Thundersnow?

I know, it sounds like a REALLY bad porn title or something, but apparently it's a legit weather condition.

It's essentially just a thunderstorm but instead of rain, it gets fancy and snows.

It's kind of terrifying because we're not used to this in Georgia... and, well, most people know how I feel about storms.

But as long as I've got internet access, power, my cell, and iPod, I'm absolutely fine. :)

Especially now that I've gotten a few new songs on there~

Hope you're all staying safe and warm.

Love,
Mella

Why Melissa Takes More Pictures Than Necessary:

So, sometimes people give me crap about how many photos I take (especially with my phone.) Well, the reason behind me snapping thousands of pictures is simple. I have an awful memory.

Whenever I'm down, I tend to forget to remember my reasons to be happy. So when I am happy, I take pictures. I take pictures of people who make me happy. I take pictures of myself when I look somewhat decent. I take pictures of funny things. I take pictures of things I associate with me feeling GOOD or positive.

That way when I'm feeling poorly, I can look at them and remember, Hey, life's not so terrible... remember that time Jenny and Christy and Meghan threw you a surprise party? Or when Crystal made you that owl necklace? Or how about when you and Christy went to The Spill Canvas concert? Those GOOD memories have the power to lift me back up.

So be patient with me if I'm being obnoxious with my camera. :)

Love,
Mella

Belated Christmas with Meghan

Before I begin this blog entry, I just want to say that I've had an EXCELLENT day. Not only did I FEEL good, but I LOOKED good. It was a really great feeling to FEEL pretty. :)

This is how I looked today~

My day started when I woke up to my grandmother telling me about the situation with my brakes (they were completely worn!) Anyway, after being aggravated with being woken so early, I showered, dressed, and decided I was going to TRY today. (It paid off.) I straightened my hair, I moisturized, I wore nice clothes, I put on eye makeup... then I went to Rome.

Meghan gave me awesome gifts. And they came in an awesome bag...

This is the amazing bag. I'm NEVER regifting it.

And inside this wonderful bag was the following awesome gift...

I did not remember to keep calm when I got this! I was excited!

And a $10.00 Barnes and Noble giftcard~ Overall, it was a fantastic gift (as were all the REST of my gifts.) Honestly, guys you don't understand how good a Christmas it was.

And I'm really, really, really happy to admit that since my birthday, I've been relatively BLISSFUL. I mean, I have my moments where I'm Negative Nancy, but generally I'm just in a constant GOOD state of mind. So thank you~

Love,
Mella

26 Signs You're a Douchebag.

Today, Christy and I went to Town Center Mall in Kennesaw. While we were seated devouring our Taco Bell, we people watched. After we had finished eating, we decided - based on the numerous guys who fit the criteria we named - to compile a written list of 26 signs that someone (a male someone) is a douchebag.

We know this is stupid and a bit immature, but it was fun as hell. After we wrote the list, we went around counting them. We saw 30 of them in about twenty minutes. Awesome, right? But without further adieu, here's the list - just in case!:

You might be a douchebag if...

1. You own/wear numerous pastel/white polo shirts.
2. You wear a Lids hat tilted just to the side like it's cool. (Hint: It's not.)
3. You wear your sunglasses on your head when inside a building.
4. You actually spent $60 on pre-ripped jeans. (I'm sure you could've done that yourself and saved some money.)
5. You constantly wear a cocky smirk that just SCREAMS 'I'm a tool.'
6. You only have one earring because you think it's cool or something.
7. You WEAR FUCKING SANDALS IN ANY WEATHER.
8. You always have an entourage of snobby girls or your douchebag friends.
9. You drive an expensive SUV (or occasionally a souped up truck.)
10. You actually spend two hours STYLING your hair to look like you just woke up (then you put on that stupid freaking cap.)
11. You wear khaki pants. Because NOTHING says "I'm cool" like khaki.
12. You attempt to smell good by using aftershave, but you actually choose the WORST brand and use FAR too much of it.
13. You own and wear a puka shell necklace. Dude, seriously?
14. You drink nothing but energy drinks. Constantly. Who needs THAT much energy?
15. You OWN SPERRY's. Enough said.
16. You wear athletic wear when you've not been anywhere NEAR a gym or field.
17. You find it necessary to remind everyone you love Apple by taking your iPad, iPhone, and iPod everywhere. We get it. You're Steve Jobs' bitch.
18. The only music you listen to is rap. :|
19. The only type of jacket you'll wear is a Northface jacket because who cares if you're cold as long as it's Northface?
20. You're a brand whore. You spend massive amounts of money on something just for the name brand, which you make sure is COMPLETELY visible. (Hollister called, they're wondering if you'd be interested in being a mannequin.)
21. You attempt to "match," but fail by using two varying colors of yellow. (I saw you today, tool.)
22. You wear swimsuit trunks as shorts... in all weather. WTF?
23. You actually OWN bling.
24. You never actually seem to have a job (because you're always free), but you still seem to have money.
25. You hit on girls and expect them to fawn all over you so when they don't you call them a lesbian.
26. You're an ASSHAT.

