about me! and my favorite guys!

I was born and raised in Greensboro, NC. I attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. There I obtained a B.S. in Laboratory Animal Science and M.S. in Agriculture Education. I taught Agriculture classes in Robeson County and Union County from 2004-2013.

In 2011, I married my husband, Bobby in the Dominican Republic. After that we wanted to travel and live out of the country. My brother-in-law, Max suggested the United Arab Emirates. Within months my husband was offered a teaching position in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and we sold EVERYTHING!! We sold our house, furniture, his car, household items, everything except our clothes and some towels (I don’t know why we kept the towels). We planned on living in the UAE for two years. Two years turned into 7 years and two kids later. It was one of the best decisions we ever made. I lived and worked with people from around the world. I ate the best chicken shawarmas, hummus, and falafels in the world!!! Dubai and Abu Dhabi were our constant staycation getaways. I cannot tell you the name of any streets, but I knew how to get to the malls!! My son, Dean and I wish we could go back to the UAE. I loved being an expat for 7 years. The UAE stole my heart and will always be a special place to me.

The travel bug is real!! Once you get bitten, traveling becomes your reward, playground, or what your soul needs. It is all three for me; work hard, travel harder! While living and working in the UAE we traveled to 28 countries over 7 years. I probably have an interesting story for each country and have created some priceless memories with my family. My top five favorite travels were to Tanzania, India, Israel, Palestine, and Italy. One of the trips I am most proud of was my solo mom trip to Paris, France. It was just my 1-year-old son and me. We strolled the Parisian streets and went to the French Open to see Serena Williams play!!!

After we had our first son, Dean, our traveling did not slow down. His first international travel was at 2 months old. By the time Dean was 5 he had traveled to 25 countries. He loves traveling; planes, trains, taxis, tuk tuks and hotels… Dean is down to travel!!! Although Dean does not remember a lot of his travels, I believe it has influenced the amazing, cool kid that he is today!! Leo has only traveled to one country. Unfortunately, the pandemic has curbed our travels. My future travel goals are Egypt and Mexico!!     

Currently, we are living in Rockingham County, NC on an old tobacco farm.  My husband has been busy establishing an orchard with apple, peach, and plum trees.  Dean and Leo are great little farmers growing beans, peas, watermelon, and squash.  And I am like the Ree Drummond in the family: in the house cooking and eating cookies!!