Living in Another Language

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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

10 Travel Quotes That Will Inspire You To See the World

Written by: Amanda // Category: Travel

I have a thing for travel and adventure quotes because they tend to fuel my wanderlust. I find myself browsing Pinterest for an unmentionable amount of time, pinning quote after quote that speaks to me. Now that Derik and I are on the eve of our three year expat anniversary, I figured it's about time to share my favorite photos paired with my favorite quotes! If you follow me on Instagram, you may have already read some of these! After picking 10 quotes, I realized I have a million other favorites; I may have to do a part two of this post someday! ... 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

Pearl Harbor

Written by: Amanda // Category: hawaii, United States

Since today is Veteran's Day back in the U.S., it only seemed fitting to post something a bit patriotic. I already wrote from my heart on how I feel about Veteran's Day on Instagram, and from reading that you'll know I am very proud of our enlisted: past, present, and future. If you haven't thanked a veteran or a military service member yet for the things they have done for our country, you better get on it. Back in January we had the opportunity to tour Pearl Harbor during our time in Hawaii with my family. Both my father and my brother-in-law are currently serving in the military, and my brother is also quite the history buff, so visiting this historic site was top of our list. We spent about 3 hours walking though the visitor ... Read More

The 5 Types of Travel Bloggers

Written by: Amanda // Category: Blogging, Travel, Travel Blogging

Travel blogging is a tricky industry. I'm realizing there's no cut-and-dry way to travel blog, except for the fact that it's important you get pretty pictures and information out there for readers to wanderlust at. There are solo travelers, couple travelers, and family travelers. There are those that do it for fun and some that do it as a living. But one of my favorite things to figure out while discovering new travel bloggers, is learning what their travel blogging lifestyle is. This can be tricky, especially since the internet allows us to paint pictures of ourselves in basically whatever way we want. Here are the 5 types of travel bloggers I have discovered in my ventures with blogging. In no way, shape, or form are these true ... Read More

What Travel Means To Me

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

It means... ...I get to discover different ways people do life. ...I no longer have control over my environment. ...I end up accidentally acting like a fool multiple times a week. ...happiness is not by acquiring things, but by making memories. ...being outside my comfort zone 24/7. ...I treasure the familiar so much more than I used to. ...the world is bigger than I could ever possibly imagine. ...I have the opportunity to make friends from all corners of the world. ...I will constantly be learning and growing. ...wanderlust will always be a part of my life. ... Read More

Travel Blogging Isn’t for the Faint of Heart

Written by: Amanda // Category: Blogging, Travel, Travel Blogging

Alternate Title: 'The Daunting Task of Travel Blogging.' Travel Blogging: Braving the obvious obstacle of traveling the world into unfamiliar lands, trying to find internet, and spending those few and far between moments to pump out quality, informational posts for readers; sometimes I'm not sure why we even bother to do it. Travel blogging is one of the most overlooked blogging categories (apparently it wasn't even a good enough category for Bloglovin's annual awards), but I'm hoping that will change as people are starting look more into world awareness, curious to see what's out there beyond the big blue ocean. Sure as an outsider travel blogging may seem super glamorous, but it has it's dark side. Before you consider taking the ... Read More

Finding Work in New Zealand

Written by: Amanda // Category: New Zealand, Travel

I realize I'm on a kick with all these New Zealand posts, but I think quite a few of you are curious why and how we came to be living in New Zealand. Last month we talked a little bit about getting a work-holiday visa and doing the whole 'campervan New Zealand' thing,  and this week I wanted to get a little more detailed about finding work in New Zealand. First of all, I think it's important to note that finding work on a work-holiday visa will be remarkably different than finding work on any other kind of residency visa. You're in the country temporarily and employers know that.  You'll have to sell how valuable you would be (even temporarily) to your future employer.  Also remember that you are a living, breathing, billboard of the ... Read More

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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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