Where We’ve Been, Where We Are, and Where We’re Going? (Part 2)
The longer it’s been since I last wrote a blog, the harder it is to start. I realize I suck at telling my own story.…
Malaysia
So, This is What Goodbye Feels Like
Dear Friends and Family, It feels like the sun has set on a season in our lives. My keyboard is soaked in salty tears. I’m…
The Transition from Lockdown in Malaysia to Freedom in the US
Hey there! It’s been a minute. I’ve been home for about a month now, and I haven’t blogged in a while. Because truthfully, I wasn’t…
Dear Malaysia, Did You Really Just Kick Us Out?
In my last blog, I wrote about how Mark and I were planning to leave Malaysia temporarily. Go to the US and Mexico and see…
Dear Malaysia, We Love You, but We’re Giving You a Time Out
Dear Malaysia, You’ve been so good to me. You’ve taught me about the world. You’ve taught me about patience. About kindness. About privilege. About friendship.…
Top 13 Historical Places of Malaysia for History Buffs & Culture Cravers
There are a million places to go in Malaysia, so how do you narrow it all down? Well, if you are a culture and history…
21 Pretty Penang Cafes That’ll Make You Want to Eat Dessert First
Put on your bib. You’re about to start salivating. This list of Penang cafes is all about indulgence. As far as I’m concerned, it’s totally…
Best Jobs for Digital Nomads: Don’t Wait to Take Your Vacation Days
You know all those pictures of people working from their hammocks on a beach in Thailand? Or sitting in a café in Amsterdam with their…
What to do in Melaka: All the Best Places to Visit on Your Melaka Trip
On our last trip to Melaka, I fell in love with the city. It was Mark’s first time, and he had no idea what to…
Living in KL: 7 Reasons Why Expats and Digital Nomads Love it
Let’s face it, these days, with the remote work economy becoming more the norm, expats and digital nomads have a lot of choices when it…
Guide to Malaysia for Expats: everything you Need to Know Before You Go
I wish I had a Malaysia for expats guide when I first moved here. So, I decided to make one. It only took me seven…
Want to Live in Malaysia? Let Me Clarify a Few Things First
Think you know what it’s really like to live in Malaysia? The media and the internet tell you a one-sided story, but I’m here to…
Fruits of Malaysia: The Secret why Malaysians are so Beautiful
There are many local fruits of Malaysia, and I think I’ve tried them all. But the list of tropical fruits below has super-duper extra-fancy health-powers.…
Malaysian Supermarket Tour: What $20 Buys You
Not gonna lie; when I go back to the US and go grocery shopping, I lose my mind. Sooo many tomatoes. So much bread. And…
Malaysia Short Getaway: 17 Unique Places for Your Next Staycation
Malaysia is full of wonders. But some of them take a lot of planning. These 17 spots are perfect for a Malaysia short getaway that…
21 Quotes About Chinese New Year (the traditional, the sincere, and the hilarious)
Chinese New Year is around the corner. And even though we can’t celebrate in the way we are used to, I couldn’t let this year…
Malaysian Legends and Folklore that Could Rival Disney’s Best Tales
Everyone knows the Disney tales. Some are all fluff, others are a bit dark, and some border on grim. But Malaysian legends are just as…
Food Delivery in Penang: The Best Restaurants in Penang that Deliver During MCO
Well, here we are again. MCO part deux. No one is happy about it. And we are all worried about the economy. To play a…
Should I Stay Or Should I Go? (It’s Not Just a Clash Song)
Well shit. That didn’t go as planned. I should be writing this from Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. The big city that was calling…
Step Back in Time in Penang’s Most Eclectic Heritage-House Airbnb
Have you ever wondered what it was like to live in a refurbished shophouse of yesteryear Penang? Well, Mark and I got the chance when…
Best Places to Live in Malaysia for Expats, Digital Nomads, & Retirees
Malaysia is known for its fantastic food, diverse culture, gorgeous landscapes, and incredibly warm-hearted locals. All that is great when you go on vacation, but…
Living in Penang: Pros and Cons of My Island Life
There is no such thing as a perfect place. I would know since I’ve lived in three US states and six foreign countries. But since…
Healthcare in Malaysia – Everything You Need to Know
Sadly, for most Americans, affordable healthcare is a joke. And top-quality, affordable healthcare is even more laughable. It’s one of the reasons some people move…
Answers to All Your Burning Questions About Moving to Malaysia (Part Two)
You’ve got questions about moving to Malaysia. I’ve got answers. After last week’s Q & A sesh, I got loads of emails asking fantastic questions…
Q & A Sesh with Your Girl in Malaysia (Me)
Every week I get loads of emails asking about moving to Malaysia and expat life. I get it. I was in your shoes once and…
How to Get to Tioman Island: The Easy Way
Tioman is one of those islands that people dream about. The lush hilly interior pours into the crystal clear sea in an idyllic paradise. No…
How to Get to Perhentian Islands (Notes from the Road)
It all started with a 5:30 am wake up, which I was NOT happy about. As much as I want to be a morning person,…
Which Island is Best for a Short Getaway in Malaysia: Langkawi, Tioman, or Perhentian?
Malaysia is full of island paradises. Some are easier to get to, some are pretty commercial, and others are super remote. But the three most…
Cheong Fatt Tze – Blue Mansion: Should You Stay There?
The other day for our 17th anniversary, Mark and I decided to do something different, and the Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion Hotel was calling…
Unique Places in Penang (that are Not in the Guidebooks)
I may not be Malaysian, but after living in Penang for nearly seven years, I think I qualify as a local when it comes to…