tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88710585339088177302024-08-29T14:22:59.291+09:00Seizing every opportunity and adapting to every new situation. Here is a collection of my adventures.Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-28711388451917728172012-01-09T23:13:00.001+09:002012-01-09T23:19:07.354+09:00

Water. Does the body good.  We need it.  We drink lots of it.  But should we ever NOT?  YES! According to Koreans, anyways.  I was having dinner with my relatives the other day and found it odd that I was the only one at the table who asked for water to drink with my meal.  So of course, I politely offered to get some for everyone else, but they all declined.  

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-54978378648565115782011-11-28T01:48:00.002+09:002011-11-30T12:08:42.891+09:00

Haha ok maybe not...but there are MANY MANY variations to one of the most popular foods in Korea, called Topokki.  The spelling of the word also has many variations (ddeokbokki)...but I believe this is the official one.   If you've been to Korea, you know exactly what I'm talking about.  If not, allow me to enlighten you.  Like LA has the "dirty dog,"  Korea has its

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-20838615671856981112011-10-17T01:37:00.003+09:002011-10-17T18:59:45.859+09:00

You're hungry. But you don't feel like leaving the house.  Maybe you're curled up in a blanket sipping hot cocoa, eating some Ferrero Rochers (one of my absolute favorites) and watching a movie, maybe you have company and it'd be too difficult to gather everyone and go to a restaurant, or maybe you just don't want to be seen as a loner, eating alone in public.  Regardless of the reason,

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-49827163258842793632011-10-07T20:45:00.004+09:002011-10-22T20:54:02.656+09:00

I LOVE ADVENTURE.  I really do.  Getting bored easily leaves the only option of constantly searching for new and exciting experiences to keep a consistant level of exhiliration in my life.  Over the weekend, my trip to Busan ended up being a great deal more exciting than I had anticipated.  I guess the lack of a plan had something to do with it in part, but never did I think

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-49007142125808879012011-09-30T21:17:00.001+09:002011-10-22T14:35:37.916+09:00

Under the metro and down the street to teach En-g-lish I go (sung with the tune of "to grandmother's house" .... actually I don't even know if that's the name of the song...but you know. over the river...through the woods ladeedadeeda) K so I was going to work and saw this right before I got to the door of my building.  Twas a mini outdoor Petco!  I haven't really seen anything like

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-49346388375635933442011-09-01T01:24:00.001+09:002011-10-22T14:36:47.076+09:00

Can't catch me I'm the Gingerbread Man! Perhaps Usain Bolt, the fastest man on Earth was singing this jollily last year, but not at 2011's IAAF race. Surprisingly, and to much of the audience's dismay, Bolt had a false start and actually got disqualified from the race.  Imagine.  The fastest man in the world.  Olympic champion and world record holder.  Kicked out.  I

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-55049389333709892432011-08-27T22:40:00.001+09:002011-10-22T14:40:50.292+09:00

Convenient stores are called so because they are in the area, carry the basics of what you need, etc. What if the store was brought to you! And what if you could maximize on multitasking and shop for groceries while otherwise waiting around doing absolutely nothing?? That must be exactly what the creators of this revolutionary shopping system thought too. Now, when I first saw this before

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-38566373802964880342011-08-22T00:29:00.001+09:002011-08-22T01:21:01.846+09:00

Tranquility.  Serenity.  Peace.  Good Health.  Equilibrium. You’d like to have these everyday, wouldn’t you?  Of course some prefer the quick hustle bustle of a metropolitan life, but when you lead that type of life and you think of “getting away” or “vacationing” you seek a break from the continuous productivity and wish for nothing more than those words stated above.&

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-83150865819174702532011-08-17T21:23:00.003+09:002011-09-02T20:50:53.562+09:00

“Don’t cry over spilled milk.”  Definitely something I needed to keep in mind!  I don’t think I’ve ever before run into so many obstacles in such a short time period.  I started off the morning with trying to go on base.  When I think of home, I think of a military base.  It’s what I grew up with, always had access to, and have become most familiar with.  No matter

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-79033137682121883232011-08-17T01:34:00.001+09:002011-08-22T01:26:13.127+09:00

      FLYING OFF TO THE START OF MY NEW LIFE. I guess that saying “practice what you preach” was said for a reason…and I should’ve kept it in mind.  If you go to my archives,  I think it’s the 2nd post I ever made [Travelling Tips]  about a year ago, I  gave some tips on how to pack, but unfortunately didn’t read up on it before packing this time.  I

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-42836215588354931632011-08-16T23:32:00.001+09:002011-08-22T01:28:04.093+09:00

I just felt the need to emphasize how amazing the amenities on the boat were.   FIRST. QUALITY OF FOOD. SECOND.  QUANTITY OF FOOD.[Take notice that I am wearing something different in each picture. AKA. each is a different meal.AKA. I ate alot.AND this isn't even all of them!] THIRD.  COOL AND FRIENDLY STAFF. FOURTH.  THE CUTE TOWEL ANIMALS WE GOT EVERY

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-72736488943589486252011-08-05T00:29:00.001+09:002011-08-05T00:30:54.179+09:00

D.  Jamaica - River tubing Respect.  One love.  Ya mon.  These were the phrases I heard most in Jamaica.  This port wasn't as exciting as the others in terms of what we had planned to do.  We could've gone zip-lining through the jungle, but decided to do something a little less intense and just drifted down the river instead.  I learned a lot more about the

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-86115053501522010462011-08-04T02:10:00.003+09:002011-08-04T02:15:51.286+09:00

