Though we haven’t been there long and have spent a number of months quarantined outside the kingdom, we’ve still managed a number of culturally rich experiences living in Saudi Arabia. I gave more thought to the obstacles we faced once settling into the kingdom and came up with 5 of the greatest challenges of life in the Middle East.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made drastic changes to the travel industry, currently and possibly forever. If you’ve never considered purchasing travel insurance in the past, perhaps going forward you may.
EXPAT LIFE
What does expat life actually look like after the honeymoon phase ends? Explore the beautifully ordinary, mundane details of building a life abroad.
Saudi Arabia is unique in the region for requiring its expatriates to pay a visa fee each and every time they wish to re-enter the country. This is known as the exit/re-entry visa and it applies to expats residing in Saudi Arabia.
Obtaining my Driver’s License in Qatar was not as simple as converting it from my valid U.S. license. Read on for the steps required to legally hit the road.
While wine and beer make up the majority of our meal accompaniments, on nights like this - when we bring home my favorite, Amigo Loco - nothing pairs better than a fresh Mexican Martini. Or, Quarantini, as coined somewhere on Instagram.
So I thought I’d use some of my free time to share how we make these liberating libations at home.
Every year notable food critic Alison Cook of The Houston Chronicle puts out her list of the Top 100 Restaurants in Houston. I've created a public Google Map with all of Alison's 2017 restaurant locations. Feel free to visit it! You can copy and save your own version of the map, revising it in accordance to your own experiences.
This year my sister is joining James and I for an American Thanksgiving in Canada. In this post I'm sharing some of the similarities and differences between the two nation's celebrations. I'm also sharing my favorite recipes to serve to my loved ones. Pleases join me by reading and commenting with your favorite fall recipe!
Top chefs throughout Canada venture to Elliston, Newfoundland to create, compete and celebrate the province's cultural cuisine.
Lifestyle
Saudi Arabia is unique in the region for requiring its expatriates to pay a visa fee each and every time they wish to re-enter the country. This is known as the exit/re-entry visa and it applies to expats residing in Saudi Arabia.
This annual holiday promotes the benefits of physical activity by hosting a wide-variety of events for the public - including free workout classes, various sporting tournaments. Offices and schools close down, while both government and private businesses organize activities to get the community involved. Regatta Day
Alcohol consumption in The Middle East is a topic hotter than the weather we’re currently experiencing. Especially as the FIFA World Cup and its estimated one million fans from around the globe draw nearer. But what does alcohol consumption look like year-round, for those of us living here?
I often enjoy reading little tidbits about the people behind the blogs I follow. So I thought I'd share some lighthearted things about myself to better connect with you, my readers. In return, I'd love it if you'd leave a comment with something I don't know about you!
FAMILY
Elaina Rose surprised us with her quick and early arrival. If her arrival says anything about her personality, Baby Girl is going to keep us on our toes and I’m totally here for it!
Hallelujah! We are proud parents of a healthy, beautiful baby boy!!
Three weeks in, with a slightly sounder mind, I would like to share with you the story of how we welcomed this blessing into the world, along with the incredible photos from Stephanie Shirley Photography. They so perfectly capture the magic and intensity of our delivery.
Packing for traveling of a different sort - this trip has taken 10 months (39 weeks so far) of planning. Since this is an adventure like none before, so is this post. I actually created an amateur YouTube video to share with you all the goodies coming along to aid in our delivery.
Mid-January, at 31 weeks pregnant, I had the opportunity to shoot with the amazingly talented Amelia of Amelia Rose Photography. A stunning woman and former Houston Texans cheerleader, I’d say my favorite thing about shooting with her is how incredible she makes you feel about yourself.
Editor's picks
What happens when your sense of adventure leads you to take on more than you bargained for? I'll tell you about the next two days of our Iceland trip, including an interesting blooper and how it led to us witnessing the Northern Lights!!
Visiting Belize in the off-season made for a more private, more affordable, romantic getaway. I highly recommend the Belize Ocean Club Resort and the Placencia area all together.
During our few days in Lisbon James and I participated in a small group food and wine tour, through the company Viator. This tour came recommended by our dear friend Sonia and it was everything she said it would be and more!
Seoul - the city and the place it warms inside you, like a milk heart nestled into the crema of a latte. Inspirational is too generic a word to describe the lasting effect this trip had on me.