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LASIK in Korea? You must be kidding.

Written by: Amanda // Category: South Korea

I’ve always had the worst eye sight out of anyone I know. A conversation usually would begin with the other person saying: “Man, I’m blind without my glasses.”

Me: “Oh really? Me too!”

Other person: “Yeah I pretty much can’t see a thing”

Me: “What’s your prescription?”

Other Person: “Like a -3.25 and -4.00. Isn’t it horrible.”

Me: “…”

Me: “Seriously?! Mines a -8.75 and -7.50.”

Other Person: “Oh wow, you literally are blind.”

Me: “Yeah, so you shut your face about your -3 business.” 

No I don’t really say that on the end of the conversation, I just think it. It’s bad enough when you go to the eye doctor, tell him you have horrible eyes and he exclaims: “Wow, your eyes ARE bad!” Gee thanks. Way to make me feel awesome.

glasses2

I’ve been wearing glasses since I was 6. I distinctly remember the day I got my first pair, I was so excited  about wearing glasses. If I had known what was to come in the future years with my horrid prescription, the cost of glasses (with that prescription), contacts, eye allergies, etc. I may have been crying instead of smiling on the way home.

I guess my eyes had always been terrible from the start. The moment I received my glasses it was like unveiling a whole new world to me. I’m not sure how I knew tree branches and leaves existed before glasses, because I could see them! Clear as a bell! I’ll never forget exclaiming over and over, “Look at the trees! Look at the leaves! Look a the mountains!” I could see.

Just for your viewing and amusement pleasure I had to throw in a picture of me with my first pair of glasses. I’m not sure why my mom even let me pick these suckers out. Each lens was the size of a freaking dinner plate, and the frames were pink with little purple flowers. Fashion forward much? Then there’s the matching pajama thing with my American Doll Addy (she was always my favorite). Oh and the doll umbrella, because apparently I thought it was raining inside the house. The hair cut? Not going there.

glasses

By the time I was 12 I grew to hate my glasses with a passion (I had since moved on from my flowery frames of fashion death and upgraded to a sleeker silver design). I hated the way they made my eyes look small, and the way they felt on my face. Having them constantly steam up or fog over in certain types of weather was annoying too. My mom let me save up and buy my own contacts when I was 13 years old. Thank goodness for Walmart having ‘Always Great Prices.’

Once I got contacts I never went back to glasses. I upgraded my frames one more time in 2007, but literally NEVER wore my glasses out in public, and rarely took my contacts out even at night. Yes, I was that girl.

When we moved to South Korea I discovered the wonders of  one a day contacts, and it kept my eye allergies at bay (apparently I’m allergic to seaweed). There was still an undeniable desperation with being so blind though. I kept thinking about natural disasters or emergencies.What if a tsunami hit and I didn’t have my contacts in (or I did and they were washed out)? I’d be TOAST for sure. OR what if WW3 happened and North Korea finally decided to attack? Without my husband I wouldn’t make it. What if I was alone one night and heard something in my house or worse,  my room, and couldn’t see it?

These (and many more) what-ifs apparently rung a bell in my husband’s thoughts as well. He started mentioning LASIK. I had looked into it once in the US, but the $4,000 dollar price tag wasn’t something I could pocket or justify in our current situation. Getting surgery in South Korea has its advantages. Not only are the doctors world renowned, but everything is a MILLION times cheaper than back home.

I started looking into LASIK prices to find out that most clinics offer it for around $600-700 per eye! That’s less than a third of the cost of the service back home. Derik and I kept talking about it, until two weeks ago when he said: “You just need to do it. Go online and book LASIK right now.” We both knew it would be a great thing for our travels, especially since we have a big trip coming up in the spring. No more messing with contacts and eye solution!

After extensive research who am I kidding I only spent 30 minutes  I stumbled repeatedly on Sojunghannun Ophthalmology Clinic.  I of course had been googling ‘LASIK in Busan’ and blog after blog kept popping up how great their service was. When I found out that the former president of Korea took his bad eyes there, I knew mine had to go too.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a slight freak out/hyperventilating moment the second I booked my consultation AND surgery on the same day. What was I thinking? This is my SIGHT we’re talking about here, yet I’m signing it away online over a 5 minute procedure.

