Living in Another Language

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Finding the Perfect Christmas Gift

Written by: Amanda // Category: Holidays, Review, Sp

Christmas is quickly approaching. I don’t know how we got here so fast this year, but I suppose I have to face reality and launch myself full-steam into the festivities: hello cheery music, Starbucks red cups, cute boots and scarves, and lots of homemade cookies! One of my absolute favorite things to do is buy Christmas presents. I know for some it can be a stressful time with so many personalities, tastes, and budgets to consider, but the mere challenge of it all gets me excited. Derik is obviously my choice person to shop for (duh), and I spend the entire year watching, listening, and waiting to find 'the perfect gift' for him. I’m usually a last-minute shopper even though I have the gift in my head months in advance, but this time ... Read More

Exploring the Alamo with Jord Watches

Written by: Amanda // Category: Product, Review, Sp, Texas, United States

Hello LIAL readers, I’ve missed you! As much as I’d love to say I’ve done a great job keeping up with my blog, fact is, I haven’t. Whomp whomp. Here’s the reason why (not that you’re concerned about it): Derik and I moved again — this time to Texas! I also managed to squeeze in another trip to Europe last month, so between the two, I’ve had little to zero time for personal blogging. I have however kept up with my IG account, so if you want a quick recap of what we’ve been up to, check in there. That being said, I really miss blogging. I have so much accumulated material to share with you from the last year +, I could probably blog every day until my fingers fell off and then some. I’m also considering a name change/re-brand (domain has ... Read More

Why Park City, Utah Should Be On Your Winter Bucket List

Written by: Derik Grove // Category: Sp, Sponsored Post

About this time of year we all tend to get a bit restless. Towards the middle of winter when cabin fever begins to set in, Amanda and I have typically migrated to warmer places for a little rest and relaxation, but we are discovering winter has a lot to offer too. We never cease in searching for where to go next, and found Park City, Utah is an awesome place to get out and enjoy the winter season. As the host city of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, no wonder Park City has a lot to offer. So if you are planning a winter vacation here’s what you need to know about Park City, Utah. Getting there When considering a vacation, a lot of planning comes down to location, location, location! There are tons of “perfect” places to spend your ... Read More

6 lesser-known vacation spots you should definitely consider for 2015

Written by: Amanda // Category: Sp, Travel

If Derik and I could go anywhere in the world for vacation, where would we go? I partnered up with Expedia to talk about 6 lesser-known vacation spots we'd love to visit in 2015, and hope you consider them as well! Wanderlust is something that follows me everywhere. Whether it's pinning photos on Pinterest, browsing my Twitter feed, or reading other travel blogs, my destination wish-list grows bigger and bigger. Now that we're solidly into 2015, its time to start thinking about using that vacation we've been acquiring over the last few months. Most of you will begin planning your summer vacation destinations, but down here in the Southern Hemisphere we're looking to get away from the winter in May-July. Unfortunately with our travel ... Read More

Are You a Traveler or a Tourist?

Written by: Amanda // Category: Sp, Travel

“Are you a traveler or a tourist?” I call this the great debate because everyone has an opinion one way or another. You’ll see post after post about being a traveler and NOT a tourist, but personally? I don’t think one should be put on a pedestal over another. I hate that posts are written about the correct way to travel, when really, can we define traveling “correctly”? That would basically be the same as defining how to eat correctly, walk correctly, and talk correctly. Sure we can give suggestions based off of experience, but don’t be THAT person who judges someone that isn’t doing something the way you would do it. If a person has the opportunity to get out in the world and experience new things, they should not ever have to worry ... 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

Rain Boots or Wellies?

Written by: Amanda // Category: Product, Review, Sp

Gumboots or Galoshes? Why are there so many names for a simple pair of boots made of rubber? This is one of the many things I think about on a daily basis. I have a weird mind. I'm also quickly discovering that some of the words I learned growing up mean completely different things on the opposite side of the world. For example: pissed actually means drunk here. And just don't ever mention a fanny pack, because that refers to the female anatomy. Not that we use fanny pack in our day to day language as Americans... Anyway. A few months ago I received this gorgeous dress and wellies from JoulesUSA. I most certainly am not a fashion blogger, and I hate being on the other side of the camera. After checking out the company's ... Read More

Travel Insurance with a Major Health Issue

Written by: Amanda // Category: Sp

Getting travel insurance is an issue almost all travelers go back and forth on. Derik and I hadn't ever thought about purchasing any until the beginning of this year when we went on our long trip in January-February. I couldn't be happier that we made that decision, especially since I had to take a trip to Urgent Care within our first week in Hawaii. I will be discussing more on our travel health insurance later next month. But what about travel insurance if you have a major health issue? To be honest I had no clue until a lovely company contacted me about doing a post on it. I think it's important to say informed on information like what is shared below, because you never know what will happen down the road; you may need to know this ... Read More

Korean Beauty Products

Written by: Amanda // Category: Sp

I've been converted. I used to shy away from Korean beauty products due to my belief that whitener is put in everything. Took me two long years to realize this is not actually the case. I learned the Korean words for 'whitening' and 'bleaching' and went on my merry little way to the makeup store. And then to another, and another and another. Wouldn't you know it, after a while the ladies in the store closest to me now know my name. Here's the deal. Some say Korea (and other parts of Asia) is 12+ years ahead of the States when it comes to makeup technology. That's not something to shrug off. I dove head first into the Korean makeup world when I bought my first CC cream, Angel Aqua. I was a little freaked out at first that the cream color ... Read More

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Currently on Instagram

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. 💕
Oh Switzerland, you beaut.🇨🇭 We spent a coup Oh Switzerland, you beaut.🇨🇭 We spent a couple days enjoying the beautiful weather in the land of chocolate, cheese, mountains, and cows with bells 😍😍🤩. If you remember, we visited the same area  a month shy of two years ago but but the weather was quite the opposite! I’d have to say though, when you visit such a majestic and beautiful area, it doesn’t matter what the weather is, you’re going to be in awe and love it anyway!
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