The Sh*tstorm

Two months ago, after a relaxing weekend in Chiang Mai, Jim and I were ready to crash for the evening when a literal sh*tstorm blew into our apartment.  I will never forget the sentence that started it all "Jenna, is it normal for our toilet to be bubbling"?

BEIJING

Can you say you lived in Asia for over a year if you have not visited the Great Wall?  Jim and I finally decided enough was enough - and we headed off to arguably the most famous landmark in Asia.

On the day we were scheduled to travel to Beijing, we both woke up sick (of course).  Thankfully, we were first ones at the medical clinic and were both on meds before our red-eye flight out.  Beijing is about 6 hours away (much further than we initially thought) and the Chinese visa cost a cool $250 a person. It was all worth it in the end as Beijing may be my favorite trip so far!

THE ROGERS' FAMILY DOES SINGAPORE

There are very few things that excite me more than my nephews and niece.  So you can imagine my level of excitement when one of my nephews came to Singapore for 9 days of playtime!

Chiang Mai

Chinese New Year is the most celebrated holiday in Asia and it lasts for an entire month. Singapore declared Feb 8th and 9th national holidays!  To escape the festive craziness, we jetted to Chiang Mai for some relaxation at a Wellness Spa - the Rarin Jinda. 

CHICAGO

Sweet Home Chicago! 

 Right during a spell of homesickness, Jim and I were lucky enough to have a trip planned to Chicago for my cousin's wedding.  We cut the flight close to the wedding, but thankfully we arrived delay-free ; ) 

One Year Singaporean Anniversary

Happy Happy One Year Anniversary Singapore!  

One year ago, tearful goodbyes were said to our families and a plane to Singapore was boarded.  We had never been to Asia and knew absolutely no one – but decided to take the risk. 

Expat life definitely has highs and lows, but over the past year we have learned to deal with the unknown and laugh through it. 

Below is a quick recap of what we learned in Asia 2015 ; )

Vietnam - Hoi An

The last leg of our Vietnam adventure finished in Hoi An, where we rang in the New Year!  Hoi An is the polar opposite of Hanoi.  It is calm, relaxing and toursity. Jim and I really took to the slower pace of Hoi An and it's lantern lit streets.

Hoi An is pretty much famous for three things - tailors, silk lanterns and an old Japanese bridge.  While the bridge intrigued me, I immediately had my sights set on a tailor!  We had a recommendation for Jenny No9 in the cloth market, and it did not dissapoint.  Jenny was so nice, and not pushy like many of the other tailors.  We both got into the process - picking styles and fabrics.  After being measured, we headed to explore along the river before our first fittings.