Melissa Hogan 🇨🇦
@melissahogan.bsky.social
World travelling web developer & entrepreneur who loves shoes, fashion, and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Living on a rock in the North Atlantic. 🇨🇦
Living on a rock in the North Atlantic. 🇨🇦
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Archives: Events
stjohnsliving.ca
Ever found yourself wondering what was on the go in St. John's? Well... have I got an events calendar for you! You can also sign up to have a curated list of current events sent to your inbox each week. No algorithm getting in the way.
stjohnsliving.ca/events/
stjohnsliving.ca/events/
For anyone who’s been to Japan or Taiwan or wherever this chain exists…how long does it take to get the Don Donki/Don Quixote jingle out of your head?
November 20, 2025 at 1:20 AM
For anyone who’s been to Japan or Taiwan or wherever this chain exists…how long does it take to get the Don Donki/Don Quixote jingle out of your head?
Met a couple of Aussie guys at a gyoza place in Osaka the other night. The clear relief on their faces when I answered the “where are you from” question with “Canada”. They mentioned they now approach everyone with our accent with caution until they know if they’re safe or not.
November 20, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Met a couple of Aussie guys at a gyoza place in Osaka the other night. The clear relief on their faces when I answered the “where are you from” question with “Canada”. They mentioned they now approach everyone with our accent with caution until they know if they’re safe or not.
I’m currently staying at a place called Rich & Free Hotel. And while it’s not a pace you’d stay if you were rich and it’s certainly not free, it’s very decent for less than $90/night in a great location in Taipei. Hotel names in Asia are always a trip. Next door is Le Room Hotel.
November 19, 2025 at 2:25 PM
I’m currently staying at a place called Rich & Free Hotel. And while it’s not a pace you’d stay if you were rich and it’s certainly not free, it’s very decent for less than $90/night in a great location in Taipei. Hotel names in Asia are always a trip. Next door is Le Room Hotel.
The fact that I am too tall for Japanese clothing is both a curse (for my wardrobe) and a blessing (for my wallet). It’s like every store is all petites, even Uniqlo.
November 18, 2025 at 10:11 AM
The fact that I am too tall for Japanese clothing is both a curse (for my wardrobe) and a blessing (for my wallet). It’s like every store is all petites, even Uniqlo.
I think my favourite thing I’ve learned on this trip is about these torii gates. The writing on each gate isn’t a prayer or a wish or anything spiritual - it’s advertising. The ones you see here are for a cutlery company, a construction company, and a wire mesh company.
November 17, 2025 at 1:47 AM
I think my favourite thing I’ve learned on this trip is about these torii gates. The writing on each gate isn’t a prayer or a wish or anything spiritual - it’s advertising. The ones you see here are for a cutlery company, a construction company, and a wire mesh company.
Unexpected thing I found in Osaka today.
November 14, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Unexpected thing I found in Osaka today.
It’s a bit sad that we live in a world where teachers in Japan taking their class on a field trip need to constantly hold up a No Photos sign.
November 14, 2025 at 4:28 AM
It’s a bit sad that we live in a world where teachers in Japan taking their class on a field trip need to constantly hold up a No Photos sign.
The locals are out in puffer coats and me, a Canadian, is in a tshirt thinking it’s the perfect temperature for walking around. Its 17.
November 14, 2025 at 1:59 AM
The locals are out in puffer coats and me, a Canadian, is in a tshirt thinking it’s the perfect temperature for walking around. Its 17.
I’m tempted to buy a phone case here in Japan for a phone I don’t even have yet. They’re super cute and no one sells cases for iPhone 12 Pros anymore (for good reason).
November 13, 2025 at 8:05 AM
I’m tempted to buy a phone case here in Japan for a phone I don’t even have yet. They’re super cute and no one sells cases for iPhone 12 Pros anymore (for good reason).
The subway I took in Osaka last night after the airport train had green velvet seats and I thought Toronto or New York could never.
November 13, 2025 at 2:20 AM
The subway I took in Osaka last night after the airport train had green velvet seats and I thought Toronto or New York could never.
My two most used apps the past ten days: Google Translate and XE for currency conversion. $22.50 TWD to $1 CDN or ¥110 to a $1 is not something I can easily do the mental math on. I was just starting to get a feel for the prices in Taiwan and now I have to start all over again Japan.
