Hello, Again!
January 29, 2026
For years now, “start blog again” has sit on my new year resolution that inevitably gets ignored. This year, I feel a certain fire underneath me to actually adhere to this resolution. Perhaps it’s the midlife crisis of turning 40, or perhaps the twins are finally functional little humans that allow me time to breathe again. Either way, I want…
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2021 Year-in-Review: Be Patient
December 30, 2021
Somehow, we are on the last day of 2021. This year, I’ve done nearly no traveling, both due to COVID but also because I embarked upon another wild adventure – motherhood. I spent most of the year waiting – waiting to become pregnant, waiting to get through my pregnancy, waiting for my babies to leave NICU… My patience was tested…
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One Week of Hiking and Relaxation in Sapa, Vietnam
October 6, 2021
After a breathtaking five-day tour of Ha Giang, our journey through Northern Vietnam continued in Sapa. We would do some hiking with Sapa O’Chau, followed by some much-needed R&R at Sapa Clay House. Night Bus Ride from Ha Giang to Sapa We boarded a rather uncomfortable night bus in Ha Giang around 8pm, and it led us to Sapa in…
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In Search of Pregnancy Bliss
September 5, 2021
I spent my entire pregnancy searching for that elusive pregnancy bliss. Instead of joy, I hated nearly every minute of being pregnant. Pregnancy blues was the dominant feeling. And then suddenly, my pregnancy ended at 31 weeks via emergency c section. My twin babies are so far healthy, albeit incredibly tiny, and I’m doing reasonably well physically recovering. Yet, somehow,…
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Five-Day Car Tour to Discover Vietnam’s Ha Giang Region with YESD
June 22, 2021
While researching our journey in the Ha Giang region in Northern Vietnam, motorbike tours appeared popular. Yet, some friends who’ve visited the area recommended against motorbike tours, citing frequent accidents. My research led me to YESD, a social enterprise focusing on responsible tourism that provides tours in the region. The company offers a motorbike tour, where each adult rides on…
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IVF Journey at Lee Women’s Hospital in Taichung, Taiwan
May 20, 2021
It’s been a quiet few months here on the blog, and it’s because I’ve been occupied with Project Baby since moving to Taiwan. Pursuing fertility treatment was one of the significant factors of our relocation. The journey has been a total emotional roller coaster. For what it’s worth, I’m sharing our story here. One, is to simply be more open…
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2020 Year-in-Review: Be Intentional
December 30, 2020
Last year, in the 2019 year-end review, I wrote about how time went by slowly in the best possible way. And then, 2020 happened. The year felt exponentially longer. Fortunately, it hasn’t all been bad. There had been many challenges for sure, but overall, I’ve been very lucky and was able to do plenty of traveling within Vietnam. I began…
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Surviving Taiwan’s Mandatory COVID-19 Quarantine at Aloft Beitou
December 13, 2020
Upon making Taiwan the next move, our first hurdle was figuring out paperwork and the mandatory two-week Quarantine. The Taiwanese border is still closed at this time (October 2020). Only Taiwanese passport-holders or those with a special permit are allowed entry. Fortunately, my Taiwanese passport saved the day, and we applied for a special family visit visa for my Frenchie. …
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International Move Without a Moving Company
November 15, 2020
Over my life thus far, I’ve made nearly a dozen international moves. I’ve never hired a moving company. Like many adults in their 20s, I used to leverage my parents’ basement as storage. My parents also moved and sold our family home over the years, meaning that option no longer exists. Fortunately, I’ve since learned to live with less. I…
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Relaxing Three-Day Stay at La Vie Vu Linh Ecolodge
October 7, 2020
The first stop of our Northern Vietnam tour is Vu Linh, a village half way between Hanoi and Ha Giang. We had decided to stop here as a way to break up the long 8+ hour drive. A quick search led us to La Vie Vu Linh, an eco-lodge on the Thac Ba Lake. Founded by a French guy who…
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