At Last We Meet Again...

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At last, we meet again. It seems forever and a day has passed since I've written. I'm sorry. The auto-pilot of life just grabbed hold of me and would not let go. But I'm back now for good. 

 

I can't believe it's July. June evaporated right before my eyes. I did too much and yet it seemed like I didn't do enough. I've been told that in your late 20's you have to take the ride and hold on for dear life. Lately I've been learning how true in fact that statement is in the real world. 

 

From the passing of my grandmother in April, my cousin's wedding jam packed with it's "Uniqueness", bullies in a particular area of my life from 9-5 that I can't talk about here, to losing a friend of 16 years over stupid double standards, to embracing the reality of being in a real relationship for two years and feeling the pressure of the length of time, to all that lurks in between. What a rough patch of time it's been. 

But then the beauty of life shined through reminding me of good times to come and brought those good days to me in stunning technicolor. For my two year anniversary CJ took me to where we had our first date...and when he pulled up to my place he had flowers in his hand. He kissed me in the same spot he did 2 years ago. It was awesome. From all the frequent rain storms in New York I've seen 3 beautiful vibrant rainbows all giving me hope of a smile. I went to Mexico with CJ and experienced a whole different world that was so eye-opening to stare at ancient Mayan ruins that it took my breath away.  I love my lil world but catching that glimpse of how big the world truly is has be hungry for more...I can't wait to plan my next adventure. Oh yeah and I'm on my way to 27 Dresses is starting up again with dress #2...very soon...

 

All of this has taught me so much...The good & the bad. 

 

 

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Starting this week I'm going to try and get back into the groove of things. I've been obsessed with Pinterest lately and with my trusty Nook I've been reading tons of magazines. My 27th birthday is in a lil over a month away and my gift to myself is organization & attempting to stop feeling like I'm constantly at a dead run or just "scrapping by". I want to feel confident in my actions and feel like I have a good grip on my chair of life. I've actually lost & kept off five pounds and for me that is a huge feat. More on all of this later. 

I can't wait to see what the blog world has been up to. I missed you guys. You have all opened my eyes to so much...I can't wait to see what will be next! =)

The Oddest & Weirdest Wedding I WILL EVER GO TO!!!

The Wedding did happen...but what a story do I have to tell....

Have you ever been a wedding where the bride shows up to venue at 11:45am when she was supposed to be there at 8:30am and the ceremony was supposed to be at 11:30am.... I have...

A Wedding with Doves thrown after the announcement of Husband & Wife, but then the doves won't come out of the box so the groom has to shake them out and up into the air?.... I have...

One where all the bridesmaids shoes were ruined because the photographer told us to stand in the grass and we sunk right into it with our high-heels???....  I have...

A wedding where the sermon mentions bank accounts, divorce, & how a marriage is ruined so don't do this and that? I have...

A Wedding where the Bride & Groom sat at their own table and barely talked to any of the guests??? I have...

Have you ever been to a wedding when the whole bridal party, bride, & groom don't show up until 10:15 when they were supposed to all be there between 8:30am-9am??? I have...

A wedding where there is a jeweled belt on the cake??????  I have...

Needless to say this was the oddest wedding ever. I showed up at the venue on time and NO ONE WAS THERE!!!! Never would I think I'd be the first ones to be there. My parents and I had mimosas with the staff. Slowly everyone came and the panic rose because the bride was late. We couldn't get a hold of her either until she walked in at 11:45am. During the ceremony a train went by so you couldn't hear the pastor & then the firehouse whistle went off.... What is odd is that EVERY picture I have of the bride she is not smiling... Ever smile on my cousin looks fake...I don't know what to think of that. I can't believe we all ruined our shoes in the mucky grass. The food at the place we went to was inedible.    The bride & groom just stayed at their own table. I don't have one picture w/ my cousin and just one picture with the bride that I had to wait in line to get because they didn't go around to anybody...Who does that??? There was enthusiast dancers with barely any clothes on that was tacky, the cake had too much bling on it, and one of the other bridesmaids never even said hello to me. The maid of honor didn't make a toast, the bride's family stayed on one side & my family was on the other side. It was so odd... They had a video montage of the wedding at the wedding...HUH?!?!?! We all banged our spoons on the glasses and Alex didn't get the hint to kiss his wife. I really felt like I was at someone's wedding I didn't know because of how impersonal they were to the guests...It was unbelievable.

