Do you like Sanrio?

Originally written on January 24, 2025

It’s been about 30 hours since I landed back in America and what I love and savor the most (beyond the amazing and fresh food) was how effortless it was to make friends with the foreigners and locals I met along the way.

It’s hard to believe that I started my travels back in mid October in India. My time there was colorful and restful and I was surprised how much we loved it there and how quickly we thought about our return trip. Andy got to meet his coworkers and spent genuine time with them. I loved my time there, seeing the sights and tasting new flavors, and all the new friends we made.

My time in Indonesia is always special. I love spending time with my Oma, aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews who are so curious about who I am, and what it was like visiting Indonesia when I was younger. It’s fun remembering all my past travels to Indonesia through the eyes of my family there.

Thailand was an absolute dream. The food, people, nightlife, shopping, it all blew me away. Im grateful for the time to explore the country solo and with parents.

Spending nearly 3 weeks in Bali was such a gift. I always feel at home on that island and it feels like the people there really welcome me. I’m grateful for all of the new friends I met along my travels there.

Coming home to Guam was unreal. It had been 25+ years since I’ve been on the island and the homecoming was warm and full of good family time. There’s a lot I need to catch up on but I’m glad to have made the effort to go somewhere that seems so far away. 

The day trips in Manila were a bonus I didn’t realize I’d love so much. It was so easy to sightsee and I’m grateful for our new friend Denden who drove us around and showed us his favorite sites.

And my 11 days in Japan were beyond unbelievable. The people, the nature, art and food all continue to reinforce my love for the country. I’ll remember all the delicious meals, wandering the streets, and the miles walked each day despite the chilly weather.

At the end of 98 days of travel, my greatest souvenir are all serendipitous human interactions I experienced. Whether it was someone sitting next to me at a restaurant, a new person I met during a tour, or even the girls I met while taking photos, I collected another handful of wonderful memories.

Despite me not knowing Indonesian, Hindi, or Japanese fluently, I made an effort to show gratitude and my appreciation for travel each day.

I discovered that people in my cooking class in Phuket live near my parents’ house in Dallas and that we shop at the same Korean supermarket. Or the drivers I met in Bali who are now friends with me on social, who occasionally send messages and well wishes. To the girlies I met in Japan who took photos of me while at beautiful locations, or shared an afternoon of sightseeing because we were both single women exploring a town with nothing to do but enjoy our time. I am forever grateful for humanity and its kindness.

Having these conversations reminded me how I would get to know someone as a little kid. I’d ask this new playmate about their hobbies, if they liked things I liked — all in effort to find common ground that would spark conversation.

I found myself asking people about their favorite food, their favorite cities, and even their favorite Sanrio characters.

This first struck me while I explored Uji, a quaint town near Kyoto. I first approached Kurumi when she was standing near the entrance gate to a small Shinto temple. The sunset lighting was so perfect and I knew I needed a photo there too.

I offered to take her picture and in turn she offered to take mine. We started to talk about where we were headed and what else there was to explore in the area.

“You absolutely must stop for matcha ice cream while you’re here, you just have to!” Kurumi pleaded with me when I told her I thought it was too cold for ice cream.

We eventually followed each other around the temple and took photos, I said goodbye and headed out back to main street for some snacks and shopping. I ran into her again on a bridge and asked where she was headed.

I asked if I could join her for some tea and dessert and she excitedly said of course. The moment just felt right. 

We sat together, had some green tea and ice cream with each other and talked about our travels. She had been staying in Kyoto for two months and shared her stories and best photos. I told her about my time in Japan as we got to know about each others while eating matcha parfaits and drinking tea.

Soon we left the tea house in search of something more and ended up walking into a Daiso. I was looking for some treats to bring home and she was happy to follow along.

While we walked the aisles, she asked me if I liked anime. I didn’t really, but knew of some references. 

“Do you like Sanrio?” I asked her when we passed the Hello Kitty display. Of course she did and we pointed out our favorite characters.

That’s when I got transported back to the playground and remembered asking new friends what they were into.

“Do you like cats or dogs?”

“What’s your favorite food?”

“What movie have you seen recently?”

“Who do you think is cuter, Zack Morris or AC Slater?”

All of these silly questions were asked so we could get to know the human standing in front of us a little more. It was like a light bulb turned on and it was a beautiful moment I will think of often.

We eventually exchanged Instagram accounts and said our goodbyes. Even today we still chat with each other through the photos we post. 

I love making friends while traveling. It’s not everyday you can take time away from your normal life to see the world. I cherish this time, even though it takes me away from my partner, my family, my dogs, and other life responsibilities. But these magical moments sharing time and space with strangers make up for it. Whether or not we can understand the words we’re saying, the feeling of connectedness is still there, even if we won’t see each other again. I cherish these moments and it’s one of the reasons I love to solo travel. I choose to believe that magic will show up if you know where to look.

Now that I’m back at home for a bit, we’re planning our return trips to Japan, Indonesia, and Guam. I don’t we’ll stop traveling any time in the future. It’s part of our lives and I will continue to be grateful for the health and energy I have to do it.

Lucky Girl

(Originally written on December 11, 8:34am)

I’m sitting at the writing desk inside my bungalow at Villa O’Hea in Ubud, Bali.

I just woke up. The windows and doors are open, and my view outside is unbelievable. My bungalow is next to my parents’ and I can hear their morning routines of making coffee and watching the news.

It’s windy outside and the leaves are rustling about. It just started to rain. I see flags and Bali’s version of a scarecrow in the rice paddies below starting to shift about.

—

“You’re a very lucky, girl you know,” Tante Yanthi said as soon as we left the King’s side yesterday.

“Oh, I know,” I said.

“This was all meant to be,” my aunt continued. The Gods of Bali are showing their approval the way this happened all so easily.”

—

I found our wedding venue yesterday. Even though I don’t have final a guest count, our date, or even a budget, I’m confident that the Royal Pita Maha will be the amazing destination I’ve been dreaming of.

The first time I came to Royal was almost exactly 10 years from today.

Tante Yanthi, her daughter, my mom, my brother and I came to Bali for the first time in July 2014. We’d spend a week hanging out at beach clubs, eating delicious food, shopping and chilling out.

One of my favorite memories (and maybe the one that sparked my love for travel writing) was our one-night stay at Royal. Tante Yanthi pulled out all the stops and we had the amazing opportunity to stay at the King’s most exquisite property.

I fell in love with the intricacies of the stone sculptures and the nature surrounding the property. We slept in one of the honeymoon suites above the Ayung River, the holy waters, and trees older than all of us combined. I look back at the photos I posted and I’m still amazed by the hundreds of places to get lost and soak up the scenery.

Even 10 years ago, I knew in my heart I’d get back to this magical property.

We’d spend the rest of our time in Ubud exploring museums and marketplaces before visiting the Puri, or Palace, where the King and his family lived.

Two courtyards in the palace are open to the public for photos and a nightly legong show. But Tante Yanthi took it another level and arranged for us to meet Tjokorda Putra Sukawati, the King, himself.

To our amazement, we were invited inside to have tea with him and chat about Ubud, the Gods of Bali, local art and culture, and all of the reasons we needed to come back for another visit.

