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Thursday, May 23, 2013

//summer so far...//

IT'S SUMMER TIMEEEEEEEEE!
...
it's also 9:33 and i'm already in bed.

Party animal.

Let me tell you what happens when you get a full time job.
You get up. EARLY. You go to work. You work for 8 hours. Your butt gets sore from sitting on it all day.  But you're still uneplainably tired. You come home. You eat dinner. You fall asleep.
Grown up world sucks.

But alas, summer is not all gone.  Been able to do some awesomey things as well.
Likeee
-Getting fro yo. A LOT.
-Or hanging out with the boyfrann, who is no longer 2.5 hours away. YES!
-And going on dates. To delicious Crave. And then watching airplanes takeoff/land on the runway.
 -Getting to see your best ladyfranns and catch up on months of miscellaneous life happenings
-Got a bug bite. From a gnat. Which made my entire forehead swell up//It was casual.
-Watching some good ol Downton Abbey, cuddled up in bed, stuffing my face with popcorn and sobbing all over again at *****'s death. (Mom, I know you read this and you haven't gotten that far yet...JUST WAIT.)

Although work is consuming the majority of my summer, I still plan on making the most of it off the clock, which also includes this here blog!
So thank you for your patience as I adjust to my new schedule and try to figure out how I'm going to make more hours suddenly appear in my day to day life.
...
Alright, its 9:57. Way past my bedtime.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

//falcon pride//


 empty room...

full Betty...

The word "bittersweet" can't even begin to describe how I feel about transferring.
Even though I am beyond excited about my future at a new school, a new house, and a new major, I was incredibly sad to be leaving behind the campus and the people I have gotten to know over the past two years here at this little Ag school.
As I sat alone at one of my last opening shifts at the Info Desk yesterday, sipping my hazelnut coffee, playing DJ, and listening to the usual busy murmur of the University Center, my heart was just overwhelming sad by all of the little things I was going to miss.

Likeee....
.-Sauntering over to the coffee shop and making small talk with the ladybaristas on a regular basis
-The crazy squirrels and their trash can antics
-Walking by the Ag Sci building to see some cheesecurds in the making
-Taking in the sunrise on the way to breakfast every morning
-Deciding to randomly go to the Falls Theatre on a school night, not cause it was necessarily a good movie, but hey, it's only three dollars!
-Falling in love with journalism/mass comm/graphic design in some of my favorite classes
-Getting a surprise every now and then from a special someone like letters/visits/care packages/flowers
-Seeing a familiar face EVERYWHERE on campus
-Being "inspired by the charcoal black and candy apple red"
-Shopping in the best of the best antique shops that only the small, college towns can offer
-Getting compliments on my music taste and selected Spotify playlists for the UC
-Walking back from a closing shift after a fresh snowfall and relishing the pure silence of it all
-Bonding with my fellow co-workers with crazy customer calls and half-off apps
-Friday nights consisting of Netflix, my futon, and all snack food for dinner
-Trying to dye hair in the community showers, followed by a "pantsing" incident...
-The number of  inside jokes my sisters and I now have to last us a lifetime
-Learning more about agriculutre, farming, and cows than I ever would have imagined
-"Sweeet, sweeeet timothy grass"
-Roomie nap times
-girls Bible study/puppy chow time
-A sweet surprise in the workroom (aka Batcave) from the prostaff every now and then
-Going for the usual run around the campus farm and seeing my horse friends
-Counting down the days until the next Premium Night for dinner
-Learning more about myself and the world around me each and everyday. Like for real. "I've got a lifetime of knowledge."

And much much more.

I am/was so incredibly blessed by my time at good 'ol River Falls.
And even though I swore I wasn't going to miss it all that much, here I am getting all sappy writing up this blogpost.
I know that when I flip back through the novel of my life, I will pick out the chapter titled "UWRF" and smile back at all of the good times this campus and I had together.
Simply because...it was Falcon awesome.