The day of the surgery I was a nervous wreck. My husband did his best to console me and tell me it wasn’t a big deal, but the only thing going through my head was ‘Amanda what if it doesn’t work and your lousy sight is ruined forever?’ I was also worried about the fact that I may not qualify due to the allergies I’ve had all year. Also you never know how thick your corneas are going to be until the doctor tells you. If your corneas are too thin? No LASIK for you.

day of!

Last day/picture with glasses!

I couldn’t decide if I was more nervous about qualifying for the surgery or the actual surgery itself.

We walked into the very contemporary looking clinic and were greeted by a friendly staff. They weren’t fluent English speakers, but they were helpful and got all my info sorted out in no time. Classical music was playing softly in the background, and deluxe coffee machines were at every corner just waiting to make you a mocha or cappuccino.

clinic

 I went through a series of eye machines to determine my pupil size, eye dioptre, cornea thickness and so on. Apparently I passed all of those with flying colors because I was quickly brought into the doctors office and being told what exactly the laser does when they cut my cornea open. I don’t even really remember what he said because I was too busy freaking out about the fact that I’m having LASIK surgery in less than 15 minutes.

view

Derik and I were both brought into a private room with a gorgeous city view and amazing massage chairs. While we were relaxing for a few minutes I was instructed to throw on my little surgery outfit and was given tea and cake. That pit of butterflies in my stomach was growing bigger and bigger.

surgerytime

teacake

 Then it was time. The lady grabbed my hand and led me (like I was blind psh) toward the operating room. I guess right now would be a great time to mention this is my first experience with surgery EVER in my entire life. I was led into an air shower where I stood in a small room/box getting air blown on me for about 10 seconds. Then came the operating table.

surgery

I guess I always figured with something like LASIK they’d at least secure your head or your arms or something so you don’t accidentally move or freak out. Nope I was wrong. I laid down on the table with the instructions of the nurse (in Korean) and she fixed my hair net to keep the hair out of my face. She then placed the laser machine just inches from my face and then we waited for the doctor.

The doctor came in and the surgery began immediately. I felt like I was either jumping off a cliff or riding on a huge roller coaster. The doctor spent the entire time coaching me through the surgery, and with a monotone voice he kept saying, “Just relax. Look at the light. Just relax.” It was actually pretty soothing despite the fact that I was having my eyes cut open and operated on by a laser.

The first thing they did was put this clear tape-like plastic mask around my nose, eyes, and forehead. I’m assuming its to keep anything on my face out of my eyes. The doctor did one eye at a time and started with the right. He put about four drops of numbing solution in my eye, and I tell you what, I didn’t feel an ounce of pain. There was a lot of pressure, but that was it! After he put the drops in he opened up my eye with a speculum to keep my eyelids open. He drew a couple lines on my iris (which I could see him doing but never felt) and then came the cornea cutting process. I’m not sure what he used to cut it, but it felt really weird and I lost my eyesight for about 10 seconds.Whatever he used kind of vibrated and whirred over my eye. After he cut it he would ask me if I could see the red light again. Yes, yes I could.

Now my left eye was a completely different story. Same process, same cutting, but after he was finished he asked me if I could see the red light, and wouldn’t you know it, I couldn’t! I had about a 2 second mini freak out thinking he cut the cornea too thick; I was blind and I’d never see again through that eye. Two seconds later (which seemed like an eternity) I could see. I think he just asked me a little bit in advance, which of course scared me to death. 

The laser was next and didn’t hurt an ounce. I watched it dance for 17 seconds on my right eye and 19 seconds on my left. The smell was horrendous. I had read about the smell online, but it’s very similar to what burning hair smells like. Once the laser was done doing its’ thing the doctor put the flap back over my eye and squeegeed out the air bubbles. He then put temporary contacts (with no prescription) to keep my recently cut corneas in place. The contact lenses were just a little bit bigger than a normal contact, but not anything crazy different.

When he was finished I could see! It was really cloudy and hazy at first, but I was able to walk myself out of the room and meet up with Derik. After getting some instruction on how to use the series of eyedrops they gave me, I was able to leave. No other instruction needed! I didn’t even need to wear those silly glasses at night like a lot of people do.

eyecansee!

