WELCOME TO MY BLOG!
“It never left my mind, but it felt out of reach.”
Quindio, Colombia 2018
Daydreaming of traveling the world, exploring different cultures, discovering new cuisines, learning more languages, making new friends and deep connections with people from all walks of life, from all over the world; learning more about myself, living a radically different life, and expanding my worldview. It never left my mind, but it felt out of reach.
“I wondered if maybe it was too late.”
Nike NYHQ 2019
I felt stuck in a job and a life that provided “safety” and comfort. I felt pressure to be “adult” enough, according to society’s standards, and I was paralyzed by fear of failing, being lonely, and making the wrong choices.
I wondered if I was really able to make such a big change, and sometimes I wondered if maybe it was too late.
Salento, Colombia 2018
If you love food, travel and adventure, and/or love to live vicariously through others, then you’ll find your dose of inspiration, adventure, and travel tips here. Although not new to travel, I’m a newbie to the long-term (solo) travel world and I’m excited to share my experiences with you as I become a seasoned full-time traveler.
I hope to expose you to new parts of the world, new places to eat, different ways of life, and better ways to travel.
WHERE I GOT MY LOVE FOR FOOD + TRAVEL
Being raised in a Korean home, I grew up eating just about everything from a young age. In Asian culture, there’s no such thing as picky eaters, a “kids menu” or separate food for the kids. No way. And I’m so glad, because now I like to eat just about everything. I love food: to eat it, to make it, to talk about it, and to take pictures of it. I love to share my favorite foods and restaurants with others, and I also love to support local business owners and boost the local economy wherever I am. Food is so important and so closely tied to culture and travel.
I don’t know when my love for travel began, but I’ve been traveling since I was a baby. Travel was just part of life, and I’ve had a desire to see the world since I can remember. I’m grateful and privileged to be raised by parents that valued travel.
My first international trip was at 9 months old to Korea (pictured below) and since then, I continued to visit Korea every year until 10 years old. We also road tripped with an RV throughout my childhood around western US, Canada, and Western Europe before I entered high school. After college I continued traveling on my own, mostly to Latin America and a bit of the US, but I was never able to get enough of it.
“I quit my job, I’m selling all my belongings, and leaving home to wander solo and freely around the world from place to place with no plan and no job.”
SO WHAT NOW?
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon (the City of Roses), I’ve always wanted to move away somewhere since before entering university, and for many years I’ve been drawn to living an unconventional life: A life without kids, eating my way around the world, traveling until I’m old, exploring places less-traveled, a life of adventure.
After over a decade of day dreaming and a nagging from within, I’m finally making my dreams a reality right after my 30th birthday. I quit my job, I’m selling all my belongings, and leaving home to wander solo and freely around the world from place to place with no plan and no job.
Now I’m literally going to be living the dream.
WHY I STARTED THIS BLOG
I started this blog to share my foodventures & travels with family, friends, and followers back home, and hopefully to inspire others to realize their dreams, go off the beaten path, to live an unconventional life of their own.
Life is too short to do what we’re told to do. Take risks, be rebellious, do what scares you, grow, be bold, be strong, live your life the way you desire.