Why does Christmas come before New Years?

Before my dad passed away, I didn’t give a second thought to how well God planned the sequence of Christmas then New Year. Christmas is a time to remember Jesus. It’s a time of hope and rejuvenation. It’s a time for celebration, because no matter what is going on or who you lost, nothing can …

Wine Tasting Expeditions: Elizabeth Chambers Cellar

A wine club member of Elizabeth Chambers Cellar invited us to a tasting on a quiet, sunny Monday....which is a rare treat for Oregon in October, so of course we said yes. Their tasting room is beautiful and charming, with views into the winery itself, brick walls, and a nice outdoor seating area. We did …

Anya Resort in Tagaytay: Your home away from home

"Welcome home." -A phrase I heard at least twice a day at Anya. Anya Resort Tagaytay is one of only three Small Luxury Hotels in the World in the Philippines. The service and attention to detail sets this resort apart, and personalized touches make it a worthy getaway for rest, relaxation, and pampering. Before you …

3 years and 12 countries: No longer a digital nomad

After 3 years and 12 countries as a remote worker, I've decided to stick to one or two places for the foreseeable future. It has been a wild ride, from learning to ride bikes in Japan's bamboo forests, to flying over New Zealand's Milford Sound (it's a fjord), to eating my way across half the …

Travel Tips

After taking my first international plane ride at 1 year old, I've racked up a lifetime of travel in all different styles. My travel experience ranges from first class and 5-star hotels that were almost uncomfortably extravagant, to economy in a rickety airplane and "hotels" that shouldn't be allowed to call themselves that. Here are …

Oregon Coast Food and Play: Tidal Raves and Gleneden Beach

If you're driving down by the Oregon Coast, be sure to stop by Gleneden Beach for a beautiful walk, and a scenic meal at Tidal Raves. Gleneden Beach A charming place to take your dog for a walk, or go for a stroll at the beach. It has a nice trail down to the beach, …

Afternoon tea at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle

If you're feeling fancy or are in the mood for a nice cup of tea, The Georgian Restaurant at Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle offers a great backdrop for afternoon tea with friends and family. Like all afternoon tea sets, you select your tea and enjoy it with pastries, sandwiches, and sweets. This set also included …

Museums of Seoul

A quick Google search will show you that Seoul alone has dozens of beautiful, interesting museums. I'm willing to go on a month-long trip to Seoul just to explore the history that's captured there. Unfortunately, we were only able to stop by one museum on this trip, but I list a few other museums I'd …

Seoraksan and a New Shabu-Shabu Experience

Seoraksan National Park is a beautiful place if you love mountain views. It has multiple hikes to choose from, but we decided on the one that included a cable car ride. After the cable car, we climbed a few steps up the rest of the way to Gwongeumseong Fortess, where a castle used to stand. …

Cheonggyecheon (Cheonggye Stream)

Cheonggyecheon was a natural stream that was polluted, covered up, and restored too quickly to go back to its natural process. Today, it's a man-made stream and a lovely place to go for a walk. We took a walking tour provided by VisitSeoul.net, a great resource to anyone who is planing their trip to Seoul. …