About Me

Right now my true identity is that I am a proud mother of two unbelievably precious girls, one is 6 and the other one is 2 years of age. I started blogging after we moved to Belgium from the States in the summer of 2011. I was a high-school teacher in Portland, OR. In addition to my passion for health science, culture, religion, and history, I love writing. For that reason, I wanted to share my unique experiences of living abroad in Europe through blogging. My husband is a fanatic when it comes to traveling. The hassle of making journeys with a stroller, a diaper bag, and baby foods didn’t stop us from going around the world. Who doesn’t like visiting a new country or learning about a new culture? But making the plans takes a little effort. Hope my posts and pages will help the future travelers to plan their trips better.

 

My 2 daughters and I on Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy

The above writing is about three years old when we first moved to Belgium…didn’t want to replace it by my current situation. I wanted to leave it there because it was then when I grew my passion for blogging and photography. Now we are back in our home in Oregon. Life is not the same when we used to live here three years ago. Every part of me wants to go back to Europe and see the unseen cultures, places, and heritage of that continent. The best part of being back is being closer to my family and friends. I hope to go back to Europe again and follow our previous footsteps when our girls grow up, want to show them where we once lived, their school, some of the places we went with them and everything else. For now we are exploring our surroundings and our beautiful state of Oregon.

Thanks for visiting my site. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave comments.

187 Comments on “About Me”

  1. We are looking for an experienced and loving nanny with a genuine love for babies and young children to look after a 2YEARS OLD BABY Boy. You will be required and expected to work for approximately 40 hours per week for 8 hours. daily from Monday to Friday.
     
    SALARY/WAGES ARE BELOW:
     
    AU PAIR/NANNY: $3,700 Monthly (weekly allowance $220)
    DRIVER: $3,700 Monthly (weekly allowance $220)
    CHEF: $3,500 Monthly (weekly allowance $200)
    HOUSE SITTER/HOUSE KEEPER: $3,700 Monthly (weekly allowance $200)
    CAREGIVER/COOK/NURSING : $3,500 Monthly (weekly allowance $200)
    SECURITY/GARDENER : $4,000 Monthly (weekly allowance $350)
     
    ACCOMMODATION:
    You shall have a big room, huge, and has a double bed, with sitting area and TV/DVD/Video/Hifi. There is also a wireless broadband internet in the house!!Do well to send us your references or resume, and we would get in touch with them.We shall discuss travel arrangements in due course of which I would be of generous assistance to you.
     
     
    Interested applicant should get back to me with their resumes/CV
    Email…. mariasmithluv850@gmail.com

    We sincerely look forward to hear FROM you.
    Best Wishes.
    Maria Family

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  2. Now anyone can visit other cities in the Kingdom of Saudi-Arabia…Abba is a city in which you can get Snow in the Winter and with Heavy Rain hail as well… Be Warned: Roads gets flooded very quickly in KSA so Please do NOT try to go through any under pass (under Bridge) via car. Riyadh currently has the tallest Building of KSA owns by Prince Talal

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  3. I live in Europe. I stayed in New York for a month, in 2014 and I fall in love with this city. I hope one day to come back in the USA.

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  6. This is the first time I read this and if i look at the list of blog post’s you’ve made, I pray to God for me to create a sort of the same list.
    I hope I’ll manage! Though im 14, almost 15 so I’m lucky with the countries I’ve already visited.
    It’s a great inspiration though!!!

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    • Hope your dream comes true one day Kim, you are still young and I pray to God too that someday you get to see the whole world and learn from each culture. Thanks for visiting my blog…cheers

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  7. Thanks for checking out one of my blog posts. I’m glad I found your blog that way, I loved reading your post about Costa Rica (my husband and I were contemplating to go there last feb, but decided on Argentina/Brasil last minute). Have a great weekend!

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  10. Oh my goodness! I am so honored you visited Ruby on Tuesday. Your photographs are just beautiful and so artistic. I am not a professional photographer or anywhere near that in skill. Again thank you. So nice to meet a Globe Runner!

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  12. A blessing to have seen the world over. I have only just begun my journey and would hope to see as much before I start a family of my own. Cheers nice blog!

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  14. Hi, just sampled your blog. I really like that you travel with kids. It provides such an interesting perspective. It reminded me of a speech I gave about travel. “One of the mistakes businessmen make when traveling internationally is they forget to bring their toddler with them.” Hope you enjoy.

