Travel Turtle

Wow. I think I almost forgot how to blog.

I’ve been busy.

I’m not sure when I’ll get back to blogging more regularly.

I just wanted to say hi. How are you?

I have been busier than I thought I would be.

I apologize.

I have a great guest post that I was supposed to have already posted, but it will not be posted until Thursday.

So come back and enjoy.

I’ve been doing a lot of research on Dusseldorf, Germany. It seems like Dusseldorf just might be where we want to live when we move to Germany.

Why?

• It’s a real city.
• It’s close to the airport.
• There’s a large Japanese population.
• There’s a large international population.
• There’s a U.S. Consulate in town.
• And a variety of international schools.
• It’s a city!

So, if you know anything about Dusseldorf, please contact me. In the meantime, I may post a random thing or two about that city. Like this:

The Ugly American Coffee House in Dusseldorf, Germany
Whether you are just passing through or making Dusseldorf home, the Ugly American Coffee House offers a familiar sanctuary for the American abroad.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/145154/the_ugly_american_coffee_house_in_dusseldorf.html

I love this.

Twelve soft animals of the world. Each with a design representative of the country it’s from.

Here’s a sample of the elephant:

My suggestion? Go to Louise Elliott Design, buy one of each. Make it. Take some time to learn about the culture associated with each one. Book a trip and take a picture of your new plush in its homeland.

(Found via Craftzine)

I have friends from countries that do not require people to tip. And since they don’t tip back home, they don’t tip when they eat out in the U.S.

I have friends who used to be servers and tip outrageous amounts. And when they travel to other countries, they tip just as they would here (in the U.S.).

Both, in my mind, are equally wrong. Tipping is one of those things where you should follow what is done in the country you are in, not the rules of what you would do back home. One thing to keep in mind is that regardless of where you are from, in restaurants, the meal charge has been adjusted to either compensate for a server to receive a tip from you - or to not receive a tip from you.

If you aren’t sure what the tipping rules are in the country you are visiting, check out this post by conceirge Etiquette 101: Tipping Guide.

Korea has been popping up a lot in my life lately. Orlando has a ton of Korean restaurants and since my parents were visiting over the weekend (and we used to live in Korea) we went to an amazingly delicious Korean restaurant.

(Ephemera tip #1: If you want cheap access to foreign language print… go to authentic ethnic restaurants and pick up a foreign language newspaper or magazine. Think of the project possibilities.)

Bird and Cloud Salt and Pepper Shakers
Daniel Jo, 2008

Today I was talking to a friend who recently moved away. He mentioned visiting Asia and I suggested a trip to Korea. It’s really a nice and hip place and I do recommend every one go there at some point. Plus the food’s really good.

Wooden Blocks Rattle Set
Jae Keun Song, 2008

My best friend in High School was from Korea. One time at her house, her mother was watching a Korean Soap Opera. It was about Korean royalty in the 1600s. The set sucked. They were walking on a sidewalk with potholes. This memory just sticks to the brain, so random.

Tea Mug
Luna Seo, 2008

I was just surfing the net as I tend to do while watching The Office and 30 Rock. I went over to the MoMA store online to see what new items were out there. And I found all the above! Wouldn’t you know that MoMA is showcasing work from Korea? They have 60 items from emerging Korean artists!! This is so great? I highly suggest you hop on over to MoMA and find something cool from Korea before the artists get discovered by even more than the MoMA and prices get jacked up too high. While you’re over there, let me know what your favorite item was there. May favorites are the three listed above!

{Photo credit MoMA}

I am constantly searching for wardrobe staples.

It’s easy for me because I’m pretty basic in the wardrobe department. Or maybe the right word is classic.

So here are my wardrobe staples:

• A black shirt
• White button shirt
• White tee
• dark jeans, wide leg
• light denim jeans
• wide leg khakis
• wide leg black pants
• a black a-line skirt
• a white a-line skirt
• a red a-line skirt
• flip-flops
• black ballet-style shoes
• black shoes
• red shoes
• merrells
• hoop earring - silver
• silver studs
• diamond studs
• an elastic
• a headband
• a wool coat

what are your staples?

The last time, and first time, and until today only time I took a pilates class at my local gym my left leg refused to cooperate. About 30 minutes into the hour long class, I could not lift my leg any more. Even if someone would have said “I will give you $1 million if you lift your leg one inch.” I wouldn’t have been able to do it. And I can really use that money.

So, today, as part of my new year, new me, new things happening in America go-with-the-flow-, my word of the year is GO, self I took another pilates class. It’s been about a year since that last first one.

Prior to the class, I looked down at the schedule and saw the following words that really made me happy:

Unless otherwise noted, classes are 45 minutes. (!!!!!!)

YES! I THINK even my left leg can handle 45 minutes. It’s those hour long classes that make me want to poke my eyes out. Before, I got too excited, I made sure the Pilates class did not have anything otherwise noted. NO! And now, I will retell my train of thought as I realized that Pilates would only be 45 minutes.

“45 minutes, I think I can really do this!”

“45 minutes, I can even take another class if they’re only 45 minutes!”

“45 minutes, I’m not really missing too much of my life. This is so wonderful!”

“It really is great that the gym is going to keep their classes at 45 minutes, it only makes sense.”

“Hey, maybe I’ll go on the treadmill after class now.”

“Woo-hoo!!!!”

Then I walked over to the gym room to find myself a spot in a back corner away from mirrors and doors.

And the instructor introduced herself and made the following announcement:

We’ve been listening and I want you to know that I fought for you. Starting Monday classes will be an hour long.

My heart sunk. And without, all my hopes and dreams* of pilates-domination.

* Just kidding, I’m going to still do it, I just won’t be happy about it until I see results!

Seems today is the day for celebration around the world. In China, we have the Chinese New Year… the year of the OX!! For anyone venturing over to China in 2009, there will definitely be many ox-themed items for you to purchase! I was in china the year of the pig, and saw many cute gold and jade necklaces that made the perfect souvenir!

Today is also Australia Day! The government in Australia set up a website to keep people informed on all the Australia Day activites. How cool is that? They even have an awesome logo!

Here’s a history of Australia Day and some event ideas!

Want to know your design style? Take a test here.

They say I’m Swiss Family Robinson. Stuff from everywhere, family friendly and definitely me.

I think I agree. For the most part, my home is comfortable. It’s not as family friendly as I would like it, but I’m constantly decluttering and working on it. What’s your design style and do you agree with the online test?