Just yesterday I went back to Busan to have my contacts taken out and my first check up and wouldn’t you know it, I can see better than 20/20.  He didn’t tell me the exact number, but that’s good enough for me. I have a small hemorrhage  in my right eye which I was told will go away in a couple weeks. Nothing like freaking my kindergarten students out.

redspot

Looking back at the surgery it just feels like some crazy dream. Yes. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a traumatic experience, but it was definitely worth the trauma! Now for all the brave souls out there I’ve included a video of the surgery on one of my eyes. Credits to my husband for taking this. If you’re anything like me and you have an aversion to eyeballs don’t watch it.


Have you gotten LASIK? Are you thinking about it? I love hearing others opinions and thoughts!

Keep on reading...
Changes, Life in Germany: an Unpublished Year
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Welcome to Living in Another Language! Thanks for dropping by. We’re Derik and Amanda, a couple with a permanent case of wanderlust. Follow along with us as we travel the world. Read more about us HERE.

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Instagram post 2191262001464883691_1586897 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! 😍😍🇨🇦
Instagram post 2162391766049924598_1586897 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. 💕
Instagram post 2161269753608488280_1586897 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!
Instagram post 2137973445900634297_1586897 We’re mid-fall festival season here in Germany! Bring on the wine, music, and all the delicious food🤩🤩.
Instagram post 2111707320150069901_1586897 3,285 days of adventure, love, and learning — that’s 9 years I’ve been able to call Derik my husband, and I can truly say it’s only felt like a few years NOT just one year shy of a whole decade. This year has brought so much change with welcoming our daughter into our lives, and through it has only solidified our marriage and how much I am so deeply in love with this man. He’s the best father (as I always knew he would be) and an incredible husband. I am beyond blessed. 
Happy Anniversary and BIRTHDAY my love! 
We need to get more photos of us together, but since having our little one, most of the photos we’ve taken have been just with her! These were taken on our 'babymoon' in Iceland! As I was going through them, I realized I have a ton to share of our trip, so hopefully that’ll come soon!
Instagram post 2104702897498505367_1586897 Summer in Germany. 🌻

This is the fourth one I’ve been through and they’ve all been a bit different: sometimes rainy, sometimes ridiculously hot, sometimes full of bugs, but always beautiful. Flowers, berries, festivals and wine walks in abundance.

The key to successfully living in a new country is to STOP COMPARING and enjoy it for what it is - entirely different than your native country. Embrace the struggle, the experiences, the adventures, the pain, and the beauty or else you’ll tragically lose out what could be one of the most magical times in your life.

