Here is a comprehensive list of every singe blog post I’ve ever written. Happy Reading!
Confession of a Travel Brat
I discovered on this trip to the Bay Area that I am a “mountain” person. Growing up in Taiwan, we had the best of both worlds. There are literally stretches of highways where you get the mountain range on one side, and the Pacific on the other. But, I was…
A Day in Napa Valley
A great friend of mine from my Peace Corps days took advantage of my business trip and visited me in the Bay Area. I was glad she came out because I’ve been thinking of visiting Napa Valley, but that is so the last place I’d want to travel alone. Get…
Hello, Late Twenties!
A few months ago, I came across a hilarious early vs. late twenties post on Buzzfeed; hilarious, because it is so dead on. A few weeks ago, I officially entered my late-twenties. It was one of those surprisingly good birthdays. 27 is a rather unremarkable milestone. It is also the…
Muddy Road to Heaven: Hiking in Sichuan
Back in my Peace Corps days, I had the nickname of Posh Corps. Somehow, despite living in a village amidst the mountains of Cameroon, I managed a rather posh life (relatively speaking – Internet connection in a house without running water is pretty posh, no?). It didn’t take me long…
Danba, China: The Valley of Happiness
Life of a globetrotter can be strangely disorienting. One minute, you are in the Tibetan village sharing roads with goats, the next, you are in Shanghai, sharing roads with cars and motorbike drivers who possess severe road rage. We live in the world where we can wake up in one…
The First Chinaversary
Today, I celebrate my first Chinaversary. I am simultaneously amazed at how quickly time has flown by, and how much has happened over the past 12 months. As I look back upon my many, many photos, I decided to narrow down the year to the top 10 most defining moments….
Halloweekend in Moganshan
Every now and again, a weekend trip is necessary for a Shanghai dweller to get some fresh air, to switch up daily routine, and obtain some fuel for the soul. This weekend, I was invited to a trip to Moganshan (莫干山), a popular getaway destination just 3 hours of drive…
Xi’an Wanderings
Last weekend, I took my first overnight train in China to the ancient city of Xi’an. My friend Aly, who has lived in China for 4 years now, is a huge fan of train travel. It was her birthday weekend, and her only request was to take an overnight train…
Witness Terracotta Soldiers in Xi’an
One of the most impressive aspects of my trip to Xi’an was witnessing the Terra-Cotta soldiers. I was quite mesmerized by this experience, and thought it deserves a separate post. Most people who’ve seen it says the experience is somewhat overrated, and I certainly can see why this may be….
Season of Gratitude
Yet another Turkey Day abroad! Unlike previous years, this is the first time that I didn’t get the day off. It’s strange to have to work right through the holiday, and went about the day as any other. Fortunately, since I do work for an American company with a good…
Shanghai Wanders
Ever since I started my Big Girl job, my waking moments are spent as follows: 70% office, 20% home (both locations are within 30-minute walk of each other), and 10% at some bar/club/restaurant/café in or around the French Concession. Gone are the days where I had ample time to walk…
2013 Year-in-Review
The first month of 2014 is nearing the end, and I am just now writing my 2013 review. Better late than never? Probably not the best way to kick off the new year, but I simply couldn’t drop the ball on this tradition. January: Life in Shanghai was in full swing. I…
Impression of Ethiopia
Since I left Cameroon at the end of my Peace Corps service in 2010, I return to the continent for the first time. At the end of 2010, I did take a trip to Tunisia, which is technically in Africa. Though this time, nearly 4 years later, I feel like…
Oasis in Debre Zeyit
When Jenn asked whether I wanted to visit another ancient city or SPA resort on a crater lake, the answer was an easy one. They did call me Posh Corps back in the days after all. I enjoy rugged travel into the developing world, but I also enjoy the finer things in life that the developing world has to offer.
Baboons on Simien Mountain
One of the top attractions in Northern Ethiopia is Simien Mountain. Given that we were traveling in a group, we organized a private tour. Bus departed from Gondar. Two hours later, we arrive at the bottom of the mountain. Apparently, we needed not only a guide, but also a guard…
