A Woman Obsessed..

Ok, I'll admit it....I'm addicted to light fixtures. It doesn't matter where I go, my eyes are always drawn upward to light fixtures. I'm obsessed with chandeliers. I buy pictures of them, I want wall clings of them, I search for interesting ones on the internet, and I will slow down a crowd in a casino to get a good look at one. LOVE them. Anyone who has walked into a building with me knows this. We went to the new ARIA a few weeks ago and they have the coolest light fixtures in there. So many cool chandeliers with really interesting design qualities. Seriously, if you want to see some great design, walk around in that casino for a while. I kept bumping into people because I was too busy looking around! We've only had one of my interior design classes, but I've realized that I'm drawn to clean, modern, geometric designs with natural details thrown in. I love the contrast! A simple, monochromatic room with an interesting branch suspended from the ceiling, or a lamp made of driftwood, or a pond with giant green leaves floating in the middle of a room. Anyway, the moral of the story is that I'm excited for this class, though it seems more directed to home improvement projects and remodeling, but they did say we're going to talk about lighting and all that other good stuff. You better believe I'll be sitting front row for the lighting lecture!!

All About Me!

I don't want anyone to panic...I think I'll be ok...but it's official.......I have Spring Fever. Thanks for the diagnosis, Liz! Ok, I needed a new blog post bc I was tired of looking at that last one, but I really don't feel like uber blogging. Sooo...you're getting one of those All About Me emails, made over into blog form. Ta-da! Don't pretend you don't like reading stuff about me, or you wouldn't be my blog friend in the first place!

SIX NAMES YOU GO BY
1. Melissa

2. Meliss

3. Melly B

4. Auntie Wissa

5. Lissa Lou

6. El Presidente

THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW
1. underwear

2. heels

3. glasses

THREE THINGS YOU WANT VERY BADLY AT THE MOMENT

1. My own house/apt
2. To be at home reading

3. Normalcy

THREE THINGS YOU DID LAST NIGHT
1. Had dinner w the fam

2. Went to game night at Josh's

3. Updated rs stuff, uploaded cd's, cleaned my room

THREE THINGS YOU DISLIKED TODAY
1. The feeling in my stomach

2. getting out of my nice comfy bed

3. coming to work - i just don't wanna today!

TWO PEOPLE YOU LAST TALKED TO ON THE PHONE
1. Megan P (does texting count??)

2. My mom

TWO THINGS YOU ARE GOING TO DO TOMORROW
1. Working

2. Starting my interior design class!

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE DRINKS
1. Diet Coke

2. Water

3. Lemonade

WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

My parents liked the name Melissa, but my middle name, Dawn, is after my aunt's college roommate Ladawna. Apparently she was pretty rad.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

Last night. Don't judge me, but I was cleaning my room, found Charlie's shirt that I wore home the other night & had intended on returning the next day, smelled it and cried. It's part of breaking up, right?

DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?

Not really. I feel like it's so juvenile.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?

Turkey all the way. Sometimes roast beast if I'm feeling adventurous!

DO YOU HAVE KIDS?

nope, but I'm a really good aunt!

IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

Heck yes! I am F.U.N! And I think it's pretty easy to be my friend. I'm not high maintenance, and when I finally ask you something, I'm ready for the honest answer.

DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?

All the time! Kind of a problem I guess.

DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? yuppers

WOULD YOU EVER BUNGEE JUMP?

I have and I would again! It's a little scary at first, but sooo much fun!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?

Fruit loops and multi-grain cheerios or oatmeal squares

DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

Yes, unless they're heels :) Always one foot at a time though...

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?

I put up a good front and I pretty much think I can do anything, but sometimes I'm stronger on the outside than the inside.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?

Cookies and Cream or Pralines and Cream

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?

Eyes, smile, sense of humor, hands

RED OR PINK? Pink

WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I run everything by other people before I make my own decisions. Even though I've made up my mind...I need a group consensus. - that was Megan's answer, but I totally do that too!!

Ok, my least favorite thing...my impatience. I hate being interrupted at work while I'm in the middle of something and get so annoyed by phone calls and fellow employees. Don't bug me! ;) Oddly enough, I don't get bugged like that when my friends interrupt me with texts and chats though. Oops!

Oh, and my battle with time. I'm always so worried about time and how long it takes to do things, and how many things I can fit into a day...ugghhh! Oh...was I only supposed to list one thing here?

WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Tasha and Heather

WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

Brownish Banana Republic slacks, and brown heels. I hate these shoes, they're so old, and I desperately need new brown heels!

WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?

Rice and curry for dinner last night at 5:00ish. I've had a knot in my stomach for days

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

Too many people being too loud and high-pitched in the office. Sometimes I feel like I have a perma Monday hangover. Loud Noises!

IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Green

FAVORITE SMELLS?

freshly cut grass, books, tires, Autumn, new babies

FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Football, basketball, MMA

HAIR COLOR? Red

EYE COLOR? Green

DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?

Yes, but I'm pretty sure I don't have the right ones bc they drive me crazy. I need new ones that let in more oxygen.

FAVORITE FOOD?

Pasta and bread. Can't go wrong. I was the happiest camper in Italy! I could also eat Mexican food here pretty much every day though. Ooooh - or a good sandwich...

SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs....does it still count if I fell asleep halfway through, snuggling with my nephew?

WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Pink shirt, oatmeal cardi

FAVORITE SEASON?

Autumn all the way. LOVE the crispness of the air and the colors. Love...

HUGS OR KISSES?

Hugs and snuggles, but I won't turn down a good, meaningful kiss :)

FAVORITE DESSERT? Cheesecake... or french pastries

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?

"Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins. I've had it forever and need to give it back to Megs, so I'm poundin it out!

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SOUNDS? Rain, thunderstorms

ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles

WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?

Europe - not sure which country was furthest...Germany maybe?

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?

Being caught in the dark by a stranger. Being alone forever. I'm also a little afraid of the ocean.

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?

I can roll my stomach like a wave!

WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

Raymond, Alberta, Canada

And just because it's my blog and I can...

-I'm a sucker for a guy in a well-tailored suit - especially gray

-I have only had one jolly rancher chew, and like 5 sour patch kids since last Wednesday, which is huge for me because I looove candy and sweets!

-If I had a few extra hundred dollars I would finish developing all of my pictures from the last 3 years.

-I'll finish paying off my credit card debt in about 3 months (right after my cruise), and then I'm going to save up to be American! Almost been 15 years....I think it's time :)

-If I could disappear into the woods in a secluded cabin for at least a week, I'd be in heaven!

Meesta! Meesta! Get me outta here!!

Man! I am feeling super restless lately! I don't want to be sitting behind a desk working all day. I'm over it!! I feel like a little hamster stuck in his ball! I would much rather be running, hiking, doing an artsy project, reading, taking a bubbly bath, painting...or doing anything else right now! I can't take it!! Does is sound like I'm taking crazy pills, because I feel like I am?!

I'm sooo tired of waiting for everything too. Waiting to finish paying things off so I can get my own place, waiting for my interior design class to start, waiting to take more classes that I want to, waiting to find out what happens in my life, waiting for my business to take off, waiting waiting waiting! Does it sound like I need to work on my patience, because I think I do?! Please tell me I'm not the only one who gets restless like this!

My Spiel

Yes, I am a single girl and yes, I do have a significant other to spend Valentine's Day with this year. However, my opinion about Valentine's Day came about 2 years ago when I lived in Portland. I worked in a floral shop during this festive little holiday and it was SO much fun! It was so fun to see the outpouring of love from everyone that came in. It wasn't just sappy boyfriends/husbands/secret lovers getting flowers and chocolates for their significant others...it was anyone getting them for anyone - parents, grandparents, siblings, neighbors, etc too. It was so cool to see, and maybe I'm just a sap but I now think Valentine's Day is so neat!

We all have busy lives where we're running around, doing our own thing, and it's kind of cool to have one day set aside each year to stop and tell everyone you love that you love them. I'm not saying that businesses don't make a bundle off of this day - they definitely do - but I'm just saying that there's no reason to be bitter if you don't have a significant other, there are plenty of other people in your life who love you and whom you love. It's not a "single-awareness" or pig out with your girlfriends and feel sorry for yourselves day. It's a day to pick up the phone and call your grandma, or send your nephew a valentine in the mail, or send an email to a friend, or take cookies to a neighbor. I know, I know...I'm sounding super cheesy right now, but I don't care! I actually love Valentine's Day and I want to spread the single girl non-bitterness! So Happy Valentine's Day to all the people in my life and if you've thrown up by the end of this post...I don't care...I love you anyway!

