Hello Friends! Welcome to my new blog. It’s been years in the making, well not on a blog, but through many many journals. Finally, after endless delays (hmm…finishing college, starting a career, moving to Chicago, changing jobs, continuing my education, getting married, moving to Minneapolis, and resurfacing out of the fog of parenting two young children), I finally have the chance to write down my thoughts in a more fun and thoughtful way…through my blog!
As with most ideas, it is good to have a plan and a mission. So without further delay, here is my mission for my blog:
- To promote international travel with an open mind using the third-eye approach (i.e. an open mind) which promotes cross-cultural understanding, learning and appreciation.
- To promote international volunteerism and goodwill. To make difference for people who have less opportunities in areas such as education, women’s rights, health, etc.
- To teach and raise our children to understand the world and different cultures. To foster a yearning to learn about the world.
- To share with my friends and family (and whoever else may be passionate about travel and culture or an “arm-chair” traveler) what I’ve seen and learned along the way.
- And most important of all, to have fun!
Beautiful idea and blog
I’m itching to travel more!
Thanks! Glad you liked the post!
Hi, I just found your blog and love it! Great inspiration. I love to travel, and love finding “other” options to open my boys’ eyes to the world.
Great! It is always nice to hear that people like my blog and my stories! I truly love to write them and it is a bonus when others enjoy them too!
I really resonate with your thoughts about keeping an open mind as we interact with people everywhere. We have lived in China for nearly 3 years with our 4 young children (3 when we arrived). Having the kids along for the ride allows me to appreciate how I interpret others and how they interpret me in a whole new way.
Wow, that must be quite the experience! Plus with four kids! I traveled to China in November and enjoyed it but did find it to be an enormous culture shock. It is a fascinating place with lots to discover and see, yet the food and the pollution were two things that were difficult to adjust to. Definitely had to keep that “third” eye around! Do you write a blog? I’d love to check it out!
Hi! I can’t remember if I replied or not but that is amazing living abroad with four young children! I’m sure it is challenging but at the same time very fascinating as well! Definitely need to keep that third eye open!
I LOVE your mission! I can’t wait to read through some of your posts.
Thanks! There are a ton! well over 300 now! So pick your favorite place (see list below at bottom of site) and dive in!
Glad you like it!
Hi- my second Blog is written about my experiences in Iran and I like to bust all those myths that the West seems to have about Iran. If you are interested in learning more about my experiences take a look at Persian Posts or another Blogger from LA who writes about Iran and Iranian culture PeaceofIran.
Wow, how cool! I’ve read some really great books on Iran and the country and culture fascinates me. Must have been an amazing, eye-opening experience. I would love to read your blog! Is there any particular posts you would steer me to?
Sounds very interesting and inspiring – can’t wait to read some more !
Thank you! I probably need to update it a bit as my life has changed so much since I’ve started my blog. I’ve been doing a lot of advocacy and volunteer work which deepens my mission even more. Thanks so much for stopping by!
I am very inspired by what you have accomplished. I too am married with 2 children but I have always had a passion to travel and learn about cultures. I have been to many foreign lands but since my children, my focus had been redirected. I am yearning to once again explore the world. How did you manage to do your Cross-Cultural experience and have a supporting family? How long were your work projects in each Cross-Cultural project you took on?
Oh thank you! I am very fortunate to have both a husband and mother who strongly support me. Every year my mom has come out to babysit the kids for a week or two while I’ve been able to take a trip. My husband has also chipped in by taking the kids for a week as well. Thus together I’ve been able to put together some babysitting which has allowed me to travel. The volunteer trips are only a week however once I was gone 3 weeks which was too long and hard. I took a trip to Nepal with my Dad and between my mom and husband they managed to watch the kids.
Thanks for stopping by! Any more questions, please let me know! 
Now my kids are older and I’ve had luck finding college age babysitters to use to patch together the time between school and when my husband is at work. It isn’t easy but I did this last year when I went to Guatemala. The trips are tax-deductible so that helps a little but the babysitting is not.
For us, it has been part of our way of giving back and I am really fortunate to be able to do it.
Congrats to you for all your achievements. It is amazing that you have done so much traveling starting as a child. I am too interested in a “third eye ” view to study other cultures in the world. I will be traveling to A B C next week ( Argentina, Brazil and Chike) . I only glanced at your many posts. I will come back and read more in details, for the purpose of learning. I wish you the best, third eye traveler!
Thank you! Yes, I have a lot of posts to go through. I started writing two years ago and just kept going.
You will love those countries. I haven’t been to Brazil yet but would love to go! Will you be blogging about it?
I hope so. Definitely I will take more “people” pictures. In the past I took mostly sceneries and ourselves. Thanks.
What a great mission! Love what you are promoting, it really is so important to live life with an open mind!
Thanks so much! I try!!!
What an awesome blog! You are a great inspiration and your children are lucky to have you as their role model. I’m so glad I found your blog and look forward to enjoying your posts.
Thank you so much!