Monday, May 13, 2013

day 13//public apology

random thoughts first...
Since this is the only day this week where I don't have to get up for a 7:45 final or opening shift at work...
I am currently eating breakfast in bed.
And when I say "breakfast", I mean an open box of cereal since all my bowls are packed away. And a swig of almond milk. STRAIGHT from the carton. Ah gonna miss these college days <3

Anywho, back to May blogging...
day 13//Issue a public apology
this just makes me cry a little on the inside...
Dear Finals,
I'm sorry everyone hates you so much.  It's not that you're a bad person!...It's just that...you've given us such a bad taste in our mouth, it's hard to change our perceptions of you.
Take for example, this poli sci final coming up. You didn't HAVE to be culmative.  You could have made my life so much easier by only concerning yourself with the last few chapters and be done with it.
It's things like this that make it so difficult to like you.
Maybe you should switch things up a little bit!  Change your name to "Free Food Finals" or "Fun Festivities Finals"!  Maybe along with that, don't even add the word Finals in there.  It might just scare off any wary students.
I'm just trying to help you here, bud.  Help me to help you.
Take my advice and loosen up a bit.
Forever yours, (sadly...)
-Melissa


**The fact that I just created a dialouge between me and intangible object....
HELPPPP MEEEEE.
Four days and counting....

Friday, May 10, 2013

day 10//how embarrassing

day 10//embarrassing moments

So there I was.
Struttin' my stuff down the hallway.
Like the model my little tenth-grade brain thought I was.

School was almost over for the day and I was eager to meet up with my friends for our last class (gym...).
I was feeling pretty fantastic that afternoon; decked out in some new outfit, got a good grade on a paper, and/or uttered a word or two to my crush. Big steps, my friends. Big steps.
Anywho, I strapped on my oversize backpack, slam my locker door, and head down the hallway to almost-freedom.

Ohhhh yeaaaaa
Here comes Melissa. All coooool & on top of the world.
Rollin' like a bigshot.

and then...it happened.

Trapped in the mosh-pit stampede that are high school hallways, I was walking pretty close along the side of the wall.  And this is where our display cases were protruding out of the wall.  Well for some reason, mr.display maker decided to add some prong inserts that stick dangerously out of his creations.

I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it.
I'm sure he didn't think that those prong-like devices would be a magnet towards a helpless girl's backpack strings.
//
Please picture this for a moment. Those bouncy carnival rides. Where two people are strapped with a rubber band, each of them racing towards an object justttt out of their reach; And when defeated, they are ripped backwards towards a nice, cushy landing.
...
Try a glass trophy case.

So, there's high and mighty Melissa, bungeeing back towards the case at frightening speeds, and finally makes impact.
WHAM!

Every head turns to stare at the poor tenth grade girl, smooshed up against the wall, backpack still tangled up with the evil glass display.
I quickly turn, struggling to break free, my face redder than any ginger could possibly imagine.
While I'm still riding the strugglebus, some swaggering senior wise guy cracks up (for the world to hear)...
"You know there's a wall there, right?"

And being the sassy student that I was NOT...
I meekly whispered a small, "Yeaa...", unhooked myself from the horrible situation, and quickly shuffled down the hall, where I rambled off the mortifying experience again to my comforting friends.

High school. Pshhhhhh.


Thursday, May 9, 2013

day 9//one moment

day 9//a moment in your day

 ...is the best time.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

day 8//advice

SOOOOOOOO?!
DO YOU LOVE IT OR DO YOU LOVE IT?

Ahem. Still kind of obsessing sorry.
Anywho, if any of you bloggers out there are interested in where I got this theme, check out Dinosaur Stew on Etsy.com.  Stumbled upon her shop and I am so glad I did! It was so difficult to choose one since they were quietly whispering my name, begging to be on my blog...
"melissaaaa, melissaaaa you want meeeeee,dontcha?!"
But alas, this is my pick, which I believe fits my style/personality/eyes perfectly!
Just...one more time...me + this template = <3

Unfortunetly, I gotta get back to my studying and finishing some papers and other college nonsense.
But quick! Today's Blog Everday in May...

