If I thought driving in the US was difficult, let me introduce you to Australian roundabouts. Driving is perhaps the scariest thing I have ever done, and driving with me—whether in the US or Australia—is even scarier.

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of change as I moved from North Carolina to Kentucky, and then to Canberra, Australia. After a year of living with my sister and her husband, I’m beginning a new chapter as an Au Pair in a new country. Saying goodbye was tough, but the experience of settling into Canberra has been exhilarating, from exploring the city to bonding with my host family. The kids I’m caring for are full of energy, and their parents have made me feel so welcome. Despite the challenges, I’m excited for the adventure that lies ahead.

Lately, I’ve had the travel bug, and since I’m moving to Australia in less than a month, I’ve been thinking about all the other destinations in the world that I want to visit. London, England has always fascinated me with its long history of kings, queens, and iconic landmarks. It’s a place that seems to transport you back in time to the Medieval world. As a huge history buff, England is top of my bucket for countries to visit.

Whenever I think of visiting, my mind immediately races to four iconic spots that connect to the English royal history: The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and lastly Baker Street to appease the reader inside me.

The Tower of London is one of the most iconic landmarks in the United Kingdom and has a rich and complex history that spans nearly a thousand years. Located on the north bank of the River Thames, this historic fortress has served various roles, from a royal palace and military stronghold to a prison, execution site, and even a menagerie. The Tower of London is not just a single building but a complex of structures, each with its own story to tell.

The other day, I was lying in bed, cuddling with my two cats (technically, they are my sister’s cats, but I like to think of them as mine too). One was napping on my stomach, sounding like a motorboat, while the other was curled up beside me. As I lay there, I thought to myself, “Wow, could life get any better?” But then another thought crossed my mind: “Am I becoming a crazy cat lady?”

Mom’s creamy potato casserole: a beloved dish for birthdays and holidays.

Have you ever been caught off guard by an old memory or a photo that suddenly transports you back in time? I recently experienced this when a picture of a boy I once babysat popped up on my feed. Now he's starting first grade. It made me realize how quickly the years slip by and how often we rush through life, impatient for the next big thing, only to look back and wonder why we didn’t savor the moments we had. In a world where time flies, this reflection is a reminder to cherish the present, for it’s the only time we truly have.

From road trips to becoming an au pair, discover how I turned my love for travel into a new adventure.

You may have heard the age old question: Which is better, dogs or cats? You may feel passionately about one or the other. “Dogs are loyal friends.” “Cats take care of themselves.” “Dogs are too needy.” “Cats are menaces to society.” Whichever way you lean, dog owners and cat owners can both agree that their pets are the greatest little creatures in the world, but cats are 1,000% better than dogs.

Last week, I wrote a post about the top 12 books I have read this year so far. I have a personal rule that I try to read a book all the way through, even if I need to power through it. Although I enjoyed most of the books I read, I encountered some that I could not get into and barely finished. Here are the bottom six books I have read so far.