I could go on forever about how awkward things were but there are some beautiful pictures I'd like to share.... The two best parts of the wedding was dancing w/ CJ and one of the bride's cousins dragging me on the dance floor and said, "Melanie, we have to steal you to dance! We're cousins now! We have to dance"! It was the nicest thing ever...and it didn't even come from my new cousin-in-law. It came from her second cousin through marriage...Weird...

Alas here are some pretty pictures that I manage to take...Carrying my phone in my cleavage is hard to do when your dress is held up by double sided tape. I did love how I did my hair. First time using a curling iron....

Me!

My lil Cousin & me

My Cousin Stephen & me

My Cousin smiling & the Best Man

The Doves...

The Bride & My Cousin (The Groom)

Cj & Me <3

The Cake & it's jeweled belt

The Bride & Me

I'm happy it's over....This wedding was an ordeal. I can now hang Bridesmaids Dress #1 in my closet now...Whew...

The Wedding is Tomorrow & WHAT NOT TO DO....

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My Cousin's Wedding is Tomorrow...I have never been so unsure about a wedding in my entire life. I don't know what to think about anything. All I know is I have to be at the Florentine Gardens at 8:30am dressed and ready to go & that's where I'll be. If the bride shows up & if the groom shows up and it actually happens at 11am like it is supposed to then it will be a miracle. The weird part is that I am not exaggerating. I'm keeping my fingers crossed BIG TIME.

Here is one last "WHAT NOT TO DO IF YOU ARE GETTING MARRIED" tip from a tired stressed bridesmaid....

IF SOMEONE THROWS A PARTY FOR EVERYONE TO GET AQUAINTED THE NIGHT BEFORE THE WEDDING, TO GO OVER REHERSAL PLANS & SEE FAMILY, THE FUTURE BRIDE & GROOM SHOULD BE IN ATTENDANCE....

I'll explain: My Aunt, the mother of the groom, threw a party at her house for relatives that came in from far away. There was all the close family there of the groom. But, neither the bride or the groom showed up. Needless to say it just showed us they could care less who is coming or not to their wedding. It was rude and it makes me want to go tomorrow a little bit less.

I will report back tomorrow w/ the details of this awkward as hell wedding I will be attending. Please Wish Me Luck! 

I Wish I Could...

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I wish I could...

Sit down and write a 400 pg zombie romance novel in one weekend. Just sit and write for hours and the thoughts will keep on flowing...

Skip my cousin's wedding on Sunday...I've changed my mind about the whole thing...I don't want to be a part of it.

Hear one of my grandmother's stories about the 50's and how she ran into Charleston Heston & how we are related to the Duke of Alba on her 89th birthday that would have been this Saturday...

Go into a store and buy whatever my heart desired, not just have a Pin Board of "If I had a Million Dollars".

Walk down the streets of New York City and suddenly have a movie director say, "You're it! You're what we've been looking for!" & cast me in a major motion picture....

Get over this horrific cold...I have a date w/ Theraflu tomorrow...works every time...

Have all the answers to every question. Actually no, I wish I could read minds...Yeah, that'd be pretty sweet.

Not be so tired all the time...

Be more secure & confident in my actions. 

Know that everything will turn out okay...

What Do You Wish You Could Do?

The Balance…Defining the Edge…

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Somehow in all the craziness, Cj and I have a balance of give & take in our relationship. The balance appeared one day naturally and we just let it swing us here & there. I think this is one of the reasons that our relationship works. When I’m sick he makes me soup, when he’s sick I make him tea, and we are both sick we decide to stay away from each other so we can both get better. Lol. I’ve been going to his band practices for support, he’s going to my cousin’s wedding to support me, he came and held my hand the entire duration of my grandmother’s funeral, and every time he speaks about his late father I fasten my mouth closed and listen to him, letting him talk for hours if he chooses. We’ve been talking a lot about our possible future together and this balance is one of our strong points…

When the lead singer of CJ’s band noticed I was coming to more practices she took me aside and asked me a question:

Why do you come to practices to watch CJ? You have come to the last three of them…Why?

