STARTING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

Can you believe it is nearly mid December?
At times (and by at times I mean all the time) I feel as though life is FLYING right by me. I think "Oh, that's not for another few weeks" and bam, that few weeks turns into tomorrow. I always have mixed things about the month of December...and what do I do when I have mixed feelings?

I write letters.

Dear December,

You are the perfect ending before the perfect beginning. It is almost as simple as that. Aside from your holiday swag (yes, I just said swag), there is something much more deeper to you than holiday sales, higher electricity bills, ornaments, gift wrap, tacky sweater parties and Santa. Underneath the petty stresses of finding the perfect gift, finding the perfect tree or sending out your Christmas cards on time, you are the month where we want to show people how much we care about them and give them a little something for being a part of our lives this past year. You bring warmth to the colder months and you really do bring joy.

I love that you're the season of hot chocolate, snow globes, multiple family dinners, Elf, peppermint, red, Christmas cards, wrapping presents, days off, knitted everything, family time and nights by the fireplace, but I love you the most because you're the month of true reflection. When you roll around, I look back at everything that has happened these past twelve months and ask myself some important questions. It is amazing how much can happen in just one year... I reflect on the person I have become and what will become of me. Have I changed? What changed me? What have I accomplished this year? Did I say I love you to the right people enough? What are the mistakes I have made? What are the moments I need to hold on to forever? Am I where I want to be? Am I where I need to be?

You always urge me to grow, grow, grow... to give back, to love unconditionally and learn to relax. You are one heck of a month and know how to end a great year in style. For now, I am soaking up in your holiday sun and loving every moment of whipping out my Christmas music and having an excuse to spend some money on loved ones. I am always torn with whether I want you to speed up or slow down.

For now, slow down :]

It is sure starting to look a lot like Christmas.

Boone: Bittersweet goodbye (for now)

Dear Boone,

Not many people can appreciate your hidden beauty, but every day since I first moved here four years ago, I have been falling in love with you more each day. You changed my world. You changed my perspective. You changed me. Who knew that a little town in the High County, whose population doubles when school is in session, could have such a lasting impact on a girl trying to find her way in the world. You may not have had the hip clubs, Target, student discount at the movie theater or the other million things the world likes to use to distract themselves, but you had heart. You had a culture of people that cared, cared about one another and cared about leaving the world better than how they left it. You became my home when I was 18 and as much as it hurts to say goodbye to my home, I think you have prepared me to take on the rest of my life. It is silly how attached I've become to you. After four years of holding hands with such a place, I guess it is really time to let go.

I thought I knew everything when I first moved to Boone. I thought I was just so "mature" for my age and knew everything about life, love and everything in between, but doesn't every 17-18 year old? Boy was I wrong. You taught me to stay grounded, become more patient, breathe every once in a while and appreciate the little things in life. You showed me a different kind of love. A kind of love that does not stay the same but grows. A love that involves much more than simply caring but respect, trust and understanding. You have put me in situations that tested my character. You let me make mistakes in order to learn from them because it is not the act of making mistakes that define your character, but how you react and learn from them that does. You enabled me to listen to the other side of the argument by getting off my stubborn high horse. You inspire me. You gave me opportunities to show what kind of person I am personally and professionally. Most of all, you gave me lasting friendships and gave me the courage, resources and drive to follow my dreams.

Not all days were good. Your winters realllllllly tested my patience. I admit to cursing your name under my breath every time I had to walk outside in your snow globe. Your winters are beautiful when I am inside with a coffee mug sitting by the fire, but man you were a bit brutal with your wind (admit it). But once you shed your winter blues and leaves starting showing their true colors, you made it all worth the wait. I can't even describe how absolutely breathtaking it was to hike your mountains and see the Blue Ridge Parkway or to feel SO close to the constellations, you felt they were in reach. You have been one heck of a back drop to my life. You let me understand the natural beauty of our surroundings. Forget those man-made skyscrapers or malls built to buy your happiness and find peace through retail therapy (although it does work temporarily). Seeing your inner peace and beauty every day has helped me to continue to find mine.
 
