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From Stability to the Unknown — Why I Chose to Drift

From Stability to the Unknown — Why I Chose to Drift

Change has been a constant theme in my life, shaping who I am and where I stand today. Growing up in a densely populated, historic city in northern China, I always dreamt of exploring the world beyond my hometown. My journey took me from Sun Yat-sen University in southern China to the United States, where I pursued my passion for biology and eventually found my calling in bioinformatics and data science. Each step was a leap into the unknown, fueled by curiosity and the desire to grow. Relocating to Singapore with my family felt like another chapter in this journey of change. It wasn’t just a physical move; it was an opportunity to reassess my priorities and explore new possibilities. After years of dedicating myself to a career I loved, I found myself craving something different — the chance to travel, spend more time with family, and embrace the unpredictability of life, even if that meant occasionally forgetting what day of the week it is. Drifting isn’t about being lost; it’s a...
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Xishuangbanna Travel Guide for Families (2025): Elephants, Jungle Walks & fun in Yunnan

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Planning a warm-weather escape during the winter months? Welcome to Xishuangbanna, a tropical gem in southern Yunnan, China—known for its lush jungles, wild elephants, vibrant ethnic culture, and family-friendly adventures. With a climate similar to Hawaii, this region is perfect for winter travel, especially if you're exploring with kids. In this guide, we share our personal journey through elephant valleys, rainforest hikes, and unforgettable food—all designed with families in mind. 📚 Table of Contents Where We Stayed: Bustling Gaozhuang vs. Peaceful Lakeside Getting Around Xishuangbanna Must-See: Wild Elephant Valley Hidden Gem: Jinuo Mountain Hiking Adventure Other Family-Friendly Attractions Temples to Visit (If You’re Not Traveling with Toddlers) What to Eat in Xishuangbanna Final Thoughts 📍 Where We Stayed: Bustling Gaozhuang vs. Peaceful Lakeside We spent 9 nights in Xishuangbanna, split between two contrasting areas: Gaozhuang (5 nights) : Righ...
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From Stability to the Unknown — Why I Chose to Drift

Change has been a constant theme in my life, shaping who I am and where I stand today. Growing up in a densely populated, historic city in northern China, I always dreamt of exploring the world beyond my hometown. My journey took me from Sun Yat-sen University in southern China to the United States, where I pursued my passion for biology and eventually found my calling in bioinformatics and data science. Each step was a leap into the unknown, fueled by curiosity and the desire to grow. Relocating to Singapore with my family felt like another chapter in this journey of change. It wasn’t just a physical move; it was an opportunity to reassess my priorities and explore new possibilities. After years of dedicating myself to a career I loved, I found myself craving something different — the chance to travel, spend more time with family, and embrace the unpredictability of life, even if that meant occasionally forgetting what day of the week it is. Drifting isn’t about being lost; it’s a...
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Top Places to Visit in Penang with Family: Kid-Friendly Attractions & Tips (2025)

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A moment of stillness above the clouds —Penang Hill gave us views we didn’t expect. The city stretched beneath us, wrapped in mist, reminding us that travel with toddlers can be both peaceful and breathtaking. After two months of adventure through China, we landed in Penang, Malaysia—without much of a plan, but with an open mind. We didn’t expect to fall in love with it, but Penang quickly charmed us with its mix of flavors, cultures, and family-friendly pace. If you’re traveling with young kids and looking for a destination that’s rich in culture but low on tourist chaos, this guide is for you. Why Penang? When most Americans think of Southeast Asia, places like Thailand, Bali, or Vietnam usually come to mind. But on the northwest coast of Malaysia lies a lesser-known gem: Penang . This vibrant island blends Chinese, Malay, Indian, and colonial British influences into something uniquely its own. It’s full of personality and perfectly suited for family tr...
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Koh Samui with Kids 2025: What We Loved, What We’d Skip

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Blue Lagoon Magic – A quiet moment at Ang Thong National Marine Park. Totally worth the climb. We just returned from a family trip to Koh Samui with our two young kids. And while the island is beautiful, not everything went as smoothly as expected. In this honest review, we’re sharing what really worked for us, what didn’t, and how we’d plan it differently next time. Table of Contents Where We Stayed: Villa vs. Hotel Kid-Friendly Tours: What Was Worth It Fisherman’s Village: A Walkable Family Spot Koh Samui Airport: A Surprisingly Charming Welcome Our Koh Samui Itinerary (5 Days) What We’d Do Differently Next Time Quick Tips for Visiting Koh Samui with Kids Final Thought Where We Stayed: Villa vs. Hotel Over five days, we split our stay between a villa on Bophut Hill and one night at Hyatt Regency. Surprisingly, the villa won us over, and here’s why: 🏡 Villa on Bophut Hill Transportation: ...
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The Best Way to Get Cash while Travel internationally (Without Wasting Money on Fees)