I never forgot about that amazing afternoon and I mention it often when people ask me about traveling to Bali.

—

Yesterday was full of surprises. Tante Yanthi joined us again in Bali and we met up in Ubud. I scheduled some wedding site visits this week and she came early to stay with us before an event. From the moment we met up with her, our time together was full of laughter and serendipitous moments.

After our first dinner together, she took us next door to one of the King’s other hotels. As soon as she walked in, she was greeted warmly by the staff who had seemingly known her for years. She wanted to show us a few of her favorite hotels as wedding venue inspo, and I knew in the back of my mind that the Royal Pita Maha would come up.

She made arrangements for us to come back to the hotel the next morning for breakfast and I told her I wanted to show mom and dad Royal as a potential venue option. The hotel manager alerted the event coordinator at Royal about our tour request.

The magic was already beginning.

After a delicious breakfast, I ended up rescheduling my appointment at a nearby Marriott hotel. (Spoiler alert: I never made it to any of the appointments I originally scheduled ;)) We packed up, hiiighly caffeinated with local kopi, and made our way to Royal. Magically, they could squeeze us in for a visit in 30 minutes.

We arrived at the lobby at Royal, which was tucked off the major thoroughfare. Surrounded by trees and a gigantic statue, the sense of familiarity took over.

Mom waited in the restaurant overlooking the rainforest while the rest of us toured the hotel with Swetha (my new best friend ;)).

There was another small wedding happening as we walked by the waterfall. We found cover from the rain in a venue space right above the river and watched river rafters float by until we found umbrellas.

I got to see their glass house (where we’ll eventually get married), the reception area, our dance floor, and where we’d have our first dance. I saw where we could have breakfast the following day.

At our venue

It all felt right, effortless, and as if it was all pre-planned. I left Royal with the biggest smile and shift in energy.

“It has to be the Royal Pita Maha,” I told mom when we got back to the lobby. “It’s set, no other venue could even compare to this one.”

With a rush of adrenaline, we left the property and made our way to one of the other hotels within the King’s portfolio. Tante Yanthi wanted to show us where our guests could stay since it was just a mile or two down the road. The manager took us around the space and my mouth dropped when I saw their amazing jacuzzi and cold plunge pools at the spa, along with the villas where our friends and family would stay in.

After a sweat-drenched tour, I went to the bathroom to freshen up. As I walked back up to the restaurant, the staff was whispering about something. Tante Yanthi told me the King just arrived at the hotel. The word “shocked” isn’t a strong enough word and doesn’t even explain the sensation that came over me.

“Did someone tell him that you were here?” I asked my aunt. Nope.

Lo and behold, there he was in an unassuming outfit sipping on some tea. I greeted him while Tante Yanthi gave him a warm embrace. I told him that it had been many years since our first meeting. I told him we met at his palace more than 10 years ago. I pulled up my old Facebook photo archive and our photos with him instantly popped up. He laughed and commented on how silly he looked back then.

We chatted for a bit at the cafe and my parents eventually came over to say hello. He shared lots of stories with us; I told him how much I loved Royal Pita Maha and that I wanted our wedding there. I even showed him my phone’s wallpaper, which was a photo of me and Andy at his palace last year during our Bali trip.

“You’ll be the first one I send an invitation to,” I told him, half jokingly.

“Even better, I will be a witness at your wedding,” he said.

The King and I

I was floored and I could tell my mom and my aunt were low-key freaking out next to me.

And that was it. It was settled.

We left the King to find some dinner and let him move on with his day. I have photos of my mom and Tante Yanthi walked to the car after that moment. They look like little school girls with their big eyes, laughing in disbelief.

“You’re a lucky girl, you know,” Tante Yanthi told me.

And boy*, do I know it.

—

(Please know that I subscribe beyond the “boy and girl” spectrum, and this play on words is for comedic purposes only. I love all of you, and your gender identities <3)

Inside the Palace, and just missing my brother

The end

The liminal spaces in between

(Originally written on December 4, 2024)

Location: above the sanctuary at Tanaman restaurant potato head. 

Setting: I just finished the vibration sound therapy in the Sanctuary. It smells like rain here and fresh flowers.

I just got out of the sanctuary feeling sleepy and like I took a nap filled with lucid dreams. 

Where did I go that last hour?

Laying on a waterbed with lights and sounds taking over the space, I leave the physical world if only for a few moments.

The physicalness of my being starts to wither away, my itchy skin, I notice the twinge of the “pins and needles” the teacher mentioned before we started. The soreness from yesterday’s pilates class all seem to fall into the floor below me.

The shamanic teacher takes us to another place with her sounds, the songs of birds, Oms, primal noises bellowing from her belly.

Lights start to flicker about, and soon I realize what she meant when she said it could be jarring for people who are sensitive to light.

And yet, I still lay there waiting for “something” to happen. 

As others wiggle about to find comfort, I hear the sounds of the water beds sloshing about. I find my eye mask and get more comfortable as my body adjusts to the floating sensation.

I go deeper. And from that point forward, time seems liminal.

The combination of feeling weightless paired with sound and vibration take over me. I rest into it, moving away from the thoughts in my mind to just let them be where they lay.

Without force, my soul seems to float into another space. There’s no destination, I’m not the one driving this time. But I guess when you look at it closely, there is still a part of me that knows where to lead us.

I’m not really sure what happened in that room. Some of the visuals made sense at the time, some will be left and forgotten in the room with the hope that they come back later in life as a little signal.

It’s hard to find the words to explain the places your mind goes to when you’re guided with meditation and allowed the freeness to just be. Quiet the mind, let what comes up to rise to the surface. Just for it to slowly fade away when the teacher invites you to come back to your body.

Those moments of separation from mind and body, those are the ones that people liken to chasing that silly dragon. 

You can’t recreate it, but when it happens, you know. And you embrace it as much as humanly possible. 

Some people use vices to get back to the dragon, only needing to ingest more to meet him face to face again. 

But sometimes, it’s easy to get back to that space in between by just laying there and letting it find you.

It is a sanctuary for a reason, a place far from the sounds of the street, people yapping about, and a safe haven away from your thoughts.

The entrance fee varies, whether monetary, spacial, or through sweat and tears.

I always want to go back to it as soon as I feel it once again. Like an old friend you see so seldomly, who welcomes you home with the deepest of hugs and most insightful of memories.

I will see you again, dear dragon. Hopefully soon. But if not, I totally understand. 

Be there for yourself

(Originally written December 2, 2024)

The theme of my first week in Bali was to “be there for yourself.”

I guess you could say I’m here for business, a bit of work. But I always feel a certain way when I’m in Bali. This is now my fourth time on the Island of Gods. I’ve been here with family a few times and took Andy here last year to celebrate my birthday.

Next week I’ll be knee deep in wedding venue hunting, running all over the island. But this week offers a lot of down time.

Nothing to do but hang out, enjoy the town, and reset. I’ve been going non-stop since our trip to India. I’ve made an effort to see as many family members before and after our trip to Thailand. I’ve done it all. 

But this week, I magically filled each day with a wellness class, whether it be a yoga class above a rice paddy field, Pilates, or a somatic breath work class with reiki.

Today is the first day of wellness week and I went to a yoga studio that my teacher in Jakarta recommended, Serenity Eco Guesthouse.

