If you’ve read my blog before, you know a few things about me already:
I love traveling.
I love living in other countries.
And I love doing life with my dog by my side.

Phoenix—my trusty companion—has been with me through places where I didn’t know many people, didn’t speak the language, and didn’t yet feel settled. Before Phoenix, I had another dog who filled the same role. Being a dog parent, especially as a solo traveler, is something I cherish deeply.

When you’re in a new country without m...

I was standing in my friend's kitchen, apologizing for the third time in five minutes—once for reaching for a glass, once for standing "in the way" (I wasn't), and once more just for good measure. Her mother, who'd been quietly drinking her tea, set down her cup and looked at me with a mixture of confusion and concern.

"Laura, what do you have to be sorry about? Why do you keep saying sorry?"

The question hung in the air. I opened my mouth to apologize for apologizing, then caught myself. I di...

So here's a story about how eye surgery taught me I've been relaxing wrong my whole life.

I decided to get cataract surgery a few months ago (that's a whole other story). The catch? No alcohol for two months while my eyes healed. Now, I'm not a heavy, heavy drinker, but I have always liked a drink after a stressful day at work or on the weekend with friends. That was my signal to relax. Suddenly, I had to figure out how to unwind without it.

Fast forward to after my recovery. I'd been working ...

Throughout my lifetime, I've struggled with asking for help. It's been one of my biggest challenges – whether it was advice, money, resources, or anything else, the guilt that washed over me whenever I had to reach out was overwhelming. Even when the people I asked seemed happy to help, treating my requests as no big deal, I couldn't shake that uncomfortable feeling.

Solo travel changed everything for me.

When you're navigating unfamiliar places alone, asking for help isn't just useful – it's ...

 First, I have to apologize - this post is about a week late! I've been really excited to share my Mid-Autumn Festival experience in Suzhou and wanted to take time to write it properly.

One of my favorite things about traveling solo is discovering local activities organized by community groups. Wherever I go, I've found these cheap or free events that give you authentic insights into the local culture and history.

My Mid-Autumn Festival Adventure

I found a lantern-making workshop in Suzhou fo...

Living in China, you learn to mark the seasons not just by the weather, but by the sights and smells on the street. And as the sticky, humid summer begins to fade, the lotus vendors appear. It’s a sight I’ve come to love. On my way home, or even just heading to the mall, there they are: men and women with buckets, holding up gorgeous, plate-sized lotus flowers and their strange, shower-head-like seed pods.

For the longest time, this beautiful, everyday sight confused me.

You see, I grew up wit...