Mark and Xin

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  • Home
  • About
  • Our Map
  • Travel
    • Asia
      • Japan
      • Nepal
      • Singapore
    • Caribbean
      • Dominica
    • Europe
      • Iceland
      • Spain
    • Middle East
      • Turkey
      • Jordan
    • South America
      • Chile
      • Colombia
      • Peru
    • U.S. East Coast
      • NY State
      • Maryland
    • U.S. West Coast
      • Oregon
  • Fitness
    • Biking
    • Hiking
    • Running
  • Eats
  • Contact
  • Middle East,  Travel,  Turkey

    Turkey – Our 8-day itinerary

    Middle East, Asia or Europe? Turkey had long been on our radar. Having been to parts of Asia, South America and the U.S., Turkey seems so.. foreign. This was perhaps in part due to the many historical events that led…

    September 1, 2018
  • Middle East,  Travel,  Turkey

    Mom, we’re on tv!

    We were recently featured on an Australian TV series “The Modern Middle East”. Check out our segment at the end of the video below.

    August 5, 2018
  • Asia,  Nepal,  Travel

    Photo diary: Kagbeni and Marpha – Don’t miss these towns on the Annapurna Circuit!

    Many end their Annapurna Circuit trek in Muktinath, taking a jeep out to Tatopani (for their hot springs), or even straight towards Jomsom / Pokhara. We strongly advocate for hiking onwards, expecially to see the beautiful towns of Kagbeni and…

    July 7, 2018
  • Asia,  Fitness,  Hiking,  Nepal,  Travel

    Annapurna Circuit – Everything you need to know, including top 10 tips

    The Annapurna Circuit is by far one of our favorite treks, hiking alongside the majestic views of the Himalayas while experiencing the cultural diversities of the different ethnic groups in the villages.  Here’s everything you need to know before taking…

    July 7, 2018
  • Colombia,  South America,  Travel

    Colombia Travel Part 1: Villa De Leyva

    Hola… Colombia? It’s been 3 months since we’ve started traveling – we’ve been to two continents and now at our third. Interestingly I have chosen to blog about where we are now versus where we were before. The reason our…

    June 11, 2018
  • Fitness,  Hiking,  Nepal

    Annapurna Circuit Trek Video (2018)

    #MXescapes to Nepal! We trekked the Annapurna Circuit late March 2018. Our hike took 15 days, walking past the Thorung-la pass at 17,769 feet (5,415 meters). This was a self-guided trek (no porters). Weather was great except when we crossed…

    May 28, 2018
  • Introduction,  Travel

    Why we left our jobs in 2018

      Our blog isn’t one about escaping the clutches of the corporate world. The truth is we have had very fulfilling and rewarding careers over the last seven or so years. We have matured and learned so much from moving…

    April 2, 2018
  • Asia,  Food,  Japan

    Tokyo Food Trip (2017) Video

    No better way to reminisce our November Japan trip than putting together clips of us eating around Tokyo and Ito! Enjoy!

    March 1, 2018
  • Biking,  Europe,  Spain

    May 2017 Spain Cycling Trip Video

    February 23, 2018
  • Chile,  Fitness,  Hiking,  South America

    Torres Del Paine W Trek in Patagonia (Self-Guided)

    We are back from our 10-day trip to Chile! Most of the trip was spent hiking the famous “W Trek” in Patagonia, while the remaining days were spent in the nearby towns to Torres Del Paine (Puerto Natales and Punta…

    November 6, 2016
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markandxin

First #fixm hiking experience, with one kid on the First #fixm hiking experience,
with one kid on the hiking backpack and the other in the carrier.  It was more like a stroll around the lake.  Still, it was tiring and Ian was over it near the end 😂
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#mxnyc #familyhike #hiking #lakesurprise
We’ve waited too long for 🍓 season! (last pho We’ve waited too long for 🍓 season! (last photo was a year ago)
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#mxplustwo #fixm #mxnyc #strawberrypicking
Oh baby, she’s already here!  Faye Lam (蓝菲)was born on April 14, 6.27pm, 3 weeks and 2 days early.  Her birth was so unexpected we didn’t have our hospital bag packed when @linxinlinxin’s water broke.  Ian’s school was closed for the week and Xin’s mom wasn’t arriving till 3 days later - so we had to improvise amidst the chaos.  So thankful for friends (esp @meltinchoc and fam) who got us through! 
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Because she wasn’t quite full term in addition to her low weight, Faye was in NICU for 6 days, and is finally home with us now. 
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Needless to say it’s been a wild week!  Birth story coming up, but for now we’ll let the adrenaline settle and enjoy having her home ❤️ #mxplustwo #fixm
The clock is ticking! Treasuring chances to getaw The clock is ticking!  Treasuring chances to getaway with our boy. #capemay 
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#mxescapes #mxplusone #newjersey #visitnj #visitcapemay #seaglass #beachplumfarm
Treasuring just us three for justtttt a little whi Treasuring just us three for justtttt a little while longer. #mxplusone
Family and health is everything 💗 Fave snippets Family and health is everything 💗 Fave snippets from our Vermont trip with 外公外婆.  Ian provided majority of the entertainment and it was so amazing to watch him develop over the one week we were there! #mxescapes #vermont #travelvermont #vtlakehouse #lakehouse #familytime #autumn
Thankful for the seasons. Thankful for family. T Thankful for the seasons.  Thankful for family.  Thankful to be alive.
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#mxescapes #vermont #travelvermont #lakeside #fall
FINALLY DONE. After a few tough weeks our bathroo FINALLY DONE.  After a few tough weeks our bathroom remodel is complete!  We’re not sure we’ll ever want to do this again, perhaps with a bit more help than this go around.  The actual reno work took three weeks, but all in it was two months of intense, hard work - coming up with what we want, interviewing contractors, researching and buying all the materials, getting condo approval, doing fixes / touch ups ourselves after the work was complete.. @maarklam was in the THICK of it all, besides being the mastermind and managing all the reno hiccups like a champ (luckily he’s handy himself and knows more than a thing or two, from waterproofing to grout types and sealing), driving to and from the tile shop / Home Depot countless times, he also sat through three weeks of Reno while working from home 😂 Time to enjoy the new bathroom and hope it stands the test of time!
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Floor, wall, shower floor tiles: @tilestonedepot
Shower accent wall tiles: @flooranddecor 
Vanity, mirror, vanity lights: @wayfair 
Shower glass door: @wayfair 
Sink faucets, shower faucets, drain, paint, and other construction mats: @amazon @lowes @homedepot
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#bathroomremodel #bathroominspo #bathroom #masterbathroom #bathroomdemo #remodeling #interiordesign
Impossible to take a good photo when this boy will Impossible to take a good photo when this boy will not stay still for even a SECOND.  At least both boys had a ton of fun and hugs 🤗. Dada is his favorite parent these days. Happy Halloween!!!
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#mxplusone
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