I started following them on Instagram when she told me about them and was so excited to find them on ClassPass.

I poked around their website and signed up for their sunset flow right before reading that they’d be holding a somatic breath work and reiki workshop. 

Take my money, I didn’t even think twice about it. And I’m so glad I did it.

My latest mantra is that life is too short. Just do the thing you’ve been thinking about, without any regrets.

I showed up at Serenity a bit before class. I was with family earlier in the day and I was ready for some alone time. Not that I needed a break, I just needed some stillness.

I walked to the beach and said hello to the waves before walking past an awesome coworking space, some coffee shops and restaurants.

There’s just something about how Bali integrates nature with its living spaces that makes me want to live here.

I got set up in yoga class; the studio was lovely. It was perched above some trees, along with the pool and some guest rooms. There was a garden that explained the medicinal properties of Bali’s native plants.

The yoga sequence and flow were great. I worked on my handstand and got some personalized assists and tips from the teacher. It started to rain nearly the moment the class started. There’s something so magical about taking a yoga class outside, or just simply outside of a room of mirrors. 

I forget the moment the instructor said it but what I remember most was when he said “Be there for yourself.” It might have been when he was guiding us through inversions or during the abs set.  But something about his statement stuck with me.

Be there for yourself. 

I had some downtime before the breath work workshop so I shopped a bit in their lobby and took a shower.

I met Nicole, the breath work teacher. I’ve taken a few breath work classes in San Diego and always felt more alive after them. This class would be coupled with sound healing too so I knew I’d be in good hands.

Nicole led us through multiple rounds of breath while my body sank into the ground and seemed to float away the deeper I got into the rhythm of breath she set for us.

It started to rain again. 

I drifted off somewhere during the class. I’m not really sure where I actually “went” but I know that when I returned back to my mat, back into the yoga studio perched above the trees, I had gone “somewhere.”

I laid still for a bit, trying to soak in all of the feelings and visions of where my brain took me. I pulled an oracle card from the deck Nicole laid out. The card was all about my spirit guide.

“Your spirit guide is the personal spiritual teacher who was with you before you came to this world and began your current journey. It is the spirit who watches over your life and directs the lessons you must learn in order to grow and expand before you return to the spirit world with all your new knowledge.

“Even if you don’t know it, you have made a contract with this spiritual friend and mentor to learn together in a procession of life after life in order to add more experiences to your soul group and higher self…

“Even when your head is overfull with thoughts, your guide will still speak, this time to your heart, and you will receive a feeling that will let you know that your guide has answered you.”

I left the breathing session entranced, wanting to linger a bit longer before returning back to the world and the sounds of life. I eventually walked to one of my favorite restaurants and just sat and watched the world go by.

The next day, I signed up for a yoga class at Jiva Yoga, a studio I found on ClassPass that was just a few minutes away from our villa. I met Vena, the instructor, in the coffee shop downstairs, not realizing I showed up almost 30 minutes early to class. We chatted the entire time, getting to know each other, asking each other about our concurrent wedding plans, and sharing stories from our cultures.

The outdoor studio space was new, a covered deck that overlooked a rice paddy field below. The studio was at someone’s property so there were lots of trees and dogs to greet me when I arrived.

I was the only student who signed up for class that day, and let me tell you, that is one of my favorite surprises. I love signing up for a group yoga class just to find out I’m the only person in attendance. It happened the first time when I took a class at CorePower with my teacher friend Brooke. The attention and adjustments you receive are so special.

Vena was an amazing teacher and adjusted me often. She moved my body around so I could go deeper. Her sequence was in flow with my body and I came out of that class drenched in sweat and fully aligned. I ended up taking another class with her the next day because I loved the vibe so much.

After freshening up and meeting my parents for a quick snack, I hopped on a motorcycle to Potato Head. My aunt told me about a light, sound and vibrational therapy offered at the wellness space within Potato Head.

I arrived at Potato Head early so I could grab a juice and enjoy the property for a bit. It started to rain so I was happy to find some cover inside the Sanctuary.

The experience was other worldly. I walked into the room lined with soft curtains, musical gongs and instruments. The smell of incense filled the room ever so delicately. We all laid down on individual spaces which included a water-bed mattress of sorts, hooked up to a vibrational machine. Prismatic lights would shine above us in sequence and color that matched up with sound therapy.

Like other sound healing sessions, I’m not really sure where I went. Yes, my body was physically in a room with strangers and strange machines. But my mind. That went somewhere unknown. The experience is so hard to explain because I don’t really think you can put into words how you feel during the session. (Check out this piece I wrote right after the sound healing session.)

After our hour-long experience was over, I lingered at the restaurant awhile, really not wanting to enter back into the hustle of the Balinese streets. I ended up eating the most amazing vegan nasi campur, before eventually leaving and finding my way to a hair salon to wait out the rain.

Bali feels like home to me for some reason. Even though I’ve only been here four times, it feels like I belong here. The ability to practice movement, sound therapy, and breathwork is one of my favorite things. And to experience it on the Island of Gods makes everything that much more magical.

My hope is that I’ll always be able to come to Bali to experience new things and meet new people, even if those new people are within myself.

Travel Agent by day, Travel Writer by night

It’s November 18th and I’m sitting at The Coffee Club in Old Town Phuket. I found this bright and airy coffee shop via my best travel friend, Google Maps. I’m sitting upstairs in a glass box overlooking big bushy trees and quiet traffic below.

The coffee shop seems young, with its hip-looking people working behind their computers and Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter playing (read: blaring) in the background. My server is a sweet, demure Thai boy who I could just gobble up.

One of many plates of noodles I devoured in Thailand

The cafe vibe feels oddly familiar. Somehow I always find myself going for a quick bite and a refresh at a comfy cafe. I just finished a bowl of shrimp Pad Thai after a long walk through Old Town and up to Monkey Hill.

I could travel like this forever. No real schedule other than showing up on time for my tours. Lots of exploring by foot, putting my nose up to the air to smell the delicious things cooking around me, popping into adorable boutiques and chatting up employees who compliment my outfit or tell me I look like a local. Some of my favorite travel memories are the conversations I have with strangers.

Why do I feel most at peace when I’m traveling the world? Of course, I’d stick Andy in my front pocket and take him around for the adventure ( I love that scene in “Her”) but he’s staying home and tending to the house and our lives back home.

One of the many things I love about Andy is that he has some of the best ideas. When our forces and powers combine, we are that power couple everyone loves and admires. But even more, one of his best, most recent ideas was that I learn to be a modern-day travel agent.

I mean, it’s so obvious. Why didn’t I think about it first?

With Fora Travel, I’m learning all the ways to book hotels, private villas, flights and activities while I, too, travel the world. I signed up the other day, used myself as my first client, and had a wonderful, personalized stay at the Sheraton Jakarta Soekarno Hatta Airport Hotel before I flew out to Bangkok.

I found it thrilling to set up my profile, start some trainings, and price compare properties. I was so excited to check into the hotel and see what extra special treatment I would get as a “VIP client.” The staff at the Sheraton was super sweet and I had lovely conversations with the manager at check in and later again after dinner. The upgrades were awesome and I got many travel-well wishes from the staff. (I mentioned my travel plans in my emails to the reservations team and was surprised when a couple people on staff mentioned my upcoming flight to Bangkok!)

