about me

People who write their “about” section in the third person remind me of Elmo. Or an African dictator. So I’m not gonna do that…

Hello. My name is Melanie. I grew up in a tiny town in the soggy Pacific Northwest. Not gonna lie. It is probably the most beautiful place in the world… and I have spent most of my young adult life trying to escape it.

I went to university in Seattle. And in addition to receiving an expensive education, I developed a serious coffee habit. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it an addiction. But I once googled how many triple shot lattes it would take to kill me (40 in 24 hours in case your interested). Seriously.

I am not one of those Canadian-flag-patch-sewing, carry-on-baggage-only, too-cool-for-Lonely-Planet, so-far-off-the-beaten-track, types. Honestly, the best packing decision I ever made was choosing to carry a dual voltage hairdryer on a three month backpacking trip through a dozen European countries. At least until it nearly burnt down a century old convent in the center of Paris… whoops.

I sneeze in even numbers… just seemed like something you should know.

In a flurry of post-college, fear of the “real world” angst I joined the United States Peace Corps. Probably the coolest thing I’ve ever done. Can’t guarantee this pattern of coolness will continue.

Then, in a flurry of post-Peace Corps, fear of America angst I decided to move to Seoul to teach English. Probably the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever done. I can definitely guarantee this pattern of ridiculousness will continue.

This blog started as a way to share my Peace Corps experience with my friends and family back home. Over the years, I have continued to write about my adventures around the world—-oh who am I kidding… I mostly write about the benign voices in my head and my proclivity for booze-fueled shenanigans.

Anyways, on the bad days, I throw up a couple of photos and splice together some boring, incoherent sentences and call it good enough. But on the good days I can be pretty witty and entertaining. So stick around and enjoy my (mis)adventures. And I would love to hear from you.

Oh and I’ve been interviewed by some really awesome travel bloggers, if I haven’t provided enough material for your stalker-like tendencies then check these out:
Jetsetter interview with The Lazy Travelers
A Day in the Life: Peace Corps Volunteer with Caroline in the City