Monthly Best Of: November 2014

This post came a day early as tomorrow is the last day of the month, but Sundays are for Weekly Small Pleasures posts.

Once again a whole month has passed so fast. On November of 2014 I toured a submarine, had a major hiking accomplishment, celebrated 4 years of marriage, saw my football team win many games (and lose a few), watched lots of Jeopardy, bought a ticket to fly to my hometown, celebrated the biggest Thanksgiving ever, gained muscle and heart strength through crossfit classes, started learning a ton about the gut-brain connection, overindulged a few times, and saw the first snowfall of the year.

Below are your top posts of November based on most views and likes, in case you missed any of them:

Should I Become A U.S. Citizen? Green Card VS. US Citizenship

Naturalization Ceremony Grand Canyon (Image source)

It took almost 5 years for me to get a US Permanent Green Card. After tons of paperwork, fees and patience, I was granted a conditional green card (good for 2 years) and then had to apply to remove those conditions, a process that took about a year and a half with the need of a lawyer. I got my green card through marriage to a U.S. Citizen.

Now, I qualify to apply for U.S. Citizenship. The question is, should I? Should I go through a painful process again?

15 Best Things About Being An Expat In The USA

Yesterday I posted about the things I dislike about the USA. To balance it out, I needed to tell you about my favorite things about this country too. I didn’t mean to offend anyone, every place has its good and bad things. 

So here are 15 good things about America:

12 Things I Dislike About Being An Expat In The USA

Many people think that the USA is the best country in the world including all Americans. Of course there are great things about this country, but it definitely has its flaws, at least in my eyes. 

Government Offices Around The World

Photographer Jan Banning traveled to 8 very different countries and dropped in unannounced at various bureaucratic offices. He captured the setting and now we can see his work.

Fish & Chips and a 100 Year Old Trolley Ride in the Port City of Astoria, Oregon

The Port City of Astoria in Oregon sits at the mouth of the great Columbia River that connects to the ocean.

Two weekends ago, we had no plans and spontaneously decided to drive about an hour and a half to Astoria even though the weather forecast stated “severe weather”. We are nonsensical travelers like that.

Our day trip to Astoria ended up being magical. We ate fresh fish and chips, took a walk along the rails, basked in the perfect chilly sunshine, came across a running historic 100 year old trolley and rode it, walked some more, had a couple of drinks and dessert, and finalized our day by buying our first piece of art for our apartment from an art gallery. It only started pouring rain when we drove back home after 8pm.

Happiness In The U.S. and Around The Globe Infographic

There are many people in other countries that wish to move the United States. They believe they will have a better and happier life there. But are Americans truly happy? See how the U.S. compares to other countries and find out who are the top 20 and the bottom 20 happiest countries with the infographic below. 

Barista Coffee and BrewCycle in Portland

Happy people on a pub crawl on the BrewCycle Portland

Two of the best things in Portland, Oregon are coffee and craft beer. You can find a plethora of both coffee shops and breweries all across Portland, and if you randomly end up in one chances are the coffee or beer you taste will be great. 

Edges Around The World

Over the edge of the lift in Whistler, Canada

These captures around the world speak to each other as they all feature people, animals and landscapes on the edge, along the edge or over the edge, one way or another.

Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

Orange Around The World

Orange in the fire and surroundings during a Dhuni ritual in India.

In Europe and America, orange is commonly associated with amusement, the unconventional, extroverts, fire, activity, danger, taste and aroma, the autumn season, and Protestantism. In Asia, it is an important symbolic colour of Buddhism and Hinduism. What range of emotions and characteristic the color orange offers!

I have some great captures around the world that embody this fiery colour. Enjoy!