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  15. An incredible list of travels lady.. and good for you to do it with kids. My own daughters are amazing travelers as well. Though we were not able to start until they were much older. Feel free to drop into Kathmandu. I have had about 3 stop in guests so far. Have about a year left here and then off to…???

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  16. very nice blog. you’re so lucky to travel all those places. I also have a one-year-old boy and that didn’t stop us also in exploring places. Cheers!

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  21. Thank you so much for visiting my blog! I’m so glad because it led me here. What a great blog you have. So many amazing adventures! Looking forward to following your journey. All the best, Irene 🙂

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  22. Thank you for “Liking” the post “Little Guys & I”. Streets Of Our World. on my photography blog http://www.throughharoldslens.com.

    On behalf of the Through Harold’s Lens Creative Team, my trusty sidekick Mr. SLR Nikon, his brother Mr. Pen Pal and myself, we truly appreciate your enjoyment. We hope you continue to join us on our journeys.  

    Best Regards,
    Harold

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  23. After you liked my post, I went to your page and the first post was about Edinburgh- I was just there a month ago and loved it! It’s really inspiring to read about a whole family traveling together. I look forward to reading more of your posts.

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  24. Thank you so much for linking my page to yours. That’s so nice. I really like the fact that we have many things in common. We have families, we are both teachers, we like to write, and we love travelling. It couldn’t get any better than that. As you live on the Continent, I sure hope that we get to meet some day!

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  27. Thanks for the like on my post, and I’m particularly glad you did it because it led me to your blog! What an inspiring life you’re leading, and how great for your kids to see so much of the world at such a young age. I saw in your “About” section that you used to teach in Portland, OR, which is where I live : )

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    • Wow, hello my fellow Portlandian…ye, It is once in a life time opportunity for us and our kids. Trying to travel as much as possible before going back to OR next year

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      • Good for you – I think that’s so important! I didn’t travel till my early twenties after I had finished college, and I remember thinking how much more I would have gotten out of my education if I had traveled first. It just gives you such a different perception of the world, and what is out there. Your kids are lucky to have parents who are so adventurous!

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  32. Thank you for the like on my post on Dubrovnik and Montenegro. You have a lovely blog, and living in Belgium Is so handy for European travel. I wish you many happy stories, Garrulous Gwendoline, The Reluctant Retiree

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  34. Hi, You are so lucky to live in Belgium, and can travel to so many places in Europe. So many great experiences! Thanks for sharing with us. Mrs. J

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  36. The photo of you and your kids is lovely: a gorgeous family. I looked at your blog cos you gave a ‘Like’to my first ever blog post. And I am so impressed at all the places you have visited with such young children- it can be tough and tiring.But good planning helps a lot. your children are at a lovely age.Actually every age is great.

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  37. What a great blog you have! I love it. It’s fantastic that you’ve been to so many places – thanks for sharing. I am hoping to visit Belgium someday – so I’m really enjoying all your pictures and notes. Thanks for visiting my blog, hope you’ll visit again.

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    • Lolz, thanks Rusha for your compliment…I guess the kids got used to traveling with us by now. Thanks for your kind visit…cheers

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  43. Hi there – I remember well travelling with babies – and the dirty nappies in the car boot! and how the customs guards were not impressed by my small son’s plastic gun! thanks for stopping by my blog. Come again!

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  44. Thanks for liking my latest post about China. I am so pleased you did as I’ve discovered yours and its so inspirational and interesting! Brilliant blog. I am now following and look forward to reading more about your travels.

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  45. Great writing punctuated by wonderful photography! I’m glad you stopped by my blog or I would have never found yours! 🙂

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  47. Pingback: Best Moment Award : Thanks to Moment Matters | My Travels & Photography

  48. I don’t know if I’ll be lucky like you to travel around the globe. Your blogs might be as close as I can go regarding travels. You are my inspiration for travelling with kids and I admire you for doing that.

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  49. Thanks for checking out my blog! I love all the info on your site. It’s always so fun to see what other expats are up to!

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  50. Hey there,

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and taking the time to like one of my posts. Your blog is truly inspirational. It’s so nice to see that the travel dream can continue even when one has kids. 加油 🙂

    A

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  51. It’s great that you manage to travel, even with 2 little girls in tow. Good for you! It looks like you have the wanderlust more than I do! 🙂

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  54. My first visit to your blog took me to the Palace of Versailles. Great pictures. I showed them to my daughter who turned 25 today and will be returning to see the Palace within a couple of months. Her dream is to get a job there! Best wishes from the west coast of Canada, Jim.