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The Past

  • ▼2019
    • ►April
      • Traveling During Pregnancy: First Trimester
  • ►2018
    • ►October
      • Campervan Iceland with Happy Campers
    • ►September
      • A Taste of German Tradition in Spreewald, Germany
    • ►August
      • Changes, Life in Germany: an Unpublished Year
    • ►March
      • A perfect stay at House of Bruges
    • ►January
      • An Overnight Layover in Singapore
      • A Day in Brugge, Belgium
  • ►2017
    • ►November
      • Switzerland on a Budget
      • Travel Guide to Krakow, Poland
      • Korcula Town to Stari Grad with MedSailors
    • ►October
      • Andronikos Hotel Mykonos
    • ►September
      • Sailing to Vis, Croatia
    • ►June
      • A Visit to Berchtesgaden, Germany
      • A Day in Oslo, Norway
    • ►May
      • Why it is Important to Blog for Yourself
      • Staycation at Hilton Palacio Del Rio
      • Oh Hi, We Moved to Germany
    • ►April
      • Norway in a Nutshell
  • ►2016
    • ►December
      • Finding the Perfect Christmas Gift
      • 36 Hours in Istanbul, Turkey
    • ►October
      • Visiting The World’s Largest Pumpkin Festival
      • One day in Mykonos, Greece
    • ►September
      • 10 Ways Alaska and New Zealand Are Remarkably Similar
      • Exploring the Alamo with Jord Watches
    • ►August
      • Exploring Kenai Fjords National Park with Major Marine Tours
    • ►May
      • Hiking Bodenburg Butte
    • ►April
      • 6 Tricks to Enhance your Images
      • Hatcher Pass with Pins To Kill
      • Monkey Forest, Ubud
    • ►March
      • Glamping Bali with Sandat Tents
      • Cruising Milford Sound
    • ►February
      • 5 Reasons to Book a Yacht Charter This Summer
    • ►January
      • Bali Cooking Class
      • Revisiting the Grand Mirage
  • ►2015
    • ►December
      • What to do in Mallorca, Spain
      • PNW Coast with Jord Wood Watches
      • Why Park City, Utah Should Be On Your Winter Bucket List
      • Holiday Gift Guide for the Traveler and Expat
    • ►November
      • 24 hours in Wanaka
      • Finding and Photographing the Aurora in New Zealand
    • ►October
      • A Luxury Villa Stay in Mallorca, Spain
      • 20 more travel quotes you probably haven't heard before
      • Anniversary Getaway at the Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul
      • 8 Must-Try Foods in New Zealand
      • Kaikoura Dolphin Encounter
    • ►August
      • A Day in Ruedesheim
      • Living Expenses in New Zealand
      • A Romantic Stay at The Gangsa Private Villas
      • The Best Time of Day to Post on Instagram
      • 5 ways to encourage travel bloggers
      • A Luxurious Getaway at Samabe
    • ►July
      • The Other Half
      • An Adventure Tour through New Zealand
      • A Clean Slate
    • ►May
      • 5 Tips to Help Overcome Travel Anxiety
      • Staying at Sala Arun Bangkok
      • Fall in New Zealand
    • ►April
      • 6 lesser-known vacation spots you should definitely consider for 2015
      • Let's catch up.
      • Aurora Australis in New Zealand
      • Are You a Traveler or a Tourist?
      • 8 Things I Don't Like About Long-Term Travel
      • Maré, New Caledonia
    • ►March
      • 15 Blog Post Ideas for Travel Bloggers
      • 5 Reasons New Zealand Should Be On Your Bucket List
      • Finding a Place to Live in New Zealand
      • A Weekend Getaway at Kinross Cottages
      • Beachcomber Island, Fiji
      • How to Grow Your Travel Blog
    • ►February
      • Central Otago Wine Tour
      • The Best Times to Travel Internationally
      • Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
      • What 1,095 Days of Travel Has Taught Me
      • The Story Behind The Name
      • 10 Travel Quotes That Will Inspire You To See the World
      • Cruising Sydney Harbor
    • ►January
      • Let's Chat
      • The LIAL Guide to Seoul, South Korea
      • So You're Going on Your First Cruise...
      • Sunrise at St Clair Beach, Dunedin
      • 10 Ways to Save Money for Travel
      • New Years Eve in Sydney Harbor
      • What's In My Camera Bag
      • 2014-Our Year in Travels.
  • ►2014
    • ►December
      • LIAL Reader Survey 2014 RESULTS
      • Travel Insurance: Yay or Nay?
      • Beginner's Guide to Astrophotography
      • And We're Off!!!
      • Yonderbound: Make Travel Planning a Breeze
      • Things All Expats Do But Won't Admit To
      • Wellington, New Zealand
      • 12 Songs for Your Travel Playlist
    • ►November
      • Why You Should Travel in 2015
      • Travel Blogging + Marriage
      • Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Osaka, Japan
      • Things I Find Strange About New Zealand
      • Pearl Harbor
      • Five things you should do before you start traveling
      • Tunnel Beach, Dunedin
    • ►October
      • LIAL Reader Survey 2014
      • Queens Park, Invercargill
      • The 5 Types of Travel Bloggers
      • The Lunar Eclipse
      • 10 Tips to Improve Your Photography
      • Minus 5 Ice Bar, Queenstown
      • Rain Boots or Wellies?
      • What Travel Means To Me
      • Sandfly Bay, Otago Peninsula
