We Day

Even though I should probably be catching up on sleep right now, I feel like putting in my last bit of energy to write this post for you guys! I have so much to say! Although, before I start I just wanted to say that I am truly sorry for some posts I have posted on here lately. Some of them have been a little much. I am trying to change that, so that this blog stays more positive and that it doesn't branch out to be too personal. So, I very much apologize.

Now, back on to what I REALLY wanted to talk to you guys about! Today was We Day California!! For all who don't know, We Day is an event held for kids around the world who make a difference in this world and their communities. Whether they are doing volunteer work, gathering canned food, OR even traveling around the world to help others in need, they are all making a difference! We Day is a very special event held in many cities, in many countries, and is where all these amazing children gather together to celebrate and create memories of a lifetime. At We Day there are special guests and speakers, like Orlando Bloom, Evanna Lynch, Hannah Alper, Spencer West, and Selena Gomez, who come to make this day extra special! And that is just to name a few who came to just TODAY'S event.

The thing is, is that there is a catch to this event. The tickets to We Day cannot be bought, but earned! Each attendee has earned his/her way in to We Day by getting involved in one local action in his/her community, and also one global action. So, all these kids are absolutely incredible, and they are also all here for the same reason: they are making a difference in this world!

I was very lucky to be able to attend We Day. Although, technically I was not "attending" We Day, but I was volunteering. Just by being there and volunteering, I was making a difference. Funny thing is that I didn't really realize I was until I was already in my car, leaving We Day. But it's true, I was. Being there and helping these outstanding kids have the times of their lives and helping make sure that the show went perfectly was me making a difference. I know. Weird, right? Me? Making a difference? Yea.... I never thought I'd actually ever say that. But really, I was, and that made the whole experience SO much more special!

Even though I was a volunteer, I really got to undergo the whole experience! I was very lucky to be able to work literally right next to the stage. My job was to be super loud, help out with the transitions in the show, and get the children in my area to have the best experience ever. And... I also got to dance my heart out!

To be honest, We Day was the best thing I have ever experienced. Just getting to be in the same room with over 16,000 other children who are making a difference in this world in SO inspiring. It is so amazing to look around the stadium, and see all 16,000 united as ONE! All of the lights on our wrists shined in sync as the whole stadium clapped to the beat of the music, and the amount of cheering a whole stadium could make at once is giving me the chills just thinking about it. The leaders and speakers that spoke were extremely inspiring, and touched me in ways no one has ever been able to before.

I was completely not expecting this to ever happen, but there was a time in the show when I was completely in tears. One of the speakers touched the subject of the pressure to be perfect and bullying, and that hit me hard in the chest. I never really talked about it, but there was a time when I was being bullied. A lot of it sticks with me to this day, and so when this speaker started talking about bullying, I was very much impacted emotionally. The thing is, is that I was not the only one either. When I was being bullied, I often felt alone and felt like I had no one I could talk to about it, but today I realized something: I was never really alone at all.

Now that I have talked my heart out about We Day {I could keep going, too,} I would like to show you the We Day video! This video is what inspired me in the first place to become apart of this incredible production. Enjoy!

We Day was definitely an experience I will never forget! It has impacted my life, and inspired me in so many ways to take a stand and make a difference. So, to end this post, I would just like to say one thing:

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

lovelovelove,
Melissa

Dream with Jules Callaghan

I have gotten used to having nightmares most nights. It's just the way things are. I can't thoroughly wrap my mind around why, but that is just the way it is. When I'm not having nightmares, I'm not dreaming at all pretty much. But it was different last night, and I wouldn't take it back for anything. So, this morning my alarm went off for my early morning run, but I turned it off without thinking and fell back asleep. Whoops... Well, maybe it's not completely a whoops, because when I fell back asleep I had an amazing dream.
Most people would probably consider my dream more of a nightmare, but the fact that Jules Callaghan, my favorite character from the TV show Flashpoint, was in it made my life. I have always wished that one day I'd get to meet the actual character {even though that isn't really realistic,} but in my dream I actually got to. That right there made the whole nightmare one of my favorite dreams ever. For those who don't know who Jules Callaghan is, here is a picture of her and my favorite quote of hers from season 1, episode 6. This picture is my desktop background right now, hahaha. But seriously, I love her. She is so inspiring, and she truly is an incredible woman.

