On this page are all of the posts I have written since beginning “The Traveling Tepaskes.” Use the search bar to query a place or topic.
What Is It Like Being an American and Living Outside of the US Right Now?
I wouldn’t know because I’m Canadian, eh.
How to Get a Dog in England
This is less a “How To…” and more a cautionary tale. In November, we were tricked into getting a puppy by the 12-year-old and a very compelling Power Point presentation assuring us she would be the best dog mom on Earth. Obviously, she was lying but, as many schmucks parents have before us, we fell…
What Is It Like Raising Children Overseas?
Exactly what I was hoping would happen is happening. My girls are becoming understanding and empathetic towards others. Yesterday, my youngest told me she would be fasting today. When I asked her why she said it was because her friend had been trying to fast for Ramadan but had broken the fast twice. In other…
How to Get Digital Mole Mapping
For years I have been seen by a dermatologist because I have fair skin and a lot of moles and I don’t want skin cancer. I’ve had so many a-typical and pre-cancerous moles either biopsied or removed completely I’ve lost count. So, when I heard about mole mapping which uses Artificial Intelligence to capture and…
How to Vaccinate Children in England
Here’s something I find to be absolutely delightful, living in England. The National Health Service (NHS) offers vaccinations in school for children. I was never vaccinated in school in the U.S. though both of my parents were and, for some odd reason, my sisters? Anyway, I used to jokingly wish the U.S. would bring back…
How Does London Compare to Singapore?
Obviously, moving from one foreign city to another, one can’t help but make comparisons. Even a domestic move would warrant them as adjustments are made. So, this got me to thinking about all of the ways that Singapore and the U.K. are similar and also different. Singapore was a British Colony for 144 years so,…
How to Move to the United Kingdom
I thought it might be helpful for me to write down some of the first steps we took when we moved to London. As with most of what I have to say, I have no idea what I’m talking about. It’s definitely in your best interest to do what’s best for you as we more…
Why Does My Home in the U.K. Have A Name?
Something that has made me quite curious is the fact that many of the homes in our village (we live in a village!) have names. A quick Google search tells me it’s a common practice and has been for ages but my curiosity wasn’t quite satisfied with that little bit. So, now, I’m on a…
A Funeral in England, Part II
Who knew this would be or even could be a two parter?! Not me! This is a follow-up post to A Funeral in England. Last night I was telling Marcus about what I saw because it was the first time I had seen him in a while, being that he was delayed getting home the…
A Funeral in England
My condolences to the family and friends of my recently deceased neighbor. I just witnessed the most curious (to me) thing. I was sitting at my bedroom window when I saw a hearse with a coffin in it followed by a funereal limousine. The vehicles drove by quite slowly, clearly looking for a house, which…
National Health Service
Fun fact! Anyone who lives in the United Kingdom is entitled to free access to health care (side eyeing the U.S.). So, even though we aren’t British, the entire family has been given a National Health Service number and assigned a nearby general practitioner. It’s all very intriguing. Yet, and as with most things, I…
How to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle in London
Below, you will find the refuse disposal schedule for where we live. There are separate containers for: Paper products, general waste, mixed recycling, yard waste, and food waste. That is five different containers for various types of waste that we need to ensure we use correctly but also that we put out at the right…
Growing Pains in London
The girls and I are going through some London growing pains. It’s nothing we can’t overcome but it’s causing some frustrations and my guess is it will only get worse before it gets better. I blame Singapore and how easy it is to live there. Of course, much of this is due to the harsh…
How to Rent in the U.K.
Renting in the U.K. has been a wild ride. It’s not nearly as easy as it is in the U.S. and it isn’t due to us being foreigners, it’s just how things are done. In the U.S. you either go apartment hunting or, if you’re in the market for a house, you find a real…
How to Eat Like A Brit
I have tried, and failed, at eating like a Brit. Over the past month I have done a field study on the way British people eat. I only did this because before we moved here I was told that Brits use their knife and fork differently. I should have started studying and practicing then, but…
Lost in London
There are a few things that I am good at. I am good at writing. I can carry a tune and, provided it’s not an advanced class, I am good at ballet. I can ride horses and have only had one speeding ticket. I can also whip up a 30-minute meal in just under an…
How to Entertain Your Dad in Singapore for Two Weeks
When Marcus and I first started dating we had an opportunity to visit my paternal grandparents in Buffalo, NY. My grandma was pretty frail by this point but my grandpa, who would have been nearly 90 at the time, was still getting around and even driving. Driving with my 90-year-old grandpa was as white-knuckling an adventure as…
Which Holidays Are Celebrated in Singapore?
You might want to make sure you’ve gone to the toilet and settled yourself in for a nice, long read because this one spiraled out of control. This post has been in the works for a long time and the more I worked on it, and the longer it took to write, the more I…
Traveling in New Zealand
Nearly 10 years ago Marcus came up with a plan to travel from where we lived on the coast of North Carolina to Minnesota, a 1,337-mile journey. The girls were all of 2 years old and 10 months old, respectively, and there wasn’t enough Zanax in the world that would have convinced me it was…
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The Traveling Tepaskes 