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  56. Thank you for the like on my article “We are proud to announce…” I like the style of your blog. Keep up the good work.

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  57. Pingback: “Blog Of The Year” Award « My Travels & Photography

  61. Thanks for stopping by my blog, “Snapshots.” You have created a beautiful blog. I look forward to visiting often to read your commentary on so many interesting places.

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  63. Your life sounds rich and beautiful. My parents did the same with us (4 children) and I truly admire your bravery. What lucky girls to grow up being introduced to so many wonderful cultures. Jen

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    • Hi Jen, yes I hope my girls will pick all the best things from every culture and hopefully they will remember atleast some of these places. Thanks for stopping by

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  64. Thanks for liking my post on the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. I hope you have time to browse through my recipes and try out some of the recipes some time. Please let me know what you think of them.

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  66. Thank you for visiting my blog and liking my post! Will be following your travel now : )

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  67. Thanks so much for visiting my blog today and liking “Mums Bloom”. I enjoyed the photo of you and your daughters on the Spanish Steps in Rome. I have very good memories about those steps. A very beautiful place.
    Please stop by again soon!
    Robyn

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  72. Hello there! Due to my husband’s work with IMEC, we are moving to Tervuren in a few weeks. My 6year old will attend the International School in Brussels. We should connect and I can grill you for expat advice:) Take care.

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    • Hello, sorry for the late reply. We were in London for a week. Its aweome that you have a 6 yrs old too. Are you already in Tervuren? I will send you an email shortly

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  73. You should consider visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina – Sarajevo, Mostar, Banja Luka, Počitelj, Bihac, Trebinje, Tuzla… Since you like traveling – this should be a life advanture 🙂

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  77. Pingback: One Lovely Blog Award « Dervish Images

  78. Enjoyed your helpful post. Will be in Belgium ( Bruges, Flanders) in a few weeks via the Gorillas in Uganda. PS I’m Grandma x 4 now but have been there with the diapers ETC long ago. Good for you. It’s worth it.

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  79. Thanks very much for your interest in my recent post. I love travelling, and of course, I really like your blog, a very good Travel Guide 😉 Wish you all the best 🙂

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  81. Decided to check out your blog after earning a ‘like’ from you for one of my post, and glad I am to click on the link! I love the pictures and will be following your posts from now on.

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  83. Wow girl! You sure do get around. Thanks for stopping by my blog and the “Like” for “Days Gone By”.

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  85. Hi,

    I came across your site http://journeyaroundtheglobe.com while browsing some travel sites. I must say you are doing a commendable job. I have been following you for quite some time. I am impressed by the initiative you are taking..
    I am a blogger & maintain few travel blogs. e.g. OneTravelBloggers, Footloosetraveller.com. At present I am working with OneTravel. Our sites can be useful to one another. So, I offer you to do some partnership.
    I have some options for you.

    1. I could cover you on my blog and in return I would like a back link for my website from your blog within the content.
    2. If you allow guest blogging I would be glad to write a blog post as a guest blogger. Within the post there would be a single link to my website.
    3. I am also fine with guest blogging. I will generate an id for you on my blog where you can post as you like and in return you need to link myself from any of your post.
    4. We both can do guest blogging for each other where we can add links to our respective websites.
    5. On top of giving link from my blog, I can also give you some links from other websites that I am managing.

    You may visit our website http://www.onetravel.com. & blog http://onetravelbloggers.com/ http://www.footloosetraveller.com.

    Let me know your views soon.

    Regards

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    • Oh…You just read my mind, I love reading travel blogs and how others take-on and explore different places. Thanks for stopping by, glad to have you on board 🙂

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  88. Thanks for visiting our blog and liking my post. You seem to be having a wonderful time, and it will be an amazing experience for your girls. I travelled with my family when I was 11 and it was incredible. I’m really glad we are taking this trip now, just the two of us, but I hope we will also take our children travelling one day (or many days, to many different places!).

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    • Thanks for visiting my blog. We are having great time here, hopefully my girls will remember these places little bit. Enjoy your trips

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Business Excellence Award 2020 for The Most Entertaining Personal Travel Blog – Pacific Northwest USA
Business Excellence Award 2020 from AI Global Media for The Most Entertaining Personal Travel Blog - Pacific Northwest USA
Business Excellence Award 2020 from AI Global Media
Business Excellence Award 2020 from AI Global Media for The Most Entertaining Personal Travel Blog - Pacific Northwest USA

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

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