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Why This Travel Tip Matters I always thought the safest and cheapest way to get foreign currency for an international trip was to plan ahead, visit a bank, and exchange cash. It felt official, secure, and hassle-free. But while planning our upcoming family trip to Thailand, I did a deep dive—and what I found shocked me. Bank exchange rates? Often among the worst. If you're like me—traveling with kids and trying to avoid surprises—this post breaks down the real best ways to get cash while traveling internationally, based on recent research and real-world comparisons. I Compared Options—And Here’s What I Found Tap to view the full-size table. Not all currency exchange options are equal—this side-by-side table shows which methods cost more and which give you the best value while traveling. What Is the Mid-Market Rate? The mid-market rate is the real exchange rate between two currencies—the midpoint between buy and sell rates o...
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How to Get a Job in Singapore on a Dependent Pass (2025 Guide for Expat)

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From Sponsorship to Startup: Work Options for Dependant’s Pass Holders in Singapore (2025 Guide) Introduction When I first moved to Singapore as an expat mom, I was excited about the adventure—but also anxious. I had left behind my career, my social network, and my comfort zone. As I began navigating life in a new country, one question kept resurfacing: Can I work here on a Dependant's Pass (DP)? Having previously gone through the immigrant journey in the U.S., I knew how tough it could be to find a job that requires visa sponsorship. Companies often need to justify the cost and effort of hiring a foreigner, which adds an extra layer of complexity. That experience shaped how I approached working in Singapore—with determination, realism, and a willingness to explore creative paths. This post shares what I’ve learned and aims to guide other expat moms navigating similar uncertainties—because while the road may not be easy, it's certainly possibl...
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New to Content Creation? Here’s the Facebook Page Setup I Wish I’d Known About

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1. My Rookie Mistake as a New Content Creator When I started my journey as a content creator, I had no clue what I was doing—so naturally, I created an entirely new Facebook account just for my brand. It felt like the “official” thing to do. But when I launched my second project, I stumbled on something game-changing: I could’ve just created a Facebook Page from my personal account all along. No extra account. No extra login. And no violation of Facebook’s rules (yep, creating multiple personal accounts is technically not allowed). That realization saved me time—and a lot of future headaches. No extra logins. No burnout. Just smarter content management. 2. Facebook 101: Accounts, Profiles, and Pages (Explained Simply) Let’s break it down, because Facebook’s setup can feel like alphabet soup: Facebook account : Your login—your email and password that let you access the platform. Facebook profile : Your personal identity, where you...
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Why We Travel With Our Kids: They Won’t Remember, But We’ll Never Forget

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Looking out with wonder —what she won’t remember, we always will. 1. They Won’t Remember It—But We Will My toddler won’t remember the butterflies at Entopia , the elephants at Wild Elephant Valley , or the stunning view of rice terraces in Yuanyang . They probably won’t remember the look on our faces when our 3-year-old daughter devoured four big rolls of Beijing duck. But my husband and I will. We’ll remember the joy on their faces when they saw real monkeys—black or brown. The way they giggled feeding elephants, yelled "so high!" during parasailing, or marveled at terraced fields like they were stairways to the sky. I'will remember sweating through carrying my baby boy while climbing the Zhangjiajie mountains and stressing when we got lost, again, in search of food before the next meltdown. They might not recall these places. But we’ll remember how travel softened us, slowed us, and pulled us closer. We’ll remember how these shared mome...
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What I Gained by Letting Go of the 9–5 Hustle

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What happens when your dream career and your dream of being a present parent start to clash? For years, I juggled both—chasing ambitious goals in fast-paced startups while raising two little ones at home. I believed that with enough planning and willpower, I could manage both worlds. But when I hit a major life transition, I realized something had to shift. This is the story of how I chose to slow down—not because I couldn’t keep up, but because I wanted to show up differently for myself and my family. The Past: Startups, Success, and Stretching Too Thin Early in my career, I left the big corporate world at Roche. I was eager to do work that felt meaningful, not spend my days stuck in slow processes and internal politics. Startups gave me the adrenaline I craved—a chance to be hands-on, solve tough problems, and work closely with a small team toward a common goal. Sure, there were trade-offs: less pay, no 401K, fewer benefits, and more responsibility. But as someone wired ...
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