Infinite

Exactly three weeks ago I graduated from college.

My name was called and I walked up the platform. With a nervous smile, I shook hands with the president of my university, and then after a few more handshakes, I exited the stage a college graduate.

I never thought I would experience a dream come true, but I did.

That day was a blur. It was raining, but somehow the gloom seemed as light as if the sun were out. Like it was just a blanket covering us graduates to provide a little security as we crossed into the next chapter of our lives.

When the class of 2013 was permitted to exit, I spotted my mom in the crowd. Her smile is really the only vivid thing I can remember. The second is when my best friend, roommate, sister, looked at me as she was returning to her chair and mouthed the words, "we did it."

But, it was my mom's smile that made the whole day worth while, because I earned that degree for her. As I exited the stadium, I held up my degree, looked up at her, and cheesed like the little girl I know I would always be to her.

Now, three weeks later, I have my own apartment (except the remainder of my roommate's belongings) and a different life I'm very much in the process of navigating. In a week, my roommate will be coming back to pack up the rest of her things and move hundreds of miles away, the furthest we've been in 4 years. It's strange to me how a stranger can come into one's life and become such a vital part. Even though I know it's just a "see you later," my roommate has been my family since I left St. Louis. She's been there for the colds, the break-ups, the bad grades, the good ones, the falling in love, the Walmart trips, and so much more. Like I said, she became my sister and no matter how far apart we are, that will always bridge the distance. I'm sure of it. 

So, I sit here, looking around at what my life has become in three short weeks. I contemplate where to hang my degree. What books should go on what shelf. What pictures to put in frames. I purchase furniture and watch as this apartment grows into my home. A piece of myself goes into every decision.

The vastness of it is scary yes, but it is the most free I have ever felt. I could literally do anything right now. Who knows where I will be in another three weeks, or a month, or a year. I could have a new job and be falling in love.

As irrelevant as it sounds, I'm often reminded of "The Perks of Being a Wallflower." The night my roommate and I left the theater, she looked at me and asked, "So, what is your infinite moment so far?" and I couldn't answer, until now.

It was the moment I looked up at my mom, like I have done so many times throughout my life, and held up that degree. It was the moment when I gave her the goofiest grin I could because I knew she watched me grow up in those seconds that I crossed the stage. It was in that moment when a grin was the biggest "thank you" I could muster through tears.

It was the moment, I was infinite.

Once Upon a Time, I Actually Did Something Over the Weekend

Yes, you heard it here first.

I, Melissa, actually went out this weekend. And, it was a blast. This may or may not go against my being antisocial lately.

Anywho...

This Weekend I...

Went on a fun errand run with one of my best friends, Alayna. I needed groceries and she needed supplies for a project she's doing with her class. This resulted in a conversation with a model who worked at Home Depot named Rob. Okay, he wasn't a model but he might as well have been. And when a man who looks like a God is talking about fishing and manly things, you can't help but be all hot and bothered. Am I right?

Our errand run ended with a stop into Petsmart where they were having an adoption thing. And oh jeez, I almost adopted one. His name was Jet and he was a Jack Russell and Rat Terrier mix. I seriously fell in love. But adopting a dog without my roommate's consent and the whole money thing kinda stopped me. I hope he got adopted.

{Sorry, for the blurry picture. He was skirming}

Saturday night, I got all dolled up to visit with my old landlords/friends who I just love. A simple dinner turned into an awesome girls' night.

First, I cooked some red beans and rice while sipping white wine. I have never had white wine and after trying it, I don't know why. It was yummy.


Yes, there is red beans and rice underneath that cheese and ketchup. Don't judge...



Oh, and not to mention. These girls got to entertain me while I cooked...

After dinner, the six of us went out to Ellis Park ( a horse racing park/casino) to have some drinks and gamble. Now, I am not a gambler... I lost my ten bucks (oh, yeah I know biiiig risk taker) and spent the rest of my night watching the others gamble and drinking. Speaking of drinking...

I thought I wasn't a beer drinker, but lately I've had a taste for them. I tried Bud Black Crown and I usually hate darker-ish beers but this was good.

Sunday, I worked and then relaxed and did homework while snuggling with my Prudy-bear.

How was your weekend?

Linking up with Sar & Syn!



Top 5 Worst T.V Shows... Random Thursday

Hey ya'll!

Today, I am linking up with Em, Lin, and Meg for a looong overdue dish of some Random Thursday.



Today's topic?

Top 5 Worst T.V Shows

We all know television has had some doozies. Not every show can be F.R.I.E.N.D.S or How I met Your Mother (We all know those are my faves). So, which 5 do I deem the worst?

{One}

Teen Mom 2
Okay, I am guilty of watching this show. I really, really am. It's addicting. But it's soooo dumb! I mean some of the choices these girls make should not be televised. But like I said, I watch it sometimes. Not religiously. But sometimes.

{Two}

Here Comes Honey Boo Boo
No... just no. Stop that right now.

{Three}

Anything Kardashian related
STOP giving these people t.v shows. I BEG you, please

{Four}

Secret Life
Just the commercials for this show makes me gag. I'm guilty for watching my fair share teen dramas *cough* obsession over One Tree Hill *cough* But this doesn't even have good plots. The acting is bad, the writing is bad. It's just bad and cheesy and over the top.

{Five}

Buckwild
This had potential to be a good show. Country kids are fun and interesting. But this just turned out to be trashy. None of the guys are hot. The girls are annoying. It just doesn't work.

Do you have any t.v shows you hate? Link up!

A Day in My Life

Hey everyone!