November 13, 2025 at 2:17 AM
My two most used apps the past ten days: Google Translate and XE for currency conversion. $22.50 TWD to $1 CDN or ¥110 to a $1 is not something I can easily do the mental math on. I was just starting to get a feel for the prices in Taiwan and now I have to start all over again Japan.
Watching Korean travelers interact with Taiwanese hotel staff and they both revert to English to understand each other.
November 12, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Watching Korean travelers interact with Taiwanese hotel staff and they both revert to English to understand each other.
After a week in Taiwan I may now be 50% scallion pancakes, noodles, crispy milk donuts, and winter melon tea. Off to Japan today!
November 12, 2025 at 4:40 AM
After a week in Taiwan I may now be 50% scallion pancakes, noodles, crispy milk donuts, and winter melon tea. Off to Japan today!
Having access to Google Translate’s camera is a game changer when traveling in Taiwan. I was able to figure out this menu and order some pork wonton noodles.
November 11, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Having access to Google Translate’s camera is a game changer when traveling in Taiwan. I was able to figure out this menu and order some pork wonton noodles.
AirAsiaX adds all flight passengers to a group chat in the app and…I don’t know how to feel about that.
November 11, 2025 at 2:38 AM
AirAsiaX adds all flight passengers to a group chat in the app and…I don’t know how to feel about that.
It may have been written for Victoria and dozens of Canadian cities have versions but it will always remind me of home.
youtu.be/c2SQaCyhk8g?...
youtu.be/c2SQaCyhk8g?...
November 11, 2025 at 12:17 AM
It may have been written for Victoria and dozens of Canadian cities have versions but it will always remind me of home.
youtu.be/c2SQaCyhk8g?...
youtu.be/c2SQaCyhk8g?...
Newfoundland’s new tourism minister from a 2024 TikTok: “the government here in Newfoundland has put a lot of money into tourism but I don’t think they got it right. Why put money into the tourism? Now there’s nothing wrong with it but I think they should put money into the Newfoundlanders.” 🤦♀️
November 10, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Newfoundland’s new tourism minister from a 2024 TikTok: “the government here in Newfoundland has put a lot of money into tourism but I don’t think they got it right. Why put money into the tourism? Now there’s nothing wrong with it but I think they should put money into the Newfoundlanders.” 🤦♀️
If you want to see Jioufen without mobs of other tourists, come on a rainy day. I just bought a calf-length raincoat for $9. Would’ve been $4.50 but I’m a size 12, tall Canadian girl so needed “big size”. *sigh*
November 10, 2025 at 3:24 AM
If you want to see Jioufen without mobs of other tourists, come on a rainy day. I just bought a calf-length raincoat for $9. Would’ve been $4.50 but I’m a size 12, tall Canadian girl so needed “big size”. *sigh*
As seen on the side of a boba tea joint on Yongkang Street.
November 10, 2025 at 12:37 AM
As seen on the side of a boba tea joint on Yongkang Street.
Alcoholic yogurt drink anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
November 9, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Alcoholic yogurt drink anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
Welcome to Taipei, where even the earthquake safety posters are cute.
November 9, 2025 at 4:35 AM
Welcome to Taipei, where even the earthquake safety posters are cute.
One thing about visiting Taiwan as a white Canadian…I don’t have to worry about my clothes making me look like a tourist. My height and face take care of that for me. So I’m wearing shorts in the city because it’s 25 degrees here.
November 9, 2025 at 3:10 AM
One thing about visiting Taiwan as a white Canadian…I don’t have to worry about my clothes making me look like a tourist. My height and face take care of that for me. So I’m wearing shorts in the city because it’s 25 degrees here.
It was the brst of times, it was the wrst of times…
November 7, 2025 at 1:48 PM
It was the brst of times, it was the wrst of times…
My biggest accomplishment in Taiwan so far is eating fried rice with chopsticks.
November 7, 2025 at 4:49 AM
My biggest accomplishment in Taiwan so far is eating fried rice with chopsticks.
Every trip to 7-Eleven is an adventure here in Taiwan.
November 6, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Every trip to 7-Eleven is an adventure here in Taiwan.