Exploring the country I call home
You earned your place here. Now let's actually see it.
I'm Jasmine. I grew up in Vietnam. I just got my green card — and I'm finally exploring the country I call home. Come with me.
hi, I'm Jasmine
my story —
I spent years watching America from the outside.
I grew up in Vietnam, and like a lot of people, I spent years watching America from the outside — the movies, the skylines, the places that felt like they existed in a different world.
Then I moved here, and I've been heads down ever since — working, building a life, doing everything you do when you're trying to make it in a new country.
I just got my green card. I'm finally taking the time to actually see the country I live in — and sharing everything honestly, the way a friend would.
the notebook —
Latest Stories
The East Coast — Birthday, Graduation, and My First Real Look at America
Ten days, three cities, six hotels. NYC for the cherry blossoms, DC for the monuments, Philly for the birthday finale. My first real look at the East Coast — months after my first trip as a green card holder (Ensenada) broke the seal.
The Night I Stood on a Balcony Above Times Square
There are almost no balconies in Manhattan. My husband found one — a corner suite at the Times Square EDITION, twenty floors up, with a door that opened onto air. Here's what it felt like to walk through it.
Standing at the Statue of Liberty as a Brand-New Green Card Holder
I'd seen her in movies my entire childhood. The week I officially became a permanent resident, I finally got to stand in front of her. I wasn't ready for how it would feel.
on the map —
Where I've been
If you came here for work, family, or a better life…
You're not alone. Millions of us are heads-down building a life and forgetting to live one. This is for you.
First-time experiences
Everything I'm seeing for the first time, with all the wide-eyed honesty that comes with it.
Honest reviews
What was worth it, what wasn't, and what nobody told me before I went.
Travel without wasting your PTO
Itineraries built for people with 3 days off, not 3 weeks.
postcards —
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a note from us —
Ready to explore beyond America?
My husband Cali runs Deploy Travel — a tech-native travel advisory specializing in Southeast Asia, cruises, and luxury hotels. When you're ready for the next adventure, he's got you covered.
Visit Deploy Travel