A Journey from Austin, TX to the Tennessee Valley
Embracing my 30s with open arms, I’ve been reflecting on the journey that’s brought me to this moment. For 13 vibrant years, Austin, Texas, was my home—a place where I grew, explored, and thrived in the rhythm of city life. Recently, though, I felt a deep pull to explore new horizons, which led me to the quiet charm of Florence, Alabama, nestled in the heart of the Tennessee Valley.
Here in the Tennessee Valley, I’ve embraced a slower beat, a more intentional way of living when I’m not traveling. This shift has given me the perfect space to reconnect with myself and reflect on my travels and stories. It’s a place where I can quiet my ego, reframe my purpose, and discover the wisdom that comes from simplicity. Florence has become my grounding point—a home base that nurtures my soul while saving me money as I continue to travel frequently and explore the world.
It’s a place I never expected to find myself living, but I’ve quickly discovered the hidden gems that make the Tennessee Valley so special. The area has a quiet charm that feels like a well-kept secret, and sometimes I catch myself wondering if I should share its beauty with the world or keep it all to myself.
The Impact of My Near-Death Experience
In 2012, I had a NDE (Near-Death Experience) that completely altered the way I see life. I actually died, and in that moment, I found myself in the afterlife, surrounded by a profound state of peace, love, and hope—an experience that was more real than anything I had ever known. It was the most blissful experience of my life, and for years afterward, I tried to replicate it through various means—travel, relationships, even drugs—but nothing ever compared to what I felt that day.
I came to realize, however, that it couldn’t be replicated. This truth became especially clear after participating in an ayahuasca ceremony in the Sacred Valley of Peru. While ayahuasca is undeniably powerful, its experience, no matter how intense, didn’t come close to the profound state I encountered during my NDE. To be honest, I was deeply disappointed. I had high hopes of experiencing the same sense of joy, but instead, I encountered a darkness—something I never felt during my NDE. The darkness wasn’t good nor bad; it was simply there, lingering. There is something valuable to learn in facing the darkness, even though the experience, while slightly similar in some ways, was ultimately very different. The darkness wasn’t the blissful peace and hope I found in my NDE, and that distinction made all the difference. The ayahuasca was very kind to me, and I learned what I needed to. The one truth we can all agree on is that we will all die. I found peace in knowing that the bliss from my NDE would return when the time was right, and I learned to let go of the need to chase it. Instead, I choose to fully embrace and enjoy the present moment.
My NDE reshaped my understanding of life, death, and everything in between. It’s been a deeply personal experience, and I’m still in the process of unpacking it. Sharing my story feels challenging because words can hardly capture the profound nature of what happened. But I’m determined to explore and share my journey, and in time, I hope to interview others who’ve had similar experiences. It’s something I’m eager to dive into—to have discussions about what lies beyond the veil.
Love, Career, and Self-Discovery
After releasing the burden of chasing “death” and the elusive bliss I once experienced, life had a funny way of showing me just how full of surprises it could be. Not long after, I met my husband, Adam, in an Uber. And I know you’re wondering, “Who was the driver?” Well, it was me! Who would have thought that a simple ride would lead to such an incredible adventure? The last five years with him have been transformative. Since then, I’ve been by his side as he continues to build his YouTube channel, English Tree TV, where he creates children’s music and cartoons, now with over 2.7 million subscribers and anticipating on building new shows in the near future! It’s been a journey with its own unique path, and through it all, I’ve found myself exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Alongside Adam’s growth, my own growth has led me to explore new passions. For the past 12 years, I’ve been a massage therapist, offering relief and comfort to those seeking healing. Recently, though, I’ve taken a step back from massage therapy. I felt called to dive deeper into the mysteries of the human body, studying craniosacral therapy, somatic emotional release, and abdominal work—areas that truly fascinate me and allow me to explore the deeper layers of the self.
At the same time, I’ve poured my heart into this blog. It’s where I can share my experiences—both the ones that have shaped me and the adventures still ahead. While this blog will primarily focus on travel, it’s also a space where I share personal thoughts and expressions. Beyond my travels, I’m also passionate about exploring other areas of life, like learning Portuguese, facilitating ecstatic dancing, becoming a death doula, studying fiber science, and, of course, embracing my love for history. Life is full of fascinating possibilities, and I’m excited to explore it all. I hope you’ll join me as I continue to embrace the unexpected and navigate the adventure of life.
Our Global Roots
Having lived in Texas and now calling the Tennessee Valley home, these places have been significant in my life. In my youth, I spent a lot of time exploring North America and South America, while Adam explored Asia for six years, spending five years living in South Korea. Our connections span the globe—our animation studio is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Adam’s Spanish YouTube channel is run from Medellín, Colombia. I’ve also developed a growing passion for Portugal, something I’m excited to explore more. Though we have family in different parts of the world—my relatives in San Antonio, Tokyo and Okinawa for me, and Adam’s family in Ontario, Canada with roots in Switzerland and Mauritius—our connections influence how we see the world and navigate life.