      • Real Life Friends
    • ►September
      • Moeraki Boulders
      • A Journey Through Middle Earth: Hobbiton
      • Thoughts
      • Travel Blogging Isn't for the Faint of Heart
      • Finding Work in New Zealand
      • Radio Silence
    • ►August
      • Campervan New Zealand
      • A Case for Travel Partners
      • Getting a Working Holiday Visa in New Zealand
      • How to Survive Long-Distance Flights
      • 7 Tips to Help You Grow Your Instagram
      • Why Russell, New Zealand Should be on Your Travel Itinerary
      • 10 Things to See and Do While Visiting South Korea
      • New Zealand in Instagram Photos
    • ►July
      • Look Up
      • New Zealand Bucket List
      • Pros and Cons of Living in New Zealand (30 day edition)
      • The Suitcase Designs (New Look + Premades!!)
      • 6 of the best tropical destinations in Asia
      • Why New Zealand?
      • Not Captured on Camera
      • Pololu Valley, Hawaii
      • Thoughts On Living in a Campervan
    • ►June
      • Searching for Whale Sharks
      • Final Words on Korea
      • Moving Overseas? How to Get You and Your Belongings to Your Destination Country
      • Boracay, Philippines
      • Steel Wool Photography Tutorial
      • 10 Things to Do in Phuket
      • Why We're Leaving Korea
      • We're Officially Announcing...
      • Living Expenses in Korea
    • ►May
      • What I Miss About Summer in the USA
      • Phuket Botanical Garden
      • Instagram Favorites
      • Monkey Beach
      • Sunburn Remedy: Instant Pain Relief and Overnight Healing
      • Change is Inevitable
      • The Negative Side to Travel
      • James Bond Island
    • ►April
      • Tiger Kingdom Phuket
      • Korean Commercials Pt. 3
      • Macro Photography Without A Macro Lens
      • 21 Household Tips and Tricks
      • Belated Blogiversary
      • Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival
      • Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai
      • Pros and Cons of Living in Korea
      • Thoughts
      • Springtime in Geoje
      • 12 Tips on Night Photography
      • Sunday Night Market, Chiang Mai
    • ►March
      • Lately in Korea
      • White Temple, Chiang Rai
      • When Hotels Bite
      • Grand Palace, Bangkok
      • Living Minimalistically
      • Stay Out of Trouble While Traveling
      • Baan Chang Elephant Park
      • Things Only Expats Understand
      • Maui Photo Session
      • Backpacking for 60 days
      • Long Neck Karen Tribe
      • Back Home
    • ►February
      • One Year of No-Poo
      • How to Travel Right out of College
      • Two Year Expat Anniversary
      • Valentine's Day
      • Lessons of Love (From Abroad)
      • Your Questions Answered: The Miscellaneous
      • Teaching ESL is Hard
    • ►January
      • Your Questions Answered: Expat Living
      • Tips on Moving Abroad
      • Blogging 101: When Blogging isn't Fun Anymore
      • What Not to Say to an Expat
      • Your Questions Answered: Travel
      • Initial Thoughts from the USA
  • ►2013
    • ►December
      • 2013-Our Year in Travels.
      • Geoje Sculpture Park
      • Christmas
      • Saturday's Thoughts
      • Lok Kawi Wildlife Park
      • Have I Changed?
      • Korea has Taught Me...
      • Not Home for the Holidays
      • Rokuon-ji (the golden temple)
      • I Need Your Questions!
    • ►November
      • A Post About My Hair
      • Thanksgiving: Through the Eyes of an Expat
      • Blogging 101: Time Management
      • Sandakan: River Adventure
      • How to Photograph Fireworks
      • A Recent Blog Design
      • Chuo Ward, Japan
      • Search Terms for the Win
      • Miss/Don't Miss (part 2)
    • ►October
      • Blogging 101: Using Pinterest to Maximize your Blogging Potential
      • Busan International Fireworks Festival
      • Geisha Town [Kyoto After Dark]
      • Confessions of an Expat
      • Korea: Where Random Situations Rule (on Twitter)
      • Jinju Lantern Festival
      • Quarter of a Century
      • Capture the Colour 2013
      • Do You Have Fur On Your Legs?
      • Simply Just Blogging
    • ►September
      • [Japan] Fushimi Inari Shrine
      • Homeless for Half a Month
      • I Don't Understand
      • Looking for Saltwater Crocodiles
      • Blogging 101: Advice
      • Saturday Takeover: Misadventures in Japan
      • Korean Commercials Pt. 2
      • Expat Blues
      • Snorkeling Borneo
      • LASIK in Korea? You must be kidding.
      • 500,000? That's a Big Number
      • Finding Home
      • [BORNEO] Sunsets and Coconut Water
    • ►August
      • Guess We Didn't Get the Memo
      • Korea Doesn't Care About Miley
      • Step Into My Life
      • Blogging 101: The Sponsor Game
      • Don't Get Mugged
      • Introducing...(aka HUGE NEWS)
      • Three Years Ago the Wedding Bells Rang
      • Let's Talk About 'No Poo' (FAQ 2)
      • We're Back!
      • As of Now...
    • ►July
      • Why I'm the Worst Traveler Ever
      • How To Be a Tourist in Asia
      • It Wasn't That Long Ago...
      • Blogging 101: Wordpress Plugins
      • Lately [10]
      • 30 day challenge