Anyway, back to the dream. I only remember certain excerpts of the dream, so bare with me when I start jumping around. I remember that the SRU, Strategical Response Unit, was having a practice lock down type thing. It was kind of like they were practicing for a real emergency/gun threat type thing in the middle of the city at night. Everyone in the surrounding buildings were forced to leave their buildings and go to this one area. I happened to be in ballet when this happened. So, I was just in a black leo, tights, sneakers, and a jacket. Luckily I had a jacket, because it was really cold. Things started to get really scary when I got left alone in all this commotion. To make things worse, there was actually a bad guy there and he had a gun, and it then turned into an actual high-risk case. I'm surprised I didn't wake up at this point, because it was quite terrifying with everyone running in all different directions plus there was a shooter on the loose. I just freaked out not knowing what to do, and after that it goes black. I don't know what happened to me during this time. I just can't remember, but I do remember that the shooter was eventually put in custody and that everything was safe again. Somehow the scene changed to being in my neighborhood. There was still a lot of cop stuff being done down the street, but Jules happened to be walking me home. The weird part is that I was bawling, just flat out bawling in her arms. She helped me walk up to my doorstep where at that point I was a complete mess. I don't think I've ever cried that much. She just held me in her arms and let me cry until I couldn't any longer. Then she said that I was going to be okay, that she's here for me, and something very similar to the quote above. We said goodbye for now, and then I went inside. That was the end of the dream.
It's kind of weird that I consider that one of my favorite dreams, but really the main reason that it's my favorite dream is because I got to meet Jules, who happens to be my all time idol. So, yea, it was slightly terrifying, but meeting Jules made up for it all.

lovelovelove,
Melissa

The Hidden Side {Stay Strong}

There was a time when I would write Stay Strong on my hand to help me fight through the rough times last year. I wrote it to remind myself that I'll get through it, everything will be all right, and not to cry. So, I never cried. I stayed like a rock, not budging, and did, well, what I thought staying strong meant. Little did I know that all those little things I gathered along the way began to hurt more and more. I wouldn't show emotion to it. I thought I was so strong, and thought that nothing would get to me. But, I was wrong. Everyone hurts sometimes, and sometimes a lot more than other times. Over time I grew afraid to cry. Staying strong was what I thought kept me going. Every time some type of obstacle was thrown at me, I'd take the hit, but not let my emotions take over. I would fight those tears by putting on a smile. That smile seemed to hide the real me, and the pain I felt inside. Nobody noticed. I guess my drama teacher was right about me being a pretty good actress. At the time I thought that nobody seeing my hurt was a good thing. When someone is hurt or confused or lonely or sick they usually cry, but I fought through it all. I fought through it, and I thought I wasn't going to have to deal with it ever. But I was wrong, because it kept gathering inside me, and I began to hurt more and more. I still stayed strong, because by this time where so much had gathered up in me I was too afraid to cry to feel anything. I never told anybody I was afraid to cry. It had been like that on and off for years, but this past year has definitely been the worst. I felt I had to stay strong for my friends, and stay strong so that no one could knock me down. I have fought through a lot over the past few years. I have gone through stuff I am actually not really willing to talk about yet, but let me tell you, I've been through a lot. Those two words, Stay Strong, got me through those rough days. I hid from my tears though. Eventually, I talked to one of my best friends, Gillian, and I confessed for the first time that I was afraid. The support she gave me was comforting. I saved her and my conversation on my phone, so now every time I need to hear those words I can look back and remember.

The other day I was listening to a variety of music, and came across a singer I used to listen to when I was younger, Demi Lovato. I got really in to her music, and started watching interviews with her. I noticed that she had tattoos saying Stay Strong on her wrists. When I saw that it made me want to hear more about her story. Little did I know, we have quite a lot in common. Some of the crap we have gone through is very similar. Her story is my story. I have gone through, and am currently going through a lot that she has gone through, and it is nice to know that I'm not completely alone. She has become and inspiration to me. I learned what was the meaning of Stay Strong in her eyes, and when I heard about it something changed me. I've decided to see Stay Strong in a slightly different perspective from now on. To me, Stay Strong is a reminder to myself that no matter what I'm going through I will get through it. And when I'm hurting or having my own problems, I am always reminded that no matter what everything will be all right in the end.

Now, I always write Stay Strong everyday in some place where I can see it as a reminder to myself. A reminder that everything will be all right, to never give up without a fight, that it's ok to cry, and to believe that one day I will look back and remember that I stayed strong..

