Before I get yelled at for speaking negatively about Marie Kondo, let me start by saying that I love her. I don’t quite remember when I first heard about the queen of organization and minimalism. It was after she published her first book in 2011 but before her show came out on Netflix. Despite, or…
Category: Deep Thoughts and Ramblings
10 Home Office Buys to Make Work From Home Better
I have been working from home for 10 months now and have done so in the past. Personally, I hate it. However, it is the best option for me at this time so I have embraced it. It took me a while to create the perfect set-up that helps me feel comfortable, more focused and…
Travel Blogging as Inspiration Fictional Writing? – My Writing Story
I’ve had a passion for writing for as long as I can remember. My parents still have the illustrated stories that I wrote in first grade. I could barely speak English but I turned the adventures I had with my friends into stories. These were comically written in a mixture of English, Ukrainian, Russian and…
It’s Official: We’re Moving!
Sorry for the delay in blogging! I got carried away with our move. I will resume writing posts every other day! The content of The Travel Bug Bite will keep changing and evolving. Prepare for more DIY home projects, less New York and more Rhode Island – our new home starting end of May.
My 10 Favorite Excuses for Not Going to the Gym
Rainy weather can be pretty depressing. And wet. But…
You have an umbrella, don’t you? You’re not a witch so you won’t melt if a droplet falls on your head, right? I hope so…
To Japan (Guest Post)
On Sunday, March 01, I stood next to my husband as we waited for the bus. It was early and his eyes were still squinting at everything as he wasn’t fully awake yet. I squeezed his hand in the cold, feeling the warmth. My stomach felt like it was in my throat with nervous energy. The bus for the airport pulled up and I shoved my way through the crowd of people squeezing through the doors…
My 10 Favorite Excuses for Not Going to the Gym
My goal is to go to the gym 5 times a week: Monday – Friday during my lunch break. I began this routine in Prague when my gym was a 10 minute walk from my office. Now I live in China and I work from home which makes me lazy and full of excuses. Here are…
Why Snails Make Great Pets – GALs
Snail owners have a lot of fun picking out names for their snails, and yes, thousands are named after SpongeBob’s Gary. The best part of choosing a name is deciding on the snail’s gender. Although gender assigning is frowned upon in today’s society, snails really don’t mind as they are hermaphrodites and have both male and female reproductive organs…
Land Snails as Pets: Why GALs & Garden Snails Make Great Pets
Snail owners have a lot of fun picking out names for their snails, and yes, thousands are named after SpongeBob’s Gary. The best part of choosing a name is deciding on the snail’s gender. Although gender assigning is frowned upon in today’s society, snails really don’t mind as they are hermaphrodites and have both male and female reproductive organs…
Some Words About Sheida Nasseri (Guest Post)
I did like ten steps backward…
1. Getting rid of my car
2. Getting rid of my own flat into sharing a flat
3. Getting rid of my stable salary into doing onside jobs …
But gaining, therefore…
1. More knowledge
2. The chance to travel and work in Bangkok for 6 months
3. Getting to know wonderful people and feel younger and party as much as possible 😀
Finding Happiness in the Simple Things
Honest, rambly, longest post ever time. I have been quite unhappy in my daily life lately and I’ve been trying to find happiness in simple things, as cliche as it sounds. I have found that being unhappy can be a complicated and controversial topic to discuss with others. But it’s such an important to share…
The Skyscanner Guide for Travel Addicts
Skyscanner has become one of the most popular websites for booking flights around the world. For the past five years, it has been my go-to whenever I’m planning (or just dreaming) of a new travel adventure. During this time I have learned a lot of great tricks and tips that I would love to share with you!
