Sometimes when I think of my family, it is really hard to see how we are actually related. We are so different in so many ways. My mom, dad and sister are all stable and grounded in their happy Southern California life. While, I am running around, moving to Norway and going all around the world and am not in one place longer than a few months. But hey I like it! I know that sometimes they would probably only believe that I was related if it was proved through DNA testing!

Sometimes since I have moved to Norway I really miss some American stores (and of course, those good ‘ol American prices - you know, at least compared to Norwegian prices). I really miss having a Target just a ten minute car drive away, near the mall with all of my favorite stores. I really miss Ralph’s grocery stores (I know you think I’m crazy, but if you had to shop at Norwegian grocery stores for a year too you would know what I mean). And stores like the Price Club where you can get the best buys on anything you want…in bulk!

I’ll just keep dreaming for now :)

Here in India, I am being a good spiritual student and studying very diligently at the ashram that I am staying at. One of the main topics that we are studying about here is Vastu. Have you ever heard of Vastu? Well, the easiest way I can explain it is that it is kind of like the Indian version of fung Shui (did I spell it right?). Its very interesting. One day maybe I can teach you about it too!

**Side note: Check out cruise deals!**

So Culture Shock is about to go through a lot of updates really soon. But as always, I have to dedicate the next few posts to assignments that I love to do so much, because they are actually paying for all the work that I am having done right now. So please still bear with me and if you want something amazing to read, just stick with me a little while :) I always give it to you, don’t I?

Well, since I have moved to Norway and have been in India for the past few months I have to say that I have really been a bad girl when it comes to sending the people back home postcards and regular mail. The internet makes communicating so easy and effortless that I just do not have the time or energy (or at least don’t want to have it) to spend on handwriting and mailing a regular letter or postcard.

But when a company helps you out to have all of the right supplies, then someone like me and in my situation really have no excuse any more for not sending my family back home a postcard or two from India.

A company like Vista Print is a company who happily provides all of your printing needs and makes it almost effortless to send a regular letter or postcard again. They have such a wide variety of print products that are not only helpful but so fun to use! They have everything from address stamps to announcements.

I do not know if you have ever checked out their website, but they actually have a section of free products too. I think that is so cool. You should really go check it out.

Culture Shock is getting a makeover very soon. I have already had a beautiful custom header image designed that is so beautiful. I am super excited to start finally getting this sites design straightened out once and for all (at least for now). :) Hope you like what is coming up soon for this site!

I know that I have shared before about some really amazing and memorable vacations that I have had with my family in the past. I remember how we used to take these really crazy long car trips all over the United States. But they were so much fun and so interesting for me as a child growing up. I really think that I will never forget them.

I remember when I was a young girl I loved the book series called “Anne of Green Gables” by L.M. Montgomery. Reading these books used to really take me away to another world where I could just dream and experience something totally new. Well, one year for my birthday, my parents gave me the greatest gift ever. They gave me the gift of a trip across the United States all the way to the eastern coast of Canada to Prince Edward Island where the books were written by the author and the stories were based. I got my dream trip to my fantasy world. It was so amazing.

One thing I really remember about that vacation, though, is that to get there we took the train all the way from Los Angeles to New York. it was cool taking the train across the United States because we stopped in so many cities along the way. But once we arrived in New York, we had so much fun! There are so many things to do in New York. The possibilities are endless!

We went on so many tours and had so much fun because like I said, there are endless Things to do in New York City. I do wish we could have spent more time there before traveling to our final destination on that trip. But one thing is for sure, I know I have always wanted to go back on vacation to New York!

Sometimes though, when you travel to a new city you don’t know exactly what to do or where to go. There is always the chance of getting lost and it ruining a sightseeing trip. But there are always solutions! One of those solutions are that you can check out a company like Trusted Tours & Attractions. They are a great company with tons of ideas of what to do in tons of cities across the US. Weather you are looking for things to do in Chigaco or Las Vegas, they have answers for you!

One way to stay really up-to-date with what is going on with Trusted Tours & Attractions is to sign up for their newsletter. PLUS (if that was not enough!) if you sign up for their e-newsletter right now, you can enter to win a handheld GPS - which would save you any hassle of getting lost on another vacation! But hurry fast, because that offer ends soon.

So go ahead, and check it out, Trusted Tours & Attractions… they are one of the best online travel guides for planning your next family vacation!

Even though the typically celebrated religious holidays are over and passed for a little while, that does not mean that you can not get that special someone a little inspirational gift for no reason at all. Maybe a beautiful cross necklace or something like that is just what someone you know needs to get them through a hard time right now. A gift of religious jewelry can be very uplifting and encouraging when someones spirits are down! Just an idea!

Hey guys, just wanted to let you know about another carnival Culture Shock is featured in. Check it out at the Dividend Guys blog.

I had a reader recently tell me about a pop up quiz on my site that he did. I was confused, because I did not know of any pop up on my site. Well, evidently one of the ad companies I had on this site took the liberty of adding a pop up. I don’t know how long this has been going on and I hope its fixed. But if anyone could tell me if it happens again, please let me know. It conveniently does not show up whenever I look at my site. Thanks.