I get so much joy out of finding the best hotel and location in each city we travel to. I think about the people I’ll be traveling with and all the things we want to do and the meals we want to have, and all of that is considered when I book my travel.

Becoming a travel agent won’t feel like “work” and I’d actually be taking advantage of something I really enjoy doing. I love a good deal, collecting points, and finding the most comfortable bed to lay my head down after a full day of running around a new city.

Being a travel agent may not pay me the six-figure salary I’m used to getting in the corporate world, but at least I’d still feel free.

If you’re reading this and absolutely detest searching for hotels or activities to do while you’re traveling, hit me up! I’d love to help you book travel to your next adventure!

Awakening my tastebuds in Thailand

It’s 7:19pm on Saturday, November 23. I’m writing this while flying back to Jakarta with my parents across the aisle from me.

We’re 30,000 feet in the air, watching the sun set over Malaysia. I just spent ten days traipsing around Thailand. This trip came together because a family member offered us her family’s timeshare. The available dates coincided perfectly with my dad’s birthday. Thailand wasn’t really on our radar, but I’d always wanted to go.

The opportunity and the timing was right so we booked our flights a few weeks ago. I’d spend two extra days in Bangkok before my parents arrived so I could run around town and explore on my own. I knew of some attractions in Thailand through friends who’ve visited before. I knew about its white sand beaches, amazing food, and fun shopping. I’ve had many aunties tell me to go with a nearly empty suitcase because there’d be so much fun stuff there to buy.

But what I’ll take most from our Thailand trip are the flavors. 

One of the reasons I love traveling internationally is how my tastebuds light up when I try new flavor combinations.

Nothing gets me more excited than when I travel to Mexico and Latin America and have the best tacos or ceviche of my life. To see the dozens of different types of corn and potatoes, or avocados the size of your head. Those are the memories I still hold onto.

Or when we get to visit friends in Vancouver and Montreal. Nothing tastes better than red wine and steak with friends at one of the many fancy restaurants, or a late-night poutine after drinking too many martinis. Our recent trip to India opened my eyes to incredible spice blends, chutneys, and sweet milk cakes that I still dream about. Food seems to taste better when a passport stamp is part of the journey ;)

The flavors, textures, colors, and smells of Asian food are in a league of their own. Obviously, living in America, I have my favorite places for legit Cantonese dim sum, or Thai noodles from the local place we’ve been going to for years.

Thai Tea concoctions purchased at the source. Nothing gets better than sipping on some cold tea on a hot day in Bangkok.

But nothing compares to going to the birthplace of these dishes to make your mouth and soul light up.

The November weather in Thailand was no joke. To think that we we’re going during a time when it’s less hot and humid was nearly unnoticeable. It rained a lot while we were there, like monsoonal torrential rain for one to two hours each day. The rain was actually a relief, briefly cooling down the city before the heat returned. Most days we stayed inside during the peak heat, oftentimes finding ourselves wandering luxury malls, inevitably ending up in the basement food court or buzzing restaurants.

One of the many snippets from the night markets in Bangkok

I can honestly say I never had a bad meal in Thailand. From mall bakeries and street food to oceanfront seafood markets and Michelin-starred spots, everything I ate was unreal. I knew that there were a lot of award-winning restaurants in Bangkok, and I was eager to book a reservation, but I found just as much joy walking through its bustling streets, snacking along the way.

Skewers of meat, fresh fruit, seafood, noodles, curries, and rice dishes—my Asian-bred tastebuds were in heaven. I took small bites everywhere, essentially turning every day into a progressive meal. Thai teas, delicate pastries, endless noodles, and curries became my routine.

Sweet little bites from the food court in Bangkok

I’m fairly certain I took at least a half dozen photos of every meal I had. I tasted all of the local favorites and took 500+ photos of food alone.

My camera ate first at every meal, of course. It’s an unspoken rule among foodies, especially Asian Americans like me. There’s something so beautiful about food—the composition, colors, and steam rising from a dish—that begs to be photographed before even knowing what it’ll taste like. My phone now holds a gallery delicious reminders of every bite imprinted on my phone just to show off later.

It’s a weird concept, but this photo gallery is absolute food porn for people like me.

As an Asian American, I think I’m the only person in my friend group who snacks just about every three hours. I’m excited to plan my next meal, and I’m even more excited to think about what I’ll cook next.

Since traveling the world so much these last few years, I’ve grown to love learning how to make my favorite Asian dishes once I’m home. I’ll get hyper fixated on a dish I’ve eaten while traveling, and then learn how to cook it with all of the special sauces and spices I’ve brought back.

In Phuket, I had the genius idea to take a cooking class. I wanted to meet some locals, check out a market, and learn to cook Thai dishes.

Taking a cooking class while traveling might be my new favorite thing to do. I found Phuket Thai Cooking Class with VJ through my Marriott Bonvoy app. I was looking for a class that offered a market tour to see where some of the ingredients were sourced.

I arrived at VJ’s and waited for the rest of the class to arrive. We hopped in the van and drove just a few minutes down the road to a local market where we learned about herbs and vegetables we’d use during class. We tried local fruit (I had the best pineapple and longan there) and I bought some local chili oil, which would be the base of many dishes to come.

Our guide showed us around the market a bit before we went back to the classroom to start prepping Tom Yum Soup, Shrimp Pad Thai, Red Curry, and Mango Sticky Rice.

We put on our aprons and learned about the herbs and vegetables we’d use. Kaffir lime, galangal, and lemongrass were never things I cooked with before so I loved how our teacher walked us through how to prep each item.

Cooking with a wok—now at the top of my shopping list—made everything lightning fast. We started prepping shallot, garlic, and other aromatics, along with chili peppers picked up from the market.

I was never a huge fan of Tom Yum Soup back at home, but after making it from scratch, I’m a convert. From the fresh kaffir lime leaves to the lemongrass stalks, now that I know how it’s supposed to taste, I totally get it. The American version of the soup always tasted too sour for me, but now that I know that tamarind, fishy chili oil, and coconut milk are the main components, I know how to make it the real way.

The soup turned out amazing and took no more than five minutes to make. We started prepping the sticky rice for dessert we’d have later, just before prepping the ingredients for our Pad Thai.

I’m normally a Pad See Ew kind of a girl, and leave it up to someone else at the table to order it, but now that I’ve cooked fresh Pad Thai on my own, I absolutely cannot wait to try and cook it once I’m back home.

From the charred-flavored meats and tofu, to the perfect mix of tamarind, fish sauce, oyster sauce, palm sugar, pickled radish, and chilis, I totally understand why this is the most popular noodle dish to come out of Thailand. 

The rest of the afternoon was spent drinking Chang beers, while swapping stories with other students about their travels. The cooking class attendants were fantastic, even helping me when I didn’t get my curry paste to the right consistency (probably because I was taking too many pics instead of grinding out all of the ingredients). I had such a blast and would 100% recommend everyone take a cooking class while traveling abroad.

My tastebuds feel alive again—call it a culinary awakening. I don’t know about my other fellow Americans, but not only has food gotten stupid expensive, but it just doesn’t taste all that good. It feels uninspired.