A lil dumbfounded at her question, I answered because he asked me to come and it was within my power to go. I told her how he is supportive of my Adult Ed Cupcake Class and has even helped me on several occasions deliver them &/or tell people how great my cupcakes are. I would love to do the same for his new band. Take photos if he needs me to or videotape them playing. I went on to say we’ve been in a relationship for 2 years & if he wants me to be there, then I will be there. I wouldn't think twice. He also looks hot playing his bass but I didn’t tell her that lol. 

She looked at me w/ a half-smile and said,

“I’m considering breaking up w/ my boyfriend because he won’t come to see me practice & sing.  I’ve done several things for him just because he’s asks me too but he won’t return the support to me. Is that messed up or what? Shouldn’t he want to go to practice to support me? It is so awesome that you come to see CJ play. He lights up like a F**** Christmas tree when you come w/ him…I want that with my boyfriend…is that too much to ask for???”

I looked her dead in the eye and told her that it is NOT too much to ask your boyfriend to come see you sing & play. There should be that balance between a boyfriend & girlfriend and support. She shook her head, “Yeah” and was like “Exactly”. I told her they should sit down together and really evaluate what each other wants from their relationship. I hope they work it out, or find out that they aren’t right for each other & want different things. *Keeping my fingers crossed for her*

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Relationships are a funny thing, but that balance holds them together.

Do you agree? Is there a balance in your relationship of give & take?

I’d love hear…

Sick & Phone Calls…

 

Forgive the lack of posts last week, but I’ve been so sick I can barely keep my head up. Of course when you’re sick it turns out to be the busiest week. I’m lucky tho to be sick now because I have the wedding this weekend & my trip to Cancun next month. Whew…Nothing a lil more tea, lime, & honey can’t help! =) I also discovered the trilogy everybody has been discussing… “Fifty Shades of Grey”…Let’s just say it’s so good I read the first book in 2 days…and I’m now on the second one…I can’t put it down. I want to go buy CJ a silver textured tie…*Wink Wink*

Speaking of that wedding…I received an odd phone call from my cousin who is getting married this weekend last Friday night. He sounded so tired & defeated and I couldn’t quite place why he was calling at first. Then he spit it out, “Mel, I need help. I’m going out of my mind with this wedding. There is so much I need to do and no time. My fiancée is going out of her mind. She is so fucking frazzled. Can you please call her and tell her you’ll help her out??”  I told him of course I’ll help. He proceeded to say, “Great! I knew I asked the right person. My fiancée can’t stand my sister so you’re the only one that can help.”  Long story short I agreed that I would help where I can with everything & would call Carol, the fiancée the next day.

Ring..Ring…No answer from Carol. I called again, no answer, left a voicemail letting her know I’m here if she needs me. No call-back. I text her later that day explaining I’m here to help in case she didn’t get my calls. To which I receive a text back, “Hey Mel sorry my phone was dead. Everything is falling into place we don’t need any extra help. Thank you tho!” I don’t think she realizes that I everyone knows if your phone is dead it goes straight to voicemail, so I doubt her phone was dead because it rang multiple times. I called her less than 24 hours after my cousin called me….Something is wrong here. I’m not sure if my cousin is getting cold feet or Carol is too stubborn & frazzled to ask for help. This is sending me totally the wrong signals. 

To be a fly on the wall in their apartment this week would be an enlightening experience. I hope it works out but frantic calls from my cousin & then a different response from the fiancée is not making me jump for joy. I wonder if my cousin will call me again this week... I hope he doesn’t call me.

Also they are not having the cameras on the tables at this wedding??? Isn't that a must-have for weddings so you get more pictures of the guests?? Oh boy...

Work calls…I will have another post later today. Good luck on your Monday Endeavors… 

 Source

Embracing A Pear – Wannabe Hour Glass – Body

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Starting Weight on 1/31/12: 174.8 lbs

Current Weight on 5/8/12: 170.2 lbs

Total Weight Loss: 4.6 lbs

Wow, Pinterest is amazing because somehow I found a picture of a Pear w/ my name on it?!?!?! *Insert Creepy Music*. But it is completely right on the mark. I am a Pear, hear my roar. What am I talking about? Well, “People with a Pear Body Shape have hips wider than their shoulders because their bodies store fat there and on the thighs.” Via BMI CALCULATOR.  That is my body in a nutshell. It sounds silly to assign a fruit doppelganger to see what body type you are but it’s true and embracing that fact has changed my whole diet outlook.

