“I’ll see you onstage!” Those four words, “I’ll see you onstage,” hung in the air as the stranger smiled and walked away from us. I stood still, in shock, after Kim handed me the sleek, black envelope containing my Valentine’s Day surprise: tickets to Cirque du Soleil! Seeing a Cirque show together was on our Read More
Author: Jamie Reddinger
Mission back to happy
Back home in Hangzhou What an experience this Mission Back to Happy has been! I write this from our “home town” of Hangzhou, specifically from our friend Charley’s apartment. Booker sprawled on our guest bed, happy to be stationary for more than a half hour. I’ve had two cups of coffee and I’m kicked back Read More
Jamie’s quarantine life: the home stretch
I do enjoy the home stretch (both going home and stretching) Sure, I love adventures. I like to try exciting and new things. If there’s a wacky food to try, I’ll take one. I am an explorer of new places and a social butterfly, meeting new people. If we want to go somewhere and aren’t Read More
Jamie’s quarantine life
When I told you about my solo trip to China, I mentioned we researched other people’s experiences. We listened to their stories and watched their videos. We joined group chats of people involved in various stages of immigration: some were preparing like me, some were just landing in Shanghai. Others just started quarantine life while Read More
Journey back to the land where WE smile, China
It took us some time to figure out where we are the happiest but we’ve finally made the decision! It is finally time to end the longest vacation ever, the one that started with Operation W.I.E.R.D, parts 1 and 2. Thailand is called the Land of Smiles and it’s a lot of fun to come Read More
Finding ways to RLAX at home
Where should we go today? Our house is located very close to a bustling but small downtown area. On a single street, we can find fresh fruits and vegetables, The Best fresh smoothies, a 7/11 and amazing affordable street meats. We also know a very good place to get some massages when we need to Read More
Pool time at the Coco…Coco Kalaaaaaaaaa
Water we waiting for? In the beginning of September we found ourselves with a four-day weekend from school. This mini-break took the place of a holiday traditionally held in April, the Songkran Festival. (Original Songkran, also known as the water festival, was postponed due to Covid. Check out this list of things to do during Read More
Eating our way around the world
We’re not vegan but we can pretend. We love food. Have I ever told you that? Part of the reason we like to travel is the opportunity we have to sample cuisines from everywhere. We are eating our way around the world! Yes, we ate Japanese while on vacation in Bangkok and sure, you can Read More
Operation W.E.I.R.D., part 2
What to do? What to do? We had planned three days on Phu Quoc with no real agenda other than quality time together and relaxation. After one full day of eating, drinking and lounging, we thought we’d day trip somewhere and take a tour. Of course, we checked in with the lady at the front Read More
Operation W.E.I.R.D., part 1
Good morning, Vietnam The first stop on this wild vacation – let’s just call it “Operation W.E.I.R.D. Winter Extravaganza Insanity Repeating Daily” – was Vietnam. We flew to Phu Quoc, an island just off Cambodia’s coast in the Gulf of Thailand. To kick off the first half of our winter break we wanted to shed the Read More