you.

Ever since I started talking to you, I've been so happy. I look forward everyday to coming home and seeing the cute little messages you leave me. Every time I receive a new message I get all sorts of butterflies inside. Sometimes I will lay on my bed and imagine what life would be like with you by my side. The past few nights I have not been able to stop smiling, because you make me feel so young and giddy inside. I listen to your music, because it always reminds me of you. I love the way you call me beautiful like it's my first name. I can't wait to actually do things we are planning to do together. I can't wait to go to that late night diner you were telling me about, and to go to that amusement park where we're going to scream like little girls on all the scary rides, and to spend evenings cuddled up with you while we watch our favorite movies. I have never felt this way about anyone before. Never. I don't think I've felt so happy for so long in ages either. It's seriously the best feeling ever. I can't wait for our next skype date, and to finally get to meet you one day. I can't even tell you how happy I am. You just make me so happy. You make me look forward to the day. You make me blush and skip around the house. You give me hope for the future.

you.

you are amazing.

<3

lovelovelove,
Melissa

Change.

I looked back today, and realized that I haven't used my camera since November. I know. What the heck is wrong with me? You want to know why? Well, I won't go in to detail, but I have been fighting through a lot: eating problems, depression, anxiety... that's just a few to title. Through all of this stuff I have been going through, I have lost touch with many things that used to mean the world to me. I lost my perfect grades. I lost a healthy body. I lost my interest in photography. I lost the joy in dancing. I lost friends. I lost motivation. I lost my connection with God. I lost many, many things.

Although I had lost many things, this weekend I have gained a few back. My grades are starting to go up again. I have pulled out my camera again, and started shooting whatever caught my eye. I am starting ballet this summer. I have motivated myself enough to do things I would not have done a week ago. And most importantly, I have started talking to God again.

I know, this is all kind of a big deal. Melissa's fixed!!! Haha, probably not. I don't think things like that happen in just one weekend, but this weekend has given me hope for a better future. After drowning so much in my issues for so long, I am starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I keep praying that that light is not just a candle fooling me, but that it is actually God leading me to a better, happier place.

Here are just a couple of shots I took around my room. I'm such a fool, but that's okay. :P

Studying has kind of been a priority lately.....

and sometimes I get distracted and draw smiley faces on my erasers....

or go on tumblr for a little while...

Did I forget to tell you that it's finally JUNE?!?!?!

Typical awkward mirror selfie...

One of my faves on my wall.

Did I happen to tell you guys I got a new baby a couple months ago?! Thanks Daddy!

I truly hope that I continue to feel in this brighter mood. It is honestly such a relief to feel like this for once. Feeling constantly down and hopeless is not in anyway fun, and it makes you question many things. Hopefully this change will stay, and things will start to look upwards from now on. Love you guys! xo

lovelovelove,
Melissa

"If you think you're alone, put on my music, because I'm gonna be there for you." -Demi Lovato

lovelovelove,
Melissa

"Human"

I like to listen to music. Like all the time. Recently I have been more in to music that I can relate to, instead of just to have fun and dance to. Something about having that emotional connection with a song can be really empowering. I found this song the other day on tumblr, and I literally have not stopped listening to it. Something about songs like this I am just really attracted to. I will have to make a playlist one day for you all. It's kind of my "sad" song playlist, but I don't know, I like it.
Anyway, I'm obviously getting a little off topic. This song is called "Human" by Christina Perri. I'm sure you guys may have heard the song on the radio or something. I hadn't heard it, but my mom has, so it must be played on the radio at least a little bit. I hope you guys like it:)

I just really love the video. It's gorgeous, and Christina is obviously one of the most gorgeous women ever. When I first watched the video, it moved me in a way that no other video has done before. I truly love it. The song, the video, the singer... all amazing.
lovelovelove,
Melissa

Picnic for One

So, I got home from my lovely picnic in the park half an hour ago. It was really nice. I spent five hours just relaxing. I listened to some of my favorite songs, read, ate, and journaled. It was really nice. Just having a short time to myself can be quite a treat. I took a few pics on my laptop, so I thought I'd share a few.

 I found a nice warm, and semi-shady grass area.

 I had a nice lunch and did a little journaling:)

 I read, and made weird faces at the camera... :P

And overall just had a really nice, relaxing time. Just getting to be free for a little is really nice. {Especially after a long week of finals.}
I hope you guys are having a great weekend!
lovelovelove,
Melissa

From Friends to Best Friends to...

From friends to best friends to... boyfriend and girlfriend!

Today was a crazy day for me! The guy who has been my best friend and the one who I've liked for what seems like forever asked me to be his girlfriend today. I am still in shock. He rode his bike more than 16 miles to my house just to ask me. I was in shock, and of course I said a huge yes. I feel so lucky right now. Today has been so great. It went nothing like I planned, which was supposed to be a day full of homework and studying, and turned into a day I will remember forever. We've been friends for forever, and now we're something even more special.

lovelovelove,
Melissa

:)

"I love you, Melissa."

"I love you, too."

<3

Happpy Mother's Day, Mom!

Happy Mother's Day, Momma! We love you with all our hearts! You are our true best friend, and you always will be. You mean so much to us, and we could never imagine life without you. You make us smile and laugh everyday. You do so much for Liam and I, and we are so very thankful for all that you have given us.