I have learned that we never stop growing ...and this is truly the beginning. I am not the same person I was four years ago and it would be silly if I was. It would be even more silly if I was the same person 10 years from now as I am today. Boone, you have helped me grow up and have led me to choose the path of greater resistance. There are no shortcuts in life and it is truly about the journey rather than the destination. I used to focus so much on the goal that I lost sight of the beauty about everything in between. You bring me back to reality but always made sure I knew my dreams were within reach. 

I still have a novel of things to learn, but Boone you have been one heck of a chapter. I will continue to write about you for years because you have been one of my true loves. Thank you for the lessons. Thank for your the change. You were everything I needed and so much more. This college graduate is going to share the beauty and strength you showed me and really make a difference in the world. I may not be able to reach the whole world, but if I can just change one life, that will be perfect enough for me. Thank for your some the best four years of my life.

This is only the beginning dearest Boone.
 Keep changing lives like you changed mine.
Plus, did I mention how kick butt your local restaurants and stores are? My goodness I am going to miss stuffing my face.


Now, excuse me while I go have a little emotional breakdown about moving. There a few happy tears in there, too. I promise. Like Dr. Suess says, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

Photo details: Photo was taken July 26, 2011, in Moses Cone off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Once upon a time my friends and I were involved in a local band. We went out for a walk about took some band pictures showcasing the beauty that stood right outside our door, literally. This was one of scenic photos. Isn't Boone a beauty?

Please excuse my dear hiatus

My dearest friends & readers,

Please excuse my hiatus until the next Tuesday Tunes.
I will out of town this weekend and planning my best friend's bridal shower! School has definitely kept me busy these last few weeks and before I tend to the blog, I need to tend to my studies! Hope you understand :) I definitely have a lot of posts in mind for the upcoming weeks, if I could just sit long enough to write them! Trust me, I would love to just blog and read all of yours all day.

Very soon this blog is going to have somewhat of a major makeover. (Details to come soon-ish!) I've thought a lot more about branding myself in the blogging world and think I came up with something that encompasses me as an individual and as a blogger. Hopefully I'll have time to fully work on everything. Hope you'll be patient with me along the way :)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend ahead! The weather is looking nice over here in the mountains of the Appalachia. [Hopefully] no more snow storms ahead...some times Boone weather can be crazy like that. I already want to pack up all my wool sweaters and wear my sandals + chacos every day.

Also, one of the big campaigns that I am working on for my senior classes is a collaboration between Appalachian Industrial Design Students and Perennial Wood. If you all could be a doll and support our Facebook page, Twitter and blog, that would be fantastic! We've been working hard to promote all our social media (we launched earlier this morning!) and would appreciate your support!

Take care.
Love and other four letter words,

Melissa

*Photo by Melissa Vega.
It was taken on a beautiful spring day in front of my friends apartment in Boone. We had a picnic filled with hummus, potato salad and sun chips. Then we went on a mini hike and met a beautiful butterfly who modeled for us. See the post of the picnic here.

ATHENS, GA VIA FILM

Dear Athens,

Where did you come from? Where have you been hiding? I didn't know you existed but my goodness, since my first trip in October, you've introduced me to some lovely people and you never cease to host some unforgettable moments. Did you know you're only four hours away from Boone? It was bittersweet leaving you again this weekend. I'm not sure of our next reunion, but just know that everything that happened keeps me smiling at night.

This weekend was filled with late nights, seeing my friend's band Funk You play (everyone needs to check them out...NOW), windows down, running in the rain, rooftop bars, fish tacos, a failed attempt to watch Harry Potter, beautiful mornings, warmth, great company, completely sucking at darts, a very small tour of UGA, Jittery Joe's..twice, porch conversations, new inside jokes, winking, little moments, learning new things, meeting new people, staying out, sleeping in and just overall a new refreshing perspective.

