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Search Results for: one year

One Year of No-Poo

Written by: Amanda // Category: Beauty

A year ago today I stopped using shampoo and conditioner cold turkey. To those of us that practice this method, we refer to it as 'no-poo.'  I've only used shampoo and conditioner twice since my no-poo journey began, and that was during my summer vacation when I forgot to bring my BS and Vin mixtures with me. Now that it's been a year, I feel like I can give a somewhat proper review of the process, as well as shed some light on how I've gone so long with this method, and why I'm going to continue this process indefinitely (or as long as I see fit). First of all, as my other no-poo posts have been overtaken by the comment monsters (I have 2 jobs and can't just sit there and answer questions all day people! I need to hire someone), you ... Read More

Year one

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

Many of you may not have noticed, but we've officially been in Korea one year. I honestly didn't notice until I was asked on our one year anniversary...how long I had been in Korea. Thank you stranger for reminding me, or this blog post may not have happened. I guess this month also marks a year of blogging. I couldn't be more in love with my blog...thanks for reading it. I've actually been quite surprised and blessed with my readers. I originally just made the blog for my family and friends to read, but then 10,000 views later I realize that it may be (hopefully) benefitting others too! Thank you for your comments, suggestions, and emailed questions. One year. What can I say? It's gone way to fast. I am so thankful that my husband ... Read More

Changes, Life in Germany: an Unpublished Year

Written by: Amanda // Category: about me, Germany

It has been a hot minute since I’ve blogged, and have had itchy fingers to write again for some time. I’ve struggled with figuring out how to get back into it, especially since this year has had so many ups and downs, lots of new experiences, and yet has remained somewhat the same for us as we spend another 365 days living as expats in a foreign land. Since I began writing in 2012, I have enjoyed sharing what life is like abroad, trip itineraries, and dabbled a bit in some photojournalism, but sometimes it’s also nice to share a few personal updates so you get to know who I am as an individual. I touched on this last year, and I haven’t changed my mind on it. The few moments I’ve had to even consider writing, I’ve ultimately spent ... Read More

One day in Mykonos, Greece

Written by: Amanda // Category: Cruises, Greece, Travel Guides

Last year, Derik and I went on the most amazing Mediterranean cruise with Princess Cruises for our anniversary.  I haven’t had much time to write about it, let alone go through pictures, and decided today was the day! Mykonos, Greece was our first port destination of the cruise that left out of Istanbul, and it didn’t disappoint. I mean, how could it?! I’ve always wanted to visit the island of white and blue, and with only 7 hours allowed to explore, we crammed in as much as we possibly could! Mykonos was exactly everything I had dreamed about and more. The white-washed walls, the pretty streets, flowering trees, colorful doors, delicious food, and stunning sights. Our short venture around the island wasn’t nearly long enough, and ... Read More

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Written by: Amanda // Category: Australia, Location Reviews, Review

From the very moment we found out that we would have a week in NSW, Australia, I knew that I wanted to hold a koala. After further research, I found out that you actually have to go up to Queensland to hold them, but Derik and I were open to a little road trip! We hopped into our sweet new rental car, graciously provided by Europcar , and hit the road bound for Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. We arrived in Brisbane at night, and stayed in an adorable little apartment overlooking the harbor. Unfortunately in the morning we woke up to a downpour, and I was worried my hopes and dreams of cuddling koalas and feeding kangaroos at Lone Pine would be dashed. After reading a few reviews online about it being ok to visit during the rain (due to the ... Read More

10 Ways to Save Money for Travel

Written by: Amanda // Category: Expenses, travel tips

The number one question we get asked over, and over, and over again is: "How can you afford to travel and live abroad?" I'd like to delve into this topic over the next couple months, as it's not easily answered in one simple blog post. The ability to live and travel abroad isn't as unattainable as you might think; It takes practice, patience, and dedication. I have so many thoughts I'd like to share with you on the topic, but for now let's just keep it simple. One of the most important aspects of traveling (and living abroad) is the money-factor. Duh. Believe it or not, you don't have to have a ton of cash or a lavish lifestyle to afford a nomadic life. Most of us that travel have become self-proclaimed pros in the area of saving and ... Read More

New Years Eve in Sydney Harbor

Written by: Amanda // Category: Australia, Photography

This is technically my first post of 2015. The last 8 posts or so were pre-written pretty much in the same 24 hours, before we left for our vacation, and I appreciated being mostly technology free for three weeks. Actually no, I didn't just appreciate it, I loved it. Our cruise was wonderful; I can't tell you how amazing it was to be able to have a vacation without having to worry about the little unknown aspects that comes with traveling in unfamiliar territory. The last three weeks were, if I were to put it in one word, refreshing. I feel so revived and ready to start 2015 with a bang, I'm just bursting at the seams to share it all with you! I'll be writing about the cruise, places we visited, and travel tips for the next several ... Read More

2014-Our Year in Travels.

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

2014 was a great year. Although we weren't as concentrated in the globetrotting spectrum as we were in 2013, a lot of changes came our way, and we were very thankful for them. The year started off with a bang as we spent two months traveling through Hawaii, the Philippines, and then into Thailand. It was so nice catching up with our families for the first time in 2.5 years in Hawaii, and then Derik and I enjoyed alone time as we traveled through Asia. I have never been on so many flights in my life [combined] as we did on this trip. So thankful everything worked out without a single delay! We then headed back to Korea to enjoy a gorgeous spring. Little did we know that it was the last spring we would be living in Korea. By the ... Read More

New Year’s Eve Events in New Zealand

Written by: Amanda // Category: Sp

New Year's Eve celebrations are kind of  big thing in New Zealand. I guess it would be similar to a holiday like the 4th of July in the U.S….we're talking about great summer fun: concerts, BBQs, road trips, beach parties, and ocean outings. Derik and I won't be in New Zealand for New Year's to experience all the fun because we've decided to take a cruise around the South Pacific islands and then bring in 2015 Sydney, Australia style. There's always next year. If you're living in New Zealand now, or have plans to come visit over the holidays, here are a few events you might want to consider attending. Britomart Beach Party -Auckland (North Island)  This event has been sold out the last two years, and it's coming back in epic style! ... Read More

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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. 💕
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