Living in Another Language

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Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Osaka, Japan

Written by: Amanda // Category: Japan

I can't believe it's been over a year since our last trip to Japan. Derik and I took a small trip over while were on vacation from teaching in Korea because of the Chuseok holiday. I've always meant to post about the gorgeous Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, but I never seemed to find the time. So here I am, over a year later, finally posting about it! Sumiyoshi Taisha is one of the oldest shrines in Japan, founded in the 3rd century. Yes, you read right, 3rd century!!!  If you're looking for a little peace and quiet, a breather from the hustle and bustle of busy Osaka, the quick trip via train may be just the thing! We visited the shrine on the most gorgeous day in the middle of the week, and literally only saw 3 or 4 other people ... Read More

Rokuon-ji (the golden temple)

Written by: Amanda // Category: Japan

 **If you have seen this post three times on your bloglovin' feed I'm so sorry, I've had HORRIBLE technical difficulties with them. Trying to work it out right now! Also to those who have commented, I did see your comments on the previous post of this! Sorry they didn't transfer! Going through our photos from the past couple trips is always a fun thing for me. It also reminds me how much I have yet to blog about! There are certain places that we have visited that I'm still in awe over. I mean, just look at the pictures above! I can guarantee at least a few of you are wondering, "Is that even a real place? How is that real?!" Don't worry, as I go over the pictures myself, I'm asking the same question. Rokuon-ji (also known as Kinkaku-ji) ... Read More

Chuo Ward, Japan

Written by: Amanda // Category: Japan

Over Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) my husband and I took a rather impromptu trip to Japan. We booked tickets the day of, which turned out to be one of the best decisions ever as a round trip ticket to Osaka and back was only $150 bucks. I can't even fly across one US State for that. We spent our first two days in Osaka, and found fantastic accommodations within Chuo Ward. If you're unfamiliar with this part of Japan, it's basically where all the magic happens, aka the Vegas of Osaka, aka the part of the city that never sleeps. It was clean, stylish, and fun (yes fun)! The cool thing about this part of the city was Shinsaibashi, a covered shopping district filled with restaurants, shops, casinos, arcades, etc, etc. A person could lose the ... Read More

Geisha Town [Kyoto After Dark]

Written by: Amanda // Category: Japan

Kyoto, Japan is known worldwide for it's traditional looks, amazing Japanese culture, and most of all, it's real-life geisha. The first time we visited Japan, I was severely disappointed we never got to skip on over to Kyoto and go geisha hunting, so we made a point to go back on our second trip we took over Chuseok a month ago.  I've already posted about the gorgeous Fushimi-inari Shrine (basically the most internationally known trademark landsite of Kyoto), and it's about time I let you take a little trip with me around downtown Kyoto. And get this. We didn't even have to hunt very long for geisha. They were EVERYWHERE (we aren't counting the vast crowds of people who paid a ton of money to donn a traditional kimono for the ... Read More

[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

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

I’m attracted to attractions

Written by: Amanda // Category: Japan, Travel

After a crazy amount of delay and procrastination, it's here. I've finally blogged the last and final post from our Japan trip in February. I don't know why it's taken me so long, after looking at the pictures I realized how much I actually loved our last 'mini-adventure' in Osaka. First of all, I have to admit, I'm a tourist at heart. I LOVE looking at brochures and pamphlets about events, attractions, and landmarks in any given area. You never know what's around until you start digging a little. I've found some rather interesting things to see because of my strange hobby, and the SPAM museum in Minnesota was one of them. I've been to that museum three times and I don't even like SPAM. Anyway, right before our trip to Osaka, Japan I ... Read More

Osaka aquarium kaiyukan (part two)

Written by: Amanda // Category: Japan

If you don't know this by now...I just thought I should make a PSA: I'm a procrastinator. A big one. It's already been how long since Japan, and I still have blogs to write? Not to mention I'm a little bit behind in current events. I've probably confused you all so much with my spastic and disorganized posts. Sorry, I really am! I honestly thought my life would slow down with my new work schedule, but instead it seems to be busier (makes no sense). I finally finished part two of my series of two posts on the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. If you haven't read part one yet, you should do so immediately! It involves a little history on the aquarium as well as some pretty sweet jellyfish. This part of the series is literally almost ... Read More

Japan: land of the rising sun

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

Derik was hired on at DSME Shipbuilding last fall, so this meant he would be transitioning legally from the private school to the government company...DSME would be in charge of his visa and paperwork. Unfortunately his paperwork was shoved aside...and before we knew it, Derik's visa expired. It was quite frustrating finding out (even after asking multiple times) that the people in charge of his paperwork let it fall through the cracks. Worst of all, neither the school or DSME were claiming fault for it. So that meant Derik and I would be 100% financially responsible for getting a new visa...even though we did everything right. One thing we have learned about living in South Korea is that: without flexibility and an open mind...you're ... 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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