Grocery-store produce has started to look a little sad lately, and our local restaurants have been disappointing. Armed with new recipes, I can’t wait to show off my new knowledge.

My mom will be the first one to tell you that I never liked Asian food when I was a kid. She’d work a whole day at the office, come home and make a giant bowl of stir fried noodles and a saucy chicken to go with it. And I’d be the idiot who’d say she’d prefer fettuccine alfredo and garlic bread instead. 

Times have changed. I’m fully embracing my roots. Even Andy is getting so much better and using chopsticks and upping his spice level.

We’re about 45 minutes away from landing back in Jakarta where we’ll celebrate my dad’s birthday. Next week we’re headed to Bali for a couple weeks to catch up with family and friends. I’ll also be wedding venue hunting!

It hasn’t fallen short on me that I’m so incredibly lucky to have this free time to travel right now. My home country is a little rocky right now and I’m so happy to be here in Asia spending time with family and experiencing things from my mom’s home country. The holidays are right around the corner and I’m looking forward to a tropical, even monsoonal Christmas.

Me in my happy place. Sorry, shrimpie

If I have it my way, our holiday dinners will feature my Pad Thai and Tom Yum Soup.

Ok, but where are you really from?

It’s November 7, the day after the American election. I’m sitting in my room at my Aunt’s house nursing a cold, which I can imagine happened after all of my world traveling.

I’ve been in Jakarta for five days. It feels like home here. I’ve seen a lot of cousins so far and managed to eat amazing Indonesian food each day.

I’ve caught up some with family members, told them about our travels to India and what’s been going on in my life since I was here last year. I’m making future plans to visit Bali and pondering all of the possibilities for our upcoming nuptials.

Life, while a little loud and chaotic, feels normal here. I’m finding a routine while still adjusting to being in the southern hemisphere.

I’m honoring the promise I made to myself on my last trip here and am learning at least one new Bahasa word. People automatically speak Indonesian to me here, and while I know mostly the topic they’re talking about, my vocabulary is limited.

I took a yoga class at a super hip studio the other day. The teacher spoke Bahasa about 90% of the time. I picked it up pretty quickly and listened out for the Sanskrit word for each of the poses to follow along when I couldn’t see her.

I secretly love that recognizing the name of yoga poses in Sanskrit helps tremendously when I take a yoga class in a different country.

Regardless of where I am in Indonesia, and now even in India, I feel like it’s easier for me to blend in.

People watching is one of my favorite things to do in this world. I love to look outside the window when I’m in a rideshare and admire life happening around me. I love hearing people’s conversations around me; I can’t help but notice things happening.

Through conversations these last few weeks while traveling, I’ve come to the self-imposed conclusion that I’m a “child of the world.”

Ok, bear with me.

Yes, I am my mother’s daughter who was born in Jakarta, Indonesia and appreciates the finer things in life. And yes, I am my father’s daughter who was born on the island of Guam and lives life daringly.

And as I travel more, I love that my nearly 6 years of learning Spanish and ordering food in Spanish at Mexican restaurants has allowed me to feel more comfortable speaking while traveling through Mexico and other Latino countries.

I love that people mistook me for Indian when we traveled through Hyderabad and Jaipur. It made me want to learn a few Hindi phrases to take advantage of it! I love that I’m diving deep into Indonesian culture and learning ways to converse with locals.

I learn how to say thank you and good morning in each of the countries I visit. I believe the act of trying to speak a country’s language will get you further than if you’re just one of “those Americans” who travel to foreign countries and just speak louder and slower when trying to get what they want while traveling abroad.

There are moments I love being an American. But all the more recently, I wish to be a citizen of the world.

Being brown and living in America has had its ups and downs. It was fun growing up in Southern California and being the “exotic” friend. At the same time, there was a big part of me that always wanted to be like my white friends when I was a young girl.

I always wanted American snacks in my lunch pail as a kid; I relate to so many things that Asian comedians say about what it’s like growing up white washed. I lost a lot of my Asian identity trying to fit in with the cool kids.

More recently, I noticed how being brown in my 30s in the Bay Area made me a topic of conversation. Feeling like the diversity hire is a whole other topic, but I want to talk about what it was like being in my 30s and having nearly every ride share driver ask me where I was from.

I had the luxury of treating myself to a Lyft or Uber ride while living in the Bay. I loved taking the bus or the BART, but when I needed to get places, I spent the extra cash for the convenience.

It felt like every other ride, the driver would look at my in the rear view mirror, ask me about my name, and then start commenting on my physical features.

It usually went like this:

Me: I get into the strangers car, usually with my arms full of shopping bags or my yoga mat. “Ride for Nadia?” I’d usually say.

Him: “Yup” he’d say while I’d see his eyes peer at me from the rear view mirror.

Small talk probably happened for a moment or two.

Him: “Nadia. That’s a nice name.” They’d usually tell me they knew of someone with my name, a sister or old friend from wherever their home country was.

“Where are you from?” They’d always ask, as I could feel their eyes dart around.

Me: “Oh, I grew up in Southern California.”

Him: “But your parents? They’re American?”

Then depending on how comfortable I felt, I’d tell them a bit about where my folks are from.

Him: “Ok, but where are you really from?”

I kid you not, I went through this spiel every other ride. It felt like once a week, I’d have to explain myself—why my eyes and nose looked the way it did, why I had such a dark and unique complexion.

“Was anyone else getting this treatment?” I’d ask myself. Maybe it was just the girls experiencing these truly hellish, invasive moments.

Being the person I am, I’d always give these men the benefit of the doubt. Some of these drivers were also non-Americans so I heard countless stories of their upbringing in Ghana, Palestine, India, the Middle East, Russia, and everywhere in between. It was fun, until it wasn’t.

There were times, maybe after a few too many happy hour-priced martinis, when I didn’t want to explain myself, so when asked the question, I’d have the perfect, snarky response:

“Oh, I’m from Planet Earth. Where are you from?”

It usually shut them up, but now that I’m thinking about it, maybe that’s why my ride share scores dropped so much while living in the Bay.

I’ve always known I was the “other”. It’s obvious. Try going through life being asked to check just one box when it comes to your ethnicity or race.

Was I just Asian? I’m not 100% so that didn’t fit. I couldn’t check Hispanic or Latino. Sometimes I was lucky and chose both Pacific Islander and Asian if the questionnaire allowed it. Then it just got to the point where I’d check “Other”.

But today, I am embracing my otherness. At the age of 40, I’m noticing my Caucasian friends aging quicker than me. I’m proud of my daily skincare routine, but I don’t have to work that hard to look young. People still ask if I’m in college and now I just say yes and tell them I’m a student of life. I’m trying to see how many times I can get away with telling strangers I’m only 26.

When people ask me where I’m from, I’ll gladly tell them if I feel comfortable with them. How many other people have you met in the world who can say they’re Indonesian, Chinese, Guamanian, Spanish and Filipino?

I’d like to meet that person one day.

My brother and I…we’re anomalies. There’s no one out there like us with our genetic makeup. (And if there’s a Chindo Chamorrita reading this, please definitely do slide into my DMs. I’d love to swap stories.)