I hope this has helped you. 

Love,

Mella

Today is Doom's Day

Okay, okay, not really. I'm just starting school again. And let me tell you, I'm not overly excited about having a 9:30 AM class regardless of what it is.

No, wait, I take that back. If my 9:30 class was Transfiguration or Charms, I'd be pretty stoked. But, alas, it's P.E. and I just cannot see myself having a fun semester in there. But whatever, it has to happen and why not now? (Besides, if I do it before Christy, I can mock her like she'll mock me! Bahaha!)

But the point of this blog isn't to talk about my pending doom in classes I'd rather not take. It's actually about my name.

The other day someone asked me why I didn't just legally change my name to "Mella." After all, it's my Facebook name and I do a lot of things with it. And, to be honest, I've thought about it. Because Mella's just a really unique, pretty name... and I really like it.

The thing about me legally changing it is though... I like Melissa too. I like when people I'm not close to, call me Melissa because it means they're not allowed to be that intimate with me. Does that make any sense? Probably not.

What I'm trying to say is Mella is special. It's more of a nickname that my friends (most of them, but not all) use when they're talking to or about me and that makes me feel better than JUST Melissa, but that doesn't mean I want EVERYONE calling me Mella.

So, I don't think I'll ever actually change my name. Not just because Mella's a special nickname, but also because Melissa Brooke just sounds kind of, I don't know, exceptionally pretty.

:)

Love,
Mella

Alas, School is Returning...

Today was my last official day of freedom. Tomorrow I return to Reinhardt and soldier through YET ANOTHER semester. Hopefully it'll go by as quickly as the last one did, but with the 9:30 P.E. class, I'm going to doubt it.

But today wasn't such a terrible day to end the winter break on.

I spent the day with Kali and her nephew, Junior, who is adorable and chubby and wonderful. I played with him and held him and fed him and it was wonderful.

I know a lot of people will say I'm stupid, but I really can't wait to have kids. I mean, obviously I WILL. I'm too young now. But when I'm settled... I just want to be a mother. I want to prove that it is possible to be a good mother. After all, my own mother (and her mother) have severely failed in that department.

My grandmother's problem is she provides the thing one needs, but she expects something in return. Additionally, you get no love or affection from her. At all. And that's something a mother is supposed to do. She's supposed to tell you you're wonderful when you feel sad and tell you they love you everyday. She doesn't do that.

And I don't really want to get STARTED on mom. That would take DAYS.

But having such lacking maternal figures in my life makes me really appreciate those moms who are really great at what they do. Like Connie and Michelle.

It also makes me more determined to be the type of mom I always wanted and the one my kids will deserve.

Love,
Mella

Two Posts in One Day!

So, I've just learned something really heartbreakingly sweet.

Teddy Roosevelt, upon his first wife Alice's untimely death due to kidney failure on February 14, 1884, wrote the following in his journal:

X

the light has gone out of my life.

I just thought it was interesting. Heartbreaking and devastating, but an interesting fact about one of our presidents. I had no idea. It's so sad he had to lose his wife on Valentine's Day just a few days after she had given birth to his first child, Alice. 

What's even sadder is her nickname for him was Teddy and, in the many years he lived after his dead, he abhorred the name because it reminded him of her and how she died before their life together really began. 

I don't know if any of you care about this or even read this anymore (since Christy deleted hers! Tsk, tsk), but I just wanted to share this...

Love,

Mella

Thinking about '10.

Melissa and Jenny - Ringing in the New Year!

The above photo is the last photo I took in 2010.

I think it sums up the last two months of 2010 pretty well.

