The city’s lights came into view as we descended from 35,000 feet on a hot March night. The lower we got, the clammier my hands, and the more active the butterflies in my stomach. I glanced at my FitBit. Resting heart rate of 104. Nope, not anxious at all. “What am I doing? Maybe I should’ve stayed in Houston.”

May 31, 2016 in Central America, Stories by Melissa Hogan | 7 Comments

I find every trip is a collection of ups and downs. You just hope that the ups always outnumber the downs. My trip to Nicaragua was no exception with its own collection of goods, bads, and an ugly. Read about my highlights and lowlights of two weeks in Central America.

May 25, 2016 in Central America by Melissa Hogan | 6 Comments

Ever since high school I’ve had an affection for turtles. So when I heard that there was a replica of a turtle ship in Yeosu, it didn’t matter that I didn’t know what a turtle ship was, I wanted to see it. What I’ve since learned is that turtle ships, also known as Geobukseon (거북선), were a large type of warship used by the Royal Korean Navy during the Joseon Dynasty from the early 15th century up until the 19th century.

May 22, 2016 in Asia by Melissa Hogan | 4 Comments

Earlier this year brightly coloured bagels started blowing up on the internet. A video by Business Insider showing the labour intensive process of creating these multi-coloured treats went viral. I started seeing them all over Facebook and Instagram. What unicorn magic was this? I must have.

May 3, 2016 in Food, North America by Melissa Hogan | 2 Comments