Celebrating One Year of Marriage in China
I remember waking up this time last year in a panic. Our wedding was going to be small & casual but my favorite white dress had a neon stain. I didn’t mind it until 5 hours before the ceremony, at which point I had no time to find a new one because my friend needed…
How We Killed Our Drone & Drone Shopping in China
“Dronies” are the new “selfies” now that HD video drones become incredibly cheap, portable and accessible to anyone who wants one. China is a very difficult place to shop for drones because they sell all the popular Western brands, dozens of knockoffs and their own drones that have no English reviews on the internet. We bought…
Crafting in China
You may have noticed that I’m behind on posts and I’m very sorry! One thing that China is exceptionally great for is crafting – and that’s what I’ve been busy doing. Materials are cheap, high quality and in cities like Shanghai, there are plenty of opportunities to sell the goods you make. A few months…
Wasting Plastic: China & Recycling
China is ahead of the Western world in many ways but is still trying to catch up in others. Wasting plastic in combination with not recycling may be the most baffling thing about the country that is so desperately trying to improve it’s pollution situation. While China has taken many effective steps to reduce pollution, it…
Long Weekend Flights: Yay or Nay?
I am one of those restless travelers who mopes until they are in a new place, then starts planning the next trip while on the current one. This is why whenever there’s a long weekend, I’m obsessively searching for places to visit! But the airport hassle for just a day or two in a new…
China Doesn’t Sugarcoat Meat-Eating & Neither Should You
Eating fresh meat comes at a price. Can’t bear to look? Then maybe you shouldn’t be eating it.
What I Sacrificed to Move to China
I sacrificed 98% of my possessions to move to China .Was it worth it?
Addicted to Travel: Where to Next?
I don’t just want to travel the world. I need to.
Raising Awareness – Pangolin Love for Valentine’s Day
Pangolin may not look cuddly but their story will melt your heart. You can help them too!
Our 1st Sushiversary: Conveyor Belt Proposal @ All-You-Can-Eat Sushi
A year ago today, my boyfriend proposed via conveyor belt at our favorite sushi restaurant in Prague!
Forever a Foreigner: Belonging Nowhere & Everywhere
A cheesy rambling about globalization, traveling the world and being a perpetual foreigner & third culture child.
Sharing Another Byline
Every time I go to a new place I try to learn something new and connect it to what I already know, then if given the chance I try and share it with others. I got a chance to do this during my exchange in Hawaii at University of Hawaii at Hilo, and I was…
How to Make Freedom Idiot-Proof
Every foreigner knows the U.S. for being the “land of the free and home of the brave”. Although the U.S. government avoids ratifying many specific human rights treaties they are still one of the top countries when it comes to upholding their citizen’s human rights. Freedom is a huge theme in America and everyone always talks about…
Asking Strangers Controversial Questions
I came to Cleveland with a very ambitious project in mind. I wanted to write a compelling article about abortion. I could already picture myself talking to pregnant girls who were considering abortion, or those who had already had one. I thought I’d just as one student and they’d give me several contacts willing to…
Remembering the Kent State Massacre – What is Freedom?
On Monday, May 4th in 1970 some students went out to gather by the bell despite the threat of tanks on their campus and being surrounded by the National Guard. They were asked to leave for their own safety, but they didn’t move until they were attacked with tear gas. They threw tear gas canisters as well as rocks back at the armed men that were advancing towards them. Once there, several of them got down and aimed their guns at those protesters who were the bravest and most vocal. The National Guard ended up the gathering and leaving and the students believed that they had won. They didn’t get a chance to celebrate for long, because out of nowhere a group of the guard looked back at the students, turned themselves around without provocation, and began to fire.
Seeing Home Dried My Tears – Moving to Prague
Kicking and screaming on a cold winter’s day in 1996 was how I reacted when my parents first introduced me to Prague. The city looked no more appealing than an endless dark pit through my three-and-a-half-year-old eyes, and I feared that I would never stop falling. I missed Kiev and I cried through my several months at the Prague British School and then at a Czech School, and I didn’t stop until I walked through the doors of the rainbow-logoed International School of Prague in 1998. I became quiet as soon as I walked through the door, and left with a smile. I realized that I was finally home.
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