Places I’ve Visited
Asia
Malaysia: Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur
Japan: Tokyo
Turkey: Şanlıurfa
Central America
Bahamas: Nassau
Costa Rica: Las Catalinas, Potrero, Tamarindo
Europe
Belgium: Brussels
France: Paris
Germany: Frankfurt
Holland: Amsterdam
Portugal (The Azores): Faial, Pico, São Jorge, São Miguel, Terceira
Spain: Madrid
Turkey: Ankara, Antalya, Bursa, Ephesus, Istanbul, Izmir
North America
Canada
Ontario: Kars, Manotick, Ottowa, Toronto
Quebec: Chelsea, Montreal, Quebec City
Mexico
State of Mexico: México City
Yucatán: Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum
United States
Alabama: Birmingham, Daphuen Island, Florence, Gulf Shores, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Muscle Shoals, Orange Beach, Salem, Sheffield, The Shoals, Tuscumbia
Arizona: Arcosanti, Flagstaff, Oljato-Monument Valley, Page, Phoenix, Sedona, Tucson
Arkansas: Eureka Springs, Fayetteville, Hot Springs, Ponca
California: Berkely, Big Sur, Calistoga, Cambria, Carmel by the Sea, Felton, Half Moon Bay, June Lake, Mt Shasta, Napa, Point Reyes, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Sequoia, Yosemite
Colorado: Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Durango, Pagosa Springs, Silverton
Florida: Ft Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando
Illinois: Chicago
Indiana: Evansville, Ft Wayne
Iowa: Davenport
Kentucky: Red River Gorge
Louisiana: Baton Rouge, Lafayette, New Orleans
Michigan: Detroit, Munising, Upper Peninsula
Minnesota: Minneapolis
Mississippi: Beloxi, Jackson, Natchez
Missouri: Poplar Bluff, St Louis
Nevada: Death Valley, Las Vegas
New Jersey: Newark
New Mexico: Madrid, Santa Fe, Taos, White Sands
New York: Beacon, New York City
North Carolina: Asheville, Cherokee
Ohio: Chagrin Falls, Cleveland, Hocking Hills
Oregon: Bend, Crater Lake, Portland
South Dakota: Rapid City
Tennessee: Chattanooga, Gatlinburg, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville, Pigeon Forge, Franklin
Texas: Austin, Dallas, Fredricksberg, Houston, Marfa, New Braunfels, San Antonio, South Padre Island, Terlingua, Wimberley
Utah: Arches, Monroe, Oljato-Monument Valley, Salt Lake City, St George, Zion
Washington: Olympic, Seattle
Wisconsin: Green Bay, Milwaukee
South America
Argentina: Buenos Aires, El Calafate, Mendoza
Chile: Atacama Desert, Santiago, Valparaiso
Colombia: Guatapé, Medellín
Peru: Cusco, Lima, Machu Picchu, Pisac, Sacred Valley, Urubamba
Beautiful Places I’d Like to Visit Next
Algeria
Andorra
Angola
Azerbaijan
British Colombia, Canada
Cape VerdeCosta Rica
Croatian Islands of the Adriatic Sea
East Timor
French Guiana
Guyana
Hawaii, United States
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
India
Indonesia
Island of Guernsey
Mauritius
Morocco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Nicaragua
Japan (Main land)
Japan (Okinawa)
Oaxaca, Mexico
Outer Banks, North Carolina
Prince Edward IslandPortugal (Azores)
Portugal (Main land)
Pyrenees Mountains between France & SpainQuebec, Canada
Republic of Ireland & Northern Ireland
San Morino
South Korea
Switzerland
Turkey
Uganda
Vietnam
Wales
Wyoming, United States
Activities I’d Like To Experience
My wanderlust has evolved from chasing landmarks to embracing the quiet magic of everyday life in foreign lands. During a transformative three-month journey across South America, I moved beyond the tourist trails to find soulful connections in neighborhood strolls, coffee shop chats, and cooking classes that delve deep into cultural heritage.
Now, I seek experiences that weave me into the local fabric, whether through dance, music, or crafts, each one enriching my understanding and appreciation of the community. This path is less about seeing and more about feeling; not just capturing moments, but living them deeply. My travels are now a journey of profound discovery, where every place I visit shapes and transforms me.
88 Temple Pilgrimage in Shikoku, Japan
Ecstatic Dancing Facilitator Course in Tomar, Portugal
Camino del Santiago Pilgrimage in Spain – The Portuguese Way
Death Doula Workshop at the OMEGA Institute in Rhinebeck, NY
Death Doula Training at CCLD in Asheville, NC
Water Retreat in Bali, Indonesia
Hike at least a month through the Appalachian Trail
Rose Harvest in Morocco’s Valley of Roses
Ama Pearl Divers in Okinawa
Indigo Dyeing & Shibori Workshop in Tokushima, Japan
Felting & Wool Spinning Workshop in Mongolia
Bergamot Picking in Italy
Lavender Picking in Provence, France
Tulip Festival in Washington
Silk Farming in Cambodia
Maple Harvesting in Vermont
Visit a Possum Sanctuary
Cranial Sacral Therapy with Dolphins in the Bahamas
Fishing in Portugal
Jasmine Flower Harvest in India
Truffle Hunting in Italy or France
Thermal Bath Rituals in Iceland or Hungary
Sleeping in a Cave Monastery in Cappadocia, Turkey
Making Cheese in the Swiss Alps or Basque Country
Blacksmith in Kyoto
Adam’s Youtube Channel for Kids!
Did you know Adam is a talented musician and amazing with kids?
In 2015, while teaching English to children in South Korea, Adam started English Tree. Since then, it’s grown into something incredible. He’s partnered with Animasia, an animation studio in Kuala Lumpur, and collaborated with talented Spanish singers in Medellín, Colombia, where his Spanish channel is headquartered.
If you have kids, check out his YouTube channel for fun, engaging content! You can also visit his website to download free worksheets or shop for some of his educational toys.