When the time came to wrap up my job here in Japan, I had three days to take a vacation. I wanted to go to either Hokkaido or Okinawa (two very different vacation spots - the first is the northern end of Japan and the second is the southern end) as those were the last two prefectures that were on my bucket list. As it became more apparent that I'd only have the time and money to do one or the other, the weather made my choice for me: three days in Sapporo, Hokkaido.Sapporo is the capital ...
January – June 2019 Roundup
Here we are, another six months! This roundup covers from January to June 2019, the first half of the year. I was pretty busy, which is why this is a half-year roundup. If you want to read the last one, here's my September - December 2018 Roundup.What I've Been Doing Since the Last RoundupIf you read the previous roundup, you might know that since the end of last year I have been struggling with serious computer problems. My laptop was at end of its life (it wouldn't stay on for more ...
Three Days in Taipei: The Lazy Traveler’s Guide
It didn't take me long to decide my last international trip from Japan: three days in Taipei was the perfect endnote to a travel list that has brought me joy over the last three years.Living in Japan means I've been able to travel A LOT. I've knocked out six Asian countries - Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan (say what you will about the latter two's relationship with China, but for my list, I'm calling them separate countries). I traveled back to ...
Osaka Ramen Expo: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
I have a few annual traditions here in Japan. Climbing Hanamiyama, or Cherry Blossom Viewing Mountain, every spring in sakura season. Photographing the lotus blooms in the summer. Cooking steaming pots of nabe on chilly nights in the winter.But my favorite tradition is my annual pilgrimage to the Osaka Ramen Expo (Japanese site) held every weekend in December.Bampakukoen Ramen ExpoStarting in 2013, festival organizers have brought the Ramen Expo to life each December in Bampakukoen ...
Interview: Amanda Walkins, Expat Extraordinaire
Welcome to another edition of my interview series, where I talk with badass boss babes who are living the location-independent dream!This time, I am very excited to introduce my friend Amanda. I met her ages ago when her travels brought her to Roatan... and since then, we've both called new places "home" all over the world and kept in touch along the way. Keep reading to find out how she lives and works around the world!I already know you, but for everyone else - who are you, where ...
Two Years in Japan
It's been the longest and shortest two years of my life. (Sometimes I feel like I've been living here FOREVER. And sometimes I still feel like I just arrived.August 2018 marked two years of living in Japan, and it's been quite the ride. I never expected that at the ripe old age of 33 that I'd be going into my third year of teaching English here and going on almost eight years of living abroad... but here I am.What I've DoneSo much. I've done so much since I've been here! I've ...
September – December 2018 Roundup
Here we are, the end of another year and I've barely written anything on this poor little blog!Can I blame it on my seat at school moving? I used to do a lot of writing at work (sorry, JET Programme) but this year they moved my desk at my main school to directly in front of the principal and vice-principal. So I have those two looking directly over my shoulder every time I'm at my desk. It kinda sucks but there's nothing I can do about it.Can I blame it on my number of classes increasing ...
Discover the Beauty of Toronto on These Top 4 Hikes
Despite being one of Canada's largest cities, Toronto is still replete with natural areas. You can see many of these wild wonderlands by going on a hike during your stay. To escape the hustle and bustle of downtown, branch out into Toronto's hidden green spaces on these hiking trails.Highland Creek TrailLocated inside the city limits, the Highland Creek Trail winds under the Kingston Road overpass to follow Highland Creek. It extends for 11.7 kilometers (or about 7.27 miles) and is rated ...
5 Animals Native to Singapore and Where You Can Find Them
Singapore is a wonderful destination for adventure, tropical relaxation, and wildlife viewing. These are just a few of the native animals you might see when exploring Singapore.MousedeerThe mousedeer is a species that many Singapore outsiders have never even heard of, which makes spotting one even more exciting. They are not actually a mouse or a deer. Instead, they are their own unique animal that mysteriously hides in the background of forested areas. Their advanced ability to hide ...
The Best Free Activities in Los Angeles
Visitors to Los Angeles, California have a dizzying array of activities to choose from in this sprawling urban city. But what if you're on a budget? Good news — the city has plenty on offer to fill your days up for free! You don't need to spend a lot of money to enjoy unique and interesting activities in LA.“The Price Is Right” TapingIt doesn't cost anything to attend a taping of the iconic game show "The Price Is Right." All you have to do is visit the ticket website and show up! ...