We love you Mom,
Melissa and Liam

My InstaLife

Wow that sounds really weird, but ok, whatever! I thought I would post some instagram photos, because some are good memories and others I just like! By the way, I hope I will be able to post more, but I'm just doing this around my school schedule! STRESSSS!!!! AHHH!!

  

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1. Motivated: "Don't practice until you get right. Practice until you cant get it wrong." 2. Smiling because days keep getting better. 3. School threw up all over my floor. 4. Christmas Eve, and super long pajamas. 5. Party with ma girls. 6. All nighter: reading inspirational quotes, watching Dance Academy, reliving memories, and eating jelly beans. 7. two miles, fourteen minutes. 8. Thinking about life in a quiet place. 9. Working on photography project. 10. The birthday girl, and my best friend, Diane. 11. No time to sleep. Must study.

I just gathered a few photos from my instagram, because there are too many. I will probably post some every once in a while, but for now this is good. I hope you guys are having a good weekend. I'm losing my mind with studying over here so it's nice to get my mind of school for half an hour. Love you guys!
lovelovelove,
Melissa

A Happy Valentines Day

So many people think that valentines day is so cheesy, and stupid. I can sort of agree, but still any holiday is a happy one. I woke up early to finish my owl valentines {I'm sorry, I forgot to take picture of them before I handed them out.} Once my parents got up they surprised me with a huge box of reece's peanut butter cups {my recent new addiction}, and my brother a huge box of M&M's.

When I got to school, I was in a rush to put stuff in my locker, put my violin in the
music room, and  get to class on time. So, I didnt have much time to really do any celebrating. Throughout the day, I was handing out my valentines, and I loved everyone's faces as they got them.
It was really picking cute.

When I got home, I pulled out my few little treats, which were just enough since I've been trying to stay on a healthy diet {by the way mom, thanks for ruining that with the reece's! Jk, they're awesome!} I've been happy as can be with my candy, blasting music, and dancing.

My favorite part of the day was when I got a Valentines card in the mail from one of my best friends. He always likes surprising me. I felt very special. First of all, because it was my only Valentines card I got this year, and second, because it came in the mail. And I just love getting mail! It's so awesome! So now, we're just chatting, and I find it cute and funny that he still has my Valentine I gave him last year.

So, yes. That has been my day. So, I guess I can say that Valentines day isnt that bad after all! I hope you guys are all having a great Valentines Day, too!!
lovelovelove,
Melissa

P.S. I will be posting pictures and other stuff soon! :)

Just Another Melissa Update!

Are you guys ready for another Melissa Update? I am!! Ok, here we go!!

 Best Smelling Candle Ever!

 Preparing for the party.

 A beautiful afternoon for a photography walk.

 My new favorite super hero/ avenger.... Thor! xoxoxo! Love him!

 I cant tell you how many times I rewrote this essay...

 Late night fire with the family.

 What I finally spent my birthday money on: Sperry's!!!!

 Midnight studying.

 My nails! I thought I would change it up for once!

 The key thing that has kept me going this week. ;)

 Sunset through the lens.

 Ran all the way home from school yesterday: 2 miles, 14 minutes.

And of course... Muah!

So, this has been my life lately. Nothing overly exciting. By the way, I miss you guys!! I miss posting on my blog, guys! I wish school didn't keep me away from this! Still, I'm here now! Email me guys! I would love to hear from you guys!! Ok, well I will post hopefully soon!!!

xo

lovelovelove,

Melissa

Thanksgiving and Christmas

I was just looking at this blog when I realized I havent posted the pictures from Thanksgiving! Whoops! School has been crazy for me, and I totally forgot! Ahh!! Ok, so I will post both Thanksgiving and Christmas photos then!

Thanksgiving:

 Our plates piled high with our delicious thanksgiving feast!

 Relaxing, eating food, and enjoying the views.

 Our dinner setting!

 Go-kart rides around the property with Opa!

 Buddy eating his "Thanksgiving Feast" consisting of dog kibble.

Also, I got to help bake this year!! This is a picture of the food in process!

Christmas:

 Liam and I woke up to this wonderful view!

 Our annual next to the Christmas tree photo.

 I was pretty stoked about getting these movies.

 Liam had been dieing for this movie. My parents decided to prank him a little by wrapping it in the big box next to him. Haha!

 My lovely parents <3

Christmas party conversations.

Instagram photo: Vanessa, Jasmin, And I. 

We went to a Christmas party, and got to spend time with family and friends. We had a blast telling stories, eating food, laughing, and so much more. It was really a great time, and it was probably the best party of them all (we do this every year.)

On Christmas morning, before the party and other festivities, we got to be with both pair of grandparents. It was really nice to have them both visit. Well, they kind of visited. My grandparents came down from their mountain home, and our grandparents from Colombia visited by skyping all morning. It was really nice.

On Christmas Eve, we celebrated by doing our annual Christmas eve tradition! We went looking at Christmas lights, went out to dinner (it's always Chinese food...yumm!!!), opened the first gift of Christmas, and read a scripture from the bible. It was really fun, and quite relaxing.

This year's Christmas was really great! By the way, happy new year!! 2013!!!! Woohoo!

lovelovelove,

Melissa