We knew life would look different overseas but we didn’t realize exactly how and in what ways it would change. There are some things we knew about the culture in general but didn’t realize how much it would effect us and our marriage. We hope this gives you a glimpse into what we’ve experienced in our marriage overseas.
Category: New Normals
Adapting to Life Overseas: Thoughts at the Desk
My desk is filled with language learning scraps, books, notebooks, flashcards, colorful markers, and assignments. It’s a place where I have language lessons on Skype, plan my time, study flashcards, and do language and computer work. Studying can feel monotonous and learning can feel slow which is why I knew I needed a space I could make my own.
Sabbath Breakfast Traditions
Traditions. I’m realizing they don’t have to be stressful events or grand ideas. Traditions are simply celebrations or routines that you prioritize and create on a regular basis– whether weekly, monthly, or yearly. Over time, traditions create memories for you and others that will last a lifetime.
20 Simple Steps for Sending Mail in South Asia
You have a stack of postcards to mail out but they are all going to one person. That person will then hand them out to others. You decide to reuse a package you have since you don’t know where to purchase a Bubble Envelope. You are ready to mail your package! How hard can it be?
Adapting to Life Overseas: Thoughts from the Kitchen
Daily life in the kitchen looks a lot different than it did seven months ago in the little East Coast apartment the hubs and I lived in. I listen to more podcasts, more music, and now a plethora of vocabulary for the language we are learning because it just takes more time to cook. Here are a few of my thoughts from the kitchen…
30 Signs You’re on a South Asian Road
There was indeed one stretch of the road on a recent trip that looked much like your average highway in America. But, my husband and I thought again and began to play the game of “What proves we aren’t on an American road?” Here’s what we observed.
6 Ideas for How to Rest & Recharge in a Foreign Culture
When you live in a culture that’s not your own, it takes time to figure out what actually gives you rest.
There are no Target runs, often few (if any) cute coffee shops to journal and process life at, and sometimes no other expats to have “girls night” or just hang out with. Shopping can soon become stressful when someone follows you around the store to help you shop.
Sabbath, A Milk Man, & A Day Hike in the Snow
It’s easy to neglect rest. Maybe we think everything can’t really get done in only six days. It seems that thought, though, is actually distrust in the way we were created to function…
Sometimes Sabbath means getting out of the house and into nature. Into the great outdoors where we can just Be Still & Know who the Creator is by being in his creation.
Your Answer to Kick Butt Home Fitness
Let’s be honest– for many of us, working out at home will actually make it possible for us to be able to work out at all. Whether you are a mom with kids at home, live overseas and don’t have a gym option, or working out at home is flat out just more doable, I have a kick butt solution for you.
5 Steps to Easy Meal Planning
Meal planning helps everyone! It means no ones asks, “What should we have for dinner tonight?” in the midst of a growling stomach. It means there are healthy snacks in the fridge and it means less stress. Which we all want! My friend and I were discussing things we would like to do more consistently this year and meal planning was one of them. It helps the whole week go more smoothly and it’s just something that needs to be prioritized. So I sat down, organized my meal planning life, and came up with a solution that I’m excited to use.