      • Korean Commercials Pt. 1
      • Weird Wednesday (7/17)
      • The temple on the sea
      • I love bloglovin!
      • A saturday photo session
      • Friday Funnies {7}
      • A game of charades (aka everyday life)
      • Blogging 101
      • The collective social blog hop
      • This one goes to the cats
      • This holiday we call the 4th of july
      • The good, the bad, and the ugly
      • Island camping: it's pretty nice
    • ►June
      • Friday Funnies {6}
      • Recipe: blt stuffed avocado
      • Using the shadows
      • Friday Funnies {5}
      • Camping with the locals (expat level: expert)
      • Lately [9]
      • 'No poo' frequently asked questions
      • Would you like to know? [3]
      • Friday Funnies {4}
      • Thanks for having a birthday buddha
      • Weird Wednesday 6/12 + Sponsor Spotlight {june} pt.2
      • No gym membership required
      • Friday funnies {3}
      • Would you like a cup of tea with that? (Boseong)
      • Korea: the country where random situations rule
    • ►May
      • Friday Funnies {2}
      • Lately [8]
      • Weird Wednesday (5/30)
      • Things I wish I had known...part two
      • Seoraksan favorites
      • Lately[7]
      • Friday Funnies (LINK-UP!)
      • I STILL Don't Use Shampoo
      • Weird Wednesday (05/22)
      • The thing about 'selfies'
      • Latey [6]
      • Would you like to know? [2]
      • Green smoothie: grapefruit
      • The time we went to an adult playground
      • Lately [5]
      • Things i wish i had known...
      • Breakfast in seosan
      • Lately [4]
      • Hakdong (pebble) beach
    • ►April
      • Why would i say that?
      • Recipes: fish tacos
      • Lately [3]
      • Would you like to know?
      • Weird Wednesday (4/23)
      • Friend connect bloghop
      • .org vs .com and how I almost lost it
      • Cocoppa: an ocd iphone lover's dream
      • Lately [2]
      • The candid series: busan
      • For every woman
      • DIY Lip Balm
      • Lately
      • Of 'Weird Wednesdays' and liebster awards
      • Recipes: boneless bbq chicken
      • Shopping habits
      • Out with the old...
      • I'm attracted to attractions
      • Preparing for war
      • Recipes: cheddar garlic biscuits
      • The purple mountain (Mt. Daegeumsan)
    • ►March
      • Weird Wednesday (03/27)
      • Osaka aquarium kaiyukan (part two)
      • The dentist.
      • I don't use shampoo
      • Weekly photo challenge: my korean happy meal
      • Fireworks + friends = epic
      • Thirty-three reasons why I love my job.
      • Japan: land of the rising sun
      • So...you want to be an ESL teacher?
      • Weird Wednesday (03/06)
    • ►February
      • Bored on a thursday night?
      • Osaka aquarium kaiyukan (part one)
      • The time i went to north korea (DMZ)
      • Weekly photo challenge: forward
      • A trip to the bamboo forest
      • Year one
      • Be mine
      • French press lattes
      • Weird Wednesday (02/13)
      • The bet we made with the boys
      • [Vietnam] last day in paradise
      • [Vietnam] $10 dollar scooters and free spray tans
      • Weekly Photo Challenge: Unique (Dr. Seuss)
    • ►January
      • Weird Wednesday (01/30)
      • I practice my hobbies on saturdays...
      • Weird Wednesday (01/23)
      • [Vietnam] the time i ate sea urchin
      • The candid series: farmer's market
      • [Vietnam] landing in paradise
      • Weird Wednesday (01/16)
      • 5D
      • [Vietnam] a morning in the bay
      • Weird Wednesday (01/09)
      • [Vietnam] in silent waters
      • [Vietnam] of busy streets and great food
      • Weird Wednesday (01/03)
  • ►2012
    • ►December
      • Dear santa...love, an expat.
      • Delicate
      • Bring forth the holiday cheer pt.2
      • Recipes: grandma knows best
      • I've become domesticated.
    • ►November
      • Weekend reunions
      • Bring forth the holiday cheer
      • They deserve it the most...
      • Three quarters.
      • 11/11
      • Halloween: 'korean style'
    • ►October
      • I wish I were...
      • Foreign
      • Sorry if i'm rude, i'm american.
      • Expat resources
      • As the days get colder
      • Big
      • Colors of change
      • Chuseok
      • 24
      • Top ten
      • Jasmine: not the tea or the disney princess.
      • Where do i get it? 10/4
    • ►September
      • [Bali] the ubud experience
      • six months plus.
      • [Bali] late night cruisin'
      • [Bali] water adventure day
    • ►August
      • Grand mirage...a piece of paradise. [bali]
      • The first of many [bali].
    • ►July
      • The dirtiest people i've ever seen
    • ►June
      • Its not always about the pictures.
      • Yeosu world expo. Basically the coolest event i've ever been to.
    • ►May
      • Seoul. It's beautiful chaos.
    • ►April
      • When did time escape me?
    • ►March
      • That BBQ Chicken...
      • Sick Days...
      • Busan
    • ►February
      • Of food and other things.
      • The Journey Over
      • The Grand Adventure
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Currently on Instagram

