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?
“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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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