I must say Athens, you threw me off this weekend and yet made everything make sense. I tried to capture some moments with disposable cameras. There's something authentic, wonderful and "road trippy" when using film cameras. Although I may not have much money, or any money at all, I will be investing into film a lot more.

Thank you for a [insert best adjective here] weekend.
I'm still smiling.

I REMEMBER: MY FIRST COLLEGE APARTMENT

All taken January 2010 in my first college apartment, J1

"I remember" is a photo series I started to look back at old photographs I've taken throughout the years. I've been feeling bittersweet about moving on to the next chapter in my life and I'd like to relive some of my favorite moments. Won't you come along? This weekend I'm in Athens, GA so you'll be getting a lot of "I remember posts"


Dear Apartment J1,

You were my first official college apartment and I thank you for truly teaching me a lot about life, relationships, friendships, roommates, cooking, laundry and of course being the ultimate place to hibernate during those winter months. Something about your wood paneled walls always kept me warm and safe. You were there for probably one of the toughest years in college and possibly my life. They call it the sophomore slump for a reason don't they? Even though you were much tinier than my townhouse now, you always felt like home. Plus, you were a two minute walk from campus! Such a stud you were Apartment J1.

When I look back to that year, there were a lot of things I could be angry about. On a small scale I could be angry at how loud I remember you being since we lived right by campus or on a bigger scale I could be angry at the constant confusion and feelings of lost I felt throughout that whole year...whether it was academically or emotionally, but I wouldn't be where I am today without it.

One thing I do appreciate you for is the constant inspiration I had that year with you. You were there when I got my DSLR camera and you were so patient with my desire to take thousands of pictures, even if close to 99% of them sucked. You were there when my passion took full speed and I will always remember that.

Do you remember when I got locked in the bathroom and when I called Vicki, our landlord, she laughed harder than anything I've ever heard before and that [hot] maintenance man came and got me out?
Do you remember when I spent the whole summer watching Weeds?
Do you remember I acted like a total college student, whatever that means?
Do you remember when I worked at Ruby Tuesday and hated it?
Do you remember when I started to truly fall in love?
Do you remember when I used to come home smelling like photo chemicals?
Do you remember when I tried taking a drawing class and was a-w-f-u-l?
Do you remember awful Biology class?
Do you remember when I tried to be a photo minor then switched to sociology?
Do you remember that hole in our bathroom door?
Do you remember when I picked up the guitar back up?
Do you remember when my roommate Chelsea and I would watch Maury and Jerry Springer?
Do you remember when we would stay up into the wee hours of the morning?
Do you remember when we had to attach the washer to the sink? (old school)

J1, although things were not all unicorns and rainbows, it was truly a wonderful year with you and that, I will always remember.

Sincerely,
Your 2009-2010 tenant

a letter for November

[ This photo was taken four years ago, right outside my dorm freshman year with my point and shoot camera. I can't believe it's already been four years! Probably one of my favorite photos.]

Dear November,

You are the month that always likes to sneak up on me. I get so preoccupied in the month of October that I almost always forget about you, which is sad because you are a great month - especially this year. I always love when you come around because I get to wear all my favorite coats, which you know I'm obsessed with, and you always make sure I spend time with my family. You are always filled with sales, beautiful drives down the mountain and scarves. This year you have made school a huge priority, but I think it's because you know I'm ready to tackle it! These next two weeks will be pretty hectic and filled with more planning, writing, studying and late nights than ever before, but you know I can handle it :) After that you will reward me with a whooping ten days at home. See, you truly know how to be a great friend.

Stereotypically you are known as the month of giving and giving thanks, but even though you make me realize I need to thank the people around me and the opportunities that have been given to me, I never really get to thank you. So thank you November. You are one of the sweetest months because you always put things in perspective.

As far as the blog goes, look out for some great posts in November. I'm hoping once things settle down a little in the academic world, I will be able to devote a little more time to my blog because I've got some great things in store to share with everyone. Just sit tight. Hopefully November will stay a little longer than usual :]