Pick up Lines

So, back in December I got in a little accident and finally got my bumper fixed after about a month. I went to pick up my car today and there was an older "gentleman" (I use the term loosely) in there getting his '06 Mustang fixed. As I'm standing there the old man starts talking to this other kid, who recognized me from my job, and says:

"She must be a telephone operator, cuz she's got great lines!"
"She's got a body that goes for miles!" (something like that...he clearly messed it up)
and last but not least,
"She makes my liver quiver!"

Ok, old man, take a breather before your Viagra kicks in and we all get embarrassed.

Expanding my Horizons...

Ooooh! I'm so excited! My mom and I just signed up for an Interior Design class at UNLV. It's only 4 weeks long, but I think it'll be so fun and we'll at least get to learn the basics and see if we're any good at it. We've both wanted to give it a shot for a long time and I can't wait for it to start!!

I just decided yesterday (yes, a little late on the New Year's resolutions) that 2010 is going to be the year that I take charge. I'm no longer waiting for life to lead me, I'm going to take the lead for once! No more waiting until I'm done with my calling to take classes and go on cruises. I'm just going to do the things I've wanted to do for a while, and make time for my hobbies. So...I'm warning you that there may be more random posts to come...

Just Because...

I'm sitting at work and I'm sooo bored right now. Rain in the car biz means a slow week of paperwork! So, lucky for you...I get to blog now!

Matt and Renee and their little ones have been living with us for the past few months and I am in love with those boys! Nephews are the greatest!! Almost makes me want my own kids....almost. Jonas is potty training right now and he'll be 3 on Monday. He says and does the funniest things. Yesterday we found him running himself a bath - stripped down, toys in the tub, cold water running (not plugged) just sitting in there! haha (he may have had a little accident...) The other day Renee heard him singing "A Child's Prayer", but he mixed the words up a bit and sang, "Heavenly Father, you are really there..." Precious. It's nice to have a child's innocence around to put things back in perspective. Gibson is just sooo nice to have around. Renee has been lucky to have such good babies. He laughs and smiles at everything and he's motoring all over the place! If you're ever having a rough day, that baby's smile will fix it in a heartbeat! I just love them.

So, I just read Lindsay's blog and decided to steal her post, since I don't really want to post about dirt biking with my brothers last weekend, and my dad's new calling (1st Counselor), and how great my boyfriend is....

1. What did you do in 2009 that you've never done before?

I rode on a cable car! I also took a pole dancing class, which was super fun too!

2. Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions and will you make more for next year?

If I made any I'm sure I kept them :)

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

I can't remember! I know I have some pregnant friends who are close to me who are close to giving birth though!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Not this year, but a lot of them got married which I call "dying" too...since they tend to sometimes disappear into newlywed land :)

5. What places have you visited?

San Fransisco! San Diego, LA, Canada, Utah...

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

Patience, better organization, no debt, my own place, more chocolate

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched in your memory and why?

August 15th - my best friend, Joni, got married and I was her maid of honor. It was a truly beautiful day.

8. What was your biggest achievement this year?

I was able to balance all of my endeavors - calling, business, job, life...

Pretty much every wedding I finished (especially a two-day wedding I had) were huge accomplishments to me - all 19 of them!

9. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Just my mind

10. What was the best thing you bought?

Oooh, so many things...pretty clothes, scarves, shoes...technically I paid for my cruise in 2009 so I'm counting that!

11. Where did most of your money go?

I moved home and paid off my credit cards...so it all went to the banks

12. What song will always remind you of 2009?

Jeremih - Imma Star. haha! Oh Mei-mei... My bosom friend Megan Paris is a music fanatic and introduced me to a lot of great tunes such as this one.

13. What do you wish you would have done more of?

Weddings, relax, paint, projects

14. What do you wish you would have done less of?

Worry

15. What was your favorite TV program?

Either The Bachelorette with Jillian or Dating in the Dark or Modern Family or Glee

16. What was the best book you read this year?

Hunger Games or Water for Elephants...I don't know..there are a lot

17. What was your favorite film of the year?

That's a really tough choice...I can't ignore Harry Potter bc he is my first love, but I loved (500) Days of Summer too

18. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?

I went to San Fransicso with Megan Paris and it was sooooo much fun! We had a blast! I turned 27. We'll probably do a repeat trip this summer and go somewhere fun again...I hope!

19. What political issue stirred you the most?

I'm not political but I'm trying to pay attention a little more. I guess the health care issue got me listening for a minute...

20. Who was the best new person you met?

Charlie <3

p.s. I just looked back at the last 6 months of pictures and I have to say I had a pretty fantastic year!