How to Move Away from Family and NOT Let the Guilt Kill You (Part 2)
A few months back, I wrote about how painful it can be to move away from family. The loss, the guilt, the grief. The whole…
Posts
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…
2020: a Look Back & a Look Forward
I had high hopes for 2020. And now that it is over, I can look back and say it was a year of learning. Some…
Abroad at Christmas as an Expat: Finding New Ways to Celebrate
A lot of people choose to be abroad at Christmas. But as an expat, celebrating Christmas abroad is part and parcel of our lives. Sometimes…
Realities and struggles of Greek life for an Expat
Welcome to My Expat Interview Series. This is an insider’s sneak peek at the truths and realities of expat life. Not just from my point…
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…
5 Stages of Culture Shock (AKA 5 Phases of the Expat Journey)
Did you know there were actual stages of culture shock? No? Me neither. And I have a degree in cultural anthropology. So that’s embarrassing. Clearly,…
Living in Croatia: What Life is Like for an American Expat
Welcome to My Expat Interview Series. This is an insider’s sneak peek to the truths and realities of expat life. Not just from my point…
Lessons I’ve Learned from Living Abroad
We’ve been living abroad since 2013, and while I may be a slow learner, I’ve picked up a few things along the way. My expat…
Reasons to Move to Another Country: 34 Expats Tell Their Stories
What encourages people to move to a country? Love, work, culture? A better lifestyle like us? School? There are so many reasons to move to…
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…
Easiest Countries for Americans to Move to RIGHT NOW
Let’s be real… America is in the eye of a sh!t storm right now, and who knows what these next few years are going to…
Living in Strasbourg – An Aussie Expat Moves for Love
I’m about to give you an insider’s sneak peek to the truths and realities of expat life. Not just from my point of view. From expats…
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…
8 Things I Hate About America (as an American)
A while ago, I wrote about all the things I miss about living in America. But that left me feeling very unbalanced. There are a…
7 Things I Miss the Most About Living in America
There is no question that what I miss most about living in America are my friends and family. But those aside, there are a few…
Expat in Denmark: Is the Lifestyle All it’s Cracked Up To Be?
WELCOME TO MY EXPAT INTERVIEW SERIES! I’m about to give you an insider’s sneak peek to the truths and realities of expat life. Not just from…
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…
How Moving Abroad Will Improve Quality of Life
Does moving abroad improve quality of life? Well, that depends. But for me, the answer is yes. Not because I had a crappy life back…
My Moving Abroad Regrets: How to Learn From My Mistakes
The other night at dinner, my friend Hank asked me if there was anything I regretted about moving overseas? No one has ever asked me…