I was generally very happy in November and December. Especially when I was with my friends. And I really can't think of a better way to end the year than sipping on delicious Orange Dream vodka and hanging out with two of the best people I know :)

I really hope this positive can-do attitude stays with me through-out 2011. I have high hopes for this year and I really hope everything pans out well. 

If it doesn't though, at least I'll always have my friends. They might not always be there with me, but they'll always be there. Even if I'm being pessimistic and hard to handle.

I love you guys.

Mella

Start of a New Year; Happy 2011!

I realize I've already made a post about the new year, but I failed to share with you my resolutions. (Mainly because I hadn't thought of them yet.) Now I have and I do solemnly swear (I am up to no good) I WILL complete them. 2011 is the year of good juju. :)

So, without further adieu, here are my lists of resolutions:

1. Prepare more meals. I need to be able to cook for myself when I'm out on my own (for good) and, assuming I marry and have babies (fingers crossed,) I'll definitely need to keep my family from starving! This is MUY IMPORTANTE. Especially considering I have an awesome new Harry Potter cookbook now! (Thanks, Christy!) I resolve to learn to cook this year.
2. Read more. I've read quite a bit since school started (by quite a bit," I mean more than I have in the last few years) and I'm really enjoying it. It's nice to read and the joy of finally finishing a book is just awesome. I like being well-read. I resolve to read more and better my interest in literature this year. (My goal is at least 50 books this year.)
3. Stay on a sensible sleep schedule. I'm bad about getting off schedule and staying up super late, but this year I'd like to try to keep on a sensible schedule. Mornings are the time to be productive and if I sleep, I really miss that time. So, I resolve to get enough sleep (and get things done) by sleeping and waking earlier.
4. Learn how to crochet, how to wrap presents better, scrapbook more, write letters, bake and develop hobbies. I spend too much time online and I think it'd be much better if I found more constructive outlets for my time. I resolve to find more hobbies and practice the hobbies I do have more frequently.
5. Write more, complain about writing less. I constantly say I'm going to write, but then I get distracted or discouraged. I resolve not to do that this year. This year, I will write to my heart's content and worry about how I feel about it rather than how it stacks up to other writers (my friends included.) Additionally, I WILL finish NaNoWriMo this year. I resolve to write more and complain less about my work.
6. Get a job. I need money and I'd like very much to travel and spend time with my friends (including saving up for a trip to London with them.) This year I resolve to get a job I can stand.
7. Save money. I will resolve to save any money made for things such as: a new car, loan payments, and a trip to London.
8. Be more active. Learn Yoga. Bicycle more. Sit in bed less. Hang around people who do active things (such as dancing like an idiot in their living room) This year I resolve to spend less time sitting around like a zombie.
9. Be nicer to my family. I know they're awful to me and I know they piss me off, but I need to try to be nicer. To everyone in general, but most importantly them. Real life's not always an fair... so even if they call me names and treat me badly, I shouldn't do the same. I resolve to be a better person. (God, I'll need help with this. Please help.)
10. Go somewhere I've never been. 2011 is my year of hope and this year I hope to go on an amazing road trip with amazing people. It doesn't have to be very far. Mississippi. Virginia. Louisiana. Ohio. Oklahoma. Texas. Just somewhere I've never been. I resolve to go somewhere new with people I love.
11. Be more organized. I think this one will forever be on my resolution list because I'm so lazy, but this year I will make an honest effort to try to keep my life organized. Not anything too fancy... just keep dates straight and turn in everything on time. Fingers crossed this works. I resolve to be more of an organized person.

Love you all,

Mella

New Year; Old Mella

So, last night, I rang in the new year with two of my best friends, orange-cream vodka, margaritas, and passionfruit rum. :) We watched the peach drop and made fun of Mariah Carey before listening to her songs because (though we're loathe to admit it, we like two of them.)

We played Boxers or Briefs, which Jenny DOMINATES at and Clue, which Christy won, but JUST BARELY.

Jenny and I watched a Very Glee Christmas before talking ourselves asleep, too. :)

Now it's 2011 and all I've done today is beat/get beaten by Christy, make a complete error in speaking, watch movies with Amanda Bynes in it... and shower. Some New Year's, eh?

No, really, it's been good and I'm really glad we all got to hang out.

I need to think of resolutions and post them. I will resolve to do this tomorrow or Monday. Maybe later tonight? Right now... Easy A is on.