I can go on a whole tangent about what it’s like to be a brown woman in America right now. But I’ll save it for another post.

Where am I really from?

What does it matter? Is my face and body so disfigured to a man’s gaze that they need to understand my genetic makeup in order to still feel powerful? Is my body shape and the size of my eyes and nose so distracting to the average man? And why hasn’t a woman ever asked me this question?

Women would rather compliment my outfit or my lipstick before ever leading a conversation bothering about my lineage.

I know that I’m a special little star that appeared on this planet in this exact moment. There are days where I like to tell off old men who are being creepy and there are days when I embrace how unique I am.

I may be exotic, but I am not some science experiment to figure out.

And that’s why I love traveling Asia. People ask me about me because they’re curious. Their tone is different and there’s an inherent curiosity because we’re exchanging culture and stories about ourselves.

Why do men in America….

Actually, it’s not even worth wasting my thoughts and time finishing that sentence.

So I leave you with this, if you’re reading this and you feel like the “other” too, embrace it. Take it by its culturally-ambiguous unicorn horn and show off how cool and different you are. Be proud that you look so different than everyone in your friend group, and shine like the star you are.

If we were all the same, what could we actually learn from each other?

Do you believe in destiny?

A story about lights, love, and unexpected surprises in Jaipur, India

It’s November 1, and I’m writing this on the airplane from Jaipur back to Hyderabad. Our trip to Jaipur was one we’ll remember forever. Lots of serendipitous moments happened on our trip to the Pink City.

Traveling to India wasn’t on our radar this year. The fact that Andy was invited to India was a complete surprise —while one that we gladly accepted— and we more than managed to make the most out of every moment.

Andy’s trip to Hyderabad was full of meetings, excursions, late nights, and laughter all around. My week in Hyderabad was full of cultural tours, people watching, and lots of chai.

One of the many painted nooks at the Amber Fort in Jaipur

We could have been like everyone else on his trip and flown back to America as soon as his meetings were over. But how could we leave and not explore this magical country?

Every moment in Jaipur had a bit of mystery and surprise around the corner. Other than a couple tours and the knowledge that we’d spend Diwali in one of the best places in the country, we kept our days free and open to possibilities.

And that’s exactly what happened.

First off, our hotel was absolutely magnificent. Between the pool below the pink limestone buildings, nightly cocktails in their lavish bars, and the amazing hospitality we experienced, the ITC Rajputana was such a gift.

The beautiful lobby at the ITC Rajputana in Jaipur

We lounged around the first day, knowing we had a full-day tour the following day. Andy and I have been engaged for more than a year so we were hoping to take some beautiful photos on the tour to include in our wedding announcement.

Choosing the right tour was a little tricky. We knew of some temples and palaces we wanted to see. Other than that, we just wanted to go where the dusty wind would take us.

There was a moment when I second guessed the tour I originally booked. A few Jaipur tours advertised a day full of Instagrammable locations with a professional photographer.

But alas, I kept our original reservation which advertised a full day excursion with stops at the most touristed temples and attractions.

My new favorite matching outfits from Jams World in Oahu, Hawaii

Pawan picked us up Tuesday morning from our hotel. I was already making Andy pose for photos in our beautifully ornate lobby. Andy and I wore matching outfits I picked up during my recent trip to Oahu. (shout out to Jams World!)

Pawan whisked us away to his large van and we took off toward our first stop, Hawa Mahal. The crown of Jaipur, a facade colored in delicate pink with hundreds of honeycomb-shaped windows. The wind palace was on my brain since we first started planning the trip. I was so excited it would be our first stop.

After learning more about the people of Jaipur, its royal heritage, and its natural resources, we took a few photos and hurried on our way to next stop.

We stopped at Amber Fort and the Anwar Stepwell. We marveled at the age of each structure, admired its beautiful curiosities, and took in all of the details and knowledge Pawan shared with us.

The little girl next to us was *not* a paid actress

There are no words to explain the beauty of Amber Fort. There are hallways, courtyards, gardens, and common areas that glitter with mirrors and 400-year-old murals painted with natural dyes.

Pawan shared his love of photography with us. After learning his own tricks and picking up others along the way, we were in awe of the angles and composition of the photos he took of us.

“I think you just took the main photo of our wedding invitation,” I told him after looking at one of the dozens amazing photos of us.

While walking out of the fort, we mentioned our love of animals and that we considered seeing elephants or tigers while in India. Moments later, he told us an elephant sanctuary was right around the corner from the main road we were on.

And just like that, we pulled into Elephant Village. We were amazed at not only how easy it was to manifest that experience, but how effortless it felt.

We made our way past the gate and approached four Indian elephants. Each elephant was a female with a Hindu name.

The attendant laid out two tables of sugarcane and bananas. We squealed at each other as we fed treats to our new gigantic friends.

As I watched Andy live out one of his lifelong dreams, I couldn’t help but notice the force of these animals, their strong trunks, enormous feet and toes. I hugged an elephant by its trunk trying to hold on to the memory of being so close to such a gentle giant.

We didn’t want to leave. We were in heaven. As we gave away our last banana, we said dhanyavaad to each elephant and thanked them for their time and friendship.

We then walked into an enclosed area where we were greeted by one of the elephants.

We were taught the commands of “walk” and “turn” and we held onto her necklace while we walked side by side with her.

“Agat agat” Andy called out as we walked through the grass. She mozied through the grass with us, dragging her trunk and making muffled sounds in her throat.

“Holy crap, we’re walking an elephant. It’s just like walking the dogs back at home,” I squealed.

We took photos with her, told her a couple elephant jokes, and led her back to her other giant sisters.

We honestly could have ended the tour there. We were exhilarated.

But Pawan had a few more stops in store for us. We saw the water palace, the UNESCO World Heritage astronomy park, and a local textile factory. He even took us to a local jeweler where we got to see why India is so well known for its rubies, sapphires, and emeralds.

We made friends everywhere we went with Pawan and our driver, Bhupendra. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day.

At Jantar Mantar, the UNESCO World Heritage Astronomy Park

Our tour ended up going well into the evening. So much so that we got stuck in the main city for a bit while encountering many road closures, which allowed pedestrians to get their goods for the holiday.

We finally said goodbye to our new friends, knowing fully well we’d see them again on our next tour to Jaipur.

—

The next night, we had a walking tour through the local bazaars. Again, we met our guide at the Hawa Mahal and navigated the busy streets by foot, tasting local treats along the way. The tour was much shorter this time around, and we saw what a home looked like in the old city, and learned about their famous shopping alleys and roads.

A walking tour led us to the courtyard inside a local home

The market area was getting busier by the hour, so it became difficult to flag down a car back to our hotel. Our guide put us into a tuktuk (our first one of the trip) and led us to a less busy intersection near a museum.

We stumbled on the beautifully lit Albert Hall museum, which was full of coins, clothes, and jewels older than America’s constitution— and even a mummy. We enjoyed the nearly empty museum while the rest of Jaipur was getting ready for the holiday.

As we exited the museum, we tried ordering an Uber to get back to our hotel. The area was so insanely busy that road closures were preventing any of our drivers from getting to us.