A piece of advice you have for others. Anything at all.



 My advice? Listen to this song.
Heard it before? Listen to it again.
But for real.
Like mid-mascara swipe, my heart was just overwhelmed by the word I so desperately needed to hear.
Forgiveness.
//
God's timing is pretty awesome like that.


Tuesday, May 7, 2013

day 7//fears

Jumping right ahead from day 3 to day...7? Yep, that's just how things are gonna roll around here.

day 7: the things you are most afraid of
(Defs got a couple of those. Some serious, some...a little peculiar.)

time. not having enough of it.
bird poop. specifically landing on me.
throwing up. I've willed myself not to for eight years now. no joke
hospitals. and my mom's a nurse. goody.
car accidents. Extra cautious driver here.
losing friendships. It's tough man, real tough.
writer's block. Then it's bye bye bloggy for a couple days.
loud noises. fireworks, thunder, student drops a textbook...I jump a mile high.
monkeys. the big ones. 'nuff said.
ocean currents. good thing we're landlocked.
growing old. scratch that. i basically live in my bathrobe...really though...I'm wearing it now.
the future. ah yes, the great unknown...

 pic from our trip to gulf shores, AL this spring break.
...
now you can see why fear number 2 made the cut.


On a brighter note! I would defeneitely recommend coming back here tomorrow folks!
Cause if all goes well and my computer skills are up to par, you may see a pretty awesomely amazing new layout! I mean, maybe I'm just nerdy, but I plan on getting up tomorrow extra early, grabbing some coffee, running to the school library (they got Apple), and uploading this new theme PRONTO.
...
Geekfest over and out.


Monday, May 6, 2013

day 3//words

Blog Every Day May has now turned into Blog Every (other) Day May.
Should have taken into account that May involves more weekend shifts, more papers to do, and more studying for upcoming finals.
...
Sooo, this may be short and sweet, but this prompt is much too wonderful to pass up.
Favorite quote and why you love it.

  image via here
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

These are my favorite words.
The words I need to be constantly reminded of.
The words that bring me peace and understanding, even in the most difficult of times.
The words that keep me sane.
The words that get me through these long weeks of studying because I know there is a purpose behind it all.
The words that lull me to sleep every night, knowing my days ahead are already planned out.
The words that make sense when nothing else in my life does.
The words that have guided me through each and every step thus far and will continue to do so for the rest of my life.

So, yeaa. I would have to say this would be favorite set of words. Authored by My Father.  The Creator of the Universe.
//
No big deal or anything.


Saturday, May 4, 2013

day 2//how-to

Blog Every Day in May Challenge Day 2!
Today's prompt...educate us on something you know a lot about or are good at.
...
hee hee hee.....

 TA-DA!
Ah yes, the joys of thrifting. Betcha didn't see that one coming. (winkyface).
 If given the choice between a million dollar shopping spree to the MOA or thrifting...
...
Well obviously, the free money.
HOWEVER
Most of us don't have that kind of moola, especially when it comes to my fellow college peers.
   So, I've figured out how to continue my love of shopping without breaking the bank.
After all, what's better than receiving a compliment on some new cute attire and getting to respond with a sly smile, a wink, and "Only cost me three bucks."
Yeaa it's pretty awesome.


 1) Create a inspiration list to help!
Use your Pinterest board to its full potential.  Jot down outfit ideas which you are dying to try.  More importantly, pick out the items which you are seeing appear most frequently. Crisp, white button ups? Colored jeans? Jean vests? Shorts? It's better to know ahead of time what you're looking for exactly instead of aimlessly wandering up and down the aisles.

2) Open mind/eyes shopping.
 Many items in a secondhand shop definitely have "secondhand" written all over them.  Faded colors, buttons missing, or out-of-style pieces may scare away some people.  But remember that behind all the ho-hem, there's some gems just waiting to be found.  Half the fun is being able to find that beautiful button down and holding up your find in treasured glory!

