On a Normal Life

Water is cascading down from the ceramic-tiled roof of my apartment. Under the gray summer sky, even the terracotta orange of the tiles are muted. And the rain, with its plump droplets and thunking onto the sand-colored stones below my window, has a whirr about it. A gentle humming that hums along with my heart.Continue reading “On a Normal Life”

Getting a Student Visa for Spain as an American

For most of my adult life, I have dreamed of living in Europe. But, as an American, actually living in Europe beyond the Schengen visa limit of 90 in/90 out in a 180 day period makes it pretty much impossible (unless I get hitched to someone with an EU passport, which is never entirely out ofContinue reading “Getting a Student Visa for Spain as an American”

The House Hunters International experience

If you haven’t been following along lately, I recently filmed an episode for House Hunters International — Chiang Mai Fair Lady — which airs tonight. If you’re new to d travels ’round, welcome! I hope you find this as the place to motivate you to get up, follow your dreams and see the world (or atContinue reading “The House Hunters International experience”

10 signs you are a local in Chiang Mai

After living in Thailand for more than two years, I like to consider myself a local. Although, let’s face it: as a westerner in Thailand, I will never be a real local. Certainly, I can adapt. I can learn. But, I am not Thai and never will be. However, I am decidedly more “Thai” than IContinue reading “10 signs you are a local in Chiang Mai”

The year of living for me

Big droplets of rain pummel the tar as we sit under the cover of a metal roof, watching the late-season storm cleanse Chiang Mai. Over icy glasses of Sangsom and Coke, and boozy chat about how to not get sucked into the abyss of Chiang Mai Expat-ness, an idea is born: 2014 is going toContinue reading “The year of living for me”

Why I’m grateful for Chiang Mai

Three years ago, if you would have asked me about a future in Chiang Mai, I may have gone all glassy-eyed and distant. Chiang Mai was a dream to me three years ago. The elephants were a dream to me then, too. I lived in a world where I was not satisfied with my existence.Continue reading “Why I’m grateful for Chiang Mai”

Questions to ask before becoming an expat

Making the decision to become an expat isn’t an easy one — there are many factors to consider when deciding to live away from your own country. I have met so many people who tell me they wish they could be an living as an expat. While being an expat is amazing and life-changing, itContinue reading “Questions to ask before becoming an expat”

Travel bloggers favorite places to live as expats

I’ve been living in as an expat in Chiang Mai for almost two years. It’s a great place to call home and I love living here. The lifestyle is fantastically chill, the cost of living is low compared to American prices, and there is such a beauty in waking up in a foreign country. WhyContinue reading “Travel bloggers favorite places to live as expats”

The fat girl in Thailand

This post is a part of the year-long Comfort Zone Project. “Oh, why you so pom pui?” People ask me. Strangers. Friends. You name it. Pom pui. You’d think one of the first words I would learn in Thailand would be how to ask someone’s name, or how to ask for directions. But, nope. OneContinue reading “The fat girl in Thailand”

The Comfort Zone Project

“Life’s not about living happily ever after … it’s about living.” That is the tagline for my blog, and was the motivating factor in the major decision I made nearly four years ago to quit my job in public relations and take a career-break and head out for a solo travel adventure. It’s the sameContinue reading “The Comfort Zone Project”