 😂😬😬😬. I don’t have a bed or a couch, but by golly I have greenery. 😂🤦🏼‍♀️🌱
Oh my heart. I’ve been trying to figure out the Oh my heart.

I’ve been trying to figure out the words to say about our time in Germany, but my fingers can’t seem to type out how to express my love, gratefulness, thankfulness, sadness, and heartbreak I feel about leaving. Every country we’ve lived in has taught us something and has given us so many beautiful memories, as well as opened our eyes a little more to different cultures and ways of living.

But Germany was special. The first time we stepped foot into Germany was in 2015, and we loved it so much we stayed the extent of our travel visa (3 months). I was able to visit again in 2016, and then we officially packed everything and moved in 2017. Germany has always had my heart: the people, the festivals, the food, wine and beer, the immaculate home landscaping, and even all the rules that every resident is just expected to follow to a tee (like recycling every tiny scrap of trash). Our family grew from two to three while in Germany. Bringing our daughter into the world, and raising her for a year and a half in a different culture, will be one of the most beautiful memories of my life.

Our move was impacted by the COVID pandemic, and it took three long months of delays, red tape, and countless phone calls to get everything together so we could actually get on a plane and have our stuff packed and shipped to our new home. 
I am breathing a sigh of relief to know all the stress of everything is over and our new adventure can begin. I am mourning the loss of leaving Germany. I am in a weird transition right now trying to grasp it all, but here we are jumping into new things head first! We are back in the US for a while, in the beautiful state of Tennessee, and look forward to many new memories, travels, friends, and being able to spend time with family! 
Photos from my sweet and talented friend @juliejayphotos
I feel like I failed hard this year at Christmas m I feel like I failed hard this year at Christmas markets. We went to a total of ONE market, which is exactly 19 less than I told myself I would go to this year to make up for not going to any the year before 🤦🏼‍♀️(I was 40 weeks pregnant and not feeling crowds). I will say, it was a great one and the weather was so nice, we stayed out until the market shut down.

If there’s one thing I will miss most about Germany when it is our time to move, will be the sheer enthusiasm this country has for Christmas, and I’m not talking about consumerism. Food, laughter, friends, family, music, dancing: celebration. Also, Germany shuts down for not only one day, but THREE. Stores are closed, mail is not delivered, people aren’t out and about. Everyone is home enjoying time with family, and I love it. However, I may have gone into full blown panic mode Christmas Eve when I realized I had a total of 8 diapers to get us through until the 27th. 👀
We spent Thanksgiving back in North America: Whist We spent Thanksgiving back in North America: Whistler, Canada! A 10 hour flight from Germany , and I can’t say this one was better than the one we took over the summer on our trip to Alaska, but we survived! Entertaining a 11 month old for that long is much harder than a 6 month old, especially when they aren’t into sleeping on the plane AT ALL. 🤪

Whistler was beautiful despite the lack of snow, and we enjoyed our time with family, the delicious food, and as much sightseeing as one could do with a jet-lagged baby. 
This was actually my first trip to Canada ever, (unless you want to count the move my parents took up to Alaska from Arkansas when I was two. 😂🤷‍♀️ ) and I loved it! We would really like to take a big Canadian road trip someday and explore more of the country! 😍😍🇨🇦
Being a mama may mean I don’t always have time t Being a mama may mean I don’t always have time to put myself together, but I would rather spend the extra moments making special memories with our daughter that she can cherish forever. I doubt that she will look at this picture and see a tired, messy haired mama that’s barely had time to wash her face nevermind carefully apply makeup, but am hoping she will see a mama that never tires of carrying and cuddling her, or sharing new experiences with her. 💕
  • About
  • Design
  • Work With Us
  • Contact

© Living in Another Language 2012-2019. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Site design by Alpine Lane.