[I don't want to go back to school.]

I am not looking forward to the end of Christmas Break. At all. Although, my break hasn't really consisted of anything truly productive I still feel like I could use another week to get all of the nothing out of my system. Unfortunately, I go back tomorrow afternoon, whether I like it or not. Blahhh.

Also, I have yet to come up with a new year resolution. The problem is my previous resolutions never make it past February or March and this year I am determined to be successful. So, I guess you could say that my new year resolution is the resolution itself....but I still have yet to decide on one. As past experience has shown me, if you have a billion goals by the end of two weeks you are frustrated or burnt out and you end up giving up on all of them all together. I decided that this year I would pick one thing to focus on. If I successfully achieve that one goal I will be totally and completely satisfied. However, now the challenge is to choose something from my long list of faults that is the most important for me to change. Hmmmmm. I'll have to get back to you on that.

So, any suggestions/thoughts/comments/ideas are welcome. I know I'm one of the worst bloggers ever but any advice from anyone who is still reading this is welcome. :)

Happy New Year all!

Love, Mel

[This is why I love him]

We were skyping on Christmas. He goes of camera and comes back on with this on and keeps talking like normal. I laughed way hard. I love you Chris!

[Thanksgiving]

So, I pretty much had the perfect Thanksgiving break. Some of my family was upset at not having the chance to meet my boyfriend, Chris...so I promised to post some pics of him/us on my blog for those not on facebook. Enjoy! ;)

Our first date :) We had a grass fight.

[My business is to create.]

I must create a system or be enslaved by another mans; I will not reason and compare: my business is to create. -William Blake

Life is not about discovering yourself, it is about creating yourself.

[Rethink]

You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself. -Alan Alda

Growing up in a dominantly LDS community, you never really have to question or wonder why we do what we do. Its possible just to obey by default and never think twice about it. Well, being here at Westminster...you can't really do that. As people ask me why I don't drink, or why I go to church every Sunday...my lack of response has shaken me. My beliefs make me happy, and I know its right...but I don't know why yet.

I guess I'm heading towards "knowing for myself" and "not relying on the testimony of others." To be honest, I'm excited to begin this new investigation of my beliefs, to acquire a deeper understanding and eventually more diligent obedience. Wish me luck and post any advice please! Loves!

[New Favorite Things]

-Big bowls of Malt O'Meal fruity pebbles

-Forum Firesides at the institute building

-James Dean movies (oldish favorite...but rediscovered this weekend)

-Jacket weather

-Letting my hair be natural

-Classical Singing

-Bachelor Pad (Monday nights on ABC)

-Spitfire Grill

[Risks]

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.

To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.

To reach out is to risk involvement.

To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.

To place your ideas, your dreams, before a crowd is to risk their loss.

To love is to risk not being loved in return.

To live is to risk dying.

To hope is to risk despair.

To try is to risk failure.

But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

They may avoid suffering and sorrow, but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live.

Chained by their altitudes, they area slave, they have forfeited their freedom.

Only a person who risks is truly free.

-Author Unknown