3) Switch it up!
 Ladies, don't be afraid to bump elbows with the male thrifters as well. Most of the time I like to lounge in comfy sweatpants and sweatshirts. And guess who has the plethora of those? Da boys.  So, make your way over to the mens section and find yourselves five sweatshirts for the price of one.

4)  Try EVERYTHING on.
DO IT.  Many times, aisles aren't organized by size.  And eyeballing that cute shirt just won't cut it.  Some items may have shrunk (or expanded) from previous use and it best to be safe than sorry before purchasing an accidental belly shirt.

5)  Make it even fun(ner), bring a friend!
Grab some coffee, your inspiration lists, your ladyfranns, and HAVE FUN!  It's way more exciting to have someone there to brainstorm/cover more aisles/brag about your findings with.  Plus, it helps to get a second opinion sometimes.  The low price of some items may shield your common sense and you'll end up wasting a few bucks on something you never actually wear out in public.



I probably could add a lot more things here, but five seems like a good, even number. Plus it's my favorite.
Until tomorrow, my friends! Hope you are all feeling a little more eduamacated!:)


Friday, May 3, 2013

day 1//life story

Alright, it's time to get these creative juices a'flowing (...that sounded gross, sorry).

Saw this Blog Every Day in May circulating the blogging world and I'm joining the bandwagon.
I am a few days late behind in the challenge, let's just pretend that didn't happen.
I'm needing a little writer inspiration lately and this seems like the perfect fit!
If you're curious as to where this brillant idea came from, check out the button at the end of the post.
Today's challenge (or technically Monday's...)

Story of My Life
(in 250 words or less)

haven't changed a bit..


Born on September 26th, 1992.  A very large and squishy baby.  Grew up with my lovely parents and three sisters.  ("Your poor father, always outnumbered!"  He secretly loves it.)  Move to suburban home at the age of five and live here for most of my elementary school days.  Night games, sister fort days, trampoline parties, and other random childhood memories consist here.  At age twelve, move to another home across town.  Enter the dramatic junior high days.  Braces, rubber bands, glasses; the whole nine yards.  Let's leave it at that.  High school begins and the pre-teen years end.  Some of my finest memories begin here including marching band, homecomings, best friends, Dairy Queen shifts, lacrosse, prom planning, youth group, and boys. Especially one in particular.  Graduation comes all too quickly and college begins.  Freshmen year turns out to be much tougher than I thought with long distance and lost friendships to blame.  But all is well and soon summer rolls around where my favorite job begins as a t-ball coach.  Sophomore year arises and is much busier with tougher classes and desk assistant job.  Love being busy though.  Still makes the decision that transferring to another school might be a better fit.  Fall 2013.  All the while, I fall in love with all things writing and photography.  Mass Comm-Journalism major it is.   Minor unknown.  Still learning more about myself each and every day  and looking forward to where the Lord leads me next.  I’m a work in progress after all.



BOOM.
250 words exactly.
For realz. Count 'em up.

Until TOMORROW everyone!


Thursday, May 2, 2013

thrifty thursday//awkvesttime

...Going through my photos and realized I had actually taken these like two weeks ago...oops.
Wasn't really planning on using them since my awkwardness was really shining that day, especially through the camera lens....cause they were kinda turning out like this....

 mid-blink, mid-sneeze, i don't really know.
...


BUT since it has been a while, this is just how it's gonna be. For the sake of the blog. Not my reputation.

 FACT: Made this vest from what use to be a Limited Too jean jacket.
(Thank you small child for donating your once outrageously priced coat to become a feautred DIY vest
on my blog, which I purchased for $4. Thank you.)

legs. unshaven.


hehhhh hiiii thereeee mr. janitor guy....

myspace prof pic<3

vest: thrifted
shirt: k-mart (i know, right?!)
jeans: delias
shoes: target