Stay Strong<3

lovelovelove,
Melissa

School Blues

I went to orientation today for school, and it just felt wrong. I feel like school just ended, and it sucks knowing I have to go back so soon. I, also, found out that I have English III Honors with Ms. Aiello. The only reason Im bummed about that is that I never was sent a reading letter for summer homework for her class. Now Im having to rush to find these books, and read them as quickly as possible. This is not how I want to spend my last week of summer. Dont get me wrong, I love reading. It's one of my biggest pleasures, but having to rush to read 4 books in the last week of summer sucks big time. So far I only have one book. Yay. Not only do I have to read 4 probably not exciting book, I also have to find them. Cant you sense my enthusiasm about all of this?
I, also, finally got a top locker! I'm so stoked and it seems to be in a great place. The only problem is that when Paola (My locker partner for the 3rd year in a row) and I went to check out the locker's inside, it wouldn't open. The lock refused. I thought Well, maybe they just gave us the wrong locker number. So, Paola and I started checking all the others surrounding ours. It happens that the one next to us has our combo. We opened it up to a locker filled with books. So, obviously that is someone else's locker. So, now Paola and I don't have a locker to put our stuff in. It's just a little aggravating knowing that we will have to take a load of books back to school on the first day.
Another thing that Im bummed about is that Im no longer at UC Davis. Let me tell you, college is so much more awesome that high school. Yea, I know was there for a month, but seriously that's all it takes. Im going to miss that awesome campus, those super interesting classes, and the extremely nice people. UC Davis is like my home away from home. I love it so much. I cant wait to go back.
Unfortunately, last year was a tough year at high school, and I think it scares me a little that Im going back. I don't want to have to feel some of the same things I did before. It was stressful, and there were some times when I would stress so much that I'd get sick. I was lucky to have 2 friends that helped me get through it, but now one will be gone at college. I stressed myself too much, and sometimes my grades weren't always the best they could be. Though, Im planning to change that this year. After COSMOS, I grew a whole new perspective of what Im wanting to do with my future. I made goals that make me want to try harder, do things I always rolled my eyes at when people would bring it up, and really strive to aim higher that ever before.
So, even though some parts of school aren't going the best they could, I am keeping a positive attitude about it all. This summer, I met some people that I look up to as my role models, and they have really inspired me. I hope to follow in their paths, and become as great as they are.
Anyway, this is a new beginning for me. I'm planning on walking in to school next Wednesday with a new and clearer view of everything. I know everything will be better. I have real goals, a refreshed mind, and a body ready to concur these last two years of high school. Wish me luck!

lovelovelove,
Melissa

Summer Photo Project

Hey Readers! I hope you all are having a great fabulous summer break full of fun, love, and exciting moments. I know I am! I got an idea a few days ago to make another photo project. This one is more fun, and not like my other projects. I wanted to capture some of my summer 2013 life so far. I hope you enjoy it!

Well, that's it! I hope to most more before I leave, and I hope that I will be able to post while I'm gone at UC Davis. If I cant, I will still continue to take pictures and I will keep a journal to post all that happened when I get back! Love you guys more than ever. Don't forget to smile and enjoy your break!
lovelovelove,
Melissa

Videos :)

I have been watching a bunch of YouTube videos lately. I watch mostly music videos, but every once in a while another will catch my eye. I thought I would share with you guys some of my top favorite
videos I liked to watch this week!

Just Give me a Reason- P!nk (feat. Nate Ruess) (cover) Megan Nicole and Jason Chen

I love this singer, Megan Nicole. A girl I know from church is really close friends with her, and I wanted to here her voice. She has a gorgeous voice, and she is so fun to listen to!

Cosmos UC Davis- Call Me Maybe

I found this video once I got accepted to UC Davis! I cannot wait, and I love watching this video, because some of the people in this video are my group leaders for this summer! Cant wait!

Rockelbel's Canon (4 Cellos)- Piano Guys

This is a very cool group of musicians! In this specific video it is their cellist playing, and he is really great. This song is a spinoff of Canon in D, a song you would here at many weddings.

Two Black Cadillacs- Carrie Underwood

This is one of my Mom's and my favorite song by Carrie Underwood. We could listen to her music for hours!

I Knew You Were Trouble (Taylor Swift)- Rhett Price and Josh Knowles

This is one of my favorite Taylor Swift songs to listen to, and these two violinist just made it better!

Hermione Granger- "Like A Skyscraper"

Hermione Granger inspired me a lot when I read the Harry Potter series for the first time. This video is so sweet, and it is really enjoyable to watch.

We're NASA And We Know It

This video just makes me laugh... oh NASA.

Via Dolorosa- Dance by Autumn Miller

This is a very beautiful and inspiring dance. I love the song as well. It's truly amazing to watch this little star dance.

If any of you guys have any cool videos you'd like to share with me send me an email or put a link below! Love you!

lovelovelove,

Melissa

Believe

So many people have asked me why I write the word Believe. I write it on my hand, others' hands, my textbook covers, my dry-erase board, and even the steamed mirror in the bathroom. I write it, because it's a special word to me. It has so many meanings. The word inspires me, and gives me strength everyday. The word can be extra sentimental to me, especially on my hardest days. When I'm down, I always remind myself to Believe.

Believe.

Believe everything will be ok.

Believe in God.

Believe that it's ok to be scared.

Believe that its ok to face your fears.

Believe that you have the strength.

Believe in your dreams.