So floating around the blogoshere is a challenge where you document your day by taking one photo every hour from the time you wake up until the time you go to sleep. It looked fun so here is my "Day in the Life." I documented this past Monday since it was my day off. Enjoy :)

Note: Since I only get one day off a week, I will warn you this might bore you. just sayin'

Monday January 28, 2013:





8 a.m- Up and dressed for class. I will not leave the hhouse without coffee.




9 a.m- Victorian Literature. We're reading North and South




10 a.m- Work Study. Unpacking books received in the mail.




11 a.m- Still at work study...




12 to 2 p.m- Usually at 1 I have my humor writing class, but it was cancelled. So for two hours I did homework and read blogs.




2 pm- Senior Sem wooo




3 pm- Waiting for the bus




4pm- Cleaning my room




5 p.m- In order to do laundry, I had to go to the gas station and bargain for quarters.




6p.m- Cleaned Ted's fish tank while waiting for my friend Alayna to come over




7 p.m- How I Met Your Mother!




8pm- Time to fold and hang up allll that laundry




9 pm- made a late dinner for the roomie and I




10 p.m- The Daily Show



11 pm- F.R.I.E.N.D.S and homework



12am- Settled in and watched Catfish before bed





1 a.m- Bed time



Welp, as you can see it was a relaxing and productive day off!

Until next time...

XO,



Tuesday Ten

Linking up again with Lin and Amber for Ten on Tuesday. Join in!



One
 How I Met Your Mother was a repeat last night. I was not happy.

Two
Catfish was a new episode. Honestly, I think it's awesome that they feature gay couples too. And Nev is just uber cute.

Three
Yesterday was my only day off of the week and I would say that I was productive. You'll get to see my day off hour by hour tomorrow!

Four
I have a 2500 creative non-fiction piece due tomorrow which I haven't even started. Procrastination rules my life.

Five
For my media class, I have to write and film a public service announcement. My topis is pet adoption. You beeter believe I will be staying away from Sarah Mclaughlin music... I wanna make it funny but sweet. Any suggestions? What would YOU want to see in a pet adoption ad?


Six
My outline for my novel is being workshopped in class tomorrow... I think I'm going to pee myself.

Seven
It's official... I'm a Hoosier. I got my state I.D last week.

Eight
I swear I have been the most anti-social person ever lately. The only person I have wanted anything to do with lately is my roommate and that's only because I live with her. No clue what my deal is.

Nine
I think being single makes people try harder. I swear if I was in a relationship right now, I'd be sitting here in sweats and no make up. But nope, I woke up this morning and tried. That should be our motto.... single people, we try!

Ten
This song has been stuck in my head all week...

Welp, there's my 10. Have a good day everyone and tune in tomorrow for a day in the life of me!

XO

The Nitty-Gritty

Hello lovelies,

So, this weekend as usual I mostly worked. I can't wait for the days when I actually do stuff on the weekends.

Friday night, however, my roommate and I made quesidillas and rented "Pitch Perfect" which I was actually impressed with. I was worried it was going to be a "Glee" knock-off, but I was pretty impressed. And who knew that chick from Twilight could sing?

Nevertheless, if you haven't seen it, I give it my stamp of approval.

But aside from that, my weekend was spent working, catching up on sleep, and doing a lot of life evaluating.

See, I've always had a plan. Always. it's weird NOT to have one. So with graduation three months away, the fact that I don't have a plan is freaking me out. I'm scared to even look at my resume. There's a lot I need to address.

Like:

• Where the heck am I going to live?

In an ideal world, I would be able to keep the apartment I'm in now. I love my apartment. But in order to keep it, I would need to either find a new roommate (which, don't think I sound super anti-social, but I want to try my hand at living completely on my own), or make more money (obviously). I would love to keep that place nad take the master bedroom and make my old room into a guest room/office. It would just be awesome. But, because I have to be realistic, I've started looking into one bedrooms around town. Sad part is, I'm not even fully convinced I want to stay here. I mean, it is more convenient to stay in this city for another year, but I feel like it may get a bit lonely with my friends being gone and family far away. But for now, the plan is to stay here for another year.

• Then, there's that whole job thing...

I really need to man up and start getting aggressive here. I will admit, I am holding myself back. I could easily sart networking and sending out my stuff. I already found out about jobs available at a local magazine, but I haven't jumped on the opportunity. Because I'm human, I will admit there is a fear of rejection. What if after years of working on my writing and dedicating my life to it, it's not good enough? What if my resume impresses no one? It's a scary world out there...

These a BIG questions. And BIG decisions. It's all just new territory that I need to face no matter how scary it is. But i know I'm going to come out okay in the end. Life has a way of working itself out and even though this chapter of my life is terrifying, it's exciting and an adventure. I really can't wait to jump into it. And no matter where I am this time next year, I know it's gonna be great and I'm gonna be happy.

In other news, coming up this week on the blog...

Today, since it is my day off, I have been doing the photo-an-hour challenge which will be up either tomorrow with my 10 on Tuesday or Wednesday. Also, I will be doing a vlog, yes, a vlog, tour of my apartment since after 6 months I have yet to show that off.

Good things are coming, so be excited :)

p.s Just a small update: Thank you to everyone who kept my cousin in their prayers. If you don't know what happened, get caught up HERE. She is now home from the hospital and healing nicely. Her and her fiance are going to name the twins once she's recovered.

XO.

Luke Bryan Shook It For Me...

Hey ya'll,
I'm a little late getting this post up, but better late than never right?

Last Thursday, Luke Bryan, Thompson Square, and Florida Georgia Line were here in good ol' southern Indiana and you know I couldn't miss that.

So here are some pics from the show...

Have a good weekend!