“You have to live spherically – in many directions. Never lose your childish enthusiasm, and things will come your way.” — Federico Fellini

Okay, it’s not easy to say this (leading with the heavy stuff rarely is), but here we go: When I was 16, I almost died. In fact, it was a miracle I survived. And, well…I kind of took it personally.

From then on, I made it my mission to live the most spectacular life possible.  If you scroll through this blog, you’ll meet different versions of Denae as she does just that:

• A bright-eyed TEFL teacher turned remote marketer, living her dream life abroad and helping you with your own remote work/digital nomad journey

• A travel writer head-over-heels for Budapest, sharing everything from ruin bars to thermal baths

• And now, an ex-expat—visa denied, life turned upside down—learning to start again, and hoping to inspire you if you’re doing the same

You’ll find a mix of:

• Travel stories that focus on the why, not just the where

• Honest essays about what happens after the leap

• Destination guides of the places I know and love—from Budapest to my own backyard

After 7+ years in Budapest, I know that starting over is just another kind of adventure. The Pacific Northwest will always be home, but a passport is a terrible thing to waste. Let’s see where that takes us!

Denae Xx