First Day Out

Picture this: You joined the Navy at 21 to see the world and to get out of your hometown. Fast forward 7 years later, some of the best times and worst of times of your life. I could go on and on about how to the Navy changed my life and gave me a new one, but not today. One thing I can definitely thank it for is the exposure to such a big melting-pot of cultures, experiences and the people I met while serving. To my friends still wearing the uniform, I miss you, stay vigilant and come home soon. ❤️

As a deployed sailor truly away from home for the first time, I went to Guam, South Korea, Singapore, The Philippines, Vietnam, and Hawaii between both deployments in January 2017 and January 2018.

If I am being honest I never knew where Guam was and was completely unprepared for the heat when we arrived. Busan, South Korea in March was cold AF, and I can say that if it had not been for my quick thinking and even faster shipping from Fashionnova to my ship, I probably would have froze my butt off! Shout out to Fashionnova. 😂

Asia was most definitely one of my favorite places to have explored due to their kindness, hospitality, and food. Customer service is like no other and completely unmatched, especially compared to many other places in the world. Lodging in hotels while in Asia is a whole other experience in its own. From what I've witnessed, it made the US look to behind as far as the tech they have over there that makes your life so much easier. 🥲

I can honestly say that as a black woman I also never felt unsafe, racially discriminated against or felt like my life was in danger, while exploring Asia.

3 Things I learned while traveling Asia:

• PDA is considered taboo 🫂🚫

• Eating/Dining completely alone is popular in Japan 🥢

• Tipping can be considered rude in certain countries 😮