Reading all the articles on how to properly work-out has pushed my brain into overdrive w/ lil success. I can’t do a plank position to save my life. However that’s okay, there are other just as powerful & effective exercises that do the same thing. I think even just telling myself, “Hey that’s okay that you can’t do the plank position” is a motivator to do something else that will be more constructive for my body-type. There is even articles called, "Best Workout for a Pear Body" that brings a smile to my face. Accepting my body-type has helped me to realize there are specific things I can do to help that will get real results & it brings on a more positive feeling of accomplishment. The websites I’ve been using to see these work-outs in before & after positions are Shape Magazine, Women’s Heath Magazine, Whole Living, Fitness Pal, & Spark Diet. ( FYI – Magazines all have websites and usually display exercepts from their new issues online – if your trying to cut money corners – don’t buy that $5 magazine, just look on their website for that big article’s highlights.) 

Mostly I’ve been working on lots of cardio to work out my legs & hips. My arms have always been muscular from my Track Field Events days & Cheerleading so my main concentration is my hips & legs. I have been getting up every hour, even if it’s just to the kitchen at work to get a drink. On lunch time I’ve been walking at least 20 minutes a day. I just wasn’t seeing enough results changing my diet alone…The Treadmill & the Bike are really bringing this to light I think. I have been noticing my belly is flatter too from the exercise.  Almost 5 lbs down…finally…

 

In regards to my diet, I have been trying to incorporate more detoxing foods like blueberries, strawberries, & blackberries into my diet, especially for breakfast. Ah, and mangos…One medium mango is perfect snack for me along w/ some Almonds. Also, Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt w/ the fruit on the bottom is my new go-to meal finisher. I actually have been trying to eat smaller portions at lunch on smaller plates…BUT after completing my meal if I’m still hungry 20 minutes later I will eat the Yogurt and usually it clenches the hunger; w/ 12g of protein it really makes you feel full. 

 Sara Rue - Before & After

Additionally there are a few other quick things I’ve been doing that hopefully in a few more weeks I’ll really see the results:

1. Do not eat anything out of a bag. Pour out the chips you are going to eat in a bowl or on a plate. That way you see what your eating, not just blindly pulling out chips or candy.
2. I’ve switched to Skim Plus Dairy Creamer at work to nix the extra cream calories in my coffee. I really can’t taste the difference. 
3. Days of Rest from the gym are a must so your muscles can unwind for a day or two during the week. 
4. Look at Positive & Healthy Women as motivation, not the Victoria Secret catalog. – Examples: Jennifer Goodwin, Jennifer Hudson, Sara Rue, Raven Simone, Jordin Sparks, & even Kelly Osbourne who has kept off the DWTS weight loss.
5. I stopped drinking beer. It has been hard to resist a Corona w/ lime, but a glass of wine leaves me more satisfied w/ no wear near the amount of carbs. 
6. Keep Going!!!

Almost Under 170….Gotta keep at this…I have my cousin’s wedding in 2 more weeks & Mexico in a lil over a month…Motivation galore…*Just Breathe*

Have you been trying any new Exercises?? Any New Tips You’ve Noticed are Working? Are you a Pear, an Apple, or an Hour-Glass?? How do you deal w/ it?

The Case of the Mondays...

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Ever have just one of those days? What was funny was I thought today was going productive & I was getting a lot done!?!? I even wrote out a "To Do" list and I'm happy to say I crossed off a lot of things I had to do off that list, but apparently it didn't show on my face. I must have looked really sad because my boss even came to me and asked me, "What was wrong?". A lil dumbfounded I told him nothing...just a lil tired. But there is something not quite right and I can't put my finger on it. 

I'm not depressed, but I think being here & there & then here & then cartwheeling over there is showing on my face. That is so not like me. I am totally that lil kitty up there hoping to catch that red light. I want to be all smiles and not be Wednesday Addams 24-7. I also have been working out & exercising so I'm not sure if it's just the awkward phase between goal weight & um...not. I'm oddly losing more weight in my face so my dark circles are more pronounced & my cheeks look hollow... hmmm...I need that vacation I think to rejuvenate. 

Hopefully seeing Eve 6 on Thursday night will help bring my spark back too.  Remember Eve 6, they sang, "Inside Out" & "Here's to Tonight" that was on every Totally Hits or Now CD back in the day. It should rock! 

Yeah, I'll get my spark back. It'll happen...Starting tomorrow...