Just then as the third driver cancelled on us, a young man approached. He first started talking to me in Hindi, and I had to tell him I was actually a foreigner. (A surprising amount of people thought I was Indian. From my long black hair, flat nose, dark skin, and big eyes, people were convinced I was from their country. It’s a blessing I didn’t know how much I’d love.)

His name was Ayan and he approached us because he could tell Andy was a foreigner. He told us he was just getting into the tourism business and asked us how we planned to celebrate Diwali the next day.

We hadn’t really thought about how we’d spend the day, so we were surprised when he invited us on a private tour and even back to his family’s home to celebrate the holiday.

Normally, Andy and I would be shy to accept such an offer, but there was something about Ayan’s gentle soul. He hailed down a tuktuk and effortlessly negotiated a better price for us. We agreed to text him the next day and said our goodbyes.

Before we even reached our room, we knew that going on a tuktuk tour with Ayan would be much better than our original plan of just lounging around at the hotel.

When else could we experience such a festive day seeing Jaipur from a local’s eye and be invited into someone’s home to participate in Puja? We knew we had to take the leap of faith. After arranging a meetup time, our Thursday was booked.

Ayan shows us his hometown in the best mode of transporation

Ayan met us the next day in a decked out tuktuk.  He asked what we’d seen already to get an idea of where to take us. Eventually we drove a windy path to see a factory where textiles and clothes were made.

We got the royal treatment at Pink City Heritage Textiles & Carpets

We watched as four humble men sheared wool to create intricate designs on a massive rug. One of the owners of the factory showed us how they block printed designs on organic cotton, which would then turn into amazing bolts of fabric.

I was completely in awe when he told us they exported their goods to Anthropologie and Hermes. We loved the vibe of the business so much that we ended up picking out several fabrics and got fitted for some custom made clothes.

After a couple hours of picking out our new favorite shawls, clothes, and bedding, we made our way to Ayan’s family friend’s jewelry store.

We arrived late in the afternoon so many of the men were already preparing for Puja and other Diwali traditions. We spent some time in the store, laughed with Ayan’s friends, and enjoyed chai while trying on some amazing jewelry.

Ayan eventually dropped us off at our hotel so we could get ready to meet his family later. We’d visit his aunt’s house to watch Puja rituals and then his own home to enjoy some dinner.

Once we arrived at his family’s home, we met his relatives, nibbled on some sweet treats, and spent the evening chatting and watching his nephews light firecrackers in the road. We met Ayan’s wife and new baby, and shared a meal before he drove us back at our hotel.

We had an amazing day with him and told Ayan how much of a joyful surprise the day turned out to be. We expressed our gratitude and told him we’d stay in contact. He lovingly referred to us as his new sister and brother. We told him we’d always remember him and were so happy he approached us in front of the museum the night before.

“Do you believe in destiny?” Ayan asked us during our ride back to the hotel.

We definitely do believe in destiny, and know that the days we spent in Jaipur were a gift from the universe. We would have never experienced the week in Jaipur we did had we not leaned into what opportunities presented themselves.

Not only are we believers of destiny, but we made some true friends in Jaipur. Brothers and family even.

The people of India have been so welcoming. We’d never guess this country would be so impactful on us. We’ve collected memories and friends we’ll think of often.

Andy and I will part ways after this trip. He’ll be at home and I’ll visit my family in Indonesia for a bit. Now it’s time to open up to receive more adventures, auspicious opportunities, holiday time with family, and the wonders of the world.

Namaste and dhanyavaad 🙏🪔

Allow me to re-introduce myself

Hi, hello and welcome. This page has been dormant since the start of COVID. Life has been weird and exhilarating since my last post in March 2020.

I moved out of the Bay Area and now split my time between two cities I love. I’ve experienced loss in various forms. I’ve gained memories and experiences across the world with strangers who I now call friends.

And more recently, I’ve started a brand new journey. The title of it is still to come, but what I’m about to do over the next 90 days is something I’ve dreamed about for years.

Since getting laid off this past August, I’ve re-established my ideas on success, what it looks like, and how I intend to spend my newly found free time.

I’ve been given this amazing gift of freedom, a supporting and loving base of humans in my life, and the ability to continuously remain in the present.

Over the last two months of unemployment I’ve spent time lounging around with my dogs, I’ve caught up with old friends, I’ve organized my living spaces, and I’ve spent time volunteering. These are the things I missed the most when I was so caught up in weekly deadlines, quarterly performance reports, and back-to-back meetings.

Over the last 19 years, I’ve found so much success in my career and professional life that I lost touch with what actually makes me happy vs. what I’m good at doing.

At this moment, it’s 5:45am and I’m sitting in my room in Hyderabad, India. I’m surrounded by my favorite travel things, about to spend some time traveling Asia with family, and I get to start each morning asking myself what I want to do and how I want to spend my time.

That is a gift that 10 years in the corporate world would never permit.

My intention is to get back to travel writing again. Nadia Wanders is such a beautiful outlet for me, and it’s time to start reinvesting in it.

So, follow me along as I travel this wonderful, chaotic world.

Ganja Yoga Teacher Training in the Midst of Covid-19: Bringing Community and Cannabis Together

It’s been 11 days since I floated down from the astral plane that was Dee Dussault’s Ganja Yoga Teacher Training in Nevada City. For six days, I was surrounded by 15 strangers as we immersed ourselves into the bio mechanics of our body and its movement, shared meals and walks together, learned what makes a great yoga teacher, and smoked some amazingly delicious, locally-grown, cannabis.

Dee teaches us allll the ways — while basking in the morning sunlight

At the end of those six days, my brain was full of life lessons and knowledge about plant medicine and our endocannabinoid system. My heart was saturated with love coming in from every angle imaginable. My body felt so nourished by the delicious food, coffee, and movement we all shared. My soul came alive after spending those six days in pure cannabliss. 

I felt the souls of all of my new friends and sisters. We created a space and community within those walls – so much so that I felt myself let go so I could walk head on into the transition that is life right now.

---

I’m not really sure what my expectation of Dee’s Ganja Yoga Teacher Training was before I arrived. Life was so all over the place before the training that I barely had time to finish all of assigned readings. I was traveling non-stop and had a super-packed social calendar the whole month prior to the training.

I wrote and edited content for Dee for a couple months and had an idea of her style and the community she’s been cultivating all these years. I was excited for a full immersion, whatever that may be. 

I packed up my rental car just as the Grand Princess cruise ship docked miles away from me in Oakland; before Corona Virus was called a pandemic; before the Bay Area was put into lock down mode. I was happy to leave my routine for a bit to get into nature, make some new friends, and smoke some cannabis with like-minded yogis.

While the entire globe was ramping up for the pandemic, we were in the forest near Nevada City, CA learning about biomechanics, getting more tuned into our bodies and emotions, and letting plant-medicine bring us all together to spark energy and conversation. Dee was our spirit and science guide as we built our understanding of the foundations of our body, relationship with cannabis, and yoga practice.

I had no idea the mess I’d come home to.

—-

As soon as I walked into our Airbnb for the week, I was welcomed into our home with loving arms. Two friends from Montreal greeted me sweetly with their beautiful accents. Dee gave me the biggest hug like we were old friends. As soon as I sat down, I lit a lovely pre-roll and started my journey far from reality and responsibility.