C.  Cayman Islands - Dolphin swim and stingray city. So when I first heard about this cruise idea, I immediately knew I had to swim with a dolphin.  If not now, then when??  As we planned which excursion we’d go on at each port, my reply to “what do you want to do here?” among the option of deep sea diving, snorkeling, jet skiing, snuba-ing, kayaking, ziplining, etc., was

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-52970747302408626642011-07-31T23:48:00.003+09:002011-08-01T01:36:27.298+09:00

    B.  Key West - Parasailing. The boat, as you probably would have guessed, was AC’ed.  Sometimes, it’d actually get a little nippy and when you stay in a place like that all day, you kind of forget what the temperature outside might actually be like.  Well…I did.  I stepped outside to the stuffy sizzle of 90-something degree weather.  You’re probably

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-89722195619181949322011-07-29T00:45:00.004+09:002011-07-29T00:51:49.777+09:00

       A.  The boat.       The boat itself was enough to keep me happy for a week.  The deck becomes a party at night! From lobby deck to roof-top, there were:   numerous restaurants; unlimited almost 24/7 buffets, a “posh” and “chic” dining banquet hall serving 3 course meals every night consisting of lobster tail, prime rib, fruit

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-85835926019212289512011-07-28T23:31:00.000+09:002011-07-28T23:31:37.038+09:00

One love.  Ya mon.  For sure one of the BEST experiences I’ve ever had!  If you enjoy indulging in foods that tantalize your taste buds and satisfy your stomach, and your guilty pleasure is gluttony, you should definitely go on a cruise.  As a graduation present, my dad booked our family a Carnival Cruise to the Caribbean…definitely a top 10 experience in my life. Starting

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-81735746117969645372011-07-28T23:13:00.001+09:002011-07-29T00:09:51.739+09:00

Hello.  Hi.  Howdy. This is long overdue, but unfortunately I don't have consistent access to the internet where I'm at right now, so it's been delayed quite a bit.   I'm in Korea, beginning a series of new unknown adventures, throwing myself out of my comfort zone and trying anything and everything I can.  I am going to seize every single opportunity and gain something

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-68157623555342094542010-06-30T20:21:00.001+09:002010-06-30T20:38:01.536+09:00

As I roam the streets of Korea, walking aim-lessly with no specific destination in mind, something cool ALWAYS seems to present itself to me.  If I'm lucky,  I'll have my camera on hand to capture a picture to share with you.  If the "stars are not on my side" (haha I just went to a tarot card reader the other day for fun)  I won't have my camera and will take pictures in my

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-57961717447300345602010-06-28T00:20:00.000+09:002010-06-28T00:20:51.564+09:00

Step-by-step pictorial.  This is me adapting to the cooking styles of Korea :)Sweet 16 steps [very very simple!] INGREDIENTS: (a pot with 2 cups of water) (a package of tofu...I prefer the not so mushy kind) (팽이 버섯 idk the English name.  Can be substituted with bean sprouts) (a leek) (an egg) (gather everything like this) DIRECTIONS: 1.  Boil the water 2.

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-31326866818681134082010-06-16T20:02:00.002+09:002010-06-16T20:15:29.149+09:00

Just to warn you, this may be a little inappropriate. They are dark, discolored, circular, and 12 in number...and they run from my neck down to my butt.  How did I get them?  This is the story of expectations being WAY off. 2 years ago when I came to Korea, I got a facial...only, it wasn't JUST a facial.  It was a facial that included the massage of my bubbies (Lauren if you are

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-38711301410414383742010-06-15T09:32:00.001+09:002010-06-15T09:34:31.475+09:00

The city of Daegu just elected a new mayor.  For the campaigns, some people had trucks, blasting music while waving like princesses in a parade.  Others had people at the end of EVERY cross walk bowing to every single person that crossed.  Still others had people shoving flyers into the hands of any passerby, who took it simply because they felt bad for not taking it when the 아줌마 (

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-68585698550226221702010-06-14T00:45:00.002+09:002010-06-14T00:47:09.582+09:00

대한민국!! South Korea vs. Greece: 2-0 Here's the story:I went to the streets in front of the Coex mall in Seoul to watch the game...along with 3000 other people standing with ponchos and umbrellas in the pouring rain. It was a SWARM of red (that's South Korea's color), and the feeling of pride was incredible!   Everywhere I looked, I saw red jerseys, thunder sticks, scarves, clappers, and

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-5041710693116079352010-06-06T08:05:00.000+09:002010-06-06T08:05:51.273+09:00

1.  Prepare yourself mentally.  Unsuspecting spicy is the WORST surprise.  (Why do you think that gum from the trick shop is so funny?) 2.  Keep an extinguisher nearby:  milk, rice, really cold water.  Do NOT use beer, coke, or ANYTHING carbonated.  Your mouth will explode like a firecracker. 3.  Don't let it touch your lips.  Your lips have tons

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-85548877444777619972010-06-04T08:20:00.001+09:002010-06-04T08:23:24.174+09:00

Here's a meal that is cooked with boiling water.  No fat or grease added.  Simple, yet bursting with flavor of natural energy.  Deeee-licious! Table with a built in grill...I wish my table had that! Tall people must have a hard time sitting at this table... I'm only 5'5ish and I found it uncomfortable FINALLY!  too bad the meat's raw and frozen cmonnn It does look

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871058533908817730.post-52562278719798142692010-05-31T22:27:00.001+09:002010-05-31T22:30:19.312+09:00

Yesterday while out in Seoul with my friend Danim and her friend, we met up with a few of their friends.  One of which, was this guy James Ha.  He makes cool sounds with his hands lol! The clicking is his snapping. Cool huh? Hope you become famous one day James! Nice to meet you! ~Melissadaptable

Melissa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18383603397289597389noreply@blogger.com0