Instagram post 2191262001464883691_1586897 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! 😍😍🇨🇦
Instagram post 2162391766049924598_1586897 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. 💕
Instagram post 2161269753608488280_1586897 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!
Instagram post 2137973445900634297_1586897 We’re mid-fall festival season here in Germany! Bring on the wine, music, and all the delicious food🤩🤩.
Instagram post 2111707320150069901_1586897 3,285 days of adventure, love, and learning — that’s 9 years I’ve been able to call Derik my husband, and I can truly say it’s only felt like a few years NOT just one year shy of a whole decade. This year has brought so much change with welcoming our daughter into our lives, and through it has only solidified our marriage and how much I am so deeply in love with this man. He’s the best father (as I always knew he would be) and an incredible husband. I am beyond blessed. 
Happy Anniversary and BIRTHDAY my love! 
We need to get more photos of us together, but since having our little one, most of the photos we’ve taken have been just with her! These were taken on our 'babymoon' in Iceland! As I was going through them, I realized I have a ton to share of our trip, so hopefully that’ll come soon!
Instagram post 2104702897498505367_1586897 Summer in Germany. 🌻

This is the fourth one I’ve been through and they’ve all been a bit different: sometimes rainy, sometimes ridiculously hot, sometimes full of bugs, but always beautiful. Flowers, berries, festivals and wine walks in abundance.

The key to successfully living in a new country is to STOP COMPARING and enjoy it for what it is - entirely different than your native country. Embrace the struggle, the experiences, the adventures, the pain, and the beauty or else you’ll tragically lose out what could be one of the most magical times in your life.
Instagram post 2078684799322929913_1586897 Our little girl has officially become a world traveler as of a couple weeks ago! The @condorairlines flight from Germany to Alaska was long, and she only slept 40 minutes out of the 9:10hour trip, but we survived and she still did remarkably well even with being overly-tired.  My hope is our trip back to Germany runs a bit smoother and that she sleeps so mama can sleep too. 😂😬🙏 Prayers welcomed. Between that and the 10 hour time difference, schedules (eating/sleeping) have been thrown way off and I don’t expect them to level out for a few more weeks 😩.
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