Our outdoor classroom outside of our Stone House

We spent the first couple of days getting to know each other, having our lessons outside in the sun, as Dee led us through conversations about our endocannabinoid system and the interconnectedness of our feet, legs, joints, and bones. She led us through nightly yoga classes and incorporated our learnings so we could drill down even further into our bodies and minds. She opened my eyes about how I stand and walk and how we could leverage subtle awareness to maintain alignment.

A visit to the Yuba River for a change of scenery

As someone who has a tough time sitting still and focusing when it comes to learning – or really anything in general – Dee invited us to move our bodies and use props as it very much enforced the learnings of constant, varied movement. We passed joints and dabs as we learned about terpenes and how they affect our nervous system. My brain and body were so zoned into the room that it almost felt like being on Adderall – with less shakiness and more snack breaks. Our minds and conversations were present and open.

The weather changed and the clouds came in as the first days passed. Our outdoor lessons eventually made it indoors as we learned by the fireplace in our living room.

By the second day, our peer groups started leading our daily yoga classes instead of Dee. One by one, my peers nervously walked to the front of our “yoga studio” to lead ten minutes of a 40-minute class in their group of 4. By the end of the first student-led class, I felt like I learned so much more about the ladies teaching class, as if they each offered a bit of their soul and wisdom in their teachings.

I was part of the second group and we were going to teach class the following afternoon. I had an idea of what to do after watching the first group and the poses I wanted to lead. Along the Yuba River surrounded by trees and a beautiful bridge, our group talked about some of the poses we could teach and expand on to speak to our learnings. I’m pretty sure I was the only one in the group who’s never taught a class or taken an official 200-hour yoga teacher training.

I was flying pretty blind. I had an idea of a sequence that would emphasize the body parts we just learned about. I knew what I loved in my favorite yoga classes and teachers. I knew that I wanted to bring an element of embodiment or mindfulness into my teaching.

I ended up taking the last part of the class and would lead my friends from child’s pose into a couple closing stretches before a juicy meditation and shavasana.

Holy shit, how did I get here?

Views from our yoga studio in the woods

It’s hard not to freak out when you’re asked to teach part of a yoga class. I’ve been a student since 2007-ish and even today, my yoga practice is ever-changing. I found some moments to myself as we drove home from our walk in the River and in my room to think about my “teaching.” I thought about how I’d want to unwind after the movement of the three sessions ahead of mine. I thought about what I wanted to express to these strangers. I wanted to show my true self, but also let the cannabis speak for me.

Our group set up the room, my three friends taught their lessons before me, and then I walked up to the front of the class to get situated on my mat. I’m not even really sure what I said or what my body did, but I found a way to teach a practice nestled within gratitude, mindfulness, and embodiment.

I remember bits of my meditation where I asked my friends to take notice of their bones and all the work they do for us; how strong their muscles were to climb up stairs and the rocks along the River we visited earlier that day; and to offer extra gratitude to their pelvis as it helps to carry them. I went a little woo and witchy with my practice, but honestly, it felt right.

---

I felt like I shed something after that class — as if all of the fear I was holding onto and my hesitancy to show people my true self left my body — and I felt lighter. Now that the scary part was over, I could dive back into the present moment where my new friends were prepping our communal dinner, sitting around our love altar reading their oracle messages, and building friendship.

There was definitely a slumber party vibe as the week progressed. There was chocolate and sweets everywhere; we all brought out our favorite essential oils and natural immunity boosting remedies to share. Girls started teaching others about their expertise – whether it was rolling joints, making herbal blends, or learning how to twerk while wearing a Harry Potter onesie.

Yes, it truly is always the quiet ones who surprise you <3

It may have been all of the cannabis, or maybe it was the divine feminine energy in the air all week, but there was definitely a moment where I looked at Dee and felt like she was our own, real-life Ms. Frizzle and she was taking us on this journey diving deep into the cells of our body to understand our bones, joints, ligaments, THC, and each other.

She’d spend the mornings blowing our minds with information about alignment, what to look when buying cannabis, and how to go within to figure out the type of yoga teacher we wanted to be. She’d lay around with us after dinner as we shared joints, while still educating us about all nine of the dabs we tried from our rosin buffet line. 

Sunlit forest walks with Maude as our leader <3

Hanging out in between lessons outside

OK, maybe it was definitely the cannabis, but it was so lovely to be enveloped by this hive of women (and my new friend Dana ;)) who had so much to offer and share with each other. We learned how to work with each other, to use each other’s strengths, and to ask for help when we needed it.

Whether it was making delicious toast and lattes in the morning, dazzling us with an amazing, impromptu zucchini bread, rolling a dozen joints for us in what literally felt like minutes, we were all interconnected.

By the last night, we had our groove going. Some of us assumed our positions in the kitchen with amazing recipes in mind, others were in their bunk bed-laden rooms creating a cacophony of infectious laughter and jokes (I love you Kels and Des <3)), the rest of us were doing our own things, whether in meditation wrapped inside the sauna bed (YES, that was a thing), or in deep conversation with their buddy.

Our last morning of the retreat was tender and no one really wanted to leave. Some friends left early in the morning to catch flights home. Others stayed back to get our Stone House back to what it was before our arrival.

I spent some lingering moments laying by our love circle sipping on my coffee, listening to Dana whistle while he put dishes away, hearing the rain tap the roof, wishing for the moment to last forever. I knew what we cultivated out there in the woods was something so special and hard to re-create.

Our windows in the living room overlooked cabins and campsites below, the majestic trees lined every trail. We had our own hideout in mother nature and I tried so hard to savor all of those moments.

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After so many hugs and cuddles, I eventually left our hideout and finally turned on NPR in the car to hear how bad Covid-19 was tearing through the world. I stopped through Nevada City and Grass Valley as the snow started to come down and locals were out and about gathering supplies.

Snow started to fall as I drove through Nevada City on my way home

The come down back into real life those first couple of days were hard – and my longing for friends and community still continues to be a noticeable part of these shelter-at-home days. I left an environment where I was hugging new friends so hard, I could feel their breath and heartbeat, to being told to be at least six feet away from any person that crossed my tracks. The re-integration back into society has been a real trip. I miss those commune vibes we built and all those beautiful souls I met.

Gather ‘round our love circle 💓

The future is up in the air and feels out of control. But you can control your reaction to what’s going on outside. Stay indoors to prevent the spread of this disease. Find a movement or meditation practice so you can find ways to feel grounded in this chaos. I’m loving Dee’s Ganja Yoga Online courses and started taking The Class online pretty much everyday to maintain sanity and to release stagnant energy.

After taking Dee’s Ganja Yoga Teacher Training, I feel like she equipped me with all of this knowledge that I will continue to take into my everyday life for years to come. I feel like I’m more conscious of body pain because I understand how my joints and body loads can affect how I move. I’m so much more knowledgeable about THC, terpenes, and good growers so I can make more informed choices about the cannabis I’m consuming.

Eat healthy food, drink a ton of water, be aware of your surroundings, and don’t worry about how your body is changing in this new routine.

Take care of yourself and find your community — whether in a digital landscape or as you’re walking around the neighborhood. We will get through this.

Thank you, Dee, for taking us along for the ride <3