Whoa! It's been a decade.

Usually, I'm not one to toot my own horn or boast about what I've accomplished. But today, I hit a major milestone that I'm really proud of and want to share. Ten years ago - I hopped on a Singapore Airlines flight. After one too many Singapore Slings on board, I woke up at the doorstep of my biggest adventure.

Why leave Europe? Why leave a cushy airline job, you ask?

Well, turns out you needed a degree to climb the corporate ladder – or at least that's what I have been told. So, I decided it was time to step out, get a degree or two, and prove my worth to myself. Call it an early burnout or a craving for a crazy adventure in my late 20s – I did hit the road. A road to... well, I wasn't sure where it was leading. Thanks to my previous employer's infamous "no return" policy, one thing was clear – straight ahead was the only option. Turning back was as no-no. And for that, I'm grateful.

I earned my degree and delivered some strange Eat. Pray. Love-inspired valedictorian speech. I was the moment, like Julia Roberts. Minus the bicycle. Plus a Honda Scoopy...and a lot more Bintangs.

Had an absolute blast studying in Bali and Bangkok. Along the way, I met amazing friends like Chaja Kersten , to whom I owe so much. She's been a teacher, a leader, and most importantly, an exceptional friend ever since. People come into your life for a reason. People stay in your life because they are awesome. And together we have achieved heaps of great stuff. ????

Bali was the perfect place to rebuild myself and cleanse out the European corporate toxins I racked up. The years flew by. Before I knew it, I was embarking on a new adventure, destination: Vietnam. It was the wildest time of my life, filled with incredible highs and lows. A fantastic fast-paced country with immense development. I often think of it as a hospitality boot camp experience of some sort, that I will never forget. Being a total novice to the industry, and no experience in Vietnam itself, I landed in a position that seemed quite daunting for my capabilities. Despite feeling this way, I approached it step by step, dedicating myself to learning intensively. Over time, I successfully navigated and handled the challenges. Lucky for me I had an epic team to rely on.

Looking back, there are lessons that no degree or amount of work experience could have prepared me for. Some days you win, some days you learn.

With a heart & mind full of memories and incredible connections, it was time to leave Vietnam for the new exciting chapter of my career, oh wait that was – COVID.

You think navigating the pandemic was tough? Try doing it without seeing your family and loved ones for years. Staying away from your loved ones, witnessing your expat friends leaving one by one, experiencing a shrinking social circle with each COVID wave, and being bombarded by constant fear through the media... it really made me ponder:

Should I stay or should I go back? But then, where exactly is "back"?

You reached a point where home is defined by where your heart is, not the origin of your passport. And for me, that place is no longer in Europe; it's right here. I did whatever was necessary to persevere because I've already come this far. So, in a nutshell, what I'm trying to convey is: Here's to you, Thailand. Home.

Fast forward, a couple of years later

Today, I'm proud to say I'm exactly where I want to be. I've built a workspace and lead an awesome local team. Also, I have amazing folks like Trent Munday and Afriana Faradina Zambrut + Surawut Wacheeworasit . People who understand and support me; lift me up, and keep my inspo flowing. ????

So I guess the moral of the story is this: when you're feeling stuck or standing at a crossroads, ask yourself where you want to go and follow it through. Easier said than done, but ????????????. Keep fighting.

I'm eagerly looking ahead to the next chapter here in Thailand with Mandara Spa Asia , and I couldn't be more excited.

So pop in and say hello! ????