Believe you can do anything you set your mind to.

Believe in love at first sight.

Believe you can let go.

Believe you can run that extra mile.

Believe the pain you feel today will make you stronger tomorrow.

Believe you can prove them wrong.

Believe you can do this.

Believe in yourself.

Believe in taking chances.

Believe everybody makes mistakes.

Believe you will move on.

Believe that the tears streaming down your face indicate your strength, not weakness.

Believe that not everyone is a liar.

Believe in magic.

Believe that you deserve better.

Believe you wont be alone forever.

Believe it's ok to cry.

Believe that you must take care of yourself.

Believe in kissing.

Believe you have the power.

Believe you dont need certain people or things to be happy.

Believe in believing.

Believe it's ok to have 2 cookies once in a while.

Believe that your best friend might not be the one you've known the longest, but the one that's never
left your side.

Believe in happily ever afters.

Believe it's ok to be yourself.

Believe that hot chocolate, cinnamon bears, and a big hug is the best remedy to anything.

Believe that you cant always be the strong one.

Believe that everything happens for a reason.

Believe that the time will come.

Believe it's ok to be sad sometimes.

Believe in singing at the top of your lungs for the whole world to hear.

Believe you can be whoever you want to be.

Believe they're always here for you.

Believe.


lovelovelove,
Melissa

Words of Inspiration

Hi everyone! I am in the mood right now to post some of my most recent, favorite quotes. I hope you guys enjoy them, because I know I do. Some are more personal than others, but I still love them all the same.

 

I hope these few words will inspire you. When I was posting these I thought of a particular friend, and I just want to say thank you. I have no clue if you will ever read this, but I want you to know that I am so thankful to have you in my life. Everyday you make me stronger. Your kind words, and your long, comforting hugs help me get through so much. You will always be in my heart. Even the day you go to college, remember this quote below.

Even the days that are the hardest, you still keep me strong. When I feel lost in this world, and don't know where to turn, you hold my hand and get me through it all. I don't know how I would live without you in my life. But I do know one thing for sure, that I am so grateful that you are. Thank you Gillian. I love you. :)

lovelovelove,

Melissa

One of My Many Projects

So recently, I went to my moms work, and grabbed TONS of magazines. I then got inspired my my old project here, and then did something new!

 1. I got this notebook for my birthday, but I didnt know what to do with it 'til now.

 2. These are the magazine I used.

 3.I cut up all the magazines, and spread all the little things that I love on my bed.

 4. This is what a blank page looks like.

5. This is the first page completed!
I love it so much! It is a book of everything that I love or is special to me. I might, also, add notes from friends and little journal entries! What do you guys think? Weird or awesome?
lovelovelove,
Melissa

Thanks Hailey

Hailey is one of my best friends. We tell each other everything and share so many of the same interests. We both love photography, clothes, blogging, and baking. And that is just to name a few. We both work together all the time to make the best blogs and websites we can possibly make.  This is her blog: haileyforever.blogspot.com. I get so inspired by her all the time, especially when it comes to blogging. I will have some new segment, thanks to her. She is so clever when it comes to blogging, i love it. You may notice that some of the things on her and mine are very similar, and thats because we inspire each other. I truly hope you guys have such and awesome, and amazing friend like Hailey. She is the best. Love you Hailey! <3

lovelovelove,
Melissa

Tahoe is Inspirational

Last week, I went to Tahoe with Liam, Nana, Opa,and there dog, Buddy. I had such a blast! We didnt do much, but it was enough to satisfy me until my next camping trip. My mom didnt want me to take my camera there, but I would not give up the chance to take picture of the beautiful Lake Tahoe. Once we got there, I was so excited and overwhelmed, I had no clue what picture to take first!  Here are some out of the hundreds:

 I went on a walk and found a huge ant hill! It was made from a tree stump. My Opa's friend kicked it and a whole bunch of ants poured out!

 We were driving to Echo Lake, when we saw this TP. We had stop and take pictures. It was surprisingly very cool.

 This is after taking pictures of the TP. Welcome to Echo Lake!

 There is still snow on the mountains! Also, This is my first black and white with this camera! I think.

 Liam posing and relaxing next to the water.

 Here is on top of a mountain, where I felt like the queen of the world! It was so high, that my Nana didnt want to come out of the car. She is scared of heights.

Buddy with his backpack. Poor Dog

Mua

Liam

 My family and I went to the Lake once, and that is all it took. I took over 300 pictures of just Lake Tahoe and it's beach.

 Liam said he saw something big jump on him., but it was actually a bug. So then, I started looking for things on the ground, and this is what I came across.  A FROGGY!!!!!

A really fast boat!

I missed you all! I am so glad to be home and can blog about so many things! XOXO!
lovelovelove,
Melissa